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New York City: 2000
Mortals, thousands of mortals for as far as the eye could see. Emilia gazed up the busy street, watching them live out their short lives and wondered if it were better that way. Was a short life more full? Or was it just shorter? She wouldn't know. They wouldn't know.
Her musings were interrupted by a feeling. She was not alone in this mortal sea.
Mika looked up from contemplating her navel. That's how she referred to her blank I'm-seeing-everything-but-not-paying-any-attention gaze. She glanced around to try and pin point the source of her present half slight nausea, half headache. Man did she ever hate the 'Buzz'. Great that there was a warning, lousy that the method of warning was such a pain in the well, head. She looked down the street her gaze finally lighting on a woman who seemed to be looking just as earnestly as she. It was good she didn't want a fight because the woman looked fully capable of making sure Mika's head and body never met again. And she like her head where it was. It was comfortable. After all it had stayed there for 525 years. Aware she was babbling to herself Mika took a deep breath. She caught the woman's eye and smiled. Bravely, she walked over to the woman. "I'm Michela Triene."
Emilia looked the Immortal before her over. "Emilia Antony. Are we going to 'play'? I have no wish to, because I have an appointment." She glanced at her watch. "In a half hour."
"No, I try to avoid the game as a whole but" Mika sighed. "Turning my back on an immortal is not the way to make sure my head continues it's happy position connected to my body."
"That is prudent." Emilia nodded. "So I suppose we'll just stand here and stare at each other."
Mika grinned. " Nope, I'll make you a deal, we both walk away and I keep my head attached and you get to go to your appointment. Deal?"
The other woman considered. "Well, I suppose it is the only thing we can do. It's good to find someone reasonable."
With a cheery smile and a jaunty wave Mika walked away with a smile. Wow that woman was scary. She must have been, like really old. Good thing she didn't want to fight. "Or my head and neck would only met again in pictures. Wow, I don't usually get so terrified just from meeting another immortal. Usually they have to smile at me" Mika thought with self-depreciating humor that did nothing to reassure her about that powerful woman.
Anna Lucas stood suddenly almost knocking the manuscript she was translating to the floor. Her sword was in her hand by the time that Michela Triene walked
through the door to the airy working room. Anna sighed and put down her sword absently smoothing her rumpled skirt.
Mika grinned wickedly " I told you peasants didn't wear skirts like that. At least not in *my* day."
Anna replied to the time honored greeting between them "And we all know you're older than the hills, oh ancient one" Anna mock bowed to the immortal. They both knew that Michel, Anna's teacher and the one that introduced the two women was older than double both of them put together, but Anna stilled teased the older immortal about her age.
Mika perched on a stool in the kitchen Anna led her to and opened the soda Anna tossed to her " Michel'll be in tonight?"
"Yeah, why? I think I told you that like five times"
" Well, I met this woman today and she was really scary. I wondered if Michel might know her."
"Being so scary himself?" Anna questioned grinning. It was another old joke ('Do Immortals have any other kind?' Mika wondered absently) that their mutual friend was one of the most terrifying men on the planet, when he was anything but. Michel Descreates was a big teddy bear. Small animals and children trusted him instantly and both Mika and Anna counted it one of the saddest things ever that Michel could have no children of his own.
Once they were done giggling Anna continued " No seriously what was her name?"
"She said it was Emila Antony." Mika said casually.
Anna turned to stare at her open mouthed.
Emilia had reached her appointment, made the needed deal and gotten the money she required. She really hated selling off her keepsakes, but when an old plate went for $100,000 on the black market, well, one had to eat.
She didn't realize she was the topic of conversation as she walked along the nighttime street, her cane clicking sharply on the pavement. It would have surprised her really, for she was a recluse for the most part and didn't
consider herself a conversational piece.
There were many Immortals about town, she knew. She could feel them on the fringes of her senses ever so often; no where close enough to be a threat. Rather like hearing breaks squeal in the distance, there was danger, but it was not to your immediate self.
'I wonder if I ought to try being social once more', she pondered. But making herself known was dangerous. Emilia had learned that long ago. She was much too old to not attract attention. Her head was happy upon her neck
"You've met Emilia Antony?" Anna continued incredulously? " She's almost as much of a legend as Methos! Everyone thinks she's in a temple somewhere,
if she's even still alive. Geez, Mika, she's supposed to be incredible. She's like almost two thousand years old! And for one that age to be regarded up there with Methos..."
"How do you know so much about her? I mean Methos is a legend. Everyone knows about Methos, of course. But I've never heard about this lady" Mika question almost suspecting Anna was playing a joke on her.
"Michel told me he used to know her, but no one he knows has seen her in more than five hundred years!"
As soon as she entered the apartment building, Emilia felt their presence. There were others in the building. Two... maybe three. She would have to examine this before she rented an apartment here. It wouldn't do to have neighbors out to kill her every morning when she went to fetch her paper.
Sian was running in the park with her dog, thinking about where she should go on vacation. 'Greece,' she thought. 'I haven't been there in
200—' She stopped running and looked around, her talent telling her that the immortal coming toward her wasn't young, but they weren't nearly as old as she was. A man rounded the corner and stopped. Sian looked at him and he at her. She waited. He smiled and she frowned.
"Identify yourself."
He signed to her that he couldn't talk. 'Great,' she thought. 'Just great.' "Can you read lips?"
He nodded. "Who are you?" she asked again.
"Michel." he signed simply.
"Are you here to fight, or are you passing through? And hurry up, I'm cooling down."
He laughed. "Passing through."
She nodded and turned away. 'Greece. There are fewer immortals in Greece.'
An approaching immortal presence made the women in Anna's apartment abandon their discussion on where to go for dinner that night. Both women jumped up, but only Anna went for her sword. Mika ran for the door squealing
" Michel!!!!!!"
'How she gets that many exclamation points in a sentence I'll never know' Anna thought grinning. 'Geez, though, you'd think they were still lovers.'
Michel swept Mika into a hug and twirled around with her. 'God, we should all get together more often. I miss them both.'
Anna was shyer , which was odd, one woman had grown up during Woodstock and other hippie-type events and the other had grown up when woman were told to be seen and not heard, yet Anna was the shyer. Thinking about it, she was only really shy about hugging him, which she did and kissed him on the
cheek, not the full lip kiss Mika gave him. He and Mika hadn't been together for over fifty years, but she still kissed him like that. 'Women! All the time in the world, and I'll still never understand women' he grinned wryly ' But then where would be the fun in that?'
Smiling he than told them about the strange immortal he had seen on the way over.
"Was it Emilia Antony?" Mika asked eagerly.
Shaking his head he signed that he had met Emilia before. What was she talking about?
" Oh, I saw her today, on the way here. She didn't want to fight, which I think was very luckily for my head and neck's continued acquaintance."
Grinning at Mika's turn of phrase Michel simply shrugged.
" Great, I live here, and I'm the only one who hasn't met a strange immortal." Anna moaned, not meaning a word of it.
" Just shows you need to get out more. Have wild mindless sex. Oh, and eat a pizza."
Blushing furiously, Anna threw a pillow at Mika who immediately reacted in kind. Soon all three immortals were in a furious, giggling pillow fight. Between the three of them they had over 15 hundred years of living, but they acted like three year olds together.
Grinning and looking at Mika, who had feathers coming out of her mouth were she had inhaled some during a laughing bout Anna said " Well, I guess that decides what we're having for dinner."
At once all three immortals started singing or humming a Jimmy's Chicken shack song. Not the same one, of course.
They finally decided to go to Gradakde's Restaurant [serving great food since 1910( "It wasn't all that great in 1910" Mika confided)]They were all the way to dessert and coffee ("We train to much to gain weight" Anna shrugged)
when they felt the buzz of an approaching immortal.
Emilia had been lazy. She'd never admit it, laziness was not becoming. But, Isis curse it all, she didn't feel like cooking.
And now there was a danger. Of course, the best way to face it. So she strode over to the table and realized she recognized all but one of the occupants. "Well," She said. "What a surprise."
Mika looked up at the frightening woman who had scared her so badly earlier that day. The normally verbose Mika was a little less nervous in the company of her friends and the presence of numerous mortals. " Um, hi, Emilia."
Michel smiled as well and his expressive eyes at once welcomed her and chided her for being gone so long.
The third party at the table, the one she didn't know also smiled. Seeing that neither of her friends were going to introduce her, Michel being unable and Mika
being...well, Mika. "Umm..." she felt none of the fear that Mika had claimed and oddly she liked the woman. " Would you like to join us?"
Emilia blinked. "I suppose I would. Mind if I sit here?" She gestured to a seat beside Michel. He consented and she sat. There was an awkward silence. Emilia sighed. "I haven't spent the last three hundred years in a temple
somewhere if you're wondering."
Michel nodded but raised an eyebrow.
Mika seemed about to ask, but Anna quelled her with a glance. She quickly waved the waitress over, before Michel's curiosity got the better of him and he signed "So where have you been?" while Anna's back was turned, knowing she didn't want Emilia to feel awkward. Well, he was curious. He raised an eyebrow again, blatantly questioning.
"Louisiana, mostly." Emilia replied. "I've become quite fond of the Arcadians there. Of course, before there was a Louisiana I was elsewhere, but I can't give away all my hiding spots." She raised her eyebrows. "Can I?"
Michel shrugged and smiled in answer, he accepted her answer.
Mika was uncharacteristically silent. Anna however glared at both Michel and Mika.
" Don't be so fierce, little one, if I hadn't wanted to tell them, I wouldn't have." Anna stopped glaring but her final look promised retribution on the practice mat tomorrow.
Michel groaned inwardly. Anna might look tiny and ineffective, but she was talented. Emilia seeing and correctly interrupting the look grinned mischievously at Michel. He was the same as always, except for being in love, naturally. He was the same as he had been thirteen hundred years ago when she had trained a new immortal by the name of Michel Decreastes, a boy who couldn't talk.
"Good luck, Michel." Emilia said. "And what is your name, little one? We haven't been introduced."
Anna blushed lightly at her rudeness. " Man, will I ever stop blushing at the slightest things?" Out loud she said " I'm Anna. Anna Lucas. I used to be Michel's student."
She smiled suddenly "Not that long ago either."
Intrigued in spite of herself at this fey child, Emilia asked with a raised eyebrow "But I distinctly saw him wince at the thought of sparing with you."
Surprised Anna glanced at Michel who was plainly looking elsewhere. " Well, I'm stronger than I look." She looked down at her small frame. " I can knock Michel down and he's a good six inches taller than me."
Emilia also looked at the man who was about 6'2 and no light weight. She smiled inwardly at the thought that he might have let her knock him down only if she tumbled on top.
"It's good to use your assets." Emilia said diplomatically tapped her cane on the floor in a knowing fashion. "Most important." The waiter came to take their orders and Emilia ordered a Caesar Salad. She sighed, looking at the menu.
Noticing her sigh Anna asked " What's wrong?' It was about that time that they realized that Mika had been gone for longer than her vague murmur about getting a drink called for. And she had left with her coat with the sword in it.
"Nothing. Where is your companion?"
" I don't know, she should be here." Even the usually calm Michel looked a little worried. Just then the power blew.
"I believe we may have trouble." Emilia understated.
All three jumped up, and leaving Michel to pay the bill, Anna and Emilia hurried outside in enough time to see Mika limp, tired to Anna's car. Anna ran to her, while Emilia followed at a slower pace.
Mika slowly and sadly explained. " He was new, and ill trained." She pointed to a bloody hole in her shirt. The hole was about the size of a bullet hole. " And he cheated." She grinned weakly. " Luckily he was a bad shot and I could finish the fight."
Emilia sighed. "The young ones have no respect for The Rules."
"Some do, but I think it's mostly the teachers." Anna stated, helping Mika to rise. Just then Michel came out looking worried.
"She's fine" Anna soothed. " It's fine. We're going to go back to my place and then I don't know, make some food or something." She turned to Emilia " Care to join us?"
Surprised, Emila answered "That could be pleasant. I will."
They all piled into Michel's car. Mika half laying on Anna in the back seat. They drove in silence except for an occasional giggle from Mika at some thought or another. Once at Anna's apartment Mika leaned on Michel going into the building taking every chance she could to touch Michel Anna noted half amused, half a trifle sad. This could very well be the catalyst to bring Mika and Michel back together. Seeing Michel catch Mika's wandering hand and give her a look she reflected that she did have great faith in Michel's will power. What ever had broken them up apparently was still important in Michel's mind. Once all were safe in the apartment Anna walked into the kitchen and began the popcorn popping process that was basically opening up a bag and a putting it into the microwave. Once Mika was safely on the couch, after spending an abnormal time changing, Anna called for Michel to help her get drinks. Asking Mika's and Emilia what they wanted and getting to glasses of wine she then told Emilia to pick out a movie from the entertainment case that held about eight score movies at Anna's last, " I'm really bored" count.
Emilia chose a movie taking place in Rome, claiming she found them incredibly amusing. Hopping on the couch and putting her feet and legs on Michel's lap a considerably calmer Anna asked" What movie is it?"
"Julius Caesar."
Anna and Mika started giggling. " I'm guessing Shakespeare had no clue what he was talking about?" Mika gasped out.
"Shakespeare, and then directors of the 1960s... between the two of them poor Rome is mangled."
Now Michel began to chuckle. " Poor Rome?" he signed.
" The greatest empire the world has ever seen?" Mika giggled.
" Poor Rome." Emilia said firmly.
Anna looked thoughtful for a moment " Is it true that the volcanic eruption Pompeii was caused by two Immortals, um, fighting on holy ground?"
An indecipherable look passed across Emilia's face momentarily. Then she smiled and said. "Oh, I couldn't ruin the mystery and myth of it all."
" Oh figs." Anna sighed.
Mika giggled "Oh, Figs?"
" Yes, do you have a problem with figs?"
" Nope, it's just that fuck seems like such a better turn of phrase."
" Fuck is not a turn of phrase."
The sight of Anna swearing was so incongruent that Mika just couldn't help laughing. Even Emilia couldn't help smiling at it.
Anna mock glared. "It's not that funny. Hey, have you seen Shakespeare in Love?"
Michel signed " No, I didn't like him."
Mika grinned " I only knew him a little, he kept trying to look down my bodice."
" I hate you all." Anna said with out heat. " You've known the Greats and you just complain. How about you Emilia? Who was the greatest person you ever knew involved in the arts?"
"The monks in Ireland. They did beautiful work. The Book of Kells for example."
"See no complaints about personality just 'Beautiful work.' People who live forever but have no appreciation for the arts. God I would have loved to live through all that. I'm only 40 years old and I have more appreciation for the
Greats then those who lived on their times." Anna delivered this speech with out any anger but with a great deal of 'I can't believe this' air.
Mika giggled " That's probably because you didn't meet them."
Anna mock growled at her, but whatever she was about to say was cut short by an approaching immortal presence.
Emilia cursed in some language that was probably long dead and sprung to her feet. Her cane was in hand.
"Hey Party here?" A young immortal man came through the door and grabbed Mika around the waist, swinging her around, while she giggled.
Once he put her down Anna walked over and hit him on the arm. Hard. " Ow!"
" Oh, it'll heal, you big baby," Anna said with affection. "You almost gave us all heart attacks. Don't you know how to use a telephone! Mika has already fought a strange Immortal. And if you're not a strange Immortal I don't know one."
"I know Mika fought. That's why I came" He mock leered for a moment. then "And I'm not strange. Well, only on days that end with Y. Anyway you would have recovered from a heart attack. If you could have had one."
" Figure of speech" Anna qualified.
Michel hummed. " Oh, sorry." Mika apologized. "Michel, Emilia this is Peter Stamos. Peter, Michel and Emilia."
If Peter noticed the lack of last names he didn't say anything.
Suddenly remembering Anna glared at Mika " You called Peter? And didn't mention?"
Mika blushed " Well, you know how a quickening effects…um..."
Michel, Emilia, and Peter nodded but Anna simply looked confused. seeing her look Mika said " Well maybe it doesn't do that to you, but I didn't think Michel was going to oblige me..." Michel shook his head. Mika sighed. " Shame. Anyway, I needed ..um.. Peter to come.."
" To help you do the same" Peter kidded. Anna finally understood and turned an unusual shade of red.
"Anyway, we'll be back later." And with that dragged Peter into Anna's guest room.
Still red Anna tried to fill the silence that only Michel's chuckles kept from being complete." Well."
Emilia relaxed the grip on her cane and sat down again. "I should have never come out. The stress is already horrid." She rested her chin in her hand and sighed. "Next thing I know, I'll have to take a head, or end up with a student."
" Nah, we all avoid the game. Any head hunters Mika takes care of them. Michel and I don't like to fight. In fact I've only had to take two heads in my whole live. And the most recent student Michel's taken was me and that was a long time ago. Peter is about Mika's age, give or take a hundred years. He lost his last two students, though so he doesn't fight. Michel doesn't fight as far as I know. There isn't that many though. It's like there is a pause in the game. But recently… Wait, I'm babbling." She held up a hand while Michel laughed. After a moment she continued. "If that Newbie hadn't fought Mika he would have fought Connor
MacLeod. He's the only one in New York who really fights."
Emilia sighed. "Knowing Connor, there aren't many aggressive Immortals left to worry about. He tends to clean out a place. And yet... I have taken many heads in my day, but I do not wish to become noticed in the modern world again."
"You won't. None of us want to fight. And we avoid everything. Like a bunch of little three legged rabbits"
" Three Legged rabbits?"
" Yeah, sure. The ones that had the lucky foot taken off. Stay if you want.. oh, damn." The movie started. "Monkeys! I forgot the popcorn!" Anna ran into the kitchen the smell of 'toasty', as in burnt, wafting out behind her.
'God Damned popcorn' Anna thought irritably. " Wouldn't burn, my little white.." Seeing Michel walk in behind her" Hindenburg scar" She finished sheepishly.
Michel raised an eloquent eyebrow.
"All right I was going to say ass"
"I know" he signed.
"Popcorn's burned" she continued stupidly and absently picked up the pot. "Ouch!" The pot clattered to the floor. In an instant Michel was to her side from his position leaning his hip against the counter. He cradled her burned hand in his own.
" Michel, I'll be okay. You know immortal healing?" They watched the burn heal before their eyes, but he didn't let her hand go.
Then Mika walked into the room, looked at them, and without a word grabbed a bottle of champagne and left.
Michel and Anna started giggling.
The commotion attracted Emilia to the kitchen, but the scene within made her return to the living room as soon as she entered the door. "I think I'm the fifth wheel tonight. I'll go." She called.
"No, we have two attached wheels than, we have Michel,
you and me all just spinning by ourselves. What fun." Anna tried.
Seeing Emilia's expression she sighed. 'If you want to go, go. Just be careful. Connor's good with the rif-raft but there are a lot of young immortals eager for their first head. Not that I don't think you could take them according to the rules, but some one is training them fast, well, and not teaching them the rules. New York isn't safe right now."
" What do you mean?"
" I mean there won't be one or even two there will be three or four young immortals fighting you at once. That's not safe no matter who you are. Or how good you are."
"I'll keep that in mind." Emilia replied with a sigh. "Take care of yourselves. I don't need to save some male's behind once again... It's too must work."
" Which male behind would you being saving Michel can take care of himself. He has for as long as I've known him and longer according to Mika. Is there someone else who needs protecting?"
Emilia smiled. "Everyone was young once. Don't get defensive." She picked up her cane. "I was just being...humorous. I suppose my humor isn't the right type
anymore."
"Sorry." Anna said taking a deep breath " I do get defensive. I know Michel can take care of himself , but the thought of a Hunter terrifies me. Especially one who is training more Hunters. And I hate when the new ones are targeted. Especially before they even know what they are, let alone can defend themselves. It drives me crazy?"
Alex stood at the door outside the building. She knew the others were inside, she'd watched them go in. She was wary of introducing herself. At 1200, she considered it wise to be wary of everyone. Feeling the comforting bulk of her sword, she braced herself, and walked in.
Inside Anna smacked her forehead as the buzz of yet another approaching immortal reached her. She was going to book for sure now. "What is this, an Immortal reunion?" she muttered to herself. This was wayyyy too much for her. She usually saw an Immortal every two years or so if that, not counting the vague
buzzing of Connor, but that was fine. This many immortals in one place smacked of the gathering. And that would be… bad. Witness the understatement of the century.
Inside the building and now staring at some confused looking Immortals, Alex wished she'd never come. Cassandra would kill her herself, never mind these people. She smiled her most charming smile and introduced herself,
"Hi, I'm Alex, and I'm looking for Methos. Anyone seen him?"
Anna quirked her mouth, "Great unobtrusive entrance, Alex."
Mika stepped to the front of the room, unwinding herself from Peter. "Why do you want to find Methos?" She glanced at Michel, who nodded. "And why do you think we'd know where he is? And if we did, we couldn't just bring you to him, right?" She glanced around for support.
"Nice, Mika." Anna sighed. "Could you have been a little more obvious? Hell, even I know now."
"I have a few of his journals..." Alex smiled. "I thought he'd want them." she shifted from foot to foot, aware of scrutiny." I've kinda been told all my life to avoid him. But I read these, and I decided to give them back in person. Plus, I hear he's cute." her eyes wandered around, checking reaction.
Michel snorted, and Mika raised an eyebrow. "We'll see if you can give them to the skinny little fuck"
"He's not skinnny he's more lanky" Peter interjected.
Michel shook his head in amusement. Anna simply looked around in amazement. "Isn't Methos a myth?" She asked softly.
"Much as he'd like to be a myth, he is rather real, the beer guzzling freak." Mika replied
" Didn't sleep with you?" Michel signed.
"Only once the bastard. Great in bed though. 5000 years definitely give experience." Mika aid perfectly straight-faced before smirking at the end of her sentence.
Anna sat down on the floor quickly and hard. Good thing immortal bums didn't bruise. "I think I need a drink"
"Oh I always knew he was real. My teacher yapped and whined about him all the time. I want to hand these over myself! In private if absolutely possible. I have some things to say to him." she scowled. "I don't want his head, if that's what
you think. I swear on my own head!" she sighed. "I have these whole issues with that. I have so may questions for him.
"I'll find him, but I rather thought he'd prefer it to be on his terms," she smiled. "It may help to tell him that I have absolutely to compunctions about burning the journals. .Hate to be mean and all but that's the way it is." she shifted feet.
"I may as well tell you who I am properly. My full name is Alexandra De Romanus, I was taught by Cassandra. I was *born* 1200 years ago in Scotland." She drew herself up to her full height.
"My late husband Joshua was a watcher who procured these when I bought and restored an old house in Copenhagen." She scowled.
"I think that's all the important stuff. I'm really rather boring. Can I sit? 'Cus I'm tired."
Suddenly both Michel and Emila stiffened
Anna struck her head. "Why do I like New York? Tell me that? Why oh why oh why. IS there like an immortal magnet here tonight?" She started looking under sofa and chair cushions, jokingly looking like she could find the immortal
magnet. A knock came on the door. "Just great!"
"This is just your lucky day, Hmmm?" Alex contributed.
"I need a small plot of holy ground, right in the middle of my kitchen" Anna said looking longingly at the aforementioned space in her home.
Michel chuckled at his former student. There was a knock on the door and the
immortal buzz was stronger. "Of course! Couldn't be going next door!" Anna said throwing her hands into the air. "Guys I like this apartment, I'd hate to have to get it redone. Okay? Hint hint."
"I agree. This is a nice place. And I do hate bleeding so. I ruined a nice shirt the other day and I'd like to stay as clean as possible." Alex added, with a grin.
"So no fighting okay you blood thirsty psychos?" Anna mocked glared at the assembled immortals, before opening the door. Inside the frame stood a tall, lanky man with black hair.
"Adam!" Mika said emphasizing the word.
Alex smirked. "Yes, ADAM do join us." she raised an eyebrow at Anna. If her rather good memory served her, and it normally did, this was either Methos or his non-existent identical twin. She'd had his description drummed into her brain constantly when she was a 'child', along with warnings. The ones she was
ignoring right now.
Methos glanced around the room. The room where there were exactly no mortals, if he judged correctly. He smiled at Michel, Mika, Peter, and Emilia. 'That's an unusual combination' ran quickly through his mind. He didn't know the other two, but Mika had a book he needed and she said she'd be here. He fought the urge to whistle unsuccessfully. Sticking his hands into his pockets and generally creating a boyish 'aww-shucks' appearance, he leaned against the door frame.
It was then that they all apparently noticed he was standing in the door.
Of the Immortals he didn't know, the one in a long skirt, stood out of the door and
gestured wearily Enter freely and of your own will and all that."
Alex sat beside the others and eyed Methos. She was tired, and she wanted to sleep. She unconsciously touched her shoulder bag, which contained the journals. One from 3rd century and one from about 220 years ago. She wondered
what would happen. It was all in the hands of the others.
Finally Mika couldn't stand it anymore. She always did have a
short patience span. "Adam is something of a linguist and historian, Alex, why don't you show him those books"
Methos had just stepped in the door so it was rather impressive that someone who had lived hundreds of years couldn't wait five minutes. Anna handed the tall man a beer .She knew how Mika's friends were, after all this time. All alcoholics.
After a few minutes of staring contests Anna finally slapped her head and said "Geez. Let's play a game. We all know something about everyone here, some of us no nothing about others. Let's everyone saw their real name and birth place or date and/or first death date. Oh, and maybe any tidbits that need to be shared, eh? A little trust among friends never hurt anyone right?" She glared at 6 other Immortals. 'Gotta get me some mortal friends' "I'll start. I'm Anna Deverow, born 1941, Delaware USA, died summer of 1960. My first teacher was Michel. Next?"
Mika spared a sorry glance at the surprised Methos, who hadn't even taken a sip of beer. Anna could be quite forceful, for such a tiny thing, when she wanted. "Aren't we a little old for Truth or Dare, Anna?" Experiencing the full force of Anna's glare, Mika capitulated. "Fine. Michela Triene AKA Mika, born 13th century England. Died then too as a matter of fact. I was 23. First teacher Laura Shaekel"
At Mika's nudge Peter stood too. "Peter George Winterbourne 1794 Devonshire, England. Died 1823, age 29. First teacher Raphel Montoya"
Seeing Michel's dilemma Anna quickly said "I'll speak for Michel since Peter doesn't speak sign language" Michel began signing "Michel Patrick born 8th century Ireland. Died at age 27. First teacher Emila." Anna looked at Emila in surprise. She shrugged, and said simply. "Born BC, Rome, Emila is my name"
Anna looked at the other two. "Your turn" She said hardly.
"Oh, I thought I was done playing getting-to-know you." Alex rolled her green eyes.
"Absolute truth, hmmm? Well, I was born 1200 years ago in Scotland, real name Alexandra de Romanus," she looked around.
"I have two of your journals, Methos. Though to tell the truth that's only partially why I'm here. I get lonely sometimes, I knew these were nice people, my husband was Mika's Watcher and...these seemed looked a good excuse to come
looking for company" She swallowed. "Oh, the journals were pure serendipity. A bonus. Very fun to translate." Alex winked at silent Methos. "But I'd have come to you all anyway. Just used a different excuse."
"Remind me why I like immortals?" Anna sighed. "Let me get
this right. You come looking for a bunch of immortals, specifically the oldest immortal in the world, because you were lonely? Oy Vey"
"It happens" Mika allowed
"Fine. I need alcohol. I vote we adjourn to a bar." Anna stood while saying.
"Absolutely, couldn't agree more." Methos 'Fuck, that's Methos!' was looking a bit shell shocked which made Anna feel better. If a 5000 year old was nervous, her little 60 year old self was pretty good then. "Fine then. Alcohol. Any location requests?"
Alex walked over to Methos and stuck out the crook of her arm, beckoning him to take it. He did, still a bit shell-shock and they all walked outside. .As they walked, Methos gradually recovered enough to make off-color jokes about Scottish people in general being dangerous. They arrived at a small, old bar, they all were acquainted with, slipped inside and grabbed a large table.
"Beer. ummm, beer is good. Yum." Anna was well on her way to being seriously sloshed as Mika and Peter were already. Methos,….wow, Methos, she still couldn't get used to that... had consumed the same amount as everyone else....combined and showed no sign of being intoxicated when a buzz hit them all at the same time.
"Oh, someone else to join the party.." slurred Alex. An inane grin spread over her face, and Methos laughed. He had a nice laugh...She leaned her head on his shoulder and began to giggle. She was joined in laughter by Anna. The buzz got slowly closer and she looked up into the face of...
"Connor! How are you?" Anna slurred.
"He looks pretty good to me" Mika leered.
Connor chuckled, a dry sound that usually creeped Anna out. Now, it just seemed kind of sexy. "Exactly how drunk are you all?"
"I object to the question" Mika said
"I'm not." Methos volunteered.
"Nor am I" Michel signed.
"In that case I'm joining you. Introduce everyone." Connor prompted watching a very drunk women wrapping herself around his cousin's friend, a man who he vaguely recalled…something about.
"Sorry, Connor." Anna giggled leaning on Michel to stand, to Mika and Peter's amusement. She pointed to each person as she introduced them. "This is Mika, I think you know her, but just in case. That's Peter, and Michel, and Emilia, and Alex and Meth...Adam. That's Adam." Connor nodded, remembering his cousin calling him and telling him Methos wasn't a legend. Funny, he looks like a little boy. Another buzz hit them.
"Hello, how's you?" Alex smiled at her countryman feeling another buzz, wrapping herself tighter round Methos.
"Why me?" Anna wailed, drunkenly burying her face in Michel's shirt.
Alex groaned, and squinted at Mika and Anna, muttering "Whozat?"
"I don't know. Whozat Connor?" Michel controlled his smile only with difficulty, while Connor smiled and waved the young man over. Well, the young appearing man who Methos drawled a greeting. "Richie. Hey. Join our mini-gathering."
"Hey..."Alex leered at the young man. "Have a seat."
Methos rolled his eyes at her.
"I think we should take this some where else." Methos smirked at the intoxicated table of Immortals.
"My house?" Alex offered.
The others nodded their assent and she stood, swaying and holding Metho's hand.
"He was just kidding about the Gathering part, wasn't he?" Anna asked leaning on Michel, though rapidly sobering in the night air on the way to Michel's car.
Michel simply nodded, concentrating on keeping her upright as Connor and Richie were doing for Mika and Peter, and Methos was for Alex. Four drunk Immortals, Four sober Immor…well mostly sober Immortals...not a good equation at all. But it wasn't the Gathering. It couldn't be the Gathering yet. Unconsciously he gathered his former student closer. This could be odd, like the mini gathering of 1985. Bad. Serious conversation was for when everyone was sober.
Seeing the intoxicated ones Michel decided that wouldn't be until tomorrow. 'Til then...enjoyment!
"You worried hem with your Gathering remark," drawled Alex in Methos ear.
He smiled at her. "Keeps 'em on their toes."
They were in Methos' car, being followed by the others off Manhattan Island and into the suburbs…past the suburbs.
"My house!" she smiled and gestured for him to stop. The house was large and Victorian, and she fumbled for her keys. She opened the door, and led everyone into her living room, pressing the 'play' key on her answer-phone.
"Hey, Lexy, it's Rob..." she deleted it with a "Pain in the ass."
She gestured at everyone to sit and said "Who's up for more alcohol?"
After a general round of "me"'s Alex left. Anna and Mika leaned against Michel and Peter, sighing and kicking off their shoes. Richie was looking at the sound system and Connor was just sitting looking at everything.
In a moment Anna started snoring softly, but Michel woke her. She always fell asleep when she had alcohol in her system. Funny for an immortal.
Alex came back a moment later with drinks.
"What's the plan?" Anna asked, still half asleep.
"Oddly enough, I have no idea" said their hostess. Leering at Methos she grinned. "But no killing." she shrugged off her coat, toed off her shoes
and stepped into the kitchen. "We could go somewhere, that'd be fun. Somewhere the younger ones haven't been, hmmm?"
"Like? It's New York. I've lived here for 20 years. Mika has been here off and on since 1890. Michel was first here...when? 1730? And Connor? Well, god knows with Connor. And Richie and I are the only 'young ones'."
"Anna gets a little cranky when she's drunk" Mika took her friend's drink from her, then signaled to say 'Your choice'.
"I didn't mean New York, child." She smiled at Anna. "I mean ANYWHERE." She shrugged lazily. It's not like we've got cash-flow problems." She singled out Anna and Richie. "Where have you never been that you'd like to go?"
Anna glanced at Richie "She's got a point. None of us do. "
Still tired she tried to wake. "Warm?" She snuggled into Michel "Caribbean? Mediterranean? I like the tropics of the US, but I've been there. You Richie?" She liked Richie, even on such short acquaintance.
"I don't know, that sounds good though. I've mostly been to snowy places. I like Europe. A lot of people want American guys." He winked and Methos snorted. He glared at the old man for a minute, then said "The Mediterranean sounds good."
General nodding arose from the older immortals. Anna had a definite feel of 'humor the children' even from Michel, but then they'd seen everything.
"What about Italy or Spain?" Alex drained her glass. "I have Villa's there. We'd be safer than in a hotel." She smiled at everyone. and Methos slung an arm around her. "So?"
"Italy."
They were drunk, all had credit cards, passports and swords, a on-hand
necessity for any Immortal, on them, so they simply went to the
airport and got tickets to Italy, Alex stopping to call the
caretaker at her villa.
"Just think," murmured Alex, "We'll have to do some heavy shopping when we get there." she smiled lazily.
"What a hardship for you." Methos winked, and closed his eyes.
Alex wondered how he managed to squeeze his rangy body in the plane-seat, and turned across the aisle to talk to Anna and Michel. She'd learned how to sign quite a few years ago, when she and her then-husband Thomas had fostered a deaf
child.
She could already see her villa in her minds eye. And the swimming pool. Methos and that delightful young redhead in shorts...hmmmm
"Oh, my god, Alex, it's beautiful." They were all wide awake
watching the sun set behind the villa, over the ocean.
"Thanks" Alex called over her shoulder, pulling a not reluctant Methos behind her. "There are clothes, that should fit everyone, somewhere in here. And phones" She told Connor, the only one with real regular contacts. "Then shopping. You've not lived 'til you've shopped in Italy"
"Can we swim?" Anna called to the now disappearing Alex.
"Absolutely!" She said with a leer in her voice. "But there aren't any men's bathing suits!"
"Excellent, skinning dipping." Michel, Peter, and Richie
looked at Anna in shock, though Connor only smiled. "We won't leave
them alone to it, though, right Mika?"
Mika observed her for a moment. "You know, I think your shell is gone."
"Ya think?" Anna said, following Alex and Methos' path into the villa.
They all smiled. Ah, Italy.
Alex lay on a sun lounger, margarita in one hand and watched Richie and Anna play a noisy game of pool tag. Last night there had been moonlight skinny dipping involving all the men, with each woman watching appreciatively, before deciding to join in. As expected, certain people had ended up in certain people's bedrooms, and today, breakfast had been a noisy affair, with her housekeeper Maria running around trying to feed everyone until they burst.
When Michel arrived Anna and Richie quickly pulled him into the water to join their game. Anna didn't know about Richie, but she wasn't sure the whole past two days weren't just a dream. She pinched herself. Nope, not a dream.
Adding to that determination was the surety that last night when she and Michel had slept in his bed, they'd only slept.
Later she'd ask Richie exactly (without too many details) what he and Connor did last night. The youngest two of the group of immortals had to stick together. Especially given the 'little children' looks they kept getting.
Eventually Anna pulled herself out of the water, toweling herself off and asking "Hey, Alex, Me...Adam, what's the plan once Mika and Peter get out of bed."
"As opposed to waking up" Connor, who had shard a wall with Mika and Peter's bedroom last night said. Anna cast a look at the blushing Richie...ah. Deciding, that-last night at least, Richie and she had had much the same experience, Anna simply nodded "Yeah, as opposed to that."
Alex gazed knowingly at Connor, before remarking, "So...Anna, when do we hit the shops? I feel like spending obscene amounts of money." she leered at Methos. "Of course if you want to wait an hour or so... we could have a siesta first."
She grinned at Anna. She was worried she'd seemed condescending to her, but she felt slightly awkward in the presence of her new friends. "Or, I feel like a walk. Care to join me? Then we can siesta and shop."
"Emm, sleep...always good." Anna commented with a minimum of intelligence.
"Especially when you don't sleep" Alex said wickedly.
Anna and Richie blushed and everyone else laughed. "One day we'll be able to hide a blush too." Richie said confidently.
"Promise?" Anna questioned.
"Mac said the ROG over there must be able to. I mean look at how fair he is."
"And I am fairest in the land" Methos said dryly.
"Maybe we should have a competition, who can make Methos blush?" Alex grinned, before dragging a wet Anna out of the pool, ostensibly for more margaritas.
"Soo, you and Michel, what's the deal?" she said in a gossipy tone.
Anna blushed, and said "I'll tell you later. After the siesta. Then you can fill me in on the ROG."
They grabbed the newly mad drinks and went back outside before dragging Methos and Michel upstairs to their respective bedrooms. One set to talk….at least at first. The other skipped the first part'.
Alex emerged two hours later, winding her brown curls into a messy bun.
She knocked on Anna's door. "Anna darling, If we want to do any shopping at all we'd better go!" she waited, hearing Anna scramble out of bed. "I'll meet you in the hall."
"Clothes, clothes gotta find clothes." Anna muttered to herself, causing her old teacher to nearly fall out of the bed laughing.
She stood with her hands on her hips. "Where did you put them, Michel? You're the one who took them off." Michel raised an eyebrow and pointed toward the end of the bed.
"That's too easy" she muttered to herself. Finding the clothes she turned to mock glare at a still laughing Michel. She'd have to thank Alex this afternoon. She'd been trying to think of a less than overt way to get her former teacher into bed for about a decade, but it was only this afternoon that it actually happened. She heard the knock on the door again, followed by a spate of giggles behind it. Thankfully she had put her last shoe on and so giving Michel a swift kiss on the cheek, (because otherwise she was not getting out of that door THAT day) she
shimmied out the door.
Smoothing her hair she calmly asked "Where are we going?"
producing another spate of gigles from Alex and Mika, who had just left her room.
"It lives!" teased Mika, while Alex grinned widely.
"Have a nice nap?" Alex asked, innocence writ on her face.
Anna blushed and Alex continued with a grin that bordered on a smirk "Well. ladies, Milan is just waiting for us!"
"Is Emilia coming?" Anna questioned, slipping on sandals.
Alex grinned. "Nope, she discovered my library here. It's really good, and she seems to be enjoying it."
They left, waving at a boxer-clad Methos, standing on Alex's balcony.
They took Alex's car to the city, where they proceeded to buy so many clothes Amanda, a famous thief both Alex and Mika knew, would be proud. Alex told them to buy evening dresses, she was planning a night out next week. They all chose a dress, and left, carrying bags from just about every store in the city.
They got back, and Alex grabbed one of her smaller bags, before taking Methos hand and leading him upstairs. Both Mika and Anna knew what was in the bag, and they laughed that if anything would, that bag's contents would make Methos blush.
"what did you buy?" Peter asked lazily.
Mika and Anna burst out laughing thinking of Alex's 'special' bag and poor Methos. "Tell ya when you grow up." Mika teased. "Where's Connor and Richie?" Peter blushed 'ahemed' and cast his eyes upwards, causing Mika and Anna to burst out laughing.
Connor lightly touched the blushing body splayed before him. Richie's whole body was engulfed in a red tinge that both amused and aroused Connor. He knew that the color was the remnants of the blush that had engulfed Richie from head to toe when he'd asked Connor is he wanted to go up to his room for a drink from the bottle of Scotch Richie had held in his hand. If Connor had had any doubts about what the younger man wanted from his by-play with Anna earlier they were gone now with this new flush.
Gently Connor ran his hand up Richie's rib-cage, causing the young man to shudder with repressed giggles at the tickling. When Connor replaced his mouth with this hand the shudder became for another reason. Sucking at each rib Connor left love bits that would fade in a few hours. Edging his way over he took the red-head's nipples into his mouth. Apparently it was a very sensitive area for Richie because he grasped Connor's hair tightly and arched off the bed. Connor smiled against Richie's chest, as Richie blushed again and started to apologize, smoothing Connor's hair. Connor leaned up and stopped the apology dead with his mouth. Richie closed his eyes, letting his tongue war with Connor's. Smiling again, Connor traced a trail with his mouth down Richie's abdomen.
Alex lay in bed, looking up at the ceiling. She'd have to tell the others shed succeeded at her own challenge, and Methos had indeed blushed, a full body one.
She attuned her hearing to the room next door, where she could hear Connor and Rich. She felt a rumble against her cheek as Methos chuckled.
He kissed her hair and said "We'd better move ourselves downstairs my dear, dinner will be ready soon."
"I wonder if the smell of food will get Richie and Connor downstairs." she said as she rose and pulled on her clothes. "See you downstairs in a sec." she went down, only to see Anna and Mika modeling their purchases for Peter and
Michel.
"Hey Alex, let's see your stuff."
She obligingly joined them, and Methos soon joined their little audience.
"It sounds odd, but I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop."
Anna said sipping her wine.
Richie and Methos both made a grab for her as soon as 'waiting' was out of her mouth. "What?"
Methos buried his face in his hands. "You've jinxed it, something is going to happen now. You've done it."
"You're insane." Anna said with a smile.
The door bell then rang and everyone turned to look at Anna, who paled. "I didn't do it."
"Uh-huh"
" I'll get it," said Alex. She stood. As she approached her door, she felt a buzz.
She ran back to the others.
"Hide Methos!"
They all looked at her as if she was crazy.
"It's Cassandra! She'll kill me!"
She looked as if she was going to cry, and Emilia placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"I'll get the door. I will tell her that You are kindly allowing me and my friends the use of your villa. You and Methos go upstairs. I'm sure you can occupy yourselves. Do try to be quiet."
Anna hid her head in Michel's shoulder and swore softly. She was a terrible liar.
"Emila? Where's Alexandra?"
"Alex is allowing us...all the use of her villa." Emila very carefully said the not-quite-lie. Impressive.
"Excellent. I'm going be staying tonight, Alex gave me full use of the villa in her absence, then I'm on my way to the US."
Mika's mouth opened in shock at the other woman's audacity. Luckily Peter stood in front of her face and hid it.
Just then Connor and Richie came down the stairs.
Alex was pacing the room like a caged animal, as Methos sat watching her.
"So you know."
"What?"
"About the Horsemen." Alex stopped pacing and sat down beside her lover.
"Yes. I'm not a saint myself. Nothing like 'Death on a horse' and I'd be a liar if I say it didn't bother me, but people change. That's the one thing Cassandra doesn't understand. She was my first Teacher, you know."
"And you don't hate me?" Methos half-stated, half-asked in wonder.
In answer she leant her head against his shoulder and felt him relax.
Mika and Anna suddenly burst through the door.
"Sorry, sorry, badness...hide."
"What?"
"Richie has a rather large mouth and in this incidence it's a bad thing."
They heard a roar fill the house.
"Hide" Anna repeated dumbly.
"I'll just have to talk to her nicely...maybe grovel." she shook her head. "And Richie is for it."
She drew herself up, took Methos' hand, and walked downstairs. to where her erstwhile teacher was smashing things.
"Cassie." said Alex quietly, "calm down."
"I can't believe you, after all he's done!"
"Cassie, no-one is an angel." She drew a breath.
"No one's an angel, but not many are complete demons"
Cassandra hissed.
"Is that what I am then?" Alex approached her teacher and studied her thoughtfully. She was about to make her own confession.
"I've killed for pleasure. I've destroyed life. And I regret it. But at that time I didn't." She was circling Cassie now, whose eyes were shining with tears.
"You weren't yourself! That bastard Ruffio raped you!"
"Methos was treated badly by Kronos. Hurt. Probably raped as well. " she pursed her lips thoughtfully, before saying "Get over it. God, you've had what 2000 years?" she looked back at the assemblage.
"I think she should get over it. What about you guys? You know most of these people, Cassie. Trust them. Even love some of them. "
"2000 thousand years." Mika said quietly. "We've all been raped, and tortured Cassandra. Except Anna, even Richie has been tortured. But the world is different now...we have to change with it...and forgive the faults that were part of that dead world. It's over...don't forget, never forget...but it is time to forgive."
"I'm sorry." said Alex quietly as Cassandra began to cry. "But had to be said."
With that, she began to cry herself, and Methos came over to her, crooning gently in her ear. Please Cassandra, it'd probably be better if you left." she said
eventually.
"Of course." she said stiffly.
With that she was gone.
"That was way too much excitement." Richie and Anna, the youngest two and thus the least used to this type of confrontation, leaned against each other. Richie whispered something in Anna's ear which lightened her up immediately.
She walked over to Alex and hugged the crying woman....atleast as much as she was able to around Methos. "Hey, everything turns happy in time." She whispered into the other woman's ear.
"Yeah...I need to go lay down." Methos swung the woman up in his arms and carried her to their room.
Alex appeared two hours later, looking pale and tired.
"How do you feel?" asked Peter.
"Bad. She was my teacher. I love her. But she simply could not go on like that. She's gonna be stronger for this I know. And maybe she'll forgive me too someday." she smiled weakly.
Methos stood behind her, and she leaned back against him.
"I feel like cooking." She said finally. "Who wants to help?"
"For this bunch?" Anna tried to pull a laugh out of Alex "When don't they want to eat?"
This pulled out the expected laugh and a few indignant "hey"'s
from the guys. Especially Richie who was trying to unobtrusively hide behind Connor without looking like he was hiding behind Connor
"Come out, runt, she needed to hear it, but next time I need to take out my aggressions on a punching bag you're there, you got me?"
Richie nodded mutely. Methos went over to him and whispered into his ear, which immediately brightened Richie's face.
"What'd you tell him?" Anna whispered to the ancient immortal as they all trooped into the kitchen.
"Just that I wouldn't tell Mac" Anna stifled a chuckled and began work.
Alex was kneading dough for pasta, and she felt comforted, bolstered by her new friends. Her lover was watching her unobtrusively as she directed Anna and Mika's efforts in the kitchen. It was force of habit. As a mortal, she'd run a castle
kitchen, and was used to having fifty people under foot at all times. It was comforting to cook. No matter what century you were in, a loaf was a loaf .She laughed to herself quietly, chuckling at herself. Still 'Cook' by nature.
Several hours later, they all sat down to their meal, with gasps of appreciation and lots of laughter, and flowing booze.
Then the phone rang.
"You know that has to be the first time a phone has made my stomach roll over" Anna said eyeing the phone in distaste.
"Yeah" Alex watched the phone ring.
"Pick up the phone Alex" Mika said quietly.
Alex moved to the phone, picked up the receiver cheerfully greeted Harry, an old watcher-friend of her husband's. Her face fell as he told her that Cassandra
had fallen in Milan. She'd been taken out by a newbie headhunter, one of the dozens that had popped up recently, and had fought valiantly but to no avail. She sank to the floor, and for what seemed the hundredth time in days, began to cry again. She dropped the phone, and Anna picked it up, while Methos and Michel moved to comfort her.
"Uh-huh. Thanks" Anna hung up the phone after what seemed like hours, to go and comfort Alex.
She cradled the older immortal in her arms, while Mika gently herded Connor, Richie, and Peter out of the room before following. "It's okay, Alex, it's okay."
" Mmmyy Fffault." Alex sobbed.
"No, none of that." Anna said as Methos moved to comfort his lover. "It was not your fault. You has no control over it at all."
Methos took Alex's lax body from Anna's arms and gently lifted her into his arms, moving to sit in an old rocking chair. He began rocking and murmuring soothing noises into Alex's ear, his eyes catching Michel's, telling them to go.
As they left the room they heard Methos whisper "Not your fault my love."
"I have to go...find the sonofabitch that killed her," sniffed Alex.
"In this case, I'll agree, 'live and let live' does not apply."
She untangled herself from Methos, walking through to where everyone else was.
"I'm going to get this hunter. Anyone else game?"
And walked upstairs, not waiting for answers, and came down dressed from head-to-toe in black leather, right down to her gloves and the thong tying her hair back. She held her sword in her left hand, and gestured towards the door with her right.
"Coming?"
Anna looked at her clothing. "Give me 5 min. Get plane tickets" Those who knew her well looked at her in shock. That was not at all like Anna.
Michel followed her to their room and signed the question "Why? You didn't know Cassandra"
"No, but I like Alex and someone has to watch her back. Methos would be too busy literally watching her back to be helpful...and she's my friend, and I don't give up friends." With that Anna, now changed, left the room to go to her friend.
Alex sat on the plane in silence. She could feel herself slipping away, becoming the thing she'd been 500 years ago. She held Anna's hand tightly. She hoped Anna understood her silence. The others had chosen to stay behind, wait for news.
Quietly Anna asked the silent Alex " How will we find...him?" Alex looked up from her silent reverie.
"We ask nicely." she said calmly. "Then I get violent." She kept her expression neutral. "If he's lucky I'll just kill him. If not..." she let it hang in the air,
and attempted a smile for Anna's sake, "But he killed Cassie. He must be pretty lucky. Or not, depending on which way you look at it."
In Milan, Alex called Harry again, asking for the killer's description. Once they had it committed to memory, they stalked the streets. They talked of Cassandra, of teachers in general, and of the ROG. Alex admitted she had no idea where what they had was going.
They felt the buzz, coming from a side street downtown. As they walked down the alley, both drew their swords.
Standing in the alleyway were two immortals. Sensing them one of the men said, without turning. "The challenge has been accepted. No interference." It wasn't until the two began to circle each other that they saw both faces in full light.
"Ruffio." said Alex coldly. "Here was little ol' me hoping you'd repent."
"Not much chance bitch." he sneered at her.
Alex answered him with a slash at his groin.
He laughed, and their swords clashed, and they fought wordlessly for a few moments, before Ruffio spoke.
"Your teacher was a real screamer, you know."
Anna saw Alex's whole demeanor change. She no longer held back her rage, going at Ruffio with the strength her rage and adrenaline afforded her with. Ruffio's sneer slid away, as did his legs. He fell to his knees, and Alex took his head in one fell swoop.
Anna looked at the body for a min after the quickening was
done. She then turned to Alex. "Feel better?"
"A little. That scum-bag should have been knocked off the
planet a long time ago."
Anna glanced at the body again. "Mission accomplished. And now
what about him" She asked looking at the other man. "Know
him?"
"Nope. Hey kiddo, what's your name?"
"Joseph Raines. " he stuttered.
"And what are you doing with this piece of shit?" she nudged the body with her foot.
He looked sad.
"He was my teacher. Is that your student? I do believe I'd like to challenge her."
Anna nodded, and Alex laughed.
"She isn't my student, son, and she's going to kill you now."
Anna drew her sword with ease and circled around the young man. "Are you sure you want to do this?" She questioned.
"Is there a choice?" He asked bitterly. "There can be only one. .No matter, I'm going to die. If I didn't challenge you SHE'D Challenge me and I'd die."
Anna let her sword fall a little, though still keeping it in the ready. "Is that what HE told you?" She asked, nodding toward the corpse.
"There's no other way." He shrugged.
Anna looked at Alex. "Fit the Bastard's MO? Kill his students and say that's the only way?"
"Kill anyone, would my darling ex." she looked at Joseph
searchingly. "You're still young. Not yet fully trained. I have no dispute with you. Neither does Anna. If you back off, we can either forget we ever met or you may come with us. Hurry up and make your decision. I need to get home, I'm jam-wired and I got a nice man just sittin' at home waitin' on me."
"Believe her, she's gets a little antsy when she doesn't get any."
"Anna! I'm shocked." Alex grinned.
"Yeah, right." Anna smiled back.
"You're serious. I don't have to kill every immortal I met?"
"Or try to? Nah. That's stupid."
Alex glanced at the boy. "I don't like leaving him alone like this Anna. He's just a kid." At Anna's nod she raised her voice. "Hey Joe…Come to my villa. If you don't like it, you can leave unfettered. I swear on my head."
She walked over, slung her arm about the boy's shoulders. "My dearest Anna, I think we should introduce ourselves properly. My name is Alexandra De Romanus. My age is 1200, and I'm from Scotland. I also enjoy swimming and cooking. " she gestured to Anna to continue.
"Anna Lucas," She winked at the obviously young boy. " And I'm about.." She counts her fingers "Sixty."
"Centuries?" The boy gulped
"No, sweet heart, years. Your turn in this lovely game." At the look Alex is giving her Anna replied, "What? I have to take it out this latent aggression somehow. Joe! Go."
"Joseph Raines. I'm actually only 17." He smiled ruefully.
After exchanging a sad glance with Anna Alex turned to smile at the kid. "S'okay, kiddo, how long have you been a full Immie?"
"6 months." Anna and Alex smiled at him again.
"Now we have the full age spectrum," joked Alex.
"Passports, passports, fake passports." Seeing the look Joseph and Alex were giving her at her song. "What? I love fake passports." Finishing it off, she handed it to the boy. "And here you are, my friend."
He took it gingerly asking "And it is legal?"
Anna and Alex giggled. "Uh-huh, honey. And there's this great bridge in Brooklyn I'd love to sell you."
"I see." Joe grinned.
"And now back to the airport. By the way, you speak excellent English. You are Italian, I understand? Have you ever been to the ocean, Joe? It's great." As Anna led the boy off, babbling, Alex contemplated the stir their new protojay was going to make.
Alex grinned.
"Oh Anna ,they'll love him. He's just so naive."
She was smiling and laughing, and Anna wondered if this was just the thing to take her mind off Cassandra.
"Lets see. Today I am Laurel Paige, You are Juliana Whitcombe, and the lovely Joe is Thomas Jefferson....Oh, somebody let their sense of humor run away with them there!"
Anna laughed, and Joe relaxed slightly.
The plane journey was uneventful, apart from Alex's fidgeting,(despite her protests, she really WAS antsy.).
The villa occupants were relieved to see them all back and in all body parts accounted for.
"I'm being my Cook-self again." she grinned at Anna. "I was sort of adopted by a castle cook when I was younger and I took over from her when she died. It's my nature to want to feed everyone."
Mika laughed.
"I don't see anyone here complaining, "
"I still miss it sometimes. Y'know, having fifty odd people underfoot at all times. That's why I get lonely easily."
"Hey we can get 50 people in here quickly, especially with the food." Richie said.
"Especially Mac." Richie and Methos said while Connor said "Especially Duncan." The remaining members of the party began laughing.
Alex grinned, cheerfully. "Who can we get out here? I mean, we really should call some others over, have a HUGE party." She looked around for approval before saying, "Who else?"
"List!" Richie exclaimed.
"And I suppose we don't have to ass that head hunters are a no no?" Mika mock scolded the younger brethren. Anna muttered something that sounded suspiciously like 'duh' before returning to the list, occasionally adding the names the older members of the party submitted, before giving the master list of over 50 names to Alex.
"Say the names out loud and any one who hates someone is a no." Anna encouraged.
"And we can have Joe Dawson be our super watcher, so there won't be any others here." Richie contributed.
"Excellent!" Anna said excitedly. "That means that Paul won't find me." She lowered her voice. "I think he watches the people in my apartment building change. What a perv"
"But he's so good looking darling." Mika drawled.
Anna stuck her tongue out at the older woman.
"You don't live with him. But the list the list!"
"Amanda?"
A chorus of yeas filled the room.
"Duncan?"
Yep again. Alex listed the names, and finally they narrowed it
down to ten. Amanda, Duncan, Joe, Corey Raines, two friends of Alex's, Benton Fraser and Ray Kowalski, Tessa, Duncan's girlfriend, and Joshua, Alex's old student.
"That sound good to everyone?"
"Excellent. When, where?" Anna asked
Everyone made the calls to their respective friends, giving very little hint as to the purpose of their journeys.
The group, minus Connor who was making arrangements for an extended absence from his business, settled in the lounge, once again trying their hand monopoly, and then again at trivial pursuit(musical, to the still nervous Joe's silent disgust). Connor still didn't understand what was possessing him to drop everything like this, but he was enjoying it. 'and I haven't had a proper vacation for…decades."
"Well, everyone should be here tomorrow." purred Alex happily.
"More mouths to feed," laughed a much looser Emilia.
"So, what are we gonna do when they get here?" asked Joe.
"Try and get Fraser and Kowalski together, get Mac to accept Rich and Connor.. generally to a lot of 'let's talk' type things. Oh, and party till we drop!"
"Oh that's going to be a task with Mac. Didn't you say Fraser was a Mounty....they are rather straight...and very good on cold nights" Mika said straight-faced.
"I can't believe you said that. Share about Fraser and Kolwaski?." Anna asked
"They belong together." Said Alex firmly. "And you never know about Mac." She wiggled an eyebrow. "I met him once in Venice and he seemed VERY cozy with this young Italian nobleman...in fact, liberal as I am, I told them to get a room." The shock on Richie's face was funny. "They did. the one next to me. And Tessa may be helpful, with that, right, Rich?" At Richie's mute nod she continued.
"And I badly want Kowalski and Fraser to be able to be open with us, because they'll have to be all covert in Chicago, them being cops and all."
"Around us? they have to be open....god knows we aren't hiding anything." Suddenly Anna stopped. "Wait, do they know?"
"About?" Alex said absently
"Themselves and well....us..." realizing how that sounded, mostly from Joseph and Richie giggling Anna continued "About immortals I mean."
"They saw me get shot in the head, Anna, luv." smiled Alex.
"They know." Anna smiled.
"How'd that happen?" Rich questioned.
"Long story with a bomb and stuff. A normal day on the CPD." She shrugged. "You guys don't mind, do you?"
"Nah, mortals are fun" Peter wiggled his eyebrows thus prompting himself to be hit with pillows by the majority of the party.
"But, how are we going to get your friends into bed?"
"Haha, they both fancy the pants off each other so it shouldn't be too hard. Jealousy might work 'Cus y'know, Kowalski's a jealous type. When he thought me
and Fraser had a thing he was awful. Then I reassured him and he was just the best." she smiled at the memory. "Oh, and they have a wolf, well, half wolf but still. And you lot will like Joshua, he's a real character. Richie-like but y'know,
English."
"How'd you meet?" asked Peter
"During the wars of Independence he was an archer for the English and I was an advisor to the Bruce. I was walking the battlefield one day when I felt him. I trained him up from there."
Methos looked amused.
"The Bruce? So you were the mysterious general he kept so secret?"
"Yep. I had no wish to be in the history books, as you can imagine."
"Crazy Immortals" Anna grinned "When will everyone get here?" she paused. "And how mean are we going to be?"
"They'll be here tomorrow morning, and we'll have to pick them up. We're going to be very, very mean to them. Which means pretending that there aren't as many bedrooms as there really are." She leered at Methos.
"Until then however, ladies and gents, we can go to bed, and sleep, or not, whichever you prefer."
She yawned exaggeratedly and stood.
"Night-night everyone. Do try and get SOME sleep, will you?" she winked and walked out with Methos in tow.
The others took her advice, and the next day dawned sunny and hot, and much to the protest of the others, Alex was up at seven, making breakfast and urging everyone up.
"Jeez, Alex, early riser much?" groaned Richie.
"She's bionic!" laughed Anna, before flopping onto a chair.
"Get dressed and stop making bad jokes." she tossed the pancakes with practiced ease.
"Is everyone up yet?"
"Well Mika and Peter are awake. Getting out of bed...well that's another story." Richie grinned.
"Like you have room to talk." Anna teased. Richie blushed.
"Well, when they get up, we'll go to the airport."
"This ought to be fun. Mac's going to freak with that many immortals in one place." Richie said with a little glee.
"They wouldn't..um..is the airport on Holy Ground?" Anna said a bit nervously.
"It should be fine." Alex said. "It SHOULD." She grinned at the sudden panic on Anna's face and the hand she darted to Michel.
"Relax. Every thing should be fine."
"The 'should' part it the nerve-racking portion."
"The only Immortals we don't all know will be Lori, Mark and Josh." Alex smiled reassuringly. "And only Kowlaski and Fraser are unknown mortals. Trust me, Kowalski, Fraser and Josh are really safe."
The clatter of feet on the stair told them the others were up. Breakfast was had, and then they set out for the airport, with all five cars.
The arrivals gate was quiet, and Joshua arrived first. He hugged Alex enthusiastically.
"Hey Lex, hon, I'm sorry about Cassie man. And I heard about Ruffio. Good for you. You should have taken his head a long time ago. "
Alex knew this so wasn't the time for this conversation, saying only, "I know. Listen, these are my new friends."
Mika caught herself staring at the man...okay Anna caught her staring at the man.
"Please to meet you." Anna said. Michel nodded and
tightened his drip almost imperceptibly on Anna's waist and Richie didn't notice the grip that Connor placed on his shoulder, anymore than Alex apparently caught the significance of the gentle hand Methos had across her belly, holding her against him as soon as he pulled her away from Joshua. Mika however did notice the hand that Peter placed on her waist in jest, mocking their friends who did not have the same casual relationship that they had. That is to say sex is good, relationship not so good. Technically Fuck buddies. Truthfully, Joe and Emilia were the only ones standing alone, though Joe was oblivious to the subtle alpha males play and Emilia was very amused by it.
Alex wasn't oblivious, though she was a little amused by it. She raised an eyebrow at the slightly embarrassed Methos. Shaking her head softly, she squealed with delight and Kowalski and Fraser came out the gate. She ran and was enveloped in bear hugs from both men.
She grabbed their hands eagerly and dragged them to the others.
"Okay you guys, this is Stanley Raymond Kowalski."
"Call me Ray." said the man cheerily.
"And this is Benton Fraser, RCMP."
"Uhh..call me Ben." Alex looked surprised and exchanged a look with Ray, who shrugged.
Seeing the look that Alex and Ray exchanged and taking in the look of 'Ben'..'gonna do that again real soon...cross-purposes, cross-purposes' Mika assumed that 'Ben' was usually as straight and narrow as he looked. Sadly for
their nefarious purposes, straight was not a good thing. 'Gotta fix that'.
She looked at the men organized roughly around the...let's see...four women. There were about nine men counting the most recent arrivals. 'god I love men' Peter evidently caught the stray thought flitting across her face as he laughed softly at her. He did too, at the right times, and he was no doubt also admiring the men.
Another immortal buzz hit them. "I'm going to have a monster headache from this." She muttered to Anna. "Good thing they don't hurt." Anna simply shook her head at her friend's foolishness.
"So that would be Duncan, Tessa, Mark and Joe." said Alex.
"So, Duncan, What do you think of all this?" said Methos, mirth dancing in his eyes.
"Let me get used to this, then I'll tell you, okay?" Duncan said. "Is this even safe? All these Immortals…" he glanced around uncomfortably. "There's so much 'Buzz' I can't even tell who is Immortal and who isn't."
Taking pity on the discomforted Immortal Methos replied. "The Villa's on Holy Ground. Don't worry."
Tessa grabbed both men's arms. "It's wonderful, Adam, introduce us to everyone"
Methos threw a look to Alex who was trying to jolly up Ray. She came over after patting Ray on his arm.
"What?" she said with a smile.
"Introductions"
"I'm Alexandra De Romanus, This is Joshua Smith, my ex student."
They shook hands.
She smiled and took Methos' hand reassuringly.
"I'm..." He looked around. They were his friends or friends of his
friends. Hell, if they were going to spend all week with them at the Villa one of the Immortals 'in the know' would no doubt slip, having grown used to calling him by name in the preceding weeks. It was kind of…nice, being known by his own name. What the Hell. He lifted his chin. "I'm Methos."
Duncan's eyebrow went skyward, and the others eyes just widened, those who didn't know, simply nodding, not stressing the moment. It was okay. No one wanted his head.
The car ride was extremely noisy. Methos, Alex, Joshua, Anna, Ray and Fraser were all packed into the RV, and the others followed along behind.
When they arrived, they dumped their things in the foyer, before going into the dining room.
"Now, I say party"
Hours later the party was in full swing, making some of the older Immortals nervous. Such a large gathering of Immortals made them nervous, smacking of The Gathering. However, under copious amounts of alcohol, such considerations gave way to those of a more pressing matter.
"So Duncan, about that Venetian count..." Alex grinned slyly, and threw a glance Connor's way.
"That'll be her back in form then!" laughed Ray. Methos sidled over to Ray, beer bottle in hand.
"So...you and Alex. How long have you known each other?"
"Yeah, Duncan, how about that?" Anna winked. She looked around, and seeing Methos and Ray standing together, anxiously attempted to catch Alex's eye. No joy, though Duncan's blushing stammering was very funny.
"That'll be Alex back in form then!" laughed Ray. Methos sidled over to Ray, beer bottle in hand.
"So...you and Alex. How long have you known each other?"
"She doesn't do subtle well does she?" laughed Ray.
"Evidently not." smiled Methos as they watched Alex prey on the hapless Duncan before going over to Fraser and whispering something in his ear that made him smile.
"C'mon Anna, let's get some drinks!" laughed Alex, moving away from the still smiling Fraser.
"Soooo..." she said when they got in the kitchen. "Opinions?"
"By George, I think all of your nefarious little plans might work" Anna sipped her wine, basically sitting on a bar stool while Alex prepared the drinks, grinning to show she was joking. "It might though. Did you see how close Ben and Ray stood together? Very cute. I was a tad worried about Ray and the Really Old Guy getting too close together." Alex swatted her with a kitchen towel. "He is really old!" Anna defended herself before continuing. "Methos strikes me as the jealous type, if he cares enough. Tell all might be a good plan"
"You mean, go 'Hey Methos, Ray and me dated for six months but it's all over, honest?'"
"Maybe."
"Ray and Fraser just have to realize that they really need each other that way. But I don't know what to say to everyone. Shame Deifenbaker couldn't be here, that'd just rock."
"The wolf you told me about?"
"Yeah"
"Okay I'm missing the connection between the dog and Ben and Ray's possible relationship, but I haven't your years of experience oh ancient one" Anna mock bowed, earning another swat with the towel.
"There isn't a connection. I just like the wolf. Apart from me and Ray he's the only one who can talk sense into Fraser."
she sighed. "It's one of the reasons I left Ray you know. I knew him and Fraser would mesh better. 'Cus Fraser's mortal and all. I want to see them happy and safe together. I love them both very much." At Anna's look, she swatted her again."In a brotherly way, young lady. And anyway, what about you and Teacher man? You two gonna have THE TALK?"
Anna simply sniffed. "You can talk. What about you and the ROG?"
Alex shrugged eloquently. "Anyway Anna Bear, we'll have another tactical meeting later. You handle Duncan and co, and I'll keep Ray and Fraser as
close together as possible. Get Duncan talking about the Venetian. Ask lots of questions. Maybe then Rich will feel comfier talking to him. Maybe clue in Tessa, so she doesn't get upset."
Anna raised an eyebrow and smirked "What kind of questions?"
Both women giggled and picking up the drinks returned to the others.
"What'd ya do, smash the grapes?" Peter grumbled in jest.
"I think they had to grow the grapes too, man." Richie teased.
Alex mourned the lost of her towel and Anna merely stuck her tongue out at them, before sitting so close to Michel as to sit on his lap and bent to hide her hands as she signed to him.
He smiled in just a little bit of friendly malice and agreed to help.
"So Duncan, how was your last time in Italy." She sipped her wine. "So to speak"
Alex watched with bemused fascination as Anna tortured Duncan mercilessly. She herself was busy trying to keep Methos and Ray as far apart as possible, which was proving difficult as Fraser seemed to have taken an instant shine to the
ROG. She was talking to Ray and ignoring the looks Methos was giving her Joshua grinned over at her and gave her a look before saying in Sumerian, a language Cassandra had insisted that she learn, and she had imparted to her own student, "It's all your own fault." Methos raised an eyebrow and left to talk to Peter and Mika, obviously none too pleased.
Alex winced and said softly, "Oh dear." Fraser squeezed her hand awkwardly and she attempted a smile. "Will you two be okay?" she said, "I have to go to the
bathroom."
Anna looked over at the awkward Alex who was hurrying to the bathroom. "Oh dear" she muttered.
She turned to Michel and signed that she would be right back.
"What happened?"
"M m-methos is mad at me." she stammered, sitting miserably.
"Why?"
"I don't know. Ask him, but I'm not coming out!"
"Alex! He's only a guy! This is ridiculous"
Receiving no response, Anna stalked over to Methos, Mika, and Peter. Without any preamble she began, poking her finger at Methos' chest. "What did you do?"
"What?" Methos asked backing away.
"What did you say to Alex, she's in the bathroom, convinced you're angry at her, and she isn't leaving."
"Oh bloody hell" Methos said, walking toward the bathroom.
The conversation held in the bathroom was low enough that no-one in the other room could hear but loud enough that they could make out the separate voices.
"When she comes out she'll want to feed us," joked Richie, and He smiled at the new visitors. "She has an obsession with feeding people until they feel like whales."
That brought a laugh and a smile, and Anna tapped her nails against the sideboard.
"Well that's it then, isn't It!!" it was Alex, who stormed out of the bathroom
"Anyone who wants a walk can join me, except of course HIM." she said jerking her head at a stunned looking Methos.
Anna stood quickly motioning with her eyes for Michel to go to Methos.
She hurried after Alex and once caught walked in step for a bit before asking "Okay, what happened?"
"He said that it was clear I still had feelings for Ray. I said no I didn't, but what the fuck did it matter anyhow? We don't have a thing, do we?"
"What'd he say next?"
"Said I was being difficult. Asking for Commitment, shock horror. I said I've known you for what, a week and a half? Don't be a schmuck."
Anna winced. "I take it he took it badly?"
"He took it to mean that I thought he was a meaningless sex-toy. I said that was stupid and I left at that point. Y'know, I wonder If Fraser would lend me his cabin for a while. I could go into exile again. I mean, I'm out of it for what, three weeks and look what's happened!"
Before she could help it a snort escaped Anna. "A sex toy?"
She giggled. "Men are so dense aren't they? I can't believe it. 5000 years you'd think he'd be beyond that. Let me see if I've got this right. First he accuses you of being too attached to Ray, then he is upset that he thinks you want a commitment,
then he thinks he's a sex toy. Or did he want the commitment? Cause that makes no sense."
"See why I had to get away?" Alex was laughing too now.
"Hey I've got a diabolical plan. Why don't you flirt like mad with Ray? Maybe Fraser will get jealous and go for Ray and Methos will get jealous enough to make up his mind."
"Mmmm, might work. I dunno. Maybe Frase will bite. Methos sure as hell will, though it mayn't be in a good way."
"There's a bad way?"
"We'll just have to try it and find out."
"I'm going to get dinner ready. Okay? Then you tell everyone to get changed. Best dressy things only. Then you keep 'em occupied while I get changed. Then I'll do my hostess with the most-est thing. In a red, calf-length dress with knee-high boots." Her smirk was evil.
Anna laughed at the look on Alex's face and agreed. However, this proved easier said then done when she saw the looks of anger on Ray's and Methos' face.
"What'd they do to each other." she signed to the shrugging Michel.
'Don't know', he signed, 'just looking at each other as far as I can see. '
"Okay, we can handle this." she said as Alex walked in, in her dress. "Or Alex can do it for us."
"Right. Easier said than done, Anna."
She had gotten changed, and was the object of scrutiny of practically everyone.. they'd all noticed her interaction with Ray and Methos. Alex ignored it. In fact she ignored both of them, and instead busied herself with dinner.
Fraser was helping her.. and they were joking around, which was odd for Fraser, what with that whole stiff upper-lip Mountie routine.
Ray and Methos continued to eye each other suspiciously all through dinner, but Alex pretended they weren't...she sat Ray next to Fraser and Methos next to her, and smiled continuously. When getting dessert, Methos followed her through, and the sounds of gentle voices could be heard. Anna got up to have a look, and they were having what looked like a make-up kiss.
Anna breathed a sigh of relief. Okay, one crisis averted, now on to the next one. Duncan was looking a bit....suspicious at the amount of 'time' that Richie and Connor were spending together. And bed-time with all its sleeping arrangements was approaching.
"I spiked Duncan's drink," whispered Alex in her ear, having noticed Anna's anxious glance. "I gavehim enough that he won't care who sleeps where and with
whom."
"Good idea. Richie's looking a bit green around the gills."
"I'll go talk to him." Alex flashed a smile and looked shyly Methos's way before blushing.
Anna watched as the elder woman walked over to Richie and knelt down beside him, whispering in his ear, and giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. She then moved on to Fraser and Ray, speaking in hushed tones, smiling at them softly, taking a hand each, she spoke again, and began blushing at something Ray said. They exchanged a three-way hug, and she kissed them both on the cheek. Michel had joined Anna in watching Alex flit around the room.
"She's hell-bent on making everyone happy, isn't she?" He signed.
"Yes, replied Anna, "and she seems to be doing well."
But by this time Alex was in a corner with Joshua, not too far away, and Anna could hear them speak.
"So you and Methos, is everything okay?"
"I think so."
"What happened with Cassie?"
"She saw us and got real mad. Then she left and Ruffio was waiting for her."
"How did Ruffio know she was coming?"
"Italy was his turf, Joshua."
"Still. That he knew...it's a bit suspicious."
"Enough of that tonight dear. Let's just concentrate on getting this lot to bed without bloodshed."
Anna cuddled up the Michel, sighing. 'This'll be okay, right?' She signed. Once we leave I mean.
' Of course.' He pulled her so her head was lying on his chest. 'We just have to make sure everything else works out here.'
She nodded listening to him breathe. 'Alex'll be okay, right?' She asked her former teacher.
He sighed. 'I hope so. But let tomorrow take care of its self.'
Alex sighed in weariness. Everyone was settled down. She walked into her own bedroom half expecting to find the bed empty, but instead Methos was lying there, waiting for her She lay down next to him.
"So...once we all leave here. What'll happen?"
"I don't know Alex. But I'd like to try for something."
"Good. So would I...can I tell you something?"
"Shoot."
"I've never been in a relationship with another immortal that lasted more than 5 years."
"Not bad. I've lasted 20...that was when I was a willing participant."
"Josh said something to me today. About Ruffio knowing about me having returned to Italy. I told him not to worry but.."
"You are."
She nodded.
"Shhh. We'll see tomorrow."
They didn't talk much after that.
Anna stumbled down the stairs, looking for the kitchen, in which she was looking for a glass of milk and perhaps some cookies.
Opening the door she saw she was not alone. Sitting at the counter was Joseph. He apparently was having the same cookies Anna had been planning on.
She slide onto the stool next to him. "Heya, Champ. What's up?"
He blinked blearily at her. "I'm scared. Josh was telling everyone how much he hated Ruffio, and I just keep thinking what will he do when he finds out I was his student."
Anna put he arm around the boy. Poor kid. "Joe, it doesn't have to be that way. You don't have to be a headhunter, in fact you don't have to kill anyone at all, unless they seek to hurt you. Tell ya what. We're friends, right?" At his cautious nod she continued. "So as my friend, I'll tell you what. Your training is sketchy, so when we go home, or heck, even while we're here some, I'll be your teacher. Michel can help, because I've never had student before. We can work together,
and I'll tell you all about the options open to Immortals who don't hunt. Ones who can spend time with other Immortals. Because Immortals have seen history in the making, and in some cases made it. Methos has seen Civilizations rise and
fall. Duncan has seen the lost of chivalry as a daily concept for everyone. I've seen computers take over our lives. And we'll always be young. Take joy in it. It isn't a curse, it's a blessing. And as your teacher." she ruffled his hair. "I plan that you
enjoy every minute of it."
Joe smiled and hugged her, then without saying anything except for "Yes" left the room. Smiling Anna did the same.
He walked into the gardens...where he found Alex. Sitting smoking sneakily.
He sat down on the bench. "Can I ask you some questions?"
A smile. "Sure kid. Shoot."
"Why did you hate Ruffio? And why did Josh?"
"I hated Ruffio because he took my life away from me...my little sisters. My mother...I watched as he killed them. He took me as his slave and his masters' and his master was Kronos...and spending time with Kronos would unhinge
anyone. I hated everything and everyone. I was a killer, as they were...for many years. Until I met Cassandra, who showed me that it was possible to care again. Then as you know, he killed her. Josh hates him for hurting me, no less."
She stubbed out her cigarette. She'd gone quiet. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell the Kronos part to anyone else here...especially Methos."
Joseph nodded. Then said sadly "Ruffio raised me."
"Poor baby." whispered Alex, dropping into full maternal mode. "He killed you too, didn't he?"
Joe nodded, hurriedly wiping at his eyes with the back of his hand. Hurriedly changing the subject, he grasped onto the first available subject "I saw this Kronos you were mean when about two months ago ."
Alex went white. "Are you sure?"
"Scar along his eye? Yeah, I’m sure, why?"
"I thought he was dead."
Anna ran into Alex, literally, as both were going upstairs to their respective bedrooms. Alex was white. Anna grabbed her arms, to steady the other woman.
"Alex, what's wrong?"
Slowly, with the air of forcing the words. "Get Methos, and Josh, and I think maybe Michel. Methos will get anyone else."
Looking at the wide eyed woman, Anna shook her head minutely and helped her into the den.
"Now, I'll get them," the younger woman said as she rushed out of the room.
Alex sat on the couch, trembling. The others were sleepy eyed, and bumbling. She rocked back and forth gently.
Methos took her hand. "What's up honey?"
Alex took a calming breath. "I haven't been entirely truthful with you, I'm sorry. Sorry everyone…especially you Methos."
She paused.
"Ruffio wasn't the only one I suffered at the hands of...I also endured abuse from his teacher"
"Who is?"
"Kronos."
It was Methos' turn to go a startling shade of white.
"Kronos? Oh, damn, Alex, I'm sorry." Methos didn't touch her, unsure how that would be received. "But he's dead now, he's really dead."
"Don't pull away from me Methos. I need you to touch me. I need somebody."
She sobbed. "I just panicked so bad..."
"If he is alive Ally, whoever he is we'll get him for you." Ray promised softly.
"Thank you." she smiled weakly.
"But how?" said Duncan. "I'm sure I killed him"
" Joseph saw him a few weeks ago. I'd heard through the watchers that Kronos was killed by Duncan, but that was years ago. Joseph only saw him a few weeks ago.
"There are ways" Emilia said softly, sadly.
Alex looked at her questioningly, then with a kind of shock" When I was young there were rumors of resurrections. But that was after the fall of the Romans." murmured Alex. Methos was sat silently beside her, not yet bridging the gap. Fraser did. She leant on him gratefully.
"I remember...I was just fourteen. My mother as a druid. She and some others...they whispered of an immortal brought back from the dead. I never heard anymore of it. It was only a few weeks later an incarnation of the Horsemen came. I was taken prisoner. Kronos and Ruffio were my first experience of immortals." she played with a cushion fringe.
"Four years..." It was an angry sob. "I was kept mortal. Until one day Ruffio got carried away. Kronos was so angry." she'd began to rock again, and this time Methos was there.
"Oh god" Anna muttered into Michel's chest. He hugged her tightly for a moment, she closed her eyes, remembering that he lived then, this was part of his world.
But he held her away and signed quickly. "There's a way, but, it's complicated, very complicated. Involves the death of a son, and basically it's like any restoration spell. Since immortals can't have children, it's pretty much a moot point for us."
Seeing where he was going with this Anna nodded "But now, a fertility specialist could do it, probably. But the son" she stopped signing and turned to speech and to Joseph, calling him into another room. "Joe, did Ruffio raise you?"
At his nod she continued. "And right before you met this Kronos guy, you died, your first death right?"
Surprised he nodded again. "Bingo. Kiddo, go up to your room, okay, lock the door, don't come out, no matter how loud we get, and don't let anyone in unless I tell you." She leaned up and whispered into his ear. "Got it?"
He nodded, scared. "Go now."
Anna went back into the living room. "We know how and who."
"So we're going to have to deal with Kronos." said Alex. "But
why send the kid to his room?" her eyebrows knitted, in thought before clearing to a look of sadness. "Oh, poor Joe. Bad enough that bastard killed him, but for him to be... Poor Joe." The eyes of the rest of the room widened in shock. More than one hand went to blade then fell away with the memory of the shy and charming young man who was not to blame for his elders.
Alex stood. "But I'm not a scared child anymore." she smiled. "Kronos can't hurt me. He's gonna get a shock.."
"So, are we looking, or do you think he might look for Joseph
and you?" Ray asked.
Michel signed "Depends on if the ceremony was completed, but it probably was. I'd like to ask Joe if his heart was removed sometime in the last few weeks.
The heart of the son, boiled in the light of the full moon, will make the resurrected more powerful than before."
"Well, for starters, yuck, but I'll ask him." Anna said, bouncing to her feet.
Methos looked up from his sad contemplation. "Joe should be well guarded, no matter what. Kronos would have taken a sick pleasure in his son following in his foot steps."
They all agreed on shifts. Joe Dawson, on being told some of the circumstances called several people he knew and trusted to help watch the house. It was along and tiring night. And throughout, Methos and Alex, as coordinators only got more agitated.
Joe was safely guarded. Ray and Fraser and the mortal Watchers in the group were never left alone without Immortal.
Alex was walking in the gardens with Joe on the third day of the fortress-like existence, when they both felt an immortal buzz. Alex ran through the others in her head. None of their buzzes felt that way.
"Run." she said in a low voice, as she felt the figure approach from the south. "Run towards the house and when you get closer start screaming, okay?" Joe nodded as Alex drew her sword. She watched the boy run off, before rounding a bush to see Kronos. Grinning at her.
"Well, if it isn't my little wildcat."
"I'm not yours." she edged back, but he pounced and slammed her onto the ground. Everything went dark.
The house-guests emerged from the house,at the sound of Joe's screaming. Some were carrying guns, some swords, some both. All were drawn and ready.
"That way" Joe gasped "She told me to run to the house and scream."
"Kronos." Methos ground out.
"Come on! He can't have gotten her already!" Josh said, running in the direction Joe had pointed. Fraser and Ray were only slightly behind Methos who soon was neck and neck with Josh.
Anna quickly, at Michel's direction told all the Watchers, including Joe Dawson, to arm themselves against an approaching immortal. By the time that Anna and Michel reached the area, Alex and Kronos were long gone
Alex came to in a bedroom. "Kronos you bastard!!!"
She paced the floor. Her clothes had been taken, and she was wearing old sweats. Her skin crawled at the thought that Kronos had touched her skin again. The door swung open, and he stood there, sword in hand.
"I missed you, you know. You were very spirited. I see you still are."
"Yeah well you don't seem to have changed much either. And that's not a complement."
"You will come downstairs with me. We are going to call your friends. Oh, and I know about you and my brother. Shame that. He killed Silas, didn't he? As well as helping in my death. Maybe he hasn't changed as much as I've heard."
She winced visibly at the mention of Methos. "He has." She hissed.
The house was big. There was no way to tell where she was.
Kronos picked up the phone and dialed.
"he'll call you said. Just wait you said. Duncan, it's been nearly 15 hours!" Anna was biting her nails, so scared she was for her friend. Josh was pacing, Methos was simply sitting, staring straight ahead without blinking.
"Anna, lass, he'll call. Calm down, there's nothing we can do 'til then." Connor took the calming role.
The phone rang. Anna ran to it.
"What?....Kronos." She hissed.
From where Alex sat she could hear the blessed sound of
Anna's voice.
"Ah, I take that to understand you do know who I am. The little wildcat
and my brother have probably told you all about me." Kronos laughed humorlessly.
"I assure you she's alive. Here, talk to them." he grabbed Alex's hair and she yelped. "Anna."
"Alex, are you okay?"
"I'm fine I think." she was desperately trying not to cry, despite knowing that the anticipation of pain was far worse than the reality. Usually. Not always with Kronos. He was inventive.
"Where are you?"
"I don't know."
"That's enough." said Kronos roughly.
"What do you want with her?" asked Anna.
"Well, I've missed her company. Almost as good to have around as my dear brother. They think remarkably alike. She's just as sneaky, aren't you?" he hit Alex then, and Anna could hear the blow.
"Bastard" Anna hissed. "what the hell do you want."
"Let me talk to my dear brother."
Wordlessly Anna handed the phone to the now alert Methos.
"Kronos."
"Brother."
"What do you want, Kronos? This lacks finesse, even for you."
"Ah, I grow tired of speaking to you Methos. Let me speak to the chit from earlier."
"No."
Kronos grabbed Alex's hair and twisted, rewarded with a grunt of pain from the surprise of it.
"Now."
Eyes smoldering Methos handed the phone back to Anna. "What?"
" What I want, is the pleasure of my dear brother's presence in Prague. My
little sister and I will wait there for you. Don't try anything sneaky. I'm ready this time. Goodbye"
Alex trembled.
Little sister.. In her hunter period, Kronos had joked if she'd lived in their hey-day she'd have been their fifth. He turned on her.
"Well. I wonder just how our brother will take that?"
"Prague" Anna said simply. "Your brother and his little sister will be waiting."
"Oh, gods"
"What?" Anna questioned, stunned by the anguish when she had expected anger.
"The horsemen were brothers. With the other two dead Kronos will be looking to have other members. Grief is what led two of us to becoming horsemen. Madness led the other two." He turned a bit away. "Alex isn't mad. He means to
'recruit' her. Two choices on the way."
"Over my dead body." Josh ground out, quickly backed by Ray and Fraser.
Methos turned to Alex's best friends, her family, in a way. "That's probably the idea. He hopes that by killing you lot it'll numb her." It numbed her before. He didn't add that but it was understood by the others.
"What to we do then?" asked Joseph, from the comforting circle of Michel and Anna's arms.
"Some go to Prague. The rest of you lot stay alive and someone disconnects
that bastard's head from his body."
"How long will it take to get out there?" Anna asked determinedly.
"Give us about half an hour to get our stuff, then an hour to the airport then a 3 hour flight. Then about 20 minutes to the city and a hotel. Kronos will find us. When we get there. No-one is alone."
"What about Joe?" Anna asked clenching Michel's hand.
"Keep Joe with you and Michel. Always. Have him sleep in the couch in your room."
Anna closed her eyes. "Alex'll be okay?"
Now Methos closed his eyes. "I hope so"
She'd become numb to the physical pain hours ago. The bonds Kronos had tied her wrists with made her bleed continually. His voice was always going. As he drove he talked calmly of a new era in which the four would again ride. She'd lost her battle with tears and wept now, not caring if he saw. the car rumbled along a dirt track to an old warehouse, and Kronos, seeing her weak state, carried her in. She was too tired to care anymore.
Anna kept up the silent and sometimes not so silent mantra all the way. "Please let Alex be okay, please let Alex be okay"
Joe simply was stunned. No one except himself blamed him for his unwilling and unknowing part.
"5 by 5?" the radio crackled
"As much as expected." Anna muttered into the radio. The waiting was the worst.
She'd died. She came to again on a couch in what she assumed was the mansion. She hoped and prayed to all the gods she remembered that the others were okay She felt such pain for Joe, her heart broke just that little bit more. Her wrists and ankles were still bound, though now with cord, not wire.
'All I can do is sit tight', she thought.
"So, you just wait at the fountain and we just wait at the hotel? Tell me how this makes sense."
"It's the only way. I have to get him to think I'll join him. He'll either than bring me to Alex and then we come get Joe or visa versa. Hopefully the former."
"But what if it's the latter?" Anna asked anxiously.
"Then I go." Joe said quietly "and Methos has someone to stab Kronos in the back as we get Alex out."
"Sounds like a plan"
"He's going to have the child stab me in the back." Said Kronos calmly. "But see my dearest little sister, if you don't kill him for me I'll be forced to kill someone." She heard a shout from another room, and Kronos went to fetch the occupant. Ray. How the fuck did he get him? Thought Alex frantically. The others should have watched him!!! He looked at her with panicked golden eyes. Kronos unbound them both quickly.
"I wouldn't try anything. The boy is mortal. And I could shoot him quite easily."
Alex sought Ray's hand. Maybe everything would still be okay.
Methos would come.
"Damn." Methos said, responding to the cell phone call from atop the roof bordering the warehouse where they now knew Alex to be." How'd he get Ray? I thought Josh was watching him. Okay, Joe. Joe?" He shook the trembling boy. "He says that I've got to go into a warehouse on the corner of fifth and central, okay? Now, I want you to cover me, there's no time to call anyone else. Can you do that?"
Biting his lip Joe replied. "Yes, sir."
"Okay, get down and go to the door. Be CAREFUL." He emphasized.
"No problems." Joe said finally looking at Methos. "Just, let's get them out."
"Absolutely."
'Obviousness is the soul of deception.' Methos thought to himself as he strolled in the main door of the warehouse.
Alex's heart skipped a beat. Methos smiled at her and she attempted to return the gesture. She trembled.
"I am to take you to our brother." she said shakily. "I am to deliver you to Westerton house by car." She looked at Methos pleadingly. "He has Ray in the house." she sobbed softly. "I'm bugged."
Methos crossed the last few steps and took her in his arms.
"It okay." Methos muttered. Then his eyes brightened and he quickly began to sign 'Are you okay. Physically?" she simply nodded. 'Mentally?' he signed.
'I'll live' she signed.
"Okay, let's go." he said aloud. 'What can you tell me' he signed.
'Nothing'" She signed back. 'He has a gun to Ray's head.' her hands shook as she signed "I can't risk him. He's my family."
"I have been instructed to tell you that Kronos has a plan. Which I am not yet privy to." she said out loud before signing again. 'At this point I'm meant to shoot you.'
'Do it.' He signed back, squeezing her hand.
She drew the gun and fired.
Joe gasped from his vantage point behind some boxes. He saw Methos crumble to the ground, red flowering from the front of his shirt. Alex grabbed what looked like a dolly and sobbing, put Methos on to it, carrying him out of the building. Quietly, Joe followed.
Alex put Methos in the car trunk and got into the drivers seat. Joe, tried to start the car he and Methos had taken silently. If Alex heard she gave no sign, starting up her own car as well, before driving into points unknown to Joe.
Alex did indeed see Joe. She wanted to scream that he run and get the others, not follow. But somehow she didn't just think Anna and the others would sit quietly. Especially Fraser, now that both she and Ray were in danger.
Methos began to stir in the back. He smiled at her. She smiled
back.
He leaned forward and Kissed her neck, and she held back tears again.
"Where's Ray?" Fraser asked.
"Wasn't he with you, Ben?" Anna asked concerned.
"When I woke up, he was gone."
Anna's eyes widened "You don't think..." she trailed off and Fraser blanched.
Anna glanced at her watch, "Okay, gather up the troops, we're going to go on. I don't care what Methos said."
"how?" Fraser asked. "We don't know where they are. It's a cinch they aren't at the Fountain."
Anna turned to Mika. "Hack the phone company data base? Would it be easier to trace Methos phone or to get the conversation?"
"The former. On it."
Alex reached the house and, taking Methos by the hand, they walked in together.
"You behaved yourself admirably Sister."
Alex moved to Kronos' side, and stood stiffly.
"You will join us Methos. You will join us because she already has."
Alex swayed slightly. She looked slightly sick, but nodded.
"It is amusing how much she risks for one mortal, isn't it?" He smiled mirthlessly.
"Kronos, you would trust me after last time? Brother I'm touched."
"Leverage, Methos, Leverage. Just as I have that mortal in the other room for our dear sister here, I have her, for you."
"Things happen Kronos."
"Like me, coming back from the dead? Did you figure that out? Of course you did, you've met my son."
"The wonders of modern science" Methos sneered.
Kronos glared, and with a smirk pulled a knife and dragged it along Alex's skin, leaving a trail of blood." Come now, Brother, let's play happy families, reunited."
"You see brother, the wonders of modern science replicate DNA." He trailed a finger in Alex's blood. "Hollow out genetic material from an egg, take the DNA from dried blood. Difficult, but after all, I couldn't have any other woman be the mother of my child, could I?"
"Bastard." Alex's voice was cold and fridgid, and her eyes were hard.
Methos could only stare at Kronos. Kronos took both their hands, and led them to four chairs at a round table.
"Joseph, come sit with your family. Spying is rude." Called Kronos in a mock-cheery voice.
Joseph's eyes went wide. He thought he'd been hidden quite well.
"Now, Joseph." Kronos ordered in a cold voice.
Joseph walked quietly out of the corner.
"That's more like it." Kronos sadly with a smile. The hairs on the back of Joe's neck went up. "Come sit between your mother and your uncle." He gestured with the knife that still held Alex's blood.
Joe vomited.
"okay, everyone, he's a nut-job. Let's be careful." Ironically it was Fraser, the mortal, who said it. Connor snickered at Fraser's choice of words. It just seemed odd coming out of the Mountie's mouth.
"He'll know we're here" Josh said quietly.
"Surprise is the first part of a great attack" Connor said, quickly
followed by Duncan's " But superior firepower is the second, third, and fourth."
The 'family' sat at the table, listening to Kronos' plans.
Alexandra held both Joe and Methos' hand's under the table. They felt a large, swelling buzz, and Alex thought her heart might burst
Kronos stood, knocking the table over in his haste to grab Alex. Despite Methos's, Joe's, and Alex's attempts to stop him he held his blade to her neck, using her as a shield as the troops arrived.
"I think I'll take this one for insurance again. and Remember, only I and the sister know where the boy is. He's very mortal and they have been known to starve."
Ben's face twisted, and he launched himself at Kronos, and Alex threw him over, getting out of his grip and straight into Methos'.
Ben touched a point in the thrashing Kronos neck, immediately making him limp. Ben slumped on to the floor beside the unconscious body.
Alex looked at the sword Kronos had dropped when Ben had jumped at him. Bad reflexes for a 4000 year old man, that. For a moment no one moved. Then Alex grabbed the sword, just a moment before Josh did. "No, Josh, he's mine, or he'll never really be dead. Never."
Her friend nodded his understanding and backed away from her, Methos squeezing her one more time before melting back into the crowd as well.
She swung, tears in her eyes, sobbing with anger. The sword she dropped as she would have offal, and she fell to her knees in expectation of the onslaught.
The quickening took her, the power of it making her scream in pain/pleasure.
As it stopped, as her breathing returned to normal, she shambled to her feet, and walked up a corridor to a door, which she kicked in perfunctorily.
Ray's face greeted her with a smile, and she collapsed, unconscious, into his arms.
Ray grabbed her before Methos took Alex from Ray's weak arms. As soon as Alex was out of Ray's arms, Benton grabbed Ray and pulled him close.
"Hey, I'm okay man. I'm okay."
"We'll check you over when we get back" Mika said.
"He should be fine." Connor told the worried Mounty. "They just want to be safe"
"Come on" Josh said," He already has her in the car"
Alex slept the whole way back in the car. And when the reached the house she didn't speak, simply walked up the steps and waited to be guided wherever she was going. She didn't seem to be functioning on all cylinders, and Methos
never let go of her hand.
After helping Methos put Alex to bed, Methos climbing in beside her, Josh came back down to the kitchen where Anna and Michel were drinking, warm milk for Anna, a stiffer type of drink for Michel. Taking a tumbler from the cabinet, Josh
sat down next to Michel at the kitchen table, pouring himself a shot from Michel's bottle.
Anna looked down at her glass. "Will she be okay?"
Josh shrugged helplessly. "Who knows? She's strong, and Methos is with her... But who knows what Kronos did to her?"
Alex didn't venture out of her room until the next day. She kept Ray, Joe and Methos in her line of sight constantly .Richie made lame jokes, and she smiled weakly, her green eyes far away.
Joe was picking at his food, stubbornly NOT looking at anyone else at the table. Finally after her third attempt to catch his eye Anna slammed her fork down, startling Alex. Anna marched over to Joe and grabbed his chin, pulling it up
to look her in the eyes, him flinching at the contact.
"It's not your fault." she said softly.
Alex stood and walked over to them. "Joey, it isn't your fault."
She held the boy to her chest not sitting, and Joe not standing. Joe began to cry softly, Alex joining him after a moment, Anna's eyes going misty as Josh moved Connor, Duncan, a wide eyed Richie, Mika and Peter holding hands, Emila, Tessa
and the various watchers out of the room. Only those Alex wanted stayed.
Alex whispered softly into Joe's hair as she brushed the boy's hair with her lips in a kiss. "Whatever else you might be without choice, you are also a good man, and you are my son as well." Both Alex and Joe began to sob at that, all the others
leaving mother and son alone, the first immortal family ever known to be biologically related.
And that seemed to be that, for Joe began blushingly calling Alex 'Mom' at which she went rather misty eyed. It seemed to have brought her out of her stupor, and she seemed to be almost back to her old self.
Methos informed Anna that she had slept last night, a nightmare-free sleep.
The next day she surprised them again.
"I'm getting tired of this place." she murmured, "Italy seems to have bad karma for me. I suggest we move on."
"Aw" Richie joked. "Does that mean me have to go back to you know...lives?" Connor and Duncan simultaneously swatted him.
"Where to then?" Anna asked.
"I have a place in Scotland" Connor offered uncharacteristically. "There's room" All eyes turned to Alex.
"Sounds like a good idea, so long as it's nowhere near Luss. I hate that place, I grew up there and god but it sucks." She smiled widely. "Yes, I think that would work."
She put her head on Methos shoulder, and kept smiling.
"It's okay, it's actually not that far from Glenfinnen."
Duncan's eye brows raised. "Not that far, eh?"
Connor laughed and smiled innocently "Not that far at all"
"Good. It'll be nice to see the home-country again. It's been years." Alex smiled. She stood with a yawn. "I don't know about anyone else but I'm whacked. It's been a loooong week." She smiled again. "Coming?" she gestured to Methos.
Anna quirked her eyebrows at Michel. "What a great idea." Soon most had retired to their respective bedrooms. That is, except for Duncan, Connor, and Richie.
Duncan simply sat and said. "Tell"
Soon Richie was tripping over himself to explain. "....and we really want to
be together, Duncan."
Duncan smiled at his kinsman and his 'son'. "Be happy." He said with a sweet smile, and joined Tessa in bed.
The next morning, a flurry of preparations were made. Flights booked, bags packed, families called. Richie took Anna and Alex aside to share the news of what Duncan had said.
"About time!" laughed Alex. "Now we have to break Fraser and Ray."
Richie grinned. "Well, I'm not sure, but uh, while Ray was
missing, some definite progress was made on the Fraser
front. He was freaking."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
"Yep."
"Maybe I should have a talk with him."
That might work."
So Alex stood and walked over to Fraser.
"Hey Frase, fancy a walk with me?"
"Of course." He offered her his arm, and they walked outside.
"So, apart from the obvious, have you enjoyed yourself?"
"Very much so. Italy is beautiful."
"And you and Ray...How are you getting on?" she quirked an
eyebrow.
"Fine thank you."
Alex gave the Mounty the pantented Alex look that simply said 'Bull shit, spill.'
Fraser sighed. "I don't know. I don't want it to be because of....this."
"Don't want what to be." Alex urged Fraser to say the words "Don't be coy Ben. You fancy his socks off." She folded her
arms and looked up at him. "So say it. I Benton Robert
Fraser..."
"I Benton Robert Fraser.."
"Am madly in love with Stanley Raymond Kowalski."
"Am madly In love with Stanley Raymond Kowalski. But how do I tell him?"
Alex leaned forward, a huge grin on her face.
"You don't have to. He's over there in the bushes. I'll leave you to it."
Fraser turned a shade of red that Alex was sure previously didn't exist in nature.
She walked by Ray's bush, leaving Fraser in the middle of the garden.
"Well, my friend, hop to." She muttered as she passed the
shocked, slack-jawed Ray.
Ray stood there, for a bit, Fraser not moving either.
Finally Ray moved. "Well, I'm not exactly sure what to say."
Fraser's face was still crimson. "Ray, I didn't want you to find out this way..."
"hey, at least I found out." Ray said, walking toward Fraser with determination.
Alex watched happily as her two friends kissed, before hopping to it and grabbing her suitcases, loading them into one of the cars.
She grinned at Connor. "The homeland is calling."
Methos came up behind her and gave her a hug, and she felt, for the first time in weeks, that all was right with the world.
"So?" Anna sidled up to Alex and cocked her head toward Ray and Fraser, who were standing very close together, and holding hands a little too long for Fraser to merely be helping Ray out of the car.
"Well..."Alex merely grinned as an end to the sentence.
"Well, good. Mission accomplished, eh?"
"Yep."
"If no one told you, a bunch are going home, Duncan has business and most everyone else has something of the like. Michel, Connor, Richie, Joe, apparently Ray and Ben, and I are coming. As well as the obvious. "She pointed toward Methos who was saying goodbye to Duncan, and watching Alex
"He doesn't take his eyes off me." murmured Alex, as she and
Anna sat side by side on the plane.
"I think he's afraid I might disappear."
"What airport are we going to?" asked Richie, turning round.
"Heathrow, then up to Glasgow, then drive a few hours."
"Cool."
"Anyway," murmured Anna, "Everything seems to have
worked out well. You've got, like, a son. Fricken wow."
They both laughed.
The plane landed, and the party got off, to the great relief of the crew.
"Okay, people, the plane to Glasglow doesn't leave for another 8 hours, so have fun in London, we'll all meet for dinner, at...um....there's a bar named Barney's on 63rd and 5th. Okay?"
Hearing 'yeah, sure's Alex, leaned on Methos' shoulder, leading him off to Anna's amusement. She nudged Michel's shoulder, "Hey, where do you want to
go?" she signed.
He shrugged, signing 'Just walk around.'
"K" she said holding one of his hands.
They walked like that for a while, catching a taxi to a nearby Park. Then Michel turned to Anna, signing with every appearance of the nervousness of the sixteen year old boy he hadn't been in centuries. "I love you."
Anna smiled, very surprised. "I love you, too, Michel." They kissed and continued walking, Anna musing on the great happiness of all her friends.
In Barney's the gang took over one huge table, and they
noisily ordered drinks.
Methos dragged Anna over to one side.
"DoyouthinkAlexwouldmarryme?" it came out in a rush. "I bought her a ring today when she was in some shop buying 'surprises'"
"Oh god I don't know... Richie said you once said you'd never marry an immortal…and isn't this a bit soon?"
"Yes to all those questions. But I don't care. I really can't bear to lose her. And If it doesn't last, there's divorce. No harm, no foul."
Anna sighed. "That's a charming way of thinking to go into a marriage. I think she'd say yes though."
The ancient one smirked. "Maybe we could do the double wedding?"
Anna smacked him on the arm, before they rejoined the group with drinks.
Joe was wearing a t-shirt that said 'If you think I'm cute you should see my mom.' And Alex was mercilessly teasing Richie.
"Love the shirt, Joe" Anna grinned at the youngster who blushed.
Anna caught Alex's eye and winked, Alex returning the wink without stopping in the teasing of Richie, Richie's lover sitting back with a smile despite Richie's joking pleas for help.
Going to sit on Michel's lap, Anna told him about Methos' plans, Michel's eyebrows rising high, at the telling.
"I think they'd be happy," she concluded, "but, I'm not too sure he's not just reacting to the stress of the previous situation, and him marrying an immortal....well, I've heard of twice that working out and it was the near thing with one of them. The de Valiencourts, and Montgomery's. I think the de Valiencourts have been together about 3 centuries, the Montgomeries 200 years in a couple of months. And then he said divorce...and I just don't want Alex hurt."
'Maybe you should tell Alex', he signed, 'then she can decide if she wants to risk it.'
"Good Idea." She stood. "I have to go to the ladies. Wanna come, Ally?"
"Sure." They walked into the toilets, and Anna sighed, still not sure she was doing the right thing, but unable to come up with an alternative. "If Methos asked you to marry him, what would you say?"
"I don't know. Why?"
"He bought you a ring. He's going to ask you."
"Shit. And I'll bet he mentioned divorce in the same breath."
"Yes."
"He 's reacting, I know he is. I'd say yes, but we have to talk about it a lot before I go through with anything. Don't worry about me Anna. I'm tough. See?" She made muscles.
Anna laughed gleefully at Alex, throwing an arm around the other woman's shoulders as they left the bathroom. "when's the flight again?" Anna asked checking her watch.
"Still a bit, why?"
"Because that" she pointed at Methos and Michel conversing in rapid sign "makes me nervous."
"On you for a double wedding, was he?" Alex giggled catching on immediately.
"Oh, god, yes" Anna said, throwing a mockingly dramatic arm over her eyes. "Still... Hey, Alex? I have a question."
"hmm?" Alex asked, not really paying attention.
"What about Joe?"
"What about Joe?" Alex questioned.
"His training. I took him on as a student, and, as much as I know you want to be with him, it might not be a good idea for you to train him."
"Oh God. Me train him, darling? I couldn't anyway! And besides, how far away from you am I going to go anyway? I won't be leaving my darling boy a while yet."
"Oh, that's great then."
"Anyway. I think we've got other issues too, like is it appropriate for us to marry in white?"
"Marry in white?...hmm... I don't know. You'd look good in a white gown." Anna teased, ignoring the we, for now.
"Will Methos go for it?"
"Well, you know white hasn't always meant what it does now. Basically, it's what you want." Anna winked. "Do you want to marry in white? And where will you get married? In a church, outside, with a priest, without a priest? I suspect Methos willmore go for that, incidently, but it's you, so he'll do what ever you want" Alex laughed at Anna's anxiousness, reminding herself how young Anna was. In Immortal terms she was only a little older than her son. "I like the sound of Methos doing what ever I want" she trailed off, giggling.
C'mon you guys, we'll miss it!" Joe was running up the concourse, and they all followed.
The plane journey was only an hour and a half, and then the cars to Glenfinnan took three.
They sacked out in Connor's living room, tumblers filled with various alcohols in hand.
"Ahhh, J&B." Alex sighed breathily, leaning back in her chair.
Her brown curls were haywire, and her freckles were out in force.
"So, you like our country?" smiled Connor, who had a tired looking Richie curled up next to him on the sofa.
"It's very nice." smiled Ben, and Ray grinned one of his manic, happy grins.
"Ben, did you bring your Uniform with you?" asked Anna, with a side glance at both Alex and Methos.
Alex just sipped her drink and looked smug, and Methos looked slightly nervous.
"Can't borrow it." Was Ben's immediate, blushing response, with a sidelong glance at Ray.
"Okay, that was far too much info into your sex lives" Richie stated, calmly mopping Connor's scotch off of his shirt where it had 'somehow' come to rest.
"God, Ben, you have a dirty mind. I meant if there was a formal occasion."
Now all the men looked nervous.
Alex just kept looking into her whiskey, smiling mysteriously. "I feel like calling it a night, 'kay?"
"Night!" came the chorus, and Alex and Methos disappeared
The others sat till late, savoring fine whiskey and fine company.
"So....what did Methos talked to you about?" Anna asked nervously, once she and Michel finally went to bed.
"Nothing." he signed, eyes wide and innocent.
'Yeah, I'm buying that' Anna thought to herself.
'So, how do you like Scotland?' Anna signed, decideing to let it go.
'I like it. I've not been here in over 200 years. I had a family here.' he said sadness etched on his face.
'Oh, I'm so sorry, Michel. Are you okay being here?' Anna asked.
'Yeah, I am. This country was the first where I ever stayed long enough to see my grandchildren.'
'You have grandchildren?'
'Not now.' he teased. 'Though their descendants may still be here.' he signed thoughtfully.
The next day, Alex said "Hey, I'm going for a drive, Kay? I got someone I gotta see."
Methos made as if to to go with her, but she gave him a look, and got in the car on her own, before driving off.
"I wonder who she's going to see." murmured Joe, and Methos shrugged.
"She was 'born' here if you get what I mean. She might want to visit some people."
"Did Alex tell you where she's going?" Joe asked leaning on the arm of the couch Anna was sprawling on.
"Nope. She lived here a while though. Maybe she's going to see some of your great nieces or nephews."
"I beg your pardon?" Joe asked sitting up quickly.
"Immortals might not be able to have children the traditional way, but we do raise children, Joe. Alex probably had some children, and visits her grandchildren, great grandchildren. Tells herself off as a distant relative. It's nice. She might talk
about it when she gets back. Michel's going to tell me about his 'descendants'" Anna made finger quotes. "When he gets back. He went to see graves and see if any are left today."
It was snowing when Alex arrived back. She came in and shook off gently...before smiling at everyone.
"Who were you visiting Alex?" Joe smiled.
She smiled so hard her eyes crinkled at the corners.
"My eldest son. He and his children live in Glasgow. He decided not to go into the watchers...although with all that Horton mess I'm glad."
"Eldest?" Joe squeaked.
"I have three. The younger one is in Africa and you are here."
Her face fell a little. "I'll have to tail my visits off...I...always do as they get older."
"Why?"
"Their children must only know me as a distant relative. 'Gran' has to die." She sat down beside Joe, and hugged him. "No problems like that with YOU, buster!"
"Doesn't it hurt?"
"After a while you get used to it...you never really invest your whole self with a mortal anyway, there is always that distance, because they die."
"And then you have to visit the graves." Methos said quietly.
Connor wiped at his eyes, unobtrusively. Richie went over to
embrace him and whispered something in his ear, causing
Connor to attempt a weak smile.
"But the graves do bring you comfort." Connor said quietly "How many children of yours have died?" Connor questioned Methos and Alex. "You're both old enough to have had enough." He smirked.
Methos raised his eyebrows. " Connor, you can't get away with old age jokes. You're the oldest looking one here." The side of his mouth quirked. "I've raised 52 children. All but one is dead now."
Alex looked sad herself.
"But sometimes you don't even have the graves." She murmured softly. Before pulling it together to say "Children…ah well, children of my own, I've had eighty,
because …I can't just let them be lost souls. Children I've raised…well, that would bring the number to about a hundred and fifty, because of my stints as a governess...all but eleven are dead."
"Eleven?" Richie raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. Joe, Joshua, my other two sons, and few other immortals. But for all I know right now that number could have thinned out since I last saw some of them."
She pursed her lips thoughtfully.
"Maybe I should give kids a wide berth from now on...I could get some cats instead." Her eyes twinkled.
"Seriously. After a while...you let go. It's not easy, but you do it. I've let go of most of them. They're adults, they make their own choices. There are those I haven't spoken to in years, some I maybe never will."
Methos nodded, as did Connor.
"That was my last visit. My old identity is gone. I can be 'reborn' as whoever I choose, baggage free." Her eyes narrowed again. "Although of late a lot of my past has come up to bite me in my cute little ass."
"Anything else about you we should know?" It was Anna.
She wrinkled her nose. "Other than the plethora of enemies any Immortal makes...One Highly unlikely she'll ever make an appearance but there's Naomi. Naomi was my first student. This was when I was still fucked up beyond all reckoning. She still exists in the hope I'm going to ravage the male population
again. It's awfully fannish."
"I really hate when people do that." Anna said shivering.
"decimate the male population?" Alex teased.
"No. That doesn't bother me." Anna teased back. "In my experience whenever an immortal says something like that, it happens"
"Opps"
Anna sighed. "Makes me nervous. I still don't know how you can just drop your life."
"You'll learn, grasshopper." she winked.
"So Naomi. No chance of her showing up then."
"Hope not. My nerves are shot already. Too much excitement."
"I'll say." Anna sat back. "I think I'm actually going gray." Off their looks. "Okay, metaphorically."
"Interesting question though. Could stress or shock turn immortal hair gray?"
Alex pursed her lips.
"No. Think of it. If shock or some such could do it it my hair would be white as snow." she chuckled. "Well, it's awfully late now darlings. This old lady better head off to her bed. Sweet dreams all."
And with that she rose and walked out of the room. Methos'
eyes followed her, but he stayed sitting.
"Right. Okay. I mentioned this to Anna earlier but I want to ask
you all too, as you have just as much if not more experience of Alex as I do. What do you think she'd say if I asked her to marry me?"
"She said she would." Anna said shutting her eyes and leaning against Michel. "Stuff and all that, but she would."
Methos stood and ran from the room.
Anna opened her eyes. "What the hell was that?"
"Maybe he's gone to ask her." murmured Connor, chuckling.
Richie grinned. "Wait till Mac and Joe hear about this. They'll laugh their heads off. The Old Timer getting married to an immortal! And one that seems to attract such a huge amount of attention too."
Anna yawned.
"Oh well. We'll find out tomorrow. I'm off to bed."
Anna snuggled into Michel's side, signing. 'Did you see your
family?'
'Yes, my great-grandson. He's adorable. Blond curly hair, blue
eyes. Dimples. He's just so cute.'
'Like his great-grandfather.' Anna teased
'Something like that.' Michel grinned. 'It's hard for Alex not to see her family. My son's family all became Watchers, so I can see them when ever I have the chance. They're famous for ignoring the 'never interfer policy'. It's so hard to see them age though.
'That's why it's so confusing to me why more immortals don't marry between themselves. I mean, it's a family that will never age on you. Will be with you.'
'It's too hard to send someone you love, your family out into the world with the knowledge that they could die if they were caught on the wrong end of a challenge'
'How is that different from sending an mortal out driving?'
'Because when you live with an immortal, you're together for a very long time. It gets so that.' Michel hesitated. 'You know that person as well as you know yourself. They become a part of you. When that person dies you lose a part of
yourself for ever. That's why what Alex and Methos are doing is so brave.'
"Are you speaking from personal experience?" Anna asked softly, Michel reading her lips.
'Her name was Sarah. She's been dead for over 300 years. We were together for a 150 years. That's why it's so hard to let you into my heart. But, I've come to realize I could no more keep you from my heart than I could stop the sun from rising.
You are as much a part of my life as light itself. I love you more sight, my only link with the world. That's why Methos and Alex are so nervous about this. This is a challenge. A scary challenge.' Michel kissed her forehead. 'A challenge I find myself having to take up for myself.'
Anna cried softly into Michel's chest, understanding, the uniquely immortal fear of lost, and finally, understanding Michel's love.
'Reluctant though it may be' she thought wryly.
Anna went out for a breath of fresh air, and found Alex sitting on a bench, again smoking.
" Michel asked me." She sat down beside Alex.
"I gathered that." Alex smiled a tiny smile, and sighed. "I'm going to marry an Immortal. Not any immortal, but the oldest. Cassandra will be turning in her grave, but I can't help myself. I'm an old woman, and I could die any day. Look at
how many close calls I've had in the past couple of weeks! But I have to do this. I have to be with him as long as I can."
"That's the gist of what Michel said to me."
"All us old gits think the same way." She drew heavily on her cigarette.
"So when do you want to fix the date for? I want it as soon as is decently possible. I want lots of people there. I want to get married outdoors. I'd like to have Darius do the ceremony, but that's not going to happen. Other than that I'm easy."
Anna grinned wickedly "I've heard that."
Alex slapped her arm lightly. "Ha."
Anna latched onto an earlier portion of the conversation "I've heard a lot about Darius, but I never met him. What was he like?"
"Darius used to be a warlord, for lack of a better word. He was going to enter Paris and an Irish monk, an Immortal met him at the gate. Daruis took his head and then he...changed. I think it's called a 'Light Quickening.' Darius put down the
and became a monk. He was a good man."
"A 'Light Quickening'?"
"It's the opposite of a Dark Quickening, which is an official term. If you take the quickening of someone very evil, you become evil. It changes you, you aren't good or kind, just evil."
Alex looked very sad for a moment and whispered. "I had a friend die like that."
"How could they die from it" Anna asked in morbid and unwilling fasination.
"I had to have him killed. I couldn't do it myself or the quickening would have overwhelmed me just like it did him. So I fought him and made sure he was temporarily dead, then had a mortal kill him after leaving. It was hard. That's why we Immortals have to grab what happiness we can when we can. We only have so much."
Anna reached over and hugged her friend. "So, let's be happy." She whispered.
"For the first time in so very long I think I can manage that."
Alex smiled brilliantly." I suppose we'd better get everyone together in the sitting room. We'll tell them and them decide what to do." She hugged Anna tightly.
"Okay."
"Oh, I forgot! Let's see your ring."
"Let's see yours!" Anna challenged. Alex smiled and flashed a ring. Large, but not ostentatious it was well, classy, for lack of a better term.
"It's beautiful." Anna breathed, showing her own, smaller ring, but fitting the woman who wore it.
"So, let's go talk to the others. Okay?" Anna asked, pulling the other woman to her feet.
Alex and Methos stood in the middle of the sitting room, holding hands and smiling.
"As you all may or may not know, Methos proposed to me last night." A huge grin. " And I said yes. And we are being joined in our insane leap into matrimony by Anna and Michel, who have agreed to a double wedding."
There were whoops of joy from around the room, and Alex was being hugged by Fraser, Ray and Josh all at the one time.
"We made a decision." She spoke when she finally got free.
"The wedding will be in two months time, so that it will be long enough notice for our friends in far-flung places. It will also be in New York or Chicago. We're still discussing it."
"Bickering." grinned Ray.
"Discussing."
"Bickering"
"Okay Bickering."
"It's discussing!" Anna insisted." New York is lovely."
"We are talking about Manhattan, right?" Methos drawled.
"Hey!" Anna and Connor said in concert, defending their
present home city.
"Come on, Manahattan?"
"Well, it has some lovely places." Anna said stubbornly.
"Yes it does." Alex said playing peacemaker to Fraser and Ray's amusement.
"But Chicago is rather lovely too." Fraser said. "Well, sometimes." He qualified.
"Well, we have time to decide which city." Alex said. "what we really need to find is a place lovely, outdoors, but most certainly Holy Ground. I, for one, am not having that many immortals in one place that isn't Holy Ground."
"Can't disagree with you, there." Anna said. "Okay deal. Which ever has a place that fits all the above and we can all agree on, okay? Or do you have such a place in mind, Alex?"
"Idea!" said Alex." In the woods in Illinois state, there's the ruins of an old chapel. It's still holy ground, an it's in a secluded forest, most of which is also holy ground."
"That sounds great. Afterwards we can go into the city and party, right?" Anna looked around eagerly.
At no one disagreeing, she continued. "We should go see. And maybe do the planning from the States. That'll be the easiest right?"
"Probably. But we should get the guest lists sorted out
anyway. Twenty people each, I think. I don't think I'll even need
that many."
Anna nodded.
"So it's back to Chicago?" Fraser asked.
"Yep. Do you think Welsh and that would come? Them the Vechhio clan and a couple other of my students and that's me, really. It's forty per person really, isn't it, because of the 'and guest' thing?"
"Sounds about right, okay? That's uh...160 people. Wow. Okay we can do that right?" Anna questioned surprised. Michel started laughing, Methos soon following. "Yeah, we can do that I should think." Methos said. "Right, Alex?"
"Of course." She smiled.
"Gee, we're barely here and we're going again." said Richie.
"Jet set, that's us!" laughed the usually shy Joe. "Gee Methos, does that mean I hafta call you dad?!" His eyes twinkled.
Methos eyes went VERY wide and it was obvious that that particular part of the equation had never occurred to him before.
Well...uh..if you want to..uh..." he stuttered and amusing and unusual sight.
Joe laughed out loud, followed in his mirth by the rest, Alex taking pity on the floundering Immortal. "Methos, relax. He's kidding...mostly."
"Yeah I am. Maybe. We'll see."
"Flights?" Richie looked up.
Preferably from Glasgow. But we can do the Heathrow thing again if we have to, fly to Chicago straight if we can."
"Not Heathrow again!" Anna exclaimed remembering distinctly not liking it last time and next time not being a likely prospect either.
2 hours later
"Sorry. No flights with enough seats from Glasgow to O'Hare
in Chicago. But!" Alex said with triumph, "I booked us flights to London so we can catch a plane to Chicago which I also booked."
"Sweet!" Richie declared.
"How much time?"
"um...five hours. But uh...pack fast!"
"Already gone!"
They ran out.
They made it, but only just.
O'Hare was quiet, and at the gates they were met by Welsh, Frannie, Diefenbaker and Turnbull, who had recovered from his foray into politics and decided to be a Mountie again.
"Frannie! How are the babies?"
"Good. They're good."
"Nice." Alex smiled and then began doling out digs. "Anna and me are at my place. Michel and Methos are at the consulate. Ben and Ray are at Ray's and Connor and Richie are at Connor's place. Okay?"
"Okay with me." Anna said winking at Michel and Methos slightly, okay, very, disappointed expressions. She nudged Alex who was waving bye to Ray and Ben who were hurrying away amusingly.
Alex laughed and patted the boys on the back. "Have fun.
Explore the city. Party."
"What are you two going to do?" Methos asked almost nervously.
"Make up guest lists. Write invitations. Organs the wedding basically."
"Oh. Just asking."
"Got a problem with that?"
"Not at all, my love."
"Good." And Alex stuck her tongue out cheekily, before hailing a cab to her apartment. She and Anna climbed in and drove away, blowing kisses.
Pretty." Anna remarked on Alex's Chicago apartment.
"Thanks." Alex said absently throwing her stuff into her bedroom.
"Plan?"
"Food. Then lists. Then more lists. Then some more lists. Then...well, you get the idea."
"Nervous much?"
"Yeah, sure. I mean, aren't you?"
"Some, but...well, I've known Michel since I became
immortal. He was my teacher, my friend, this is just a step
up. Relax. You love Methos. It has to turn out right. Right?"
"Well..No. Love generally doesn't work like that. Neither does life. It sucks rocks, but my inner cynic never lets up."
Anna sighed. "Guess you're just used to bad stuff going down, huh?"
"You could say that. Anyway, first list. Guest list. Write all the names you want down on this bit of paper. We'll get Methos and Michel to do the same thing and then ruthlessly cut them down. Ouch. Bad phrasing there."
"You organize weddings often?"
"Almost all of mine. All 56 or so."
"56?! Jesus, doesn't that just...just...doesn't it hurt?"
"Of course it hurts."
"I mean, it has to hurt so much. How can you keep doing it? Getting married over and over again?"
"Because I love them, silly. And yes, it does hurt, and it never really goes away. But it can get better. You never forget, but you can hold them in your heart, and love them still, but move on. Am I making sense."
"Yeah." Anna smiled weakly. "So, definitely Connor and Richie. Is it a good idea to invite mortals too?"
"I'm going for yes." Alex smiled. "I'm asking Ben and Ray to give me away."
Anna nodded and bent her head to the task of preparing the list.
"Duncan, Amanda, Joe Dawson, Richie and Connor, Peter and Mika, Emilia, watchers, do you think? I mean Joe Dawson hardly counts"
"Yes, watchers, no don't tell Joe that" Alex winked
"Okay then, Paul Aberos for me, I grew up with him, Josh for you...Is he going to be upset that Ray and Benny are giving you away,?"
"I shouldn't think so. He has another job. He's going to be the officiating priest!" She giggled.
"He is! Great, that'll be so neat. Does Methos know yet...for that matter, does Josh know yet?" Anna joined in with Alex's mirth.
"Not yet." she giggled. "I'm trying to keep this all in the
family." She sat for a few minutes, fixing her list, but put downher pen.
"Sod this for a bag of chips." She looked at Anne. "Wanna play hooky and go look for dresses?"
Anne's eyes went wide. "I knew I forgot something. Dresses!" She looked down at her watch, reading 8:30-early enough. "We can't go too fancy being it's, well, woods, but we'll manage. Let's go...oh...what's the immortal to square mile ratio?"
"What?"
"You know, are there a lot of immortals here, what are they like, are they dangerous...etc?"
"I don't know, I've not been here for a while, but it wasn't too bad last time. Mostly just passerbys, but about half a dozen regulars. Not many for such a large city. There was a doctor who had just began at County General.
He goes by the name of Luka....damn, I can't remember
his last name.If you should see him, don't drool, okay?"
"Drool?"
"He's a...he's something, okay? Remember what I said about drooling."
"Have you slept with him?" Anne's eyes sparkled.
"Maybe. No." She sighed. "He's very attached to this sweet little nurse called Suzanne."
She stretched and stood to get her coat. "Now I'm very attached to Methos."
"How attached?"
"You'll have to take my head before I'll be unglued."
"That's REALLY attached."
"Yeah" Alex sighed. "It's nice. I know he won't get old and die, and I know that if he's lasted this long he won't die now, and it's just good to have no someone
constant."
"I know what you mean."
"Besides, he's cute!"
"That's shallow."
"That's true."
"Dresses. Color, shape, store?"
"Let's shop around."
"Okay. Let's shop until we drop. But not literally. Dying
would be bad."
"You have an idea what kind of dress you want?"
"I don't want something too modern, if you know what I mean."
"Something classic?"
"Something old. You know, to look like someone from when Michel younger. Like about the time you were born."
Alex looked up. "Like a theme-ish wedding? The guysand kilts and stuff?"
"Yeees"
"Evil plan forming. Not literally evil but... Everyone
comes in the type of clothes that were in fashion when
they were young. I'd be in robes...yes. White and silver."
She smiled.
"What do you think?"
Anna giggled. "I'm thinking tie-dye, actually. That would be excellent! And Methos in...god, what did they wear way back then?"
Alex turned wide eyes, set in an innocent expression, that glinted in amusement and just a little bit of evil, when she spoke her voice was as innocent as a child's.
"Not much." she said blithely.
"I wouldn't be selfish enough to keep that bod all to myself...at least the view."
Anne laughed.
Alex's eyes got misty. "I remember my mother. She was a druid...beautiful red
what she used to."
"What was she like?" Anna asked quietly, seeing the look in Alex's eyes that she usually associated with older immortals remembering. It wasn't like recalling
something, it was more like recalling a dream, the immortal was almost in a trace, but great details could be recalled.
Anna waited for Alex to tell her about the Flashback she was experiencing.
"This white robe. It was draped all over in this gorgeous way...she wore a girdle that was silver and had opals in it. I have no idea where she got it. She used to dance like crazy, me and her underneath the stars. The raiders killed her."
She snapped back. It amazed Anne that some 2500 years later, Alex's memories still held immense power to hurt.
Smiling gently, trying to cheer up the other immortal, Anne changed the subject. "So, where will we find all this stuff. We can have it made fast, right? And have
Methos in, oh, I don't know, clothes?"
"Only if it's a must! I can make this robe myself. I just
need the girdle. I'll talk nice to Connor. He's good in the smithy. You my dear, will have to have a hunt for something."
Anna looked sadly into the windows of the shop. "How am I going to find a tie-dye dress in Chicago in these days?"
"You're kidding, right? Vintage shops, and if not that, then make one. I'm getting Druid dress and you're worried about tie-dye?"
"And I'm thinking about Michel in a robe and me in the tie-dye. It's going to look weird."
"And yet strangely interesting."
"Strangely weird."
"Lets face it Anna Hon, there will be people there dressed a helluva lot weirder than we'll be. Think it'll be hard to get everyone here?"
"Not rea-" Anna stopped mid-sentence. "Oh, my god. We are so mentally challenged!" She slapped hermforehead.
"Anna, hon...speak for yourself..."
"No, really. We're talking about having all these
immortals there and having Methos be himself. We're so used to him being Methos around us that we forgot that there was a reason not many people knew who he was. God. And a bunch of people probably know him, and think he's someone else, and they'll know he was lying and why would he lie if he didn't have something to hide, so they'll look closer and realize that he's hiding
something like who he is and..." Anna started hyperventilating.
"Shit," Alex scowled. "I want to get married to METHOS not anyone else. We should ask him. He'll have thought about it. You know what he's like."
"I s'pose. He is pretty self-reliant."
"And extremely not stupid. Let's go find him."
"Seek and we shall find." Anna muttered standing outside of the strip club. "I know we didn't leave them here and I feel myself blaming Richie and your son."
"I find myself blaming Connor" Alex replied taking in the tacky sign, but also the excellent selection of alcohol.
"The strippers are actually quite pretty."
Anne looked at Alex sideways.
"I'm still gonna raise hell. Or maybe not.."
The place was pretty empty, the immortals and two patrons at the bar.
"Up to a little boogie amiga?" Her eyes twinkled at Anna.
"You're not serious" Anna said, backing slightly away from Alex.
"Oh, but I am." she replied grabbing the other woman's wrist and pulling her back stage.
"This is what they get get bringing my son to a strip club."
"Oh yeah. Are you sure you wanna do this in front of him?"
"Err...on second thought perhaps this isn't such a brilliant idea."
"Well...it'll make him swear off strip clubs." Anna said pondering.
"Very true."
They exchanged an evil grin.
"Ladies, we're going to have to ask to borrow some costumes." Alex said as Anna slipped some bills to the girls back stage. Grinning and shrugging the strippers
left.
"Ready?"
"Take a deep breath. We are beautiful, they will die of shock."
"Lucky they can't feel us. That's what they get."
"I wonder how much that girl would want for this," Alex murmured, fingering the red satin of her costume. Their song, "Smooth" started. Ready?
Anna grinned and took a deep breathe, muttering "I can't believe I'm going to do this" Before looking Alex in the eye "Ready."
They entered with their backs to the room to heighten the surprise as much as possible.
In synch, not even needing to look at the other, they ran their hands along their right thighs, beginning a sensuous dance that mimicked a sword battle.
The gasps from the men were clearly audible.
"That's My MOM!" came a startled gasp, as Alex and Anne continued to mock-fight, whirling and stamping their feet.
"I'm going to do something I learned a long time ago. Can you keep the beat?" Alex murmured.
Anna raised her eyebrows. "Absolutely. Follow your lead?"
"Yep" Alex grinned, beginning.