Morbid Curiosity

Author's notes and disclaimer.

Hi! I'm pleased to present the next installment in the 'Forever Tomorrow' Universe. While this vignette is a pivotal one for certain characters, it is also intended to be a fun one. So enjoy! But first a little legalese:

The character of Jade Weston does not belong to me. Nor does the concept of the Tomorrow People belong to me. It is, instead, the sole property of Roger Damon Price, Tetra Films, Thames Television, and Nickelodeon. The characters of Joe Dawson, Methos, and Duncan MacLeod aren't mine either. They, along with the concept of the Watchers, Immortality, and the Game, are the property of Panzer/Davis as well as Gaumont/Rysher Productions.

Feedback is important and therefore, very welcome. Email me at persephone@duo.zzn.com.

Thanks.

Persephone
January 1999

Seacouver, Washington
U.S.A.
1999

"Joe?"

"I'm over here, Jade," Joe Dawson called from the stage.

A young girl, about sixteen, walked into the deserted bar. Her blue eyes were darting around nervously as if she were expecting to be chased out of the place. Something he might have had to do had she come expecting to be a customer. It happened sometimes. Minors would drift in thinking to con a drink out of him and they'd rush out after he threw cold ice on their parade. But this girl was different, special in a way that set her apart from most people. She was a Tomorrow Person, the next stage of human evolution. She and others like her gave him hope that maybe, just maybe, this world might stand a chance even if an Immortal like Duncan MacLeod didn't win the prize. Joe smiled to himself; it seemed he was forever getting caught up in the lives of extraordinary individuals.

Jade grabbed a chair and turned it backwards, sitting down. "I didn't know you played."

"Yeah, a little blues. I'll play for you some time," he laid his guitar aside, "So what brings you across the ocean to see me?"

"Some advice?" she asked tentatively.

"Sure, what's the problem?"

She fidgeted, not meeting his eyes. "Promise you won't laugh."

"Me, laugh at a lady in need? Never," he replied with a twinkle.

"You're teasing me," Jade's tone was scolding but her posture was relaxed.

"Happens to the best of us. So, how can I help you?"

"It's Methos. He...he's so annoying."

"That sounds about right," Joe grinned, "What happened?"

"Well, he took me to see 'Titanic: the Director's Cut ' the other night. Actually, I took him. I was going to see it over here anyway-- it's much cheaper than over in Britain. I meant to ask Richie; he owes me big for what happened at Ami's birthday. So, I went to the dojo and found Methos instead, who sort of tagged along, even got me to pay for his ticket. He claimed he was the only person in the free world who hadn't seen it yet, so I let him talk me into taking him," she said ruefully.

"And?"

"And for the next three and a half hours, I got to hear his unique perspective on the whole thing." Her tone made it evident that she hadn't thought much of that.

"Like what?"

"Oh, like how he thought Hollywood had gotten away from making marshmallow epics or how stupid and boring he found melodrama. How we should have gone to an action movie," she ticked off, "Or anything else he could think of to complain about. He didn't seem to mind watching Kate Winslet prancing around in the buff though," she tapped her fingers against the back of the chair.

"That's just Methos. Most of the time he doesn't mean half of what he says. He's just trying to get to you. Ignore him," he advised her.

"I guess."

She looked as though she were wrestling with something internally, so he waited for her to speak. "You've known Methos for a while, haven't you?"

"Sometimes it seems like ages," Joe remarked dryly

"Can you tell me something about him--about his past?"

"I thought you were the girl who followed him around plying him with a million questions like, 'What was Cleopatra's favorite meal?' or 'Or what was William Wallance really like?'"

"But those are historical questions. He hardly ever talks about his life in any manner except to say I was there when Julius Caesar or the Rolling Stones invaded."

Joe debated on just what to tell her. He seriously doubted that she wanted to hear about the Four Horseman. That decadent period with Byron was probably best left unsaid as well. That didn't leave him with a lot to tell her. Methos may have opened up some in that past few years but no one could safely say they totally knew the man. Where was this morbid curiosity of hers leading? What, was she trying to insinuate herself into the Watchers? Even Joe had to admit, she didn't look like the type. Something told him that Jade's open face would always register and reflect every thought, every emotion she felt. Not a good thing in his line of work.

Take right now, for example. There was a undeniable interest in her that she was trying to conceal. He frowned mentally. It wasn't the same rapt fascination that most of the Watchers or most historians wore. If anything...

If anything, she looked like a young woman suffering from the first darts of Cupid's arrow.

His observation brought him up short. Jade had a crush on Methos? He wanted to laugh but...

Suddenly, it didn't seem all that unlikely. Especially when Joe considered how often she popped in on the oldest Immortal. The Watcher had just assumed it was like the visits the young Tomorrow Person paid to Mac or Richie or even himself. 'I must be getting old if I've become this unobservant,' Joe winced, running a hand over his silver beard.

For his part, Methos appeared to put up with her frequent visits with the same air he adopted with Mac: long-suffering, martyred patience.

"You really like him, don't you?" He asked measuringly.

"Yeah, he's really ador.--," she flushed, " No. No. I mean, he can occasionally be charming and his world view is interesting."

"Mhmm. To hell with everyone else--that's the Methos credo."

"Oh but he does have reason. I mean, he's Methos, the oldest Immortal and I heard Mac say that there are people who'd come after him just because he is Methos if they knew he really existed. I can see how that would make you a bit defensive," she defended him.

"You're defending him," Joe said gently.

She opened her mouth for a further protest but then let her head droop on the back of the chair. "He's infuriating, rude, and..."

"And cute?" Joe asked knowingly.

"You're getting to be as bad as he is," she reproved.

"You didn't answer my question."

She answered with an air of artful contrivance. "No, I didn't. A girl's got to have some secrets."

But she winked at him, as good as answering his question.

"I hope this will stay between us, Joe," she asked softly.

"No one will even know you were here. Can you stay a while longer? I might be induced to play for you."

"I'd be delighted."

***

"What's with you?" Methos growled, sipping his beer.

Joe had been wondering all day how to broach the subject of Jade to Methos. Oh, he wasn't about to directly reveal what she'd confided to him; he had promised after all. However, he wanted to have a little talk with Methos. He knew that one day his ancient friend was going to figure out how the younger girl felt and the last thing Jade Weston deserved or needed was to become a target of Methos' strange sense of humor.

"I was wanting talk to you," Joe began, " about Jade."

"What about her?" Methos took a long swig of his beer.

"You shouldn't be so hard on her. She's a good kid."

" 'Kid' is the right word. Oh come on, Joe. I haven't treated her any different than I treat anyone else."

"That's my point. Give her a break."

"She's a pest."

Joe glared at him.

"Why this sudden interest in Jade?"

"For some reason, she likes spending time with you. Can't imagine why. That's a pleasure the rest of us grew tired of a long time back. You ought to enjoy it while it lasts."

Methos' dark eyes shot daggers his way. Sarcastically, he said, "It's nice to have friends."

"Boy, you're in a terrible mood tonight," Joe observed.

"You would be, too, if you'd had the day that I had. What with MacLeod acting like the eternal, sanctimonious boy scout again... Sometimes I wonder why I bother."

"So does he," Joe said dryly.

"Then I come here, hoping for a quiet evening, and you start going on about Jade. What, does she have a cru--" Methos' dark head snapped up, a slow grin rising to his face, "Well, well. This should be entertaining."

"Don't you even think about it," Joe warned him.

"What?" he asked innocently.

"And don't you give me that either. Go easy on her, Methos. Lord knows what a difficult time she's having already, feeling this way about you of all people. Don't toy around with her feelings."

"Come on, Joe. She's just a kid," he scoffed, "She'll get over it."

Joe stared at him as sternly as he could. He had hoped he could reason with Methos, get the older Immortal to spare the Tomorrow Person's feelings. Unfortunately, he'd caught Methos in a exasperated, grouchy mood which always left the other feeling a little malicious. Another time and he might have convinced the older Immortal of his case. Then he got a wonderfully evil idea. 'Well, it's done. He knows about it now', Joe thought, but I can take any of the satisfaction out of it.'

"You know," Joe stated meaningfully, "She's about two years away from the age Tessa was when she met Mac."

As the implications of his words sunk in, Methos began to look faintly sick.

"Don't be ridiculous," came the reply though Joe noticed his words lacked conviction.

Joe grinned. "I'm sure if you ask Mac, he'll give you all sorts of advice on how to handle younger women."

Haughtily, Methos drew himself, "I think I'll get a breath of air. It's a bit stuffy in here."

Joe couldn't help but see the look of panic that threatened to break the air of superciliousness on the older Immortal's face.

Shaking his head in mock pity, he said "Poor Methos."

***
End