Part 2

Methos woke the next morning to find that sometime during the night, Jade had slipped out of the bed and left him a note. She said she had gone to run a couple of errands and would return to her hotel room. She had some things she needed to work through, but she had thanked him for helping her.

Methos put the paper down and stared off into the distance. The note was distant. Almost mechanical in nature. It wasn't like Jade at all. What in the world was wrong with her? It was more than likely something she was trying to handle on her own, but wasn't having much luck, and the woman just wouldn't ask for help. He'd have to get to the bottom of this.

Jade was completely lost in thought as she walked down the sidewalk in a more deserted district of Seacouver. She'd have to tell Methos about her problem. Damn, she hated admitting that she was at an impasse. But she knew Methos had connections to the watchers, and that's what she needed. It was at that precise moment that she felt the presence of another immortal. She sighed and drew her sword. She really didn't feel like taking a head this afternoon. The weather was just too nice, and she had things she needed to do.

She quickly scanned the area and found the only other person had also drawn a sword. She took a good look and immediately sized him up. Tall, strong-build. His frame was decidedly deceptive. How many opponents had thought him slow only to be surprised at his speed? Their eyes locked, and Jade was the first to speak. "I have no quarrel with you. Let's just go our own ways. Today is too beautiful a day for you to die."

"I am Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod," he introduced. She was an arrogant woman, but then most female immortals had to be.

"I am Ja'lyn Benjamin," she announced, recognizing the name as one that Richie had given to her as a friend. She put her sword away, but kept it at ready in case he wasn't as trustworthy as Richie had believed.

As she withdrew her sword, so did he. This was the Ja'lyn that Richie had spoken about. She wasn't merely beautiful, she was gorgeous, and as was his way, Duncan wanted to get to know her. Approaching her, the Highlander said, "I believe we have a mutual friend."

"Richie Ryan. Yes, I believe we do. He's a nice kid." This man looked like a bronzed god. She could definitely spend some time with him. Jade may be 4800 years old, but she still had the same stirring of sexual excitement that she had when she was much, much younger. And just the sight of him was causing very familiar stirring in her.

Cocking one eyebrow at her, Duncan closed the distance between them and gave her a smile. Most certainly, he could understand what Richie saw in her. "He is." His head inclined toward his business as he said, "I run that dojo over there. If you'd like..."

Looking at him wearily, Jade consented. In all actuality, spending time with this gorgeous man was not such a hardship. With a display of gentlemanly charm, Duncan MacLeod led Jade to his dojo.

Methos had been chomping at the bit all day. Jade's leaving didn't bother him so much, but the reason she was there was. He knew this woman better than he knew himself. She was keeping something from him. Something that she wanted to discuss with him. He was sure of that. It was all a matter of timing. He had a few ideas, and he was on his way to bounce them off of MacLeod. As he went up the elevator to the loft, he felt two distinct signatures. One, he assumed was MacLeod's and the other he knew as well as his own. So, Jade had run into Mac. He chuckled wondering what that meeting had been like.

Lifting the gate, he gazed in unsurprised awe to find his wife sprawled out on MacLeod's bed. A white sheet covered her obviously naked body. Mac was nowhere in sight.

Jade had woken the second she felt Methos' Quickening. When she heard the gate lift, she opened an eye and gave him a bright smile. Sitting up, she shrugged and said, "I couldn't resist. I mean, his body rivals Adonis. I just had to try it out."

Methos opened and closed his mouth. He wasn't surprised or enraged or even hurt. In fact, he found great amusement in the prospects. Giving her a wink, he bellowed, "MACLEOD!!"

Duncan came running out of the bathroom, obviously just finished with his shower. He took one look at the mused goddess in his bed, the very peeved Methos standing before it, and began to sputter. "L-lemme guess... She's with you."

"SHE'S MY WIFE!"

Jade tried very hard not to laugh.

"W-what? N-now w-wait. You said NOTHING to me about having a wife. Nothing. And even if you had, I had NO idea that SHE was your wife. SHE DIDN'T TELL ME SHE WAS MARRIED!!" He was looking from Methos to Ja'lyn, trying desperately to figure out the situation. He and Methos had been friends for a couple years now, surely if Methos was married, he'd have said something. But then again, there was a lot about Methos that Mac didn't know about. Damn! This woman could very well be his wife.

Methos saw the look on Mac's face when it dawned on him that there was a possibility that Methos was indeed telling the truth. It was at that moment when Methos let the facade crack and he broke out in laughter. Jade's laughter mixed with his. Methos moved to sit on the side of the bed. "Relax, MacLeod." Methos patted Jade's leg and said, "Yes, she is my wife, but we don't live as man and wife. At least not right now. Who she sees, who she does," he chuckled, "is her own business."

Jade chimed in, "There's no way I could be faithful to someone for as long as we've been married."

"How long have you been married?"

"We first took vows about 4600 years ago."

Shock didn't even begin to describe what Mac was feeling. "How old is she?" he asked Methos.

"4800 years, give or take a century."

"Give..." Mac started.

"Or take," Jade finished, admiring the beautifully naked body still bared before her. Turning, she kissed her husband's cheek before rising. She moved to kiss the Highlander before going to use his shower.

Watching her go, Duncan turned to Methos and asked, "What's her real name, Methos?"

"Jade," the eldest man answered. He knew Mac could be trusted with the information, after all, Mac knew his real name.

Mac nodded and quickly dressed before saying, "I have another question."

"Shoot," Methos said.

"Why is Jade here?"

"We didn't get that far. Something's happened for sure." Methos swallowed. He knew Mac deserved to know the next part, but Jade and Mac squaring off was not something he wanted to have happen. "I have something I need to tell you."

"Shoot," Duncan said, copying Methos' own words.

"Cassandra's dead," Methos said, not hiding his un-disappointment.

"Jade?" Duncan asked, no emotion on his face at all.

"Yes," Methos answered, scared. The last thing he wanted was the two people he loved the most fighting to the death.

"Was it a fair fight?"

Methos sighed, relieved that Duncan wasn't angry. "Yes, Jade was challenged. Cassandra had gone over the edge."

"I know. I wish I could have helped her." Duncan sighed. He couldn't blame Jade. She had done what she needed to survive. "That doesn't explain why she's here, does it?"

"No, it doesn't. We hadn't discussed that yet, as I said. I don't know why she's here. We can find that out later."

Hearing the shower turn off, Duncan said, "Or we can find out now." The signature of another immortal filled them and Duncan said, "I'll bet that's Richie."

By the time Jade returned, the three were standing around the island, talking about her, no doubt.

"We need to talk, Methos." Jade began without preamble.

"I figured you weren't here for a social visit."

"I didn't want to interfere in your life, no. But I may have no choice."

Duncan looked on in wonder. Jade had pulled her long, beautiful hair back into a ponytail. Her features even more stunning without the hair for accent.

"What's wrong, Jade?" Methos asked putting aside his beer and taking her hand.

"I don't know why I keep doing this," she began.

"Doing what, love?"

"I took another student."

"So," Richie interrupted. "Doesn't every immortal?"

"Not Jade," Methos answered, "Not since her last two, Silas and Kya."

"Silas was HER student!" Duncan said, incredulous.

Methos looked over Jade's head at MacLeod. "I'll explain later." To Jade, he said, "Go ahead, sweetheart."

Clutching Methos tightly, she continued, "Something's gone seriously wrong. I'd trained him and he'd decided to stay with me. No problem. I always like to keep my students close. To watch over them."

"What went wrong?" Methos asked.

"He's disappeared. Methos, I know I have absolutely no right to come to you. Gods above I know you've sacrificed enough for my students and me. But, I've nowhere else to turn. Devin simply is not the kind to run off."

Duncan asked, "Are you sure he's even alive?"

"I would know it if he were dead." To Methos, she continued, "Please help me."

"Of course. But you have more than my help. All of us are here for you. I believe I've told you this before but apparently you choose to ignore me, the choices I made in the past were mine to make. I have no one to blame for the outcome but myself. No more guilt from you because of my past. Understand?"

"Yes," Jade nodded but not convincingly.

Duncan's mind began to work. "I'll call Joe and see if there's any info on Devin. What's his last name?"

"Morgan. Who's Joe?"

"A friend," Richie said.

Jade smiled knowingly. "You mean a Watcher."

Duncan and Richie looked at her in shock. "How did you know about watchers?" Richie asked. Duncan went to call Joe.

"The Watcher Organization is only 3000 years old. I've been around longer than that."

Richie grew bold. "How old are you exactly?"

Methos spoke up, "Haven't you learned yet never to ask a woman her age?"

Jade laughed. "This is true, Richie. But, truth be known, I'm not exactly sure. Calendars are different now than when I was born. We guesstimate my age to be about 4800 years."

"4800 years," Richie repeated, open-mouth.

"Give or take a century," Methos added.

"Give..." Richie said, still shocked.

"...or take, yes," Jade finished for him. "I know it's hard to believe. But, it's true."

Duncan hung up the phone and joined the group. "Joe's going to start looking for Devin? What's up, Richie?"

"Did you know that Jade is 4800 years old?"

"Yep."

Richie shook his head still unable to believe it. He'd measured the attributes of an older immortal to Methos. The extremely beautiful woman before him was the exact opposite of Methos. She was open where Methos was closed. She smiled where Methos scowled. They were polar opposites.

Jade sat down heavily on the couch. Methos close at her side. "Talk to me, Jade," he said, "Anyone who could be after you for any reason?"

Jade shook her head. "No, not that I know of anyway."

"Were you in Houston when he came up missing?"

"No, Methos. We were in Seattle. Devin had wanted to do some traveling. I went along more or less to have something to do."

"Has anyone contacted you?" Duncan asked.

"No," Jade said, "See why I feel so helpless. Damn! I hate this feeling!"

Duncan looked on realizing exactly how she felt. He couldn't help but like this woman. There was a quality of deep caring about her that he sympathized with.

After several hours of diligent searching, Joe had called to admit that he had been unable to find anything. He had promised to keep his ears and eyes open though.

Finally, Jade stood. "Well, thanks for your help today guys. I appreciate it more than you know."

"We'll keep looking," Duncan said.

Methos rose as well. "Let me take you back to the hotel, okay?"

"Thank you, all of you," Jade said.

Once in the vehicle, Methos said, "We'll find him, love. I swear it."

"I can't shake the sense of déjà vu, Methos. This is all too familiar to me. My student disappears by suspicious means and once again, I've put you in the middle of all of it. But I'm desperate."

"Listen, woman, cause apparently you have cotton in your ears or something. You'd do the same thing for me. So, quit it with the guilt already. Geez." She was so like MacLeod in some ways he wanted to scream.

Jade nodded. Then her smile turned wicked as she said, "I like your Highlander friend. He's very protective of his 'family'."

"Sounds like someone else I know."

"Who?" Jade asked.

"You."

"Oh please. Me," she said incredulous. "I am not THAT protective of people."

"Are too," Methos loved to raze her.

"Am not," Jade laughed. "I'll never admit it."

"I know. You don't have to." Methos laughed as well. It never ceased to amaze him how easily they fell into step with one another. That was the beauty of their relationship. Slipping easily in and out of each other's lives, falling into whatever role was necessary. He pulled into the hotel parking lot and stopped at the door.

Methos returned to his apartment, thinking that his dreams had warned him of her return. He was sorry for the reason, but glad she still felt she could come to him.

Jade had not shown up the next day. That evening a very worried Methos was hanging out at Mac's loft when the presence of another immortal filled the loft. Methos rose immediately and ran to the side door. He knew the feel of that Quickening anywhere. Opening the door, he just managed to catch the bloody, weak body of the second oldest immortal. "Jade, what happened?"

"I found Devin," she whispered, "They've taken him."

"Who has?"

"Some kind of hunters, I think. All swordsmen. Only one immortal."

"How many?"

Jade fought for consciousness. "At least five probably more. I killed a few..." She broke then. The weight of the fight finally more than she could bear. She lost consciousness.

"I've got to get her cleaned up, Mac," Methos said picking her up and carrying her toward the bathroom. "Run me some bath water, please."

As Duncan ran the water, he asked, "Methos, she really take on all of them?"

"Yep."

"And she survived. How?"

"She's good, Mac. Really good." As Methos started to remove her clothing, Mac politely left the room to give her privacy.

When her body hit the water, the shock started up her system. "I've got you, Jade," Methos said as he helped her to bathe. "What the hell happened?"

"There was a message waiting for me at the front desk. It said to be at this lot and I'd find Devin. So I went."

"Without calling me."

Jade lowered her head as Methos scrubbed her back. Her nudity was no more uncomfortable to him than his own. "The message said to come alone."

"This isn't one of the smartest things you've ever done," he scolded lightly.

"I know. I had no idea." Rising from the tub, Methos handed her his robe. She wrapped its warmth around her and stepped from the bathroom. Methos was right on her heels.

Now that she was better, Methos became angry. "Dammit, Jade! What the hell were you thinking?!"

Remaining calm, Jade turned. "I had absolutely no idea that he had been kidnaped by such a large number of men. Let me ask you this... What the hell kind of good is that damn Watcher Organization? One immortal has kidnaped another and not ONE watcher knows about it. Please."

Duncan had to admit she had a point.

"I'd like my clothes please."

"You can't go back to that hotel, Jade. They'll be waiting," Methos said, "Duncan will go to your hotel, get your things and take them to my place." He pulled her to him, but she tried to pull away. A part of her not wanting to admit that he was right.

Finally, Jade let her head fall to her chest. "Ok, I'll go."

As the hour was late when everything finally go squared away, Duncan agreed to stay on Methos' couch. A strange role reversal, but there was safety in numbers.

Methos woke a few hours later.

"I'm awake," Jade said sitting up.

"I figured. Want to talk?"

"Not about Devin," Jade said.

Methos smiled. "About what then?"

"Richie," she whispered.

Neither Methos nor Jade noticed that Mac was awake as well and listening. He had tensed when Jade mentioned Richie. His protector mode instinctively kicked into full gear. He decided to lay quietly and listen.

Curious as to this line of conversation, Methos asked, "What about Richie?"

Jade's look became wistful. "He reminds me of Arin. The red, curly hair. Blue eyes. Belligerent and temperamental. So like our Arin."

"But, he isn't our Arin. Our Arin was killed over 3000 years ago."

"Methos, I know that. I had been trying to figure out why I felt so drawn to him. That would explain it. That's all I meant." Her explanation was given in a forthright manner. She was being totally honest.

"Do you ever think about that time?" Methos asked, unsure about whether or not to dredge up this part of their past. "About Arin. About our son."

"Not really. It was so long ago, Methos. For me anyway. I imagine it's a little more fresh for you. Seeing Kronos, Caspian, and Silas again." Her voice caught slightly.

"True." He put his arm around her shoulders and clutched her to him. "I'm so sorry about Silas. I know he still meant something to you."

Inhaling deeply, she said, "Don't be sorry. You did what you had to do. Kronos was evil. He corrupted everything around him. Silas included. I don't know how you resisted him."

Methos kissed the top of her head. "I didn't, Jade. I became a part of that evil. I relished in it. In the end, I only resisted him because of you. That day when I found you in the forest with the children. I never told you this, but I lied to you that day."

"You never intended to join us." Jade cupped Methos' face. "I know, Methos. I knew all along. But, I also know that, that day was the day you decided to leave Kronos forever. When you finally left him, you just couldn't come to me right away."

"But Silas did."

Jade sighed. "Yes, he did. He was lost, confused, and scared. I had to help him. I still believe he was worth my time and effort. I thought that by hiding him away, I could save him. But, the predator stayed alive in him. It was held firmly in check, but it was always there."

"I'm sorry," Methos pressed his forehead to hers.

"Don't be. Like I said, it wasn't your fault."

"That predator is still in me too, you know. I fight him constantly."

"I know that too. But, Methos, you are a good man. Underneath all those masks that you put up for everyone to see, you are a good man. You forget, those masks don't work with me. I know you far too well. I know all your demons and your past and I love you just the same."

"The same goes for you."

Changing the subject, Jade said, "So you've made yourself a Sundance to Mac's Butch Cassidy, huh?"

Methos laughed and said, "Not hardly. Now go back to sleep, love. By the way, nice diversion of topic. Unsubtle but nice. You're slipping in your old age."

Jade laughed quietly, "I was never the master of duplicity. That has always been your specialty. Goodnight."

Jade rose early the next morning. The lack of sleep not affecting her wits in the least. After her shower, she scanned the apartment, she chuckled softly to see Methos' rumpled form still buried under the covers.

"He likes to sleep late," Duncan said from behind her.

Smiling at him, Jade replied, "That wasn't always the case. He used to get up before the sun."

It was Duncan's turn to chuckle. "I cannot imagine that."

"It's true."

Hoping to wiggle even a minute amount of information about Methos' past, Duncan decided to try to make Jade prove her knowledge. "I don't believe it."

"'Tis true, dear Scot. Methos would go to bed after the sun went down and rise before the sun came up."

Duncan got another good chuckle out of the thought and asked, "I was on my way back to the dojo for a workout. Care to join me?" At her nod, he led her to his car and together they drove to the dojo. Ever since their 'interlude', Mac had wanted to get her by herself again. This was the perfect opportunity. He noticed though that she didn't fail to leave a note for Methos. Whether he would admit it or not, the old man would worry if he woke up and found her gone.

Jade had watched MacLeod closely during their drive. When they finished warming up, she came out and asked, "You want to ask me something, Duncan. What is it?"

He'd wanted to find out details about her marriage, but wouldn't just come out and ask. "To understand," was his response.

"Who? Methos?"

Duncan smiled. "That would be a good place to start."

Jade nodded. "Sorry. I can't help you. I've known him for 4800 years. What I know, I've had to learn the hard way. You appreciate him more if you learn about him yourself. I can tell you that he is an enigma wrapped in a puzzle."

Duncan laughed. "Indeed, he is." He stepped into the office still believing that Jade was holding out on him. But, then he probably would have been upset if she would have easily betrayed Methos' confidence.

Sitting on his desk was a well-penned envelope with Jade's name in big letters. "Jade, there's something here for you."

Jade stepped into Mac's office and took the envelope. She opened it quickly and read. "Trap number two set, MacLeod." She handed him the letter and walked back into the dojo.

Duncan read: