THE ELIZABETH SERIES
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
EXPOSED
By JoLayne
EnyaJo@aol.com
RATING: PG
CHARACTERS: M, DM, A, J, Amy OC's, Elizabeth, Claire, Joey,
Caroline, Walter, Helen, The Decapitating Stranger, cops
SUMMARY: The aftermath of Kevin's death. Duncan and Amanda arrive,
as do Kevin's parents. Finally, Methos does something that completely
stuns Elizabeth...
~~~~~
APRIL 30, 2004
NEW YORK CITY
OUTSIDE AMY'S APARTMENT BUILDING
The pounding rain drenched Amy as soon as she ran out on the stoop.
There was a crime scene to the right of the building, in the alley. Methos
and Elizabeth couldn't hold her back, she was a woman on a mission.
Amy got close enough to the crime scene to see a body under a blanket. A
hand was sticking out of it. Amy spotted his wedding ring. Elizabeth
grabbed her from behind and pulled her back just as Amy screamed and
turned away from the body she knew to be Kevin crumbling against
Elizabeth. Methos walked forward to talk to a cop. He told him that he
may know the victim and wanted to get closer for identification purposes.
The cop put his hand on Methos' chest to stop him. "You don't want to
see it, sir. We'll clean him up and you can ID him downtown."
Methos promised, "I'm a big boy. I can handle it. That's his wife," he said
as he pointed behind him to Amy. "She needs to know if that's Kevin
Randall."
The cop nodded to another who pulled back the blanket. Kevin's head was
lying by his right shoulder. Methos cringed and nodded that it was him. He
looked back at Elizabeth and Amy unable to camouflage his sadness. Amy
screamed and collapsed. Elizabeth pulled her up and hugged her. "Let's go
home."
"Who did this?!"
Methos saw the piece flannel fabric on Kevin's chest before they pulled
the blanket back over him. That must be the clue that the media wasn't
reporting. It was the first he had seen or heard of it. The flannel was out of
place, it had to be the clue. Tartan? Why? MacLeod?
Methos ran out to the street and looked around in case the murderer was
enjoying the fact that they had found his victim. He scanned the faces of
all the bystanders: young couples, a homeless woman, three teenagers, a
man in a white t-shirt and jeans who couldn't possibly hide a sword,
besides there was no blood on his shirt. A bus stopped and the t-shirted
man ran out of the shelter and got on it, looking back towards the alley and
the commotion. When he looked toward Methos, he didn't react at all.
Methos decided that he was just a rubber necker. A news van came down
the street and that was Methos' clue that it was time to leave. He pulled
Elizabeth's arm and put a hand on Amy's back to lead them back into the
building.
~~~~~
AMY'S APARTMENT
Joe and Caroline were in the living room with the kids when Amy, Methos
and Elizabeth returned. The looks on their faces, the rain dripping from
their hair and down their clothes, and the fact that they made no move to
wipe it off, confirmed for them that the news wasn't good. "Oh, God,"
Caroline moaned when she saw two cops walk in behind them.
Joe asked, "What happened?"
Amy grabbed Joey and ran into the bedroom without saying a word.
Methos sat next to Joe and whispered, "Kevin's dead."
Joe was shocked. "How?"
The cop said, "What we'd like to know is why. I'm Detective Parks, dis is
Detective Langley." Parks was a tall, stocky, no nonsense man with a thick
Brooklyn accent. His dark hair was naturally wavy to the point of being a
pain when he removed his cap and only the lower edge was wet and curled
up behind his ears. He shook off the rain from the police issue poncho
onto the floor mat and seemed concerned when he missed and some of the
water dripped onto the hard wood floor of the foyer. By stark contrast,
Langley looked like a ballet dancer, even in his over-sized rain poncho. He
had a crew cut, his face had the sharp edges that German ancestry and
being in top physical condition produced.
Claire was drifting off down the hallway to see why Joey left in such a
hurry and glanced up at Parks and Langley who were still politely standing
by the door. When Langley smiled hello to her, she ran down the hallway.
Parks asked Joe, "And you are?"
Joe stood and leaned against his cane and said, "I'm Kevin's father-in-law,
Joe Dawson. This is my wife, Caroline."
"We need to talk to the widow," Parks said, writing the info in his
notebook. "We gotta get info."
Elizabeth said, "Her name is Amy."
"Dat's right," he said apologetically.
Joe wanted to take off down the hallway to comfort his daughter himself.
He asked, "Can't this wait?"
"The perpetrator is gettin' away as we speak, do you wan'im to leave the
city? Da country? This is more than just a little neighborhood killin'.
Sometin' was left on da victim--."
Elizabeth stated, "His name is Kevin."
Langley bopped Parks on the arm to let him know that he still had work to
do on his 'bedside manner' with the victims' families. Parks' entire focus
was the need to get his information and start the search for the assailant.
Ignoring Langley's subtle warning he continued, "After dat killin' in
Chicago, all major cities in the US of A'd been informed to keep a lookout
for da Decapitating Stranger case. Interpol and da FBI've already been
called in. Folks, da first hour of a case is da most important."
Joe incredulously asked, "Decapitating Stranger?"
Parks told him, "Yes. May I speak to Mr. Randall's widow?"
"I'll get her." Elizabeth went into the bedroom, knocking first then just
walking in. Amy was holding Joey really tightly on the edge of the bed.
Joey didn't know why and wasn't at all comfortable. Elizabeth got Joey
freed and he bolted from the room. "Come back, bunny," Amy plead to her
son who was already gone. Elizabeth hugged her and Amy clenched on,
crying hard. "Maybe it wasn't him," Amy hopefully suggested. "I should
have looked to make sure. It could be a mistake."
"David saw him. I'm so sorry, Amy, but the police need to talk to you."
"I can't right now."
"The sooner you do, the sooner they find the one who did this."
"But it's an immortal, right? Why are the cops involved?"
"The cops were already involved and you have to get rid of them. Just tell
him what little you know, that Kevin doesn't have any enemies."
Amy verbalized, "He has one, David. It's all his fault."
Elizabeth was ready to tell her to shut up, it wasn't his fault, but chose to
put herself in Amy's shoes, it was hard to argue with a new widow about
the cause of her husband's death. "I don't want to put you through it, but
you have to talk to them. We'll all be right there with you."
"No, you take the kids and ... I don't want Joey to hear it. They may have
told him already! Damn them! Damn you all!" She got off the bed and ran
into the hallway.
Joey was in the kitchen with Detective Langley and Claire. Amy rushed in
and snatched him out of his chair. She yelled at Langley, "Did you tell my
son anything?"
"No, ma'am," Langley politely said. When Elizabeth arrived, Amy gave
Joey to Elizabeth and said, "Take him. I want his time of innocence to last
just a little bit longer."
Elizabeth took Joey and Claire into the bedroom while Langley led Amy
into the living room to talk to Parks, the chief investigator. When Amy got
to the living room, she went to sit alongside Joe on the couch, who
welcomed her with open arms. Caroline wiped away her own tears and
gently rubbed Amy's head while her daughter-in-law cried.
When Parks introduced himself to her and asked her who may have killed
her husband, Any snapped, "I don't know!"
Methos said, "As we said before, we have no idea."
Parks continued his questioning of Amy. "Why was he out on a night like
this in the first place? It's terrible weather to be outside."
Amy didn't like that the detective was looking around her apartment,
appraising everything. Is he thinking a drug deal or something? She said,
"My husband went to the grocery store. Is that against the law?"
"No, ma'am," Parks said as he wrote in a notebook. He looked at Methos,
"And what was your name again?"
Methos didn't even hesitate, saying, "Trevor Matthews." That name was
the same one they had given Mike in the elevator in Chicago. He couldn't
wait for the cop to leave so they could really investigate the crime, by way
of Watcher records.
"Your address?"
"I'm just visiting."
"What's your address?"
He had figured that question would eventually be asked and had one
prepared. "I'm renting a flat at 335 Sycamore Gardens, Seacouver,
Washington."
"A flat?" Parks lightly laughed at the foreigner's accent and choice of
words, but wrote down the address. "Thank you, sir. And was dat your
wife that left with da kids?"
"Yes. Lisa." Methos didn't want to look at the others even though he knew
that they had to be looking at him, and that could give him away.
"And I take it she lives with chou at yer 'flat'?"
"Yes."
"Whataya in town for?"
"Visiting friends." Methos indicated the others in the room. It was then
that he saw that not only were they looking at him, but Amy's eyes were
boring figurative holes into him.
"What da ya do?"
"I am a researcher."
"A' what?"
"Antiquities."
Parks got bored, didn't think there was a lead there. He wrote in his
notebook and didn't notice the others looking at Methos, but saying
nothing. "Okay," Parks said to the widow. "I'm truly sorry, Mrs. Randall.
We'll find who did this. I promise."
"Thank you," Amy softly said, still holding onto to Joe for dear life for
fear that she would faint.
Parks handed her his card. "If ya remember anything at all, gimme a call,
24-7."
Joe took the card for her and thanked him. As soon as Parks and Langley
left the apartment, Amy confronted Methos. "Why the false name? David
isn't fake enough?"
"Cops don't need to know my name."
Joe asked, "Where's Sycamore Gardens?"
"It's a property I own. I'll have to call George and make sure he covers for
me if they call to verify."
"Call to verify? You're that guilty? You think they figured it out yet? You
have it all figured out! So many balls in the air." Amy finally stood; ready
to tear Methos limb from limb. When she got close enough, she slapped
him. "This is all your fault!"
Methos grabbed her hand and softly said, "I exist, that's all. Someone out
there is playing a game with me."
"A game!? My husband is dead! That's not a game!"
She started beating on him again and Methos allowed her to get her
frustrations out, but then took hold of her arms and held her from behind.
She still tried to fight him off, but the burst of adrenaline waned and she
sank to the floor crying, Methos still holding onto her. Elizabeth had heard
the commotion and walked in and immediately she held Amy's hand, and
crouched on the floor with them both. Amy screamed out in frustration,
"Why did you come here? I wish I never met you! I wish I never met any
of you!"
She curled up with Methos' arms entwined around her and thought about
what she had lost. Her young, vibrant husband was dead, her son was
fatherless. She kicked out her leg and the phone table tipped over.
Elizabeth turned the table upright and replaced the receiver on the cradle
and Methos continued to hold her. He looked up to see Joe and Caroline
hugging and silently weeping on the couch. "Amy," he started.
She tried to fling his hands off, "You! Do not touch me! Leave me alone!"
"Amy, I know what you're going through."
"Like hell! Liz came back to you."
"But I went through twelve months of hell. I know your pain." Methos
continued to rock Amy in his arms while Elizabeth held her hand. He saw
that Elizabeth was also crying, but when he said those words, she lightly
smiled and caressed his cheek.
Amy whimpered, "If you hadn't come here, Kevin would still be alive."
"Hey!" Elizabeth forcefully said. "This is not his fault. He's being hunted.
We told you not to leave here. The only one at fault is the man who did
this."
Amy snidely said, "Then why isn't David out there dead? Oh, that's right.
He can come alive again. Why weren't you out there?!"
In her present state, there was no use trying to talk sense to her, so they let
her cry. Elizabeth rubbed Methos' shoulder. Joe perked up as he watched
them. The fact that Methos could lose his head wasn't something he
wanted to think about, still his daughter was hurting. Hell! He was hurting.
He loved Kevin and was happy the two kids had made a life together. Joe
wiped away his tears and cleared his throat. "I should call Kevin's family
before they find out about it on the TV or radio."
Caroline helped him up and said, "I'll go with you."
Amy looked up at Elizabeth and started to calm down. She felt Methos'
arms around her and tightened his grip for fear that she was going to fall
apart again. "I'm sorry, David. I'm sorry. Lizzie? Why?"
As Elizabeth hugged Amy, Methos' mind went back to the look on Amy's
face when Morgan Walker had her in his grasp. The look of love on her
face on her wedding night as he danced the Money Dance with her, he
remembered thinking she had the rest of her life set out and would be
stepping into a fairy tale. Methos never did believe in 'happily ever after',
but he didn't think it would come crashing down on Amy so soon. He
wiped her eyes and pushed her hair back from her face. "Cry it out, Amy.
It can't hurt."
She pulled at his coat, not caring that it was still damp from the rain, and
once again let the hiccups and cries come out . Methos rocked her,
whispering, "This is going to be tough but we're here for you. We are all
here for anything you need."
"Joey," she cried.
"He's fine."
"He's not fine. He doesn't have a father."
"He's got you."
"Does he know yet?"
Elizabeth shook her head and said, "That's for you to tell him."
"How?"
"You're a smart, loving, compassionate woman, Amy," Elizabeth told her.
"You'll think of something. If all else fails, tell him the truth. Joey comes
from good stock, he'll understand and you'll tell him correctly. Or, if you
want, we can tell him."
"No, I should."
Methos saw Caroline walk back in, realized that Joe must be on the other
phone in the study, and asked about the kids. Caroline said, "They're in
Joey's bedroom. They're putting together a block tower, or knocking it
down, depending on which child you're talking about."
"Claire did pick up building early," Methos proudly said.
"She's practicing her demolition skills."
Amy said, "I don't want to tell him tonight. I can't do it. Joey should have
one more night without knowing. He'll sleep better."
Since Amy wasn't fighting anymore, Methos let her go. Amy clutched
onto Elizabeth as they both stood. She got Amy to walk and they went
down the hall to Amy's bedroom. Amy kicked off her shoes and laid
down. Elizabeth covered her with a quilt and tucked it under Amy's chin.
"Do you have something to help you sleep?"
"Probably not. We haven't had any trouble sleeping before," Amy softly
said as she shut her eyes.
Elizabeth watched her for a moment, so sorry and trying to comprehend
what had happened in the last couple of hours. She walked to the window
and saw that there were still police cars outside. She didn't see anyone that
could remotely be construed as an immortal interested in the people in the
apartment, or a watcher. Suddenly, Amy's small voice plead, "Don't
leave."
"I'm won't. I'm right here." Amy took her hand when Elizabeth walked
back to the bed and pulled her closer. Elizabeth laid on the bed next to her.
The last time they had done this was when she had kicked Eliot out of her
life. Before that, when Amy came to tell her that Kevin had proposed to
her and show Elizabeth her ring. Elizabeth had missed those quiet talks as
they lay on the bed, looking up at the ceiling, usually with Ben and Jerry's
ice cream. It had been years since Elizabeth had eaten Peanut Butter Cup
ice cream and Amy had always preferred Cherry Garcia.
Amy leaned her head on Elizabeth's arm. "How did this happen? How am
I going to live without him?"
"It's hard, but you will. I know what you're going through."
Amy told her, "Would you people stop saying that? You can't. You came
back from the dead, Kevin isn't going to."
Amy was back to using the phrase, 'you people'. Elizabeth told her, "I'm a
widow three times over. I know exactly what you're going through. Teddy
was killed in the Civil War while I was still mortal and I too, at that time,
thought my life was over. I loved him more than I ever loved anyone
before. I still miss him to this day. He was a great guy. Another one,
Paulie, was butchered by Logan. My fault. He was also a great man,
wonderful lover, funny... so funny. I killed Victor myself in a car accident.
I grieved for each and every one of them, and I loved them just as much as
you love Kevin. Each time, I thought my life was over but David was still
in my future."
"What if Kevin was my David?"
"He may have been. Grieve for him. He deserves it. It's too early to talk
about this Amy, you will eventually have to live on, but for now just
grieve. Feel bad, be angry, it does help.
Amy said, "I met Kevin because of you. That woman's wedding, who was
it? That teacher's assistant?"
"Dotty Welsh."
"Yeah. She married Kevin's cousin. It was at her wedding that we met.
Did I ever thank you for dragging me to it?"
"Yes, you did. And you were a terrible date, you left with a guy." Amy
shrugged, making Elizabeth smile, "It was at your wedding I met David."
"I haven't seen Dotty and her husband since. What was his name again?"
Amy looked to Elizabeth for the answer, as if it was the most important
thing in the world. Elizabeth could only shrug. "I didn't know Dotty that
well, just worked with her."
"Huh..." Amy paused. "It was at her wedding that the most important thing
in my life happened and I can't even remember the groom's name. Why
don't you remember? It seems to me that immortals remember
everything."
"Only when it's important. I remember the food." Elizabeth and Amy both
smiled. "The chicken Kiev was still frozen in the middle." They both
laughed.
Amy said, "I'm so glad that didn't happen at mine. I felt so bad for Dotty."
"And remember the best men with the thick glasses that was a terrific
dancer? God, he wore me out."
"No," Amy said. "I remember him walking up the aisle but didn't dance
with him."
Elizabeth grunted. "Of course not. As soon as you and Kevin locked eyes,
you even forgot that I was with you."
Amy turned over, closing herself off, cried again. Elizabeth leaned over
her, "You can't shut out the world, Amy. You need people. Just today, you
told me that same thing. It's more valid now than ever. Can I stay here in
the city with you and Joey?"
Amy looked back over her shoulder at Elizabeth, "I'd like that."
Elizabeth wiped off Amy's tears, "We're going to find out who did this
and he is going to pay. In the meantime, I'm going to be your personal
servant. You will not want for anything. I know that you didn't ask me to
be Joey's godmother--."
"I wanted to, but you were so strange."
"Boy, did you have me pegged." Elizabeth had been in the midst of the
Pyrius quickening at the time. "I promise you Amy, that little boy of yours
is going to have an immortal watching over him all his life. When he's an
old man of 120, I'll still be protecting him and his family, and their
offspring, and their offspring, however long I'm alive."
"Unless someone's after you and kills Joey."
That hit Elizabeth like a ton of bricks. She could tell by the flinch Amy
gave that she was sorry for saying it, but it was a reality. Elizabeth told
her, "That will not happen. God wouldn't be so crass as to have lightening
strike twice in the same family."
"What did David do to provoke this guy?"
"He has absolutely no idea."
"And you believe him?"
"Yes."
"Well, he must have done something," Amy said. Elizabeth didn't want to
think about that. When they had to deal with Pyrius, it took years to get
past it. Methos had always said that there were people after him, and not
only because he was the oldest and therefore had the most valued
quickening. Methos could get short with people, could be pompous and
when need be, heartless. She wondered if he had done something more
serious than just taking a lot of immortal heads after reading that copy of
Pyrius' journal that she had dictated. Or if he had just taken the wrong
head making himself a new enemy. She didn't know whether or not she
should pray that this killer had nothing to do with Pyrius or the horsemen.
If this was a different case all together, that could mean that Methos would
never be able to feel safe again. Then she wondered if Methos ever felt
safe at all.
Elizabeth looked at Amy, who was laying quietly with her eyes closed.
She assumed that Amy was sleeping so she carefully lifted off the bed. She
wanted to talk to Methos about this case. More than that, Elizabeth just
needed to hold him and be grateful that she still had him. When she
reached for the doorknob, Amy said, "I'll have to sell the apartment."
"Why?"
"I have to find a job that pays well."
"No, you have to raise your son."
"We're heavily in debt," Amy sadly admitted. "We're living beyond our
means. We always thought we'd have plenty of time, until Kevin got that
promotion that he should have gotten last year, to catch up with bills."
"Don't worry about a thing, Amy," Elizabeth confidently said. "You take
care of that boy."
"How can I? The only talks Kevin and I have had lately were about
immortals and bills. He really wanted that promotion." She broke down
again and muttered, "Kevin..." with such great want that it about broke
Elizabeth's heart.
"Only think of the good things. Remember how much Kevin loves you."
"Loved."
"He told me many times that you were the ideal woman for him. He
thanked me for dragging you to that wedding because he found his treasure
there. I'm sorry I wasn't around to enjoy his bad jokes for the last year."
There was a quiet knock on the door. Amy asked who it was. Joe said,
"Dad."
Amy sat up and demanded, "Come in now, Dad." When he opened the
door, she said, "You don't have to knock. Come here."
Elizabeth got out of the way when Joe came in and went right to the bed.
Amy carefully helped Joe sit on the bed then put her head on his shoulder
as he held her. Elizabeth touched Joe's shoulder and smiled, then left them
alone.
She found Caroline and Methos in the kitchen with Joey and Claire, who
were both in their pajamas. They were eating pudding and Claire wasn't
doing too badly with it. She looked at Methos who hadn't wiped off her
mouth or her hands when the spoon didn't work for Claire any longer. He
knew what she was thinking and shrugged, "Might as well mop it all off at
once."
Methos motioned for her to come to him and Elizabeth walked behind his
chair and gathered him into her arms. She lightly kissed his temple and
grabbed his hands. He pulled her arms around his body. They sat quietly
for a moment just holding on to each other. Joey was finished with his
pudding and wanted more. Caroline told him no, "It's time for bed, young
man." She looked at David and Elizabeth. "Claire also?"
"Yeah," Methos said. He and Elizabeth dropped their hands to get the kids
into bed but Caroline said, "No, no. I'll do it. I love having children
around. I miss my other grandkids."
Elizabeth asked, "Where are they?"
"I have two grandsons in Los Angeles and a granddaughter in Miami.
They're 12, 10 and 4." Caroline smiled as she held her hands out to Joey
and he hugged her as she lifted him out of the chair and onto the floor.
"You're getting to be such a big boy." She turned to Claire. "Will you
come with me so I can put you to bed, little one?"
"Papa call me that."
Claire looked to Methos hesitantly. He told her, "Go with Caroline. Mama
and I will be in to say goodnight before you fall asleep."
"Kay," she said, lifting her arms to Caroline.
Caroline laughed. "Not yet, little one." She picked up a towel and wiped
off her fingers and mouth. Then picked her up and took the kids down the
hall, carefully past Amy's room.
Elizabeth walked around Methos' chair intending to sit on another chair,
but Methos held her hand and pulled her into his lap. She gladly sat and
hugged him. Then she pulled his head back and studied his face, rubbing
her hands over his cheeks and forehead. "You're tired again."
"It's been a long life," he wearily said.
She slowly nodded. "What are we going to do?"
"I suppose we should get in there and say goodnight to our kid, then
collapse in the spare bedroom before we have to face another day."
~~~~~
Methos walked into the study to see Elizabeth at the desk with papers
spread out and a working calculator with a long tape that ran to the floor.
"Claire knows something is wrong. I had to tell her about not only the
building of the pyramids but the start of the Crusades. She always falls
asleep as soon as I talk about the Crusades."
"Who can blame her?" Elizabeth smiled. "Especially when you don't add
talking animals and fairy princesses to the mix. How's Amy?"
He shook his head. "Not good. Joe's still with her." Methos scanned the
papers on the desk and asked, "Why are you pillaging Amy's things?"
"Pillaging? That's an interesting word. Amy's concerned about bills, and
now I can see why. I didn't know they were living so far beyond their
means. They still owe $150,000 on this place, their credit cards are maxed.
They cashed in an insurance policy last summer and how in the hell did
they manage to lose money in the stock market in the late 90's?"
Methos saw that the papers where credit card bills, mortgage statements,
stock portfolio statements, he looked them over. Elizabeth pushed the
chair back from the desk and turned to face him, "I figured out what to do
with the money in Chicago. Amy and Joey need it."
"By the looks of it," Methos easily said, "she can use a money
management class."
Elizabeth smiled, "Yeah. I have to go back to Chicago to get the money
out of the bank and clear all records of Angel Bancroft in case anyone
figures out she stole it all and worked for James. I want that money free
and clear for them." She saw him sneer. "Eight million dollars, Methos.
Joey's grandchildren won't have to work if it's invested wisely."
"Amy'll spend it like water."
"I'll make sure she doesn't. But, I need to get that money fast."
"You're not going to Chicago, if that's what you're implying."
"Why not? I can go in, get my bank books, get the money out, go through
a string of banks James used to launder and I can get back here before
Kevin's funeral. It shouldn't take more than a couple of days."
"Amy needs you here."
"I'm only thinking about Amy and her son, Methos."
"I'm thinking of me. You are not leaving my sight until this maniac is
dead. Amy needs you here right now."
"That money might not be there forever. When Interpol found James'
body, I'm sure they're going to do a trace on his assets and my accounts
will come up eventually. Interpol knows he's dead, or at least missing,
they've been after him for years, but couldn't catch him. Now they can
look at his paperwork. I have to go fast."
"Forget it," Methos cut her off. "I have plenty of money to give Amy.
That's not a worry."
Elizabeth stared up at him in surprise. "Really?" He only shrugged. "How
much?"
"How much does she need?"
"They can have eight million dollars, tax free, Methos."
"Okay," Methos responded without hesitation. "I'll give it to them."
She was floored. "Excuse me?"
"I'll write her out a check. I'll just have to post date it to make sure that
there's enough funds in the account."
"How much do you have?"
"I was wondering how long it would take you to ask."
"I'm asking."
"At the end of last quarter, I'm worth roughly, 630 million dollars."
Methos had to wave his hand over her face to see if she still had the
capacity to blink. "Hello..."
"How did you get that much?"
He laughed. "I was alive before money was invented. I saved. I enjoy the
smaller things in life. I could have had more, well over a billion by now I
suppose, but I've given a lot away. The more money you have, the harder
it is to hide."
"Who have you given it to?"
"All sorts of things. Muscular Dystrophy, children's charities, if I read
about a family who lost their home to a fire because of a Christmas tree
that went up in flames, whatever."
"I had no idea. How come you haven't had revenue services around the
world on your butt?"
"It's not all in one name. Not all in one country. I've known how to cover
money since there was money. You've heard me say 'spread the wealth'."
"But I didn't know you had a lot of wealth to spread. I figured you were
comfy, but..."
"So, you love me for me, not my money."
"Yes, but I love that figure, too."
"My figure," he pumped up his chest.
"620 million dollars."
"630, and it's not all in dollars."
He was visibly pleased with himself and knelt down and placed himself
between her legs as she sat in the chair. Suddenly, she slapped his chest.
"Why did you make me pay for half of the house in Sintra?"
"I didn't. You insisted on it, so I figured, why not? And then you went off
with Amanda to steal some stupid coins for money."
She darkened. If that hadn't happened, she never would have heard of
Cameron James and he never would have heard of her. "Moira Darnel
would still be alive--."
"Don't even start," he said as he wrapped his arms around her waist and
she settled her head on his shoulder. "What's past is past, we can only deal
with the present and the future." She remained quiet and was holding him
as strongly as he hoped that she would. "So, does the life in Chicago still
have the same pull?"
"No. I don't even want to remember that there is a city by that name
anymore."
"That's my girl."
"Girl?"
He smiled up at her. "You're so young."
Elizabeth wasn't too happy about that, but darn if she wasn't lucky to have
a live husband who was there and loved her. "Who can that maniac be?"
"We'll find out. And promise me something."
"Anything."
"I'm serious."
"Okay. I'll do whatever you want."
"You're going to let me take care of it. His head is mine, not yours." The
not knowing who was the worst part because Methos didn't know what
this one had in his mind. He just got Elizabeth back, he didn't want to deal
with another Pyrius, and if everyone would just listen to him, no one else
will be hurt.
"No problem," she told him. "Should I take Claire somewhere, just to be
on the safe side?"
"No."
She didn't like his shutting her off so quick whenever the mention of her
and Claire together came to light. "I see. You're challenged and what do
you do with Claire since you don't let her out of your sight? This person is
killing everyone you know, it's a wonderful thing he hasn't taken Claire
from you yet."
"No, you were the only one to do that."
"And I let Gage take her, I suppose. You still don't trust me."
The one upmanship wasn't getting them anywhere. Methos shook his
head, shaking off the conversation. "No. She's staying with us. The three
of us are not separating."
"I know you needed to leave New York back then, but is it safe to live
here again? After that nut case is taken care of? I really want to stay near
Amy."
"If I give her money, Amy's portable."
"She may not take it."
Methos looked at the papers again. "Everything is in Kevin's name?"
"Yeah, I thought she was smarter than that."
"Well, his assets are frozen as of 7:30 this evening. Amy can't even write
a check. She'll take the money. We'll set her up near us."
"Why not stay here?"
"I thought you didn't want to raise Claire in New York, that's why we
went to Seacouver."
"That was so long ago, you remember that?"
"I remember everything." He was silent, then asked, "What immortals did
James know?"
She didn't like him bringing James up again. "Me, Amanda, Duncan,
Davenport, but he's dead. Roberts. Why?"
"The killings started after you were taken. You said you may have told
James my name. Would it be this Roberts?"
"That's not his style. If he wants you dead, he'll come right out and do it."
"Then why didn't he kill you when he had the chance?"
"If I'm dead, I'm not scared, am I?"
"Like he would assume I am right now?"
"He obviously didn't want me dead. I was James' property. Roberts would
have had to deal with James if he killed me." Then she thought that there
wouldn't be anything stopping Roberts from killing her now if he ever met
up with her again. She couldn't think about it. She wasn't Angel Bancroft
anymore, but did he know about Elizabeth Bennett? She had the chilling
thought that Methos could be right, this could have all started with James
finding out about Methos, and telling Roberts. "When was the first
victim?"
"Last June."
Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief. "Roberts hadn't met me yet."
Methos wanted it to be a simple answer, Roberts or James. The fact that it
couldn't be made him shake. That meant it was someone who was
personally affected by Methos' actions of the past.
~~~~~
MAY 1, 2004
Duncan and Amanda rang the bell, they had shopping bags. They'd stayed
overnight at a hotel so as not to bother anyone and were in a good mood,
not at all matching the faces in the living room. Amanda saw Joey walk by
and stopped him, "Hey, little guy." She reached into a bag and pulled out a
little basket with candy inside. "Happy May Day," she said as she gave it
to him. "Where's Claire? We have baskets for everybody. I love May,
spring is springing, everything is renewing, love is blooming."
Joe and Amy walked out, affected. Duncan immediately asked, "What's
going on?"
Methos brought them up to speed. Amanda was horrified at her babbling,
she should have known something was wrong. Elizabeth hugged her, "We
all need brightness right now. You be Amanda. I'm glad you're feeling
good."
The four and Caroline sat in the living room and discussed the decapitating
stranger case, and the fact that Kevin was his latest victim; Methos was
really glad they were there. Amy was feeling manic depressive or
something. She wanted people around, she wanted to think about
something else, she felt so weighted down.
Amy went back into the living room and Amanda immediately apologized
profusely as soon as she saw her. "No," she stopped her. Smiled as she
said, "I'm glad you're both here." She looked at David and said, "I'm so
sorry for what I said last night."
He shook his head, "No, Amy. Don't think about it."
Caroline could see that she was shaking, unsteady on her feet. "Honey,
why don't you go back to bed and rest or eat something? You didn't even
touch breakfast."
"No, I think it's time to talk to my son," Amy heavily said. Caroline
offered to go with her. Amy teared up and said, "Thank you. I'll take you
up on that."
Seeing Amy and Caroline walk down the hall, Amanda felt so bad and
sitting there wasn't going to solve anything. She offered, "Why don't Liz
and I go for a walk around and see if we get--."
"No!" Amy spun around. "No one should ever leave the apartment again!"
Amanda calmly told her, "With the two of us, we'll watch each other's
back. We'll be fine."
Amy had to hold onto the wall for support. "You all know what's best?
You're going to go out there and get your head cut off, just like my
husband? Fine. Go ahead. I don't care anymore."
Caroline had Amy lean on her. Duncan paused, then told the others, "That
might be a good idea."
Methos looked at Elizabeth, then Amanda. They seemed to be in shape.
They knew the danger, would be on their guard. They may be able to spot
someone watching them, someone who had been watching them before.
He finally said, "Take your swords."
Elizabeth was happy that he trusted her to do something. He must feel
stronger with Duncan there. "We'll be fine."
"I know," Methos said. "Mac and I will be a couple of blocks behind you."
Duncan was surprised, "What about everyone here?"
"Joe has a gun and... I've seen he's not shy about using it. If they stay here
they'll be fine. Some fresh air would do us all good."
Amy watched them put on their coats and check their swords. She turned
away, not wanting to see it. She tried to figure out what she was going to
say to Joey. David had just talked about her dad using a gun. She couldn't
think about it. All she wanted was to talk to her son, although she wished
that could wait also. Joe passed her in the hall and wondered what the
commotion was because he had heard Amy's outburst. She just shook her
head, grabbed Caroline's hand and went to find Joey.
Methos told Joe on his way to the door, "Look after all of them, Joe."
"Claire's fine with me."
Elizabeth and Amanda left first, Duncan and Methos left a few moments
later.
~~~~~
Amanda and Elizabeth strolled down the street, very slowly to enable them
to take in who was around and maybe following them. Two blocks down
from Amy's building, they both felt an immortal and stopped in their
tracks, scanning the perimeter. There were too many people on the streets
that day. The immortal sensation could have come from Methos and
Duncan, but they couldn't see either of them and the buzz was too close.
No one looked in Amanda and Elizabeth's direction. A group of people
were crossing the street when the light changed and the immortal buzz
floated away with them. They fell into step with the group, but the ladies
couldn't figure out which one was buzzing and none of them looked
affected. Amanda whispered, "Oh, he's good. He must have nerves of steel
to not unconsciously react to us."
Elizabeth whispered back, "Unless he was expecting us to come."
In the group, there was a tall balding man wearing a long coat and holding
a cardboard box; a younger, short, stalky man wearing a baseball jacket; an
old woman pushing a stolen shopping cart; a tall blond woman in a
maroon coat carrying a briefcase and two male teenagers holding hands
and kissing. The impassive immortal displayed no need to check out the
surroundings, something that every immortal involuntarily did, much like
breathing. They followed the crowd for a while, but lost the buzz as the
crowd mixed with more people on the next block, and then faded.
"Well, let's just keep walking," Amanda said. "He might come back."
They walked past a beauty salon running a special, half off for a facial.
Elizabeth mentioned, "With everything that's going on, we should all go
and get one."
"The last full beauty treatment I had was when we went to LA together,"
Amanda said.
Elizabeth jerked her head around to look at her, still feeling guilty about
everything that she'd done, first lying to Methos about where she was
going with Amanda, stealing someone else's property, even though it was
James', being Angel Bancroft... Amanda took her hand and said, "Oh the
mud bath, the shopping, I taught you how to drive. Remember that, Liz.
Don't think about anything else."
James was no longer a part of their history. Elizabeth nodded thanks and
lightly smiled when she remembered what a lovely weekend they had
together, like girl friends, like she had with Amy while living here in the
New York. She so wanted everything to once again settle down so she
could follow Methos' advice and just get back to living. As they walked
on, looking at everyone around them, but not feeling any immortal
sensations, they were quiet.
Suddenly, Elizabeth took Amanda's hand and stopped her in front of a
storefront. "What?" Amanda asked. "Did you see something?"
"No. I just wanted to say something."
"Go ahead."
"I heard about Moira and that she was a friend of yours. I'm so sorry about
her death."
Amanda sadly nodded. "I was right next to her. I touched her. I took your
wedding ring off her finger and I didn't even know it was her. I thought it
was you... I guess I was so upset that I didn't pay attention."
Elizabeth cautiously asked, "Can you tell me just what happened that
night? Methos will only give the overall, not the details."
"When this mess is taken care of," Amanda said. "You and I are going to
have a long, long talk."
"What was she like?"
"Moira Darnel was salt of the earth. She loved children and surrounded
herself with them. She was a teacher, like you." Amanda smiled. "I would
never have put it together never realizing that she looked so much like
you." There was nothing Liz could say to that.
As they walked on, the Immortal followed them. After having felt their
buzz and detouring around the block to come up behind them, keeping just
far enough away not let them know they were being followed. The
Immortal knew that these women were the lovers of the bastards. The
newer one hadn't been around for a while, but was now back with them.
Why did she come back? Neither of them deserve love, or life.
The Immortal's fury ran deep against both Duncan MacLeod of the clan
MacLeod and Methos, but after hearing all the stories about Methos, this
little game the Immortal concocted would be more appreciated by that rat.
Their women were walking in the direction of the store front of Cassandra
Holm, another immortal who would surely pay. Since they were all in the
same city, killing Kevin Randall was a stroke of genius, it was time that all
five of them paid for their deeds with their lives. Methos would be the last,
he would beg for his life, just as he watched Duncan MacLeod lose his
head. The Immortal couldn't wait to receive his quickening, that would be
the quickening to savor. All three of the women would be easily killed
one, two, three. Which one would be first? It was time to stop playing and
start killing.
~~~~~
Amanda and Elizabeth had made a wide walk around the neighborhood.
Since the buzz had faded, they had neither felt nor seen anyone that was
particularly interested in either of them except for a few guys who stared at
Amanda's legs since she was wearing a short skirt. When they reached
Amy's building from the east, they again felt a buzz. They turned around
and saw Methos and Duncan cautiously turn the corner. They greeted each
other, but Elizabeth's gaze was stuck on the police tape that was still
crossing the entry to the alleyway where Kevin had been killed. Methos
put his hand on her back and nudged her to the stoop. "We'll find him," he
promised.
When they returned to the apartment, much to Methos' chagrin, Helen and
Walter Randall, Kevin's parents had arrived. As the others warmly greeted
them and doled out their sympathies, all Methos could think about was
that there were more mortals to protect. To his delight, Amy told them that
Walter and Helen were staying there at the apartment, so they would be
easier to protect. Methos reiterated, "Joe, you and Caroline are going to
stay here also?"
He pointed to the pull out sofa in the living room, "It's comfortable."
Walter looked at the new arrivals whom he hadn't seen since his son
married into the fold. Why would Joe and Caroline have to stay here when
they live in the city? "Helen and I would like to stay here with Amy and
Joey, but if we're in the way, we can--."
"Nonsense," Caroline told him. "There is all kinds of room and we all
should be together during this time of sorrow."
Methos looked at her, even more impressed by her mind. She was the
editor of an extremely successful magazine and now Methos knew why.
She knew the danger and yet hadn't fallen apart as he had shamefully
expected.
~~~~~
Since Amy was too depressed and could hardly think of caskets or flowers
or hymns for her husband's funeral, Walter and Helen said that they would
make the arrangements. Duncan immediately offered his and Amanda's
services as their 'escorts'. Not wanting to tell them the real reason why
they needed to tag along, to make sure they would be safe, Duncan only
said that he knew the city well and that they both needed some air also.
Joe and Caroline needed to go get a change of clothes before another day
started, and it may be better that Methos wasn't seen. They wanted to give
the Decapitating Stranger the impression that Methos had left the city, and
since one victim had been sacrificed, they hoped no one else would be
harmed. Elizabeth said that she could use the air, and offered to go with
them for protection. It didn't take long for Caroline to accept that offer.
Joe told her that he had two more CDs made since she had 'died' and
reappeared and had a few left to dole out to friends. Elizabeth couldn't
wait to get them. As she kissed Claire goodbye for the time it would take
for her to return, Elizabeth was pleasantly surprised that Claire kissed her
back and even threw in a hug. Joe told Methos, "Take care of my daughter
and grandson, pal."
"That goes without saying, Joe," Methos said, with Joey on his lap as he
sat on the chair in front of the TV. When everyone had left, all that
remained were Amy in her bedroom, possibly asleep, and Claire and Joey
with Methos in the living room. Methos looked at his watch and decided
that a nap would do his daughter good, and after getting the news of his
daddy's death, Joey was almost acting and reacting in slow motion.
Methos let out a long exaggerated, loud yawn. Claire looked away from
the TV to look at her father and say, "No nap now papa."
"Yes, nap," Methos said. He looked at Joey, who had his thumb in his
mouth. He lightly juggled the boy and said, "How about a naptime story?"
Joey didn't react, or struggle at the thought. Methos wondered if he was
tired or just sluggish from the terrible news about Kevin. When Methos
stood up, and lightly tapped his toe against Claire's back for her to get up
and join them, Joey wrapped his arms around Methos' neck and really
hung on. Methos rubbed his back and whispered, "It will be all right,
Joey."
Methos could tell that Joey was softly crying, so he reached down to grab
Claire's arm. "Come on," he told her. Looking up at both of them, Claire's
face fluttered from jealousy to sympathy as Joey's cries became louder.
"No more TV. We should talk. How about that story?"
Methos felt Joey's head go up and down, but his face was still buried in
his neck and Methos could feel it getting wetter. Claire stood and Methos
picked her up with his other arm. Methos was proud of his daughter when
she reached over to Joey to sympathetically pat his back. "What tory,
papa?"
"What would you like to hear? More of the Roman Empire?" Claire
grimaced and shook her head no. "The Pharaohs of Egypt?"
Joey's head popped up and he asked, "What's a Pharaoh?"
"A king. A leader."
"A pincess, papa," Claire demanded.
"You want a story about a princess?"
Joey said, "No. A king is better. Or a gladiator."
"A gladiator?" Methos teased him. "Then the Roman Empire it is."
"No glador," Claire whined.
On the way to Joey's bedroom, the kids verbally duked it out. Methos
finally had to quite them to prevent them form disturbing Amy. He
playfully dropped Claire on the bed then pretended that Joey was coming
in for a landing on an airplane. Joey actually smiled when he landed on the
bed. Methos sat on the edge of Joey's bed and reached for the afghan.
Claire again said, "No nap, papa."
The look Methos gave her told her that arguing would get her no where so
she laid down. Joey laid down next to her as Methos covered them both
with the afghan. "David," Joey asked. "Are you going away too?"
"Me? No. You can't get rid of me that easily."
Joey looked at Claire with clear jealousy. Methos said, "Now, what's the
story going to be about?"
"A magician," Joey said, rubbing his eyes.
"A princess," Claire added.
Methos tucked them in as he said, "Once upon a time, in a far off
kingdom," before he was cut off by Joey. "Bo-oring..."
"Was a mighty sorcerer," Methos said, and had Joey's attention. He could
see Claire grimace and said, "Who worked for a beautiful princess..."
"What her name?"
"Claire, of course," Methos said with a smile.
~~~~~
After the kids had fallen asleep during his epic story, Methos quietly
exited Joey's room. He smiled when he remembered that Elizabeth told
him he should put more princesses and fairy tales in his 'stories' he had
just fractured the story of King Arthur more than he ever thought he could.
He looked at his watch and tried to gauge how long it would be before any
of them returned. Having them out there made him nervous. He sauntered
into the kitchen for a beer and looked at the contents of the fridge. It was a
really packed fridge. Amy obviously made all of their meals. For a fleeting
moment, Methos wondered what life would be like if Elizabeth cooked,
but then if he had insisted that she learned how to cook, he would have to
eat her experiments. Best leave things as they were. As he opened the beer
bottle, he heard Amy cry out.
~~~~~
Amy was sitting up holding her head, scared at the sudden intrusion
caused by Methos' arrival. He slowly walked to the bed and sat on it's
edge. She cowered back from him. He asked, "Did you have a nightmare?"
She nodded and confessed, "Morgan Walker was back. He killed Kevin."
"That's not possible," Methos said without gauging her mood.
Amy snapped, "I know that!" With that outburst she surprised herself as
well as Methos, she said, "Kevin is all I can think about. I'm sure Walker
made an appearance because of you. You honestly have no idea who did
it? Not one?"
"I swear to your God, Amy, I have no idea. I'm sorry."
Amy laid back again and took in a long, deep, cleansing breath. Having
David and Elizabeth there was a blessing, and a curse. Kevin would still
be alive if they hadn't... she mentally scolded herself for even thinking it.
She did believe in fate. It was Kevin's time, he might have died whether
they had come to visit or not. She was glad that David hadn't left with her
rude behavior. In fact, holding his hand felt good. She didn't want to
verbalize what she thought of as a purely selfish thought, that she was a
young woman who would never have sex again. She couldn't imagine
herself falling for anyone again like she felt for Kevin. So Amy asked,
"How did you deal with Liz's death?"
"I did the wrong thing," Methos told her. "I went away and was alone.
Don't you do that. You have a houseful of people who want to help you
and we will."
"Thank you." She looked at him, really looked at him as if for the very
first time. She'd known him for years, since the Walker incident and it
amazed her that he looked exactly the same. She should be used to that
concept after knowing about immortality, but it still amazed her. To live so
long and still be the same. How would an immortal deal with the death of
a mortal? Was it blaze? Seem like a everyday occurrence? She had so
many questions, but only asked, "Did you feel empty?"
He nodded, his tender eyes focused on her.
"I'm a great mother, but all I can think about is Kevin. I should be with my
son, but I ... I can't. Not now. He doesn't need a mother who can't even
function." She started crying again and Methos pulled her up and hugged
her.
He told her, "You don't worry about a thing, Amy. That's what we're here
for. You only do what you're comfortable with doing. Rely on us."
As he hugged her, Amy had the happy remembrance of Kevin holding her
in the kitchen just the day before. Then he was gone, like a flash. Life
wasn't fair. She should have gone with Walter and Helen to pick out his
coffin, that was the wifely thing to do, wasn't it? The last wifely duty there
was? Amy couldn't think about it.
She moved her head to put her cheek against Methos'. He caressed her
head. She kissed his cheek. She moved his head and kissed him on the
lips. He pulled away from the ferocity of her kiss, but she pulled him back.
He took her face in his hands, softly wiping away the tears. Those big eyes
of hers, the way she looked for his advice, the softness, and urgency of the
kiss, she needed a release, to feel life once again. Methos wanted to help
her. She laid back as she held Methos and he laid on top of her.
~~~~~
Caroline, Joe and Elizabeth came back with makings for supper. Joe had
wanted stroganoff. As soon as they had entered the apartment and went
into the kitchen across the hall from Amy's bedroom, Methos came out
and shut the door behind him. His nervousness, rubbing his hands
together, then shoving them into his pants pockets stopped Elizabeth in her
tracks. She tightly asked, "Where's Claire?"
Methos tried to be nonchalant as he said, "Taking a nap."
Caroline said, "I'll try not to wake them. I want to hang these clothes up."
She took the garment bag and walked past Methos down the hall. Joe
asked, "How's Amy?"
Elizabeth could see a bit of red flash across Methos' face. He paused
before saying, "She's about the same."
Joe went in to check on her. Elizabeth only stared at Methos. She couldn't
help but think that he just had sex. It was written all over his face and
evident in his body language. She tightly asked, fearing the answer,
"What's going on?"
"Nothing," he said, because he didn't know how in the world to explain
any of it. She would never understand.
Elizabeth tried thinking she was crazy. Amy was just recently widowed for
God's sake, maybe he'd masturbated, then checked in on Amy. That's
what she went with as she started dinner for them all, quiet.
After watching her for a while, Methos finally went to her and put his
hands on her shoulders, "I have something to tell you."
Her stomach tightened and she had to hold onto the counter for support,
"You got information on the immortal?"
"No." She shivered from the flash of goose bumps that invaded the skin of
her body. She didn't want to hear it. But he told her, "I'm telling you this
because there shouldn't be secrets, right? Don't ask why, because I don't
know how to explain it now, but--."
"Don't say it."
Elizabeth couldn't believe it was a reality. She knew it. She grabbed a
knife from the butcher block and looked at it, wondered what to do with it,
picking it up had been a reflex. She slammed it into the meat, started
violently slicing it into strips for the stroganoff. Methos took the knife
from her. "I was just with Amy."
She swallowed the bile that built up in her throat. Her eyes stunk, her head
pounded. "Did you make her feel better?"
"Liz. We were talking and--."
"Oh, good," she lightly smiled. "It wasn't just slam, bam, thank you
ma'am?"
"Liz, let's talk in private."
She turned around, "About what? You actually want me to know all the
details?" He was too close, so she pushed him back. "Has this been going
on for a while?"
"No. Just once. Just now."
"How could you do that? How could she!" The fact that Methos really
looked sorry made her even more upset.
Joe came back to say Amy was sleeping. Elizabeth was going to say that's
what Amy said she did after a good fuck back when they used to dish over
a whiskey, but held her tongue. "Yeah," Methos said. "I just gave her
another sleeping pill."
Elizabeth glared at him. How in the hell did it happen? Her world wasn't
completely stitched back together, and there it was falling apart right
before her eyes. They were together. Tony didn't matter. Naomi didn't
matter. No one in the past mattered, but this was the present. She had just
gotten her confidence back with him and then he went and did a thing like
that?! Her present now consisted of the fact that Methos slept with a
woman who she considered her best friend.
When Joe didn't like the silence, or understand it, he asked if he could
help with supper. "You can make it," Elizabeth said as she walked away,
handing the knife to Joe. He was surprised and had grabbed it by the blade
before it could fall on the floor. Methos immediately checked his hand and
he was fine.
Joe asked, "What was that all about?"
Methos put the knife in the sink and leaned back against the counter. "You
don't want to know, Joe. Believe me, you don't want to know."
Caroline walked in and said, "Liz says she's leaving but she won't talk
about it. What happened? She's... in a state."
Joe punched Methos' arm and asked, "What did you do?"
Methos sighed and walked out of the kitchen, leaving Mr. and Mrs.
Dawson confused. He found her in Joey's room, zipping up Claire's
backpack. Elizabeth slung the straps over her shoulder and picked up the
sleeping Claire from the bed. Methos asked, "What do you think you're
doing?"
"You're not exercising good judgement. She'll be safe with me."
"You're not going anywhere."
"Get over yourself," she seethed as she walked past him. Methos reached
out to grab her arm, but she actually made it to the door of the living room
in her determined gait. Claire stuck her head up and asked, "Mama?"
Elizabeth leaned Claire's head back down and stopped when she felt an
immortal, then the door opened. Duncan and Amanda and Walter and
Helen walked in. "I'll catch you later," Elizabeth said, on her way past
them to the door, still holding Claire.
"Where are you going? Have you been crying?" Amanda stopped her.
Elizabeth kissed her on the cheek and said, "I'll be in touch. Take care."
Methos grabbed Claire out of her arms and said, "You're staying here."
Joe came in to see what it was all about. Most were at a loss. Elizabeth
said, "You don't actually want to talk about it right here in front of
everybody, do you?"
"No. Let's get some privacy and talk it out."
"I really think I should take Claire."
"Take her where?" Duncan wondered what the hell happened. "She's safe
here. Where are you going?"
"It's too crowded in here."
Methos said, "Let me get my things and we'll go to the hotel."
She dropped Claire's back pack; it landed with a thud on the floor. She
tauntingly said, "That wouldn't be good for anybody. You may not grasp it
yet, but I want to take your head right now."
Helen gasped, "What a thing to say!"
"Liz!" Amanda was floored. Elizabeth looked at Claire, stirring in Methos'
arms. Well, she was more comfortable with him anyway. How could
Elizabeth explain why Claire wasn't with her papa if she did take her?
Elizabeth figured Claire wouldn't miss her anyway, probably wouldn't
even know she was gone. She shouldn't say another word in front of
Amy's father, Methos' best friend. Elizabeth felt like she never really
belonged in the fold anyway, so she walked out. Both Duncan and
Amanda were going to follow, but Methos pushed past them to shut the
door, shut out what had just happened, what he had done.
They all looked at Methos in shock, then Amanda said, "Go after her." He
just stood there with Claire sleeping in his arms, holding her tightly.
Amanda said, "It is what she wants."
"We obviously missed something," Duncan said. "What happened?"
"Just let her go," Methos easily said. "She needs time. This is between us."
Methos didn't like the looks, so he carried Claire back to the bedroom.
Amanda said she'd go see what it was about but Duncan took her arm,
stopping her. "It's not our business if they're not going to share it."
She confidently said, "Oh, she'll share."
"Amanda, I've never seen them like this."
"It's the same thing as when she left the house in Sintra. All she needs to
do is talk."
"I don't think so. This was too quiet. It's between them. If they wanted us
to know, they would have said something."
"Well," Amanda just wanted to do something. "I'll at least make sure
she's safe."
Methos laid Claire down on the bed. She had gone right back to sleep. He
slipped to the floor; he really wanted to rewind the last two years of his
life, since having the dream, only this time, he'd know what the coins
meant. But hindsight is 20-20. He could have saved Elizabeth from
Cameron James, or warned her about it so she'd protect herself. Maybe
this was all just too much for him. After meeting Elizabeth, his rule of not
getting involved with an immortal went right out the window. He had a
kid! Him! He thought it would be perfect to rewind the last five years. He
had been a single, carefree, man about the world.
Methos looked at Claire as she slept. If he did rewind the last five years,
then he wouldn't have that sleeping beauty before him. Or Liz. He started
crying because she just didn't understand
and wouldn't give him time to explain, as if he could in a way that she
could grasp.
~~~~~
Elizabeth waited for the elevator, but it was too slow. The buzzes in
Amy's apartment were running chills down her back and she needed to get
away as fast as possible. After running down the stairs and down to the
lobby, she fell and cried. She really wanted to go back up there and find
out how it could have happened, but didn't think she could be tactful at
such a moment. Methos always said 'sticks and stones', but she was scared
she would go over the edge. She could bring up that part of his past that
she had promised she wouldn't. Even though she was mad as hell, she
couldn't find it in her heart to intentionally hurt him. A door the floor
above her opened, and she bolted down the stairs, thinking it would be
Methos, hoping it was Methos coming after her, but then didn't want to
even look at him so soon.
She walked out of the building and then felt a new buzz. Elizabeth fully
expected Methos to appear when she stopped on the sidewalk and hastily
whirled around. "Don't think you..." He wasn't there, in fact, no one was,
that she could see. She was on the edge of the alley where Kevin had been
killed when she was pulled inside of it, a blade was to her throat.
CONTINUED
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