THE ELIZABETH SERIES

CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE

A CAREFREE LIFE

By JoLayne

RATING: G

CHARACTERS: M, DM, A, Amy, Joe, Robert, Gina, Elizabeth, Claire, Guy, Joey, Caroline

SUMMARY: Elizabeth wants to see the world, and Methos is happy to let his 'normal life' go.

REDDING

Methos walked into Tabard Pines to inspect the damage done by Chuck Montgomery, and pack up their essentials. Elizabeth hadn't wanted to ever see it again, not even her new pantry. The only material things Elizabeth needed were her wedding ring and Hotohke's soul catcher, which she was never without. Claire's toys and books and clothes were the most important treasures to recover, and Methos said that he would mail what they need to Robert and Gina de Valicourt in Paris. Robert and Gina had loved the idea of the cruising around the world with friends and would wait until their arrival in Paris to embark.

Methos saw the macabre drawing on the bedroom wall, the declaration of love that Chuck had for his wife, and could finally see how Warren might have viewed it. They hadn't spoken since Duncan was found, and both were fine with the fact that they may never do so again. Methos knew that Elizabeth was faithful to him, that Chuck was just insane. What could she possibly see in that twit? Of course, it's ridiculous. He pulled more suitcases out of the closet and started to fill them with cloths and items from the bathroom, wanting to get out of there fast, and happy now that neither Elizabeth nor Claire had wanted to see any of it.

The rest of the house and stables were another matter. After packing up things such as Claire's baby videos and the pictures Elizabeth had taken since they parted ways after Kevin's funeral in New York, Methos saw Dallas outside. Methos stood up and walked to the courtyard doors to open them. Dallas, dressed as always in faded jeans and button-down shirt, his silver hair shining in the clear sunshine, heavily walked in. "I was wondering when you would get back home. How was your trip?"

"Good," Methos replied. "It was a good trip. Have things been quiet around here?" He asked casually, so as not to let Dallas in on the fact that he knew it hadn't been at all. But what did Dallas know or see?

"I'm at a loss boss. First we lose Chuck, now Antonio seems to have disappeared. There was that friend of Antonio's, Warren? Was that his name?"Methos nodded.

"He said Antonio wouldn't be coming  around anymore, and then he left too, along with his wife." Dallas finally saw the packing boxes in the TV room and in the dining room. "What's going on?"

"Dallas," Methos said. "Do you like working here?"

"Sure, Dan. What's going on?"

"You're an excellent horseman and do a good job around here. It's amazing to me that you haven't opened your own stables. You live in a condo, right?"

"Yeah. I have thought about opening my own, but then I got too old. You can't start from scratch when you're in your 50s."

Methos smiled. Fifty years was nothing to an immortal, and it was almost an entire lifetime to mortals.

Dallas asked, "You're not firing me, are you?"

"Kind of," Methos said, always liking to toy with people. He watched Dallas suck in his breath with surprise and seemed almost ready to faint. "No, this is a good thing, Dallas. What I meant was, I won't be your boss anymore. You have a dollar?"

"Sure."

"Give it to me." Methos held out his hand until Dallas put a crumbled bill in it. Methos said, "It's a done deal, Dallas. You have just bought Canterbury Stables, lock, stock and barrel. You have another dollar?"

Dallas squinted at Methos, as if wondering if Methos had been drinking too much beer. Methos said, "You have another dollar?"

Dallas looked in his wallet and said, "No. I have a couple of twenties."

Methos said, "Give me a twenty."

"Why?"

"Gimme a twenty."

Dallas put it in his hand. 

"You have just purchased Tabard Pines. Live in it well. I wish you much happiness and joy. We'll be cleared out of here by the end of the day."

"Are you crazy?"

"Maybe, but I don't like to think about it too much. I'll have the paperwork drawn up this evening; just a couple of signatures is all that's required. I'm going to clean up around here for the rest of the day, but we're staying at a hotel tonight. You can move in tomorrow morning."

"This is mine? All mine? What about Elizabeth? What about... common sense? People don't just sell a property and business like yours for $21."

"They do if they want to get away and don't really have to worry about money. And I like you. I appreciate all you've done. Just say thank you, and live well. About the horses. I don't know where we're going to end up and Claire would just hate losing Santos. Could you take care of our horses for us and we'll send for them when we settle someplace?"

"You're just going to ‘settle' some place and send for the three horses?"

"Yes." Methos smiled. 

Dallas laughed and shook his head. "I knew you were weird, but I never thought you'd lost your mind." He shook Methos' hand saying, "Daniel, I'm going to accept your offer before you have a chance to sober up."

"Well," Methos said. "Let's get it in writing."

~~~~~

After signing the requisite papers to legally make Claire 'home schooled', Elizabeth and Claire picked up donuts and went to see Amy. When Amy answered the door to them, she said, "I was wondering where you were. Daniel is at your house."

"I know. He's packing up."

Claire said proudly, "I'm home schooled. Where's Joey?"

"On the balcony."

Claire started off in the direction of the living room when Amy called after her, "Tell him he'd better not be throwing things off again." Amy shook her head, not wanting to talk about it, but asked, "Why is Daniel packing up?"

"We're not comfortable there anymore. We've been staying at the Northern Hotel."

"I know." Amy steered her into the kitchen and poured two mugs of coffee while Elizabeth opened the donut box.

"In fact, we're not even going to have an address for a while."

"What's up?" Amy sat at the table and leaned in, to get the scoop. 

Elizabeth said, "We're going on an extended vacation."

"What does that mean? You're disappearing again?"

"Not really. You'd be able to find us if you look close enough." Elizabeth sat back and laughed. "I am so not used to having so much money. Do you know what Daniel did the other night? He got on the Internet and bought himself a boat. Not just any boat, a yacht, a ship. I don't know what you'd call it, but he bought it and we're sailing on it." Then she snapped her fingers and laughed. "Oh, I do know what to call it. It will be christened the Claire Elizabeth."

Amy's jaw was still hanging open. "He bought a ship without even taking it for a test drive?"

"How does one test drive a ship?"

"I don't know."

They both laughed then realized that once again they would have a great distance between them.  Elizabeth said, "So, how you and Guy are going watch us is anyone's guess. Good luck."

Amy sipped her coffee, then said, "Well, Guy will be watching you, but I won't."

"Why not? Straddling that fence is too hard, did you and Guy break up? What?"

"I've been feeling crummy lately. I thought it was jet lag, but... when to the doctor, and he told me that I am pregnant."

Elizabeth gasped and smiled. "AMY!" She stood up and pulled Amy into her arms. Elizabeth held onto her friend tightly and started crying. "That's so great." Then she pulled away to ask in a hopeful tone, "It is great, isn't it?"

"Yes." Amy said, laughing. "It's wonderful."

Amy's eyes focused back on the donuts on the table and Elizabeth said, "Eat! Enjoy. I thought there was a reason I picked up fattening, empty calorie crap."

"The perfect ingredient for girl talk," Amy said, as she sat back down and scarfed down half of a custard cream.

Elizabeth asked, "Does Guy know?"

"Actually he doesn't. I just heard the news myself about fifteen minutes ago. I'll tell him as soon as I see him. Now that you're back in town, he will be too."

"Are you going to get married?"

Amy didn't move. She finally said honestly, "I don't know. The subject of marriage has come up, but he clams up so tight, I don't mention or even think about it anymore. He was married before and it left a sour taste in his mouth."

Elizabeth suddenly realized that she wouldn't be with Amy when she had her child. Again! She would again miss her best friend's child being born. "You'll have to keep close tabs on us, and let me know when you'll deliver and I can fly to you."

The two women looked at each other and smiled. "What a minute...," Elizabeth said. "Have you resigned from the watchers yet?"

"No. I just got the call about being pregnant."

"Don't be so hasty, Amy," Elizabeth said, patting her hand. "There's no way you're going to go through this pregnancy without me."

~~~~~

AEGEAN SEA

MONTHS LATER

The Claire Elizabeth, a 200 foot yacht that Methos had purchased through an Internet auction company, was moored off the coast of Greece. Elizabeth and Joey were looking over the rail of the bow down into the water at a school of dolphins who were swimming around, breaking the surface to cackle at them. Joey had asked the chef, Henri, for something to feed them with but Elizabeth quickly vetoed that. Not only was it illegal, but their fish could possibly harm the dolphins. "They want to find their own food, Joey. That's what they do."

The warm sun felt so good on Elizabeth's skin; it was so bright, she had to use sunglasses. Actually, since they started their world cruise, swimsuits and skirt wraps were the only clothes she had worn. Claire lived in her swimsuits also, but was always being slathered with sunscreen. Skin cancer was not going to happen to her. In fact, Claire didn't really care to be out on the deck sunbathing. She was happier down below in the exercise room or salon with Gina, who maintained the European psyche that pale skin meant wealth. Gina would appear on the deck to look at whatever countryside they were near, but only in the early mornings, or late afternoon before the sun set.

She looked over to the shaded area where Methos, wearing only  swimming trunks, sat with his satellite Internet hookup. Elizabeth draped her arms around his neck and said, "Now what are you buying?"

"I'm researching where we should go next," Methos said, sitting back in the chair and holding Elizabeth's arms on his chest. "I had been thinking that we should head north during the summer and take the Mediterranean next winter, but the Festival of the Sun is in Cairo next month, and it's not to be missed."

Elizabeth smiled and sat in his lap. Tenderly kissing him, she said, "Thank you for this tour. I've never been more happy. Wherever you decide to go, whatever you decide to show me and Claire, we will follow."

"It's about time we can truly enjoy life, don't you think?" 

"Oh yes. But I wish Amy was having a better time of it."

"Her morning sickness will ease up soon."

"Unless it's sea sickness..."

Methos reacted. "Do you think so?"

"I don't ever remember Amy being on a boat. She might be affected by it."

"How far along is she again?"

"Only a couple of months."

"It's morning sickness. Maybe she should come up here and get some sun? I haven't seen her on the deck in days."

"Not even that facial and full body wrap she had yesterday made her feel better. It's really cool that Gina brought along a couple of cosmetologists and a masseuse."

"She travels light." Methos laughed. 

Elizabeth looked at the shore and said, "The country looks different from this angle."

"Tomorrow, we'll drive into Delphi and have a look around."

"Last time I was here, we didn't have much time to sightsee."

Methos looked at her, wondering if this destination was a prudent move. Elizabeth knew he was taken back by that remark and said, "That's my point. I want to start fresh. I want to see it all. I want to build new memories of every day with you. The Greece of the past is just that. Pyrius, that house, Delphi, it's all the past." Elizabeth kissed Methos one last time and then stood up. "I'll go check on her. Keep an eye on Joey?"

"Sure," Methos said, but immediately went back to the Internet.

~~~~~

Amy staggered out of the bathroom of their suite as Guy handed her a towel. "Morning sickness hasn't gotten any better?"

"I was this bad with Joey too. I just hope it eases up soon."

Guy helped her into bed and covered her up. She told him, "I'm sorry I'm not the greatest companion on this trip for anyone."

"We understand, and we're worried about you. Should you see a doctor?"

"I called Dr. Rosen yesterday, and he didn't seem too worried. It's just morning sickness, or the constant rocking of the boat."

"I'll see if Florida can get you some soda crackers, or 7-Up. They seemed to work yesterday."

"You're a love. Thank you."

Guy kissed her and told her to rest. "I'll be right back."

As he opened the door, Elizabeth and Guy both jumped because she was just ready to knock. "God! Don't do that," Elizabeth said and they both laughed. She looked inside the cabin. "How's Mom-To-Be-Again?"

"I'm going to get some soda crackers and 7-Up if that's any indication." He told Amy, "I'll be right back."

Elizabeth smiled sympathetically as she sat on the side of Amy's bed and took her hand. "I had it easy. I didn't have to go through the pregnancy or childbirth, or morning sickness."

"It's not so bad," Amy said. "You get a great gift in the end."

"What is childbirth like?"

"Like passing a bowling ball."

Elizabeth giggled, then said, "No. Really. What is it like?"

Amy said seriously, "It's like passing a bowling ball."

~~~~~

Gina de Valicourt had never been more relaxed. Muriel had the gentlest hands Gina had ever felt and the facial was wonderfully relaxing. She fell asleep many times during her manicure, and smiled  in apology the last time. Gina looked over at Claire, laying back, relaxed in the other chair since she was getting a pedicure from Rodney. "Do you feel good, Little One," Gina asked Claire in a completely relaxed voice.

Claire moaned with pleasure just as her father would and said weakly, "I'm about ready to fall asleep. Thank you, Aunt Gina."

"Thank Rodney."

Rodney and his wife, Muriel, were ridiculously overpaid to work a couple of hours a day and have the rest of the time to enjoy the cruise with the rest of them. All of the staff that they had all brought with them would dine in the dining room while Methos and his guests ate on the deck at a large, white, round wrought iron table. He had teased that it was just like King Arthur's round table.

Rodney finished up Claire's pedicure and asked, "Will you be needing anything else?"

"I could use some grape juice," Claire said, finally opening her eyes.

Gina said, "You want grape juice, go get it yourself."

"No, that's fine. I'm done here anyway. I'll be right back, Claire," Rodney said. "Gina? Would you like anything?"

"A white wine spritzer would be lovely, Rodney. Thank you," she said smiling. When he left, Gina told Claire, "We shouldn't assume they will do something more than what their job calls for."

Muriel said, "You have all treated us like friends, not workers. We don't mind."

"It's the principle of the thing," Gina said, once again laying back with her eyes closed.

"You're a friend, aren't you, Muriel? I ask Joey to get me stuff. But he sometimes doesn't," Claire said with a scowl.

"Maybe we won't either," Muriel replied, smiling. "It depends on our mood."

"Which is how it should be," Gina said. She looked at her long, mauve, artificial nails. "Oh, lovely color."

~~~~~

Joey had climbed up on the second rung of the railing surrounding the bow to see the dolphins better, when he suddenly heard the loud blare of a horn and sirens ring out, making him jump back from the rail to the deck, his eyes as round as saucers.

From the helm room, Robert and Captain Grisham laughed their heads off. One very serious matter, duty in fact, was making sure the kids didn't get too close to the edge. ‘Man overboard' was a phrase no one wanted to hear. Robert patted Grisham's shoulder and said, "Well done. I'll go and explain once again that he can't hang on the rail."

"Kids," Grisham said, shaking his head. 

As Robert went down the ladder-stairs, he shook his head. "Children. Love them, but thank God they aren't mine."

By the time Robert reached Joey, Methos was already there giving him a lecture. "Go to your room," Methos instructed with anger. Joey meekly walked away mumbling that he was sorry. As Robert stood by the rail looking over at the dolphins, Methos said, "I never thought I'd hear myself say 'go to your room' so often. But it does come in handy."

They laughed as they spotted a baby dolphin swimming with it's family. Robert said, "So what's the deal? Last I heard, from your own lips I might add, you hate the sea."

Methos thought back to when he mentioned that, and he had meant it, just before they started their 'fight' for Gina's benefit. "I was talking about the last time I had gone on an ocean cruise. It was the year 765 and my companions were monks. The boat was the size of a closet and seemed to be held together with spit and a prayer. The Claire Elizabeth has better accommodations."

"Mac told me about the business with the barge too."

"He would."

"Gina and I would have loved that ming vase you broke."

Methos shrugged and smiled. "Can't have everything."

~~~~~

Guy met Elizabeth in the corridor as she was rushing to the deck to find out what happened to make the sirens blare. He held a tray with a plate of crackers and a glass of 7-Up, also a beer and popcorn for himself. Elizabeth put a hand to her heart. "Did we hit something, or did something hit us?"

"No," Guy stepped aside to reveal Joey standing behind him. "Evil Knevil here could have fallen overboard."

"Joey!"

"I didn't fall over the side," Joey said as he pouted. "I was only looking at the dolphins."

"You were up on the railing again?"

Joey shrugged. Elizabeth said, "You can't--."

"I know. Daniel and Guy already told me."

"Is that for Amy?" she asked, pointing at the tray. "Beer and popcorn?"

"That's for me. There's a satellite replay of a woman's softball tournament in about ten minutes."

"Women's softball?"

Guy shrugged. "You take sports, any sport, when you can get it."

~~~~~

Gina and Claire arrived on the deck. Claire was in her swimsuit, and Methos immediately got a bottle of sunscreen. Gina was wrapped in a long robe, wearing a wide brimmed hat. "What is all the commotion?"

"Joey," was all Methos had to say.

Gina and Claire nodded, understanding. Gina said, "He is an active one, isn't he?"

Robert said, "How about a game of cribbage, my love?"

Gina grinned. "What was it you owe me so far, darling?"

"Everything I own and also my life."

She laughed and said, "Double or nothing."

Claire asked, "What is cribbage?"

Robert and Gina looked at each other stunned, then to Methos. "When I found out that Claire had never played Backgammon, that was one thing, but cribbage?"

Methos said, "She's lead a sheltered life, I guess."

Claire asked, "Can I watch?"

Gina put her hand on Claire's head and said, "Come, Little One. You will learn from the master."

After they left, Elizabeth looked at the ship that her husband had bought for her. She knew that Amanda and Duncan were safe at her villa in Tuscany. Robert and Gina were wonderful sailing companions. Amy, Joey and Guy were close at hand and they were all taking care of each other. Joe and Caroline had already once flown to meet them, and would be doing so again after Joe's concert tour was over. The Watchers had taken the news of the cruise and the close proximity of watcher-immortals in stride, on a trial basis, of course.

Elizabeth thought back to her life before that moment. All those years of being a low paid professor, all her failed relationships, all the trauma in her life. Joshua Logan, John Dieterle, Pyrius, Cameron James, Cole Roberts, Chuck Montgomery... She would never have dreamt that together, she and Methos could have conquered all of them and still found a way to stay together.

Methos startled her when he began to whisper in her ear, but soon she felt warm all over, comforted. He had whispered, "Smooth sailing, Lizzie. Smooth sailing from here on out."

Elizabeth leaned back against Methos and started to kiss his neck, but he stared off at the water. There were a lot of boats, ships and sail boats in the area, but one in particular got his attention. It was a small 'cigarette' speed boat with two occupants, which was coming straight toward the Claire Elizabeth at top speed. Both Methos and Elizabeth grabbed onto the rail, thinking the damn thing was going to crash right into their hull. "Damn tourists!" Methos yelled, pulling Elizabeth back from the rail. He spun around to see if Captain Grisham had noticed, and suddenly loud horn blasts pierced through the tranquil day.

Just then, the woman passenger stood up holding onto the short windshield. She wore sunglasses and held her large wide brimmed hat on her head, but she was unmistakenly a certain immortal that Methos and Elizabeth both knew and loved. The boat slowed down, and she took her hand off the windshield and lifted a wine bottle high into the air. The speed boat slowed and turned on its port side, and they got a load of the driver. Duncan stood up and yelled, "Ahoy! Care for more passengers?"

Noticing the wide grin he flashed at them, Duncan's relaxed manner, how Amanda wrapped her arms around his waist and how Duncan tenderly held her, was manna from heaven to Methos and Elizabeth after all Duncan had gone through. Duncan held up the bottle of Chateau Masburel with the red lipstick kiss on the white label and yelled up to them, "We came with refreshments!"

Robert, Gina and Claire came running down the deck to see what the commotion was and whooped with delight that Duncan and Amanda were being helped aboard by stewards after their rented speed boat had been moored to the side. "Duncan!" Gina yelled as she rushed into his arms. "I'm so happy to see you! How are you?" She checked him over. Touched his strong chest, felt his soft cheeks, returned his smile. "You are one beautiful man, Duncan MacLeod."

Amanda said, "And he's all mine."

Robert shook his head. "Thank God you are all right. We were very worried."

Claire said, "Maconi!", her pet name for him since she was a baby. Duncan lifted her up into his arms and she told him, "I know how to play cribbage."

"We'll have to play sometime, Little One," Duncan said, "but first..." He smiled at Methos and Elizabeth. "I'm starving. It was a long trip from Tuscany."

~~~~~

The salmon was cooked to perfection, the vegetables looked to be picked fresh that afternoon and made their plates colorful and appetizing. They all sat around the ‘King Arthur' table on the stern of the ship. The slight breeze was not strong enough to disrupt their dinner. Even Amy was enjoying being above deck. Elizabeth had suggested that she might not feel the full brunt of the waves if she was, and Amy couldn't wait to see Duncan and Amanda again. Introducing them to Guy was something that Amy had been trepidatious about, but the immortals had welcomed him with open arms. Amanda was pleased to see Guy again, because of how helpful he had been while they were looking for Duncan. If it hadn't been for watchers, and Duncan's meticulous bookkeeping, he could still be buried near Oak Point Lighthouse. Duncan told Guy that one of his best friends in the world was Joe Dawson, watcher, and if all watchers were like Joe and Guy, immortals had nothing to worry about.

Guy took the praise in stride saying, "If you put me in the same class as Joe Dawson, I know I'm doing my job well."

Elizabeth said, with a laugh, "But there's not much to report on me lately. Sorry about that."

"Yeah, you sure are a chore to chronicle, Liz. This has been the worst month of my life." Guy laughed conveying that he was thankful for the ‘free' world tour. Not that he wasn't making expense reports to the watchers, such as a dinner for all of them during a stop over in Istanbul a couple of weeks before."

As they started dinner, Duncan told them all the story of the bottle of wine, that Amanda had reminded him of, and about his old friend, Hugh Fitzcairn. The black day of the anniversary of Fitz's death had past, with Amanda by Duncan's side. After getting Fitz's pipe and thinking about the man he knew and loved, not the tragic circumstance of his death at Kalas' hand, Duncan had started to feel better. He stood up and announced, "Fitz and I were going to share this bottle at the turn of the millennium, but Fitz didn't make it. Even though he is gone, his friendship, his joy of life, the love he shared, goes on. Friends, it would be delightful if we shared this wine as a token of remembrance for a great man, who in his own way, shaped us into who we are today. Liz, Amy, Guy, I know that you never had the chance to know Hugh Fitzcairn, but hopefully we can convey just how much he was treasured."

After he poured the wine, making sure that it was fine for Amy to have just one glass, they all raised the baccarat glasses into the air. "To Fitz!," they all said, clinking their glasses together. Then they drank... and spit it out. Various rumblings of 'gods!', 'that's awful', 'what happened to it', and 'I'd rather drink Mogen David', were heard from all. It was like as sour as vinegar and not even many swallows of water or Kirin cleared the taste. Duncan stared at the bottle in front of him, full of sorrow that one of the last things he had of Fitz's was so bloody awful. Robert took the bottle and read the label. He said, "This vintage is better left in storage to ferment. I guess it sat too long?"

"I'm sorry, Duncan," Gina said, patting his hand, as if it were all her fault because the bottle sat in her wine cellar all those years.

Amanda said, "Your wine cellar is at the correct temperature, I assure you."

"But no blankets for intruders?" Robert asked, with a sly smile.

"You could be more hospitable to visitors." Amanda rubbed Duncan's back, hoping that he wasn't too upset about something that he had so looked forward to turning sour.

Methos said, "Fitz wouldn't care about the wine, Mac. He would be pleased that we are all together."

"That's true," Gina said. "Friendship was the most important thing to Fitz."

Duncan rallied, "Are we talking about that same Hugh Fitzcairn?" with a smile. "We all know what the most important thing in Fitz's life was..." He smiled at Amanda.

Methos laughed. "The very definition of a skirt chaser, that was Hugh Fitzcairn."

"I wonder," Duncan said, then paused.

Amanda waited for him to continue, as he was staring at her. "What?"

"I think this would please Fitz more than anything."

Duncan stood up and moved his chair back from the table. Amanda looked at him confused, much like everyone else was. Duncan moved Amanda's chair so that she was sitting facing him, and then Duncan got down on one knee. Her eyes flew open wide and a long, slow gasp escaped her throat.

Elizabeth, Gina and Amy all smiled, sitting more upright in their chairs. Methos laughed and popped Duncan on the back as he knelt facing away from him. "It's about time, Highlander."

Robert said, "Well? Get on with it."

Claire and Joey, who were at the kids' table, were looking at them. Claire asked, "What's going on?"

Elizabeth said, "Watch and remember this Claire."

Claire and Joey walked over to the table and sat on their mothers' laps. All eyes were on Duncan. Amanda looked as though she was going to faint. Duncan again cleared his throat and took Amanda's hand. "Amanda," he began, but his voice was weak. He cleared his throat again. "Amanda."

"Just say it!" she said, ready to fall out of her chair onto him. 

"Give me time!" Duncan said. "I don't do this every day."

"I know. I know," Amanda said nodding and once again sitting up straight; as if there was a way for her to act nonchalant about what Duncan was going to do.

"Amanda. I have lived a long time, not as long as others at this table...," he said, and got a chuckle from the older immortals. "I have known a lot of people, loved a lot of people, done a lot of things. Some good, some... bad. What I do know for sure, is that when you are in my life, and you're not planning some break-in, I breathe easier. I walk a little lighter. I can't wait to get back home. I treasure you, Amanda." He put his hand into his pocket and took out a ring of gold, topped with a carat diamond. He held it up. "This is a small token of my love for you. I don't want to live without you anymore. Please, if you would have me, will you wear this ring? Will you marry me?"

Tears flooded out of Amanda's eyes, never dreaming this moment would ever come. She had dreamed about how it might happen, but she never saw it coming now. All she could do was nod, and cry. He slipped the ring on her finger and raised her up to hold her around the waist. "I'm such a sap!" she cried out as she held him. "Mac... You've made all my dreams come true."

"Is that a yes?"

Amanda stepped back and dried off her cheeks and stared at him with a grin. "Can I think about it?"

They all laughed as Duncan said, "You are such a tease," then pulled her back into his arms.

"Of course it's yes, you idiot. It was yes ten years ago," Amanda said as Duncan stood up and spun her around.

Claire's eyes were big as she asked, "Are they getting married?"

"I believe so," Elizabeth said, as everyone at the table clapped and congratulated the newly engaged couple.

~~~~~

Late that night, Duncan couldn't sleep. Instead of turning on a light to read, and disturbing Amanda, he decided to go above deck and get some fresh air. The last month had been a big one in the Highlander's life. He had bought Amanda's engagement ring in Italy, but had wanted to wait to share their happiness with friends. Waiting had also, in some small way, allowed one of the best friends Duncan ever had to be a part of it with the embodiment of Robert and Gina de Valicourt present. As he watched Amanda sleep, she seemed so young, so fresh, so happy. It was hard to believe that the woman who actually looked like a little girl was three times as old as he was.

Up on deck, Duncan walked toward the bow and stood at the rail. He took in the salty air, the lights of Athens on the harbor, the stars, that looked to be twinkling just a little bit brighter that evening. It was as if Darius, Fitz, Richie, Connor, all the immortals he had known, loved  and lost were smiling down upon him, giving their approval.

"You're newly engaged, MacLeod, and you're up here alone?" a voice called out behind him.

Duncan turned to see Methos' silhouette at the table sprawled in a chair. It had to be uncomfortable to sprawl on a cushioned wrought iron chair, but there was only one way the old guy sat to drink a beer. He went to sit at the table and said, "You're married, and you're up here alone?"

"I couldn't sleep. There was too much excitement," Methos said. "You want a beer?"

"Nah," Duncan said, trying out the old guy's sprawl, but his body just didn't fit comfortably. Instead, he walked back up to the bow and held onto the rail.

Methos walked up to him and said, "You're not thinking of jumping, are you?"

"What is married life like?"

"It's a good life, MacLeod." Methos still had a glass of beer in his hand as he stared up at the stars.

"Do you have any pointers for me?"

Methos squinted at him. Leaned in really close to make sure it was in fact Duncan MacLeod of the clan MacLeod in front of him. "You're asking me for advice? What's the date? I must get this down in my journal. 'Duncan MacLeod of the clan MacLeod actually asked me for advice.'"

"Really, Methos. I've never been married," Duncan said, then shrugged. "Longer than a few hours anyway."

"Stabbing Amanda on her wedding night wouldn't be prudent."

"I stabbed Kate because--," Duncan said, mad as hell at Methos for bringing it up.

"I know, I know. Connor explained it to me. It probably seemed like a good plan at the time."

There was silence for a while as both immortals remembered Connor MacLeod, the upstanding, loyal immortal they had both been  lucky enough to call a friend, clansman. Then Methos broke the mood with, "Don't take advice from a depressed immortal, Mac."

"How you been feeling lately?" Duncan asked with a smile.

"Things are going pretty good."

Duncan laughed. "Pretty good? You're married with child, living on a yacht, going wherever you want whenever you want. You even have your watchers on board who will chronicle anything you ask them to. What more could you possibly want?"

Methos looked at his empty glass. "A refill?" Methos let the last drops of the Kirin flow down the glass into his mouth, and then threw the stein overboard.

"More where that came from?" Duncan asked.

"Life is great, Mac. A good woman at your side is the first step to true happiness."

"I think I read that in a fortune cookie."

"Confucius is not to be taken lightly. Except, the last fortune from a cookie that I read gave me my lotto numbers. They didn't win. You can't expect fortune to favor you, you must make it so yourself."

"I've never been more nervous about the future, Methos," Duncan admitted.

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step," Methos said.

"Amanda and I have had our bumps in the past, they're over now, right?"

"Past realities are transformed by present reflection."

Duncan stared at Methos and said, "But I've been so hard on her for doing... she's never consciously hurt another human being, mortal or immortal. I've--."

"She knows what you've done, and she has accepted it. Besides, our greatest glory consists not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." Methos pulled his sweatshirt around him; it was getting chilly.

Duncan chuckled at him. "Do you have more Confucisms this evening?"

"I'm about fresh out this evening. I need a refill of Kirin. Let's go down below. I'll show you the Valentine's present that I got from the best wife in the world. It's the only thing that I took out of Tabard Pines. We'll drink a little bit, and maybe more words of wisdom will come to me."

Duncan laughed. He continued to smile as he said, "Just think..."

"I usually do, MacLeod," Methos said, chuckling.

"When I walked into Adam Pierson's apartment and found out that their researcher was the oldest immortal, I never imagined that you would become one of my best friends."

"I did."

"Really?"

Methos shrugged. "I'd had my eye on you for years by that time, kiddo. If I hadn't known I could trust you, or wanted to finally reveal myself to you, I wouldn't have. Joe told me you were on your way over and yet I stayed for you to find me."

"So this was all preordained according to Methos?"

"All?" Methos laughed hysterically. "Um. No. Life is a crap shoot. If I had pre-ordained anything, you would have taken my head in the tunnel when I offered it. I can't tell you how pissed and worried I was when you didn't."

Methos and Duncan commiserated silently about all the issues that had come between them beginning with Duncan's refusal to take Methos' head in the tunnel when Kalas was after him. The return of the Horsemen. The death of Richie, which in turn resulted in the disappearance of Methos. Methos had kept himself away from Duncan after he had taken his student's head, because he just didn't know if, so soon after finding out about Methos' past, he would be to  quick to accept advise. Advise from a murderer. No. He reasoned Duncan would do much better without him. And he did. Duncan was one of the strongest men Methos knew.

Duncan softly said, "The best decision I ever made was not taking your head, Methos."

"I've come to appreciate your decision also, my friend."

"You've been a great friend, and I cherish you and our friendship."

Methos pretended to strum a violin. Duncan laughed and said, "Hey, it's not everyday I ask a woman to marry me. Forgive me for going soft." The last time had been Tessa. Tessa. After she was killed, Duncan hadn't felt he would ever move on, love another. Anne Lindsey was a perfectly wonderful woman, but he hadn't felt more than an initial spark with her. When the time came to explain what he was, Duncan couldn't. Initially, he didn't feel that he could bring another mortal into his world, into his heart. Then when she knew, she walked away and he realized she was right  Now, Duncan couldn't believe that anyone would fill his heart as completely as the cat thief sleeping in a bed below his feet.

"Amanda is a nice choice for you Mac," Methos said. "A smart move. She'll not only love you until the end of time, but she can protect your head."

"Is that why you hooked up with Liz?"

Methos shrugged. "I never thought to hook up with an immortal. I always looked at such a union as having to watch my back. I didn't realize until Lizzie that she would be watching it as well. Now it will be a wedding for you and Amanda, then... the pitter patter of little feet, perhaps?"

"Me? A father? Remember, Amanda gave Claire away."

"The finest thing she ever did to my estimation, besides helping me retrieve my sword." Methos smiled, really happy and contented. "Don't look down your nose at such a concept, MacLeod. I mean, really. Me, a father. I forgot what it was like. I hadn't raised a child of my own, that belonged to me in 4800 years. My own child." He lightly laughed and said, "I wasn't pleased at first that your fiance brought that baby to us. There were too many things on my mind at the time.

Claire stayed with us only because Elizabeth wanted her. I least that's what I thought at the time; and when I had to raise Claire on my own after Lizzie was ‘taken', I was ready to leave Claire with Sofia and Antonio to raise. I didn't know until that very moment that I could not possibly leave Claire behind. She had slowly become a part of me, while I wasn't looking. That moment standing by my car ready to drive away from Claire I realized that I loved her, that I needed her, and that losing her would be like losing Lizzie all over again." Methos hadn't realized that he would verbalize the feelings he didn't like to air. He smiled. "Now about you, my friend."

"I'm not raising a child," Duncan said adamantly.

"Never say never. It only makes you look like a fool later."

Duncan stared at the oldest immortal, so surprised by how he had changed over time, and yet, had stayed so true to himself in everything he had done. A good woman did that to a man, as he well knew how the women in his own life had slowly but surely formed Duncan into the man he was. Kate, Tessa, Ingrid, Kristin, Anne, all of them, bad and good, all important in Duncan's growth.

A voice was heard behind them, "Thanks a lot, Duncan."

Methos and Duncan turned to see Guy leaning against the bulkhead. "You fellas know what I just went through?"

Duncan laughed. "Let me guess... the mother of your child wants a ceremony also?"

Guy joined them at the rail. "No. Oddly enough, I just proposed to her and she told me that she would think about it. That I might think differently in the light of day. That I was just carried away by your romantic overture at dinner. That I was feeling left out. Can you imagine? That woman has been hinting since we got together that she wanted a ring, and now when I was ready to give her one, she'll 'think about it'."

Methos asked, "Where's the ring?"

Guy shrugged, then smiled, realizing... "Well, I haven't actually purchased one yet."

Duncan punched Guy's arm. "Never, ever propose to a woman without a ring."

"Oh, yeah," Methos agreed. "That's mandatory. The flashier the better."

"Now you tell me. I didn't the first time and we got married. In fact, we just walked to the wedding chapel upstairs and got married."

"Vegas?" Duncan asked.

"Were you both quite drunk?" Methos added.

"Okay, I didn't think it through," Guy snapped. "Either of them. All right?"

"You're so young, Guy. After this tour with me, you'll think more about what you do and say," Methos said, laughing.

Guy smiled and asked, "Just how old are you, Daniel Gordon... From what I've seen and what's been chronicled, you're younger than I am."

Duncan looked at Methos with a grin. It was time to fess up or lie. Which would Methos do?

Methos glared at Guy, knowing that when he started waxing poetic about his married life and fatherhood, he had surely lapsed in protecting his identity. But to his wife's watcher? He was ready to lie, was quite prepared to, had the words ready to slip out of his mouth. But when it was time to speak, Guy said, "I know that you're Methos, Methos."

Duncan stepped back and leaned against the rail, just listening, to see how this would turn out. Methos was still ready to spout the prepared words, but instead said, "When did you find out?"

"Antonio called you David in the hardware store one day. Corky overheard and asked who David was."

"What did you tell her?" Methos asked, more than a little guarded, ready to pull up stakes.

"That Antonio has trouble with English; she must have heard wrong. I had been thinking about it for a while, that was just the capper."

"What are you going to do with that information?"

"Are you serious?" Guy asked. "Give up this world tour? Daniel, I know that I'm here only because of a certain lady that loves me and who is friends with your wife."

When those words didn't comfort Methos at all, sounding more as if Guy only wanted something in return for his silence, Guy said, "I also know that the Watcher system has a lot of leaks and needs improvement. The most important thing I know is that Methos' head needs to be protected. Your head. I'm willing to do that. I have done that. I thought that you and Liz were going through the motions of ‘training' you, and when Corky told me about Antonio's slip, I knew it was exactly that ‘going through the motions', and I expanded on it."

Duncan said, "Guy, you remind me of a man..."

"Is that good or bad?"

"If it's the man I think he's thinking about," Methos said. "It is very good. And you do. One day, if you're lucky, you will call that man dad. All you have to do is propose to Amy properly, and have a ring in your pocket." Methos slapped Guy on the back and told them, "Let's have another beer and then return to our women."

~~~~~

In the galley, Methos, Duncan and Guy were going to pick up another beer from the tap Elizabeth had bought Methos for his Valentine's Day gift, and he had installed on the ship. Instead, they found Elizabeth, Amanda, Amy and Gina sitting around the counter polishing off the cheesecake they had for dessert. Elizabeth was holding Amanda's hand, studying the engagement ring. "It's amazing. There's every color of the rainbow in there, Amanda."

"Duncan has excellent taste."

"Of course," Gina said, "He chose you."

Amanda said wondrously, "I still can't believe it. All the time we were at my villa in Tuscany he must have been thinking about it; he bought the ring there. He didn't send out any clues. I told him about three times after we went to our room that if he wanted to change his mind, I would understand. I'd take his head, but I'd understand."

Duncan walked in behind Methos and said, "I'm not in the mood to lose my head, so we must go through this thing."

Methos leaned over to counter to take Amanda's hand and slowly whistled as he looked at the diamond. "That set you back a few dollars, Mac."

"Lira."

"Duly corrected. When will the blessed event take place? Are we invited?"

"Invited?!" Amanda took her hand back. "How often does a gal get married? I want you all involved in my wedding."

Duncan smiled and said, "It's my wedding too?"

Amanda took his hand that was on her shoulder and said, "Oh, I suppose you have to be there."

"Where are you planning to hold it, Amanda," Gina said. "How many guests will you have, what will your color scheme be, music. Can't forget about music. I should grab a pen and paper."

Duncan said, "So... this isn't going to be a long engagement..."

"Not on your life, Highlander," Amanda said. "I got this ring, you're putting a wedding ring on my finger before you can change your mind. I let you have an out, and you didn't take it."

Duncan pulled her to him and kissed her. "I wouldn't dream of it."

Claire stood at the doorway rubbing her eyes. "I need water."

Elizabeth motioned her to come in and Claire sat on her lap on the stool while Methos got her a cold glass of water fresh from the tap on the fridge. Amanda tweaked Claire's nose and said, "Will you be my bridesmaid? I think you're too grown up to be a flower girl."

Claire perked up. "Can I wear a pretty dress?"

"Your dress will be second only to mine, Claire," Amanda said.

Robert walked in wearing his silk robe, smoking a pipe. "What's going on here?"

Gina told him, "I needed to see the ring again."

Guy looked at the plate with only a few crumbs of cheesecake left in front of Amy and said, "That's pretty rich. Will you be able to sleep?"

"Couldn't hurt," Amy said.

Suddenly a cork was pulled out of a bottle, the pop rang out, making them all jump. Robert held the foaming bottle of champagne and said, "To help Amy sleep, right?"

They got out the crystal and poured out the glasses. Robert made a toast, "To love," as he held Gina. He scanned that various couples and Claire on Elizabeth's lap, holding a glass of ice water, and said, "May love always guide our paths."

"To love," they all repeated, clicking their wine glasses together.

CONTINUED in Chapter Fifty- Four - Itching To Take a Head