THE ELIZABETH SERIES
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE

CHOICES

By JoLayne
EnyaJo@aol.com

RATING: PG

CHARACTERS: M, DM, A, Amy, J, Robert, Gina, OCs Elizabeth, Claire, Guy, Caroline, Joey, Milroy, Katherine Rose Barstow

SUMMARY: Elizabeth accepted Milroy's challenge, and didn't show up. Wonder if he's upset about that. A person from the past surprises Elizabeth in London.

~~~~~

2011

The next morning, godparents Methos and Elizabeth properly met Katherine Rose Barstow after Amy and Guy's baby had a good night's rest and a feeding. "She is a vision, Amy," Methos said as he kissed both mother and daughter's heads. "Job well done."

Methos even shook Guy's hand. Elizabeth was surprised by that. After she had told Methos about Milroy's problem, that he blamed Guy for Vicky's death, Elizabeth had assumed that in some strange way Methos would blame the entire thing on Guy. As she watched Methos and Guy talk about his plans for the family, Elizabeth was more in love with Methos than she ever thought possible.

Claire was so excited to see the baby and was already calling Katherine her little sister. When Robert and Gina arrived, Methos and Elizabeth took the opportunity, after making sure that Claire wouldn't be in the way at the hospital, to run some errands. Claire was excited about staying with Amy, Joey and Katherine and immediately went to work drawing Katherine a picture.

After a brief goodbye, Methos and Elizabeth took off and ended up at Olympic Park. Methos parked the car, they sheathed their swords in their coats, Elizabeth put Milroy's gun in her pocket, and they started walking, looking at everyone and everything. In those late morning hours, there weren't a lot of people around, but there were enough for them both to hope that they wouldn't run into the immortal for fear of how angry he was. He might pull something with witnesses around.

They headed out toward the shore and walked along the beach for a short while. There were ships in the harbor, oil tankers out in the ocean. There were some high priced hotels a half a mile down the coast to one side and the beginnings of the shopping district down the other side. Where they were standing there was only the sandy coastline with a thicket of trees between them and the park. The sun was up, hot and bright. The wind was strong, pulling at their coats. They both wrapped their coats tightly around themselves as they stood and reflected.

Elizabeth wondered if Milroy had left town or if he was up to something. She had never not shown up for a challenge and hadn't know this immortal well in the first place. How he had reacted to being stood up was anyone's guess. Milroy had only approached Guy when they were on holy ground, because he usually had an immortal with him. Elizabeth took that as an excellent sign. Milroy was angry over Vicky's death, but he was also scared. He had only taken charge when there was no chance that the immortal accompanying Guy would fight Milroy after Guy had been shot.

"We can't move forward until that prick is taken care of," Methos forcefully said, breaking their silence, taking Elizabeth by surprise. "Joe is arriving at the airport in a couple of hours. I asked him to run a search on Milroy and tell his buddies on the Watcher Board about him. Since Milroy is threatening the life of a watcher, the Watchers want a manhunt."

"Good. Saves me the problem," Elizabeth teased and smiled.

"No it doesn't," he said softly. She walked closer to Methos in order to hear him above the sound of the wind and waves. "You accepted the challenge, you think you can handle him, I told Joe that you're going to take care of it. It's your fight. You'll do it."

Elizabeth had been wrong at the hospital earlier, that wasn't the moment when she loved Methos more than she ever had. Right now was. When he kissed her, she melted. She had been ready to go through another argument with him. However, if the truth were told, on that morning if they did find Milroy, she might have been happy to pass the baton to someone else. Her night with Methos convinced her that her life was as perfect as one could get; why let momentary anger spoil it? She could very well have lost that fight. She may never know.

Just as Elizabeth wrapped her arms around Methos' neck to really get into the kiss, she felt as if her insides had exploded. She gasped and coughed, looked towards Methos horrified, and slipped down his body. He held her as she fell. He saw that her sword blade had gone into the sand and when she fell to the ground, he heard a snap.

Methos didn't know where the shot had come from. The gun had to have a silencer since he hadn't heard anything. The only reason he knew it was a shot was because Elizabeth was dead. After a quick look around, Methos decided that the shot had to have come from the copse of trees. His left arm was killing him. He saw blood around a small hole in his coat and only then realized that the bullet that killed Elizabeth had gone into his arm. He instantly fell to the sand on the other side of Elizabeth, flattening himself so as not to be another target. It had to be Milroy. Another shot rang out and Methos lowered his head, using Elizabeth's body as a shield. Then he remembered Milroy's gun in her pocket. He fumbled through them to get it and as soon as he did, he aimed it at the trees. The moment he saw a rustling that wasn't the wind, Methos shot at it. The rustling was strong and Methos saw a black sleeved arm fly out and fall to the ground. He got him!

Methos shot up off the ground and ran through the thick sand to the trees, the gun with the silencer attachment aimed in front of him, concentrating on the place where he knew he had hit Milroy. He stepped slowly over the weeds to the trees and bushes but could not hear groaning. Keeping the gun aimed in front of him, Methos walked further in.

He found Milroy holding his leg close, his knee was bleeding profusely. Milroy looked up to see Methos with the gun aimed at his head. Methos stood still; the gun in his hand never wavered. The expression on his face was one of pure hatred, but controlled. "Go ahead and do it!" Milroy shouted out.

Methos slowly shook his head. "No. That's not how the Game is played. We're going to wait until my wife comes back to life and then she is going to take your damn head!"

Methos kept his gun trained on Milroy and really had to fight the urge to pump a few more bullets in him, just for fun, until Elizabeth revived. Methos felt a new immortal sensation and only took his eyes off Milroy, who was by now healing, long enough to see Elizabeth walking toward them. In her hands was her sword, and the end of the blade. When she fell, her blade had snapped, five inches up from the tip. She tossed the pieces of her sword on the ground and kicked Milroy again and again. Milroy finally finished healing and rolled and jumped to his feet.

"You son of a bitch!" Elizabeth screamed as her fists plummeted his chest.

Milroy pulled out his sword and was ready to swing when the gun barrel that Methos held rested against his cheek. "I wouldn't move if I were you," Methos said. "She needs a sword. When you're both on even footing, let the games begin."

"I don't have a sword," Elizabeth pointed out.

Methos pushed the gun against Milroy, making him move back. "Put the sword on the ground," he instructed Milroy, who did. When Methos was sure that he wouldn't charge, he handed the gun to Elizabeth and pulled out his Ivanhoe. "This is longer than what you're used to, and a bit heavier, but I've had good luck with it."

Methos presented his sword to her and Elizabeth stood in shock. Methos took the gun and put the Ivanhoe's hilt into Elizabeth's right hand and said, "Take it."

"You're letting me use your sword?" She was in awe. The only time she had handled it was when Methos had left it behind in Duncan's elevator after Pyrius had taken him; until she had returned it to Methos months later.

"This one time," he said, smiling, then turned his attention back on Milroy to make sure he wouldn't make any sudden movements.

Elizabeth swung the Ivanhoe around. It was heavier than she was used to. She knew that her arm would tire during the fight, so she had to be quick. The balance of the sword was marvelous though. It seemed that little effort was needed to make the sword go with her movements. It was the most elegant weapon she had ever held. She looked at Milroy and seethed with anger about being shot and knew that she would be able to work past a little muscle burn. Her determination to take his head would take top priority. "Thanks, hun. It will come in handy."

"I'm not fighting her with a gun pointed at me," Milroy said.

"It won't be. I'm going to talk to my wife right now. You don't move," Methos said.

Milroy looked at his sword on the ground. Methos said, "Don't even think of picking it up."

Milroy shoved his hands in his pockets and sighed deeply. He would wait for their little goodbye scene and then take her head, take the husband's head, get his guns back, shoot Guy Barstow and maybe his wife and her kid while he was at it.

Methos slipped Milroy's gun in his pocket, tenderly took Elizabeth's face in his hands and kissed her. Then he pressed his cheek against hers and twisted them a bit so his right side was hidden from Milroy's view. He took a dagger out of his coat and put it on Liz's left side under her belt loop. "That's sharp, so be careful when you bend," he whispered. "I'll be just on the other side of the trees. Good luck."

Methos stepped back and took Milroy's gun back out. He showed it to Milroy and said, "You won't be needing this, so I'll take it. I'm going back to the ship. Join me when you're through here, Lizzie."

Methos left Elizabeth with his Ivanhoe in hand and Milroy with his sword on the ground. Milroy kept a uneasy eye on Methos as he walked away. Milroy thought that Elizabeth's husband was leaving, the Game should have no interference. If they were going to fight outside the rules, Daniel Gordon would have shot him when he had the chance; they could have easily taken his head while he was disabled. He felt a sharp, metallic tap on the shoulder and turned around.

Elizabeth was holding her husband's sword up, ready to fight. "Let's go," she said, slowly pacing out from the trees back into the park. They couldn't very well fight in the trees. Milroy followed her after picking up his sword.

"Are you sure you want to go through with this?" Milroy asked.

"What do you mean? You want to walk away?"

"Hell, no!" Milroy laughed. "I mean, you're fighting me with a blade not your own. I have the upper hand. I am a man, you are a woman. I again have the upper hand."

"Okay," Elizabeth said, smiling. "Kneel down and I'll take your head and it's done."

Milroy raised his sword. "You're going to be sweet. When you're gone, I'm going to do what I need to do, kill that bastard!" He swung his sword and the fight began. Elizabeth held the Ivanhoe with two hands as she defended his swings from the top, from the bottom, swings that charged at her from the side, seemingly every direction. When Milroy deftly spun around to gather force for another swing, she tried to slit his back, but she couldn't control the Ivanhoe's weight. Instead, she bent low out of the line of his blade then kicked him in the side. He was jostled back, and almost lost his balance, but recovered. Elizabeth groaned from pain. She had forgotten about the dagger until it was embedded in her side. She could feel the spreading of blood on her pants and hoped that Milroy couldn't see it. She closed her coat over it and held the Ivanhoe back up as they sidestepped around each other.

Elizabeth had to admit that her sword arm was already killing her. She used both hands to keep the sword raised and ready to defend any movement he made. She had to use that dagger to her advantage. She swung at his head, which he defended; she swung at his knees, which Milroy defended. He swung at her arm, she jumped back out of the way. She held the sword up just as Milroy came in for a lunge. She saw the opportunity and she grabbed his sword with her left hand and pulled him closer. He was taken off balance for a moment as they leaned against each other. Instinct told her to slash out with her sword, but the Ivanhoe was too damned heavy. She dropped it and pulled out the dagger, keeping hold of Milroy's blade. The blood dripping from her hand was the last thing on her mind. She could lose some fingers for all she cared at the moment. The adrenaline rush of the fight was enough for her not to think of tomorrow. All she thought about was the here and now.

As Milroy was crushed alongside her, she thrust the dagger into him, then got the surprise of her life. Instead of thinking she had one upped him, she realized that he too had embedded a dagger into her. "Son of a bitch!" she yelled and body slammed him back as he laughed. She pulled the dagger out of her stomach and tried to straighten up but couldn't. Milroy pulled the dagger out of his side and showed pain, but he wasn't as crippled as she. She flung his dagger at Milroy, but missed him. He laughed as he walked closer to her, his sword ready. She went for the Ivanhoe on the ground, but his foot stepped on its hilt. Milroy slashed Elizabeth's back and she dropped. She looked up to see Milroy standing above her with his sword above his head. "There can be only one," he said.

"Like hell," Elizabeth spit out and rolled. She got to her feet and blindly ran. She couldn't straighten up, but just kept her legs moving. Milroy was right behind her. She heard the swosh from the swing of his blade near her head. She was approaching the trees. She ducked down from a close call to her head and rolled to the ground. She turned over to see Milroy laughing and coming at her. She felt metal at her hand. The tip of her claymore! The sword must be there somewhere! She rolled over and saw it, clasped her hand around the hilt, rolled back over in time to see that Milroy had his hands on his hilt, the sword pointed straight down and he was going to stab her. She lifted up, averting the tip of his blade, and with all the force she could muster, biting back the pain her wound caused, thrust her Claymore into his stomach. Milroy dropped his sword, his eyes wide, his mouth opened as far as it could be.

Elizabeth got to her knees and pushed the blade farther into his torso. "Who says you need a tip?" Ignoring pain, she stood up, hunched over, and twisted her Claymore, then yanked it out fast with an upward thrust to make the cut wider. He fell to his hands and knees. With a quick chopping motion as if she was holding an axe, she brought her Claymore down and severed his head. Having used the last of her strength on that maneuver, Elizabeth fell on top of him. She had rolled off and got herself to her knees when his quickening hit her. She clutched her stomach and fell into a ball as Milroy's energy surged through her. She was getting flashes of Milroy's life. One constant vision was the face of a blond woman smiling brightly. She had to have been Vicky.

Elizabeth got back onto her knees. She wanted only to run, get away. Her last quickening had been Pyrius' and she was scared she would be affected the same way by this one. She didn't want to know of Vicky, or feel any sort of love that Milroy had for her. Elizabeth didn't want to feel the least bit guilty about taking his head, and another Dark Quickening was the last thing on her agenda.

The force of the quickening made it impossible for her to move. By the time it was over, Elizabeth had no energy to do anything but sit back and pant. When she felt her side, back and stomach begin to heal, she laid on the ground and let it happen. She hadn't realized she was feeling an immortal sensation and for a moment believed it to be Milroy. Then she opened her eyes and saw Methos' face smile down at her.

"That was a close one," he said, as he knelt down.

"Your sword is too damned heavy," Elizabeth said as she sprawled out on the ground. She had no strength to move for the moment.

Methos brushed the hair from her face. "Funny, it's the perfect weight for me." He patted his coat under his arm, and she knew that he had already re-sheathed his prized possession. He kissed her and pulled her to her feet. "Good job. How do you feel?"

"Like I just took a quickening," Elizabeth said, looking down at Milroy's headless corpse.

"Well then, if you're anything like me, you're a little horny right now."

Elizabeth let her head fall back and laughed as Methos pulled her into a hug. She flopped her arm over his shoulder and kissed his cheek. "Is there anything you can do about that?"

"Not right here," he teased. "The clean up crew will be here soon."

She decided to leave her Claymore pieces behind. "I need a new one. Care to go shopping?" They walked out of the trees and back into the park area.

"First things, first," Methos said, bending down to pick up not only his dagger, but Milroy's. They avoided the people who had been in the picnic areas of the park and might have had been alerted by the odd lightening in the distance. He shared his coat by putting his arm around Elizabeth as they ran back to their car.

~~~~~

Guy had been in the area and clicked the record button of his microtape recorder. "Diane. It's done. Elizabeth Gordon took the head of Milton Milroy at 10h03, Barcelona, Spain." When he slipped the recorder back in his pocket, he heard footsteps on the leaves behind him. It was another man with a micro recorder in his hand.

"Are you Guy Barstow?"

"Why do you ask?"

"I'm Curtis Anderson, Milroy's watcher. I just called for clean up." Curtis stretched out his hand to shake Guy's.

What Anderson got instead was a punch in the nose. "Thanks for the warning, asshole!" Guy spouted.

"Hey!" Curtis was on the ground holding his bloody nose. "We only watch and record!"

"Not when he's going after mortals, you dick head! He could have killed me!" Guy took the recorder back out. "Diane. Remind me to file a report on Curtis Anderson. I'm sure the Watchers will be interested in Anderson's lack of initiative when the life of another Watcher is in the balance. He's too stupid to be a Field Watcher!"

"I was just doing my job," Curtis said.

"Go back to school," Guy sneered as he walked away.

~~~~

Methos and Elizabeth arrived back on the ship. Tracy, Gina's masseuse, was taken by surprise at the condition of Elizabeth's clothes. Methos said, "She ran into an animal. Close call, but she's all right. Don't worry about it." He hustled Elizabeth down the hall to their suite, but turned around again. "Hey, Tracy. Are you busy this afternoon?"

"No actually. I was just going to do some shopping. Gina had her massage this morning."

"Can you fit Elizabeth into your schedule at some point? No rush, but she'll feel a lot better."

"I can do it now."

"No, not now. I have plans for Liz now."

"I'll be back around five."

Methos smiled. That would give him and Elizabeth plenty of time alone in the meantime. "Thanks. Have fun shopping."

Methos found Elizabeth in the bathroom already, having stripped off her coat. In the bright light, he was surprised by the stains of blood on her. The tub was filling and she was pouring oils and bubble bath liquid into it.

"Can you call the hospital and see about Claire? I wonder if we should pick her up. I hope she's not in the way." She asked as she noticed him walk into the steamy room not bothering to hide her body from his appreciative gaze.

"She's not, but I'll call. You relax." Methos was hoping that by the time he returned, she would be wet.

Methos called the hospital from the bedroom and talked to Amy, who reported that Claire was an angel. "She did the most marvelous drawing with colored pencils of Katherine and I. It's so good! I didn't know she was artistically talented."

"She's my girl."

"I mean it, Daniel. This drawing is wonderful. The colors are so bright and cheerful. You should see it."

"I will. Are there any other grownups there with you and Claire?"

"Amanda and Duncan are here. Gina and Robert went to the airport to pick up dad and Caroline. You guys are the best. I appreciate it."

"Are you still coming home tomorrow?"

"I think so. Where are you and Liz?"

"At the ship. We're going to grab a bite to eat, do some stuff and we'll be up later."

"Okay, take your time. Everything's fine here, except Guy left again with no explanation right after you and Liz did."

Methos smiled. "I have a feeling he'll be returning soon."

Methos had spotted Guy watching the fight, along with another needle nosed observer who had to have been Milroy's watcher. Methos had wanted to go over and kick the shit out of him because he was allowing his immortal to go after a mortal, a Watcher, no less, but he didn't want to give away his presence. Also, Methos had been concerned; Elizabeth seemed to be faltering in the fight. When Milroy had his sword raised to take her head, Methos was taking aim with the gun to stop him. But then, Methos was glad to see that Elizabeth had gotten up and was running away. Methos was going to shoot Milroy anyway, but waited to see what would happen. She had to do it on her own, but Methos wouldn't allow her to be taken either.

Methos snapped out of his thoughts to tell Amy, "Tell Claire to behave and we'll see you soon," and hung up.

The water had stopped running in the bathroom and Methos walked in delighted to see Elizabeth fully immersed. What he didn't like seeing was the blood on her slowly turning the water and foam pinkish. Elizabeth sat up and wiped her eyes, knowing that he was there. He tossed a wash cloth to her and she tossed it back. "Do my back," she said, chuckling.

"With pleasure," Methos said, taking his place at the side of the tub. He began rubbing the washcloth over the blood stain from the gunshot wound on her upper back with one hand and massaging her shoulder with the other.

"How's Claire?"

"She's entertaining Amy with her drawings."

"That girl does have an eye. Should we let her paint the mural in her room?"

"If we're on the ship that long."

"Why wouldn't we be?"

"I realized that I'd like to be alone with my family."

"Amy just had her baby."

"We wouldn't drop off the earth, we can visit."

"I'm Katherine's godmother."

"And I'm her godfather. It's time for a little vacation, not forever."

"Vacation," Elizabeth said, laughing joyously. "What do you call living on a yacht with no schedule to speak of?"

"Just you, me and Claire. We can join up with the ship when we want to."

"Amanda and Duncan are getting married, Amy and Guy just had the baby. This is a bad time for us to get away."

"See? That's why I usually kept to myself. I want to do what I want to do." Methos felt like he had to justify himself.

"I want to do that too, but we have commitments."

"You want to go, right?" He suddenly wondered if they weren't as happy as he thought they were.

"I'll go to the ends of the earth with you, Methos."

That was more like it. "Then let's go."

Elizabeth thought about it and smiled. The fact that Methos was washing her stomach could have been partly responsible for her smile. Amanda and Duncan weren't getting married for another two weeks... Amy and Guy would have Joe and Caroline, Amanda and Duncan, and Gina and Robert. Katherine wouldn't be christened in the next two weeks. "Where to?"

"I have no idea, but I'll find a quiet place, just the three of us."

"Methos? I love you. I'm sorry I kneed you last night, if I didn't mention it before."

"You did. You're forgiven. I won't take your skills lightly in the future."

"Thank you. I don't have many skills, but I am proud of the ones I do have."

Methos had to scrub to get the blood off her stomach and commented, "That must have hurt bad."

"It did."

Elizabeth saw the dirty water and stood up. She pulled open the drain and pulled the curtain half way and turned on the shower. The initial cold of it made her shiver, but the hot came soon enough. "Wash my hair?" she asked Methos.

"You're getting water all over the floor," Methos said as he pulled the curtain closed all the way.

Elizabeth shrugged. That's what maids are for, aren't they? She got her hair wet and was just squirting shampoo in her hand when the curtain opened and Methos stepped in and took the shampoo bottle from her. . he had shed his clothes.

~~~~~

Several hours later, Elizabeth and Methos arrived in Amy's hospital room. All had gathered and as soon as they saw Elizabeth, started clapping. She spotted Guy's smile and knew that he must have told them about her collecting a quickening. Elizabeth took a deep bow. She flexed her arms as a sign of power. "I am woman. Hear me roar."

Methos just shook his head and went to hug Joe. "Long time no see. You look well."

"I'm great, Daniel," Joe said. "How can I not be when I have the most beautiful granddaughter anyone ever had?"

"Where is the little sprite?"

"She's in the nursery to get some sleep," Amanda said. "We've been a bit loud and the nurse took Katherine away from us."

Gina turned to Amy, "Now what all do you need before you go home tomorrow? Amanda and I have outfitted the nursery, but of course, since we haven't raised babies, we have no idea if we forgot anything."

"I can't imagine between you two, that you forgot anything, and you probably bought more than was needed," Amy said, smiling.

"How did I do when I brought Claire's things to Sintra?" Amanda asked Elizabeth.

"Just fine and dandy," Elizabeth replied without realizing how Claire would take Amanda's comment.

Claire was confused. "What?"

Methos and Elizabeth both reacted to Claire's confusion, since she hadn't been told that she was 'adopted', but Amanda didn't notice. "Sweetie," Amanda said, ignoring the shaking heads indicating that she shouldn't continue. "When I brought you to your mother and father, I had everything a child could want or need."

"What?" Claire asked again. Methos laid his hand on Claire's shoulder and tried to get Amanda's attention.

Caught up in telling her story, Amanda still didn't notice. "A crib, clothes, diapers, formula, a mobile to hang over the crib, let's see... what else did I bring?"

"What do you mean bring? Mom didn't shop for my stuff? She had nine months to do it." Amanda stopped when she saw Claire look up at Elizabeth with a scowl.

"Claire," Elizabeth said. She looked at Methos, who nodded. "Sorry to make this short, guys, but we need to have a talk with Claire."

"Thanks, Amanda," Methos said, "You always come through in a pinch." He lifted Claire into his arms and faltered a moment; she was so heavy. "You're not Little One anymore, that's for sure." He set her back on the floor and took her hand.

"What is Auntie Amanda talking about Dad?"

As they walked out of the room after saying 'see you later' to them all, Amanda cringed. "I thought they would have told her by now. Who would have thought they wouldn't have told her by now?"

Massive shrugs were evident around the room. Amanda sat heavily in the chair. Duncan massaged her shoulders and said, "They were waiting for the right time."

Robert chuckled. "I guess they just found it."

~~~~~

Methos sat Claire in his lap when they found an empty family waiting room with a door that closed. Elizabeth sat beside them. "Mom?" Claire asked, still holding Methos around the neck. "What did she mean? You didn't want me so you didn't go shopping yourself?"

"Absolutely not," Elizabeth said, combing Claire's long curly hair with her fingers. "Let's start at the beginning."

"A very good place to start," Methos said. "Once upon a time," he began.

"I don't want to fairytale, Dad, just tell me."

"Nine years ago," Elizabeth said. "Your father and I were living in Sintra, Portugal. We were very happy, we had just married. Our lives were complete, we thought. At the same time, Aunt Amanda was in Paris. She was jogging and heard a child's cry. She followed the cry, and found you."

"Found me where?"

"You were in the grass surrounded by bushes and trees. Amanda picked you up and saw that you were alone, so she brought you to us to raise. Since we had just gotten married and were happy, we could give you a good home. So, she came with a crib and clothes and all of those other things she mentioned. You have been with us ever since, and our lives are richer because of it."

"I was abandoned? Like in the newspaper article where the teenage mother left her baby in a dumpster and she died?"

Methos said, "Your mother," and then paused. They had to start the lying process to cover Claire's true origins and looked to Elizabeth to make sure that she was on the same page he was. She nodded and he continued, "Your mother did probably leave you, for what could be a variety of reasons. She may have been young, poor, not able to care for you, scared. I have no idea, but what I do know for sure, is that she made the right choice. If she had kept you, I would never have met you. I wouldn't have been able to love you as much as I do. There is fate and karma in this world, remember when we talked about that?"

Claire slightly nodded her head as tears ran down her cheeks faster than Elizabeth could dab them off. "You are my child. No matter how you came into his world, or how you came to live with us, you are my Little One and you always will be."

"Dad, you said I'm not anymore."

"Figure of speech, Claire," Methos said. "You're a big girl. You've grown into a young lady that I'm very proud of."

Methos wrapped his arms around Claire and slightly rocked her from side to side as he stared at Elizabeth. She kissed Claire's cheek and said, "We love you very much. You're our daughter and you are never leaving us and no one is ever going to take you away from us."

"Mama," Claire said, holding her arms out to her.

Elizabeth pulled Claire's long body onto her own lap. "I wasn't lucky enough to have given birth to you, but no one can ever say that you are not my little girl. You're a part of me, a part of us."

"Why didn't you tell me before?"

"I really didn't think about it, honey. I'm sorry. Any woman and man can make a baby. Any woman can give birth. It's how you care for and love the child that makes you a parent. It's how the child responds to and grows in that family that makes a daughter. Your dad and I couldn't love you more or be more proud of you if you had come from our bodies. I didn't think about telling you, because it was so natural for me to have you in my life. I don't look at you and see an 'orphan', I look at you and see my daughter."

Claire smiled and Methos tapped her nose. Elizabeth said, "You know, Claire, you and I haven't been spending all that much time together outside of meals and school. How about if we start doing more things together?"

"Sure."

Easy answer. After all the words she had told Claire, she had expected a little more, but that was okay. Claire was brief and to the point. Elizabeth hugged her and said, "Okay, then."

Methos said, "We're all going to spend more time together, alone."

"Huh?" Claire asked him.

"You, Mom and I are going to get away for a little while."

"Leave the ship? I want to paint my mural."

"The walls will be there when you get back."

"How long will we be gone?"

"A couple of weeks." Methos smiled when he said, "And I promise, no school."

"I want to paint my mural."

Elizabeth and Methos looked at each other. She, asking whether or not they could hold it off just a bit, and Methos was asking for backup. He lowered his head, defeated. Then kissed the top of Claire's head and said, "Fine. We'll stick around for a while. It will be nice to spend time with Joe again anyway." Then he muttered, with a smile on his face, "I'm surrounded by pushy women, that I wouldn't know how to live without."

~~~~~

That weekend, Amy and Katherine were sitting in the screened in area of the deck of Methos' ship, with Guy acting like an overprotective father, which he was. His sole purpose was to make sure that Amy was fine and there was enough sun block on the baby, who they had started calling Katie Rose. "We're in the shade, Guy. Settle down," Amy had to tell him.

"The ultraviolet rays can get you even in the shade. Just indulge me, okay?"

Joe sat back and shook his head. He would have loved to be around when Amy was a baby, but he wondered if he would have gone overboard as Guy had. Looking at Katie Rose, he could see Amy at that age. If only he had been selfish enough to tell Katherine that it was his right to see his child. If only Katherine hadn't been married. If only... He couldn't think about the past. He could only think of his future. Ten years ago, he didn't think his life would have fallen into place as nicely as it had. He was married with a fabulous wife, his long-lost daughter had not only accepted him but counted on him, and he had two healthy grandchildren. He was indulging in his music, which had always been important. The only thing that he wished he could change was his daughter's profession.

"How long of a maternity leave are you taking, Amy?" he cautiously asked. "Or are you going to retire now that your family has grown?"

"Dad," she groaned.

He shouldn't have pushed it and knew it, but he couldn't help it. It was bad enough that Guy was still a Watcher. There was no home life. Your assignment was your life. The only good thing was that Guy and Amy's assignments were their good friends. He still didn't quite understand how Amy managed to take over the assignment of a friend of hers, and he kept checking around for any indication that the Watchers were telling her one thing and doing something covert behind her back, but he couldn't find anything.

Caroline wore her swimming suit as she walked into the screened porch and hugged Joe from behind. "I'm going for a dip with the kids."

"We were going for dinner on shore."

"You bet we are. You're buying. It will only be a short dip. Joey needs to expend some energy, and Claire is excited to go, also."

"Okay," Joe said, kissing her. She was still so active, he just wished he could keep up with her at times. "Have fun."

Caroline tweaked Katie Rose's cheek, but that wasn't enough. She picked up the baby and swayed with her in her arms. "I'm so lucky to be a grandmother. I don't think Donny will even get married, let alone have a child."

"Give him time," Joe said. "He's only thirty. He's still sowing his oats."

Caroline laughed. "Joe, honey. You sowed your oats until the age of 55. I don't know if I'll live long enough for Donny to settle down. But at least I have Katie and Joey." She kissed the baby again as Joey called for her. "Come on, Grandma!"

"Coming, dear," Caroline replied loudly, and gave Katherine back to Amy.

Guy was at the door telling Joey, "Don't go out too far, only between the boat and the shore."

"I know. I know," Joey said. He was holding onto his inflatable raft and asked, "Is she coming?"

Claire ran by him in her swim suit and ended up at the rail. Caroline took Joey's hand and then Claire's and they walked down the steps to the lower deck so they could jump into the water.

Methos and Elizabeth were standing on the deck at the stern with a glass of wine, waving goodbye to Gina and Robert, who were taking the motor boat to shore for some excursion they had been mum about. When they heard the three splashes, they looked down over the railing to see Caroline, Joey and Claire treading water. Elizabeth yelled down, "Claire! I thought you were painting your mural!"

"I'm taking a break," she said, swimming away from Caroline.

Joey had gotten onto his raft as Caroline held on and treaded water alongside him. Claire called out to her, "Race you to the shore, Carol!"

"You just swim, I'll watch."

The water was actually quite calm that day, and the bright sun reflecting off it could make someone staring at the water blind. Elizabeth blinked and looked away. "I'm going to get the lounge chairs so we can see them from the rail."

Methos drained the wine glass and said, "Why don't you refill this while you're at it?"

"I suppose that can be arranged," she answered, taking it, and kissing him. She asked, "You aren't too upset we're not on a plane somewhere, are you?"

He gave her a squeeze and said, "Not at the moment."

"Ah, the bottle's empty. I'll go fetch another one," Elizabeth said, lifting the wine bottle and then tossing it in the garbage near the steps down below. "Be back in a flash."

Methos leaned on the rail and watched the three in the water laugh and splash each other. Joey, not a good swimmer, was holding onto that raft for dear life, and Methos was glad to see it. He looked down the rail to see Joe standing near the bow. He looked back at the steps that Elizabeth had disappeared down and figured she'd find him if he went to Joe, the ship wasn't that big. Methos started toward Joe when he heard Caroline cry out, "There's an undertow! Claire, come back here." Then Caroline flinched and dipped under the surface of the water herself. She broke the surface again and painfully cried out, "I've been bitten!"

Claire still hadn't resurfaced, and Methos was already kicking off his shoes. Joe yelled, helplessly, "Methos! Get Caroline! Joey! Hold onto the raft, don't move!"

Joey was crying as he looked down at the water for Caroline. She broke the surface again and he held onto her arm. Methos jumped into the water, and swam past Caroline and Joey to where Claire had disappeared. "No! Methos! You're going too far!" Joe called out, cursing himself for not being able to be any help at all.

Guy went to the rail and surveyed what was going on, just as Elizabeth arrived. "What's going on?"

"Grandma!" Joey yelled as she popped up on the surface again. He held onto her this time. "Stay with me. Help!" he called to the ship.

"Where's Claire?" Elizabeth wondered aloud and then saw Methos rise to the surface with her in his arms. He started towards the shore.

"Caroline and Joey!" Joe yelled, just before Guy and Elizabeth jumped over the side, from the top deck, into the water. Guy came to the surface, coughing and sputtering having hit the water wrong, and could only watch Elizabeth swim towards the raft Joey was on. He held onto the side of the ship as he tried to get his breath back. Elizabeth came back with an unconscious Caroline under her arm as Guy went to help Joey move the raft back to the ship. As hard as the child tried, as much as he kicked his feet and paddled his arms, the raft wouldn't move. Guy grabbed a hold of it and pulled as he swam back to the ship.

After the stewards had a hold of Caroline and were pulling her up onto the lower deck, Elizabeth swam to the shore fearing the worst about her daughter. She could catch only glimpses of Methos on the shore with a lifeless mass.

Guy helped Joey get off the raft and onto the ship, then pulled himself up, with the help of a hand from a steward. By the time he was on deck, Joe was just making his way down the steps. The men had turned Caroline over and pushed water out of her lungs. There was a blue splotch on her leg, she had to have been stung, not bitten as she had claimed. They performed CPR while Guy watched Amy carrying the baby down the steps. Joe looked lost as Joey clutched him around the waist. "Will Grandma be all right?"

"Sure she will," Joe told him, but Guy could tell he didn't believe it himself.

On shore, Methos was holding Claire in his lap. When Elizabeth got to shallow enough ground, she ran to them; she couldn't tell if he was crying, or just wet. She collapsed by them and inspected her daughter. "Is she...?"

Methos shook his head. "She still has a hum. Thank the Gods."

"You got to her in time," Elizabeth said. She felt Claire's face and was overjoyed when she turned to her and blubbered, "Mama."

The three of them held onto each other from fear of what could have happened. Claire could have remained nine years old forever. Methos' and Elizabeth's gaze, though, soon went back to see what was happening on the ship.

~~~~~

Joe sat alone in the galley with a beer in front of him. Methos hesitantly walked in, and stood near the door. Methos had tried to talk to him since the coroner had come to take Caroline's body away, but he had only wanted to talk to Amy. That was only for a short while, then he wanted to be alone. Amy was concerned that he was in shock; he hadn't said anything, or even shed a tear. Everyone at one time or another had come to Joe to give him their sympathies, something he didn't want from any of them. "I just want her back," was all he had said to Robert.

Methos went to the fridge to get a beer, the process of which made Joe lift his head. The glare that Joe flashed at him could have killed an ordinary man, but Methos trudged on and sat next to him. They were silent for a while before Joe said, "I'd rather you weren't here."

"There's nowhere else I'd rather be, Joe." Methos looked at him to see every expression Joe revealed.

There was nothing, until there was pure and unadulterated anger. "What the hell did you do that for?"

"Come again?"

"You swam right by Caroline; she was hurt and drowning, and you swam right past her!"

"Claire was caught in the undertow, Joe."

Joe took a sip of his beer and muttered, "It's not like she wouldn't have lived anyway. You knew Caroline didn't have a chance. She was hurt and trying as hard as she could to stay afloat, and you swam right past her!"

"I made a choice, Joe. How could you have possibly thought I'd have made any other one?"

"She was dying! You ignored her. Claire would have lived anyway!"

Ok, blame me, Methos thought. I'm used to it. Whatever makes you feel better. But then, that didn't fit either. "Joe," he started. "You're a father yourself. If it was me or Amy, which would you choose, if I wasn't immortal? I'd think less of you if you chose me. You know you would have chosen Amy. You did chose Amy over me once. Remember? You were willing to feed me to Walker to save Amy's life."

"That was a fight, you had a fighting chance, and I knew you'd win. That's not the same thing! You weren't drowning."

"Any fight can go badly for any of us at any time. That's why I was so angry at Liz for taking a head she didn't even have a past with. But that's neither here nor there. Blame me for this if you need to. I accept it. I swam right past her. Yes. But I wouldn't have if Claire hadn't also been in trouble."

Methos' words weren't emotional, or loud, just the facts. "Joe, when I allowed Claire into my heart, I knew that from that time on, her life was my responsibility. If it were Liz or Claire that I had to choose between, I'd chose Claire. It's my responsibility to make sure that she's not nine years old forever. You know how long a nine year old can stay alive in the immortal world, unless they're cutthroats. We're not raising her to be that."

Methos took another sip of beer and sat quietly. "So, blame me. Caroline's death is my fault."

Joe looked at him. "You like to carry blame, don't you?"

"I'll carry the world on my shoulders if it makes you feel better, Joe. You're my best friend."

"It doesn't make me feel better at all." Joe bowed his head and cleared his throat. As he shook his head at the unfairness of the world, he said, "I miss her already, how am I going to be tomorrow? Or the day after that? I can't handle this. I haven't been in love before. Not like with Carol. She was the one."

Methos pulled Joe against him as Joe started to weep. "How do I go on?" Joe asked no one in particular.

Methos held his friend and honestly said, "Everyone has to handle it in their own way. Even myself, I've lost all kinds of different people and reacted differently each time. You just do what you have to do."

"Mortals? Are you talking about mortals that aren't coming back?"

"Sure."

"Not like Liz, who came back."

"I didn't know she was coming back. You all talk about my year without Lizzie as if it was a picnic or a performance. I thought she was gone forever. I grieved for her. She's the only one for me. She was gone as far as I knew. I felt exactly what you're feeling now, what Amy felt with Kevin."

Joe was silent as he slipped his beer. Methos said, "It helped that I had Claire. You know what? You have Amy, Joey, Katie, me, Liz, Guy, Robert, Gina, and I heard from Mac. He and Amanda are coming in tomorrow."

"Should be a hell of a party," Joe said in a tone so bitter, that Methos knew that if Joe forgave him at all, it would take a long time. Good thing time was what Methos had in spades.

~~~~~

NEW YORK CITY
2012

Joe had a tough year. He was elated by his grandchildren, but missed Caroline so much it still hurt as if she had died only yesterday; not just over a year ago. He kept thinking about Methos' talks; about how the pain would soon pass. Methos kept using the example of the year he had thought Elizabeth dead to prove he knew about loss. Well, Elizabeth had come back. As much as Joe had wanted to hope for it, Caroline was dead. She wouldn't ever be coming back. He had quit the Watchers, this time for good--after his wife was killed--and spent a month alone. He needed to be by himself, and had spent those four weeks holed up in his and Caroline's Central Park West apartment, not answering the phone or even going out for a newspaper. The grocer around the block delivered, and Joe hadn't wanted for anything, except his wife. He went through all her possessions, smelling her favorite perfume and was comforted by it. He knew he wasn't getting any younger, was now in his mid sixties, and life was a confusing web of people coming in and out of his life. For the first time in his life, through the danger in the war and as a Watcher, his own mortality became a tangible entity.

Amy had visited, but only stayed for a couple of hours. Joe wondered if she had thought he was living in a hovel or not eating or something; her face had registered such surprise that the apartment was immaculate as it always had been. He wasn't stupid enough to cancel Caroline's maid service. As soon as he had convinced his daughter that he was eating, hadn't lost his mind, wasn't overcome with grief, just needed time alone, she kissed him warmly and left. Her phone calls every morning at nine were something he had grown quite used to and by 8:30, he was up, dressed, and sitting by the phone waiting for it to ring. Considering that Elizabeth and Methos were still traveling the world, and since Amy was still Daniel's watcher even with two kids in tow, time zones were important calculations. Amy had promised she wouldn't miss a nine am phone call, and she hadn't. Methos had to be a factor in making sure she didn't miss a call.

Joe smiled as he thought about his good friend. The fact that Methos had swam right past Caroline struggling in the water to save his preimmortal daughter had been a hard thing for Joe to get past, but he soon did. Even sooner than Methos had realized. Their last telephone conversation ended with loud voices and bitter words, but that was just because the old man was more stubborn than Joe was. Joe soon came to the conclusion that Methos had to have been struggling with his decision also. Guilt was a hard fit on the 5000 year old man, but his guilt did go away only because he knew he had made the right decision. Joe realized that Methos made the only choice that he could have at the time. If the situation was reversed, Joe would have saved Amy before anyone who may have been in danger with her, even Caroline. Joe thanked God that he hadn't had to make such a choice, say... Joey or little Katherine Rose. If both of his grandchildren were struggling in the water, one being carried by an undertow, the other having been stung by a stingray... there were some things that Joe just didn't want to have to find about.

Not that Joe was alone the whole year. One night when Joe needed some fresh air, he had come upon a guitarist who was playing on a street corner for spare change. The kid couldn't have been more than eighteen, he'd been dressed in African garb that night. The next night when Joe walked past, he was wearing a heavy metal t-shirt and jeans. Joe came back the next night to find him there again, this time adding a leather jacket that seemed a mile too big for his slight frame. The next night, Joe had come with his guitar. He played along with the kid, impressing him with his licks, and even taught him a few of his tunes. Over the course of two weeks the kid, Benji.. Joe had a hell of a time learning his name.. had come to look forward to "Old Joe" coming, because as Benji told him, the take for the evening was always better if Joe was playing with him. Joe had taken the young man from the projects under his wing. When he found out that the kid didn't have a father, his mother had taken off last winter with a truck driver, his little sisters had been relegated to aunts, and his brother was in jail, Joe took him in. It wasn't long before Benji's hesitation about taking a stab at song writing faded, and Joe thought he came up with some great songs that could very well one day be considered classics.

Joe had been able to get the rest of his band together, and they were soon to go back into the studio. Joe insisted that Benji was to play one of his own songs on the new CD. The record company still needed convincing, even after hearing the kid expertly play his guitar, and sing a song about his youth called "Chasing Brick Walls".

He had booked studio space at ten today, so he hoped Amy would have one of those rare mornings where she called early. It was quite a walk to the studio, so Joe hoped he would be able to find a cab. He had all the things he'd need ready by the door so he could take off right after Amy's call.

The call was right on time. The only difference between this call and all the others that had happened every day like clockwork was that it was Amy's husband, Guy Barstow calling, not Amy. "Where is she?" Joe had asked right off the bat.

"She's working, Joe. She called to get me out of bed so I could do the honors this morning. How are things there?"

"Fine," Joe said dejectedly. "What is so important about what Dan and Liz are doing at four in the morning that Amy isn't with you and the kids?"

"It's their anniversary and the're out partying. One of us should be watching in case they come up against something worthy of an entry in their chronicle. Amy takes extensive notes on how Elizabeth shops, I don't think she'll miss a trick."

"You guys are such wimps," Joe said as he chuckled. "Back in the day we had to go wherever our assignments went, rain or snow..."

"Yeah," Guy interjected. "And you had to walk uphill both ways to wherever the assignment was. I got it. Hey, Katie Rose is up. Just gave her a bottle. You want to hear her belch?"

"Of course. I certainly don't want to talk to you," Joe lightly said. The relationship with his son-in-law was of brief words and silent thanks that Amy and Joey were happy and no longer alone. Katie Rose had been a gift to Amy, and Joe wondered how easy it was for her to leave the kids behind, even if it was just overnight. Wondering what Methos and Elizabeth were up to was more than Joe could take. That old impulse, that need to know everything was starting to creep back, and Joe took it as a sign that he was coming around after losing Caroline. He was going to miss the gift that woman was the rest of his days, but even Benji had been telling him that he needed to get out; get on with his life. Going into the studio was the first real step at forging a life that Joe had taken in a year.

Hearing Katie Rose on the other end of the transatlantic call made him want to see how much she had grown, he needed more than just the pictures Amy had been e-mailing all along. He wanted to hold her, smell her, know she was really real. He hadn't seen Katie Rose since she was a couple of weeks old. He talked to her, but soon Guy was back on the line saying she was asleep.

Joe told Guy that he would be calling that evening so he could talk to Joey and Amy, "If you're all still at the hotel."

"We should be, barring any unforeseen immortal movements."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Joe, we're watching two immortals with a ten year old kid that pull up anchor at the drop of a hat. We'll call if we're not going to be here. Amy was sorry she wasn't able to talk to you herself."

~~~~~

LONDON

Amy had gone home to catch a nap and play with the kids, then met Elizabeth at a coffee shop in Notting Hill for an early dinner. Guy and the kids and Methos and Claire were to meet them, and Amy was happy that they were all late. She and Elizabeth hadn't really talked in the last couple of weeks; Amy had only followed from a distance. The way Amy dealt with their friendship, being Elizabeth's husband's Watcher, was that she didn't tell Elizabeth anything. She and Guy would follow together if they found a reliable babysitter and didn't think they'd be gone all night, or they would tag team it, taking turns following them both. When either of them were following Elizabeth and Methos, they didn't know it. Or so Amy hoped. Elizabeth could be as covert as anyone after learning the ropes during that year with Cameron James in the guise of Angel Bancroft, and spending the better part of a decade living with the Master of Covert, Methos. As far as Elizabeth knew, Amy and Guy had taken the kids to Liverpool for a week. When Elizabeth was asking all sorts of Beatles questions, Amy quickly changed the subject to their anniversary night.

It was something to see a 180 year old immortal blush, but Elizabeth did it well. It was a pleasure to indulge in some quality girl talk with her best friend. They certainly hadn't had time since Amy and Guy had stopped sailing with them on the ship. Amy's seasickness started when she was pregnant with Katherine Rose, but even after the delivery, she was getting sick almost every night they sailed. It was much easier to explain their special circumstance to the Watchers when she and Guy were submitting hotel, plane, and car rental bills to them to validate the truth in their chronicles.

Just as the women had finished their glass of wine, Guy and the kids walked in and took over one end of the rectangular table in the back that Elizabeth and Amy had chosen when they arrived. She was happy to hold her little girl when Katie held out her arms to her. Joey was occupied with finding the right thing to eat from the menu. He had gotten it into his head that he was a vegetarian recently; he had always been a picky eater, but now he was almost impossible. Guy had ordered another bottle of wine and some apple juice for Katie Rose, and left Joey's beverage up to him. Even ordering pop was an ordeal, to which Amy finally said, "Bring him a glass of milk."

"Mom, I'm not a calf."

"No, you're a growing boy. Drink it or ice water."

Joey told the waitress, "Ice water with a twist of lemon."

Elizabeth told him, "You've grown up so much, I'm just waiting for the day you insist on being called Joseph."

"That's gramps, not me." Joey smiled with pride at the mention of Joe Dawson. "But I'm not Joey Randall anymore."

"No?" Elizabeth looked to Amy.

Amy waited for Guy to tell her the news, and he did with a brush of his hand on Joey's head. "Yep. He's Joe Barstow from now on. The papers came through last week."

Elizabeth clearly tightened with the news, and Amy wondered why on earth the news would get such a reaction from her. "Congratulations," she said as she shifted in her seat to look at the door.

"Congratulations for what?" Methos asked as he came in through the side door just before Claire. Never let it be said Methos couldn't make an entrance and still not be noticed until he wanted to be.

As Guy told Methos the news about his legally bound ties to Joey and Claire showed Elizabeth a book that Methos bought for her, Amy spotted a woman in the window staring at them with a stunned expression. Amy didn't stare back directly, only out the corner of her eye. The woman hadn't been there before Methos and Claire had arrived, and now her eyes were glued to him. Elizabeth's reaction just before Methos arrived had to have been his immortal sensation, and she wasn't registering another one.

The woman looked about thirty, shoulder length red hair, narrow glasses, and carrying a backpack. No one else at the table realized they were being watched, so Amy kicked Elizabeth under the table across from her and leaned forward to whisper, "Don't look right now, but there's a woman looking at us. Do you recognize her?"

Elizabeth waited a few moments getting Claire settled next to Joey, then turned to Amy. Amy nodded, she was still there. Thoughts of all the women from Methos' past crept into Amy's head and she could just about imagine who and what she was. All the thoughts of how this may affect Elizabeth and even Claire came to mind as it would to any Watcher's mind. Elizabeth turned to stretch and stole a glance at the window, then quickly turned back around.

"Oh God, she can't be..." Elizabeth moaned quietly.

Methos sat next to her and draped his arm around her shoulders. Elizabeth whispered to him; Amy imagined that she was telling Methos who she thought the woman was, and damn it, she wanted to know herself. She leaned forward to hear just as Methos turned his head. By that time, the woman was gone. Amy stood, took Elizabeth's hand, and pulled her to the side door that Methos and Claire had entered through.

"Who is she?"

Claire had come toward them, which clammed Elizabeth up. Amy told her, "Claire, honey, we're just talking. Why don't you go back to the table?"

"I have to go to the bathroom," Claire said, pointing at the ladies room door behind them.

Elizabeth opened the door and took a peek inside it. "Hurry up, we're going to eat, then get to that play."

"Fine," Claire said, shaking her head. "I'll only take as long as it takes."

Claire disappeared into the ladies room and Amy looked to Elizabeth to expand on who that woman was, and if she was anyone to be leery of. When Elizabeth didn't speak, only looked back at the table at Methos, Amy asked, "Is she immortal?"

"I don't think so."

"Huh?"

"I think she's... but she couldn't be. It's been too many years, and she would have forgotten about us by now. I would think."

"How many years? Who's us? You and your husband?" Amy laughed. "You are not in the least forgettable. Spill it."

All of a sudden, the side door opened and the woman in question walked in, standing right against Elizabeth. Amy scooted back as Elizabeth turned away from the woman, who immediately took hold of her arm. Elizabeth tried to pull away, but the young woman was forceful. "It is you!" she announced, still holding onto Elizabeth's arm firmly.

Amy was sure the whole restaurant heard her, and most heads turned in their direction. Elizabeth took a deep breath and smiled, "Megan? Megan Willis? This is a surprise. Fancy meeting you again."

Before Amy knew it, Methos was on his way to the door and Elizabeth had maneuvered the woman outside. Methos walked past her and muttered, "Go back to the table," before he was also gone.

"Like hell," Amy muttered as she followed outside.

~~~~~

Elizabeth couldn't believe her eyes. For Megan Willis to cross paths with them was astronomically improbable, yet, there she was. During her year as Angel Bancroft after being kidnaped by Cameron James, there was only one person that she met that she liked, trusted, could very well have loved if they had gotten the chance to really know each other. That man was Tony Willis, who was brutally murdered, only because Angel Bancroft had to be taught a lesson about stealing from Cole Roberts.

Tony's little sister, Megan, looked ten years older, but the features of her face and her distinctive voice were exactly the same as when Megan had punched Elizabeth, in the guise of Angel Bancroft, back at Megan's mother's house in Naperville, Illinois, when she and Methos had gone to collect Claire. "Are you Angel Bancroft?" She took a look at Methos who had just exited the restaurant and pointed forcefully at him. "I know you! I never forget a face!"

Methos grabbed her hand and quietly said, "Take it easy."

"You're supposed to be dead. I saw you dead. I lifted you off spikes!"

"Calm down," Methos told her.

Suddenly, Amy was there, as confused as Elizabeth was. "What's going on?" she asked, to which Elizabeth had an answer, but hoped like hell she could think of a way out of this. She looked to Methos, who stared Megan down, as if daring her to speak one more word.

Megan fell silent as a tear slipped down her cheek. Her gaze flipped from Methos to Elizabeth and back again. "I saw you dead," she said quietly, knowing it to be true.

"I'll handle this," Amy told Elizabeth and Methos. She saw Guy walk out of the restaurant, and hitched her hand on Megan's, lightly so as not to frighten her. She said calmly, "We'll handle this. The children are alone inside, go to them. I don't know how long we'll be."

"What are you going to do?" Elizabeth asked, staring with guilt at Megan for what she had done to her brother.

"My job. We're trained for this, leave it to us." Amy turned to Megan and said, "You aren't crazy, Megan, is it?"

Megan looked to Amy with relief. "What's going on?"

"My husband and I will explain everything to you, don't worry. Everything will make sense after we talk, but not here. Not with them," Amy said, indicating Methos and Elizabeth. She told them, "Go into the restaurant. Guy? Get the car."

"I'm not going anywhere with you," Megan said, trying to take her hand back.

"Do you want to know what happened, how it's possible they are still alive?" Amy could see that the thirty year old wanted just that. "Come with us, and we'll explain it all."

Megan stared wondrously at them all, then Guy pulled up with their rental and opened the front passenger door from inside the car. They all looked to Megan, who finally nodded her head in agreement. Amy could tell that she wanted to speak to Elizabeth, but didn't. She told Amy, "This had better make sense, and you better not hurt me. I have friends who will know I'm missing."

Amy smiled warmly. "It will only take as long as you have questions. Please, get in the car so we can speak in private." She asked Elizabeth, "You'll take care of the kids?" When she got an affirmative nod, she said, "I'll call you later. Don't worry."

Megan tossed her backpack on the floor of the front seat and got in hesitantly, not taking her eyes off Guy. Amy got into the back seat. As soon as her door was closed, Guy sped them away.

Elizabeth and Methos stood on the sidewalk watching Guy's rental turn the corner. "They're not going to kill her, are they?"

Methos chuckled. "No, as per Watcher training, there will soon be a newbie in their fold."

"Megan a Watcher?"

Methos shrugged. "Or dead if she doesn't choose to join them."

"Daniel!"

"I'm kidding. What was she talking about spikes?"

As they walked back toward the restaurant, Elizabeth whispered, "Remember the factory? You and Gage went off the catwalk, you were both impaled by spikes? I needed her to help me lift you off so you could revive. It was the only option. I had a crying baby, crying teenager, you were dead, we had to get out of there-"

Methos put his hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to explain. You did the right thing, I guess."

"I did the right thing? What a concept."

"It would have been lovely if you wouldn't have had Megan help, but I would be livid if I was still stuck on spikes," Methos said with a smile, but clammed up when they got to the door of the restaurant and a young man exited, obviously having heard what Methos had said.

"My wife is quite the artiste," Methos said brightly to the young man as he held the door open for Elizabeth. "Only I'm the one that has to suffer for her art." Methos quickly went to the window inside the restaurant to see the man look at the door with mouth agape, then shake his head, roll his eyes, and walk down the street.

CONTINUED in Chapter Fifty-Six - Ghost