THE ELIZABETH SERIES

CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

CHANGES

By JoLayne
EnyaJo@aol.com

RATING: PG-13

CHARACTERS: Methos, Amy, Robert, Gina, OCs Elizabeth, Claire, Guy, Parker family

SUMMARY: Methos and Elizabeth individually examine how they've been living their lives.

~~~~~

LONDON
2012

Encountering Megan Willis by surprise in London sent Methos into flee or fight mode..he wanted to flee as soon as possible. Whenever a mortal you want to avoid meets up with you, especially after they saw you die and revive, the best thing to do was make tracks. Besides, Methos had had his fill of having so many people around. As much as he liked Robert and Gina and appreciated the help of the crew, Caroline's death and the choice he made were taking its toll on him. Joe had come around to his way of thinking; that Methos' most important goal in life was making sure his little girl didn't stay little forever, but every time anyone wanted to go swimming, Methos would cringe.

After Amy and Guy took off with Megan to do whatever Watchers do with mortals who witnessed immortality in all its glory, Methos and Elizabeth had gone back into the restaurant and had a good meal with the kids. They later took the children to the Holland Park, where Claire had started talking with a blond haired, blue eyed girl about her age. Methos was amazed at how quickly Claire connected with other kids, and found out, by asking Elizabeth, that it was normal. "The world is your friend when you're ten," she had said.

"We'll have to break her of that," Methos mumbled as Claire and Jamie introduced each other's families. It was unreal how the families seemed to be negative exposures of each other. Blond Jamie only a year older than Claire, blond Charles was a few months younger than dark haired Joey, auburn haired Elizabeth appeared the same age as blond MaryAnn, and Methos stared at his color opposite, John Parker.

Before Methos knew it, both families were playing something called Duck, Duck, Goose; it was the first time Methos had indulged in a childhood game, and actually had fun. He watched his ten year old daughter play full out, as if her life depended on it when a hand would tap her head and she was Goose. She would pop up and tag whoever was 'it' every time. Elizabeth had asked her why she never wanted to be 'it', and Claire replied, "Because 'it' is the loser."

Methos had raised a spunky gal. Since not only Methos and Elizabeth, but Claire had to be taught the game, he wondered if he should have paid more attention to how Claire was occupying her time. He'd figured that when she lived in California, she had lots of friends and they were playing such games. Mostly though, she had her nose stuck in a book. Methos was proud of that, one should never stop learning. Still the funny looks she got from Joey and the Parker children because she had never played the game made him wonder if they should have paid more attention to her 'normal' upbringing.

Katie Rose woke up from her nap while in Elizabeth's arms, and tilted her head back to stare at him. She lifted her hands, and suddenly she was in his arms. Elizabeth was 'it'. "But I'm not a loser," Elizabeth informed Claire as she tore around the circled group to tag John, who at first had carried that stuffiness that Brits usually display, but they soon found out he could be as playful as a child. As Claire encouraged her mother, Methos saw how full of life Claire was. He again felt fear clutch his stomach; she could have been pulled away by that undertow. Sure, as much as anyone, he wished that he had been able to save Caroline, but why did it all have to rest on his shoulders?

Elizabeth had tagged John and he took her place sitting in the circle, as she started tapping people on the head. She declared Jamie 'Goose' and ran; straight into a very strange old man. He held an umbrella, wore a wool checked suit complete with vest and starched white shirt and bright orange ascot, black, shiny leather shoes, and round wire rim glasses, all in the middle of a hot spring day. "Excuse me," Elizabeth said in surprise as he walked past her without losing his stride.

The man stepped over the shoulders of Joey and Claire, through their circle, and over the shoulders of John and MaryAnn. "Hold on," John called out, but the man just kept on walking.

Elizabeth stood watching him, her hand above her eyes to cut the glare of the bright, hot day, and declared, "That is one odd duck."

Methos shrugged. "I guess he has places to go, people to see."

MaryAnn added, "And we were in the way, I assume. Silly us." She crawled forward in the circle and asked Methos, "Now that she's awake, may I hold her?"

John said, "Only if you don't get that 'feeling you want another baby' when you do."

She took Katie Rose in her arms and cooed to her, Katie Rose was lapping up the attention. Since the game had been interrupted, and the kids had suddenly scattered, Methos got back on his feet and spotted a concession stand across the way. "Anyone for something to drink?"

All hands went up, and Elizabeth offered to help carry it all back to them. He called to Claire to keep an eye on Katie Rose, and MaryAnn said, "She'll be fine."

That didn't make Methos feel any better. Sure, they had a nice hour with the family, but you don't trust a baby with just anyone. Elizabeth made sure that Claire and Joey were with Katie Rose before she joined Methos at the concession stand. She whispered, "They're within viewing range. I'm sure nothing would happen."

"But, I don't feel like a sprint at the moment if they decide they'd like a baby. Amy would kill me."

"And after you revive, Guy will cut your heart out, and more than likely serve it for dinner," Elizabeth said with a laugh. "He is a terrible cook, you never know what the meat was supposed to be before he gets his hands on it."

"Not like some people, huh?"

Elizabeth shot him a glare. "Is that a comment on my previous cooking style?"

"You have improved, I'll give you that."

"Why thank you, my love." When they reached the concession stand, Elizabeth spotted strawberries and cream on the menu. "That's park food?"

"Sounds good. A lite dessert after that carbo-filled lunch." Methos ordered up eight helpings along with ice water and lemonade. As they were waiting for it, Methos asked Elizabeth, "So, where should we go next?"

"In the grand scheme of things, you mean? Back to the Claire Elizabeth, then wherever the tides take us," Elizabeth replied, hugging Methos around the waist. She leaned her head on his shoulder and he smelled the lavender from her shampoo. "Have I told you how much fun it's been? Ever since leaving California, it's like we're living a dream. Except for the nightmare of Caroline's death."

Not wanting to brooch that subject at all, he said, "I was thinking dry land for a change. You know how I've not cared for the sea."

"The Claire Elizabeth's awfully stable. There are facilities." She smiled, teasing him.

"Do you think Claire should be with children more?" Methos looked back at the familial huddle, Claire cooing over Katie Rose in MaryAnn's lap. "She's always with adults, and I wonder if she would be happier having a more normal life."

"She has Joey and loves Katie Rose, but may be happier with a little brother or sister of her own," Elizabeth suggested off-handedly.

"No." Methos didn't want to approach that subject either.

As the filled plastic dishes, paper glasses of lemonade, and a tray were laid on the counter, Elizabeth started to placed the items on the tray while Methos paid for it. "Remember the refuge receptacles," the concession stand man said.

Methos looked at his wife and asked, "Why? You don't want another kid, do you? I knew I should have gotten you away from Katie Rose. What is it with women that they just look at a baby and want one?"

"Hang on, sailor. I mentioned what Claire wants, not me. Don't worry about it." She lifted the tray and started back to the circle.

Methos grabbed the items left on the counter and pondered Liz's remark. It was a new concept; Claire very well may not like being an only child. He wanted her to have a normal life, but to give her siblings? "We do have money, we could adopt another kid," he said, mostly to himself.

Elizabeth stumbled and just about dropped her tray. "Get that out of your head," she said. "I love Claire; I can't imagine life without her, but with how our lives have been, there's no way we can have a baby in tow. I need at least ten years of peace and quiet before even thinking about adopting another baby."

Methos laughed. "I didn't mean for you to hear that." He laughed harder. "Ten years of peace and quiet? Need I remind you what you are? Not sure it's going to happen, ever."

"Do you want another kid?"

"No."

"Then why did you bring it up?"

"I was trying to put myself in Claire's shoes. You said she-"

"She also wants to die her hair purple. She can't get everything she wants. She'll have to live with it."

"Purple?" Methos stopped in his tracks looking at Claire's long, naturally curly black hair. "Purple?"

"It's better than orange."

"She's only ten, what will she be like at sixteen?"

Elizabeth smiled. "I can't wait to find out. Instead of asking me if she can dye her hair, when she's ten, she'll just do it when she's sixteen."

"We'll have to keep her in a dungeon until she reaches the age of majority."

"I think that would be considered child abuse, but it is a good idea. We'll have to work out the logistics to make it doable."

"Work out what?" Claire asked as they approached. That girl had great hearing, when it was something she wanted to hear. Words such as clean your room or go to bed usually went in one ear and out the other.

Elizabeth handed the tray to John, who had stood up from the ground as she and Methos got to their knees to join them. She looked at Claire's inquisitive face and said, "My body. I have to work out more."

Everyone grabbed dishes of strawberries and cream and glasses of lemonade and they chatted pleasantly until John looked at his watch and said it was time for them to leave. "I have court in the morning and still have to prepare."

MaryAnn chuckled. "You've been ready for this case for six months, honey. You'll be fine."

"Oh, you're a barrister?" Methos asked John. With all the frivolity of the child's game, he hadn't had a chance to talk with the other man of the family.

"Yes," John replied, and Methos could tell he was eager to talk shop, as most men were. "Wrongful death case. I'm representing the family of Miss Cecile Chapel, who was brutally murdered here in London eight years ago by an international serial killer."

Methos dropped his lemonade; the plastic cover popped off and lemonade spilled out, startling everyone. "My Dad, the klutz," Claire said between spoonfuls of strawberries.

Elizabeth gave him a napkin and also brushed the lemonade stain from his khakis. Their eyes met, and he knew she knew what he was probably thinking. They hadn't talked much about what he'd been up to during her absence with James, but she did know that Methos was the last person to ever see Cecile alive, besides Ludmilla, the Decapitating Stranger.

Methos joked, "Slippery devils," as he mopped off his leg. "I read about that case," he told John. "Who in the world is the Chapel family suing? The killer was caught and killed, right?" Then his throat tightened. No one in the world knew that the Decapitating Stranger was dead, except Methos, Duncan, and Cassandra and the few they chose to tell. When the killings had stopped, the world went on with the next news story. There were only a few documentaries on Discovery Channel or The Learning Channel about the unsolved case, that usually only aired during Halloween week along with Jack the Ripper tales.

Not picking up on Methos' faux pas, John said, "We're suing Interpol, M-1, the CIA, KGB, Scotland Yard, and so on."

"Aim high, huh?" Elizabeth replied, shaking her head.

John argued, "It's a viable case. When the Chapel family first came to my office, I thought they were mad as well, but I made a few phone calls. That lead to being able to investigate law enforcement records here in Great Britain, and what I saw really opened my eyes. They knew more than they lead the public to believe. Did you know the Decapitating Stranger was more than likely a woman? The murder happened in 2004, and a behavioral profiler had deduced the gender of the killer in 2003. There were no public warnings. They had also deduced certain patterns of the killer; I found a memo that actually stated it was certain the Decapitating Stranger would be coming to England, and two days later, Miss Chapel was murdered."

It was grasping at straws, but who's to say who can and cannot sue. Cecile's family had to have been grieving, and he hadn't given them a thought. A pattern of the killer was deduced? How? Methos would love to look at John's files. Ludmilla, as far as Methos knew, was just following him around the world, the whole Decapitating Stranger case was just a juvenile game played by a nutty immortal. How could anyone deduce where Methos had been going next.. when he hadn't know himself? Lucky guess was all that was.

He saw Claire and Joey staring at John and waiting for his next word. Methos said, "Nice talk in front of the kids."

"She killed my dad, too," Joey stated matter of fact. "My first dad."

John's eyes lit up, and he said wondrously, "Your father was Kevin Randall?" John had obviously studied his case well and knew that Kevin was the only American victim who had a family.

As Elizabeth comforted Joey who really didn't want it, Methos quickly tidied up the area and was ready to make tracks. He said hastily, "If you have to prepare for court, you have to prepare. We should be going as well."

"Wait a minute," John said. "I would most certainly like to talk with you, young man."

Elizabeth protectively put her hands on Joey's shoulders and said, "He was very young when it happened. It was extremely traumatic, and he will not be used in your lawsuit against the world at large."

"Yes," John said shamefully. "You're right." He looked to Joey apologetically. "I'm sorry, young man."

MaryAnn said, "How awful. My heart goes out to you."

Joey shrugged. "I have a new dad now. He's pretty cool."

John offered, "Daniel, if you stay in London long, we'd be pleased if you came for dinner one night." John dug into his pocket and then handed Methos his business card.

MaryAnn added, "Please do. There will be no talk about the case. Promise."

Methos shook his head and said, "Sorry. Can't. We're just here on a short vacation."

Elizabeth took Katie Rose from MaryAnn and smiled. "Good luck with your case, nice to meet you. We should be getting the kids back. They have school in the morning."

Grumbles came from Joey and Claire at the sound of that, which surprised Methos. Claire had always enjoyed learning in his hands. His daughter grimaced at her mother and said, "Math is too hard."

"Well, mathematics is the universal constant," Methos said, grabbed both children by the shoulders and nodded his goodbye to the Parkers. Elizabeth promised to give them a ring if she was ever in London again.

Jamie called out to Claire, "Remember my email address? Let's keep in touch."

"Of course," Claire hollered behind her to Jamie, then looked up at her father. "I don't know why we had to leave so fast."

Not only was Methos ready to leave because Megan Willis was in London, but he didn't want the Cecile Chapel case coming back to haunt him. One shouldn't have to be reminded of a one night stand gone terribly wrong in the newspapers. Damn barristers! Ambulance chaser, that's all Parker is!

~~~~~

Back on the Claire Elizabeth, things were immediately back to normal, for the adults who were searching for fun. Methos kept a closer eye on Claire, wondering if Amy's children were enough for her to get a full sampling of a normal childhood. He had asked Elizabeth how many friends she had when she was a girl, and since she had lived in a small town, she replied, "All of Gettysburg. Everyone knew each other. There were times we just fell asleep at someone else's house. Our parents never worried if we didn't come home at night because we all knew each other and watched out for each other. I miss living in a small town."

Gina said, "It's pretty hard to do when you're like us. We have to be forgettable."

Robert nuzzled his wife's neck and said, "So very hard for you, my love."

Elizabeth glanced at Methos nursing his beer and cleared her throat. "That's so romantic, Robert," she said, still looking at Methos. "Haven't you got something to say?"

"Score one for Robert," Methos mused.

"You never have been big on showing affection in public, even when we're just around friends. Or should I take it personally?"

Methos tisked at her. "You're fishing for compliments, my dear."

"You're damn right," Elizabeth said, then laughed along with Gina.

"Robert's the cultured romantic, Guy's a brute, and Mac's not here. I have to keep a level head. That's my job. But," Methos said as he sidled his chair closer to Elizabeth. "Tonight, I am all yours."

"My, how you talk when I fish for compliments," Elizabeth said smiling, and lapping up Methos' attention; he was tickling her ear with his tongue. As he whispered to her, she giggled.

Claire rolled her eyes and said, "Oh, brother," on her way past them.

"Are you suggesting I don't have a level head, Daniel?" Robert asked, not at all offended.

"Well, speaking of level heads, and you wanting yours out of London for some reason," Gina said. "Where are we off to next? I'm thinking Egypt."

Methos pulled himself away from his wife's ear. "We made sure we didn't go anywhere near Egypt, remember? It's not the safest place on earth nowadays," Methos reminded them.

"But we haven't been there in so long." Gina looked to Robert with her puppy dog eyes that she knew he was a sucker for. "Our last visit to Cairo was around 1952, wasn't it?"

Elizabeth spotted Amy coming back on board and made a beeline for her. She looked at the small speed boat that they used to go to shore and searched for Megan. "Where is she?"

"You didn't think I'd actually bring her here, did you?" Amy said, obviously wanting to get to her kids as she had moved past Elizabeth immediately.

A hand on her arm stopped Amy's stride when Elizabeth asked, "What happened? What did you do to her? Does she understand? Is she going to be a problem? Do we have to leave tonight as opposed to in a few days? Where's Guy? He's not... you two didn't kill her, did you?"

"That's enough. I'm not telling you what we did with Megan, but she's alive and breathing, quite happier now as a matter of fact."

"What do you mean? She's a Watcher now? What will she do?"

"Enough with the questions," Amy erupted. "Can this wait until after I hold my baby at least?" Amy started down the deck, but then turned and said, "You know what? Sorry, Liz, but it's Watcher business, and I can't tell you."

"Why not?"

"Because you're an immortal," she whispered, and turned to walk down the deck.

Elizabeth trailed after her. Amy got Katie Rose in her arms and kissed Joey's forehead, he didn't really appreciate it now that he was approaching teenage years. Joey turned to Claire and said, "Let's go play Planet Attack."

Robert teased, "Just don't blow up earth."

Joey gave him a wounded look. "No way. You lose 500,000 points if you do."

Claire added, "But it's so cool."

"That's my girl," Methos said with a smile, but couldn't help but notice the tension between Elizabeth and Amy.

In a few short seconds, the kids were gone. Elizabeth asked, "Amy, how the hell is that fair?"

Amy looked in Elizabeth's direction and smiled sweetly. "Whatever do you mean? I know I'm outnumbered in this group, but Watcher business is Watcher business. I can't tell you, and even if I could, I won't. We had a deal, Liz. I'm not going back on my end of the bargain."

Methos, Robert, and Gina all cleared their throats and immediately took sips of their wine and beer. Amy said, "Right? We don't like to bring it up, but you are who you are and Guy and I are who we are."

"You seem to get more out of this bargain than we do," Elizabeth spouted as she grabbed her whiskey coke and stalked to the rail.

Amy called after her, "Because me and my family get to live on a big boat? Sure. I get to spend time with you? Yes. You get to have Watchers that only tell the truth and what's important in your chronicles? You're damn right!"

Elizabeth whirled around and said, "We haven't done a damn thing that any Watcher would misinterpret."

Amy indicated Methos, "Except for what he really is."

Elizabeth spouted, "Any new Watcher assigned wouldn't know what he was, unless you tell them, so we're fine with whoever is assigned to us."

"Would you like a new Watcher? It could surely be arranged," Amy replied in a hot manner.

Gina asked wondrously, "What's going on? What happened? You two are closer friends than any two women I've seen."

Methos said, "And they can have good old fashioned cat fights as well."

"Excuse me?" Elizabeth and Amy accosted Methos simultaneously.

"When it comes to Amy's occupation," Methos added lightly. When that didn't soften the blow, he held up his hands in defeat and said he needed to get another beer.

After he left, Elizabeth needled Amy a little more. "We know Megan, I'm concerned about what's happened to her and that Guy hasn't plugged her in the head and she's floating in the brink by now."

"Yeah, right," Amy sourly said. "We're only hired assassins."

"Just tell me what you did with her. Are we still in danger from her?"

"Danger?" Amy laughed. "She's a confused young, rich woman, who ran into a couple of people she thought were just part of a bad dream. Don't interfere, Liz. This is Watcher business and you have no right to know."

"This is about friendship, not about the inner workings of the Watchers. I want to know what happened to her!"

Amy paused, and kissed Katie Rose on the head. "I'm sorry. You're just going to have to hate me."

"No problem." Elizabeth was ready to walk wherever Methos went; the thought of getting away from people seemed like a dream. She had not liked the Watchers since she found out about them a decade ago.

Amy called after her, in a tone that suggested Elizabeth was a child, "I'm walking a very fine line here. I can't tell you!"

Elizabeth dropped the handle of the door leading to the stairs down to the galley and said, "You chose to walk that line, Amy. No one forced you. You've been acting like you're the great savior since you took over his chronicle. I was almost killed because you didn't let your friend know-!"

Elizabeth paused. She was not going to think about the Cole Roberts mess, especially not in front of others. She collected herself and said, "Fine. Okay. I can live with it. I can't rely on you, I know that now. We never should have stepped aside to let you and Guy take over with Megan."

"Yes, you should have."

"I would have liked to talk to her at least, but since you put being a damn Watcher before our friendship... well I now really know the rules and won't confuse you as my friend anymore. Don't worry about that damn line, Amy. I know exactly where it is; it's right between you and me."

After Elizabeth left, Amy sat down at the table with Katie Rose, who was now her sole focus.

Robert and Gina shrugged to each other, not sure how to act after that. Robert said, "Well, I gather something happened today."

"Something besides the fact that I found a wonderful Matisse," Gina added softly.

"I'm sorry," Amy said, fiddling with Katie Rose's outfit. "I can't talk about it. Just suffice it to say that Liz flew off the handle and did something really stupid eight years ago. Now she's just embarrassed, that we have to play clean up."

~~~~~

Elizabeth mixed herself another drink in the galley, having not found Methos there, but could feel his immortal sensation below deck. Or, maybe that was still Robert and Gina above. The buzz of so many immortals close by pissed her off for the first time since they had all started the voyage as one big happy family. She was just leaving the galley when Myrtle walked in to start dinner. The plump German they had hired two months before was an excellent cook, but when she asked Elizabeth how lamb sounded for dinner, Elizabeth wasn't at all hungry. "I'm sure it will be fine, thank you."

She went out into the small hallway and felt claustrophobic. How dare Amy not even tell her about Megan's mental condition. Not that Elizabeth cared all that much, it was the principle of the thing. She could hear the kids playing some video game in Joey's room and moved down the hall. She felt bad about her mental dismissal of Megan. She did care about the girl. It was because of Angel Bancroft that Megan's innocent brother was murdered. The reason she had given Angel's bankroll of eight million dollars to Megan and Grace had been guilt. Grace! Elizabeth would have liked to know what happened to Grace. Was she in London also? How did Megan end up in London? There were so many questions, and Amy made it impossible for her to get any answers about what happened to the Willis women during the past eight years. For all Elizabeth knew, some loyal member of Cole Roberts or Cameron James' crew could have figured out who they were, whose money they had, and come back to exact revenge because they couldn't find Angel.

Elizabeth slammed the door to their cabin, startling Methos, who was sitting at the laptop. "Sorry," she mumbled before setting down her whiskey coke and laying down on the bed.

"Go talk to Amy," he said, sipping his beer and looking back at the Ebay screen on his laptop.

"No way. I just might tear some hair from her head."

Methos chuckled and turned in his seat. "Why?"

"I want to know what happened to Megan."

"Why?"

"I'm curious?"

"Get over it."

"I feel guilty, okay? I want to know that she's all right."

Methos shrugged and typed something else on the laptop. "She looked fine to me, and Amy wouldn't have come back if she wasn't."

"How do you know?"

"I don't. I just prefer to think that way." He clicked a send button and turned to face her. "What does it matter? This is better. Megan isn't out there spreading wild tales, that granted no one would take seriously. She's in the nice, comforting hands of the Watchers," he said ironically. "Forget about it." Methos turned back to the screen, extremely interested in one auction in particular.

"Who are you and what did you do with my paranoid husband?" Elizabeth sat up and looked at the laptop's screen.

"I was never paranoid. I'm careful."

"Tomato, to-mah-to. What are you doing?"

Methos fidgeted in his chair and looked apprehensively at the screen. He hit refresh, then clapped his hands and stood up in victory. "Got it!"

"Hm?"

"I know you want to stay on this boat and sail forever with all those people, but I just purchased a new house. I can't believe I got the bid. Well, I can believe it, I have more money than the British Historical Society."

"I wouldn't mind moving," Elizabeth said, sitting at the desk. "You bought a house?"

"A manor, once the summer residence of King Albert."

"A friend of yours?" Elizabeth asked lightly, wanting a story to get her out of her foul mood. She could tell by Methos' face that he held this King she couldn't place in high regard. "A good friend, I hope?"

"Albert was an amazing ruler."

"Of England?"

"Of course. Albert. One of the most favored kings. He hired me along with other scholars to make England literate. He was the first man in a high position, that I remember, who thought education was important. He also had quite a task in holding off the Vikings."

She looked at the picture of the house on screen, with the "End of Auction" notice on top. It was what is now called a tutor style home with arched gables, thatched roof, and looked to be four stories tall. "How much did you pay for this summer residence?"

Her eyes bugged out when she scrolled down to see the price. "Is that dollars or pounds?"

"Pounds, and it's a bargain. Let's pack. I'll fill you and Claire in on Albert on the way."

She looked at the picture of Gladstone Estate. The house looked pretty with white walls and dark wood beams accenting its architecture. "Is that a paved parking lot in the front yard?"

"Yes," Methos said shrugging. "The owners ran tours through it to pay for its upkeep. We can rip it out and plant grass."

"Kent? It's in Kent? Where's Kent?"

"Not far from here. Beautiful area. I know you'll like it. I've had my eye on the Gladstone auction since it went up five days ago. I've even done some research on schools where Claire will feel comfortable."

He picked up some paper that had been printed out, still on the printer rack. "Come on, pack. I'll show them to you in the morning."

"Methos, it's getting dark and all we have is the community rental car. Are we going to walk with all our possessions?"

"You're right. I'm a little too excited." Methos knelt on the floor between her knees. "Just think. Just you, me, and Claire, and no one else. For miles."

"No neighbors?"

"Um," Methos paused. "Not for miles, but there are neighbors if you really want neighbors. You'll just have a hike to get to them."

"Actually, the thought of the three of us alone sounds like heaven. As long as a couple of Watchers and their children aren't invited."

"Excellent." He kissed her with happiness, then said, "I've brought up the subject with Robert, and he and Gina may be open to buying this monstrosity from us and sail on to gods know where."

"When was this?"

"Last night over drinks when you went to that play."

"He didn't mention it, in fact, you didn't mention it."

"We were just talking."

Elizabeth didn't like being kept in the dark, but knew that Methos wouldn't buy a house they wouldn't like, or put them in a position she wasn't comfortable in. The ship had been her idea, it was only fair that their next place be his. "I'd like a few years away from Amy, but eventually, I'd like to see my goddaughter again. Claire may miss Joey."

"She'll make new friends."

"That seems to be the pattern in her life."

"I'm paying enough for this house, we can stay there for a while," Methos said assuredly.

"I've heard that before. I never drifted much in my life till I met you."

"Hey, as long as we're together, right? You're not wishing you were single again?"

"Not on your life, bud." Elizabeth wrapped her arms around him. "The only great things in my life are you and Claire. Never think otherwise."

"That's better," Methos said, smiling. Then he said, "Get up. I have to transfer some funds to pay for our new home."

Elizabeth stood and Methos took her place. He kept the Ebay screen up and pointed once again at the picture with pride. "The picture doesn't do it justice. It's a great house. The owners refused the British Historical Society's offer because they weren't willing to pay what they wanted; then put it up for auction to thumb their noses at the Society, so to speak. Do you know the best part of the history of that manor? It's holy ground. Albert's wife put a chapel on the grounds, and after Albert died, it became a monastery. Once land is sanctified holy, it's holy ground."

"Sounds great," Elizabeth said, wrapping her arms around him from behind as he opened his account on line with a Cayman Island bank. "No Watchers either?"

"No Watchers, except Joe if he cares to visit, no immortals but us, or Mac if he cares to visit, no worries, no problems, just us."

"Sounds like heaven," Elizabeth laid her head on his shoulder and just watched him methodically log into the site, transfer funds, and pay the auction through paypal.com. She laughed as he so nonchalantly transferred 12.2 million pounds, and tried to picture what their life would be like in that fuzzy picture of their new home. She mused aloud, "It will be nice to have my daughter back. She still spends most of her time with Gina. I hope she still likes me."

"You're her mother."

"That's not the same as being liked."

Methos cautioned, "Just don't try to be her friend, stay her mother, and you'll both be fine."

"I'm not a mother from hell, am I?"

"Done," Methos said, shutting off the computer and taking Elizabeth into his arms. "Now, I like that you're fighting with Amy because that means you're willing to make a change. But really, why are you so upset with her?"

"She won't talk to me. I just want some answers."

"It's hard to be friends with your Watcher," Methos said sagely. "I believe I may have mentioned that long ago, but you two were in a blush of good cheer about the way this had ended up, who was I to tell you any different."

"It would be easy if she would just give a little."

"Or you quit prying."

"Prying? Megan is from my life, not hers. Amy took Megan away."

"What? Did you want to adopt her? Megan's a bit old for that."

"No. In fact, I never want to see her again, but Amy," Elizabeth said, ready to go off on a tangent.

"But Amy nothing. She's doing her job."

Elizabeth got up and said, "Don't you defend her. She's wrong, and I'm right."

"Bully for you. Meanwhile, she's probably as miserable as you are."

"I'm not miserable."

"You put on a pretty good show then." Methos chuckled as he shook his head. "You and Amy remind me so much of Mac and Joe. They never really got the hang of being friends with immortality and the Watchers between them."

"Duncan and Joe are great friends," Elizabeth argued.

"And so are you and Amy. Keep that in mind when you speak to her." It only took a few words to irretrievably break down a friendship. Methos knew that Elizabeth and Amy had a bond that shouldn't be broken, not for anything. He was glad that Elizabeth had accepted his act with Amy just after Kevin was killed; Methos had always wanted nothing but the best for Joe's daughter, because Joe was the one who was most like a brother to him. You protect family. Methos smiled. They were all like family. They needed Amy, Joe, Duncan, Amanda, Robert and Gina in their lives, just not all the time the way they had been living. It was time for a change. He asked, "Ready to leave?" but he could see Elizabeth's mind was more than likely on Amy as well.

"I smell lamb. God, that Myrtle's a good cook."

"As the late Henry VIII always said, 'It's best to not think on an empty stomach.' Let's go."

"I have a feeling that with our new home will come many a reference to a dead English monarch."

"Prepare yourself. England is my home."

"You said you were born in what is now Finland."

"But I've lived on and off in England since before England was a kingdom. Much like Claire is our daughter even though we didn't conceive her and you didn't give birth to her, or the Hiccocks loved you, England is my home. Why do you think I speak with an English accent?"

"Because you know it sends chills of excitement down my spine when it hits that low register when you whisper in my ear," Elizabeth cooed as she peppered his silken neck with kisses.

"Yes, Lizzie. That's exactly why I've spoken with a British accent since before you were born. I knew you would one day come to life, we'd get together, and my accent would reduce you to putty in my hands."

He was ready to lay her on the bed, but she wrangled free. "I'm hungry. Can we pick up on this later?"

Soon, he was sitting at the end of the bed, alone. "Food calls, I guess," he moaned.

~~~~~

Over dinner, Methos asked Robert if he still wanted to buy the Claire Elizabeth, because it was now definitely for sale. Amy cast a glare in Elizabeth's direction about that, to which Elizabeth only shrugged in response. "You're selling the boat because I won't tell you about Megan? How juvenile can one immortal be?"

"I for one, would love to purchase this vessel," Robert said, and Gina immediately agreed. He added, with his arm around Gina, "I would love to sail with only my beautiful wife."

Methos could tell that the De Valicourts were probably as sick of the close confines as he was. When the cruise began, no one had any idea how long they would be together, and it surprised Methos to realize it had been almost two years since they had set sail.

"Not that this hasn't been a joy," Gina countered. "It's been wonderful spending time with all of you. Why are you selling?"

Methos noticed Elizabeth slightly shake her head and he chuckled. As if he would tell them. Methos hadn't felt the need to inform others of his whereabouts for about 2500 years. "I want to be on land for a while," was all he said.

Amy cleared her throat and asked, "Elizabeth? Care to join me for a glass of wine on deck?"

"No thank you," Elizabeth said, continuing to eat. "This is the best lamb I've ever had."

Gina, obviously excited about being able to really make changes and take over, wondered aloud, "We can hire the crew, including Myrtle?"

Amy tossed her napkin on her plate and said, "Liz. Come. Now," just before leaving the dining area.

Elizabeth just kept eating. Gina nudged her. "If you don't mind, can you explain why you're suddenly bitter enemies with your best friend?"

"We're not enemies," Elizabeth said. "We're just not seeing eye to eye on something at the moment."

"I myself have never lived with a Watcher before," Robert said. "It's been an education."

Gina wondered, "Do we have Watchers? I wonder how they're dealing with our traveling. I've never given it a thought before."

"Amy's going to have to do what your Watchers are doing. She's had it too good. Why should we do her job for her?"

"Get off your ass and go talk to her," Methos told Elizabeth.

"If I hear a fat joke coming on, I swear-"

"Go talk to your friend."

Elizabeth sighed and picked up the leg of lamb on Methos' plate and walked to the door. "Yes, sir."

"Women," he muttered, then caught Gina's glare.

~~~~~

Elizabeth checked on the kids, who were watching a DVD with Katie Rose in Claire's lap. "After the movie, you should get to bed, Claire. We have a long day tomorrow." She didn't know how much she would say in front of Joey, and hoped her daughter wouldn't backtalk at that moment.

Elizabeth's hopes were dashed when Claire whined, "We're going to watch Predator next."

"Predator? What's that?"

"A really old movie that Guy said was rockin'. The first one, not the sequels. We have popcorn and everything."

She cringed when she heard Guy's name. His taste in movies had to be atrocious, but she wasn't in the mood to argue with Claire at the moment, she had to steel herself for Amy. "Don't blame me if you're tired tomorrow then." Elizabeth left the doorway and heard Joey ask what was planned tomorrow, to which Claire said, "Math final."

Elizabeth smiled when she heard Joey groan. "Your mom and dad are worse than regular teachers."

Amy was in her bedroom putting away laundry that the maid, Tracy, had folded neatly on her bed when Elizabeth walked in and sat on the bed. Both women diverted their eyes. There was a time, so long ago, when Amy and Elizabeth would talk every chance they got, starting when they lived in New York City and the only secret between them was Elizabeth's immortality and Amy's past as a Watcher. Even though her immortality was always in the back of Elizabeth's mind in those days, she never felt guilty for not confiding in Amy, totally unaware that she knew exactly what immortality was. Now, the only secrets between them were Megan's whereabouts and Elizabeth's new home.

"How are you doing?" Elizabeth asked, feeling a little bad about their bickering; she didn't want to leave half-cocked. Besides, if Amy thought the argument was over, she might spill something.

Amy said, "Great. I just love coming home to an argument."

Home. Well she and Guy can keep living the high life for free, if it's okay with Robert and Gina, but somehow I don't think so, Elizabeth thought with a grin.

Amy didn't interpret Elizabeth's grin as a good thing. Not at all. "I'll bet you were a whiz on the debate team. Oh," she paused for effect. "Did they have debate teams back in the day when you were in school? Like, 200 years ago?"

"No, but I was pretty good at Math, and I was in school 170 years ago."

"Am I supposed to be impressed?"

"About what?"

"Nothing." Even though Amy had stowed all of her and Guy's clothes, she was straightening the sweaters that she hadn't worn for months.

"Okay, fine. This isn't going anywhere." Elizabeth moved to the door since it seemed obvious they couldn't carry on a civil conversation anymore.

"Look, I'm sorry I can't tell you about the inner workings of the Watchers, but that was the deal."

"I'm not asking for anything about the Watchers," Elizabeth said with her hand on the doorknob. "If you can get past that one little important detail that you so revere, I would just like to know how Megan's been doing all these years, and you took her away before I could ask her."

"She wasn't in any condition to have a chat with you, Liz. It took a long time to calm her down."

"That was probably because she was scared you'd kill her. I'm surprised she got in the car with you at all." Elizabeth knew that Megan had to be naive about a lot of things in the world.

Amy shook her head and punched the shelf. "Will you stop implying the Watchers are assassins? I wouldn't be a part of them if they were. We had to calm her down because of what she witnessed. If you'd had a Watcher back then, the poor girl would have been filled in at that time. She never would have been allowed to leave with information that would just needle her for the rest of her life."

"If I had a Watcher..." Elizabeth took time to let that sink in. "I'm supposed to care if someone's following me night and day?"

"You didn't have one, and from the sound of it, Angel could have used one. That time is all piecemeal in your chronicle."

"I could have used one? What the fuck are you talking about? It's my fault that I 'died' and the Watcher assigned to James didn't know or care that I was still alive?"

"You take great joy in ditching Watchers, you always have."

"I didn't even know about Watchers until I met you!"

"I'm just stating a fact," Amy said calmly, in such a calm manner that Elizabeth wanted to take a swing at her. Amy said forcefully, "You want to talk about Megan, well I'm talking now. If the Watchers had been present in that warehouse, Megan and Grace wouldn't have been left at a loss and wondering about their sanity the last eight years."

"You saw Grace?"

Amy hesitated, and then disclosed, "No. She's dead."

"What?!"

"I'm sorry to reveal that out of the blue. I know you cared for Grace. She died of cancer two years ago."

Elizabeth slumped into a nearby chair. Grief washed over her for the kind woman who had taken care of Claire when there was no one else she could turn to; when Amanda had been taken by James' men. 'I know you cared for Grace'? "Damn it, Amy! How the fuck do you know I cared about Grace? The only reason was because I told you! Did you put that into my chronicle? Are you taking notes all the time?! You said you wouldn't!"

"Of course not, but I did know what you told me while talking to Megan, and I had to use it to make the woman to talk to me."

"You used it? What else are you using?"

"I think we'd better change topics."

"I think I never want to speak to you again. You take, take, take and give nothing in return!"

"I've been a good friend to you! Come one, you're not thinking clearly."

Elizabeth laughed bitterly. "You have been on a cruise, sailing the seven seas! You've been privy to everything in my life. No more, honey. That's it. Get your scrawny little ass off this ship, now!"

The door opened and Methos walked in, scanned the both of them. "Your voices are carrying. Reverberating, as a matter of fact."

"I have nothing more to say," Elizabeth said, "Except get your things and get the hell out of here."

"When Guy comes back in the morning, will do," Amy said. Elizabeth stalked out, brushing past Methos so violently that she almost knocked him off his feet.

Before Amy could continue, Methos said calmly, "You don't have to go anywhere. It's been an eventful day and she's wound up."

"I'm not staying where I'm not wanted, but I'm sure as hell not moving my children in the middle of the night."

"Don't worry about it, Amy. There's a new day tomorrow."

"What happened today?" Amy asked. "I don't know if our substitute watcher was with you, so was there something we should know about? Did she take another head?"

Methos shoved his hands in his pockets and chuckled. "Liz met up with a young woman who she felt guilty about. Is that not enough?"

Seeing the flash of guilt that crossed Amy's face Methos continued, "Sure, it's probably not something the Watchers want to know, but it's profoundly important to Lizzie. See? That's what's wrong with the concept of the Watchers at its core element. You still don't think of us as people with feelings, humor, love, and guilt. You only want to know who's head was taken, where, when, and how. You probably don't wonder why, and most importantly, who else is affected by it." He guilelessly popped Amy on the shoulder. "Thanks for letting me know there's a substitute Watcher when you or Mr. High Life aren't around."

Methos heard their bedroom door slam when he went to check on Claire. He had cautioned the kids that it would be better to go to bed and let 'Predator' wait for another day when Elizabeth and Amy's argument had grown in decibels. There wasn't a chance in hell his daughter was watching that awful movie, and if that's the sort of entertainment Guy Barstow thought was good for their children, Methos was putting an end to Barstow's involvement in their personal lives.

Claire was lying in her bed with a stuffed bunny on her stomach, flipping its ears back and forth. She didn't smile when he entered the room, and the first thing out of her mouth was, "Mom was cussing."

"Yeah, Mom's upset."

"But she's smart enough to think of something other than the f-word, isn't she? That's what you've always told me. 'Swearing is only done by those who can't think of anything better to say.' Why is she mad at Aunt Amy?"

"This is just an argument, they'll work it out. Hey," Methos said, sitting on the side of the bed and pulling the blanket up on Claire. "Remember when we talked about making a change and maybe leaving this boat?"

"Did you find something?"

Methos smiled. She was quick and hopefully would be open to leaving when he and Elizabeth were ready. "Yep. Really neat old house, in a tranquil area, here in England."

"Cool. I like England, from what I've seen. They speak English, but there was a girl Jamie and I were talking to at the park. She spoke French."

"There's all sorts of nationalities living in England. Think it would be nice to live here?"

"Will I go to school? I don't know if I like you and Mom teaching me anymore."

"Why not?" Methos felt wounded.

"Too much homework."

He laughed. "You're getting older and your brain is getting bigger, so we have to make sure we fill it."

"I'd like to go to school again. I liked going to school in Reading."

"Do you miss your friends?"

She shrugged. "I got an email from Cathy yesterday. She got a new puppy."

Methos nodded, knowing what was coming next. They had left Tinker back in Reading with Dallas when they sold him Canterbury Stables; after they moved because of the Chuck Montgomery incident. Methos wondered if all the moving was good for Claire. He was glad, though, that they had been able to shield most of the madness of immortality from her. For a moment, he wondered how long he would be able to do that. For now, Claire was tired, she yawned deeply. He kissed her forehead and said, "Sleep well, Little One. I love you."

"Love you too, Dad. Kiss Mom good night for me."

"Do it yourself."

Claire happily started to get out of bed, but Methos said, "Whoa. Mom'll be right in." Methos tucked her in one last time and went to the door. He turned off the overhead light and the three way lamp on low was the only light left. Methos kept the door ajar when he whispered, "Good night."

Methos walked into their bedroom to see Elizabeth already in bed. She showed her agitation by punching her pillow three times before settling her head upon it. Methos said, "Don't get too comfortable. Claire wants to say good night."

Without a word, Elizabeth got out of bed, put on her robe and walked out the door. Methos hoped her anger at Amy wouldn't spread to him, he was in too good a mood. Considering Elizabeth was mad at Amy, they had no barriers to getting away from everyone. Time alone with his family was just what Methos had wanted for a long time.

As he stripped down to his boxers and climbed into bed, he thought about how much he had changed in the ten years since he had known Elizabeth. He had spend the last six months itching to get away, just the three of them, but Claire seemed as happy as Elizabeth with their circle of friends. After taking Milroy's head, it was as if Elizabeth got a second lease on life and had established a firm friendship with Gina. If someone had told Methos a decade ago that he would take two other people's wants and needs into consideration, he would surely have thought them drunk.

Methos was just nodding off to sleep when he sensed Elizabeth's buzz near, then felt her body slide into bed. She wrapped her arm and leg over his and he could feel her breath on his ear as she whispered, "Claire and I came up with a plan."

Methos chuckled. "Can't wait to hear it." He turned his body to face her fully.

"Claire doesn't have that Math test tomorrow."

"Why?"

"Because in two hours when everyone is asleep," Elizabeth continued to whisper, "We're going to get up, pack only what we absolutely need, and get the hell out of here."

Methos was intrigued, but had a thought that was a hitch in the plan. "Robert hasn't paid for the ship yet."

"You bought a twelve million pound estate without needing the money for this ship. We'll survive. Robert and Gina are good for it. We'll figure that out later."

Methos grabbed her and spun them over in bed. He looked down at her pleased. "We'll take the car, they can get their own in the morning. It's only a two mile walk to the car rental agency."

They giggled lightly and held hands, just looking at each other as it all sank in; this was a new chapter in their lives. He asked, "Are you sure about this?"

She brushed the hair on his head and said, "I'm sorry for making you stay with the others as long as I did."

"I want to make sure you're sure. Because if you're not sure and something goes wrong, even if something goes a little awry, you can't blame me for it. This is your idea, remember."

"Yes, sir. My fault, or my folly, but I want to get out of here and quietly so Amy won't be able to find us unless she uses those oh-so-perfect Watcher skills she has. It's like she invented being a Watcher or something."

"You're not going to stay mad at her forever are you?"

"No, just long enough for her to know that she can't play both sides, especially when I get the short end of the stick."

"You and her are so like Joe and Mac, it's almost scary."

"That's a compliment, thank you very much."

Methos slid his arm down her side as she lay under him, then played with one of her curls, enjoying her Cheshire cat grin. "You like putting one over on someone, don't you?"

"Depends on what I'm putting over and who the put upon person is."

"What are we going to do for two whole hours?" Methos whispered in her ear in that low register she had mentioned earlier.

Elizabeth shivered with delight and said, "If I have to spell it out for you, we're in a serious slump in our relationship."

"No need to draw me pictures," Methos said before covering her mouth and reexploring every inch of her body.

Continued