THE ELIZABETH SERIES

CHAPTER EIGHTY-SEVEN

THE INTERVIEW

by JoLayne

RATING: PG-13

CHARACTERS: M, D, A, Amy, OC's Elizabeth, Claire, Katie, May Nash, Maurice Humphrey

SUMMARY: Elizabeth has her job interview.

DISCLAIMER: All characters and concepts you recognize from Highlander: The Series are owned by Panzer/Davis, and maybe Greg Widen. Just using them for fun, no profit is expected or pursued.

~~~~~

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2013
NEW YORK CITY

Elizabeth kept staring at Duncan's sweaty, muscular physique, even after he stopped his kata and stared at her, standing next to Amanda, and leaning against the corner to silently take in his performance. She didn't realize he wasn't staring at her when the voice broke behind her again, "May I ask who that is? This is your friend? The one you left the care of your child to?"

Elizabeth turned to see May Nash, the county worker who was there to see how well Claire was getting along in the care of her parents, looking from Amanda, at least six inches taller and fifty pounds lighter than her middle-aged frame.

Leaving her trance of delightfully watching Duncan's kata with his wife, Elizabeth smiled at May and said, "Yes. This is Amanda, one of my best friends." As Amanda hesitantly held her hand out to May, and May graciously shook it, Elizabeth motioned Duncan to come closer as he was wiping his brow with a hotel white terry cloth towel. "And this is Amanda's husband, Duncan MacLeod."

As Duncan, looking a bit sheepish about having been watched, though Elizabeth couldn't imagine that he wouldn't have stopped when he felt her approaching buzz if he didn't want to, shook May's hand with a cordial smile.

"Of course Daniel and I left Claire in their care for a short while today because we both would trust them with our lives."

"Interesting friends you have, Elizabeth," May commented, looking up at Amanda and Duncan. Elizabeth almost expected her to put out a legal pad and start making notes, but the older woman didn't do that. She seemed to try and smooth a stray gray hair and stick her hands in her pockets. Her eyes lingered on Duncan and asked, "Do you spend a lot of time in the gym?"

"Not really," Duncan said, a bit confused.

Amanda told May, "His body is what you call maintenance."

"I guess you have to have had it to maintain it," May replied and seemed to hide her own body that was under her brown overcoat. "How long have you known Elizabeth and Daniel Gordon?"

Duncan replied, "I've known Dan for almost 25 years, and Liz for about..." He thankfully looked at Elizabeth, who shot him a don't tell too much look. "Ten?"

"Oh," May said with surprise. She dug into her formidably large black vinyl purse and then pulled out a file folder with papers inside. She sat on the sofa, that was pushed along with the rest of the furniture in the room to one side so Duncan would have had plenty of room for his exercise, and went through the file. Elizabeth thought she was collecting way too many files in different people's hands for comfort. Not only May, but Dr. Bradford and Dr. Stone, and who knew how many prospective employers had to have made a file with her resume... at least she hoped they did and not just shove them into a drawer with others, or worse yet, threw them away as soon as they opened the envelops. "Were you their matchmaker, Mr. MacLeod? It says here that Daniel and Elizabeth have only been married for six years."

"No, they found themselves on their own." Duncan looked to Elizabeth with a look that made her think he was wondering who this woman was.

At least it was Duncan who had spoken first. If it was Amanda, love her as Elizabeth did, Amanda might have teased she'd known Daniel for centuries. In order to get them both up to speed so no mistakes were made, Elizabeth said, "Ms. Nash is a social worker from the county. Claire was placed in her care while she was in the hospital and we were... you know... kidnaped."

Before Elizabeth could tell them anything more, such as this was a surprise visit to monitor Claire's health and safety, the door bell rang and Amanda went to answer it. Amanda erupted in a shrill, "Mac! You shouldn't have."

"Shouldn't have what?"

Amanda entered the living room with a big bouquet of flowers. Even though there was green tissue paper surrounding them, one couldn't miss that they were red roses. "Tip the man, will you honey?" she asked as she set the bouquet on the table and started to unwrap the green wrapping. When she pulled out the card, she grimaced at the envelop. "They're for you."

"Me?" Elizabeth asked when Amanda glared at her.

"Why are you sending roses to Liz?" Amanda demanded when Duncan returned from closing the door after tipping the delivery man.

"They're not from me!"

There was only one person she could think of who did send them, but why? Elizabeth ripped open the yellow envelop that looked like it had a Hallmark card inside and sniffed the now uncovered roses at the same time, not being able to help smiling. The front of the card read "When life hands you lemons," with, what else?, a bunch of lemons as the background picture. When Elizabeth opened it, she groaned at the message, "Make lemonade," with a picture of a well endowed man in Speedos holding a frosty glass of lemonade in his hand. In Methos' handwriting, there was a message, "Chin up, sweetheart. We all have moments when we're not in control. I love you." In smaller handwriting at the bottom, he had written, "Ignore the scantily clad exhibitionist, it's the message I wanted to convey on such short notice. See you at Jean Luc at 507 Columbus Circle at 7:30 on the dot. Dress up or they won't let you in, stilettoes a must."

Elizabeth almost collapsed in giggles with heart-warming love for her wacky husband, and just plain awe that he had done this behind her back. Amanda caught site of the man in the card and tisked, "Both of our men put him to shame."

"You've never spoken truer words, Amanda," Elizabeth agreed, then put her attention on the roses, forgetting that May was still there.

"May I see Claire?" May asked, taking Elizabeth out of her reverie with the scent of the roses and the thought of her gorgeous husband.

"She's in the other room with a friend," Amanda said, pointing to a bedroom door.

"Another friend."

May seemed, to Elizabeth, to have said that with a bit of irony, as if she and Methos usually didn't have much to do with Claire and this was usual for them, to leave her with others.

Before Elizabeth could say anything, Duncan seemed to have picked up the scent as well. "Yeah. Claire's in the bedroom with one of her friends she doesn't see very often, and I'm going to get into the shower to clean up, then my beautiful wife and I are escorting Claire and Joey to a musical this evening."

"Oh?" May seemed a bit more upbeat, but there was a definite nosiness to her reply.

"Yes. After all Liz and Dan have gone through in the past few months, we wanted them to be able to spend the night alone. Since Amanda and I aren't lucky enough to have children of our own, we're more than happy to spend evenings such as this with Claire."

Elizabeth hoped Duncan wouldn't pour it on too thick, but he was on a roll. She hadn't known they were going to take Claire for the night, but then that could have been another thing Methos had planned behind her back. She was really starting to love Methos' covertness. It added a special layer of delight to his surprises. She also wondered if Methos knew that this was "day of atonement with Manhattan County Social Services."

"Hey, Claire! Joey!" Amanda called. "Come on out here."

After "just a minute," and "Now?" from the bedroom, Claire opened the door and smiled when she saw Elizabeth. "Hey, mom. Joey was just telling me about his classes he's taking this year. They sound so fun. Can we stay in New York? I want to go to school again." When she saw May, she said, "Oh, hi, Miss Nash."

May smiled. "May I ask where Claire's father is?"

"As I told you, he's running errands," Elizabeth said a bit guardedly.

"For that evening he has planned," Amanda said.

Duncan said, "If you'd like to join us for dinner before the musical, you're more than welcome, Ms. Nash. You can visit with Claire then." Elizabeth was stunned at the lengths with which Duncan would help her and Methos out to even invite her to join them for the evening. "Or, you can call on the Gordons tomorrow afternoon and will probably find them going to a museum..."

Elizabeth shuttered a bit at the mention of the scene of her last panic attack and didn't think she'd be stepping back into the Metropolitan or any other museum for a while.

Duncan continued with a smile, "Or playing Scrabble, or even making angels in the snow."

Because Elizabeth made a face to him, he knew she wondered how he knew they done that recently, he said, "Claire told us."

"Yeah, so cute." Amanda said and then added, "What a precious family."

Knowing that it was really getting thick in there, Elizabeth said, "That's a good idea, if you'd like to see Daniel as well. We can expect you tomorrow. I have an appointment early afternoon, but would certain look forward to meeting with you."

"No, this really should be an unannounced visit. I'll get in touch with you in the future, Liz. Claire. So nice to see you're feeling better." She looked at them all and said, "Well, I'll write this up in my report and pay a visit to you at some point in the near future. Are you and Daniel planning on staying in the city?"

"For the time being. We'll have to have family chat about Claire's desire to reenter school and of course, stay near her doctors until she's completely recovered."

"Good, good," May nodded. "Well, nice to meet you all."

With little fanfare, Duncan opened the door for May, and she took one last long look at his physique before sighing and leaving.

"I can go to school with Joey?" Claire asked with excitement.

"I'm not sure about "with" him, he's older than you. You'd have to go to an elementary school, dear. We'll see."

"Actually, I was quizzing her on some stuff from my last test, and she knew the answers. I can bring guests to school. Can she come as a visitor and sit in on my classes with me tomorrow?"

"We were supposed to be playing Scrabble or going to a museum," Elizabeth said, almost laughing as she looked at Duncan, who shrugged.

"We do that all the time." Claire almost begged, "Please, Mom. It sounds like fun, and I can see if I like his teachers and the school and his friends. Please?"

"A kid who wants to go to school when they don't have to?" Amanda asked. "World's changing."

"It's Joey's school or Dad," Claire explained. "I want to see what it's like. Please, Mom?"

"I'll have to talk to your dad," Elizabeth offered, but continued, "I don't know anything about your school, Joey. Where it is, what it's called, what grade you're in, what time school starts, what you might need to bring."

Joey and Claire both trumpeted answers to her questions. She held up her hands, seeing the obvious that Joey needed Claire's friendship as much as Claire did. "Whoa, whoa. Claire. If you're going to spend the night here... it's too soon. How about if we talk it over this weekend and you can on Monday. Will that work?"

Disgruntlement reigned with the children, but Amanda said, "And hey, I'm not getting you up at the crack of dawn for school, and Joey, you're going home tonight. Amy said you had to be back at 11:30, right after it's finished."

"Claire, I have a bit of news that I haven't even told your dad yet."

"Good news?"

"Could be. I got a job interview tomorrow afternoon."

"Here in New York?"

"Yep, Columbia University!" Elizabeth couldn't hide her excitement anymore and whooped along with Claire as they high fived. "They need a history professor, like, right now, and the dean called me about an hour ago on my cell. I had even totally forgotten I had sent out those resumes."

"Congratulations, Liz," Duncan said as Amanda was grinning and pulled Elizabeth into a hug.

"Good going, Mom! You remembered to keep your cell phone charged." Claire wrapped her arms around Elizabeth's waist and held her tight, making Elizabeth feel especially good. She hoped that Methos' reaction would be the same, and if she was offered the position and it was everything Elizabeth hoped, he'd be happy to stick around this area. She knew that ugly sword had his attention at the museum, but if things pan out with the professorship, hopefully Methos would want to stay here after he had that sword back in his possession.

Elizabeth saw one of the pins in Claire's shoulder look a bit droopy and touched it without thinking. To her amazement, Claire didn't cringe in pain. "Is that one just about to come out?" Elizabeth asked her with a bit of a sour stomach at the prospect of modern day medicine. In some ways it was just as gross as nineteenth century techniques.

"I think so. Joey wanted to pull it out, but I wouldn't let him. So, can I go to school with him tomorrow?"

Claire had looked up at her with bright, shining, hopeful eyes, but Elizabeth said, "I told you, Monday, Claire. We have plenty of time," Elizabeth said, needing once again to explain that things don't have to happen that minute in life to her daughter, who will one day know that to be more than true after she turns immortal.

"I'm going to hit the shower," Duncan said. "Kids, get ready. You did bring nice clothes, didn't you?"

"Yeah," both Claire and Joey said.

Elizabeth suddenly realized that the casual Gap clothes she was wearing would be fine for Chinese, but wasn't going to cut it for this French place Methos warned wouldn't let her in without proper dress. If 'stilettoes are a must,' she needed something fancy. The last nice dress she had was the black one that Duncan had bought her in Paris, and she had left it there. Her other nice clothes were burned in Kent, along with most of her other possessions. Now that she thought about it, Elizabeth didn't even have her own sword. She couldn't believe it was the first time she realized that, but she hadn't since leaving Kent. But then, she hadn't been thinking clearly and had Duncan, then Methos near her for protection. A lot of good a sword would have done her in Shiloh.

As she was deep in thought, absently smelling her roses, Claire and Joey had disappeared into the bedroom again, and Duncan was on his way to the bathroom. "Hey," Elizabeth called to him and Amanda, who was going to the bedroom, probably to freshen up herself. When they both turned to her, Elizabeth walked to them and hugged them both at the same time. "Thank you."

Amanda rubbed her back and asked with a chuckle, "For what?"

"For... being such great friends, and... helping with Ms. Nash, and... just being the best. Thanks."

"You have fun tonight," Duncan said with a wink.

"And you two owe us big for babysitting again," Amanda added.

"We do. Whatever you need."

How Duncan and Amanda had again come to their rescue, Elizabeth had a thought. When they all parted and each were heading back to the bathroom and bedroom, Elizabeth asked, "Duncan? Who's Sean Burns?"

"You saw him, Liz. He was a great man..." Duncan said, his eyes to the floor. It seemed that Amanda was again hovering with his downcast expression. "The immortal shrink."

"I saw him?" Elizabeth was at a loss.

"Well, you were under that... what would you call it? Spell? At the time. He was the red haired man who appeared to us with Richie."

"At the manor." Elizabeth had a sinking feeling again having gone back to that damned house again twice in one afternoon. "I barely remember. I didn't remember that's his name." She didn't like how his upbeat manner had taken that downturn with the mention of this friend's name. She couldn't place why he was so sad, but then remembered. "Oh! You took his head. He was there with Richie because you took their heads."

"Gee, great way to kill a mood, Liz," Amanda said, going to comfort Duncan.

"I'm sorry, Duncan. I should have known. I'm so sorry. I should have known on the plane."

"No problem," Duncan said, seemingly shrugging off the ill feelings.

"But, on the plane, you acted like I shouldn't know who he was. 'Don't tell her. It's my story to tell,' you told Methos. Why did you do that?"

"I didn't think you needed to be reminded of that day in that house. I know I don't. Actually, I hoped you'd forgotten."

"Why do you have to feel you need to protect me?"

When Elizabeth's question was a bit too forceful, Amanda said, "Hey, he's trying to help you, don't snap at him."

"The only help I need is the truth. I didn't mean to 'snap.' It's just... Am I that much of a basket case everyone needs to step lightly around me? Maybe it will help to get everything out in the open once and for all. Quiet demons fester. Put them in the light, and they're not as scary."

"You learned that in therapy?" Amanda asked.

"Yeah. We need to talk about things. A lot of things."

"Like what? How you...," Amanda paused. "Everything?"

"Were you going to ask how I could almost take my husband's head or how I could sleep with your husband? Those are two biggies right there. Maybe we all should talk all this out instead of..."

"I'm going to go take a shower," Duncan said and left without another word.

With just Amanda in the room, and she didn't look to be in such a great mood anymore, her eyes drifting to the bathroom door filled with concern, Elizabeth felt bad about bringing up such sore subjects. "Amanda. I'm sorry. I really am. Will you tell Duncan that?"

"Sure."

Because she seemed distant, Elizabeth asked, "Do you still want to take Claire for the night?"

"Of course. It's all planned and they're looking forward to it. Don't worry about anything, Liz. It's all right. He gets that way. Wants to be alone. He's a regular Greta Garbo at times. You just have fun tonight. I know I'm planning on it."

"You're the best." Elizabeth was thrilled that Amanda didn't hold any hard feelings and pulled her into a hug. She was even more thrilled that Amanda held her in return.

~~~~~

After trying on just about every 'little black dress' and career suit they had in stock, Elizabeth had purchased one of each, along with appropriate shoes and a new winter trench coat to wear over her new purchases. She had the store deliver the skirt, jacket, shirt, shoes, and some moisturizer to the Intercontinental, along with the clothes she had been wearing and dressed into the dress, hose, and newly purchased high heels for the evening. She had been able to snag a facial and make over at the cosmetic counter and was feeling on top of the world when she got into a cab and asked him to bring her to her dinner date.

When she got out of the cab on Columbus Circle on the Upper West Side, Elizabeth started to feel beautiful, famished, and lonely. She wanted to hook up with her gorgeous husband now, and anticipation of the evening made her almost shiver, but a good shiver. Hoping she was heading to the right place, she walked into Jean Luc's and didn't feel an immortal alarum anywhere. She couldn't believe she had arrived before Methos; didn't he have this all planned out? It looked like reservations were a must and a few people were waiting for tables. The maitre de arrived with a smile. She told him Gordon, and he saw the name on the list. "Your table will be ready in one half of one hour, madame. Would you like to take a seat at the bar until your escort arrives?"

Her escort? Maybe Methos did do some planning after all. She thanked him and strode across the well lit interior of the restaurant with light woods and original artwork to the wraparound bar in another section as the maitre de had indicated. There were two men at one end of the bar and two women about the same age of late twenties at the other. With the nine stools in between the two pairs ogling each other, only one was filled by a single man in what seemed to be his late thirties. Elizabeth had been so glad she really dressed up for the occasion. Even though the separated foursome were young, they had to have been wearing $1,000 suits and dresses, sipping imported beers.

Elizabeth took a beige padded stool two seats down from the single man, which left two seats between her and the females, who were whispering to each other with her arrival. The bartender took no time coming to ask what she would like to drink. After looking over the options behind the bar, she remembered she was on medication and asked for a 7-Up. The bartender shrugged and served her up a tall, iced glass of it. Elizabeth was going to pay, but he said he'd run a tab. She took a sip, glad that the other patrons were seemingly back to their routine of casting glances at each other across the way. Elizabeth didn't know why, with how the couples were checking each other out, they hadn't merged yet, but maybe it was the 'new thing' to act like high school kids. Then she thought maybe they were high school kids with rich parents, just wasting time in an expensive bar until the clubs open.

One person that she knew wasn't a teenager was the single man, who was now sitting in the seat next to her. "Hey, Charlie," he told the bartender. "Why don't you put a shot of vodka in her soda pop?" He smiled, what he probably thought was an attractive smile to her.

Elizabeth looked away saying, "Why don't you not?"

"Wouldn't hurt to loosen up, wouldn't it?"

She looked to see he was looking her up and down, concentrating his glance at her cleavage, his arm on the bar, his hand hooked behind his ear. He looked very comfortable in what he probably thought was seduction of some sort, but how he moved his hand up and down his leg was just plain annoying. His hand moved to her knee, and Elizabeth moved it back to his own territory and said, "I'm not at all interested."

A middle aged couple sat on the other side of the intruder, and they only took his interest for moments before turning back to her as she sipped her 7-Up and checked her watch. The half hour until the table was ready was going to take an eternity. "You from the West Side? I haven't seen you around before."

"It's a big city," she told him and then whispered as she took another quick check of the room, "Thank God."

Elizabeth was going to go to the ladies' room, as the man's hand moved to her knee again, and the two young men at the bar finally moved to the women a couple of stools over from her.

"It's a very big city when you're alone," he said with what she was sure he was positive was a hard to deny sensuality.

She was going to retort but she felt the rumble and rush of an approaching immortal sweep through her body. She decided to keep the man's hand on her knee to see what Methos would do when he sees it, just for fun.

"Is this seat taken?" a low, accented voice called to her right.

Methos looked good enough to eat in a crisp new tuxedo, white shirt, and black bow tie. His musky cologne immediately gave her warm and comfort. His smile made her want to jump him right there and then. His eyes went from her face to the man's hand on her knee.

"I'm talking to the dame, buster," the man said, squeezing her leg, "Get your own."

"Oh, my mistake, but," Methos said with a hint of a chuckle. He produced a single red rose and asked Elizabeth, "Would this allow me a few moments of your time, ma'am?"

"That certainly doesn't hurt." Elizabeth smiled to him, accepting the rose, as she could feel the man's hand move up her leg.

Methos sat down on the other side of Elizabeth and patted the man's hand on her leg and then moved it off of her as he leaned in. "You're the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."

"I saw her first."

"He did, actually," Elizabeth teased Methos as she moved her hand inside his tuxedo jacket. She could feel Methos' abs constrict as she traced her fingers along the top of his pants. "He's been keeping me company and really makes me feel wanted."

"Every man in their right mind would want you."

"Look," the guy said, getting to his feet. "Take a hike."

"Good advice," Methos told the man and looked to Elizabeth, with his hand raised as if to offer her help down from her stool. "Our table's ready."

"Finally."

When Elizabeth got off the stool, the man barked, "You know him?"

"Every inch of him."

"Thank you for keeping my wife company. I'll take it from here." Methos left money on the bar as another woman sat down on the other side of the guy.

He turned to her and said, "You're not expecting your husband, are you?"

She looked at him down her nose at him. "Of course."

"Damn," the guy said dejected, his head heavy on his hand as he leaned against the bar.

Methos escorted Elizabeth back to the lobby, past the restaurant, and into a private room in the back. The room was dimmer than the rest of the restaurant, filled with dozens of roses. Petals were strewn on the ground and at a round booth and table that was set for two. There was an ice bucket chilling a bottle and two champagne glasses at ready, along with a few hors d'oeuvres on a cart next to the table. Frank Sinatra music was piped in softly, and it seemed they had the whole place to themselves.

"I love Frank," Elizabeth said, taking in every detail of the room and her husband's attire.

"Funny, after a dozen years together, I knew that."

Methos kept her on what she realized was a dance floor to take a couple of slow spins in each other's arms. His scent, along with the scent of the rose petals under her feet and the thought of what delights were to come made her giddy and couldn't stop the slow trickle of laughter bubble up.

"What's so funny?"

"Life is always an adventure with you. You make me too happy."

"There's no such thing," he said as he nudged her away only to hold her hand as she twirled in front of him, then he pulled her close and smothered her with kisses.

The table was soon filled with their meal that Methos had already ordered for them, and they dined in romantic privacy, starting with Salade de Betteraves, Poivrons Rôtis et Petite Roquette, Carré d'Agneau de Nouvelle-Zélande, topped off with a Hazelnut Crème Brulee. Since there was nonalcoholic champagne served, that wasn't to Elizabeth's liking, she had stunned Methos with an order of a diet Coke, and also surprised him when she suggested he order a beer. "It's what you favor, anyway, right? Just because I'm on meds doesn't mean you are."

Methos' arm didn't need to be twisted and ordered a beer, an 18 year fermented beer by the name of Macallan, which cost almost as much as a good bottle of champagne. In fact, he ordered another just after they finished off their dessert. "Been missing that stuff, haven't you?" Elizabeth teased, to which Methos only shrugged and held a hint of a blush.

"So, you never mentioned the flowers."

Elizabeth gasped with regret. "I haven't. I forgot with all the excitement. Thank you so much. They were absolutely beautiful, honey. I liked the card, too."

"Actually, after I had the bouquet delivered I wanted it back to ditch the card."

"It was funny."

"It was stupid. I shouldn't get carried away when I'm in a good mood. I hate looking stupid."

"Not in the wildest, wacky day would you be stupid. If anyone's stupid, it's me with how I acted at the museum."

Methos forcefully shook his head, which made Elizabeth love him all the more. "That was emotion. Are you feeling better?"

"Of course. It was stupid. It should all be behind me, but I just fell apart. Hate that. So, you and Dr. Bradford had a lot to talk about me, huh?"

"Actually, you were just mentioned in passing."

"Excuse me? What did you talk about?"

"Doctor-client privilege. We just talked about things. Immortal shrinks you might be able to trust comes around once in a lifetime, well a normal person's lifetime."

"You can trust Simon?"

"Not if you refer to him as Simon."

"You know," Elizabeth said as she kissed Methos' hand, which had been in her lap. "You're liking him makes me more comfortable about how I trust him. I'm so relieved. If you didn't care for him, I wouldn't go back."

"I like the fact that you take me into consideration."

"You're my world, Methos. I almost blew it but no more."

She almost melted by the smile on Methos' face and fell against him as he kissed her. The beer taste reminded her of the years they were together that she had almost taken for granted. The thought that things could be back to how they were before she went nuts was too much to hope for, but at that moment, Elizabeth was willing to believe it.

Knowing that when things get too good, she should have been braced by Methos' off the cuff question, but she wasn't. Methos asked, as he downed the rest of the bottle of beer, "What did Mac say when he saw the flowers?"

Immediately, she demanded in a forceful, hurt tone, "Is that why you sent the flowers, to see how he'd react?

"Hm?"

"What does Duncan have to do with anything?"

"Did he look at Amanda, thinking, 'Damn, I should send her some flowers,' or did he look at you?"

"Can't tell ya, I was looking at the roses. What's the difference?"

After a shrug and pause, Methos asked, "Just wondering."

"What the hell do I have to do to prove there's nothing between us?"

"Kiss me."

With the flash of his dimples, Elizabeth did. "You are an enigma, my love. Duncan is a friend and that's all. Does that question mean you have feelings for Amanda and are just seeing how Mac treats her, or are you-."

"It was a silly question, that's all. Forget it. Let's blow this pop stand."

Taking her hand, he slowly escorted her to the door. From the privacy of their room, it was a bit jarring to enter an area filled with people waiting for tables and the chatter that went along with it. The lighting outside the room was brighter, and the rich food started to make Elizabeth feel heavy. She hoped it was the food and not the tickling of worry about why Methos would be concerned about Duncan MacLeod's reaction to his sending her roses. That couldn't have been the only reason he did it, surely it couldn't be.

There was silence as Methos hailed a cab and while they were being brought back to the Intercontinental until Elizabeth told him, "Oh, I forgot to tell you. May showed up this afternoon."

"I know. Claire told me."

"When did you talk to her?"

"I called to check up on her earlier."

Pleased, Elizabeth told him, "You're such a good dad."

"We'll have to make sure we're all home as a family the next time she wants to pop in on us so she's out of our hair forever."

As they were driven by Central Park, Methos tapped the driver's seat and said, "Say, can you let us out here?"

The cabbie pulled onto the side of the street and Elizabeth was worried about why they were getting out. They weren't far from their hotel. If there was something Methos wanted to say without eavesdroppers make Elizabeth worry about what it could be.

As they walked arm in arm down the Mall, Methos asked, "Well, when were you going to mention that other huge news?"

With the worry about why he wanted to go for a walk and talk and thinking this big news had to do with their extramarital affairs, it took her a moment, but she remembered. "Oh, my job interview... I guess we were talking about other things."

"Honey, don't think about a stupid, off the cuff question. It was asked and it's over. Sorry I asked it. What's important are you, me, and Claire. Now, tell me about this interview and are you ready for it." He held her out a bit from him and looked at her attire. "If you wear that, I'm sure you'll be hired as soon as you walk in the door."

"I was going to go through my portfolio and if you're up to it, maybe we could go through a bit of mock interview."

"I'll be tough on you," he warned.

"That'd be excellent!" Elizabeth pulled him into a hug and whispered, "I love you so much."

To Elizabeth's immense surprise, Methos picked her up and walked off with her in his arms. "The interview can wait. For now, something's calling me."

Giddy thinking he was hauling her off to his bed and feeling quite warm in the chilly air in his arms, she couldn't have been more surprised when he got them to the ice rink. After that long walk, Methos was a bit out of breath when he set her down by the counter and gasped to the man behind the counter, "A man's 12 and a woman's 5."

"You want to go ice skating?"

"The rink isn't going to be here forever. It's getting warmer. Have fun where you find it."

"I could think of something a bit more fun we can to do," she offered.

Not even the batting of her eyelids talked Methos down. He looked like he could have been bent, but he shoved the skates in her arms after they were put on the counter and paid the man.

As Elizabeth was getting her skates on, she knew that Methos was building up the expectation, which would make for astonishing gratification later. She knew she was turning red, but didn't know if it was because she was hot for her husband, a bit overwhelmed with thoughts of what he might do with her later, or the chill. She really couldn't wait for spring, sick of wearing coats and having threats of snow.

As they took to the ice, with the rink not at all crowded as the kiddies must have had to go home by now, and only a few couples skating hand in hand and arm in arm, Elizabeth mentioned, "You know, I think we should find a place to live down south."

"What a marvelous idea. I hate the cold."

When Elizabeth slid, but couldn't hold on for dear life to Methos, she went crashing down on her butt on the ice. Methos looked like he was trying not to laugh, which made Elizabeth feel a bit better, but soon his hand was extended to help her up and a loud bark of a laugh escaped him. She slapped his hand away and struggled to get back up on her own. There were snickers from passing skaters, and Elizabeth thought she'd never put skates on again. Making her way on her hands and knees to the wall and lifting herself up, she mulled her options to wipe that smile off Methos' gorgeous face.

"I hate the ice, and I'm not doing this juvenile foolishness again."

Methos snickered. "Oh, come on. So you hurt your pride. Tomorrow is another day."

"But I fear my ass is still going to be sore tomorrow."

"I'll make it feel better."

"Oh, I suddenly like your thinking. What are you thinking?"

"A hot bath, massage, some kisses."

"Carry on, man. Let's go take care of business."

It didn't take long for Elizabeth to strip off her skates and almost fling them at the man behind the counter, who was still smirking, obviously having seen her take a tumble. Methos put his hand on her arm to steer her away from him, and in a light voice, said, "I think he's hitting on you."

"Yeah right. Right after he wipes that smirk off his face."

Methos giggled. "It was kind of funny."

"From your end. My ass is going to sore for a week."

"It is not," Methos said.

"Because you have something planned for the evening to make it feel better?" Elizabeth asked, batting her eyebrows, getting used to having Methos make her indulge her every need.

Probably in order to crash her straight back to earth, Methos said, "Nah. Because you're immortal."

"You do have a way of stating the obvious. No extra tender loving care tonight?"

"Because you fell on your arse? Don't think so."

"Bummer," Elizabeth said good-naturedly.

Methos squeezed her hand and whispered, "Because I love you far more than a klutz deserves."

"I know that," she answered quite seriously. "I don't deserve your love, but it is there, right?"

"Nothing I can do about it. I love you, Lizzie. Good way to pull out a compliment." His gaze matched her intensity.

"It will be a joyous day when I don't have to pull compliments out of you, but then again, you have been giving them quite freely lately. What's up?"

"Nothing."

Methos suddenly was seemingly fascinated by a sidewalk chalk 'masterpiece' on the sidewalk in front of them. "Isn't that something. I'll bet this child doesn't even know that he or she has the makings of Picasso."

"Pablo?" Elizabeth stood so that she was looking at the childish multicolored chalk drawing of a purple tree, blue grass, yellow sun, and red house.

"Look at the extensive pallet."

"The kid had four colors of chalk?"

"And used them all. Look, he or she even made green for that bunny."

He pointed at the blob that looked to be jumping out of the trees. "A bunny?"

"His/her choice of materials is fascinating."

"Are you drunk?"

"Look out how the child added and erased and refined the work. The geometric shapes make it definitely from the cubist period."

"Uh hm. I'll be inside, it's chilly out here. You take as long as you wish to study the great artwork."

Methos trailed after her, pointing at the chalk drawing. "This kid will be in MOMA one of these days."

"To bad he or she didn't sign it."

"That is troubling. One should be proud of their work."

"If it's something to proud of. Claire's done better, more interesting work than that."

"She had better tools. Imagine if that child had oils and canvas at their disposal."

"Their mother would have quite a mess on her hands."

"What if he or she has a single father?"

"Then the housekeeper that comes in once a week would have their hands full." Elizabeth laughed and shook her head as she walked into the Intercontinential Hotel and went straight to the elevator. "Speaking of Claire, should we call to check up on her?"

"I'm sure they're at the theatre now."

Elizabeth yawned and looked at her watch. "I really should get up early to prepare for that interview. I want to make the good impression."

"I want you to as well. It's about time I didn't have a sit-about-the-house wife. Bring home the bacon," Methos said, waiting for Elizabeth to get into the elevator.

"While you have breakfast, lunch, and supper for a year sitting in a myriad of bank vaults all over the world?"

"Well, you know," he shrugged and punched the button for their floor. "I'll be good and hard on you during our mock interview. That fact that I want to rip your clothes off and have my way with you will have absolutely no bearing on how thoroughly I interrogate you to determine if you're suited for the post."

"I'm shaking in my boots."

"I'd believe you if you were wearing some. I do, however," Methos said as he leaned against her and trailed his hand down her leg. "Like these particular shoes."

"I bought them especially for you."

"You know me well." Methos leaned in for a kiss, but stopped. "You're shaking. Please tell me it's because of me."

"Sure. Of course."

"Spill it. Why."

Elizabeth shook it off and said, "It's just the interview tomorrow. I mean, this is a dream job, Methos. What if I'm not good enough? What if I eat like a pig? What if I spill something? God, I should probably take an extra dose of meds in the morning."

"Or an extra dose of Methos," Methos said a bit seriously, then resorted to laughter when Elizabeth hit him with gales of it.

"Sometimes, you are one wise man. At other times, like right after that remark, you're a sappy silly person." Methos scratched his neck as he looked away a bit pink in the face. Elizabeth brought Methos in for a kiss and whispered, "Who I love more than life itself."

She couldn't have been more disappointed to be interrupted when the elevator doors opened. Then again, she was with Methos, and if he didn't want to leave a place or situation, he would be the total opposite of the mysteriously vanishing immortal that was his normal habit the past five hundred years. He pushed the closed door button, then the stop button, and started to remove his coat as Elizabeth tugged at his tie and lowered him to the floor, both of them ignoring the alarms bells ringing loudly.

~~~~~

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2013

Elizabeth couldn't believe it, but she had overslept. Taking a frustrated slap at Methos' arm, she jumped out of bed and into the shower, not even taking time to warm the spray. As she yelped from the chill of it, she heard Methos grumble from the bedroom. She had wanted to get up at least two hours earlier to gather her portfolio and make Methos go through a mock interview again just to make sure she was used to being grilled and finding the perfect answer to, "What is your greatest weakness?" other than, "I work too hard," because prospective employers have to be smarter than believing that from anyone.

By the time she had hurriedly washed her hair, face, and armpits, she wrapped a towel around her hair and body and heard the doorbell ring. She peeked out of the bathroom to see Methos sitting bolt upright. "Claire's home, and with an immortal. It had better be MacLeod or Amanda."

"Or both," Elizabeth said, shedding the towel and putting on her robe. "But why would they both have to deliver her? Didn't we say we'd pick her up?"

"They probably got tired of having her around," Methos joked, as he got out of bed and pulled on his boxers. As Elizabeth pushed past him to answer the door, he grabbed her arm and brought her into his arms. "Still have a sore bum?"

"Not with Dr. Methos in attendance."

"I was quite attentive last night, wasn't I?"

"Fantastic." Elizabeth quickly kissed him as the doorbell rang again, quickly followed by a sharp rap at the door. "I love you."

"Get the door. If it's Amanda, next thing you know, she'll be yelling my real name to get me to answer the door."

"Oh?"

"Long story."

"One of many I have yet to hear."

"If you want to be bored, sure."

"Dan! Liz! Come on! Open up!" They heard from the other side of the door as Elizabeth rushed to answer it.

"Hey, good morning," Elizabeth said with a smile as she opened the door.

Amanda, having just been ready to rap on the door again, stalked straight in with a smile on her face, and Duncan waited for Claire to bound in with some bags she didn't have when they left her for the night. "What goodies did you get this time?"

Amanda shrugged, "Just a few things every young lady should have."

Duncan came in and shook his head. "One of the biggest mysteries in life is how Amanda can power shop when you don't even know she's gone into a store."

"One of my many talents, love."

Claire dropped the bags on the couch and opened them, excitedly reaching into them. "Mom. Look!" Claire brought out a pink top and a faded, ripped pair of jeans, and then quickly opened another bag that was almost full with all sorts of costume jewelry.

"You've been lugging all this stuff from hotel to hotel?" Elizabeth asked her as she looked over the loot.

"Nah, it was just delivered yesterday."

"I love you, Aunt Mandy," Claire said as she bounded to Amanda and hugged her for all she was worth.

"Hey," Methos said from the bedroom door. "Don't I get any?"

"Hey, Dad. Look at my stuff," Claire said as she went to hug him.

"How's your arm?"

With a shrug, Claire said, "Fine. Aunt Mandy got me a diary. An actual diary. I don't have to use notebooks anymore."

"You've been keeping a diary?" Methos asked her, obviously surprised by this tidbit of news.

"Well, duh." Claire said as she sat on the couch with the red padded book with a lock and little key.

Methos asked Elizabeth, "Did you know that?"

"Well, duh," Elizabeth said, sitting next to Claire.

"Where've you been keeping it?"

"Like I'd tell you." Claire giggled.

The doorbell rang again and Amanda went to answer it. "Didn't think you'd ever get here," Amanda told Amy as she came in with Katie in her arms.

"I was hoping you weren't too late. I was waiting for Guy to be with Katie while I was gone, but he's not back from taking Joey to school."

"I still think I should have gone with him," Claire pouted.

"One day. I'll see how the job interview goes first, then we'll decide where to live and where you go to school."

Claire slumped as if that would take forever and a day and looked to her father. Methos nodded and pointed to Elizabeth. "Like she said."

Elizabeth looked at him wondering why he was being so pliable lately. But her questioning was soon shifted when she saw Amy unbutton her coat to reveal a very pretty sundress. She was even wearing panty hose. "What's the get up for?" Elizabeth asked Amy, taking Katie from her arms and kissing the baby's blond head. "You're a jeans and sweater type of gal."

"With you," Amy said beaming. Soon, Amanda put her arm around Amy and they both smiled at Elizabeth. "Amanda and I are going to that job interview with you."

"What? I don't think that's allowed."

"Oh, poo," Amanda breathed. "It's a restaurant, right? Sure, it's fancy, but with enough of an incentive, the maitre de will seat anyone wherever they want."

Duncan groaned a bit at that remark, probably wondering how much it will cost him, when Amanda asked Elizabeth, "How long has it been since you've had a job interview? You'll be nervous, but not with us nearby."

Elizabeth almost dropped Katie from surprise and deep appreciation for her two friends. "You're kidding..." She almost felt like crying, she was so overwhelmed.

Methos took Katie from Elizabeth. For an instant, when Katie snuggled her head comfortably into the crook of Methos' neck, Elizabeth was reminded of how Claire did just the same thing when she was that age. Katie actually looked as if Methos was her father or protector or something. "Well, I have a knack with little girls, I guess," Methos said with a small amount of pride as he swayed gently with her in his arms.

Amy patted Katie's back as she asked Claire, "Honey, would you mind taking Katie into the other room and lay her on the bed? Looks like she's going to nap."

Claire took Katie from Methos, but Katie started fussing from leaving his arms. "It's okay, Katie. It's only dad. Come on."

When she had left to go to her bedroom with Katie, Amy said, "We're going to have lunch at another table. All you have to do is look over and get encouragement from seeing us. We're right there with you. You're going to be great."

"Why so sweet to me?" Elizabeth asked, suddenly guarded.

Amanda didn't mince words. "You need something to do. You're driving us insane."

"I love taking care of the kids," Amy said. "But you need something more. You need to get out of the house and concentrate on something other than those two."

Methos interjected, "But... I kind of appreciate that."

Amanda said, "I'd say you need to get laid, but I'm sure that's not the problem."

"I really appreciate that," Methos said. When he cast a glance at Duncan, who wasn't at all paying attention to the conversation, watching the news channel, Elizabeth again groaned inside for what game was going on between the men.

Amy added, "And I want you all to stay here in New York. Joey likes it, and I've always loved this city. It's home to me. To us. Get that job, Liz."

Elizabeth laughed as she saluted her, "Yes, ma'am. I'll do my best."

"First off," Amanda said, getting serious. "Are you prepped? Think you can tackle whatever questions are thrown at you? I'm an expert at telling people what they want to hear."

"So's he," Elizabeth said with a tilt of her head to her husband. "We went through a lot of questions last night."

"Ok, good," Amanda nodded briskly. "Second, you'd better get dressed."

As Elizabeth went to the bedroom to do just that, she heard Amy ask Duncan and Methos if they'd mind taking care of Katie until Guy arrives. Methos asked, "Isn't he supposed to be watching my wife? Where is he?"

Elizabeth paused before shutting the door of the bedroom to hear the answer.

Amy had obviously shrugged as she said, "I have no idea. I'm kind of worried. He hasn't answered his cell phone or his pager."

"Is there something going on with the Watchers?" Duncan asked.

"I don't know. I think there's something happening, but nothing that would affect us, I'm sure."

"What's going on?" Duncan demanded.

"I'm not really sure. Dad's the one you should ask."

"About the Crusaders?" Methos asked in an equally demanding tone as Duncan had used.

"I'm not sure. I don't think so."

Elizabeth looked into the room to see Duncan and Methos surrounding a somewhat scared looking Amy. Amanda wasn't any help to her, as she was standing at attention with her hands on her hips and a frown on her face.

"It's just dad called last night and Guy talked with him for an awfully long time, and he wouldn't talk to me about it."

Methos seemed to have panic in his voice when he asked, "Something's wrong with Joe? Do they have him?"

"Who?" Amy sounded scared.

"I don't know, you tell us."

"Well, no. No one can 'have' dad. He called last night. All Guy would say was that it was Watcher business."

"Like what?" Duncan sounded exasperated.

"Ask Guy when he comes, and then tell me. He's pretty tight-lipped. Maybe we've been transferred or something. I don't know." There was a pause, and then Amy repeated, "I honestly don't know. I never should have brought it up. I'm as worried as you are."

Immediately, the memory of Kevin Barstow's murder by the Decapitating Stranger flooded into Elizabeth's mind, and she could tell it was foremost on Amy's mind as well. That had to be the reason why she had brought up such a powder keg of a topic, to get their assurances that it was nothing and he's stuck in traffic with a dead cell phone. Elizabeth was going to go to her, but Amanda spotted Elizabeth lurking in the bedroom and said, "Look at the time. Get dressed."

~~~~~

Guy hadn't arrived by the time it was time to leave for the interview at the Tavern on the Green, and all five of them were awfully tense about where he could by, why he was late and didn't call, and Elizabeth was a nervous wreck at the thought of the impending interview she was going to mess up. Methos had whispered a quick "good luck" and kissed Elizabeth, but she could tell he was stewing about what Watcher mess they might be on the fringes of at this moment in time when everything seemed to be going well. Too well. Maybe that was the problem. Something always had to happen to make the good turn sour.

Getting out of the cab in front of the Tavern on the Green at 2:15, Elizabeth was concerned about a smudge on her coat that she probably got from the cab seat. Amy stopped her from brushing it off and handed her the leather folder that held any paperwork Maurice Humphrey might ask to see. "We're early," Elizabeth said, thinking she could take the time to wash that smudge, but Amanda took her arm and escorted her into the restaurant.

"You want to make a good impression. Don't waste the fifteen minutes you have to wait for him by cleaning a nonexistent stain."

The maitre de greeted them at the door with a smile and was staring at Amanda's legs, when Elizabeth cleared her throat, got up her courage, and said, "I'm to meet a Mr. Maurice Humphrey from Columbia University at 2:30."

"Ah, yes. Mr. Humphrey. He's here. This way."

Elizabeth darted a startled look at Amy, who was taking off Elizabeth's coat and then Amanda, who winked. "Break a leg."

"Oh God. There goes the early by fifteen minutes. I'm late. Who knew 2:30 meant... 2?"

She saw the maitre de almost to the table that sat about ten people. Elizabeth clutched her heart. "Oh, my God. I have to interview in front of the faculty. Shit!" she whispered to Amanda, who was pushing her into the dining room. "Why didn't I think of that?"

"Go on," Amanda urged. "And wipe that deer in the headlights look off your face. It'll be fine."

"Good luck," Amy said, giving her the thumbs up.

Elizabeth took a breath and then put into her mind the thought that usually did somewhat of a trick to get her thinking she was adequate for a situation. The thought that she was old enough to be every single person at that table's great grandmother made her feel more experienced than all of them. After all, she had been teaching when their mothers was just a twinkle in their grandfathers' eyes. She held her head up and tried to look like she wasn't going to fall apart in a matter of minutes and strode as confidently as she could to the table.

The maitre de had been leaning down and whispering to an average looking 55-60 year old man with a thick head of black hair at the end of the table. When she approached the table, but still held back a bit until she knew exactly who Mr. Humphrey was, the man smiled and waved to her. He stood up with his hand extended. "Ms. Gordon, I presume?"

Shaking his hand, she said, a bit relieved at having such a nice welcome, "Yes. Mr. Humphrey? A pleasure to meet you." She hoped her voice didn't crack as she had said that, but didn't seem to have because all the men and women at the table all smiled politely and nodded to her.

Maurice Humphrey was shorter than he appeared as he sat, and kept hold of Elizabeth's hand as he motioned to the people at the table. "This is Elizabeth Gordon, hopefully our new History professor. This is," he started, with a hand on a young, somewhat good looking man's shoulder sitting at Humphrey's hip. "Well," he said to Elizabeth. "Doesn't really matter now, does it? You'll meet them when you're hired. If! You're hired that is. Gregory?" He motioned for the maitre de, "Show us my private table."

"Right this way, Mr. Humphrey."

Before Elizabeth could say her farewells to the people at the table, Humphrey steered her to follow Gregory to the corner of the restaurant. He still had Elizabeth's hand in his, until he finally laid it at his elbow as he walked jauntily to the table that was set for two. Pulling out a chair and allowing her to sit, Elizabeth squeezed between him and the chair and thought she could smell liquor on his breath. The table of people he had been sitting with started to depart.

Humphrey sat on the padded chair opposite her and said, "Well, you're early. That's good. They were starting to bore me. All talk about the school and nothing else." He flapped the white linen napkin in the air and sat it on his leg.

A waiter came within seconds. Humphrey told him, "I've already eaten." He looked at Elizabeth and added, "But if you'd like to order something, it would be my pleasure to charge it to the university."

"Oh." Elizabeth looked at the menu but didn't open it. "That's okay. I'm fine."

"Going to keep that pert figure?"

Elizabeth was stunned and cleared her throat. She saw the waiter waiting for some sort of answer to his nonverbal question of what she would like and said, "I'll just have a glass of water, please?"

"I'll have another scotch rocks." Humphrey took her menu and handed them both to the waiter, who disappeared quickly.

Elizabeth sat her purse on the floor by her feet and laid her portfolio on the table. Humphrey let out a slight whistle and was staring at a table not far from them. Amanda and Amy had just been seated. "Get a load of her."

Elizabeth let out an embarrassed chuckle and smiled to her friends. Then she turned to Humphrey and asked, "So, would you like to tell me about the position?"

Humphrey leaned forward and put his elbows on the table. "Why don't you tell me why you haven't been hired yet?"

Methos had asked her that question the night before, but it seemed to have come more professionally, and attractively, from him than this man she wasn't getting a jibe from at all. "Excuse me?"

"A catch like you. You had to send out a lot of unrequested resumes. Surely I'm not the first to ask you to talk about a position."

"No, actually you are. I've been out of the country for a bit."

"Oh. Which country?"

"England," she said off the top of her head.

"Which part?"

"Kent."

"Ugh," he said.

Elizabeth could have agreed with that for her personal history there, but she was surprised by his dismissal of it.

"What did you want to go there for?" he asked with actual disgust.

She hadn't, but followed her husband there, but that was beside the point. She searched for words to tell him. "Well, the area has plenty of history, sir." Elizabeth cast her eyes to Amanda and Amy, who were looking at their menus, but casting glances at them unobtrusively.

"American History is your forte, isn't it? Why not travel the good ol' US of A?"

"I've seen it?" she guessed was an decent answer.

"I like your spunk."

What spunk? Elizabeth thought. She couldn't be more off-balance. Wanting to be nice, but a bit put off by his demeanor, she just sat silently and smiled.

When the waiter came with a carafe of ice water and his drink, Humphrey snatched it from his hands and took a swallow. Something told Elizabeth that this man shouldn't partake in liquid lunches and was ready to ask if they should postpone this interview for a time when he wasn't just about four sheets to the wind.

Suddenly, as if the capper of a bad blind date, Humphrey put his sweaty palm on top of her hand that rested on the table. She wanted to pull it back, but he fingered her wedding ring. "Already taken. Too bad."

"Not for me," Elizabeth said and glared blatantly to her friends, who were staring agape at Humphrey. "I think it's time I leave."

He wouldn't let go of her hand. "We just started. You want that job, right?"

"Ah," Elizabeth said, trying to yank her hand out of his reach. "Maybe we should schedule an interview for another day, at your office perhaps?" He was probably the type to have a bottle of scotch in a drawer or something and that interview would be as awkward as this one.

"Why not now? I've all the time in the world," he said, then burped. "My colleagues want this position filled, and you have to start tomorrow."

"You're sweeping me off my feet."

Elizabeth stood up, but he had a vise grip on her hand. Soon, her hand was free, but he had her wedding band in his hand. "Give that back!" she said without any care about how loud she was.

"Didn't even get a diamond? There must be better, more affluent, fish in the sea for you my dear."

"I do not believe this. Give that back."

"Yeah, give it back, you ingrate," she heard a female voice call out, which turned out to be Amanda's.

"Who the hell are you...," Humphrey said hotly, but then stared at Amanda, standing so close to him he had to look straight up at her. "Oh, you. The one with the legs that go all the way," he said as he reached out his short index finger to her hip."

"Move that finger one inch closer, and you'll lose it," Amanda warned.

Humphrey leaned back away from her. Gregory bounded to the table. "Mr. Humphrey, sir. Is there a problem?"

"Yeah," Amy said. "There's a big problem with him. He's disgusting."

"He might have had a touch too much to drink, miss. No harm done."

"Yes, there is," Elizabeth countered. "He has my ring."

Humphrey held it up and squinted at it. "This little thing?"

Amy reached out and did something that shocked Elizabeth. She lifted Humphrey's hair off his head as she yelled at him, "Give her back her ring!"

Amanda took hold of Humphrey's scotch on the rocks and 'accidently' tipped it over his lap. As Humphrey held his bare head, shrieked from the ice and drink on his lap, and standing up, Amanda told him, "He moves fast for a pudgy guy," she joked to Elizabeth, who didn't know if she should laugh at the sight or cringe for knowing there was no way she'd get that job now. She did, however, make a grab for her wedding ring and placed it back on her finger where it belonged. Amy had hold of her portfolio and Amanda jumped back from the table that overturned when Humphrey growled and punched his fist on it, spilling the entire contents onto him.

Elizabeth grabbed her purse and rushed with Amy after Amanda, who was taking her own sweet time walking through the restaurant, commenting about how rude for a drunk to be in the establishment. "You'd think they would have stopped serving him a while ago," she had told one gray haired old man who was holding his cocktail in his hand. "He must have a lot of money, like you."

"No one has more money than I do," the man answered pompously.

"Oh? You Bill Gates? Or her husband? Or even little ol' me?" Amanda stopped to tell him.

Amy nudged her forward and the three of them went through the people who were making room for them to the door, and grabbed their coats, which were handed to them at ready by Gregory, who apologized profusely.

"No tip for you, deadbeat," Amanda said as she strolled out the door.

On the sidewalk, Elizabeth put on her coat and said, "Well, that's a job I'll never get."

"Why would you want it?" Amanda hushed her with. "Having to work with the likes of him?" She shivered dramatically.

"I'm sure the whole of Columbia University isn't like him," Elizabeth said. "Some of the people at that table looked... professional, capable, sober. Well, that was my dream job down the drain."

Amy said encouragingly, "You'll get a different job. Besides. It's not like you need the money.

"You're a wife and mother," Amanda told her. "That's a full-time dream job. In fact, it's a job I wouldn't mind having."

"Really?" Both Elizabeth and Amy gaped at her.

"You? A mother?" Amy asked with awe.

"Why not? It's been done by less of a woman than me?" Then she stopped walking and stomped her foot. "Why not me? Why can't I have a child?"

"You didn't know how to take of Claire."

"But I knew what was best for her. Take her to you and Methos. Besides, now I can do it."

"Why?"

"I've almost helped raise Claire."

"Not as a baby." Elizabeth chuckled. "You know, they're a baby first, then they grow into shopping buddies."

"Yeah, you're right. But I do hear the call."

"What call?" Amy asked.

"By biological clock."

Amy and Elizabeth burst out laughing. "What biological time are in on?"

Amanda was a bit put off, but she said, "You know what I mean. I love Claire so much. I'm so happy with Mac. We'd be great parents, don't you think?"

Thinking about it in a serious way, Elizabeth thought they would be, of course. "Well, sure. What does Mac say?"

"He hasn't said anything. I've brought up the subject twice now and he changes the subject."

"There's your answer, Amanda," Amy said.

"It can't be. He loves Claire too. And Joey. And when we had Katie, I had to almost rip her out of his arms so I could hold her for a while."

"Loving kids and having kids are two different things," Elizabeth said. "When they're not yours, you can send them home."

Amy just nodded silently as she stared at Amanda in what appeared to be a new light. "I just can't see you with baby," she finally said.

"For pity sake! Why not?"

Silence reigned as they started walking down the sidewalk again. Elizabeth thought that Amanda had been a good aunt to Claire, and maybe that's the first step to being a mother, but didn't think Amanda had the time, patience, or stamina to rear one.

Amanda asked Amy, "Hey, is there a way for the Watchers to find me a premmie like Claire? I'm sure the odds are just too great for me to happen upon another one."

Continued