| “Darius?” “She’s in town getting me some more herbs for my teas.” “She!” Methos exclaimed jumping up “Yes ‘she’ “ Darius said putting the cups on the table” Sit back down Methos.” “Darius you know I have never liked training women. I always feel like I’m going to hurt them and they usually are weak and whiny at first.” “Methos she really needs your help she needs the best sword fighter and that’s you.” “Why is she so special that she needs the best fighter?” “Well.” “Darius what’s wrong with the girl?” “Funny you should use the word girl.” Darius said taking a sip of his tea. Methos stared at him in horror. “How old?” “Sixteen.” “Darius that’s practically a child!” “Yes that’s why she needs the best teachers. So that maybe she’ll live longer than a decade.” Methos sat drinking his tea for a minute and looked at Darius. “All right.” He said finnaly” "But don’t think that just because I relented this time means I’ll do this ever again.” Darius nodded at him. They sat drinking their tea for a half-hour talking about old friend and the old days. Finnaly they felt the presence of another immortal. “Good she’s back.” Darius went to refill their cups and get a third cup as the door opened. “There you are Charmaine come in Methos just arrived this morning.” Darius said placing the cups back on the table. “Methos this is Charmaine. Charmaine this is Methos.” Methos stood up and turned around to great the girl. He started to say hello but the words caught in his throat. The most beautiful girl he had ever seen was standing behind him. She had long black hair and the most intense green eyes he had ever seen. She smiled at him and in a soft voice said “Hello Methos.” Methos swallowed hard." Hello.” he managed to get out. **************************************************************************************** Methos glanced up at Charmaine. “Who’s after your head?” he asked She looked like she was trying to decided what to tell him. Finnaly she took a deep breath. “I know it was a stupid idea Methos but it seemed like it would work when I first came up with it.” “Charmaine.” Methos said his voice sounding a lot like a teacher at that moment. “I embezzled money from a certain company.” “What company?” “You really don’t want to know Methos.” “Try me.” Charmaine paused then very quietly she said “I.S. International.” Methos stared at her speechless. “Isn’t that Jace Tarkin’s company?” MacLeod asked. Charmaine nodded at him. “Charmaine no not Jace. I thought I taught you better than that.” “It seemed like a good idea at the time.” “What happened?” Methos asked. “I thought I covered my tracks really well but he’s better than I thought. He found out and is after me now.” “Why don’t you just face him and fight him. I know you’re better than he is.” “Because he has hired mortal to hunt me down. When they caught up to me in New York they contacted him then all three of them followed me till they could get in a shot. The mortals shot me I’d have lost my head if I hadn’t thrown myself off the Brooklyn Bridge.” “This is just great.” Methos said putting his head in his hands. “I know I screwed up.” Charmaine said folding her long legs under her causing Methos to stare at her for a moment. “You’re still as beautiful as ever.” he said Charmaine blushed" Thank you. You’re not so bad looking yourself. I'm glad to see you’re alive, I had heard back in the 17th century I think that you had been killed.” “I’m alive and well." he said smiling at her" Just been keeping a low profile.” “That’s a smart thing to do. Maybe I should try it sometime.” “Maybe you should. Who knows if you do that maybe you'll live to be 5,000 years old.” “Will you be staying here tonight.” MacLeod asked. “I haven’t figured that part out yet. “What about Darius’ church could she stay there?” “I don’t see why not.” MacLeod said. “How bout it Charmaine. You’d be safe there even Jace respects holy ground.” “I guess so.” she said uncertainly. “What’s wrong?” Methos asked her. “It’s just that I haven’t been back since...”her voice trailed off. Methos got up and went over to her and put his arms around her. “It’s all right. If you don’t want to stay there it’s understandable.” “No I’ll stay there you’re right it’ll be the safest place for me. Besides I have more good memories of that place than bad." she smiled at Methos. “All right then let’s go.” MacLeod said reaching for his coat. They got up and left. Charmaine looked around before they got in to MacLeod's car. "Do you think that they're here?" Methos asked. "I've learned not to be too careful when it comes to Jace." she replied. They got into the car and left for the church. |