Sunlight streamed through the window from high in the sky, and he realized he had slumbered half the day away. Where was Kiernyn?
"At work, you dope," he reminded himself, and stretched out across the bed.
What a night! he thought and hoped that he could soon see her again. She had become an addiction, a habit he didn't want to kick.
Since he had missed most of the day already, Methos decided to make himself useful. Gathering his clothes he peeked outside the door to make sure no one was around. Surely there was a bathroom near by. And he could see it two doors down.
Stark naked, he made a dash for the room and shut the door behind him. Now why he felt he needed to keep his presence a secret, he didn't know. Kevin probably wasn't at home anyway.
After a deep breath, he turned to inspect her bathroom. A shower would feel nice right about now, he thought. The room was larger than any bathroom he had ever been in. He appeared to be in the dressing room. His naked reflection in the mirror above the counter and two sinks glared back at him. The shower must be behind that door, he noted and went to open it.
Steam streamed into Methos' face once he opened the door. He was not alone in the house. Kevin had just stepped out of the shower and was staring at the naked man who had just entered.
A cold chill invaded Methos' senses and his mouth fell open. "Uh, I'm sorry. I didn' know..."
Kevin possessed the same blue eyes as his older sister, and now they were ablaze. "What are you doing here?"
"Uhhhh..." he didn't know what to say. "I was just, uh, going to take a shower."
"Were you here last night?" Kevin quizzed him after he had wrapped the towel he had been drying off with around his waist.
Methos realized his state of undress, and quickly covered himself with the clothes in his hand. "Listen, Kevin. Kiernyn is a big girl..."
"You don't have to tell me that," Kevin snapped at him, moving closer.
Methos began to back out of the room. The boy had his finger up and was wagging it in his face. It would only take one swift movement, and the immortal could have him on the floor begging for mercy, but he didn't think that would be the best thing to do. He had to reason with him.
"So, you bring her home and seduce her, do you? Not very smart, man. I could take your head."
Stifling a laugh, Methos decided to take the upper hand. Standing up straight, he paused in the hallway, doing his best to ignore the draft. "Kevin, Kiernyn is a grown woman who can make her own decisions. I would not be here if she didn't ask me to be."
Her brother dropped his hand. "I just want to make sure she's safe."
Methos sighed. Kevin didn't know. Of course, he had assumed that she would tell her brother what had happened, and he was surprised to find she hadn't. "Believe me, I would never let anything happen to her."
It was Kevin's turn to sigh. "Joe said you were a good guy." He had suddenly turned into the nineteen year-old he really was.
A smile spread across Methos' face. "Joe's a good man, and I'm proud to say he's a good judge of character." He paused and then added, "Kiernyn's very special to me, and I would do everything in my power to make her happy."
Kevin soaked in his remarks and nodded. "Maybe you should put some clothes on."
It was all Methos could do to not laugh. God he was cold! "Good idea," but instead of going to take that shower he had wanted, he backed into Kiernyn's room.
Rapidly slipping into his clothes, he decided it would just be best to leave before Kevin decided to change his opinion. Grabbing up his coat brought back the memory of the night before. His sword had almost gotten him in trouble. It was still within his coat and he slipped that on over his sweater.
He let himself out, stuffing his hands in his pockets to keep them warm. Long, slender fingers came in contact with something crisp. Jerking his hand out in pain, he inspected the cut to his finger. "Oh, a papercut. Who would have ever thought it would hurt worse than being run through?"
A small droplet of blood oozed from the cut, but just as quickly as it rolled down his finger, the cut closed and healed. Methos then put the finger in his mouth to remove the droplet. "What paper did I have?" he wondered aloud.
Reaching back into his pocket, more carefully this time, he pulled out the folded square of paper. Kiernyn's beautiful, scripted handwriting leapt out at him. Climbing into the Explorer, he read it out loud. "Adam, thank you for last night. Sorry to leave you, but I didn't want to wake you from your peaceful sleep. Meet me tonight at Joe's. We need to talk, Kiernyn."
He pondered over her last statement. Needing to talk never sounded good. How many times had he heard that, and the ending result had never been fruitful. It was time that she started asking questions, he felt that was her meaning. His eyes closed in anguish. "Not now," he moaned. Not when things are picking up, he added silently.
After a moment of regrouping from his awkward encounter of the day, he decided he needed someone to talk to. And that someone, he knew, would know what he should do, if only too much didn't have to be revealed.
At the first tingling of the sensation, Duncan paused in mid motion of his kata. He had only been back for two days, and already he was hunted. But just as sure he knew someone would be coming through the door of the dojo, the sensation became an all too familiar recognition. It was Methos' turn to pull a surprise visit.
Duncan continued to gracefully move through the form. The exercise had proven to free his mind of the lingering demons that tormented his soul. Although he knew Methos was standing in the doorway, he didn't stop until he had completed.
Propped against the door frame, Methos admired his friend for his dedication and determination. The accident had weighed heavily on Duncan's heart, but he had managed to fight all odds and had so far pulled through more or less unscathed. Slowly, he was returning to his old self, and Methos shocked himself that he was glad for it. Often as of late, he had missed their banter.
Once Duncan had finished, Methos entered the dojo. "Got a minute?"
Wiping sweat from his face, Duncan smiled sarcastically. "Gee, I don't know. Are you sure it's only going to take a minute?"
Methos smirked. "Funny, I remember just yesterday being disturbed..."
Duncan's laughter rang out. "I'd never do anything you haven't done! Want a beer?"
"That's what I want to hear!" Methos exclaimed and followed Duncan to the elevator. "Did you restock just for me?"
"You know I wouldn't have done it otherwise," the younger immortal responded. "What's going on?"
Taking a deep breath, Methos prepared for what was inevitable. Sooner or later, Duncan would find out. Better to hear it from the horse's mouth. "I guess you could say I need an opinion."
Duncan couldn't believe this. "Dos't thy ears decieve me? Art thou, the ever knowledgable Methos, asking me for advice?"
"Cut the crap, Mac. I know you've been wondering about what's going on. Now, do you want to hear or not?"
The elevator reached its stop and Duncan rolled the door up. Methos went straight for the refridgerator and selected himself a beer. Duncan stood at the sink, thinking the immortal would grab him one also. He was wrong. Methos headed directly for the couch and plopped down. "Figures," MacLeod muttered.
After retrieving his own beer, he settled in the chair opposite the couch. "So, how long is it that you've known Kiernyn?"
His question irked Methos. Duncan had been her teacher, or had it been more? He sure seemed real friendly with her the night before. "For about a week. How is it that you know her again?"
The question had been quick, and Duncan could sense the tension within his friend. He was jealous. "Oh, I was her history teacher a couple of years ago at the University. Nothing more. In fact, I didn't even recognize that I knew her until I saw her face."
That settled the rolling in Methos' stomach somewhat. MacLeod was very good with names, and he would be sure not to forget one of a lover. He took a sip of the cold beer in his hands.
Waiting for the immortal to start his story, Duncan took a drink of his beer also. It was never easy to get a story out of this one. He decided he might have to do a little prodding. "So, how'd you two meet?"
A far away look washed over the ancient immortal, his eyes glazed over. With a sigh, he shook the memory that had seized him. "Actually, she had been abducted by one of us."
Duncan frowned. "Does she know..."
But Methos was quick to shake his head. "No, that's why I...I don't know. There's something between us that I don't want to lose. Telling her might scare her away."
The emotions bubbling to the surface were apparent to Duncan. Methos was in turmoil inside, and there was so much he wasn't allowing anyone to see, not even himself. "I take it you took his head."
"After he toyed with us. Bloody tied us to stakes in a junk yard intending to burn us. If it hadn't been for Joe..."
"What!? Stop, wait a minute. Tied to a stake? Who was this immortal?" Duncan questioned in disbelief.
"Garret. Older than you, but he managed to keep himself somewhat secret." Methos was short with his answers, still not wanting to reveal the entire story. He didn't think he could deal with MacLeod's judgements.
"So what was his deal with you?" Duncan was sure not to let Methos get out of telling his story.
Wrinkling his nose, Methos replied, "Thought I'd burned him, or something. Not sure, I don't remember." Of course, that was a lie. "The thing is, I think she saw the Quickening. She's definitely seen the sword."
"She saw you use it?"
"When I first encounterd Garret, I had it drawn. That was on the street. I'm not sure if she witnessed the actual beheading," Methos answered truthfully this time. "She's going to start asking questions. Left a note for me that she wanted to talk tonight."
Duncan swallowed another drink. "You have to ask yourself if you're ready. Just how much does she mean to you? You know, if she feels the same, she may understand."
"I haven't told her anything, and I know she suspects some things. She doesn't even know that she..." He wasn't sure he wanted to go there.
"She what?" Duncan wouldn't let it go.
His beer was gone, and he jumped up to get another. It wasn't turning out to be as easy as he thought it would be. If he was having so much trouble telling Duncan, how could he tell her? And she would be more likely the one to think him insane.
"Okay, out with it Methos. You came here to talk, so talk. Tell me everything if you want my help." The sterness in his voice caused Methos to straighten. He slowly returned to the couch.
"Promise me you won't laugh."
The serious tone and bashful appearance of the immortal caused Duncan to smile. "Well, that depends..."
"Do you want me to tell it or not? It's a touchy subject, MacLeod."
The smile quickly disappeared. Methos took a deep gulp of the cheap beer that Duncan had bought for him. He knew he had, because MacLeod usually only drank wine or brandy, and if he did drink beer, it wasn't the cheap stuff.
"You know that we've all made mistakes in our lives, and there's nothing we can do to go back and change what happened," Methos began.
"Yeah..."
"So, fifteen hundred years ago I was caught up in a cause and was sort of the destroyer of it." With that said, he dared to take a glance at MacLeod. He was listening and waiting patiently for him to continue. "I was wondering at the time, trying to keep to myself, but somehow I got roped into the mess."
"Fifteen hundred years ago? That was about the time of King Arthur, right?" Duncan interjected.
Methos shot him an astonishing glare. "Have you been talking to Joe?"
Pure shock overcame MacLeod. "You mean..."
Eyes closed, Methos began to relieve the last couple of days and the dreams that had plagued him. Duncan listend intently, not once interrupting. Methos could not believe he was revealing all this to him; he had hoped to never tell it to anyone. But some things could not be left buried.
Joyous Garde had been left to Bors, his so called cousin. It was time for him to move on. Without Guinevere, he could not stay in Camelot any longer. Too many disturbing memories.
"Sir Lancelot!" someone from the crowd who had gathered at the bank of the lake shouted.
Methos turned, hoping that no one thought to delay him. It was Gawain. "Damn," he muttered under his breath. The knight had sworn vengance on him when he had taken back Guinevere, but after Arthur's untimely death, all had seemed to be forgiven.
The burly knight approached and held out a hand. "Shall you band with us again? You were Arthur's favorite. It would please him to see you stay."
Methos shook his head. "You know I cannot. I have shamed his name, and wish not to stain it further. I must leave."
Gawain only nodded, giving no protest. The knight had made his decision and nothing would sway him. The band of brothers was broken. "Make Camelot right again," Methos requested.
The other knight nodded slowly as if unsure that it could ever happen. Methos lightly touched Gawain's shoulder and turned to leave.
He couldn't bare to visit the convent one last time. To see Guinevere so would destroy him completely. It was time to just disappear, make a new identity, just as he had always done. That was the life of an immortal. Live what life is given to you to it's fullest, whether conquering or destroying your faith, and then moving on when time had caught up with you. It was something Methos was growing tired of.
The white steed he possessed was tied to a nearby tree, and he unleashed it and set off into the great wide open before him. Lancelot no longer existed, and for all that he cared, he had never existed.
It was no surprise to see that Duncan possessed the same expression Joe had after the tale had been spun. Methos chuckled although he saw nothing funny about it. "Pretty damn amazing, eh?"
"I'd say. That would explain your reactions to Kristen..." Duncan began but at Methos's scowl decided not to continue the thought. "So Garret saw Kiernyn, and thought that Guinevere was immortal too? But he would know she wasn't."
"Reincarnated," Methos explained. "I can see it in her eyes, and she can feel the connection between us. We're bound together by some unseen force. Only, she can't live forever."
Realizing, now, what Methos' fear was, Duncan set his drink down. "You've been through this how many times? It's never easy, but like you said, 'live life to the fullest until time catches up with you.' You've got to give her a chance. Hurting her will do no good, and you'll do that by not telling her."
"I know, but this is all too much, too crazy. I don't know if she can handle it."
"You'll never know until you give her the chance. If it's my advice you're looking for," Duncan stated as he sat up straight to look Methos squarely in the face, "then here it is. This thing that you've got for her appears to be returned in kind. Trust her, if there's something there, then she will trust you. That's what love is all about."
Golden eyes widened at the word, and his head slanted. Love, could it be that he was falling in love with her, all over again? MacLeod was right. With a sigh, he thanked his friend. "What would this world do without you, it's boyscout?"
Duncan sneered. "Ha ha! Man, did I miss your sarcasm."
It was time to leave, Methos decided. He put a hand on Duncan's shoulder and nodded his thanks once again. Words were not needed, for the two shared their own bond, one of friendship and understanding.
Another difference he detected was her lack of concern for who entered the bar. In the past when she was to meet her acquaintance, she had eagerly watched the entrance for his arrival. Not this night, instead it was he who watched the door.
"What have you done now, Methos?" Joe questioned to no one under his breath.
It was hard to believe that after the previous night, anything could possibly be wrong. By the way the two had clung to each other on the dance floor and Methos' obvious jealousy, how could they be anything but in love?
The old man laughed. The thought of Methos in love tickled him. Definitely it was something he thought he would never see again, after Alexa. Now, things didn't look too promising, but maybe she was just there to meet her brother.
A gush of cold air entered the tavern when the entrance opened and in stepped a man Joe swore he had seen before. Although he couldn't place him, he studied his every move as he entered the bar. Tall and lean, the fair haired and elegantly dressed man scanned the thin, early evening crowd. His sight lighted on the woman near the stage, and a look of a promising challenge overcame his features. Joe didn't like it.
Sauntering over to the table, he paused behind Kiernyn and said something Joe couldn't hear. Damn! he inwardly exclaimed. Who was this man?
Once again, a cold blast hit the Watcher and Joe tore his scutinizing gaze from the stranger to see who had entered this time. To his surprise, it was Jim French, a fellow Watcher. Now just what had brought him here? Joe wondered. Then it hit him.
Now sitting across from Kiernyn, obviously attempting to pick her up was Jonathan Cameron, immortal. Joe couldn't believe he didn't recognize him sooner. He traveled the world, in search of fortune. But it seemed he found it by killing those in the higher positions. He was no one that needed to be talking to Kiernyn.
French waved to him as he found a table in the far corner of the bar, so he could keep watch on his subject. Joe's first reaction was to call Methos. There was no answer at his apartment. "Damn!" he breathed again. Somehow he needed to warn him of Cameron's presence.
What would happen when Methos did arrive? Joe wondered. Cameron would no doubt alert French that another immortal was near, but hopefully French had never ventured to the research department of the Watchers. Perhaps he didn't know who Adam Pierson was. But as for Methos...one look at the immortal sitting at Kiernyn's table would set him off.
He tried MacLeod's. The phone was answered on the third ring. "DeSalvo's Dojo."
"Mac, tell me Methos is there."
There was silence for a moment. "Okay, Methos is there."
Joe swore into the phone. "Don't play with me right now. I've got to get a hold of him before he comes to the bar. There might be trouble."
"I'm afraid he left twenty minutes ago. Probably on his way there. What kind of trouble?"
"Remember Jonathan Cameron? Well, he's here, and so is French, his watcher. I don't know if French has ever met Adam Pierson."
Duncan's laughter drifted into Joe's ear. "That's the problem? You know Methos, he can wing it!"
"That's not all," Joe continued. "Kiernyn's here, and Cameron's hitting on her."
Silence. It was several moments before Joe heard a response. "See if you can distract Kiernyn. I'll see if I can't catch Methos." And the line went dead.
After hanging up the phone, Joe hobbled around the bar and out to the tables. French had already been served, and Joe didn't worry about what the Watcher would think seeing him approach the immortal. For all he knew, Kiernyn could be someone close, which she was.
Kiernyn noticed the man approaching. Inside, she gave a sigh of relief. This man who called himself Jonathan Cameron had suddenly appeared and made himself at home at her table. The last thing she wanted was someone annoying her. Too much was swimming in her head for the distraction. She needed to sort out her thoughts before Adam arrived.
Ignoring what the gentleman in front of her had just said, she gave Joe her brightest smile. "Hello, Joe. Great to see you!"
Detecting her wariness of the man in front of her, Joe came to her rescue. "I'm glad you could come by. Who is this?" his tone was none too friendly toward the immortal.
With a grimace of confusion, Kiernyn attempted to give the gentleman a hint. "I'm sorry. What was your name again?"
Jonathan Cameron had done nothing but scowl at the old man since Kiernyn's attention had turned elsewhere. "Jonathan Cameron," he said cooly, but Joe saw the irritation in his brown eyes.
"Never seen you around here," Joe commented and watched the man run his hand through his blond hair.
"Funny, never seen you either."
Joe sure did not like the guy's attitude. How he wished he could tell him so, but French was watching. "Listen, Kiernyn. Adam called a few minutes ago. Said he wanted to meet you a little later." Joe hated lying to her, but maybe he could get her to leave and meet Methos outside...
No such luck. Cameron's head snapped up suddenly, and Joe knew exactly who would be walking through the door. Pretending not to notice the reaction, he continued to Kiernyn, "I think something came up."
A slight frown creased her brow. "He said he would be here," she said angrily. "I'm sorry, Joe. Maybe something did come up."
Cameron didn't appear to hear what she was saying. He had gotten to his feet but didn't stray from the table. "Is something wrong?" Joe asked, hoping that Methos had sensed the immortal already and had turned back. That's what he had done all his life.
Another blast of cold air brushed against them, and Joe knew without looking that Methos was there. He watched Cameron for any sign that revealed he knew the older immortal, but he saw none. Joe then turned to give Methos his best "I tried to warn you" look.
Methos didn't seem to take the hint. His eyes were wide with surprise and sudden anger. This was it, Joe knew. Another confrontation in front of Kiernyn.
Since both men's attention was focused in the same direction, she decided to find out what had captured them so. The sight of Adam surprised her. "I thought he wasn't coming until later?" she voiced to Joe.
Cameron slid her a sideways glance. "This is who you were to meet?"
This was not going well. Joe cleared his throat. "Well, maybe something else came up."
Kiernyn didn't look pleased, and neither did Methos. But Joe knew what direction his ire was pointed. Somehow, he needed to get her away from the table, but questions would surface if he just pulled her away. Methos saved him from doing so.
"Kiernyn, would you mind waiting at the bar for me?" His eyes never left the immortal.
With a heavy sigh, she started on him. "I've been waiting for nearly an hour now..."
"I think it would be best for you to wait at the bar," this time directed from Cameron. "But, I'll be the one returning for you."
At the shocked expression on her face, Joe knew she was about to go off. "Uh, why don't we go on over there." He grabbed her elbow and led her away. She was too stunned at the stranger's comment to disagree.
"What makes you think you can come in here and just take what you want?" Methos challenged.
With a flip of his hair, Cameron replied matter of factly, "I always get what I want, and my friend, she is what I want."
"Friend, she is already taken, and I'm afraid we can't always have what we want."
The younger immortal's hand went to his belt. "Then shall we take it outside?"
Without any thought to the consequenses, Methos acknoledged and nodded to Joe as he followed Cameron outside. Joe choked back the curse he was about to spit out.
"Oh no," Kiernyn moaned. "What is he doing now?"
With a sarcastic smile and a shake of his head, the Watcher replied, "Defending your honor, milady."
She wasn't sure she heard him right. "That is so childish. To fight over a woman. I can't believe Adam!" Her face flamed at the thought. Again, he had enraged her, and she wanted to know why he was being so damned aloof.
"Look, Joe. I really need to talk to Adam, so if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go stop this nonsense."
Not fast enough, Joe scooted around the bar. "No, Kiernyn, wait!" Damn! Not this again.
Soon, French was by his side. "What's going on, Dawson?"
The Watcher sighed. "She doesn't know what he is, but she's about to find out."
"Who is he?"
He had to lie. "I don't know. I'm going to put a Watcher on him tonight. For her safety. Right now, I can't do anything but hope she doesn't get hurt." And he sincerely meant that, but regarding a different kind of hurt.
