THE YOU'RE IN MY HEART SERIES WON'T GET FOOLED AGAIN By JoLayne and Susan RATING: PG-15 CHARACTERS: Methos, Amanda, Joe, Duncan, Rebecca, OCs King Albert, Geoffrey SUMMARY: The origin of the chair in Methos' apartment in Forgive Us Our Trespasses DISCLAIMER: The characters you've heard of are the property of Panzer/Davis and/or Greg Widen. We're deeply in their debt for creating this universe, characters and the concept of immortality. However, the muses are in overdrive so we're using them with no hope of profit, only to entertain Methos and Amanda fans. ~~~~~ Methos was in the middle of a fight and this opponent was keeping him on his toes. As if things couldn't get worse, he felt his feet slip out from underneath him on the wet ground! He couldn't believe it. Methos quickly rolled and managed to get back onto his feet. The sword of his adversary swished too close to Methos' neck for comfort. A dagger landed in his leg, making him fall to the ground in pain. The Ivanhoe slipped from his grasp as the other man's blade raked across his sword arm. Methos knew that he was going to lose. The impossible was about to happen! Methos couldn't believe it, but he couldn't get up. The seconds moved like hours. Everything moved in ridiculously slow motion. Methos tried to move out of the way of his opponent's approaching swing. He heard more than he saw his opponent planting his feet and bringing his sword up behind his head for the inevitable blow. Methos closed his eyes. If he was a praying man, this would have been the perfect opportunity. All the deeds he had done, both good and bad, flowed through Methos' mind. The creeping sensation that signaled the presence of another immortal invaded his senses. Methos opened his eyes to see a dagger embedded in his opponent's chest. Gravely wounded, Methos was pinned under the crushing weight of his newly unconscious foe. He had felt the dagger between their chests, and knew that the blade had penetrated farther into his opponent's chest. Methos could feel the blood pool on his brand new SU sweatshirt. Methos' eyes darted around, but he was losing consciousness. The one thing he couldn't do was let down his guard. He had received a reprieve from death once; he didn't want to fall prey to another immortal's hands. There was a quick rustling of the dead leaves around them. A gloved hand clamped onto his opponent's shoulder. Methos was starting to lose focus, but he lifted his head, trying to see the person the hand belonged to. The dead opponent was pushed off of Methos' body, but Methos still could not move. He had been cut too much during the fight. He turned to look at the still open eyes of his opponent. They had that glazed over look that could only mean death had him in his grip. "Who? Are? You?" Methos asked to the immortal who was still alive and well. That gloved hand yanked the dagger out of his opponent's chest. Methos was sure that it would soon be planted into his own in no time. What had he done to that person? It was such a bitch when a deed from a thousand years ago came back to bite you in the ass. There weren't many people on earth that could understand that, either. Not even MacLeod. The boy scout. The young pup; he was still wet behind the ears in the grand scheme of things. The dagger hadn't come yet. Methos was close to blindness, but he looked up to try to pick out the one who would probably collect his quickening. He didn't have the strength to even hold his head up. His lungs rattled. He closed his eyes, but he snapped them open again. Yes, it was black as night outside, but Methos couldn't see moonlight reflected on anything anymore. Fighting death as hard as he could, he turned his head to see something, anything that would give an indication of the one who would take his head. Then he heard a great intake of breath that Methos knew was his opponent coming back to life. "Lucky bastard," Methos groaned to himself. "Now you can take the one who takes my head..." "Just go ahead and die, Methos," a female voice whispered. Methos' head snapped up. He knew that the person was close to his ear. He could feel a hand on his chest. "Don't fight it. It's all right, I'm here. I'm going to take this guy's head. By that time, you'll have revive and will be fine. Trust me." Methos knew that voice. At one time, he had loved the woman who owned that voice. Yes. He could trust her. She had amused him, had aroused him, and had irritated him on various occasions over the course of the centuries that they had known each other. Yes. Methos could trust her. Methos laid his head back on the ground and heard the beginning of an immortal fight. Then, Methos drew his last breath, confident that everything would be alright when he awoke. A quick intake of breath signaled Methos' return to the land of the living. He winced as his deflated lungs struggled to fill with life-giving oxygen. No matter how many times he resurrected, the pain of coming back always surprised him. Rolling onto his hands and knees, he mustered the energy to cough up the bile that had collected in his lungs during his 'death'. "What took you so long, luv?" The same female voice from earlier questioned from behind him. Methos carefully levered himself to his feet, using his sword for balance. "Pardon me, darling, but I just died." He wiped the Ivanhoe's soiled blade across the now headless corpse of his recent attacker. "I guess I owe you a thank you." "Nah, I owed you, Methos. A girl always pays her debts." The woman abandoned her perch on a large boulder to come and stand by the oldest immortal. "Besides, your head is too cute to be separated from your body." "Thank you, I think." Methos chuckled. Things could be so much worse. After all, without her intervention he'd be a foot shorter and permanently dead. "If I recall correctly, you owe me more than one." "A gentleman never reminds a lady of her debts, sir." "No one has ever accused you of being a lady, madam." Instead of being insulted, the woman threw her head back and laughed merrily. "You know me too well, Methos. Maybe better than anyone else I know." Her gloved hand caressed his cheek softly and snaked around his neck, pulling his lips down to meet hers in an explosion of passion. Allowing his mouth to be plundered by her tongue, Methos reveled in the emotions her kiss elicited for him. It had been a long time since they had been together like this. Lately, their affections had been centered elsewhere, but once again they were being drawn to each other like so many other times in the past. Reluctantly, the couple parted. If things preceded any further, they would end up ravishing each other in plain view of any passing motorist. Better for them to be locked away in a nice warm hotel room equipped with a lovely king sized bed to spend a couple long night reacquainting their bodies. Methos ran his tongue over his lips. "No lady I've ever known kissed like that." "So, I've missed you, Methos." Her hand slipped easily into his larger one. "Buy you a drink?" "In all the long years I've known you, have I ever turned down a drink?" Methos teased her as he kissed the top of her head. "No, especially if it's free. Where do you want to go, Methos?" Methos led her to where his Range Rover was parked at a roadside overlook. His eyes swept over her hungrily; he opened the passenger side door. "Your hotel room or my apartment?" "You are such a bad boy. There's plenty of time for that later. I was thinking more along the lines of Joe's, Methos." Methos turned the key in the ignition. "Joe will be glad to see us, I suppose, and the beer's always free." "Behave yourself while we're there, my friend." Methos grinned cheekily at his companion. "When am I ever anything but well behaved, Amanda?" ~~~~~~~~ JOE'S Joe was sitting on a stool behind the bar reading the day's newspaper when the opening of the door disturbed the dim tranquility. The blue lights of the bar's neon sign made a tranquil, yet disquieting, pattern on the floor. "The world's going to hell in a hand basket," Joe mused aloud as he refolded the laid out paper. Amanda beamed. "Because we have chosen to make an appearance? Why Joe, I didn't know you thought that way." Joe smiled at his two immortal friends. He just indicated the tap to the oldest man to fill his own stein. "I meant," Joe said. "The Dow's down, the forecast is for more rain and the Seahawks lost again." The bar had been closed for a little over an hour. Joe hadn't had time to read the paper yet for he had been so busy and actually enjoyed his solitude at that early morning hour. "Cheer up, Sparky," Methos said, sitting with his stein in a round table across the bar. "It's great to be alive." Joe couldn't believe he had heard such utterings from the 'jaded' old guy. He watched with confused amusement as Methos leaned back in his chair and stretched, taking in a full cleansing breath and exhaling with a grand smile. As Methos hunched back over in his seat to partake of his refreshment, Joe looked at Amanda. She was sitting like a cat who captured the mouse, staring down at the floor with a slight smile on her face. "Okay, what gives?" he asked. "What?" Amanda and Methos asked at the same time. Joe told Amanda, "MacLeod's looking for you." "Good. He can keep looking." "He said that he's at the loft if I see you." "I really have nothing to say to him." She smiled at Methos and said, "Besides, I'm busy." "I guess that means you need a drink." "White wine, please." As Joe got off the stool and walked to the fridge under the counter, he asked, "When are you going to let it go, Amanda? Mac's apologized." "Well, you know what? I don't care, Joe. He's the one that always gets pissed when people aren't honest and why don't we just leave it at that, ok?" After Joe slid the wine glass in front of her, she said, "Thank you. I need this. Give me another while you're at it." Methos piped up from his chair across the room. "The great Duncan "I've Never Been Married" MacLeod has been secretly married for centuries, it boggles the mind." "Oh, shut up, Methos!" Amanda glared at the old immortal.  "Hey, don't shoot the messenger. I told him I'd tell you if I saw you." Joe held up his hands in his defense. "So, what are you two doing together?" "We ran into each other a little while ago," Amanda said as she took a sip of the wine. "And?" Methos sidled up to the bar to indicate that his stein was empty. He leaned on the bar with his arms in front of him, his body hunched, and his soul focus was on the lithe immortal lady. After getting no answer, Joe asked again, "What the hell is going on?" "I ran into a spot of trouble and Amanda here came to my rescue," Methos said and grinned at Amanda. Just when Joe was going to ask how, the door opened again. Duncan MacLeod walked in. He was still noticeably shaken from feeling buzzes and stood by the door to wait for his eyes to adjust. "Amanda!" Duncan walked to her and spun her around on the stool, then wrapped his arms around her. "It's about time I found you." When he was about to give her a chaste kiss on the cheek, he stopped and looked at her face. "What happened?" "It's none of your business, MacLeod." Amanda forcefully told him. Duncan noticed Methos standing beside him for the first time. He pulled the lapel of Methos' coat to the side and stepped back. There were slashes on his light gray SU sweatshirt. The bloodstains that splotched it perfectly matched the maroon lettering. Joe was also surprised, having not noticed the macabre splashes. Duncan asked, "What happened?" "Good luck getting an answer, Mac. I've been asking the same thing," Joe said. Both sets of inquisitive eyes were on Amanda and Methos. Ever the artful dodger, Methos shrugged away from the curious Scot and helped himself to a generous refill of his favorite brew. Amanda tried her best to keep her composure and decided a trip to the ladies room would help her do just that. "I asked what happened, Methos." The old man knew that MacLeod and Dawson were trying their best to hide their curiosity. "I may be old, Mac, but I'm certainly not deaf." He knew he shouldn't toy with the two younger men, but as he had told Joe during the whole messy Walker debacle, he was easily amused. "Let's just say, Amanda returned a favor and kept my head and neck in perfect alignment." Draining the mug of beer, Methos waved to the other men. "Well, as you can see I need to get cleaned up. See you on the flip side." Joe watched the eldest immortal leave the bar. Every instinct he had honed over the years screamed something was up. The suspicious watcher replayed the night's events over again in his mind. There was nothing he could put his finger on. However, he knew Methos was hiding something and Amanda was privy to the information. Those two in cahoots could be a dangerous combination. His thumb and middle finger rubbed the bridge of his nose to try and relieve the stress that had settled there. Duncan looked around the empty bar. Amanda was taking her sweet time in the ladies room. Why did he feel like he was looking at a puzzle with most of the important pieces missing? He rolled his head around a couple of slow circles; he had suddenly acquired a headache. Ah, well, Kate had magic hands. He smiled as he imagined her agile hands rubbing the tension away. "Amanda, it's late and I'm tired. We really need to talk about this."  Joe folded the paper. No sense trying to concentrate on the day's headlines when an even greater mystery was being played out in front of him. As soon as he could hustle Mac and Amanda out of the bar, he planned to scour the Watcher database for any kind of clue for Methos' and the thief's strange behavior. He was about to hurry things along when Mac stood up and walked to the rear of the bar towards the restrooms. "Amanda, come on." He knocked on the wooden door. "If you don't come out, I'm coming in." The threat was left unanswered. Mac turned the brass door handle. "I warned you." Instead of finding his companion for the night, he was greeted by his own voice echoing loudly against the tile walls. "Amanda?" Joe put his hand on Duncan's shoulder. "Something the matter?" "Amanda's gone." "You really should've told her about Kate, Mac." "Thanks for the advice, but it's too late for that, my friend." "She'll get over it, Mac." Joe chuckled. These Immortals sure made his life interesting. "Go home, Mac. She'll forgive you when she's ready." Mac tried to ignore the knot in the pit of his stomach. "She may not this time, but I can't think about that now. Kate and I have just found each other again." Joe walked with Mac to the front door. "You guys still planning on leaving at the end of the week?" "Yeah, we need time to get to know each other again. Goodnight, Joe. See you later." "Night, Mac." Joe turned the key and set the alarm. Now, he had a mystery to solve. ~~~~~ Methos steered his truck into his assigned parking space. He wanted nothing more than a hot shower and a nice warm bed. He pulled his coat tight around him to camouflage the bloody remainders from the night's duel. At this late hour, he didn't expect to see any of his neighbors prowling around the building, but five thousand years of experience told him to expect the unexpected. He breathed a sigh of relief as he bounded up the last flight of stairs to his flat. The stairwell door banged against the opposing wall as he pushed it open. Maybe he'd order a pizza or Chinese. Challenges and dying always seemed to make him hungry. Not far from his door a familiar tingle rose up his spine and crawled into his head. Damn! Is Seacouver the gathering spot for every Immortal? He silently crept up to his door. Run, you fool, run! Curiosity may kill the cat, but he wasn't a cat and he was getting the hell out. Turning to bolt back down the way he came, Methos pulled the Ivanhoe from its sheath. "Methos! It's just me. Put your sword away and come in." Amanda called as she stepped out into the well-lit hallway. "If you're nice, I'll even share my food with you." Methos bit out a curse. "We're going to have to discuss your greetings, luv. I don't have a watcher; you do. I don't need them finding out who I am." "Sorry, Me..Adam. Now come in and make yourself at home." "This is my home." He strolled in past her. "What kind of food did you get?" "Chinese,"Amanda said as she kissed the tip of his nose. "Your favorites of course." "You read my mind." Methos threw his coat on the waiting hook. "I'll shower and be right out." Amanda took the take out containers out of the oven, where they'd been warming. Plates and chopsticks joined the food on the large coffee table in front of the leather sofa. She tossed a couple of large cushions onto the floor. Making herself comfortable, she waited for Methos to come out of the shower. She felt bad about fighting with Duncan. Nevertheless the prospect of spending some time with Methos overruled any guilt she was suffering. Any lingering doubts faded when the lanky Immortal sauntered out of the bathroom wearing only his light blue boxers that she knew he knew that she did so love. She caught the fact that he was strutting for her benefit, and damn it, he knew what he was doing. "Quit strutting around like an overtly pompous peacock and help me eat this lo mein." "Thank the Gods above for all night takeout," Methos said, laying his long form on the pillows alongside her on the floor. "I have a feast for us," Amanda said as she watched his long fingers wrap around, then gently, expertly, handle his set of chopsticks. He brought a bunch of lo mein to his mouth and bite off the noodles. A small dollop of juice was on his chin, and like a cat with a saucer of cream, Amanda lapped it off. After dropping the rest of the noodles in the carton, he tilted her head up with the tips of his chopsticks. "A feast indeed," he purred. Their mouths once again melded together. Their tongues reexplored territory that had been others' in the recent past while their minds remembered so vividly the last night they had been together. Amanda smiled and gently bit Methos' tongue, then released him. "You didn't forget, did you?" she asked. "I'm surprised that you did." "It was a long time ago, Methos." "I never forget anything." "That can be quite infuriating, let me tell you." "You wore red. I wore black." "If I remember correctly, by the end of the dinner, you were wearing a bowl of mashed potatoes." "If I remember correctly, and I always do, you were wearing nothing." "If you're lucky, I could be the same again in a very short period of time." "Luck will have nothing to do with it," Methos said.  Before Amanda knew it, Methos had scrapped the chopsticks, pushed the food aside with his elbow and was lying on top of her, and starting to devour her mouth once again. Just as she was starting to enjoy it, he had started to plant little kisses across her cheek and down her neck. It had been so long! Methos and Amanda had spent the last five years denying their shared past for the benefit of the Highlander. Ooo! Methos still has it. He knew right where she was susceptible to his every movement and at that very moment was igniting her pilot light. There were times since they had hooked up again through MacLeod that she wondered if he did actually remember anything that they had gone through together. She had known Methos almost since the day she had turned. Methos had gotten angry with her, short with her, in fact, acted like he didn't care if he ever saw her again. He certainly was enamored now. His delicately silky skin was moist, not only from being freshly showered, but had the dewy sweaty texture. He was turning a slight pink, flushed, with powerful emotion, as he continued kissing, and to her pleasure, licking her chest. He was now delicately nuzzling her stomach. His hands were like an entire extra being as they did their own searching and gentle fondling. She parted her legs with anticipation that he would soon be visiting further south. She could tell by feel that his motor was racing when her fingers explored every inch that she could reach. She yanked at his boxers and with his swift help they were shed. Her dress didn't take long to be discarded, flipped into the air behind Methos' head. She turned her body to experience more of him. Arms and legs intertwined, wrapped around each other, in a mass of united flesh. The door opened a bit. Methos and Amanda looked at each other, not having felt a buzz, then up at the door. Just what they didn't need, company. Methos grabbed a throw from the sofa and covered Amanda's naked body. His boxers were quickly donned before he vaulted over the coffee table. "Stay down," he whispered to Amanda. Seeing her nod, he lopped off to investigate the new arrival. "Adam? Is everything ok?" Joe asked as he poked his head around the door. "Oh, Dawson. What are you doing here?" Methos skidded to a halt in front of the door, blocking Joe's view into the living area. "I just stopped by to ask you a couple of questions and saw your door was ajar. I just wanted to make sure nothing was wrong." Methos' only thought was to get Joe out of his flat as soon as possible. All they needed was for the watcher to find out about them. He noticed Joe's eyes darting around looking for any clues. "Nope, just eating a little dinner, then I'm off to bed." He threw in a yawn and a stretch for good measure. "I'll stop by the bar tomorrow, Joe." His hand on the man's shoulder turned him around and back to the door. "I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" Joe said as he turned his head toward the coffee table set with two plates. "Like I said dinner, then bed."  "Alone?" "Alone. Now if you're finished&ldots;" Methos held the door open, "See ya tomorrow, Joe." "Yeah, see ya."  Joe reluctantly left the flat. The old man was a sneaky son of a bitch. The table was set for two people and he only seen Methos. Maybe once you hit the five thousand mark you acquired weird dining habits, or maybe pigs had grown wings and flew. He'd think about it tomorrow after he'd gotten some sleep. Making sure the chain and deadbolt were firmly in place, Methos sprawled lazily in the throne chair from his Paris apartment. That was a close call. Amanda giggled from her hiding place between the sofa and coffee table. "Is it safe to come out?" She teased as she wrapped the throw around herself. She sauntered across the living room and came to stand in front of him. Her hand stroked his leg that was hooked over the arm of the ornate chair. "Now where were we?" "I believe we were doing this." In one swift motion, she was cradled against his chest and his mouth was taunting her lips. Amanda's hands released their hold on the material covering her body. "Yes, I think you are right." Methos and Amanda continued their exploration that had been cut short earlier. Soon eager hands and mouths were roaming over smooth flesh. Although the chair was comfortable, it wasn't practical for the purpose for which it was being used. Methos sifted his weight and the additional weight of Amanda trying to find the most comfortable position possible. After several unsuccessful attempts, he finally groaned. "Why don't we take this to the bed? There's more room and it's certainly more comfortable." "You always were a creature of comfort." Amanda purred into his ear. "Besides, I thought you liked this chair. We certainly went to enough trouble to get it back." "You're right; I love this chair." He conceded. "You do have exquisite taste in gifts, luv, and thanks to your quick thinking it stays in our possession." Unlike Duncan, Methos appreciated her unique talents in the acquisition of fine things. "Something as special as this&ldots;I couldn't let it go." "Enough about history. I'm far more interested in the present." He swung her up into his arms and carried her to the king sized bed that dominated one corner of the spacious flat. "That is, unless you'd rather talk instead of&ldots;." Amanda kissed the tip of nose. "Consider my mouth closed." "What an interesting concept!" Methos tossed her onto the bed and bounced down beside her. "Now back to matters at hand." She pulled him closer. "Why did we wait so long for this?" "You know why." "Duncan?" Methos nodded his head. "Just for tonight, let's forget about the highlander." Amanda was certain a single night with Methos could make her forget anyone. But to forget the Highlander was what was on her mind. She had loved the dark Scot, but the feelings she had for the man holding her right now were older and in ways deeper than any she shared with Duncan. The disappointment of finding out about Kate was denigrating, but she couldn't think about that now because Methos was kissing her. Words alone weren't enough to express the way she felt about him: friend, lover, partner-in-crime, confidant, and teacher. Those just scratched the surface of her feelings for him. "Why are you so serious, luv?" "Just thinking how much I've missed you, my friend."  "Show me, Amanda." "To think...," she said, then took the time to nibble Methos' ear as she went about making his wish come true. "Don't think," Methos moaned, already reacting to Amanda's touch. Amanda said, "To think... that this intelligent, exquisite head was almost separated from your body," as she peppered light kisses across his face. "It's a good thing I've been plotting the last couple of days." "You've been what?" "You hadn't noticed?" Amanda laughed. "It's really nice to find out that the great, oldest immortal, jaded Methos can still be as clueless as the next guy. I can take care of my own bug extermination, Methos. I didn't need to call you at three in the afternoon for you to take care of it. And when you did come over to my place and took care of that grotesque bug, you didn't bite at my offer for dinner." "You were going to make me dinner?" Amanda shrugged. "I was thinking more along the line of a candlelight lobster dinner at the Excalibor Room, but you would have wanted me to make you something, I would have whipped something up. But you didn't bite. Why?" "I guess I had things on my mind." "Like that horrible man. Why did you fight him? You weren't wearing your track shoes and couldn't make a fast getaway?" "Sometimes it's just better to face your past and put it to rest." "What did you do to him?" Methos sat up. Amanda didn't like that and tried to lower him back down. He said, "What makes everyone think that I'm the bad guy, hmm? Couldn't it just be that he did something to me?" "You got me there, I'd never thought of that," Amanda had to admit.  "Well," Methos said, "there you go." "What did he do to you?" "Nothing, really." "Ah, ha! So, you did do something to him." "No." "He was a stranger and you just decided to take a head? Methos! I didn't know you had it in you." Methos told her, "Amanda. I know that you have lapses in memory, but this is really ridiculous." "Excuse me?" "You didn't recognize him?" "Why would I?" "Well... I heard through the grapevine... that not much longer would you have your head." "What?!" Amanda sat up shocked. "Maybe it was because he had dyed his hair. Maybe it was because he did appear slimmer to me than the last time we saw him. Maybe it was dark. Maybe he was tired from our fight and didn't relate to you the reason why he wanted your head!" "Who was it?" "Think back. When we were at St. Anne's Abbey, Rebecca was in Gloucester... King Alfred came... Geoffrey was the tall guy, shock of red hair... missing front tooth..." All at once, Amanda's eyes widened and she took a slow intake of breath. Methos smiled and shook his head and said to no one in particular, "The light bulb just turned on." He almost wanted to shake the sexiest women he had ever come across in his travels. "I cannot believe you sometimes Amanda." Methos chuckled as he said, "You can't put two and two together? You were just talking about the damn chair and you didn't make the connection that the owner of that said chair was the quickening that you picked up this evening..." "That was Geoffrey? I took Geoffrey's head?" Amanda sat rigid, confused, not at all believing. "I don't think so." "He was Geoffrey," Methos assured her. "He looked so different...," she said disbelieving. "He didn't say anything when I took his head. He should have said something..." "So he could talk you out of beheading him?" "No, I mean by letting me know who he was. I was just protecting that adorable little head of yours. The guy could have been anyone. It didn't matter who he was." Methos smiled and wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled her neck. "For that, I thank you." "Geoffrey...," Amanda mused. "I haven't given him a thought in years. Wow...." She melted from what Methos was doing, laying her back and covering just about every inch of her with hands and mouth. "Wow! He was really mad at me." "I remember," Methos said, continuing the program of what he had hoped would happen that evening. "You do have a way of making men feel angry, frustrated, deprived..." "He was a great fighter! I'm lucky to be alive!" Amanda suddenly realized. "It's grand to be alive, Amanda," Methos moaned. "Let's enjoy life. Now." "I mean, I'm terribly lucky to be alive!" She wouldn't let it rest. Methos laid back in bed and moaned. ~~##FLASHBACK 895 AD##~~ The bright summer sun filtered through the dense canopy of trees, glinting off the metal of the sword strapped to the saddle of the solitary horse plodding along the obscure path. The man astride the mount sighed heavily. Since his present employment had ended just months ago, he had roamed the countryside searching for a suitable diversion. However, his adventures had proved to be anything but diverting. Then a flash of brown eyes and a feral grin had set him on his present course. In an hour or so he would be in the arms of the most vexing woman in England, perhaps the world. The thought made him spur the horse into a gallop as he reached the edge of the forest. I hope she greets me with a smile and a kiss, not her sword. Their last parting had been a little volatile. Amanda had dreamt up a grand scheme to relieve a neighboring castle of its prized ruby. Methos had failed to see the point of slogging through a blizzard and knee-deep snow for a shiny trinket. After all there was a blazing fire and plenty of ale to drink in a nice dry hall. She had not appreciated his observations and the pewter chalice she hurled in his direction reinforced her anger. Only the wonders of immortal healing had spared his cheek from a nasty scar where the edge of the cup had torn the flesh. He still had to chuckle when he remembered the look on her face when she saw that her missile had hit its mark. He allowed himself to recall that eventful evening. "Your aim is getting better, Amanda. Let's see how fast you can run," he'd told her as he launched from his chair by the fire. A quick pursuit up the curved stairwell had left Rebecca and the servants sharing a round of laughter. Things were sure to be entertaining with Methos and Amanda in residence. As they raced up the stairs Amanda swore she could feel his breath hot against her neck. Damn! How was she supposed to know the blasted thing would actually hit him? From the top of the stairs, her room beckoned, promising a safe haven from the fast approaching immortal. Summoning one last burst of speed, Amanda reached her door and brazenly stuck out her tongue at Methos, taunting him from her relative safety. She pushed against the door, but to her horror, it didn't budge. With Methos steadily closing the distance between them, she slammed her weight against the still unmoving door. Her eyes darted back and forth desperate to find an exit from him. Any hopes of escape dwindled as he sauntered over to stand before her. "I can see that your training is coming along swimmingly." He planted a hand on either side of her head. "Perhaps, you need a little more endurance." Amanda tried to slow her rapid breathing. She was sure he meant her no serious bodily harm, but he was not one to let something like this go unchallenged. "Really, Methos, I did not mean for the cup to hit you," she offered. Methos smiled. "Do not throw cups unless you intend to hit your target." Seeing his smile was genuine, she lifted her chin. "That was a pretty good hit," she said, proud of herself. "Yes, it was." He closed his eyes when she caressed the healed cheek. "Now, about building endurance." He slid his short blade between the door and the jam and levered the door open. "Shall we?" He moved aside to allow her entrance. Amanda pulled him to the bed. "We shall." The rest of the night was spent in wild abandon. The first hints of dawn roused Methos out of his deep sleep. He rolled onto his side and watched the woman beside him sleep. In just a few short days he was to be back at King Alfred's court and no longer would the delightful Amanda be sharing his bed. She was always sad to see him leave, but she understood his need for space and sent him off with promises of the fun they'd have the next time they were together. His thoughts were interrupted when his horse reared. Struggling to keep his seat, he jerked on the reins and settled the horse. Methos looked around the area and wasn't able to see anything amiss. Deciding it would be better if he kept his thoughts on the here and now, he watched the passing scenery with little interest. It had been ten years since his last visit with Amanda and Rebecca. Wanderlust filled Amanda's veins just as it did his, but summer always brought her back to the Abbey and Rebecca. There was such a sense of kindness surrounding Rebecca that drew people to her. She was a touchstone for him and he suspected Amanda felt the same way. The walls of the Abbey loomed on the horizon and Methos urged his horse back into a gallop. The promise of a cup of ale and a bite to eat made him remember that the previous evening was last time he had eaten. He pulled his horse to a halt in front of the portcullis and dismounted while he waited for the guard to challenge his arrival. The Abbey may be holy ground and a haven but Rebecca wasn't foolish about her safety or those in her protection. "Halt! Your name, sire!" A masculine voice cried from his watch atop the wall. Methos was about give the man an answer when a familiar female voice called out as the gate was raised, "Methos, you scurvy bastard!" Amanda walked out to greet him sword in hand. "Lovely to see you, too, my little strumpet." He retorted as he saluted her with his sword. With a shout she hurled herself, sword and all, into his waiting arms. "Where have you been? It has been too many years." Methos plucked the weapon from her hands. "Be careful with that! Blood is nigh on impossible to get out of silk." He kissed her on top of her head. The length of time since they had last been together suddenly hit Methos. "It has been too far many years, and of course, you have missed me. I have been in the King's counsel." "My, my, you have come up in the world!" she teased as she grabbed his hand and led him into the hall. "Magda, fetch our guest a cup of ale and a bit of food." The servant scurried off to do Amanda's bidding. "So what grand adventures have you had, Amanda?" Methos asked, sprawling in the nearest seat. Amanda plopped down in his lap. "Nothing very thrilling I will have you know. France is not as exciting without you along." "Quit squirming or the servants maybe shocked to see me ravish you right here. Not to change the subject, but where is Rebecca?" Amanda stopped her wriggling. "In Gloucester, and she has left me in charge." "So the cat is free to roam the Abbey?" Methos asked, a little too eager, and caressing her leg. "This is holy ground, Methos. Do not even think of making God blush." "God invented what I want to do to you." "To me?" "With you." Amanda's smile was quick and bright. "That is more like it, dear." Amanda wrapped her arms around him and said, "Where have you been, and why have you been gone so long and how long are you planning to stay and most importantly, what are you doing here?" Methos picked her up and brought her to the bedchamber. "You can read my journal." Amanda was floored. So much so that he ended up dropping her on the feather mattress. "I can actually read your secretive journals?" "Well, I got carried away. You do have a way about you, darling. I was in Wales." "How much of me do you have in there?" Methos was silent. Amanda slapped him on the arm. "Methos, when are you ever going to trust me enough to tell me what you have been doing with your long life? Just how old are you anyway?" "Older than you," Methos said, sighing, knowing that by Amanda's rigid pose that she was more interested in talking at the moment than getting idolatrous. "I know that, be more specific." "Older than the hills." "Puh-lease. Rebecca is older than the hills. You cannot be older than she is." Methos gave Amanda a sideways glance that once he did it, he hoped she hadn't noticed, which she did. "What do you mean by that?" "By what?" "That look." "What look?" Amanda gave a grunt that signaled that she had enough conversation, as he wasn't going to give any anyway, just as he had intended... Amanda was a potent force on her own, but Methos was pleased to know that even after fifty years of immortality, he could still easily bend her to his will. Now, if she would only undress. Methos slipped his hand up her leg, pushing her garment up, and asked, "How is your birthmark?" Amanda giggled. "I am not at all sure, maybe you should examine it." He started kissing her thigh just as the arrival of many horses was heard outside the open window. Trumpets were heralding, men shouted 'God Save The King', the gate door was opened with a loud bumping and grinding of the wood door running against metal. Methos groaned. "King Alfred always had the worst timing." Amanda cuddled up beside Methos and said, "He can wait. We are busy." "Do you assume that Alfred will just wait idly by without greeting from a member of the house? It is just you and I here. It does not take a lot to rile royalty. All England needs now is another war." "What I do for King and Country." Amanda sighed. Then she let out a grunt of frustration. It was so difficult to bend to the rules. "Why did Rebecca have to go to Gloucester?" Amanda grumbled as she lowered her dress and sat up. She turned back to Methos to say, "You. Me. Here. Just after sundown. I do not care what the King wants." Methos smiled and eagerly kissed her. "Your wish is my command." ~~~~~ After Methos and Amanda rushed downstairs after making sure all items of clothing were smoothed out and all ties were tied, they found the vestibule empty. They looked at each other and cringed. Methos opened the massive oak and metal enforced door to find the King with his arms crossed, tapping his foot, on the stoop. "Your Majesty," Methos said, with a low bow. "Why did the servants not see you inside?" The King lightly smiled and shook his head. "It is a good thing that I like you, Methos. Amanda. Servants do not welcome a King into residence." "Please," Amanda said apologetically as she curtseyed. "Come in, Your Majesty. Welcome." Alfred stepped over the threshold and stood before Amanda. She peered up at him as if scared. Alfred cupped his hand around hers and lifted her to stand erect. With that, he planted a kiss on her hand, then her cheek. "Amanda, it has been too long." "Yes, Your Highness," Amanda said. "Methos and I were talking a walk in the gardens on this beautiful day and I guess we did not hear your arrival. Rebecca has left the Abbey in our care. She went to Gloucester. I apologize once again for not being prompt with our greeting." Alfred just stared at her. Methos also, somewhat enjoying the fact that she need to portray herself as chaste in front of the King. She nervously continued, a slight flush of pink on her cheeks indicated to Methos that she was lying, "We were walking in the garden. We did not hear you." "No need to explain, Amanda," Alfred finally said.  "Oh, thank you, Your Majesty." Creating an untruth was Amanda's specialty, but not to a man who could very well one day rule the world. "How are Rebecca's lovely gardens?" Amanda, flustered, said, "They are just outside." Alfred laughed, and nudged Methos. "That is a good place for them. Are the lilacs in bloom?" "Oh, yes, Majesty. They are very pretty. Fresh, fragrant, lilac in color..." Methos cringed, and motioned for her to shut up. Alfred said, "Rebecca must have a magical garden. It is too early in the year for lilacs." There was a painful pause after it was revealed to Amanda that her alibi wasn't accepted. Alfred didn't let it go for too long before laughing again. "I know where you and Methos more than likely were, Amanda. You do not have to explain it to me, or think of an excuse. I am honored you stopped in order to greet me. It should trouble me that you had just lied to my face. But then again, you are a terrible liar, Amanda. Since Rebecca is away, we must work on that if you are to complete the assignment I have for you." "Me, Your Highness?" "Yes. I need you." "Yes, Your Excellency," Amanda said hesitantly, of course, not knowing what he had in mind. Alfred shook his head. "All right. Formalities are through. I am Alfred. Remember? But I would like a place to sit down and heaven knows I could use a refreshment after the long, hot journey." "Oh, of course, Alfred," Amanda said, and motioned for servants who had been standing at attention nearby to get moving. "Right this way." She led him into the gallery where Rebecca had prominently placed the newest portrait of their king. The King's men had followed in a caravan with all of his things that he may need. One of the things brought in was a chair. The high backed ornately carved oak chair resembled a throne and was an imposing piece of furniture fit for a king. It was sat in the middle of the room with a small table set on either side. Magda brought in a tall glass of lemonade and curtseyed as she presented it to the King's right hand man. Alfred said, "I am the thirsty one, please," as he held out his hand.  Magda faltered for a moment to have the opportunity to serve the King directly. While still in her curtsey, she turned to present it to the King. Alfred had to lean forward all the way to clasp the glass. Then he sat back and took a long drink. "Ahhhhhhhhh. Very good. What is your name?" "Magda," Magda could scarcely be heard saying. A tall, red haired man dressed in an elegant tunic and shiny metal breastplate walked in and look in his surroundings. "Your Highness, the perimeter has been secured." "Wonderful, Geoffrey. This is my most noble knight, Methos. Geoffrey, this is Methos and Amanda, two very loyal citizens, and best of all, my friends." Geoffrey smiled at them both, then drank in the sight of the lovely Amanda. He slowly walked to her and took her hand. He deliberately gazed into her dark eyes as he lifted her hand to his lips. "You are the most beautiful vision I have ever seen," he said as he solidly, but not overstatedly, kissed her hand. Amanda blushed and gave him a smile. Methos stepped in a little closer to Amanda. He'd heard rumors of Geoffrey's womanizing ways and he could feel the faint buzz of a pre-immortal radiating off the red haired man. Just what he didn't need was a potential immortal drooling over Amanda for eternity. His hand rested possessively on her waist as he turned his attention to the king. "You mentioned an assignment, Alfred," Methos asked.  "Yes, I did, but why don't we discuss that first thing in the morning. We have had a long tiring journey. I am not a young man, like you, Methos." Amanda stifled a giggle after Methos sent her a warning look. "As you wish, Alfred." "Perhaps you would like to see your lodgings?" Amanda offered. "Just have the maids show my squire my rooms and Geoffrey can get the men settled into the stables. Then you and Methos can get back to your walk." Methos clasped Alfred on the shoulder. "I will show Geoffrey to the stables. Amanda, check with cook and let him know we have guests for dinner." Weary from the ride, he leaned back in his chair and breathed deeply. Alfred watched as Methos and Amanda hurried off to see to their guests' comfort. Hurrying no doubt to get back to each other, Alfred surmised. Ah, youth! ~~~~~ Methos strode quickly across the courtyard with Geoffrey in tow. The shorter man walked with a swagger that reminded him of Kronos. If he were lucky it would be the only thing similar to his brilliantly insane brother and this pompous man. Alfred was a shrewd judge of character, so Methos shrugged off his paranoia. All he had to do was show the man he stables and the rest of the afternoon was his to spend walking with Amanda. The tour of the stables was almost complete when Geoffrey queried, "Does the lady Amanda have a suitor at present?" "It would suit you better to ask her," Methos replied.  "As the man of the manor, I assumed you could speak for her," Geoffrey fished. "The lady answers for herself." "That is not usual for a woman to do." "Amanda is an unusual woman," Methos countered as he walked back toward the hall. Geoffrey watched the other man disappear into the hall. Amanda had intrigued him from the moment he had first laid eyes on her. She was sure to be a hellion in the bed if the lusty looks that passed between her and that arrogant man were any indication. She was sure to find him, a great warrior and favorite of the king, more appealing than a mere scholar. Certainly Alfred put great stock in that sort of stuff; his passion for the arts and education testified to that, but women found strength more attractive than knowledge. It was just a matter of flattering the wench. He would have to be careful; this wench was a close friend of the king. A glimmer of a smile passed over his bearded face; there had been tougher challenges than this in his life. He barked out orders to the waiting men and started the settling in process. ~~~~~ "I have a surprise for you, Methos." Amanda grabbed a bundle from the table. "Let me show you." Methos quirked an eyebrow and ran an appraising glance down her frame. "I believe I have already seen your charms." "Funny, Methos, but that is not what I meant." She took his hand. "Be good boy and do not argue with me. I assure you it will be worth your effort." One of the guards stood out by the gate horse in hand. Amanda's roan neighed a greeting to her mistress. The guard gave her a hand as she swung into the bareback of the horse. The mare danced in anticipation of the wild race an afternoon with Amanda usually brought. "Are you waiting for an invitation?" She laughed. "Your horse is tired, so we can share mine." He swung up behind her and rested his chin on her shoulder. "As you wish it," he whispered. They rode away from the Abbey and headed for a copse of trees in the distance. Once inside the shelter of the trees, they dismounted and walked hand in hand. The birds sang softly and squirrels scampered from branch to branch, rattling the leaves as they went. "So, where is my surprise?" Methos asked. "Patience. We are almost there."  The muffled sound of falling water could be heard a short distance from them. They came around a bend in the trail and a small waterfall came into view, its water dumping into crystal clear pool. The mirror surface was broken by water foliage along the sandy bank. "I thought after your long ride you might want to soak your tired muscles."  Methos kissed her passionately. "You are a clever girl."  He wasted no time ridding himself of his tunic. Amanda watched him with intense interest. The muscles in his back rippled as he bent over to remove his boots and leggings. He reminded her of the pictures Rebecca's books had of the Greek gods. She almost blushed when he straightened and saw her staring at him. "Like what you see?" He asked as he reached for her. She nodded. "Good, but the question begs to be asked&ldots; why do you still have so much cloth covering your body?" His fingers gently undid the brooches at each shoulder allowing the emerald green linen gown to fall around her feet. "I see Rebecca still has not convinced you to wear an under dress during the summer." "Well, it is hot and&ldots;." "No need to apologize, Amanda. After all it makes you more accessible to me," he reasoned. He stepped to the edge of the pool and tested its temperature with his toe. A little on the chilly side, but with Amanda around it would not matter. He gingerly waded into the pool and held out his hand. "Coming in?" "Just a moment," she called from the bank.  She rummaged through the bundle that had been ignored while their clothing was discarded. Pulling a bar of soap and a soft cloth from its depths, she tossed away from the water's edge before joining him in the pool. Once she was in the water, she lathered the rag with the soap and began to massage it across his body. He sighed and felt his tired muscles relax under touch. The rag found its way to his face. "Did I tell you how handsome you look with this?" she told him in reference to the goatee he now wore. "It makes you look dangerous." "Dangerous? Is that good?" he teased. "Very good. Now duck under and get your hair wet." Doing as she commanded, he dove under the surface of the water. She found herself being pulled under with him. She did her best to close her mouth to keep the water from rushing in and choking her. They broke the surface, him grinning and her spluttering. "You told me to get my hair wet." "Your hair, not mine," she shouted as she pushed her long hair out of her eyes. "Behave or you will not like the way I get even." Methos batted his eyelashes at her. "Sorry." "I hardly doubt that. Now bend down so I can scrub the vermin out of that mane of yours." "Vermin? I will have you know that I bathe regularly," he protested. "Bend!" Methos sank to his knees so she could easily wash his hair. Her fingers worked the lather through his hair. He wore it shorter than was the fashion; it curled softly at base of his neck. Amanda pushed his head below the water when she was finished. It was his turn to come up spewing water. "So you want to play, do you?" He drawled. Her playful shriek was all the encouragement he needed. The rest of the afternoon was spent splashing and dunking until their play grew amorous. Soon hands that previously shoved in play, now caressed tenderly. Methos grew tired of the chilly water and led her out of the pool to a thick covering of moss. She lay down on the soft cushion of moss and pulled him down on to her. Once again their bodies tuned into each other, ten years of absence meaning nothing. So wrapped up in each other, they didn't notice a pair of green eyes watching them from a safe distance. Geoffrey had been restless and saddled up a fresh horse to go for a ride. He had seen Methos and Amanda galloping off and he decided to investigate. His efforts were worth it when he saw the scene playing out before him. Amanda, it seemed, had no qualms bedding a man outside of the vows of marriage. No fancy courting would be needed then. She also found the scrawny scholar a worthy roll, so a chance to lay with a warrior like him would probably thrill her to no end. When he saw them begin to dress, he hurried to his horse. It wouldn't do for them to know he had spied their tryst and eased his horse back to the abbey. Their passions spent they were no hurry to get back to the hall. The horse plodded along, its riders conversed about whatever suited their fancies. Amanda told him all of the local gossip and tales of mutual friends. "So, you never mentioned why Rebecca is in Gloucester," Methos stated. "I am not positive, but I think she has met someone." "Good for her. She has put up with our mischief long enough." ~~~~~~ Dinner was magnificent, fit for a king, which was a good thing because there was a King in residence. "Where is Rebecca?" Alfred asked as he lifted the last of the roasted pork to his mouth. "She is in Gloucester, Alfred," Amanda told him. "What in the blazes is she doing there? I was so hoping that she would come with me on my travels, along with you, Amanda." Methos chuckled. "Why do you want all the great women, Alfred? You are married, does one need to remind you of that?" "I am not like my rakish ancestors. I came here for a specific purpose. I need the two ladies of this Abbey to accompany me and my men to Denmark." Amanda was flattered to be called to service by royalty, but also confused. "Highness? Why on earth would you need me? Rebecca, I can understand, she may be immensely helpful in talking those Danes down, but me?" "Do not disqualify yourself, Amanda. Yes, Rebecca would have been a wonderful addition, and her nursing is beyond reproach in case any of my men were injured, but I have to leave soon. So, Amanda, I need you as my wife." Methos spit out his drink. "Your what? What would the Queen think about that?" Geoffrey, who had been quietly soaking up the conversation, and the gravy with a chunk of bread, laughed. "She would think of homicide, I assure you. I told his majesty that it is a perilous plan." "I know, I know," Alfred said, "But it must be done. I can think of no other alternative except to commit more men to battle. Pushing the Vikings back inflicted more casualties than I ever expected. I want my country to turn their thoughts to art, literacy, the scholarly studies, not the best way to sharpen a blade." Methos spotted Geoffrey's hang dog expression, and asked, "You are to relinquish your army, Alfred?" "Oh, good God, no!" Alfred emphatically stated, which made Geoffrey breath a sigh of relief. "I command the world's finest army. My reign has proven that. I am a man of vision. We can not be a nation of fighting bull dogs. We must also have culture. The rest of my life will be devoted to seeing that accomplished. With Sir Geoffrey's help, my military will remain world class. With your help, Methos, along with your scholarly friends, my citizens will have brilliant teachers." Alfred finished the rest of his meal in two gulps and sat back, rubbing his stomach. Then he drank the last of his wine, then laughed. "Can you imagine what my citizens will be if they are tough, yet smart. A thinking soldier! No other realm will be a formidable opponent!" Amanda meekly asked, "I am neither a scholar nor a fighter, Alfred. What is it exactly that you need me to do?" "I need you to pose as my Queen. I solidly trounced King Groutham twenty years ago, and there were things he needed to accomplish to fend off another of my attacks. He has become Christian, but he is gathering an army and there have been border disputes." Alfred sat back in his chair and sighed. He shook his head as he said, "If only I were King of all England. It would be so much easier." "I am sure it would be, Alfred," Methos needled him. "I have sent a messenger to the King of Denmark that my Queen and I will be visiting. I will plant seeds of peace in the King's ear as you will sit with his Queen. My wife would surely go herself, and wants to with all of her soul, but she is with child and the travel might be too difficult for her." Methos laughed hard. "You want Amanda to be peace negotiator with the Queen of Denmark?" Amanda didn't think that was as funny as Methos did, and caught Geoffrey's glance. She couldn't help herself but to blush. "I hope your sword is nice and sharp, Geoff, old boy, as you will need it," Methos continued as he laughed. Alfred chuckled and said, "If Rebecca were here, I would have preferred her. I apologize, Amanda, but she is a better diplomat than you." "I quite agree," Amanda stiffly said, not knowing how to take the sudden turn of events where she was the laughing stock. She kicked Methos under the table, and he got the hint to stop it by the look in her eye. That man can be so irritating! One minute I am the light of his universe, the next, I am the butt of his joke. Geoffrey, never one to let an opportunity pass by, said, "Lady Amanda, it would please me if I may escort you outside to see the coach that you would be riding in, if you accept the King's offer." "Thank you, Geoffrey," Amanda said with her head held high. "If you would excuse me, Alfred?" Alfred waved his hand and leaned in close to Methos. "Now, about literacy." It was Amanda's turn to laugh. She was on her way outside in the dark of night with a dashing knight who is smitten with her, while Methos is stuck inside with a pig carcass on the table talking about reading and writing. As Geoffrey elegantly bowed and took Amanda's hand as if she were a titled lady, Amanda looked over her shoulder and gave Methos the biggest grin she could manufacture. "Thank you, Sir," she said to Geoffrey. "You must tell me all about how you were knighted. It is so exciting." ~~~~~ The Royal Caravan left the next morning with Amanda, elegantly dressed in the Queen's clothes, in tow. He hugged her close before she stepped into the carriage. She seemed ready to bolt out of sheer panic, but Methos kissed her cheek and whispered, "Courage." She gave him a smile and let him help her in. Methos had moments of jealousy, especially when he would see Geoffrey's amorous expression on his face whenever he looked at Amanda, and didn't think anyone else was watching him, but Amanda was a free spirit, as was he. Amanda's quest at this point could do wonderful good for the country, or it could all go horribly wrong. Having the fate of peace in the kingdom perhaps riding on Amanda's shoulders made Methos think about Greece. It was nice there this time of the year... But then he knew that Saint Anne's Abbey would be quiet until the blessed return of Rebecca... With that a thought formed in his mind, Methos skipped up the steps back to the abbey and would wait for the fair lady's homecoming. Amanda had mentioned that Rebecca had met a gentleman, didn't she? No, wait, Amanda wondered if she had met a gentleman. Methos would bide his time updating his journal, taking walks in the gardens, and wait for Rebecca. There was always a chance that she hadn't met a gentleman, and if the lady was sans male companionship, Methos would be more than willing to take up where they had left off so long ago. Methos and Rebecca had been together, off and on, for a little more than ten years when Amanda turned and Rebecca took her under her wing. Rebecca didn't want Amanda, her new student, to know that she took part in carnal knowledge with men not her husband. Methos remembered Rebecca explaining to him when he asked what the big deal was, "How would she respect me if she knew I did such a thing? The concept is too hard for her modern mentality to accept. You and I were born long before the days when marriage and monogamy were in vogue. It is almost against our nature." So, to please not only Rebecca, but also Amanda, and to some degree himself for not having to explain, Methos made himself scarce whenever Amanda was around, except for appearing as the guise of friend. Damn Amanda for making Methos care about her, to laugh with her, at her at times. Methos would have been happy coming to Rebecca every so often, but with Amanda there, it was a tough situation. Sure it was fun running for the hills whenever Amanda would pop in and neither Methos nor Rebecca wanted her to know about their true relationship, but it also was deceiving the one woman he recently found that he did truly care for, Amanda. Methos loved Rebecca, and Rebecca knew that Methos and Amanda and gone over the bounds of friendship, but wondered if the reason he loved Rebecca was only because of the kind of person she was. Methos needs a 'light' to permanently alter the monster that he had been less than a thousand years before. Rebecca was also experienced between the sheets, which never hurt. Amanda... She had a fire within her that lit Methos up in a completely different manner. Pure lust. Laughter. Wit. Spar of words. Smoldering nights spent together. There were times with Amanda when Methos wanted to devote himself to her and only her. Amanda was the perfect woman but Methos would never tell her that, and Methos couldn't find it in his blackened, but opening, heart, to settle with just one woman, especially an immortal. Methos walked out in the gardens and saw a worker pruning the hedges. The air was clean, the sky was clear. The birds were singing. The flowers were in full bloom. The light misting of rain that morning woke the whole of nature up and it was all there at his disposal, but the two women who filled his heart in two very different ways were nowhere to be seen. "When did I become so dramatic?" he pondered aloud.  "Do not fool yourself, Methos. You always had a flair for drama." Methos turned to see Rebecca standing at the garden's entrance. So lost in thought, he failed to register her approaching buzz. Not very smart, his voice of self-preservation chided. What was it about these two women that caused to him to drown out his normally loud survival instincts? He took a moment to gather his thoughts before he closed the distance between them. "Ah, you know me too well, Rebecca." He smiled. "You have just missed Amanda." Rebecca gave him a puzzled look. "I have missed Amanda? How can that be? She was to stay through the summer." "She's on an errand for the king." "Amanda? On an errand for the king? Surely you jest."  "I kid you not. Our darling Amanda is posing as the Queen. Alfred is making a trip to keep the peace with the Danes." "Oh, my!" Rebecca moved to sit down on a nearby bench. "It seems our Amanda is growing up." "Alfred had planned to take you along, but since you were absent, he made due with Amanda." "I'm sure she will do just fine." Methos chuckled. "Are you sure about that? We are speaking of Amanda." "You are becoming jaded in your old age, Methos. You must realize that she is becoming quite the worldly young woman." "I suppose you are right. This peace was hard fought. The continuation of that peace may well ride on her shoulders." Rebecca patted the empty spot beside her on the stone bench. "I suspect Amanda has strong shoulders, Methos. Now, sit down and tell me of your latest adventures." Methos settled in a loose-limbed sprawl. "I have been in Wales searching out some books for Alfred." "Could you be more vague?" Rebecca teased. She was no longer offended by his close-mouthed ways. It was part of his charms and it did no good to press for details. "Sounds interesting." "Not really, but it earns me a living." Deftly, he changed the topic of the conversation from him to her. "Was your trip to Gloucester eventful?" Her cheeks turned a faint shade of pink at his line of questioning. "I do not think that is any of your business, my friend." Methos jumped up and laughed. "Amanda was right! You have a gentleman in Gloucester!" "Goddess above, Methos, sit down. The servants will think you mad." She reached to pull him back to the bench. He ducked out of her reach. "Shall I get my best tunic out for a wedding, Rebecca?" "Just when I think Amanda is the most frustrating person I have ever met you wonder back into my life. How have you kept your head all these centuries astounds me, you rotten man." "Alright, Rebecca, I will behave. Is the lucky fellow anyone I know?" "No, he is not an immortal and that is all you need to know." "Fair enough," he told her. "I guess that means I will be sleeping alone, now," he pouted. Rebecca sighed. She could never deny him that, no matter how involved she might be with another. He was like an addiction for her. His charm, his intelligence, his sense of humor all spoke to her, but the one thing that always drew her was the vulnerability that was so well hidden under his devil may care facade. She felt an indefinable need to nurture and protect him even though she had suspected that he was twice her age. "You know the answer to that, Methos," she simply stated. Methos grinned, boyishly, "Good. Now, let us find something to eat." Continued in Part Two