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THE YOU'RE IN MY HEART SERIES WON'T GET FOOLED AGAIN - Part Two 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.
Much to Methos' chagrin, he spent the rest of the afternoon by himself while Rebecca bustled about the abbey making sure everything had run smoothly in her absence. God only knew how sick he was of riding his horse, so that wasn't an option and a swim in the forest pool without Amanda held no allure for him. He watched Rebecca consulting with her maids and he knew she was too busy to join him. Bored out of his mind, he decided that the only proper thing to do was take a nap. Once he reached his chamber, he walked over to the shuttered window. Pushing it open to allow the fresh breeze to circulate around the room, he paused by the table that served as a makeshift desk and grabbed one of his journals from the last century. Reading always helped him fall asleep. He opened it at random&ldots;765 A.D. Well, this would certainly do the trick. Crossing the Atlantic with those Irish monks had not been his most exciting escapade to date. What was I thinking? Water, cold, oh the stench! I should have stayed on dry land. He lay down on the bed and began reading. Before long his eyelids grew heavy and soon he drifted off to sleep. ~~~~~ "Tomorrow would be good day to change out the stuffing in the mattresses and air out the tapestries." Rebecca told the assembled servants. "The hall could use a thorough sweeping and new rushes. To think, the King saw this mess..." The servants nodded and went off to finish their evening chores. The mistress might be a taskmaster, but they couldn't complain when she worked as hard as they did. She was a fair mistress and they knew they were fortunate. Rebecca ran a hand across her forehead. Tired from traveling and the busy afternoon, she pondered the thought of taking a short nap to refresh herself. Methos had sulked up the stairs a couple of hours ago; maybe she'd join him for some rest. Rest. She highly doubted that all they would do was rest. She gathered up her skirt and hurried up the stairs. Soft snoring greeted her as she entered the end of the hallway to the bedchambers. She hoped her presence wouldn't wake him, as she wanted to surprise him, but one could never surprise Methos. His snoring stopped. She walked to the door, knowing that he was now was awakened by her immortal sensation. From her vantage point, she could see him sprawled across the large bed. His face was still buried in the feather pillows. Over the years she had known him, she had discovered that the degree of the sprawl signified his contentment. Surely, he was very content if his bed draping posture was any indication. One of his journals was half under his body and she had the urge to pull it out. She had no real desire to read it. After all, he had taken to storing some of them here at the abbey. If she wanted to know something, she merely asked and if Methos wanted to tell her, he did. There was no need for her to pry. What she wanted was to get it out of the way. "Care to join me?" Methos asked sleepily from the bed. He stretched and yawned, reminding Rebecca of one of the stable cats after a treat of cream. "There is plenty of room." "How is it possible that one man can take up so much space." "Years of practice?" "You may have had an carefree day, but I am very tired." Methos patted the empty side of his bed with a smile. Rebecca laughed. "I do not think I will get much rest in that bed with you." "No, you will not," Methos said, sitting up, revealing his bare torso. Rebecca didn't have to be asked twice and crawled under the sheet that Methos had lifted. "What about Amanda?" she asked, not really caring at that point, but had to ask nonetheless. "Amanda has a lap dog who is smitten with her. She also has the king. She also," Methos said as he covered Rebecca with his body, "has the King's jewels at her disposal. I believe that our little Amanda is well taken care of for a while. She may be gone for a year. She may never come back." "She is with the King's jewels?" Rebecca asked, alarmed. "She would not... You do not think she will..." After a pause, Rebecca sighed. "Oh Gods above. She would not steal any of them, would she?" "It is entirely possible," Methos said, but it wasn't easy to hear as his face was buried in Rebecca's neck. As his soft hand drifted down Rebecca's side, he lifted his head and asked, "Do you still want to talk about Amanda?" "Not particularly," Rebecca replied as she gathered Methos into her arms. ~~~~~ The trip to Denmark had been arduous. When the caravan was just miles from Groutham's castle, it stopped on Amanda's command. Alfred wanted to know what the hold up was, and Amanda explained that she should wash up, get her hair done, flush her cheeks, to present themselves in the best light possible. Alfred shook his head. "I trounced those bastards once and I do not want them to forget that I just might do so again. They will accept us no matter what we look like." Amanda sniffed and said, "Or smell like? After the long journey, Alfred. What would Her Majesty think if I look like something the cat dragged in? You made sure to bring your wife's finest clothes and jewels, I think we should use them. We should really show who calls the shots, Your Majesty." "You are always thinking, Amanda. That is why you please me." Alfred immediately put the soldiers to work scrubbing themselves off and changing their tunics. The two ladies in waiting who were brought with were enjoined to bathe and dress Amanda. As Amanda was standing nude behind a flimsy curtain with one of the ladies in waiting sponging her off and another doing her hair, she caught a glimpse of movement, then stillness at the edge of the curtain. She blatantly looked to see Geoffrey, in a new uniform, staring at her naked form. Amanda mimicked the Mona Lisa as she allowed him to continue looking at her. She even moved a bit so that he could enjoy her shape full on. For an instant, Amanda actually thought that Geoffrey would be charging in to take advantage of her, and the thought wasn't unwelcome. He was indeed handsome. He was tall, wide shouldered, had a nice smile of straight teeth that weren't as yellow as most men's. It was only when she heard Alfred holler that it was soon time to move onward did Geoffrey and Amanda snap out of their thoughts of the other. The ladies rushed to finish their job and Amanda felt like a fairytale princess when the ruby and diamond necklace, earrings and bracelet were put on over her thick, silk, brocaded, dark green gown. Her hair had been smoothed and pinned up with ringlets cascading down her front. Her cheeks had been pinched to allow their natural blush to show. To top it all off, after the curtain had been lowered to reveal a completely dressed Amanda, Alfred walked to her and presented her with his wife's crown. He himself was outfitted with all of his fineries and crown, and thought that she should be wearing the same. "I do not want to overshadow you, darling," he said. "Darling?" "I will call you that from now on, as that is the endearment for which I call my dear wife, so I do not at any time accidentally call you Amanda." "Okay." "So do not read anything into it. I love my wife with all of my heart." "Yes, Your Majesty." "Call me Alfred, or dear." "Yes, dear," she said smiling, and felt it very awkward. When the tiara was put on her head, Alfred took her hand and led Amanda back to the coach for the rest of the journey. The jewels that she wore had her entire attention as she looked at how the diamonds in the bracelet shone in the midday sun. Alfred must have noticed, as he stopped them and fumbled through his pockets. "Blasted!" he cried out. He called to his men, "Where is that ring?" A page ran to him and bowed, offering a small box in his hand. "Your Majesty." "Thank you, lad." Alfred presented Amanda with a twenty-carat diamond ring. "This is from the family jewels. Be careful with it. The King of England's Queen of course has a ring that the world envies. Unfortunately, my Queen would not part with it, so this is the next best one." As he slipped it on her finger, Amanda thought she was going to faint. It was so heavy, it was so brilliant, it was so... big! She almost needed her other hand to hold it up. "Alfred, dear, this is an astounding ring." Alfred whispered to her, "If you play this right, Amanda, you will own that ring." Amanda gasped and held her heart. It could not be true! She slapped Alfred's arm. "Do not even joke about a thing like that!" He laughed and said, "I know you love gems. This one was specially made for you. Just do not embarrass me and it is yours." Amanda contemplated the matter for a moment. She decided that if good behavior were what it took it gain ownership of the lovely diamond, she would be the epitome of propriety. "Alfred, you have my solemn vow that even the Pope could find no wrong with my performance." Alfred observed the serious look on her face as she stared at the ring on her finger. "Ah, just what I wanted to hear, darling. The Pope may find our ruse a little unethical, but I believe he would forgive us for the sake of peace." The carriage drew up to the gates of Groutham's castle. Geoffrey shouted up to the battlements and slowly the metal and wood portcullis opened allowing them entrance. One of the squires hurried around to open the carriage door for the King and his Queen. Alfred tucked Amanda's small hand into the crook of his arm and led her to the door where a tall blonde man and woman waited to greet them. This was sure to be awkward at first, but Alfred was confident in Amanda's to charm even the coldest heart. Alfred leaned over and whispered into her ear. "Smile, Amanda. Just remember the diamond." ~~~~~ SEVERAL WEEKS LATER Methos reined in his horse and used his hand to shade the late afternoon out of his eyes. Out on the horizon, he spied what appeared to be a caravan of horses and carts. A flash of color revealed that the approaching horde was Alfred and his men, which signaled the return of Amanda. Methos shifted in his saddle; he was glad, in more ways than one, that the little vixen was back. A sharp heel in the horse's side sent Methos galloping off to meet the King. One of the first riders he met was Geoffrey. He did a double take as he rode up to the red haired man. His left eye and cheek were a vivid shade of blue. Methos said, "Looks like that smarts." Geoffrey sat rigid in his saddle. "I am sure the King would like to speak with you," he ignored Methos' comment as he urged his horse on. Methos had noticed a gaping hole in the other man's row of teeth. He'd have to be sure and ask Amanda what had happened. He rode up beside the royal carriage and shouted out, "Your Majesty?" A jeweled hand swept the velvet curtain aside. "There's no need to greet me so formally, Methos, but you may kiss my ring." "Amanda?" Her smiling face appeared in the window. "Methos." Alfred leaned forward to look out the other window as cleared his throat and chuckled. "Methos!" He then shouted for the driver to stop their progress. "Alfred. I trust your mission was a success," Methos said after they were stopped. "A success? Amanda may have missed her calling. If I were not happily married, my friend, she would be my Queen," Alfred praised. "She did an excellent job. The continued peace of this land was assured by her charms." Amanda fairly glowed under his praise Methos noted as he dismounted his horse. "Will you be joining us at Rebecca's, Alfred?" "Only long enough to deposit this lovely young woman at St. Anne's gates. I have missed my family these long weeks away. As lovely as you have been, Amanda, I must confess I miss my wife dreadfully." Amanda smiled. "I understand, Alfred." "Sire, Amanda could ride back to the abbey with me, then you can be on you way even sooner. If she would like to, I mean." Alfred looked to Amanda for her approval, which was written all over her expressive face. "I will send one of my men to take her things back to the abbey." He reached across the seat to kiss Amanda on the cheek. "Thank you for all your help, Amanda. I shall miss you, my dear." Impetuously, she threw her arms around Alfred's neck and gave him a gentle hug. "And I will miss you, my liege." Methos helped her onto his horse and mounted behind her. "If you have need of my services, please send for me, Alfred." "You know I shall, Methos. Give my regards to Rebecca." With that he ordered the carriage on. The cart containing Amanda's new acquired clothing and treasure was directed back to the abbey. Methos guided his horse back to copse of trees they had shared earlier in the summer. Methos helped her from the horse. "Now, I can greet you properly," he told her. "It seems like we are always greeting each other or biding each other goodbye." "It is the nature of the Game, Amanda. Step closer so I can kiss you." "As told you earlier, you may kiss my ring." This time she held out her hand with the diamond ring twinkling brightly in the sun. "Gods above, Amanda!" Methos pulled her hand closer. "If I hurry I can catch the king and return this." "Like hell you will!" She fumed as she jerked her hand free from his grip. "Alfred gave this to me as a gift." Methos quirked an eyebrow, "Did you borrow this?" A hurt look settled on her face. "Why must you think I steal everything?" "Because you usually do," he laughed. Without a moment's hesitation, Amanda balled up her fist and slammed it into his stomach. She stormed off to sit on a nearby boulder. After he gathered his breath, Methos sat carefully beside her. "I am sorry." "No, you are not." "I am sorry I hurt your feelings, Amanda." She shrugged away from him. "Come on, I have missed you. I do not want to fight with you. I would much rather be making up." "Men!" Amanda stood up and paced. "Women!" Methos shouted back. Both of them started to laugh. "That's better. Now tell me about your trip." Amanda regaled him with stories of their meetings. She described all the things she had seen in vivid detail, not leaving out the tiniest detail. Methos enjoyed seeing her face and hands tell the story. He waited patiently for her to finish before he asked his question. "Where did Geoffrey get his black eye? Did his horse kick him?" "I punched him." "You what?" "I punched him." "Why?" "I was walking in the Queen's gardens by myself late one night. I needed some fresh air. Geoffrey was already there, so I excused myself and started back inside," Amanda related. "He asked me to join him for a walk." "And?" "He decided he would like to sleep with me, too. So, I punched him." "With what?" he knew that Amanda could hold her own, but from the bruise on Geoffrey's face more than a fist was involved. "I followed your advice." "Pardon?" "I casually picked up a rock and punched him with it in my hand. Just like you said, it will drop an ox." Methos kissed her on top of the head, as was his habit. "I have created a monster." "I am a woman not to be taken lightly," Amanda corrected him. "Woman do not mean a hill of beans to some men at the present time, but hopefully we will make strides one day. Methos, he saw us." "Who saw what?" "Geoffrey saw us together... outside... you remember, you had better remember!" "And he decided that since you bedded one man you were not married to that he could just have his way with you?" "That was my thought. Of course, I had to correct his misconception. When he would not listen, I resorted to violence." "And we can always take up where we left off." Methos gently took her hand, caressing it, then her leg. Before long they had shed their clothes and were rolling together down a soft incline. Methos laid atop Amanda and she caught the sun's reflection off the dazzler on her finger. She lifted her hand to see it sparkle in the beam of sunlight through the trees. Methos lifted his head as she was no longer reacting to any the touches and caresses to her body. There was no way that he had lost his touch with her! Then he saw the ring on her finger, and that she was more focused on that, holding it up to catch the rays of light. Amanda cooed, "Is it not the most exquisite gem you have ever seen? It is so big! And it is mine!" He grunted and took the ring off her finger and tossed it behind him. "Methos!" Amanda hollered as she tried to sit up. "I have seen many rocks, Amanda. What I need now is your full attention." Amanda giggled as they cavorted further down the incline and into the pool. ~~~~~ "He is not stopping by?" Rebecca asked the King's Men who came to bring Amanda's things into the Abbey. "No, ma'am," one of the men bowed his head to her. "He sends his regrets. We were to bring Miss Amanda's possessions here and collect His Majesty's traveling throne." "Of course. It is in the drawing room. Why did he not bring it on his journey?" The other man said, "His Majesty wanted to see what seating arrangements Groutham would provide for him and his 'Queen'. His Majesty likes to put people to the test. Any test will do." That did sound like Alfred. He was so much shrewder than the lineage he hailed from. Rebecca bide the men adieu. She was a bit sad that King Alfred hadn't stopped in to see her, but he was, of course, a busy man. She would write him a letter later that afternoon to also wish him and his Queen's well on the impending birth of their child and to invite them for a retreat. Now where was her little Amanda? From the looks of the bags that Rebecca knew Amanda hadn't owned prior to her arrival at the Abbey. She had yet to see Amanda this year and wondered where she was. ~~~~~ Methos was sitting up in the pool with his minx astride him. They were laughing and dribbling water over each other, settling down after expending energy. The birds chirping, the leaves rustling in the wind, the frogs jumping out of the pool be damned; all they cared about was each other. One sound did interrupt their amusement however, the slight clearing of a female throat. Amanda turned around and gasped in horror. "Rebecca!" Amanda slipped off Methos and covered herself with her hands. She was so concerned about hiding her nudity and thinking up excuses for being with Methos in such a manner, that she didn't see the look that past between Methos and Rebecca. Rebecca had debated about making her presence known when she found the two of them at the pool, but by how they were acting, she didn't know how long it would take for them to realize that there were others in the world. Rebecca wanted to see Amanda. Now she felt bad as Amanda was clearly embarrassed, almost to the point of being horrified. Rebecca knew that Methos and Amanda had an intimate relationship, and that theirs had a more solid footing than the one that Methos shared with her. Rebecca glanced at Methos, who was still sitting with his hands locked behind his head in a cocky manner. She smiled. The man had nothing to hide. They had defined their relationship long ago. They could enjoy each other when they were alone, but if Amanda was around, Rebecca knew to step aside. The same with her, if Rebecca had a man in her life, Methos would make himself scarce. It was a pity, Rebecca thought. The last few weeks with Methos had been splendid. "Dinner will be served at sundown," Rebecca said, averting her gaze from them, to make Amanda more comfortable. "I thought you would like to know, so you will have time to ready yourselves. Amanda, it is no nice to see you. We have much to talk about." ~~~~~ Rebecca sat at the head of the table in the intimate dining room of the Abbey, not the one used for formal occasions, such as when the King was in residence. The candles were lit, the food was on the table, the wine had been poured, but Amanda and Methos were nowhere to be seen. Rebecca asked Magda what was taking her guests. Magda replied, "Lady Amanda was confused about what to wear." "Please tell her that her clothing is not what is important, but that her presence is." Magda went to the doorway just as Methos arrived. Magda bowed and scurried away to fulfill her task. "Methos," Rebecca called to him. "Please sit, have some wine while we wait for Amanda's arrival." Methos smiled as he sat next to Rebecca and pecked her cheek. "You may be Lady Rebecca and the sun rises and sets because you wish it, but you do have a mean streak in you." "Me? Whatever do you mean?" "Why did you interrupt us this afternoon?" "You seemed to be having too much fun." "Ah, jealousy." Rebecca studied Methos' face. He hadn't accused her, he hadn't teased her, he had just stated a simple fact. She nodded in agreement. "You are so good for her, Methos. She has blossomed under your tutelage." "Our tutelage." "Why do you not make an honest woman of her?" "She is immortal. She has much to learn before I can do such a thing." "Ah, yes. You tend to marry mortals. It is interesting, Methos. You go into a relationship with a mortal knowing that it will end." "The lesson of life. All things end." "That is also interesting, coming from an immortal." "I have seen civilizations rise and fall. I have seen great men falter, weak men ascend to heroism. Love, death, hatred, indifference." "You have not answered my question." "You had a question?" "Why have you not taken Amanda's hand in marriage?" "She is not ready." "So it is not because you do not love her?" "No. Amanda fills my heart and my life." Methos smiled as he sipped his wine. His eyes betraying his enchantment with her, but his frown indicating that for some reason all his own, he was not ready for Amanda full time yet. When he didn't say anything more, Rebecca decided to let it go. Just at that moment, Magda returned to announce, "Miss Amanda." Amanda hovered on the other side of the door. Rebecca walked to her with her arms outstretched. "Amanda, welcome home, belatedly." Rebecca drew Amanda into a hug and whispered, "You have nothing to explain to me. I am glad to finally see you. Come, let us dine." Over dinner, Amanda slowly became more comfortable. The grace of Rebecca and the wit of Methos made her feel totally at home. She only became riled when Rebecca mentioned the presence of the King's men, and what they took with them. "They what?" Rebecca was surprised by Amanda's reaction. "They took the throne with them." "That is my chair. Albert gifted it to me. I was going to...," Amanda said, then stopped and looked at Methos and bit her lip. "Darn it, I was going to give it to you, Methos." "To me? What do I need with a throne?" Rebecca laughed and said, "I will let that remark pass." "It would have been a nice gift, Methos, and you would have accepted with dignity," Amanda said, twisting the diamond ring that it took hours for Methos and Amanda to find after Rebecca had made her leave. "Albert said that I may have that chair." Then she gasped, irately. "It was Geoffrey! He must have overheard and told those men with my bags to get the chair also. He took my chair!" "I thought it was my chair," Methos said, teasing her, enjoying when she gets riled over material possessions. "It is mine until I give it to you." Amanda was so mad she stood up and paced. "That conniving ingrate! I would not sleep with him, so he takes my chair." "He does have reason to be miffed by you, love," Methos said. "His face will never be the same." "One good turn deserves another," Amanda murmured. She was so busy plotting that she hadn't even heard what Methos had said. ~~~~~ "Why do I let you talk me into these harebrained schemes?" Methos whispered harshly. "Because without me, your life would be incredibly dull?" Amanda responded cheerfully. Methos did his best not throttle the woman on the horse beside him. Both were dressed in dark clothing, blending in easily in the black of the late night. The first quarter moon did its best to light the cloudy sky. The horses somehow sensed the need for quiet and only their breathing could be heard and nothing else. Methos had wrapped the metal pieces of their harnesses with cloth to keep them from jangling. "Dull is not a bad thing, Amanda. You would be well served to learn that lesson." "I told you I would do this myself. No one twisted your arm." "Rebecca would never forgive me, if you got caught." "Well, I am not going to get caught, Methos." She informed the older immortal. "Is the cart ready?" "All we have to do is hitch one of the horses to it once we have the chair." "According to the local peasants, Geoffrey is still at Alfred's castle along with his men." Amanda continued to detail the plan. "He virtually closes his keep when he's not in residence. The only thing we have to do is get in, get the chair, and get out. Not very complicated." "Nothing is as easy as it seems, Amanda." Methos was glad he had come along on this adventure. Amanda's spontaneity was refreshing, except when it came to planning. He was the master strategist and he reluctantly offered his skills to keep Amanda from getting caught in the act. "We should head out now." After telling Amanda to hitch the horse to the waiting cart, he silently rode around the edge of the small keep. Two passes around the rock wall offered no shouts of challenge from a posted sentry. His eyes darted about the landscape looking for any sign of movement from the coffers or lingering men at arms. Instincts honed over millennia told him that he and Amanda were alone aside from a stray dog or cat. He rode over to where Amanda waited with the cart. "I'll go bang on the gate. If no one comes storming out, bring the cart and we'll load the chair and get the devil out of here, understood?" Amanda's teeth flashed white in the dim moonlight. "Understood." Methos ran quickly across the distance from the trees to the gate. He pummeled the door with his fist for several minutes. He stopped to listen for the sounds of approaching humans. Several minutes passed in silence; he whistled loudly for Amanda and the cart. She brought the cart to a halt beside him. He pointed to the battlements. She rummaged through a bundle in the back of the cart and came back to him with a rope with a large metal grappling hook attached to it. He took it from her with a smile and gave it a few test swings. Sure of himself, he swung the rope in ever-increasing arcs and sent it sailing up and over the rock wall. Giving a stout jerk, he began to scale the face of the wall. At the top of the wall, he called out to Amanda, "Step lively, love." Amanda swallowed hard. Heights were her one fear and Methos knew it. He had helped her overcome that fear, but she still balked at times. Her mind worked over time weighing the pros and cons of the situation. The fact that Geoffrey stole the chair from her out weighed any fears she held, no one played her for a fool. "Courage, Amanda, you can do this." Closing her eyes tight, she forced hand over hand as she slowly made her way up to him. Once she eased both legs over the side she bit out, "Why did you not just pull me up, Methos?" "You have to be prepared for anything, Amanda, that includes being able to do what you just did. What if I had not been here or hurt? You have to be able take care of yourself. If you can not do it, do not trust another to." Begrudgingly, she had to admit the infuriating man was right. "Shall we get started?" Methos pulled the rope back up the wall. "After you." Amanda and Methos scrambled down the battlements and headed in different directions. She ran into the hall and went in search of the sought after chair. He slammed the bar out of the gate allowing it to swing open. Once the horse and cart were safely inside, he barred the gate. To the outside world nothing looked amiss "Found it!" Methos followed the sound of her voice. Amanda had sprawled rather impressively in the ornate chair. "Ah, my chair." "If I recall this is my chair," Methos corrected her. "Alright, our chair," she amended. Methos scratched his head. The chair was presently located in the upstairs chamber, which he assumed was Geoffrey's personal room. It would be a feat to haul the heavy chair down the steep flight of stairs. "Front or back?" "Pardon me?" Methos rolled his eyes. "Do you want the front or back going down the stairs?" "I will take the back, I think." Heaving the chair to lean down so he could get a good hold on it, he instructed Amanda on what exactly she was supposed to do. "Whatever you do, do not let go." Their progress was slow and labored. Several times down the hall, Amanda had to readjust her grip. "Heavens! This thing is heavy." "Tell me about it," Methos groaned. "This was your idea, remember?" "Shut up and get it over with, Methos." Everything went smoothly until halfway down the stairs; Amanda got a cramp in her leg. Automatically, her hand reached down to massage the pain away. Realizing a moment too late what she'd done, she tried in vain to stop the chair's downward slide. "Methos!" "What?" He asked. "Keep hold of your end, Amanda. Buck up and help me out a little." The words had no sooner escaped his mouth than he felt the crushing weight of the chair pushing him down the stairs. He made a valiant attempt to halt its progress, but the momentum would not be stopped. He knew this was a losing battle, so he did his best to minimize the damage to his person. How undignified. Death by furniture, he wryly thought as he tumbled down the stairs. I will kill her for this. Fortunately for the both of them, Methos did not die from his fall, but suffered minor scrapes and bruises where he cushioned the chair from damage. Amanda lifted the chair as best she could. Methos rolled out from under its weight. Amanda sighed. "At least the chair is still in one piece." ~~##905 AD##~~ It had been ten years since Methos had left Amanda with her precious chair and started his assignment from King Alfred to assist in educating the illiterate of England. It was hard to bid the minx farewell, but they both knew that it was time to move on. Good things shouldn't be expended. One shouldn't come to take things for granted, such as the pure, unadulterated lust that Methos and Amanda shared. Methos also believed that Amanda had much more to learn. She wouldn't while he was around. He felt protective of her and couldn't stop himself from remedying impending danger for her. The last he heard about her was from Rebecca's letter inviting him to the Abbey for rest and relaxation. She had pointedly mentioned that Amanda had been in Scotland, but has also graciously accepted Rebecca's invitation. Because both Methos and Amanda were wandering spirits, they never knew how to reach one another and Rebecca remained their lifeline to each other. Alfred was the cherished king and all of England wept at his passing. For a while, Methos thought that after King's death, Alfred's dream of educating the masses would be defeated, as each new monarch wanted their reign to be their own, not the continuation of someone else's vision. However, Edward, Alfred's beloved son, continued his father's dream. Methos had traveled all over England setting up schools, teaching for a while until he was certain that there were qualified people to take his place, then move on to the next village. The last year of Methos' life had been devoted to one of Alfred's most treasured dreams, that the classics were translated from Latin to Anglo-Saxon for all in his kingdom to be able to read, understand, and relate to their children. It was now certainly time for a vacation of rest and relaxation with his two favorite women, Rebecca, and of course Amanda. As he approached the gate of the Abbey, he felt an immortal sensation. Since the wooden gate was closed, Methos didn't know which woman was there, but hopped off his horse as the gate opened with excited anticipation in his heart. Who he saw, however, stopped him in his tracks. "Geoffrey?" The red headed, gap toothed immortal greeted him. "Methos. How nice to see you once again." Methos crossed the gate threshold and took a good glance around. Geoffrey was indeed the only immortal in the area. He stood proud, pompous. Geoffrey must have grown into his immortality over the last decade with no troubles whatsoever. "Geoffrey," Methos said, taking his offered hand into a shake. "I see you have news." Geoffrey chuckled. "Rebecca is a marvelous teacher. If it wasn't for her, I don't think I could have survived the first year." "She took you in?" "Oh yes, she is an amazing person. A glorious spirit." "Is she more than your teacher," Methos asked, not wanting to show how jealous he felt. "You mean like you and Amanda?" Geoffrey shook his head, betraying that he would enjoy more of a relationship with Rebecca, but she wouldn't use her student in such a manner. "How is Amanda?" "I will shortly be finding out. Has she arrived?" "Not yet. Why are we standing out here? Rebecca is in the gardens." Geoffrey motioned for Methos to walk up the massive staircase surrounding the Abbey, but Methos had the thought that it was exactly what Geoffrey might have in mind. Methos would lead, and Geoffrey would take his head when his back is turned. "After you, sir," Methos gallantly said with an exaggerated bow. Methos had followed Geoffrey to Rebecca in the gardens. As soon as Methos caught sight of her, just after he felt her immortal sensation, he was again dazzled. The woman shone in the sunlight like a brilliant diamond. She welcomed him with open arms and demurely kissed his cheek. Methos at that moment realized that she was displaying decorum in front of her student. It wasn't long before there was another immortal sensation surrounding them. Methos and Rebecca looked up the slope to see Amanda, dressed in a yellow ankle-length tunic cinched at the waist with a black leather belt. Methos felt as if the air had been knocked out of his lungs, she was such a vision. It had been too long since he had held her, smelled her, tasted her. He was about to forget anyone existed in the world and rush to her, rush her inside. But he saw the look on her face. Snapping back to reality, Methos realized that she was scared to see Geoffrey there, and that he was immortal. It seemed to be news to her also. Geoffrey, oblivious to any of her discomfort, or if he was indeed hiding dark thoughts, was acting perfectly to get them to trust him, walked to Amanda and gingerly took her hand. He bowed deeply as he kissed her palm and escorted her down the slope to Methos and Rebecca. "You look beautiful, Amanda," Geoffrey said as he gave her hand to Methos. Rebecca gathered Amanda into her arms and said, "I am so pleased that you have finally arrived." While that was going on, Methos plucked a daisy from the garden and took another look at Geoffrey to see how he was reacting to Amanda without knowing that he was being watched. All Methos saw was friendship. Methos shook his head. Geoffrey had either forgiven everything that happened ten years ago or he was the Great Pretender. Methos knew that he would have to keep his eye on him, but he couldn't stay away from Amanda any longer. Even though Amanda was probably still worried about display of emotion in front of Rebecca, Methos gathered Amanda up and kissed her with all the force of missing her had brought. She felt good, soft, inviting. When her arms wrapped around him tightly, he wanted to end all pleasantries in the garden and just spend the next days alone with one person. He held Amanda close and she rubbed her cheek against his. "I have so missed you, Methos," she whispered. "Not as much as I," Methos said, pulling away only to present the perfect white daisy to her. Amanda actually blushed as she held it, smelled it, having not dropped Methos' hand. Then she regarded Geoffrey, guardedly. "Geoffrey. I see and feel that you and Rebecca have been keeping a secret." "I asked Rebecca not to reveal my immortality. I wanted to surprise you." "In what way," Methos asked. "What do you mean?" Geoffrey actually seemed genuinely confused. "Why the surprise?" "I wanted my immortality to be a surprise. We are friends, are we not? Or am I mistaken?" Rebecca said, "Of course. We are all friends." She winked at Amanda and said, "Some more friendly than others, but friends all the same." "You do not have any ill feelings towards me, Geoffrey," Amanda asked. "Why would I? I was a cad, Amanda. I apologize from the bottom of my heart for forcing myself upon you." Geoffrey looked toward Methos. "I apologize to the both of you." "You are not a little upset about anything else?" Amanda asked, and Methos knew she was referring to the stolen chair that Methos had in his London home. He put his hand on the hilt of his sword, just in case Geoffrey's reserve faded and anger took over. Geoffrey displayed only confusion. "Why else would I be angry?" Amanda looked to Methos, surprised. Geoffrey did not know that it was they who stole the chair back, that was rightfully Amanda's in the first place. Amanda smiled and good-naturedly shrugged. "Well, that is wonderful. I am starving!" Rebecca, Methos and Amanda strolled into the abbey arm in arm. Geoffrey stood alone in the garden. He picked a daisy and brought it to his nose to smell. He crushed the delicate blossom in his hand. Now that they were all together, he would exact his revenge on them for stealing the chair from him. Methos and Amanda were the only ones who could've known he had the chair in his possession. He would find out the location of the chair and get a possible Quickening out of the deal, if he could lure them away from Holy Ground. ~~~~~ Several weeks passed with relative calm. Lazy days spent in the sun and cool evenings spent in the garden, Methos and Amanda made up for lost time. Unbeknownst to Amanda, Geoffrey kept close tabs on her whereabouts. He did his best to charm Amanda and Rebecca, but he had no such luck with Methos. Methos stuck to Amanda and Rebecca like glue, never allowing them out of his sight, much to Geoffrey's chagrin. His level of frustration rose as he watched the flirtation between Methos and Amanda. It stuck in his craw that she had refused him, but panted after Methos like a bitch in heat. Well, he'd remedy that soon enough. "Methos, get up. Rebecca wants you to help her with the ledgers," Amanda purred in his ear. "She said you would lay in bed all day if you could." Bleary hazel eyes slowly came open and looked to the window, where the morning sun was just beginning to make its presence known. "Tell Rebecca to bugger off. Come back and wake me later, Amanda." "I do not think so." She pulled the blanket off of him. "She means it. Her wrath will be directed at me, so I suggest you rise and shine." "Why do people want to conquer the world so early in the morning?" He whined. "Tell her I will be down shortly. Amanda sat down on the bed beside him. "I am afraid not, Methos. Rebecca told me to wait til you were up and dressed." Methos mumbled an unpleasant curse as he stretched. He sat on the edge of the bed and yawned and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Amanda couldn't resist giving him a quick peck on the cheek; he looked so adorable with his hair all rumpled from sleep. "I hate mornings." "Look at it this way, darling, the sooner you get your chores done, the sooner you can join me at the pool." A smile played across his lips as he grabbed for his clothes. "Since you put it that way." They hurried down the stairs to break their fast. Rebecca and Methos took leave of the table to begin their work. Geoffrey laid his napkin beside his plate. "I have some affairs to take care of this morning, Amanda, but I thought perhaps we might go for a walk later." "Thank you, but I already have plans for this afternoon," she apologized. "Maybe some other time, though." She didn't trust Geoffrey, although the man had given her no reason to doubt his sincerity. She had cornered Methos on his opinion and he told her to watch her back around the red haired man. She totally trusted his instincts about people. Better to be safe than sorry. "I will take my leave," Geoffrey said, a little miffed, but hid it well to Amanda. He walked out of the hall and to the stables. Damn that wench! The door of the stable slammed under his hand and kicked a nearby bucket as he stalked over to the pitchfork. He climbed the ladder to the hayloft and began dumping forkfuls of hay down for the horses. Instead of easing his anger, the constant motion gave him time to replay his bitterness at the vexing woman. He cleaned the stalls out and was so deep in his anger he didn't notice that one of the stable boys saddling up Amanda's roan mare. "Sir, Lady Amanda's horse is out of her stall, shall I clean it while she is away?" "John, that is a splendid idea. Did Lady Amanda take her out by herself?" The lad nodded. "Yes, sir." "Very good, John. You may go." The boy ran off to complete his task. Geoffrey knew that perfect opportunity had come; Methos was locked away with Rebecca and Amanda was alone. He glanced around to make sure he was alone. Seeing that he was, he began to saddle his own horse. After that was done, he knelt down along the wall and pulled a stone loose from its resting place. He smiled. His bundle of clothes and coin were still here waiting for when he might have to make a quick getaway. He tied the bundle to his saddle and slid his sword into its scabbard. As luck would have it the courtyard was empty as he rode out of the gates. Things couldn't go any better if he planned it. Amanda sat on a rock braiding her hair; it usually got tangled in knots while she and Methos played in the water. The tingling sensation of another's buzz signaled that she was no longer alone. "Rebecca is being a slave driver again, Methos?" She called out. Geoffrey nudged his horse from behind a clearing. "Wrong man, Amanda." "Geoffrey! What are you doing here?" Amanda silently thanked God she'd left her tunic on. Geoffrey casually dismounted his horse. "Oh, I think you know. You are a bright girl, Amanda." There was no mistaking the sound as his sword left its scabbard. "I suspect you know where Alfred's throne is, am I right?" "It is my chair, you dolt. Now, I think you had better leave before things get ugly, Geoffrey." Geoffrey stepped closer to Amanda. "You have no sword." "And you forget the last time we met I did not need a sword to come up the victor." "Then it seems I have much to repay," he bit out. He grabbed her arm and held the edge of his sword against her neck. "Tell me where the chair is and I might kill you quickly. Then I will go to that bastard Methos' hovel and get my chair back." Amanda twisted her head around and spit in his face. "I do not think so." It was probably not a bluff on his part about knowing that she and Methos had stolen the chair back, that rightfully belonged to her, to give to whomever she wanted. Rebecca had to have told Geoffrey all about Methos, and probably where he lived. She brought her heel down on the instep of his foot and twisted away from him when his grip loosened. She tried to put as much distance between them as possible. "Methos will be here soon." "Good, then that means two quickenings instead of one." He jumped over the fallen tree and made another grab for her. He stopped in his tracks when he felt another immortal enter the clearing. He turned and faced the new arrival. "Who will it be?" Methos looked to Amanda. Technically it was still her challenge, but he itched to take this arrogant bastard's head. She nodded her head. "He is all yours, Methos." Geoffrey threw back his head and laughed. This was too easy! The scholar's head first and then the tramp's! Methos knew that Geoffrey underestimated his skill with a sword. Most people did, but he didn't live to be four thousand years old not knowing how to handle his weapon. He let the man laugh; he knew he wouldn't be laughing long. The two men circled each other. Methos always let his opponent make the first attack. He could assess the man's skills and adapt his own offense based on that. Geoffrey's style was all force and no finesse. He braced himself as Geoffrey's sword made contact with his. He couldn't help but see the satisfied smirk on the other immortal's face when he launched his attack. Enough of this! Methos thought as he brought his sword under Geoffrey's guard. He pulled his sword back and slashed it across his foe's stomach. The smirk was gone, surprise having taken its place. Geoffrey sank to his knees. Methos swung his sword in a backhanded motion. Just as the sword began its downward arc, Geoffrey slid his dagger out of his belt and plunged it in Methos' direction. The blade sank all the way to the bone in his thigh, giving Geoffrey enough time to roll away from Methos' sword. Knowing he was lucky to be alive, he ran to his horse and rode as fast as he could away from them. "That bastard," Methos yelled through clenched teeth. He sank to the ground. "Amanda, come pull this blasted thing out." Amanda came running to Methos but instead of doing as he had wished, she yelled, "You let him get away! I can not believe it!" "Pardon me?!" Methos figured she wouldn't take care of the dagger, so he bit his lip, took a deep breath and yanked. Yes, he had not at all forgotten. Daggers always hurt more coming out than they did going in. "Geoffrey got away! He is going to get my chair!" "I thought it was my chair," Methos yelled back at her, hoping the healing would take care of his leg and it would be in perfect shape to kick a certain uncaring woman in the backside. "You know what I mean. What are you doing?" "I am standing," Methos said, his upper body hovering over his lame leg. "Or trying to." He flopped back on the ground and accused, "You let him get away, not me." "I could not interfere. It is against the rules. Rebecca would kill me if she found out that I interfered in a fight." "Your secret would have been safe with me." Amanda stood up and started to walk away. Methos was just getting control of his leg back and was working it out when he asked, "Where are you going?" "I'm going to get my chair back because that rat bastard is more than likely on his way to your house," Amanda said stalking back up the incline to the Abbey to pack her things to begin her quest. No one, absolutely no one pulls one over on her, certainly not twice. She could hear Methos calling behind her, "That bastard stabbed me in the leg during an immortal challenge and all you can think about is that bloody chair?" She spun around and yelled, "Yes!" "It's not like it's not going to heal," she muttered to herself as she walked to the abbey. Then spun around again and called out, "I would wager that your leg is as good as new as I speak! Meanwhile, Geoffrey is going to get my chair!" Amanda didn't want to think about how angry Methos might be at the moment, so instead, tried to envisioned his magnificent frame sprawled in the chair. The throne. It was the most comfortable seat he has ever or ever will sit in. A chair fit for a King! Or Methos. Amanda smiled as she brushed past Rebecca at the Abbey door. "What on earth was all this ruckus, Amanda?" "Geoffrey is a rapscallion and you would do best to stay away from him." "Geoffrey?" Rebecca acted astonished. "He is a marvelous student." "In what way?" "He has heeded everything I have said and my, how well he does with a sword." "Rebecca, he has been a soldier all of his life, of course he can use a sword. And he has heeded because he needs information. Are you sure he was heeding? Are you sure he wasn't just plotting? Just because he listened doesn't mean he heard anything. That no-good faker." "What do you think he has done?" "He is going to steal my chair! Again!" Rebecca put her hand on Amanda's arm and said, "Amanda. This sort of anger will only eat you up inside. It is a chair. Wood. Fabric. Nothing more. It is material." Rebecca put her hand over on Amanda's heart and said, "It is what is in here that counts." Amanda softened. The words of her teacher did make a lot of sense. "I am sorry, Rebecca. Once again, I have disappointed you." "You do not disappoint me, Amanda. Your emotions are too close to your heart. At times," Rebecca said as she moved her hand to Amanda's head. "You must think, not feel." "Think about what?" "Think about why Geoffrey took your chair, and then think if it is worth it to have this cat and mouse game go on. Trust me, Amanda. Geoffrey will return to me, and I will talk to him about this mess." "Yes, ma'am," Amanda said with a spot of embarrassment. Amanda had been immortal for almost fifty years and she was still learning from her teacher. But, Amanda quickly formulated a plan. It was her chair! Geoffrey is stealing it again out of spite. As Amanda looked at Rebecca's trusting, glowing face, Amanda realized something that she hadn't before. Rebecca was too trusting. Look at how she has given Amanda second, third, fortieth chances. Amanda had also learned from Methos all these years that she had been immortal and known Methos. You do need to think with your heart, and not let anyone push you around. Amanda hugged Rebecca and kissed her teacher on the cheek. She softly said, "I will ponder your words while I take a nap." "Sleep well, Amanda." Rebecca said, with pride that her impatient student had taken her advice. "A good rest will do you a world of good after your long journey." ~~~~~ Methos walked into Rebecca's study as she was still pouring over her journals. She saw him and said, "Good, you are here. Dinner will be served soon." "Where is Amanda?" "Taking a nap," Rebecca said, then smiled. "I had imagined that you had joined her." "No, she is not taking a nap, I was just in her bedchamber looking for her. We need to talk." "We do?" "No, Amanda and I." "I thought she was taking a nap." Rebecca, worried, ran to Amanda's bedroom and saw it was indeed empty. The bed hadn't been slept in. Rebecca opened a chest to see that all of Amanda's things that were placed upon her arrival was gone. On the bureau was a parchment with Amanda's hurried scratching on it. "Rebecca," it read. "I am so sorry and hope you forgive me, but I can not let it go. Amanda." At the same time, Methos had run into the stables. John walked into the stables and bowed to Methos. "Sire. Is there something you desire?" "Did Amanda leave with her horse?" "Yes, sir. Twice today. She was in quite a hurry." "Did she by chance say where she was going?" "No, sir. But I think for a long while. She had her bag with her." Methos sauntered out of the stables and saw Rebecca standing that the stone rail of the circular steps that surrounded the Abbey. They both knew where she went and why. Methos didn't care. He kicked some stones as he walked back into St. Anne's, certain that Amanda could take care of herself. If that was more important to her, so be it. ~~~~~ DAYS LATER Amanda jumped off her horse after days on continuous travel and ran into Methos' house in the center of London. When she saw that the chair, which had taken the place of honor near Methos' stack of books, was gone, Amanda paced with anger. She decided that if it took the rest of her life, she would get that chair back, and maybe take Geoffrey's head for good measure. ~~##911 AD##~~ Methos was just settling down for the night and fidgeted in bed, placing the covers atop him just so, then kicking his feet free. He turned his head and it sunk into the freshly plumped feather pillow. Ah, this is the life, he thought. Being a scholar does have its perks. No hard labor, grateful Lords and Earls who have no way to show their pleasure but coins. A great number of coins. To disturb his slumber would have taken an act of God, or the approaching buzz of an immortal. Methos opened one eye, then the other. Before the blink of an eye, Methos was sword in hand, sidled up against the wall by the door. The door opened, between he and whoever immortal it was that dared encroach his domain. When it was half way open, Methos body slammed it shut. "Ow!" he heard a female yell from outside. Methos opened the door a ways and poked his head out. "Amanda?" Amanda got up and rubbed her shoulder. "That was a hell of a greeting. Boy, are you hard to find. Why did you move out of London? What are you doing in Glasgow. There is nothing in Glasgow." Methos opened the door all the way as she walked in and kept right on talking. "I have been searching for you for almost a year. As soon as the snow flies, that would be a whole year I have been looking for you since I got the chair back. No one knows where you are. Rebecca had not heard from you since you left the Abbey just after I did almost a decade ago." She stopped her pacing and looked at him. "My, my, my, you are a sight for sore eyes." Methos realized that he was naked and smirked in response. Amanda giggled. "And I think you are happy to see me." "That is debatable," Methos defiantly said, standing tall, letting her enjoy the view. "Oh, come on, Methos. You know why I had to leave." "I know why, I just do not understand why it was so important." "It was for you." "Right." "Really. I had to be patient. I could not just willy-nilly go off to take that chair back, your chair. I had to wait and make sure that Geoffrey had no idea who took it back. There are a lot of people angry with that fellow. He is so pompous and makes sure that anyone who arrives at his abode sees him sit in Alfred the Great's chair." "How do you know? Have you been friendly with him?" "Methos. Could you be jealous? I like that in a man." "Amanda!" "No, I did not get friendly with Geoffrey. I just followed him, and talked to people. Everyone thinks he is a no good thug, who is strong and has gold. So, I waited. Geoffrey got married to a little twit. She is a widow with a passel of brats. I should feel sorry for her, but I have talked to her. Believe me, Hannah is just as selfish as Geoffrey." "What is the point of all this?" Methos asked as he made his way back to bed. "This," Amanda said, going back to the door. "Cover yourself, darling," she told Methos and then opened the door and waved. "In here, right this way." Two large men walked in, carrying King Alfred's traveling throne. Amanda scurried around them and told them, "Put it right there," as she pointed to the end of the bed. Methos was sitting up in bed and slightly nodded at them, but his attention was on the throne. The men had placed it so that it faced the bed. It was a marvelous chair. It had been a while since he had seen it, and truth be told, he had missed it after Geoffrey had so rudely taken it from his London dwelling. There certainly was something about reading a section of his journal while in Alfred the Great's throne. Amanda shooed the men out, plopping some coins in their hands. "Thank you so much, fellas." One man stopped and looked at the two coins in his big, burly hand. "You said I would get double this if we took good care of the chair." Amanda froze. "I did?" "Yes, you did." Both men stared at her, and at the chair. Methos got the feeling that the men were about ready to break that chair into too many pieces to visualize. He lay back with his hands locked behind his head and allowed a chuckle to escape him. Amanda grimaced to Methos. "Can you lend a lady a hand?" "Point out a lady and I will surely lend her a hand." The two men laughed hardily, but Amanda didn't think it all funny. "Let me see," she said as she opened some of Methos' drawers. "You must have some coins around here somewhere. I would bet you still have the first coin you ever earned." "Top left," Methos said. Amanda turned back to him and smiled. "Thank you." She opened the top left drawer and took four coins from a leather pouch and gave two each to the men, and shooed them out again. "Nice doing business with you, Lady," one man said, emphasizing 'lady', and they both laughed on their way out. Amanda slammed the door behind them, the turned to Methos. "What was that lady crack supposed to mean?" "What did you mean by leaving me when I was stabbed in the leg?" "Boy, you have a long memory." Amanda shook her head and then explained, "I had a goal. You and Rebecca never cease to tell me that I should focus." Amanda elegantly sat upon the King's throne. She hiked up her dress and crossed her bare legs. Methos could see for an instant that Amanda was not wearing any underclothes. Methos smiled and rubbed his stomach. "Is that for me?" "It is all for you, and only you, Methos." Methos hiked himself up and slowly crawled to the end of the bed. "It is a nice chair," he said, in a low voice. As he inched his way closer to her, Amanda lifted her leg, pointing her toes. He grasped her foot and kissed his way up. "But I am better," she purred as Methos lifted his head out from under her dress and stared into her eyes. "Yes, I will have to agree with you." He laughed as she pulled him closer. "Never argue with a beautiful woman."
PRESENT DAY "Look on the bright side, Amanda, we don't have to worry about anyone stealing the chair now." "He was like a dog with a bone. All he had to do was leave the chair alone, but he wouldn't walk away," Amanda sighed. "Hello, Pot? This is Kettle. Are you black?" "You forget it was my chair." "Our chair, but let's not go down that road again tonight," he rolled onto his belly. "How about a nice back rub? I think I pulled something during the fight." Amanda straddled his waist. "Baby! I took his head, you should be the one giving the back rub." Her hands vigorously massaged his well-muscled back. "I'm not as young as I used to be, luv. Be kind to the old man," he sighed. "You haven't lost your touch." "Old pervert, you mean." She playfully slapped his bum. "Now, I think we should switch places." "If you insist." "I do." Amanda flopped on her back. Methos looked at her funny. "I thought you wanted a back rub." "Improvise," she said seductively. No other enticement was needed. The next several hours were spent improvising. Finally, they lay in each other's arms. The first feeble rays of sun could be seen from the window. Methos yawned closely followed by Amanda. "I don't know about you but I could use some sleep," Methos kissed the top of her head. "Sweet dreams," she yawned as she curled up close to him. Methos threw a long leg and arm over her, resorting to sleep habits centuries in the making. "Try not to snore." Her fist in his ribs set them both to giggling. Soon the giggling turned into soft snores. ~~~~~ The unmistakable presence of an immortal and the pounding of the door roused them out of their deep sleep. "Adam, its me," the equally unmistakable voice of Duncan MacLeod called from the hall. "Hang on, MacLeod, I'll be right there." Methos grabbed a pair of jeans and a shirt from his dresser and jerked them on. He tossed Amanda a robe. "Wait in the bathroom while I get rid of him." Amanda slipped into the robe and hurried into the bathroom. Methos spotted Amanda's discarded dress by the sofa and used his bare foot to push it under the sofa. My, my, wouldn't Mac be shocked to know how I spent the night. He strolled casually across the living room and opened the door. "Sorry, Methos, I thought you'd be up already," Duncan apologized. "Yeah, well, I had a busy night. What can I do for you?" Methos walked over to the fridge and snagged a beer. "I wanted to talk to you about Amanda. She's not handling this thing with me and Kate very well." Methos walked over to the throne chair and sat down. "Face it, Mac, we were all a little shocked by that revelation. I wouldn't worry about Amanda, though. She's a big girl." "I know, but she's never been this mad at me before." Amanda pressed her ear to the door. She listened attentively to the conversation. The brief exchange revealed so much about the men and the way they viewed her. Methos always understood her for who she was and passed no judgment, while Mac never truly understood her free spirited ways. Methos taught her how to survive while Mac tried to protect her. She loved them both in very different ways, but she knew it was time to let Duncan go. She took a deep breath and turned the doorknob. There was no turning back once she left the safety of the room. Duncan's head jerked as he felt Amanda's buzz. Shock crossed his face then confusion settled. "Amanda, what are you doing here?" "You were right last night, Duncan. We need to talk." She looked at Methos. She needed to be alone for this. Methos nodded and slipped on his boots and coat. He walked over to her and whispered in her ear, "Courage, luv, courage." Amanda touched his cheek. He always knew when she needed to hear that word. She waited until Methos had left and she and Duncan were alone. Amanda debated about what to say to him first. When she had emerged from the bathroom, she had the idea of making MacLeod really pay for how he had so blatantly kept such a big secret as having been married, when he said that he hadn't, and had turned his wife on their wedding night. What kind of immortal turns a pre-immortal? Amanda was never under the impression that Duncan was perfect, but she never thought that he would lie to her face. Every single moment they were together on and off through the years, he was lying to her. When she would talk of marriage, his response was always "I'm not the marrying type", not "I've been there, done that". That's all he had to have said, he didn't have to tell her, "I've never been married and that's not going to happen". If you add it all the years here and there up, Amanda had never been with a man, any man, as long as she had been with Methos, and they have never talked of marriage. Of course, she and Methos hadn't been together for more than a couple months at a time. It was only when Amanda was with Duncan MacLeod of the clan MacLeod that she did have the rumblings of settling down with him. On one particularly erotic moment with Mac, Amanda almost told him point blank, "Let's get married", and not only that but "Let's adopt a bunch of babies". Thank God she never did. She was lost in the moment at the time. Duncan was a great lay, and a sweet man, she thought. If she had said those things, Duncan MacLeod would have again lied through his perfectly straight pearly whites. She hadn't given him the satisfaction of laughing at her. That's what he had done every single day he had not revealed that he had been married, and turned her, on their wedding night! She was ready to tell him to take a flying leap out the nearest window with all of the anger that had been building upside since she had heard about the existence of Kate weeks before, by Joe, but Duncan made the first move. He told her, "Amanda, all I can say is that I'm sorry." "That's all?" "I told you many things from my past. My barbaric killings, the times I have acted like a selfish child, the times I had ignored what others needed or how they felt, being too wrapped up in my own quests. It happened again when Kate returned to my life. I didn't take how you would accept it to heart. The reason I had never told you about her or our marriage is because I was embarrassed. I still am. I never should have behaved as I did, to you, or to her on our wedding night. I was taking the advice of someone that I loved and trusted with all my heart and soul, Connor. What I didn't do when he suggested that I turn her so we can live together forever, was realize that he was in pain. Connor was depressed and not thinking straight because he was so lonesome and lost. I was too young to recognize it or understand. Connor was a God to me, everything to me. He had to have it all together, right? After I turned her and she ran away from our life and me, I was embarrassed. Plain and simple." Amanda had listened to what he had said, nodded in agreement, but said, "And that explains why you lied to me? Why I had to hear about her from Joe? I wonder why that is." Amanda couldn't stay still and started to pace, the bile of anger was too strong and she needed to find some way to calm down so she could think straight. "You know what? I know why you didn't tell me. It was because you have never thought of me as an equal. You have never allowed me to be truly myself unless I'm tending to you. All of my wants, all the things that were important to me, you have negated, talked me out of them. If I didn't listen to you and I did as I damn well pleased, I had to hear the reasons why I was wrong. You wanted me with you, but you kept me at arm's length. I'm not a doll you can manipulate Duncan. I'm a living, breathing woman who will do what I damn well please! I always have been, but you haven't seen that. Now back to your wife, I think the reason you never told me is not because you were embarrassed, Mac. It was because you knew that I would leave you for good. That was the problem. All the years you and I have wandered in and out of each other's lives, you never gave me your whole being, your respect. I was only the current lay as an interlude before the next one came along. I'm not a doll that you can bring down from the shelf once you have time for me. I'm not anyone's fool." "Of course you aren't, Amanda," Duncan said. "I didn't realize you felt this way." "You never asked me, Duncan, that's part of the problem," Amanda calmly said, but then the rush of anger flooded her and she yelled, "Don't speak! You had your chance to talk, you had years to talk. You blew it. You're not going to smooth over the edges in our relationship so we can remain friends this time, or dull the hurt that I feel. We've broken up before so this is nothing new, and it would hurt for a while and then I would move on. This time is different, because this time I feel how I never in a million years thought I would ever feel about you. Do you know what that is?" She allowed him time to talk, and he quietly said, "Betrayed?" Amanda laughed. "You're such a man. No, Mac. I feel disillusioned. The Great Duncan MacLeod has a major fault, and it's not just in the past, when you turned your pre-immortal wife. It's with everything that you have done since, including not having the balls to tell me about her to my face." All at once, Amanda dropped the robe and let her nudity bother him, she was making a point. Methos sure kept it cold in his apartment, so Amanda quickly donned her dress that she saw the hem up poking out from under the couch. She turned to have Duncan zip her up, which he did, and put his hands on her shoulders. "I have to run, MacLeod. I've said and done all that I care to with you." She slipped on her shoes and opened the door. She smiled as she said, "Have a good life with Kate, Duncan. I really mean that." As she was closing the door behind her, she made sure he heard her say, "But I certainly hope you warn Kate to watch her back." ~~~~~ Amanda walked down the sidewalk after her confrontation with Duncan. She hoped she hadn't gone over the top with him, but all of those emotions had been building for some time. Kate was just straw that broke the camel's back. Amanda was who she was, not some idealized version Duncan wanted her to be. She hoped Kate could live up to Duncan's standards. "Things went well?" Methos asked as he fell into step beside her. "Yeah, they did." Amanda hooked her arm through his. "I think we know where we stand now." "Mac still in one piece?" He asked as he steered her into a coffeehouse. Amanda laughed, "Yes, but his butt is probably sore from the chewing I gave it." "Well, that's a visual I'll not soon get out of my head," Methos grimaced. "Have a seat, Amanda, you look like you could use a cup of coffee." "I still don't think he understands why I'm so pissed off." Amanda relayed after they'd place their orders. "It's not so much that he's married, but why didn't he tell me? I heard it from Joe." "Need I remind you that we're just as guilty of lying?" Methos reminded her. "MacLeod has no idea that we've been more than friends for a really long time." "But that's different, Methos," she protested. "Really, how so?" "Believe me, it just is." "Could it be that you're not the one being lied to?" Methos asked. "Drop it, Methos, I can't explain it, but take my word it just is." Methos smiled. Sometimes there was no explaining her reasoning, you just had to let it go or get a headache trying to figure it out. "I was thinking. Its awfully cold here, but I hear Bora Bora is nice this time of year." "Hmm, do you still have that hut on the beach?" Methos nodded. "How long will it take you to pack your bags, darling?" Amanda said as she stood up. Methos grabbed her hand and ushered her out the door. "Who needs clothes?" Amanda's happy laughter trailed out the door behind them. THE END |