THE YOU'RE IN MY HEART SERIES HELTER SKELTER Part Ten Conclusion By Susan and JoLayne RATING: PG-15 CHARACTERS: Methos, Amanda, Duncan, Kate, Joe, Cassandra, various Watchers SUMMARY: A month after Won't Get Fooled Again, Geoffrey's watcher figures out that Methos is not a myth, and very much alive. Methos is kidnapped; his mind and body are studied. NOTE: Thanks MnD, you rock, girl! 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. Part Nine Methos looked quickly at Amanda, wondering when she was going to revive and join the party. His leg was still on fire. He knew he was quick with a blade, but she didn't have to pull her blade out of her leg. The pain of it was going to slow him down, but he knew that it would only be for a second, then he would be able to aim straight. He just needed to find himself a couple of second's window. Wake up, Amanda! Methos couldn't help thinking, hoping and praying. What he got instead, was someone firing a bullet from the tree line at them. JOE! Methos knew that Joe would come to the rescue! Again! Methos smiled as he pulled the dagger out of his leg, now enjoying that window that had been provided for him. Beth reacted to the bullet in her arm, and dropped the sword, clutching it. Beth and Methos yelled in unison. The only difference between them is that Beth went down, and Methos sat back on his butt for better leverage, then tossed that dagger straight at his adversary. Beth's head snapped up in surprised horror at him, clutching the dagger's hilt resting in the center of her chest. Methos grinned as she slowly slumped forward and told her, "You never knew the first thing about immortals, you obnoxious bitch." Cassandra rushed to them, telling Methos, "I heard the gunshot at the cabin and-" "You? You shot her," Methos said, disappointed that it hadn't been Joe. He didn't want to have to go this entire life having to thank Cassandra for anything. "No. Joe did," Cassandra said, pointing behind her at Joe slowly making his way to them with his cane. "I met him on the way out here." Cassandra hurriedly rolled Beth over to see if she was truly dead. All the glee that he had felt at killing his tormentor was sucked right out of him when he wondered how Cassandra was going to react to his killing someone else right in front of her. Joe made it to them and asked Cassandra as he bent over her to see Beth's dead form, "Is she dead?" "As a doornail," Cassandra announced, as she couldn't find a pulse on the woman's neck. Cassandra smiled at Methos and Joe. "That was a close one." "She never had any idea what she was dealing with. Ever," Methos said bitterly as his leg healed. "None of you did. Not one of you ever will. Five thousand years is just a number that you will never be able to truly understand." Cassandra, kneeling next to Beth, regarded his words. He was twice as old as she was. She knew what kind of metamorphosis she had to go through in her life just to survive, the things she had to do, things she had to be. She looked at Methos in agreement. "More than likely," she told him. "Is she all right?" she asked, pointing toward Amanda, still lifeless. Joe said, "She still has her head," as he nudged Cassandra. "I'm sure she'll be just fine when she comes back. Shall we get into the heat?" Methos crawled over to Amanda and adjusted her body to a more comfortable position for when she would finally revive. The hole in the cashmere coat made him shake his head; the coat was truly a lost cause now. He heard the crunch of snow again, but this time, he knew it was only because he was now truly alone with Amanda. He had to get her take on what she expected of him in the future if he had to wring it out of her with his bare hands. He leaned down to kiss her, and ended up breathing new life into her as she took her intake of life just as their lips met. She looked groggily up at Methos as she felt her chest stitch back together. "What are your plans?" he asked her, without waiting for her to get healed. "For heaven's sakes, you could let a girl heal," she said in between coughs. "When are you ever going to learn a little patience?" Methos laughed as she sat up against him. "If I haven't learned it in five thousand years, it's not likely I ever will, luv." "You're right. I guess I'll have to give up on that dream," Amanda snickered. "Anyway, you were saying before we were so rudely interrupted?" Methos took a deep breath. This was harder than he imagined. What if what he and she wanted were too different things? What if she laughed in his face? Gods, he sounded like a bloody freaking teenager waiting to ask out his first girlfriend. Well, he'd never know until he asked. "What I was wondering was... I mean," Methos stammered. This was too awkward, so he rushed the words, "What are your plans when this nightmare is over?" "I was thinking out getting the hell out of here," Amanda replied. "Surely, I can find some tropical isle to while a way some time alone." "Oh," Methos was disappointed. Apparently these last few days with him had drained her and she obviously needed a break from him. Amanda looked up at him through her lashes. Was that disappointment that flickered across his face? "Methos?" "What?" Methos levered himself to his feet and pulled her up beside him. "I want to spend some time alone," Amanda continued, "with you." "Really?" Methos let out the breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. "I mean, of course. I was just wondering was all." "You do want to spend time together, don't you?" Amanda asked. She tried not to smile at Methos' unusually flustered demeanor. "We don't have to." "No," Methos protested. "I mean, yes, I want to spend time with you." He kicked his foot through the snow in frustration. "Bugger it all!" Unable to restrain herself any longer, Amanda's laughter rang out in the still night. "Amanda, what's so blasted funny?!" "You!!" "Me?" Methos questioned indignantly.  "Yes, you!!" Amanda laughed harder. "You are the funniest man I've ever met!" "I'm not trying to be funny," Methos stalked back towards the cabin. "I know," Amanda giggled. "That's usually when you're a riot!" Methos muttered as his long legged stride separated them. "See! That's what I get trying to be serious with you." "Don't be such a putz, Methos!!" She called after him. "Stop!!" she hurried as best she could through the deep snow. "No." "Fine! Be a brat!" Amanda shouted. "See if I care!!" Methos stopped in his tracks. Maybe she was right, but she did have a way of driving him crazy. Amanda caught up with him and linked her arm through his. They walked in silence for most of the way back to the cabin. Methos stopped her. "I really think we need to talk about some things," Methos told her. "Things?" Amanda knew he was serious about whatever he was about to bring up so she didn't tease. "Like what the future might hold for us for one thing." "The future has a nice ring to it, I think." Amanda smiled up at him. "Shall we discuss this someplace warmer?" "A woman after my own heart," Methos leaned down and kissed her on the top of her head. "Lead the way." When they reached the cabin, they were very surprised to see a cab arrive in the drive and Cassandra exit onto the porch, with a suitcase in her hand. "Cassandra, what's up?" Amanda asked, cautiously looking at the cab. "I'm going now," Cassandra replied. "I'll say goodbye to Duncan and Kate in town. It was nice to really, finally meet you, Amanda. I've heard a lot about you." "You're just leaving? Just like that?" Amanda asked for the both of them. She could tell that Methos was as surprised as she, but in his case, he was struck silent. She wondered how his mind was reacting to this when he suddenly nodded to Cassandra as he bit his lower lip. "I can't even begin to tell you how much--." Cassandra giggled. "No, Methos. Don't even. I see you differently now, but we're never going to be friends, so please don't thank me." "Fine," Methos said, sticking his hands in his pockets, shrugging. Amanda said, "You packed your bag awfully quick." "I never unpacked," Cassandra revealed.  "We're sorry that we brought you here under false pretenses," Amanda said, watching Methos walk toward the door shivering. "I am, too. You should have been straight with me from the beginning." "But you might not have come." "That's true." Amanda held Methos' hand she he wouldn't go into the cabin, and told Cassandra, "Well, I'm awfully glad you came. I had no idea what you could do, but you really helped. Do you think he's ready? That you can leave now?" Cassandra glanced at Methos, who didn't meet her eyes. "His tormentors are dead. You don't have that fear anymore. You'll be fine as far as I can tell." Methos looked at her and said, "But yours isn't." "My tormentor?" Cassandra and Methos locked eyes for what seemed like an eternity to Amanda. Then Cassandra pondered that as she looked at her captor. She slightly nodded and said, "Yes, he is," as she walked down the steps and got into the back seat of the cab. They watched as the cab backed up and made its way out of sight on the road behind the trees. Amanda smiled up at Methos and said, "I hoped she would have realized that." "You did very quickly after finding out about me," Methos replied warmly. "I've always loved you for that." "I know what I have and you can't tell me that I don't know you." Amanda wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed. "You've lost weight. Are you hungry?" "Not for food," he slyly replied. The door of the cabin opened behind them and Joe stepped out. "You two had better make yourself scarce. I just called the clean up crew to get rid of Merriweather's body. We can't be seen together. I'll hitch a ride back home from them, and don't come out of the cabin until they clear out, all right?" Methos looked Amanda and said, "I think we can manage it. What's the story you're going to give the Watchers about all of this?" Joe plainly said, "That my assignment, his wife and two friends were here and Merriweather came to exact her revenge against the woman who took her immortal lover's head. Was there anything else that happened?" "Works for me," Amanda said. She kissed Joe on the cheek and mentioned, "If I said anything that made you upset, I'm sorry. I was so scared and I'm so glad you were here." Joe hugged her with his one free arm, the other hand gripping his cane. "Get lost," he said, tilting his head to the door. Methos walked to him and hugged him like he'd never hugged the man before. Joe even thought he felt Methos kiss his cheek. He looked at Methos strangely and said, "You aren't going to take this opportunity to disappear, are you?" "I'm going to get out of the snow and cold, but you'll know exactly where I'm at." Joe pointed to the opened door that Amanda had disappeared through and asked, "Where you're both at?" Methos gave a winning smile and shrugged. "If I play my cards right." Joe chuckled as he walked gingerly down the steps of the porch. "Play his cards right..." It was clear to Joe that Amanda wasn't going to let Methos out of her sight at any time in the near future. He made his way back to the bay shoreline and Beth's body just as the black van stopped and three men got out. They were dressed in black; one was holding a body bag. As he knelt down to lay the bag next to Merriweather, Joe heard him say, "It's odd to pick up one of our own. Are you sure you told us the whole story, Mr. Dawson?" "She was interfering." "In a fight?" "In their lives. I shot her after she had shot Amanda Montrose, then Adam Pierson killed her with that dagger in her heart." The clean up crew could see the impressions in the snow, and the sword that was still in Beth's hand. Another of the crew asked, "She was going to actually try and behead an immortal with another one just waiting around?" "Merriweather was nuts," Joe said. "I'll send in my full report in the morning. I need a lift back to my bar." ~~~~~ Methos was sitting on the floor of the living room in front of the roaring fire, rubbing his hands together, not knowing if he was ever going to warm up again. Amanda came with a blanket that she dropped over his shoulder and settled herself in front of him in the nook between his crossed legs. Methos straightened the blanket over his back and around them both as he gathered Amanda into his arms. "I thought you were getting a beer." "We're out." "I could go get some." Amanda looked back at him. "Like hell. That's how we got in this spot in the first place." Methos silently watched the flames and charred log in the fireplace and then said, "We might be able to find a liquor store that delivers." "Methos, we're in the middle of nowhere. If you really need beer, I suppose we can try to get another cab out here and get back to Seacouver." Methos cut her off. "Nah. I'm too tired." "Maybe Lloyd and Lucille would still be open." "You know Lloyd and Lucille?" She nodded as she settled back against his chest. "Nice people. When were you going to introduce me to them?" "Eventually," Methos rested his chin on the top of her head. "I didn't want to raise Lucille's hopes of me settling down. Just think of all the free meals I'd miss if I did." Amanda's elbow hit him in the stomach. "Ow!" "She's a nice woman, Methos," Amanda scolded. "You should be ashamed of yourself." "Hey, if she wants to feed me, who am I to complain?" Methos trapped her arms so she couldn't poke him again. "Plus it makes her feel better." "Yeah, you're all about making things better for others." Amanda giggled. "Methos, the original creature of comfort." "You talk too much, Amanda." Methos' hand cupped the back of her head and tilted it for better access to her lips. She closed her eyes in eager anticipation. His lips leisurely plundered her mouth and trailed down along her jaw line. She sighed as he nibbled softly at her neck. "Ah, that's what I like to hear." "Can you believe we're actually alone?" Amanda purred as Methos' hands massaged her back. Methos stopped. "Are you ok with that?" "Yes. More than ok." Amanda twisted in his lap so that she was face to face with him. "This cabin was starting to get small with all the bodies in it." "I guess this will be the test," Methos said. "Whether I can be trusted to keep it all together." "You're better, Methos," Amanda argued, "and you certainly haven't gotten violent lately." "That damn Watcher would probably disagree with you." "Oh, please. From what I was able to gather, she deserved everything she got and more." "She was going to take your head, luv," Methos said as he smiled tiredly. "I don't enjoy killing, but in her case I'm more than willing to make an exception." His eyes wondered down to look at Amanda's blouse. Blood had seeped and dried around the hole Beth's bullet had made. His own shirt had fallen victim to Amanda's blood from hugging her. "You're a mess." Amanda tugged on the ruined material. "I loved this sweater." "Do you know how many marvelous sweaters I've lost over the years?" Methos sighed dramatically. "It's a real Greek tragedy, I tell you." "You don't look much better yourself," Amanda touched the bloodstains on the leg of his jeans. "Your jeans are ruined." "No," Methos grinned evilly. "MacLeod's jeans are ruined." Amanda eyes widened. "Oh, my." "And his shirt, too." Methos laughed. "Better his than mine." "You are so twisted," Amanda joined in his laughter. "I love that about you."  "One of my many charms." She got up from his lap and stretched. Methos pulled the blanket closer around him and scooted closer to the fireplace. Amanda watched his eyes as he stared into the fire. They were the eyes of a thoughtful, wise, knowing man, that could still twinkle with mischief. This was the Methos she knew and she felt safe around him. His memories might still have gaps or be mixed up, but essentially he was the man she'd known all her life. She pondered her next move for a moment. Methos' attention had wandered, so she decided to capture it again. "Methos?" "Hmm?"  "I need your help," Amanda voice was soft. "Please." "I'm tired," he told her.  "Too tired for this?" Methos yawned as he drug his gaze from the dancing flames of the fire to the direction of her voice. Amanda had noiselessly shed her clothes leaving a trail from the living room to the bathroom door where she stood. Tossing the blanket aside, Methos got to his feet in a swift motion and lopped across the floor to stand beside her. "I'm suddenly feeling energized," Methos murmured. "We need to talk first." "You're right," Amanda agreed. "We have a lot to talk about, but we've talked enough for now." She took his hand in hers. "I need you." "Are you sure we should?" Methos asked apprehensively. He wanted nothing more to spend the next few days making love to the beautiful woman in front of him. He had to admit that he felt more in control of himself now, but was he willing to risk it? Amanda nodded. "I want to, and I think you do, too."  "I do," Methos assured her. He let his gaze linger over her nude body. "Really, I do, but--" "No buts," Amanda smiled as she pulled the sweatshirt over his head. She took his hand and pulled him into the bathroom. "I don't know about you but I could use a nice, long, hot shower." She turned on the faucets and shut the shower door to make it nice and hot in there. Her fingers nimbly unbuckled the belt cinched around his narrow waist and popped each of the buttons out of their slot. He sucked in his breath as her hand brushed light as a feather along the waistband of his boxers. She pushed his hands aside when he tried to remove the rest of his clothes as that was to be her pleasure. Slowly she peeled the remaining layer of clothes that hid his body from her view. "That's much better," she said with approval when she finished her task. After steam was billowing over the shower door, she opened it and stepped in. She turned and posed with her arm against the frame and asked, "Are you coming? Then what are you waiting for?" What am I waiting for? Methos watched Amanda move gracefully through the frosted glass, soaking her body under the water spray. I want her; she wants me. Everything is under control... I hope. "Methos, come on. I need you to scrub my back." You can do this, old man. Everything will be fine. Methos took a deep breath and walked over to the shower. He was just about to open the door when Amanda's hand pushed it open. He was gently jerked into the stall and the door shut behind him. The spray of the shower plastered his short hair to his skull. "I wish you'd grow your hair out some," Amanda giggled as he used one hand to wipe the water out of his eyes. "You're so cute with longer hair, like you wore it at Woodstock, remember?" "You should talk about hair. At least mine isn't platinum blonde. What were you thinking then?" Methos asked. He reached around her for the shampoo. "You never said you hated it that much. I was trying to save my head." "Yeah, that's right, and you wore that bad hair for over a year." "Shut up," she said, not coming up with a retort. You either get hairstyles or you don't, there was no use explaining it. She grabbed the shampoo bottle from his hand and said, "Let me do that for you." She squirted some shampoo into her hand. Her hands lathered the soap into his hair and massaged his scalp eliciting a rumble from deep in his throat. "Like that?" "You've got all night to stop." "Or at least until all the hot water's gone," she giggled.  He scooped some of the suds from his own head and splatted them atop hers and rubbed. He had to pour more shampoo from the bottle onto her head to get it all sudsy. "Want me to scrub your back for you?" she asked as Methos directed her head under the spray and rubbed the lather out of her hair. "I thought I was here to scrub yours," Methos reminded her.  "That's true." Amanda raised an eyebrow. She grabbed a bottle of shower gel from the chrome rack that hung from the showerhead. "Hold out your hand." "Why?" "Because I said so, Methos. Why do you have to be so stubborn?" Methos obediently held out his hand. Amanda squeezed a generous amount of gel into his hand and then scooped some into hers. Methos looked at the goo then at Amanda. She smiled and stepped in as close as she could and then wrapped her arms around him. Her hands caressed along his muscular back as he could feel the suds form and expand, and drip slowly down his spine. He smiled to himself as he got the idea. His arms snaked around Amanda and mirrored the path her fingers were making on his body. Amanda looked down to see the dried blood on Methos' leg where Geoffrey's dagger had embedded. She tisked and shook her head. "Who would have thought Geoffrey would haunt us after he was dead? He was bad enough while he was alive." "The last thing I want to do is talk about Geoffrey," Methos said as he leaned back against the shower stall while Amanda cleaned off his leg. She kissed the length of his body as she rose to her feet, murmuring, "I don't want to talk at all." By the time she reached his mouth, he urgently caressed her as he fully reacquainted himself with her teeth, tongue and throat. His hands rubbed against her breasts as he rubbed away the remnants of the bullet hole on her chest all the while not losing contact with her lips. Amanda suddenly pulled back to stare into his eyes, so happy to have him back. He grimaced as he asked if he was being too rough, or had hurt her in any way. She chuckled and shut off the water. "What? Are you nuts?" He held her face as he said, "That is the question." "You're not crazy, Methos." Amanda opened the shower door and stepped out, taking his hand. "I want to be a little more comfortable with you." Methos made it to the bathroom door before her and strutted out into the hallway. Water and suds that hasn't been rinsed off made a trail behind him, and Amanda giggled as she followed. "What?" Methos asked as he turned around. Amanda jumped up into his arms and said, "I have you back." Methos walked into the first bedroom to the left and was about to deposit her on the bed when he realized it was the bedroom that he had killed her in the first night they were there. Amanda did also, and slipped down in his arms, not hard to do as they were both slick with soapy water. She led him down the hall and stairs, and toward the room he had been staying in. "No," he said, before she could go inside. "Why not?" "Because, okay?" Methos led her away, not wanting to be with her inside a room that he had another such awful night. He was thinking that they should just get dressed and go to a hotel, but figured they wouldn't be able to get a cab and he certainly wasn't walking. "Merriweather's car," he said aloud. Of course, that bitch had to have gotten here somehow, we can use that. Amanda, on the other hand was only thinking of where to be stretched out with Methos, the room didn't matter. They were in the living room, and she took a cushion from the couch and tossed it on the floor. Methos commented, "Not exactly the same as a bear skin rug." "Fine," Amanda said, leading him by the hand to the hall again. She had noticed that they had tracked water all over Duncan's hard wood floor, but that was the least of her worries at the moment. When she got to the stairs, Methos stopped her. "All that's up there is the room I don't want to ever look at again, Duncan and Kate's room, and Cassandra's room. None of which turn my crank, float my boat, or make me feel the least bit amorous. Where did Joe stay?" "On a twin sized cot in the corner of the den," she said, pointing to the room off the hall. Methos sighed and rubbed his face. You'd think that things would be perfect at a time like this, but of course, life was never perfect. Amanda held him around the waist not wanting him to revert to thinking that it was such a bad idea that they'd be together again that it wouldn't happen. "Sure, I want the Ritz Carlton too, sweetie, but," she said before he cut her off. "I don't need the Ritz Carlton, I just don't want to... wait here," he said as he walked to the hall. He turned and said, "No, just don't stand there, go get some wine and we'll meet back here in two minutes." He turned down the hall again, then turned back. "Don't get dressed." He took a minute to savor the sight of her, as she did a slow hula dance for him. "And it would be lovely if you got wet again." "It would, would it?" His smile was the last thing she saw as he disappeared up the stairway. For a moment she was flustered. What was she supposed to do again? She berated herself for stopping them while in the shower. Showers aren't comfortable, tubs don't work, and besides, she thought to herself as she looked at her fingertips. Pruny ain't sexy. She wondered what could be taking him, as she couldn't even hear him move about since he left. She walked to the bottom step and called out his name. The only light in the cabin was from the bathroom upstairs and the dying fireplace. She moved to put another log on the fire because she didn't want it to go out completely. MacLeod really should have the furnace guy in soon. She rubbed her arms when she realized that she was shivering. She wrapped herself in the afghan on the back of the couch and heard a soft bouncing behind her. Methos came out of the hallway with the mattress from Duncan's bed, and a set of folded black silk sheets that he had obviously found in the hall closet under his arm. He tossed the sheets to her as he kicked the coffee table aside and let the queen sized mattress flop to the center of the room in front of the fireplace. As they made the mattress together, Methos asked her, "Have you slept on this before?" "Methos, I'd only heard of this place before coming to here to plan how to rescue you." "Are you just saying that for my benefit?" "Do you mean, am I lying?" Methos nodded, really wanting to know. Amanda chuckled then said, "Do I look like a camping type of gal to you? I never came here with MacLeod." Methos pulled her arm and she flopped onto the mattress. He quickly covered her body with his, and them both with the sheet. Amanda caught a glimpse at the fluttering black piece of silk that came down upon Methos' back as he kissed her neck. His hands came up behind her head as he said, "I didn't have enough hands to bring pillows." "You're all I need," she whispered as she wrapped her arms around him. For the first time in a long while she felt right. She wasn't hesitant with Methos, she wasn't scared about how her love for Methos was being gauged by MacLeod or Joe, she wasn't nervous about Cassandra being there, she wasn't bothered by the existence of Kate, she wasn't worried about any Watchers that might still be out there knowing where they were or if they were coming. All she worried about was making the next few hours as easy as possible for Methos. He seemed to be frisky, his mouth was marking his territory all over her upper body, but he was tight. It could only mean he was thinking. She hated it when he did that at such times. She knew that he wouldn't truly be into the heart of the matter if she didn't make him spill. Now. She grabbed his face and pulled him up to look in her eyes. "What is it?" she moaned. Until that moment, she hadn't realized how turned on she was. She hoped that he didn't have much to say. "What are your plans?" "That's really got you worried, doesn't it? Ever since your private talk with Cassandra, that's all you've really asked me." "Well?" "I don't know. I'm a spur of the moment gal, I thought you a spur of the moment guy. Plans never work out. I thought we take one day at a time. Stay together as long as it feels right." He looked away and seemed to collapse a little. She asked him, "Why? Do you want to get married or something?" "No. Bad luck. Look what happened last time." She reached her head up and kissed him. "These are my plans: I want you in my life, but not married, I don't want to be with you every moment, but no other man can ever live up to what we have. You're all I want, all I need, but I also like things the way they are. You have your stuff and I have mine." Amanda gasped and stared at him. "Oh, my God. Methos? You're not asking me to... move in with you, are you?" She couldn't stop herself from laughing. It was so... mortal. Methos joined her laughter. He thought for a second and nodded. "Yeah. No marriage, just a flat, or what the bloody hell, we can buy a house. Together." Amanda laughed harder. "What are we? Twenty-two years old?" "Give or take a few thousand years." Methos stared deeply into her eyes as his smile softly faded. "I'm in love with you." Those words tickled Amanda's soul. She said, "Show me." "Gladly," Methos said without reservation. Amanda pulled him down on top of her and began to kiss him. "I take it you missed this." "This and you," Amanda told him between kiss. "I'm glad you're back. I thought I'd lost you." "You weren't the only one, I'm sure," Methos moved to lie beside Amanda. "There were times I wasn't sure myself." Amanda snuggled in closer to him. "But you're all healed now." Methos shifted so her head rested on his shoulder. "Time will tell." Methos' fingers absently brushed along the bare skin of her back. Amanda closed her eyes and reveled in the familiar feeling of their bare bodies touching. She sighed and opened her eyes. The only light in the living room was the cheery blaze of the fireplace. The dancing flames softened the planes of her lover's face. Her heart was filled with love for this man who'd suffered excoriating torment over the last couple of weeks and still managed to come out of it whole. He was a survivor and if anyone doubted that they were sadly mistaken. "I love you," Amanda whispered. The warmth of their two bodies along with the heat from the shower and the fire coupled with his lingering exhaustion had caused Methos to begin to lightly doze, but the sound of Amanda's voice stirred him. "Hmm?" "I love you," she said just a bit louder. Methos rolled over onto his side. "Say that again." "What?" Amanda was lying flat on her back staring up at the ceiling.  "What you just said." "I love you," Amanda smiled.  "Really?" Methos asked. Amanda had said the words many times over their time together, but he was never quite sure if she really meant them this time or if she was just saying them out of habit. "Yes, I do," Amanda looked up at him. "I always have since you tossed me those coins in the market." "There was a flash in your eyes that caught my attention," Methos remembered. "You were quite a mess then." Amanda laughed. "I almost died when Rebecca told me how regularly a proper lady bathed. I was certain she was off her rocker." "You got used to being clean rather quickly," Methos turned over on his back and reached for her hand. "I figured out that you liked your women clean and sweet smelling like Rebecca," Amanda giggled softly. "You should know I do whatever it takes to get what I want and I wanted you desperately." "I discovered that soon enough," Methos raised her hand to his lips and kissed each of her fingers. "I was coming down the hall one night and there you were." "After Rebecca told you to sod off and I figured you were probably looking for a good roll in the sack," she smirked. "You knew about me and Rebecca?" Methos was shocked. "You knew that we were lovers?" Amanda rolled her eyes. "Everyone at the abbey knew, Methos. You can be a little loud during-" Methos groaned. "I don't believe this! We tiptoed around trying to keep you from finding out so you wouldn't be shocked." Amanda enjoyed seeing him so surprised. "I figured I'd play along, since you were both working so hard, I didn't want to disappoint you." "Did Rebecca ever find out you knew?" Methos wondered.  "She was a woman, Methos, we're not as slow as you men are," Amanda told him. "And you were ok with me sleeping with the both of you?" "I'd have killed you if it had been anyone else, but her," Amanda told him frankly. "She was a hard one not to love; she was the only one I didn't mind sharing you with." "You're full of surprises," Methos observed. Amanda laughed. "Are we going to talk all night or what?" "I thought you liked to talk." "Normally, I like nothing better than talking to you, but that's the last thing I want to do to you at this moment," Amanda slid over onto his body. "I though you were going to show me how much you loved me." "Pardon me," Methos kissed her soundly. "I'm a man of my word." She softly chuckled as he sat up, wrapping his arms around her in his lap. "You?" "At least when it comes to ravishing a beautiful woman," Methos allowed. "Especially when that woman is you, luv." She leaned down to kiss him as she whispered, "You sweet talker." As she felt his arms and upper back, the tension he carried with him was abundantly clear. He had lost some weight since they were last together, but his muscle tone was still prominent, in fact, hard as a rock. It was as if he was carrying the weight of the world. She started to massage his neck and shoulders then decided that he needed a full blown massage. She laid him down and got off of him. He was about to complain, but she instructed him to flip over. The skin of Methos' back looked stark white against the black silk sheet in front of the still roaring fire. The lines of his body flickered with every nuance of the flames. Amanda straddled his butt and started to rub down Methos' back. When she felt such tension, she used her body weight to rub the tight spots out starting from the small of his back, up to his neck, across his shoulders, and down the length of his arms. Methos certainly didn't complain, and put his arms or head where she placed them. All the noises she had heard him make since they got him out of the Watcher Annex had been coarse, wounded, at times frightened. Now, the only sound he made was the relaxed moan of strain escaping his body. Amanda had been in a rubbing rhythm when suddenly she was on the bottom and Methos was leading the proceedings. Methos always did give as good as he got, in all things. She couldn't resist smiling when she saw passion had replaced tension in his face. His head ducked down to trail kisses along her collarbone. Amanda arched her neck to the side to allow him better access. He chuckled softly, drowning out her purring, as his tongue traced a path from her collarbone up to the sensitive area where her neck and shoulder joined together. The warm weight of his body on her aroused her even further. She moved to allow him to slip between her long legs. He looked up at her questioningly and she nodded as she pulled him close. This was what they both wanted and needed. Tenderly their bodies began to undulate together. A slow and steady tempo was established as Amanda watched the face of the man making love to her. For now the dark shadows that had haunted him were gone. Amanda closed her eyes as she felt herself teeter on the edge of bliss. Methos moved again; she surrendered to the waves of passion that waited to engulf. Methos followed suit; his body shuddering to a climax. She felt tears escape her eyes, as she was amazed at the amount of joy that filled her heart. Methos opened his eyes in time to see her tears reflect like crystals in the flickering light of the fire. Immediately, he pulled back. He wondered if he had he slipped back into a memory without realizing it and taken advantage of the situation with Amanda. Gods, he thought that behavior was behind them, but perhaps he was wrong. "What's the matter?" she asked puzzled by the look of dismay that stole the softened look of desire from his face. "Methos?" He had to know if the last thing on earth had happened, that he had hurt her. "Why are you crying?" "For many reasons," she said. Methos urged her to be specific, he could take the truth. "Tell me." "Because I wondered if we'd ever be together like this," Amanda told him. "Because my heart is full." "It is?" Methos searched her face for the truth. Seeing her heart revealed in her eyes, he smiled. Yes, he had to agree, her heart was indeed full. "I'm glad." "You still don't grasp the fact that I love you, do you?" Amanda was stunned. He continued to meet her stare. "No matter where I roam, all my roads lead me back to you. And, I wouldn't roam alone if you weren't so worried about losing your head." Methos rolled back onto the mattress and pulled her next to him. "We make quite the pair, don't we?" "A cynical old man and a carefree woman about the world," Amanda replied. "A pair indeed." Methos yawned as he got up to retrieve another quilt and bank the fire for the night. "You want anything while I'm up?" "Since you're up," Amanda giggled, "why don't you come back to bed?" "You're full of good ideas tonight," Methos shook out the quilt so that it covered the makeshift bed. "Scoot over. A man needs his room to properly sprawl." Amanda held the covers up so he could settle in properly. "You are the master sprawler, Methos." "A skill I've tweaked to perfection over the years," Methos snuggled face down in the pillows. "Now kiss me before I fall asleep." More than willing to oblige him anything, Amanda kissed his forehead and then his mouth. When she stretched out beside him his arm and leg settled across her. Things were finally starting to seem like normal. Amanda smiled as his lips brushed the top of her head. "Night, Methos." "Goodnight, Amanda." His breath tickled her ear as he sleepily, contentedly added, "I love you." ~~~~~ Duncan rushed to the door and inserted the key into the lock of the cabin door. Not even the protection of the porch ceiling could block the wind and snow from him and Kate. When he got the key turned, Kate hurriedly opened the door and rushed inside, along with frozen air drifted and a few flakes of falling snow. Kate stomped her feet on the floor, shaking flakes off her head, as she brushed her hands together to warm them. Duncan did much the same as he shut the door. "I was hoping they had started a fire this morning," he said smiling as he felt the warmth in the cabin. He noticed Kate's raised eyebrows as she stared into the living room. She chuckled. "Well, hon. We didn't have to rush back here after Joe's phone call saying that Amanda was alone with him." The two immortals wrapped in the sheet and quilt stirred, not having been concerned about the approaching buzzes, knowing who it had to be. They didn't expend the energy it would take to look at the new arrivals. In fact, Amanda hadn't even opened her eyes as her arm and leg were draped comfortably over Methos' prone body. Kate caught Methos' smile and glance, and she said, "Good morning," in exchange. "What the hell is going on here?" Duncan's voice boomed. Amanda jumped and automatically cringed when his voice hit that ticked off tone. She twisted her body to see them still by the door and smiled brightly. "Good morning." "I repeat," Duncan said. "What the hell is going on in here?" Methos groaned and picked himself up off the mattress, taking the sheet with him. He wrapped it around his body and dramatically swept the corner over his shoulder for the toga effect. "Aren't you a bit old to be playing the jealous teenaged boyfriend routine, MacLeod?" Amanda pulled the quilt around her so as not to be exposed to them all and grimaced her disdain for Methos' abrupt departure. Kate just walked into the kitchen, calling out, "Coffee anyone?" "I would love a cup," Methos said, as he stood pompously on the mattress, Amanda at his feet. "Mac," Amanda said. "What does it look like? You said you knew about us, and that you didn't care." Duncan shrugged with confusion. "I don't." "Then what's with the hollering?" Methos asked, hands planted on his hips. "I'd like to know why my brand new mattress is on the living room floor! And those are my new sheets; we haven't even had a chance to use them. Are you two insane?" "Not anymore," Methos countered with smile.  "Why would you two think I'd care that you? You're both certainly quite vain. You know that? We came back here, pulled ourselves out of a nice, comfortable bed, while enjoying breakfast, when Joe called saying that Amanda was alone with you up here." "She was," Methos said, to which Amanda smiled and said, "I was. Joe was right on the money. Why did you... oh MacLeod. You can't think that he's violent yet. He's fine. In fact, he's more than fine. In fact, if you really want to know, he-" "Eh, eh, eh," Duncan said, holding up his hands. "This is going to skirt into the area of too much information, I just know it is. Just get my mattress back on my bed and wash those sheets, and I'll forget I saw such madness in my living room." He went to sit on a chair by the fireplace and said, "At least you kept the fire going." "The fire was flickering just fine all night long, MacLeod," Methos said. "Would you care to give us some privacy by chance? Because I asked nicely?" Methos pointed to Amanda lying on the mattress. "Fine." Duncan stood up and walked from the room, but couldn't help but take a peek back. He was almost sorry he had when he saw Methos fall back down, into Amanda's waiting arms. The two of them giggled like teenagers necking in the back of their parent's car. Duncan was surprised that he felt a tad bittersweet about their involvement as he continued his walk to the kitchen. His two best friends were lovers and he wondered how that would change all their relationships. "Methos!" Amanda squealed from the living room. "Stop that!' Methos response couldn't be heard over his deep rumble of laughter and Amanda's mock outrage. Duncan paused to look back once more into the living room. Methos had Amanda firmly pinned to the mattress tormenting her with kisses. This was certainly better considering the last time he'd done this to Amanda he had killed her. Things were changing, but change was the only constant in the life of an immortal. As he listened to their playfulness, he decided that change was good. It might take some time to get used to the idea of Methos and Amanda together but time was something they all had plenty of. Duncan smiled as he leaned against the wall. "What are your plans?" Both Methos and Amanda turned to stare at him, then collapsed in a fit of giggles. Duncan went in search of Kate to tell her just how much he loved her. ~~~~~ EPILOGUE - THAT SUMMER - DUNCAN'S CABIN Kate was just finishing cutting up the vegetables for the salad when the slamming of a car door came through the screen door. She wiped her hands on a dishtowel. "Duncan, someone's here!" "It must be Joe," Duncan bounded down the stairs. "I don't feel anyone." "Knock, knock," the visitor called. "Dawson, come on in." Duncan held the door open as the older looking man jostled past him suitcase in hand. "You're the first one here." "Those two haven't arrived yet?" Joe sat his bag down. He shook Duncan's hand and kissed Kate on the cheek. "They are coming, aren't they?" "Amanda promised me they would," Duncan led the way to the living room. "When I asked where they were, she was very cryptic." Joe nodded. "I've heard from the old man several times through phone calls and emails, but he's been tight lipped about his location. I can't say that I blame him." "Amanda did tell me the problems with his memories are getting better, though," Duncan relayed. "It's mostly wrong dates and places. No more physical stuff." "Boy, I'm glad to hear that," Joe was relieved. "He really had me worried for a while." "I think we all were," Duncan agreed. He sat up as he felt the presence of another immortal come within range. "I think we have company." The approaching sounds of arguing voices affirmed Duncan's observation. The voices got louder as footsteps came up the porch steps. "Bloody hell, Amanda, I don't care!" "Yes, I figured that out!!" Amanda raised her decibel level to match his. "You make me nuts!!' "You're a fine one to talk, missy." Methos nearly jerked the door off its hinges. "After you!" He swept his arm out in a grand gesture. "Thank you."  "No, thank you!" Methos shouted. "What do you think I am, your personal pack mule?" He indicated the four rather large bags that hung by their straps around his neck and arms. "Well, if the horseshoe fits wear it!" Amanda jerked two of the bags out of his hands. "Ow! Try being a little more careful, will you?" Methos warned. "You are such a spoiled little brat!" Joe and Duncan came in from the living room and watched their display with concern. Kate shook her head at Duncan when it looked like he was going to intervene in the argument. Better to ride out the storm than get strike by the lightening that accompanied it. Amanda waved at the others before she launched another verbal assault. "This coming from the King of It's All about Me!" Methos laughed evilly. "Well it is!" "YOU POMPOUS INSUFFERABLE LOUSE!!" Amanda stalked over to stand nose to nose with him. "I oughta just slug you!!" Methos stuck out his chin defiantly. "I'm so scared. You hit like a girl." Amanda swung back her fist intent upon doing bodily harm to the man standing in front of her. Duncan pulled her away to prevent bloodshed. "Let me go, you big ox!" she struggled free from his hold. "He's been asking for this all day!!" Amanda was quicker than the bigger Scot. She threw back her arms and captured Methos. Her hands tugged his face down to hers and she planted a long kiss on his lips much to the surprise of the others. When Amanda was finished kissing him, Methos looked up at Joe and Duncan grinning like the cat who swallowed the canary. "I think we've just be had," Joe chuckled. "I think you're right," Duncan said.  "You are so predictable, MacLeod." Methos untangled himself from Amanda. "I told you they'd fall for it." Duncan thrust a finger in Amanda's face and declared, "One of these days you're really going to be angry and no one is going to pay attention. You've cried wolf one too many times." Amanda took his finger and shook it. "Lighten up, MacLeod. You'll know when I'm really angry." "What's that?" Methos asked. Amanda said, "We pretended to fight for the benefit of my watcher after you were taken." "That was just the last time," Duncan added. "She and I had so many fake arguments it would make your head spin." "Not sure about that," Methos said, chuckling. Amanda turned her attention on the other two in the room. "Joe," she said with a hug. "You're looking great. Kate. Wonderful to see you again." "Ditto, Amanda. You two look very rested," Kate commented. Methos chuckled. "I don't know how much rest we've had in the last five months." Duncan's head bobbed between the two as he nodded, a smile on his face. "This is skirting into the area of too much information, if you ask me." "No one asked you, MacLeod," Amanda said, walking farther into the kitchen to sniff the contents of a pitcher sitting on the counter. Kate said, "Lemonade." "Ah. Would you like some, Matt?" "Matthew, and only if you throw in a splash of vodka," Methos replied, happy that Amanda was in the mode of using his alias, and promised to never again call him Methos is there even the slightest chance there was another set of ears around. Duncan asked, "Matt?" "Matthew." Methos stuck out his hand for a shake. "Matthew Riley, at your service. She promised to never call me that other name in the presence of others again." "Even if there's a hint of another person around," Amanda added. "I promise." Methos saw that Joe was being quite thoughtful as he sat on a chair in the living room and went over to join him. Methos laid his arm across Joe's shoulders and asked, "What's the matter? This is a reunion, not a wake." "Amanda mentioned something that's got me thinking, that's all." "So what if she and MacLeod had a past. That's all it is. The past." "That's not what's bugging me, buddy," Joe replied. "That's not bugging me in the least." "Then what?" Joe looked to Amanda as she brought two glasses of spiked lemonade into the living room and handed one to each of the men. She caught a look at Joe and asked, "Wow, Joe. What's wrong?" "Sarah." "Sarah? Sarah who?" Methos asked. Amanda gasped and plopped down on Methos' lap. "I hadn't given a thought to her." "Sarah who?" Methos asked again. "Amanda's watcher that she and Duncan lost by pretending to fight," Joe stated with a hint of distaste. Methos stood up, almost dropping Amanda to the floor and angrily asked, "You mean all the traveling around, covering our tracks, changing my alias, is all for naught because we've had a tail named Sarah after us the whole time?" "I haven't seen her. I tell you the truth, I haven't given her a thought once and if I'd have seen one red hair on her frizzy little head, I would have given her a lot of thought," Amanda declared. Joe backed her up, "She's right. Sarah's not a watcher anymore, but she may be the one mortal still alive who may know that Methos is not a myth." "She's not a watcher?" Duncan asked, walking in on the conversation. "What's that supposed to mean?" "She quit the watchers two months ago. I heard she got knocked up and was getting married," Joe explained. "But... she's still out there and I can't be sure what she actually knows." "Wonderful, just bleeding wonderful!!" Methos moved Amanda out of his lap and stood up. "I'm going for a walk, maybe I should make sure we weren't followed." "Sit down, Methos," Amanda tugged at his hand. "I'm sure everything is fine." "Pardon me if I'm a little paranoid," Methos retorted as he avoided Amanda's pull. "I'll be back." After Methos stalked out the door, Joe grimaced. "I'm sorry. I should've kept my mouth shut." "Don't worry about it, Joe," Amanda wasn't fazed by Methos' behavior. She'd gotten used to his heightened need for security. Hell, after all he'd been through with the watcher's she didn't blame one bit. "He's still a little leery, but he's really improved since we left here last winter. Now he doesn't even pull his sword when he's riled," she said with a laugh. "But other than that, he's doing ok?" Kate asked as she linked arms with Duncan. "Yeah, for the most part," Amanda confirmed. "He still has some memory problems and a nightmare every now and again, but we take it one day at a time." Joe let out a deep breath, "He really is a cat, landing on his feet every time." "I prefer that he not be forced to do that," Amanda countered. "He's just been extremely fortunate." "I didn't mean anything by that, Amanda," Joe told her. "Just making an observation is all." "So where have you two been hiding out?" Duncan steered the conversation to a safer topic. "That would be none of your business, MacLeod," Amanda laughed. "Ask Matt if you want to know." "Nah, I think I'll pass on that, " Duncan laughed. "He's ruthless when it comes to keeping a secret." "The coast is clear," Methos reported as he entered the cabin. Everyone was staring at him when he sauntered into the living room. "What?" "We were just discussing your and Amanda's base of operations," Joe filled in. "Duncan was wondering where you two had been living." Duncan shot Joe a glare. "You look a little darker than the last time I saw you." "Someplace warm and sunny," Methos supplied. "Clothing was optional."  "Cool," Kate grinned. "Sounds like my kind of place." Amanda giggled. "We have done next to nothing for these last five months. Laying on the beach soaking up the sun, drinking margaritas, and making hot passionate--" Duncan groaned, "Stop it, Amanda. We don't need to hear this." "Duncan MacLeod when did you become such a prude?" Amanda questioned. "I'm not a prude, I just don't need to hear this," Duncan stammered.  Methos smirked. "Virgin ears, eh, Mac?" "That would be the only virgin thing on him," Kate leered at her husband. Duncan scowled at her. "Geez, lighten up, darling." "Anybody hungry?" Duncan stood up and walked towards the kitchen. "I could eat," Methos remarked. Amanda slapped his bum as he passed her on way to the kitchen. "You can always eat, Matt." "I'm a growing boy, " he snickered.  "Ha, ha." Amanda laughed. She and Kate each took one of Joe's arms and escorted him into the kitchen. "Matthew, you and Duncan could take a lesson or two from Joe on how to treat a lady." Methos ignored her as he lifted the covers off the dishes Duncan was setting on the table. He slid into his seat and rubbed his hands together. "I could eat a horse. Trust me on this, I have." "Sounds tasty," Joe laughed. "Did it taste like chicken?" "No," Methos grinned. "Now alligator, on the other hand, does indeed taste like chicken." "Oh God, don't ask him about alligators, Joe!!" Amanda interjected. "Please!" "Why?" Joe was puzzled.  "Methos found some wonky show about some insane man that hunts down alligators," Amanda informed him. "He has become obsessed with that damn show!" Amanda shrugged, "A grown man watching some idiot calling himself the Alligator Hunter, I have seen it all!" "He's the Crocodile Hunter," Methos corrected her. "The man is rather strange, but I find him oddly fascinating." Methos stabbed a huge piece of fried chicken from the platter that Joe passed to him. "I got the impression you were on a secluded island," Joe ventured.  "Satellite television, Joe. Gods, I love the modern world." "Yeah, well, if I never see another episode of that show, it will be too soon," Amanda whined. "One bite of this snake will kill me," Methos mimicked a perfect Australian accent. "The man is a genius. You have to love a guy who loves his work and puts his whole being into it." Amanda used her napkin as a missile. "I love you, but if you do that again I'll have to kill you," she told him sweetly. Methos picked up his fork full of baked beans and aimed it at Amanda. "Smile when you say that." "No food fights!" Duncan slammed his fist down on the table. Methos and Amanda were all wide-eyed innocence. "I mean it. That's mostly why you're here now, to help do the repairs on this place." Methos and Amanda bowed their heads and played with their food. Kate took a spoonful of tapioca pudding as Joe picked up a drumstick. He looked at it, then Duncan, then said, "Ready, aim..." Duncan put up his hands and stepped back. "You wouldn't dare." "Fire!" THE END Thanks for reading, and we love feedback. Back to Main Page