YOU'RE IN MY HEART I WILL REMEMBER YOU - PART TWO Methuselah's Gift missing minutes By Susan and JoLayne Part One ~~~~~ PARIS HOTEL PRESENT DAY Methos jerked out of his memories when he felt a hand brush against his cheek. He looked up and saw Amanda's concerned face gazing down at him. The sadness of his thoughts still hung heavy on his heart. He made room for her on the sofa. He sighed when she tugged his arm around her. "Can't sleep?" she asked the obvious question. He shook his head. "Ghosts haunting you?" "How'd you guess?" he asked lightly. Amanda leaned against him. "I know you. Thinking about-" she dropped off, hoping he'd fill in the blank. When he didn't, she asked, "Anything you want to share?" Methos shifted them so they were both stretched out the length of the sofa. "Just remembering." Amanda tucked her head underneath his chin. "I'm a good listener." "Yes, you are," Methos kissed the top of her head. "However, I don't feel like talking about it." "I won't push you." "That's a first," he chuckled. "How about we go back to bed then?" Amanda bounced up. "You are full of good ideas tonight." Hand in hand they walked back to the bedroom. Methos sprawled across a good portion of the bed and patted the spot next to him. Amanda giggled and pounced on him, accidentally planting her knee in his stomach. "Uff da!" Methos groaned. "Oops, sorry." Her apology lacked any real sincerity. "Watch it." "Make me," she challenged. Amanda found herself underneath Methos and the target of his affections. "Much better." "Vixen." "Rogue." ~~~~~ Amanda poked Methos in the rib cage. They'd fallen asleep after their playful bout of lovemaking and Amanda had woken up to find herself gripped solidly in Methos' grasp. Not that she minded being in his arms; she just found it a little hard to breath at the moment. She'd tried to roll away, but each time she did, she found his grip remained tight. Once again, she prodded him. "Methos, loosen up, will ya?" Methos mumbled and flopped over onto his back, releasing Amanda. "Thanks, luv." The sound of his snoring was his only response.  "Men." Amanda sat up and punched her pillow. "Can't live with ya, can't imagine life without ya," she whispered in his ear. "So, don't you ever think about dying on me." Where did that come from? she wondered.  Their visit to Rebecca's grave and Methos' talk about Alexa's dying surely had something to do with her morose thoughts. Amanda normally tried to maintain a positive outlook on life. ‘Adapt and adjust to things you can't change,' remained her philosophy even after all these years. Very few times in her life had she felt like life wasn't worth living. Thanks in large part to the man snoring away beside her. Her hand reached out to smooth a stray wisp of hair off his forehead. Methos. Words no longer were able to describe how she felt about him. Her heart swelled with love as she watched him sleep. They'd seen each other through good and bad times and here they were together. Occasionally, they'd been at each other's throats, ready to throttle one another. At other times, dark times, they were ready to fight to the death. Despite the random hiccup in their relationship, when it mattered, they sucked it up and helped each other shoulder their burdens. Like when Alexa was dying. ~~~~~ PARIS 1996 "Do you want some tea?" Amanda asked Methos as they trudged up the stairs to her apartment. "Maybe something stronger," Methos replied softly. Amanda unlocked the door and pushed it open so he could enter. "There's a bottle of whiskey I've been saving." "Sounds like a plan to me," Methos replied. "Nice place." "It's home." Amanda shrugged out of her jacket and tossed it on a nearby chair.  "Have a seat, I'll be right back." Once Methos was settled on the sofa, Amanda hurried into the kitchen and rifled through the pantry for the bottle of liquor.  She uncorked it with her teeth and grabbed two crystal tumblers out of the cabinet.  Her nerves were still on edge from her fight with Methos and she was certain his were as well. She poured a couple of fingers of the whiskey in her glass and drained it in one large gulp.  Now, she felt a little more prepared to face him. "So, fill me in, Methos," she said as she joined him in the living room.  Methos, visibly exhausted, had fallen asleep on the sofa. Amanda sank onto a chair and poured herself another drink. Unsure of whether or not to wake him, she sat the bottle down a little harder than need be. The sound startled him from his impromptu nap. "What? Alexa?" His eyes darted around the room trying to place his location.  Amanda got up from her chair and sat next to him on the sofa. "Methos, it's okay." Methos ran his hand over his eyes. "I must've been more tired than I realized." "Tired?" Amanda said. "You're dead on your feet." Methos blanched at her statement as Alexa hovered so close to death's door. Amanda backpedaled, "Damn! I didn't mean to say that. I'm sorry." "Stop apologizing, Amanda." "I always seem to be putting my foot in my mouth around you lately." A faint hint of a smile formed on Methos' lips. "And that's unusual how?" Amanda patted his leg. "Stop teasing me." "Where's my drink?" Amanda leaned over to the coffee table and poured him a drink. "Here you go." Methos sipped his drink. "She's going fast, Amanda." "So I gathered," Amanda nodded. "Is she in much pain?" "Some, but they keep her medicated," Methos replied. "She gets mad, because it makes her groggy, but I hate to see her in so much pain." "Jack was the same way," Amanda remembered. "He said he didn't want to spend his last days in a drug-induced haze. Has she been on the respirator long?" "What?" Methos asked, but then remembered. "No, she's not on a respirator." "I thought-you said she was breathing through a tube," Amanda explained.  "An oxygen tube," Methos informed her. "I'm too stressed to think clearly at this point, Amanda. The cancer is winning, so there was a ‘no resuscitation order' put on her. The oxygen tube is just to make it easier for her to breathe til she-" he couldn't bring himself to finish his statement. Amanda nodded her understanding. Losing someone never got any easier, no matter how many times you experienced it. "I wish there was something I could, Methos. You know I would help you any way I can." "I've got to save her," Methos said out of the blue with determination. "I can't let her die." "And you think Rebecca's crystals can do that?" Amanda asked sincerely.  "I think so. I don't know," Methos replied just as truthfully. "If there is even a remote chance that the legends are true, I have to try." "Rebecca seemed certain that they are magical," Amanda said. "She always told me there were more things to this world than we could see." "She would know," Methos agreed. Suddenly, he teared up and his face turned a color of red that only meant he was trying to hold back a deluge of emotion. Amanda held him as he choked out, "I didn't expect this to be so hard, Amanda." "Yes, I know." Methos looked at Amanda and quietly said, "Alexa started out as a cute thing to help me forget that you were tight with one of my best friends." "Tight?" "Sleeping with," he said louder. "I needed something, someone, to take my mind off the fact that you were under the sheets with MacLeod, and seemed quite happy about it." "Methos-" "Alexa was a cute thing with beautiful hair." Methos' face tightened as he was relating something he seemed to rather not. "So sweet, but knowing. Even from the start, she wouldn't let me get away with anything. Not even a joke about my nose." "You have a great nose," Amanda interrupted. "I know." He shrugged. "And that's what she said." A smile creased Methos' mouth as his eyes were still focused on nothing as he continued, "Alexa... I didn't know I'd fall so much in love with her. I didn't see it coming. I wasn't prepared. I convinced her to travel with me. I cared for her and her plight, but it wasn't until we left the States, and I showed her some of my old stomping grounds, and she was so interested about everything, wanted to see and know more, that I realized I loved her. Each passing day makes me fall even more in love with her. Such courage she's shown me." Methos reacted as if he was speechless, but then voiced, "Alexa amazes me." "You've been pretty amazing yourself," Amanda added. "You try to hide behind that devil may care attitude, but deep down you're a softie." "It's the least I can do, considering," Methos countered. "Don't even start on that," Amanda threatened. "You're doing a wonderful thing by Alexa. She's a lucky woman." Methos sniffed and rubbed his eyes. He sat up needing to compose himself, for what, Amanda didn't know, but it was so him. They sat in companionable silence, sipping their drinks. "The crystals are the only way I can save her." Desperation was heavy on his words. "Fine," Amanda stood up. "Then we're gonna get the crystals back from those damn grave robbers." "Are you certain?" "Of course." Amanda jerked her coat on. "Rebecca would be pleased to know that someone who actually deserved them ended up with the crystals. Besides, I owe you this for flying off the handle." "Remind me to scold you about that one of these days." ~~~~~ WATCHER HEADQUARTERS Under the cover of night, Methos parked the car three blocks from the side gate that they would break into. Amanda saw that his shoulders were slumped more than usual, his face was a stoic mask, and his eyes seemed dead. She hoped that Methos hadn't lost his lust for life. He needed to be alert and focus on the task at hand. If they screwed up, not only Alexa, but either of them could be dead being caught red handed stealing from the Watchers. Amanda opened her door, but Methos sat still behind the wheel. She nudged his arm, as his hands were clamped to the steering wheel. "Come on. Time's a wastin'," she teased. "Don't I know it." He took Amanda's hand."Now listen, we cannot fail. We have to leave that building with those crystals or all is lost." "I know what's at stake, Methos." "Don't call me that," he said with fiery disgust. "Will you get it through your head?" "Ok, Adam," Amanda replied encouragingly. She didn't need him in a bad mood. "I know how important this is. I'm ready. Just worry about yourself." Amanda was ready to get out of the car, but Methos kept hold of her arm. "If there's a choice inside between you or the crystals, you lose, Amanda. I just want you to know that going in." "You sweet talker, you." Amanda was a bit jarred from those words, but assumed Methos was just trying to teach her, to get her mind set on the direness of the situation. "I know." "I'm serious," he said. "And you have to promise me something. It's important." "Anything." "If it's between me or the crystals, you take those crystals and you bring them to Alexa for me." Amanda hadn't seen such seriousness in his face since he took that swing at her in the rail yard. Before that, it was when he had told her about his past as a horseman. Her stomach fell from the possibilities of what could go wrong in there, but she had to do what she had to do. When she was pulling a job, she had to think on her feet, had to have her mind clear. Amanda had to only focus on the security plans and the course of action needed to accomplish the task. She smiled and brought his hand to her lips. "I will. I'll take care of it, and I'll understand if you sacrifice me." Methos looked as if he didn't believe her. She told him, "This is for the greater good. Just like Rebecca lost her head for John and I had to fight Luther. Alexa needs that stone. Let's go get it for her." Methos smiled and kissed Amanda, not on the cheek, but on the lips. Not in a romantic way that she was so used to, but as a gesture of thanks. If she had known about the other two pieces of the stone, she may have thought to save Jack thirty years ago. Maybe in some small way, Amanda would be able to save Jack if Alexa survived. Amanda caressed Methos' cheek as he said, "Let's roll." ~~~~~ INSIDE Methos, always the meticulous burglar, told Amanda, "Okay, we have six minutes while they change over shifts." He stared at the steel door before then and cracked, "I haven't seen a vault this tough since I rode with Butch and Sundance." Amanda almost laughed, remembering the days of carefree debauchery while riding with the Hole in the Wall Gang for a few months, but her mind was on business. "Laser sensors. Titanium bars." "Try impossible," Methos said as if Mount Everest stood between them and the crystal pieces.  "Have a little faith," Amanda chided him. In the distance, a cat meowed, stopped both Amanda and Methos in their tracks. They exchanged glances. A cat was something they hadn't planned on. Hopefully, it would be the only surprise of the evening. Methos said, "I'll get the cat." Amanda turned back to the door and set her case down. She could hear Methos behind her. "Not the carpet. Not the- Nice kitty. Nice kitty. Come, kitty. No! Not the alarm!" Amanda turned around to whisper forcefully, "What are you doing?!" "Trying to get the cat." Amanda opened the vault just as Methos walked to her with a ginger cat in his arms. "Okay, let's get it," he said. "Get rid of the cat." The display case with the pieces of the crystal was right in front of her, in the middle of the room. She gingerly walked to it as Methos left with the cat. After determining that there weren't any booby traps between her and it, Amanda walked to it. Taking the pieces in her hands was an uplifting experience that made her want to squeal with glee. They were so close; Alexa was going to be all right. After she added her piece, the stone would make Alexa live as long as Methos. She could almost see Jack's smile before her as she turned and made her way to the exit. A male voice sternly said, "I can't let you leave with the crystal." Great. A surly looking man stepped out of the shadows with a gun. Just great. She couldn't see Methos anywhere and felt lost. Just then, the ginger cat seemed to leap out of the air and land on the man's shoulder as it was squealing with anger. Methos must have thrown the cat on him. She started for the door as she heard but couldn't see Methos yell at her. "Go! Go! Get out of here." Amanda side-stepped to the door, not wanting to turn her back on a man with a gun, even though he was struggling with a cat with its claws out. A shot rang out and Methos hunched over, his head out of the shadows. Amanda almost dropped the crystals from fright and surprise. Methos yelled, "Go! Go!" just as he fell to the floor.  Amanda only heard his voice in her head, ‘If it's between me or the crystals, you take those crystals and you bring them to Alexa for me.' She ran out of the room, down the hall, down the stairs, and didn't stop running until she was at the car. All the while, she was telling herself, "He'll be all right. Methos is wily. He'll get out of there. Methos will be all right." ~~~~~ DUNCAN'S BARGE Amanda went back to Duncan's barge to call the clinic in Switzerland where Alexa was, to tell her that Methos would be there very soon and to hold on. There wasn't a doubt in Amanda's mind that he would show up at the barge, demand the crystals, then return to Alexa's side. The waiting was the hardest part of the bargain though. And, Duncan picked a fight with her as soon as she walked in the door. "He's where?" Duncan boomed. "Please tell me your kidding." "Like I'd tease you about something like that," Amanda said as she paced the barge. "I left when the gun went off. He made me promise that I would get these back to Alexa," she nodded to the table where the stone rested. "It's the least I could do after being so bitchy to him these last few days." Amanda walked over to the table and gazed longingly at the crystal. Can we really save Alexa? Her fingers itched to add hers to the nearly complete stone. All the pieces were within her grasp; she had to know if they would work magic. That's precisely what she would do if Duncan would stop glaring at her. "Methos is 5,000 years old; he's a really good fighter," she said when Duncan joined her at the table. "I think he can take care of himself, don't you?" "Yeah." He didn't sound convinced. Amanda looked up at the Scot. The furrow in his forehead signaled his growing frustration at the situation. If she wasn't careful, he would launch into full-blown clan chieftain mode, which given Methos' current predicament would not be a good thing. Better to keep him off the trail, then to deal with what might be a potentially sticky situation. Plus, his worry was starting to get to her. "Would you give me my crystal?" Amanda said as casually as if she were asking him to pass the salt. Better to act unconcerned than to show any indication she cared. If she did, Duncan would see right through her charade. "They know what he is and how to kill him," Duncan reminded her.  Yes, Duncan, I realize that, but he's probably not even there anymore. He's on his way here. Just hold on. Methos can get out of any scrape he finds himself in. We come barging in there, and he's liable to take our heads right there on the spot. "I can't believe he took that bullet for me," Amanda continued with mock casualness. And why did I ever believe he was out to kill me? All right, maybe in the past he's wanted me dead on occasion, but never without letting me know of his intentions first. Duncan's face took on a stern, chastising look. "But he did! I want to get him out of there." Well, there's the clan chieftain, Amanda grimaced. We're going in with guns blazing. Things are going to get sticky now. Before Amanda could open her mouth to protest, the phone began to ring. Amanda ignored Duncan when he picked up the phone and she intently studied the crystal. The light of the room refracted and cast a rainbow of color on the wall. Amanda remembered how it had captivated her from the moment she'd first laid eyes on it at Rebecca's abbey. Of all the jewels she'd stolen this was the most beautiful, not to mention the most priceless, one she'd ever seen. Indeed, it would be priceless if it could save Alexa. "Who was that?" Amanda asked when she noticed Duncan was off the phone. "Watchers," he said simply. "They have Methos, Amanda." Amanda clenched her hands to her side and felt all blood rush to her head. Keep cool. Don't show any reaction. How can he still be there? Methos is the master of escape. But, this is so not good. "They want a trade." "For the crystal?" she asked as if she didn't already know. Amanda wondered if her devil may care attitude was working for Duncan, but continued it nonetheless. "What if it's real?" "What if it is? Take it." Duncan handed her the crystal. "Let him die." Amanda fought back the urge to scream at Duncan. She'd no sooner let Methos die than she'd take her own head, but the Highlander had no clue how she felt. Too much history lay between her and the oldest immortal for her to let him die now, this way. She might be with Duncan, but her heart still held a special place for the old man. "Sometimes you're a pain in the ass," Amanda told Duncan. Duncan was already heading to the door. "Are you coming with me, Amanda, or not? He did save your life." More times than you know, MacLeod. Amanda nodded. "Right behind you." ~~~~~ PRESENT DAY "Apparently I'm not the only one having trouble sleeping tonight."  Amanda jerked at the unexpected sound of his voice. "Geez! Give a girl a heart attack, will ya?" "You'll live," Methos muttered as he sat up. Amanda's elbow connected solidly with his side. "Knock it off will you? You're bruising me." "You'll live," she retorted. "Hey, where are you going?" Methos stretched and yawned. "To the little boy's room. Are you writing a book?" Amanda sat up and covered herself with the sheet. "It's almost morning." "Yeah, and I plan to sleep in," Methos' voice echoed in the bathroom. "So don't wake me up again." "I didn't wake you up, doofus." "Whatever." Methos walked out of the bathroom. "I'm hungry." "Of course you are." Amanda rolled her eyes. "You're always starving. Can't you wait until breakfast?" Methos stretched out on the bed. "I plan on sleeping through breakfast." "So order something up from room service." Amanda turned on her side away from him. "I'm going back to sleep." Methos flicked on the bedside lamp. "You want something?" "What part of ‘I'm going back to sleep' didn't you understand?" Her question was punctuated by a pillow slamming into Methos' head. "Turn the light off!" "I don't think so, darling," he admonished her. "As sure as I order something, you'll be all over my food. You always do." "Bite me," Amanda muttered. She yelped when he did exactly that. "Ow!!" "You told me to," Methos said sweetly. Amanda rubbed her shoulder. "If I told you to jump off a bridge, would you do that?" Methos thought for a moment. "Uh, no, but I'd bite you again. What do you want to eat?" Amanda closed her eyes and counted to twenty. Methos obviously wasn't about to give up until she ordered something. "Fine. Just order double of whatever you're having." Methos laughed. "Wow! I never thought you'd trust me to order your food for you. I mean, after that fiasco in Istanbul-" "Well, I don't think I have to worry about you ordering monkey testicles here." Amanda sat up. "I've never been so disgusted in my life." "They're delicacies, Amanda. They were sauteed in garlic butter and crowned with a delicate sauce of burgundy and-" "I suppose if you live long enough, you'll eat anything and enjoy it." Methos chose to ignore her comments and dialed room service. After placing an order for a rather odd combination of breakfast and dinner foods, Methos grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. He flipped through the channels at a rapid rate. He smiled when he saw his favorite show was on. The show intrigued him and irritated Amanda. As soon as Amanda heard the voice narrating the show, she yelled, "No, no, no!!! I refuse to watch that!" "Then close your eyes," Methos said. "This is my show and I will watch it." "Come on, there has to be something else you'd like to watch." "Nope." "I'll make it worth your while if you change the channel." Amanda's hand snaked over to his waist. "Sorry, no deal." "Please," Amanda pouted. "I'd turn it for you." "Bullshit, Amanda." Methos tucked the remote under his pillow away from her. "You made me sit through a marathon of Barbara Streisand movies. It's your turn to suffer." "I hate you," she huffed.  "No, you don't," Methos grinned. He grabbed her and pulled her next to him. "It shouldn't take long for the food to arrive." Amanda snuggled in close and rested her ear over his heart. The musky scent that always clung to his smooth skin wafted up to her nose. He smelled so good. The warmth of his bare skin next to hers made her forget her annoyance. Maybe watching the Crocodile Hunter wouldn't be so bad after all. Besides watching him watch the show usually provided some entertainment for her. "This bloke is bloody insane," Methos chuckled when the man began stalking yet another reptile. "Absolutely insane!" "You say that as if it was a good thing," Amanda said. "Why do you like this show?" "I don't know; I just do." "You're one weird dude, luv." Amanda leaned up to kiss him.  "I prefer the term unique." A knock on their suite door and a male voice calling, "Room Service," stopped their discussion. Methos pushed Amanda aside and walked to the door. "Aren't you forgetting something?" Amanda called from the bed. Methos gave her a puzzled look. "Your clothes?" "Oh." he hustled back to the bed and slipped on his jeans. "I wouldn't want to upstage him." Amanda raked a long hot gaze over her lover's body. "You would do that, darling." "The things you say." Methos winked at her, but continued out of the bedroom into the sitting area and the door. He checked the peephole to make sure it was in fact room service. His paranoia was still on high alert due to the Watchers and Amanda certainly didn't blame him for it. Satisfied, Methos swung the door open and allowed the waiter in the room. "Just put it over there." Methos pointed to the small table by the bay windows. "I'm hungry!" Amanda appeared in the doorway between the bedroom and sitting room wrapped only in a sheet. "See, I told you." Methos took the small leather folder from the waiter and signed the bill with a flourish. "Here you go." Methos tried to hand the folder back, but the young man's wide eyes were focused only on the barely-covered Amanda. Methos cleared his throat. "Here you go." The young man blushed and began to stutter and stammer.  "Don't worry, she has that effect on most males." He clapped the waiter on the back. "The door's that way." Methos laughed when the waiter practically ran from the room. "You, my dear, are so bad." Amanda let the sheet fall to the floor as she walked over to the serving cart. "No one's ever accused me of being a saint." Methos began uncovering all the dishes and sat two plates on the little table. He nuzzled the nape of Amanda's neck as she brushed up against him to fill her plate. A few quick caresses and kisses were exchanged before they settled down at the table to eat. "So what were you thinking about?" Methos asked before he took a drink of his chocolate milk. "This and that." Amanda cut into her omelet. "You've got a mustache. Joe would have a stroke if he knew you drank that stuff." "I'll deny it if you tell him." Methos wiped his upper lip. "Like it's some big sin for me to drink anything but beer." Methos leaned into whisper, "Contrary to popular belief, man cannot live on beer alone." "I'm sure you've never tried." "Maybe," he allowed. He scooped a forkful of mashed potatoes and drug them through his omelet. "Now what was keeping the sandman away?" "Nothing." Methos quirked an eyebrow. "All right, I was thinking about us trying to steal the stone for Alexa," Amanda admitted. "All this talk about death and dying must have made me think about it." Methos continued to eat. Finally he put his fork down. "Seems to be the theme lately." "You've been thinking about it, too." Methos nodded. "Still stings after all this time." "I certainly have no desire to relive it." Amanda looked at him. "I never want to see you hurting like that again." "Desperation isn't my best emotion," Methos said grimly. "I still wonder what might have happened if we'd been successful." "You have no idea how worried I was about you." She reached across the table to hold his hand. "I'm surprised Mac didn't suspect something. Especially when Stern called to make a trade." "I think it was at that point I knew the whole thing was going to go badly," Methos recalled. "I felt so miserable about the whole situation." ~~~~~ WATCHER HEADQUARTERS Methos got up off the floor, feeling his chest, as the bullet had gone right through his heart. Stern was standing over him the entire time. When an immortal revives, there wasn't any way to cover the fact that you've just come back to life. The jig was up. Methos knew that his wonderful cover as Adam Pierson was blown. A young guy walked in and stated with awe as he looked at Methos, "Bloody hell, he's Immortal." Methos slumped into the nearest chair. Usually, his mind would be whirling about how to formulate his survival. Nothing came to him. Stern and the young guy were staring at him silently after binding Methos' wrists together. Not a good sign. They had to be thinking about their next move. Methos would normally be one step ahead of them, but at the present time, his mind was mush. He realized he wasn't looking for all the angles, all the ways he could get out of this, all the ways he could save himself. A deep dread washed over him as he was just too damn tired. Five thousand years of nickel and diming your way through life took its toll after a while, even more so when a nagging thought in the back of your mind came to the fore. That thought was that if Alexa left this world, he would like to as well. The stone could very well be a myth. Amanda might also have gotten stopped. She may decide to not give the stone to Alexa. All sorts of things could happen. Stern finally spoke. "All this time, hm? Making believe you were one of us. Using us, laughing at us." "No one was laughing," Methos countered. Stern challenged, "Why?" Methos said what he had told anyone who found out about his decade long farce, "It was a way to keep track of the others, to stay clear of them. I was playing a charade, but it wasn't to betray you. I respect you. You have a sense of purpose, a dedication to history." "Well then, that's why you and Amanda stole the crystals," the young guy asked patronizingly, "because you admired our dedication to history?" "No," Methos spat out. "I wanted the crystals because someone I love is dying." "Oh stop lying, Adam," Stern shouted. "Or whatever the hell your name is." "I'm not." Not about that! I've never been anything but serious and truthful about Alexa's doom, painful as that is. Stern demanded, "Do you realize what you've done? I've dedicated my whole life to being a Watcher. We trusted you and you destroyed us." "Why would I want to destroy you?! I have been with you for ten years! I'm not about to go telling anyone now." "How can I believe a man whose whole life has been a lie? An Immortal among us, who knows us... it's our worst fear. There's only one way I can be sure of you." Stern turned to his underling and said, "Give me his sword. Now!" "You're not really going to do this," the man said incredulously. "If you haven't the stomach for it, get out," Stern told him as he threw Methos to the floor. He landed on knees, his wrists bound. "I take no pleasure in this," he told Methos, and Methos knew he was probably raising that sword. "Cut clean," was all Methos said. Life isn't worth living without her. I hope someone tells her how much I love her, and I'll be waiting for her. If we can't live together forever in this life, maybe there is another life where we can be happy, as one, forever. At peace. No more struggle, no more interference from people or disease. Methos had swords raised around him before, but he had always done something to save his neck. A quick roll out of the way, an unexpected kick to the crotch. That maneuver had always done him well in the past. This time, Methos relaxed, focused on Alexa's smile, and waited, for what seemed like an eternity. The young man cried out,"WAIT! The crystal..." Methos heard Stern snip, "What about it?" "If the legend is right, then it's a far greater danger than he is." Methos couldn't argue with the young man's logic. He also began to have the prick of wanting to live creep back into him. As his survival resolve flooded Methos once again, he tried not to berate himself for sitting still as the Watchers had their way with him. I could have lost my head! reverberated in his brain. Instead of scolding himself, he heard the name of his thousand year lover be brought into the fray. "If Amanda becomes invulnerable," the young man said. "Then we will have changed the game forever by our interference." Because Amanda was ensconced in a relationship that even he couldn't break, Methos knew that the Highlander had to also be on the case. Stern named the young man as Daniel Geiger, and Methos knew the name from somewhere, but since his mind was a buzz, he couldn't place it. Geiger and Stern made their plans to get the crystals back from Amanda as Methos thought back to where he might have come across that name before. Of course, working with the Watchers for a decade, he had heard a lot of names, and soon dismissed Geiger as one of the nameless, faceless peons he hadn't needed to keep an eye on in the past. Geiger yanked Methos to his feet, causing a spot of pain on his bound wrists, and shoved him to the door. Methos caught a look at him as they were making their way down the hall. No longer was the young, meek man looking young or meek. Suddenly, there was a stoic determination behind those blue eyes of the young blond man. Methos didn't know whether or not to be worried. It wasn't until Methos was standing on the bridge, gun to his head courtesy of a grunt enlisted to carry out the exchange of his life for the crystals, that Geiger made his hidden agenda known. Amanda was half way down the bridge with the crystal pieces in her hand. Methos couldn't believe that she hadn't put the pieces together before now, and was a bit pissed that she wasn't on her way to Geneva to give the stone to his dearest Alexa. Methos took a quick look around and hadn't seen hide nor hair of Duncan, or any cavalry, which was a good thing. The Highlander may be young, but he has been in this position before. There was no use showing your hand until absolutely necessary. It was only when Geiger shot Stern in the back and took over the exchange that the grunts finally figured out what Methos had known but couldn't do anything about. The big men seemed stunned. So naive. Geiger announced to all with macho bravado, "I never really liked him anyway." He called to Amanda, "I believe we have a transaction to finish." A young, cocky man with a gun wasn't something to mess with, so when Geiger locked eyes on Methos, Methos certainly didn't want him to think that Adam Pierson was anyone who would be a problem. All Methos wanted was the stone to give Alexa. He didn't need a bullet in the head, or a sword to his neck. To pacify Geiger's new-found agitation and not show himself as a threat of any kind whatsoever, Methos asked incredulously, "You planned all this?" The smug smile on the ass was enough to make Methos laugh out loud, but he bit his tongue. Geiger asked, "Why'd you think I became a Watcher? It sure as hell wasn't to spend the rest of my life looking through bloody keyholes at you. It was to be you, an Immortal, to figure out how you do it." Methos stated, "We don't use the crystal." "Yeah, that's why you were trying to steal it." Methos searched the area again for any sign of the Highlander, and saw a figure creep covertly to the other end of the bridge, giving Methos more confidence, and giving him the opportunity to finally breathe a sigh a relief. Methos didn't know what Duncan had planned, but knew that he might need some time. "How many lives is it worth, Daniel?" Methos asked to stall things. "As many as it takes," Geiger replied. "And don't give me that holier than thou crap. How many people have you killed to stay alive?" "It's not the same." "It's never the same, is it? It's always the same with you people though. You and your kind kill each other every day, and you glorify some game. Well, this time I'm in that game too, and this is my prize." Methos only saw a glimpse of his friend in his black trench coat down the bridge past Amanda when Geiger demanded the crystals for the last time.  Reluctantly, she handed over the cloth wrapped stone. Geiger glanced at the stone and questioned Amanda about the missing piece. When Amanda made a flippant comment about not having it, Geiger dealt her a punishing backhand blow across the face. Methos was shocked to hear the young man call out for the Highlander. "MacLeod, now or she gets it!" Damn, damn, double damn. The sinking feeling that had nagged him since they pulled away from Watcher headquarters pressed harder and harder on his head and heart. Methos took a sharp inhale of air when he watched Duncan casually toss Amanda's piece to Geiger. Morbid fascination took over as he watched Geiger gently nestle the remaining piece into its slot. The jagged formation of crystals coalesced into a brilliant shimmering orb. All remaining concepts of skepticism left Methos' mind when he realized that the stone was indeed magic. Alexa can truly be saved! Methos knew the odds were slim, but he had two crafty friends on his side, and that stone would soon be in his pocket, and he would fly back to his love. Alexa will truly live with me forever! Amanda's eyes were fixed on the transformed stone, not the gun pointed at her head, and Methos hoped that she was thinking the same thing he was, and not harbor any grand notions of keeping the stone for herself. Down at the end of the bridge, Methos was disappointed that Duncan hadn't brought the cavalry with him, he was alone. Then, Methos felt like screaming for joy when Duncan slowly brought something out of his pocket. It was a remote device to make some sort of diversion. Time seemed to stand still as all eyes were focused on the Highlander at the end of the bridge, then all hell broke loose. The bridge deck vibrated beneath his feet along with the resounding concussion of multiple explosions going off at both ends of the structure. Soon the sounds of gunfire echoed around him. Thankfully the man breathing down his neck had joined the fray. All the chaos swirling around him would provide Methos with the perfect distraction to get the stone, if only he could work his hands free. The knots were proving to be harder than he anticipated. Amanda was an expert at working knots loose; Methos had to find her through the acrid smoke from explosives and gunfire. He spotted Duncan lying on his back apparently dead from a gunshot wound. Amanda remained on her feet gun in hand. He started forward; Geiger was coming at him, but a well-placed shot from Amanda's gun stopped him in his tracks. Good shot! Methos rushed to Geiger to get the stone, but he had lost his balance from the gunshot. Before Methos could reach him, the Watcher tumbled over the rail into the murky river below. Methos ran to the rail as quickly as possible, his hands still trapped behind his back, and craned his neck to search not for the asshole Watcher, but the crystals which could be lodged on the scaffolding. The stone had broken apart as soon as Geiger had let go of it, and was again three pieces. Maybe the crystals hadn't gone into the water... His last hope died as he spotted the crystals plopping one by one into the river far below them. Amanda had abandoned her weapon and joined him at the railing. Methos hung his head and bit back every single curse he had ever learned. Amanda then knelt down and grabbed a crystal! One was saved! He looked at the crystal she was given by Rebecca nestled in her hand. No other crystal was on the ledge. Methos couldn't bear the look of pity in Amanda's brown eyes. The only consolation he could find in this miserable situation was that at least Geiger hadn't ended up with crystals. As selfish as it sounded he was glad that if Alexa couldn't have them, no one could. ~~~~~ The bitter defeat of having, then losing the crystal gnawed at Methos from the moment the three of them left the bridge before the wailing of sirens neared. He had watched Amanda clutch her crystal tight to her heart as Duncan drove them back to the barge. "If there's a way, you will give me that, right?" Methos leaned forward to the back of the front seat to ask Amanda. "Of course." She even held it out for Methos to take, but he shook his head and sat back on his seat and watched the blur of Parisian buildings fly past them. Duncan was taking the long route back to the barge in case any of the police officers were tailing them, having seen them depart the crime scene. All Methos could think was that this wasn't over. Not at all. He knew where the crystals were, all he needed was some ingenuity and modern technology. Sure, the Seine was murky, and the area surrounding the bridge would be watched like a hawk now that there were five dead bodies and damage from explosions found. But Methos could wait. Methos could wait as long as it took to be able to search the bottom of the river for the sure way to save Alexa. Methos started to feel a bit better as Duncan pulled up to the barge. He had lived long enough to know that when things seemed bleak, there was always a glimmer of light. That glimmer of light had always come to him during his 5,000 years to save his butt, and now it would come to him for Alexa. Methos got out of the back seat of the car and breathed fresh air feeling confident he still had a chance to save Alexa. Amanda put her hand on his shoulder, and said, "I'm so sorry, Methos," as a tear slid down her cheek. "Cheer up, Amanda. All's not lost," Methos confidently said as he waltzed up the plank of the barge. He looked down the canal to the black smoke still coming from the damaged bridge miles away. When the smoke clears and nosy cops clear out of the area, he would start his search. For now, he had to make some phone calls to acquire sonar and diving equipment. Methos waited for Duncan and Amanda, both looking at him curiously, to get on deck and unlock the door. "How are your scuba diving skills, Mac?" Methos asked him as Duncan took out his key. Duncan stared at him, then smiled. "Never better." "I look great in a diving suit myself," Amanda smiled as well as they both figured out what was on Methos' mind. "I'm sure you do," Methos said, biting back ‘luv'. As soon as they entered the barge, Methos went straight for the phone and dialed the hospital in Geneva. He needed to hear Alexa's voice, and hoped she was awake. After talking to the operator, the hospital switchboard, and a nurse, Methos asked to speak to Alexa Bond. He waited for what seemed like an eternity before Alexa's nurse, Anika, got on the phone. "Mr. Pierson. Where in the world have you been? I've been trying your cell phone number all day." "It's been misplaced," Methos said, as Stern had relieved him of it while he was dead in his office. "Why?" "She's taken a serious turn, Mr. Pierson. I am so sorry, but you should come as soon as you can." "No...," Methos felt as if all hope, plans, and air had escaped his body. "She can't...." "Please come before it is too late, Adam." Methos gently replaced the receiver on its cradle and stood in the center of the barge lost. Totally lost. "Hey," Amanda whispered to him. "You all right?" "No, not at all." "Not good news?" "No." Methos looked at them both and then couldn't. The last thing he needed was their expressions of pity. They were happy, together, neither of them were dying of cancer! Amanda said, "I'm sorry." "You have nothing to be sorry about, Amanda."  "If only I hadn't shot Geiger, we'd have the crystals." Methos took her hand. "You did what you thought was best at the time." "But-" "But nothing." He pressed his finger to her lips gently. "What's done is done." Amanda nodded and they embraced, chastely, amicably, because the Highlander was in the room. Right now, Methos needed her comfort, but it was not to be. Methos got back on the phone to the airline as Duncan and Amanda were huddled in the kitchen area. Methos said he had to pack and left without another word. ~~~~~ OUTSIDE METHOS' LOFT "What time does your flight leave?" Duncan asked as they walked from the building.  Methos replied, "My flight back to Geneva leaves at ten. I hope she holds on until I get..." He met Duncan's sympathetic gaze. "She'll never know how close I came." Duncan rested his hand on his friend's shoulder. "She'll know how much you love her." "As much as I can for as long as she lives," Methos agreed hoarsely. "Yeah," Duncan said. Methos walked in silence. He dreaded saying goodbye to Amanda. If it were possible, he'd ask to her come back to Geneva with him. He wanted her to meet Alexa and see what an incredible person she truly was, but Duncan's involvement in the situation only complicated things. Amanda waited patiently by the car. Don't you dare cry, Amanda. If you do, I couldn't bear it. "I know this doesn't have the magic, but um, I don't know, I was thinking, maybe you'll take this for good luck?" Amanda handed Methos her crystal. The gesture sent tears flooding to his eyes, but he blinked against them. He couldn't do this now, not here. He grasped the crystal tightly for a moment, wishing it were whole. "You keep it. Think of us." Amanda pulled him close. "And you, courage. Courage." Methos nodded, not trusting his voice. He squeezed Amanda once and got into the car. He had a plane to catch. ~~~~~ PRESENT DAY ON THE ROAD FRANCE The excitement of going to Rebecca's grave had been much different than the tone of the drive now that Amanda and Methos had decided to visit her abbey one more time. It would be the first time they were there together since Rebecca's death. Amanda had spoken to John on many occasions, on the phone. This would be her first visit to actually see him in the place where he and Rebecca lived and loved the last years of her long life. Also different from her and Methos' last trek in their remembrance of Rebecca, Methos was driving. There was no radio blaring. They were both in a solemn mood after reliving the events of five years before. "Do you still miss her?" Amanda asked Methos out of the blue. "I will always miss Rebecca," he said, hands clutching the steering wheel, eyes straight ahead. "I know that, I meant Alexa." Methos was silent for a bit longer than was comfortable. The reliving of Alexa's last few months with Methos had been hard for him, Amanda knew that, but he had hardly said a word all morning. "I will always miss what Alexa represented," he said. "I did love her, very much. But I've loved a lot of people, and lost them. I know how to get past that bitter pain, although some are harder to get over than others. If she hadn't been so special, I might actually forget her in a couple of decades. But now, because of who she was and when she came into my life, I will always miss her." "Why did she touch you the way she did?" Amanda asked gently.  Finally a slow smile crept across Methos' taut features. "I really wish you had met her, Amanda. I wanted you to come back to Geneva with me to meet her." "I would've, you know that." "Yes, but I couldn't ask. You were with MacLeod," he reminded her. "Still, you should've asked," Amanda scolded him gently. "You've been my best friend forever and can tell or ask me anything. I would have come." "You would?" "Of course!" She leaned her head on his shoulder. "We've always been there for each other, you know that." Methos turned and kissed the top of her head. "I would've come to you when Rebecca was killed." "I thought about calling you," Amanda said, "but-" "But you were afraid I'd run into the Highlander," Methos finished for her.  "Yes, but not for the reason you think. Look, you were hiding out with the Watchers and MacLeod was snooping around too much about Luther." "And so?" Methos asked.  "I just thought that when the two of you finally met, it should be under better circumstances." "Like when Kalas showed up?" "All right," Amanda said in a dismissive tone and stuck her hands under the other arm. She would never live that down. "You have a point, but it was what I thought best at the time." "I could have taken Luther," Methos pointed out. "I would've have enjoyed it." "Don't tell me you wanted that bastard's quickening floating around inside you." Amanda shivered. "He hated you." "The feeling was more than mutual." Methos' eyes darkened with remembered hatred. "Besides, I've got more than my share of detestable quickenings inside me at this point; his would have integrated with minimal fuss and muss." "Aren't you worried about overloading like MacLeod did?" "I'm too damn mean for that, Amanda, you know that." "What about that Quickening you took back in 1795? You scared me," Amanda reminded him. "I've never been that scared of you before, not even when you killed me at MacLeod's cabin." "Haven't we dredged up enough of the past this weekend?" Methos glared at her. "Unlike MacLeod, I know when I've reached my fill and have to lay low until it's safe again." "But two hundred years is a long time to lay low," she argued. "Maybe I should've been more scared than I realized." Methos groaned. "I stayed away from you and the rest of the world until I felt human again. Although it's probably a good thing I didn't run into Kronos during that time. The world didn't need another bout between the Horsemen." "You wouldn't have gone back to that," Amanda protested and repeated, "You wouldn't have," for her own benefit as much as his. "Really? I'm not so sure myself." Methos turned down the road that led to the abbey. "That's why I bolted." "See, you just proved my point, darling." Amanda sat up straighter. "You knew what was happening and you left before it did. That proves it." Methos sighed. "I wish everyone saw it the way you do." "Not everyone loves you as much as I do," Amanda smiled. "I dare anyone to find a better friend than you." "Defending my tattered honor?" "Until I draw my last breath." "Make sure that doesn't happen for a very long time," Methos said. "I swear," she vowed.  "We're getting near," Methos said wistfully. "I'm no longer sure if I want to see it after all." "Come on, it's where she lived and breathed. Rebecca is still alive at the abbey," Amanda encouraged. "It's stone and mortar. Rebecca is planted in the ground. The abbey's probably fallen into disrepair. I tell you, Amanda. I couldn't bear to see it fallen apart." "Boy, do you have a surprise ahead of you." Amanda looked like the Cheshire cat as she peered straight ahead down the tree-lined road. "Maybe I should have brought you to the abbey instead of her grave. But, who knew you'd fly off the handle?" "I loved her, Amanda. I don't take fallen comrades lightly." "Comrades?" Amanda faced Methos. "I know that wasn't all. You can be honest with me for God's sake. Don't hold anything back." "I don't like to think about your lovers; I don't talk about mine." "Whatever." "Do you want me to point out all the places Rebecca and I-" "You're such a man. I meant, don't sugar-coat what you do tell me, not expand on details I want no part of." "Point taken." "Besides, I could probably point them out to you. I wasn't a fool." "I never said you were." Her look at him of total disbelief made him change the subject. "Here we are." Methos turned into the still narrow entrance through the break in the trees on the east side of the road. He felt things were different from the last time he had traveled there, almost twenty years before, but he couldn't place it right away. Amanda's look was still on his mind, and the depth of change she had undertaken since turning made him happy. It was only when he drove along the path through the trees, which wasn't bumpy, that he realized one change. It was paved with asphalt, not just dirt with a strip of weeds making a green line between the tire tracks. As the trees thinned, he saw a sign that read, ‘Rebecca's Hope-established 1995'. "What in the blazes is this?" he asked as he slowed the car, into a parking lot. Amanda smiled. "Rebecca's home." "John turned it into a tourist attraction?" Methos was livid, and ready to make a sudden reverse and get the hell out of there. Amanda, reading his mind, put her hand over his on the gearshift. "Relax. Take a breathe. Stop the car and let's go inside and talk to John. You're going to like it, I promise. Or you can take my head." "Ivanhoe is nice and sharp," he warned. Amanda teased, "Good. It wouldn't hurt then, now, would it?" Amanda took his hand after they departed the car, and he squeezed it to raise his comfort level. John hadn't done well with Rebecca's grave by Methos' estimation, why should her residence for thousands of years be any different? As they walked through a trail from the parking lot into the trees, they could hear children's laughter. When Methos got a glimpse of the stone of St. Anne's Abbey, he looked off to the right. There were children playing in a fenced in playground with swings, slides, bars, and sandboxes . Off to the left of the abbey was a grassy area where three young women were hanging wash on clotheslines. "What's going on?" "Rebecca's legacy is to give hope to women in need." John Bowers walked out from the front doors of the Abbey and waved his greeting. He was about the same age as Joe Dawson, and just as jovial when seeing old friends. "Amanda, Noah. Long time no see." "He'd better watch what he says," Methos muttered as the other man closed the distance between them. "Knock it off, Methos." Amanda plastered a stunning smile on her lips and spoke through clenched teeth. "Stop posturing and be nice." "So I don't play well with others." Methos shoved his hands deeper in his pockets and stood totally erect, a sure sign of his attitude. "I will be civil, Amanda, I promise." "You are so immature, Noah," Amanda used the alias Methos had used during the time John and he had met. "I thought all those bad feeling would've been under the bridge by now. John has nothing ill to say about you." "Good for him." "Smile, damn it, or I'll not be happy." Amanda threaded her arm through his. "If you won't do it for me, do it for Rebecca." "Fine." Amanda turned her attention on John, who was meeting them at the bottom of the steps. "John, how lovely to see you." John opened his arms and she stepped into his embrace. "It's been too long, Amanda." "Yes, it has." After their embrace, she cleared her throat. "I've brought Noah to see what you've done with the abbey." "Noah," John greeted extending his hand to Methos. "How've you been?" "John." Methos shook his hand. "Why don't go into my office and have a drink, eh?" John offered. "We can talk in private there." The trio trooped up the flagstone walk into the surprisingly well-kept building. Amanda and John walked arm in arm chatting amiably about the current projects going on while Methos trailed silently behind them. His eyes meticulously cataloged everything around him. The exterior of the abbey itself had changed very little since the last time he'd been there some decades ago, although it looked like it had undergone a bit of a facelift to bring its ancient beauty to the forefront. Somewhat reluctantly, he followed John and Amanda into the abbey only to find the well-loved building had been thoroughly modernized and turned into a bustling office space. Women of varying ages and descriptions hustled about making phone calls, delivering files, typing at computer stations, and all the sundry jobs associated with office work. "Things certainly are busy," Amanda observed. "Apparently, this is quite a successful venture." "Indeed, it is." John opened a door and gestured for Amanda and Methos to go in. "Unfortunately, the number of women and children needing help only seems to increase, but we do what we can." "Rebecca would've been thrilled," Amanda said honestly. "She firmly believed in giving others a second chance. Look at me, for example." "You were her favorite student." John walked over to a beverage cart and poured them all a glass of wine. "She thought the sun rose and set on you." "I don't know about that, John," Amanda giggled as she took the glass from him. "She had my number from the get-go, didn't she, Noah?" "Rebecca had everyone's number," Methos agreed. "Smartest woman I've ever had the privilege of knowing." John raised his glass. "To Rebecca." "To Rebecca," Amanda echoed, but noticed that Methos hadn't joined in the toast. She did hope this wasn't about to get ugly. John walked around the massive mahogany desk that dominated the large office and settled into the leather chair. Once Amanda and Methos had taken their seats, John pulled two portfolios out of a drawer and handed one to each of them. "I'm so glad you decided to pay St. Anne's a visit. I've been meaning to discuss something with the both of you and now is the perfect opportunity." Amanda opened hers and looked up at John. "What is this?" "A business prospectus," Methos answered as he rummaged through the file of papers. "Income statements, balance sheets, projections, and the like." "That's right, Noah," John acknowledged. "As you can tell, the information is for Rebecca's Hope." "And?" Methos snapped the leather folder shut and sat it on the edge of the desk. "What does this mean to us?" "A great deal, I hope, Noah," John replied. "After Rebecca died-" "Killed," Methos muttered loudly enough to be heard. "She was killed, John, because of you." "Noah!" Amanda interjected and shot a withering glare at Methos. "John, I apologize for Noah's behavior." "It's the truth," Methos bit out. "And I suspect we all know it." "He's right, Amanda," John agreed before Amanda could say anything else. "Rebecca is dead because of me." "John, you know that's not true," Amanda countered. "It was Luther. She-" "No, Amanda, it is." John held up his hand. "When Luther confronted us, she told me to leave; I didn't. I thought... I don't know what I thought. She'd told me about the Game, but somewhere deep down I didn't take it seriously. I thought Luther would walk away, but when she drew her sword and accepted his challenge, I got scared. Then the next thing I knew, his sword was at my neck and Rebecca was laying down hers." John closed his eyes remembering that fateful day. "She knelt before Luther and he took her head. She died because I didn't listen to her, because I failed to take her seriously." Methos rose to his feet and slammed his fist on the desk. "Do you think that makes me feel better about all of this? One of the finest people I've ever known died needlessly, because her lover meddled in affairs he knew nothing about. By the gods, I ought to kill you where you stand." Amanda pulled his arm. "Stop this! This isn't what we came here for, Noah." Methos yanked his arm free. "Why did we come here, Amanda? Tell me because the reason isn't clear to me at all." "You stubborn, arrogant man!!" Amanda railed at him. "Do you think you're the only one who mourns for her? Do you? Well, guess again. I miss her more than I've ever missed anyone. She was my best friend, my sister, and my teacher. John was her lover for over two decades, Noah. We loved her, too." "I regret not listening to her that day, Noah, more than you'll ever know."  John stood up. "Rebecca was the best thing to ever happen to me. I loved her and I will mourn her for the rest of my life. I'd gladly give up my life to bring her back, but I can't." "You will sit down and hear what John has to say or I will shoot you and tie you up." The tone of Amanda's voice was deadly serious. "I mean it." Perfectly aware Amanda would do what she threatened, Methos took his seat and whispered, "I'm listening." "Good." Amanda took her seat and waited for John to do the same. "Go ahead, John, you have our undivided attention." John swallowed hard. Although he'd lived with an immortal for most of his adult life, the intensity of their personalities still overwhelmed him. He sat back down in his chair and looked at the two people sitting in front of him. Rebecca's two closest friends: one looking at him with sympathy, the other looking like he could kill him. His life was suddenly more complicated. "As I was saying, after Rebecca was killed," John continued, "I was lost without her. Day after day, I came here and sat, hoping that somehow that ugly day had been a nightmare. I almost expected to see her come walking out of the abbey, but she never did." "Finally, I'd grown tired of living my life without her and I decided to end it all." John rested his head on the back of the chair. "I'd kept her sword. I thought it fitting since she lived and died by the sword, it should be my fate as well. So I knelt in the grass on the very spot on which she'd died. The weight of her sword felt right in my hand. She was an excellent swordswoman, elegant, yet deadly." Amanda nodded, but remained silent. "I digress. There I sat, ready to commit hari-kari when a voice rang out in the chilly morning air. For a moment I thought it was her." Tears began to flow down his cheeks. "I got to my feet and turned in the direction of the voice, but it wasn't Rebecca." "You don't have to talk about this, John," Amanda said.  "Yes, I do," John argued. "Of all people, you two deserve to know this. Anyway, this young woman was standing on the lawn calling out to me. I tucked Rebecca's sword into my jacket and went to meet the young woman. I thought I could send her on her way and finish what I'd started. However, that young woman set me on my present course." Amanda was intrigued by this. "Who was she?" "Her name was Julia Henkes." When the name didn't seem to ring a bell with either immortal, John continued. "She was Luther's last girlfriend; she'd come to warn Rebecca about Luther. It seems Luther, bastard that he was, had gone into a mad rage and had beaten her to within an inch of her life. After she'd gotten out of the hospital, she came here." "Oh God." Amanda felt sick. "I'm so glad he's dead." "There should be a special place in hell for people like him," Methos finally broke his silence. John nodded. "Since she knew about immortality and Luther's mission, I had to tell her what had happened. Turns out, she'd come to Rebecca for help several times before and she felt she owed her this courtesy." "I thanked her and we went into the abbey to talk." John smiled a ghost of a smile. "That's when it occurred to me how I could keep Rebecca alive. Later that afternoon, I drove back to our townhouse feeling better than I had in weeks. I rummaged through her papers and journals over the next few days and found address after address of people, women, she'd helped secretly. I decided there and then I would continue the work she started in her name to somehow continue the immortality I'd robbed her of." "That's how Rebecca's Hope started," John concluded. "She loved you two, so I thought it would be fitting that you be on the Board of Directors. You would know how she wanted things done and once I'm gone, you can continue it. That is, if you'd be interested." "John, I don't know what to say." Amanda's eyes filled with tears. "Of course, we'd be interested. Wouldn't we, Noah?" Methos rubbed his hand across his face. His anger at John had begun to fade as the other man told his story. "I can't think of a more fitting tribute to Rebecca. I'll help anyway I can." John's eyes rose. "I can't believe it was that easy. I thought I'd have to beg and plead with you both." "All you had to do was admit your failure," Methos told him.  John's body shifted down in his chair as if the life was drained from him. Amanda said, "For a man who lives in code," to Methos, "You sure do require the people in your life to be totally aboveboard. John would crap if he knew who you really were." Methos stood, eye trained on John, then bore holes into Amanda. Before he could go to the door, John said, "I know all about you, Methos." John shrugged. "Well, I know what Rebecca knew about you. We did talk. You were one of the topics of conversation over the years. She loved you and talked all about you, as well as Amanda." "I'll be waiting in the car," Methos told Amanda, but John stopped him by standing up. "Not only because you both are immortal do I want you to continue the work started here after I'm gone, but you were the closest to Rebecca in the world. You knew her wants and dreams. You may know her better than I." Methos' chuckle rang out. John said, "Then it's even more essential that you both are directing this venture. You're both smart as well. I know I have Amanda's help, but I will really consider it a failure, on both of our parts, if you walk out that door, Methos." Methos took a deep breath and looked at the few possessions of Rebecca's in the private office, which looked out of place, and finally said, "I never could stand you, Bowers." "The feeling is more than mutual," John replied without hesitation. "You killed her." "So let us not allow her hope to die," John said after recovering from Methos' harsh, true words. Amanda had stood up and snaked her fingers through Methos', then kissed him on the cheek. "Be nice." Methos said, "I will not be nice. But..." He looked to John and extended his hand as a form of agreement. "I will be a partner." THE END Thank you for reading and drop us a line to let us know what you think of it.