lahoffyCDC
Oct 8 2003

It was one of those perfect fall days. Not too warm, not too cool. The sun shone clear and bright, giving off gentle warmth. The air smelled of hay, falling leaves, and the faint whiff of apples. It was one of those days that demanded one gets outside and enjoy before the cold of winter crept in.

The ladies (using the term loosely, of course) had decided that the best way to enjoy it was a leisurely bike ride through the countryside to admire the fall colors, ending with a twilight picnic at the lakeside some 5 miles away.

Three of the four immortals agreed.

Methos, however, being his usual contrary, cranky self begged off, emphatically stating that it was the perfect day to be inside, drinking beer and watching the soccer matches. Which he proceeded to do, sprawling into his recliner defiantly.

Rather than get into a lengthy debate, the others had simply nodded and went about their business making the needed preparations.

"I can't believe you're going to let him get away with not going!" Denise said as she packed up a picnic basket with M&M's and mangos. "Especially after you got him that lovely bike as a birthday present, Connor."

A conspiratorial look passed between Connor, Richie, lahoffy, and Ennaj before Connor smiled briefly. "I'm sure he'll change his mind." Connor remarked mysteriously.

MacNair caught the look that passed between the others and immediately became suspicious. "What have you done this time, Connor MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod?"

Putting on his best 'Who, me?' look, Connor refused to answer, raising the little blonde's suspicions further.

lahoffy glanced toward the house, spotted Methos as he passed by the kitchen window and grinned wickedly. "5...4...3...2...1...NOW!"

An unearthly howl of utter anguish broke through the quiet of the compound, freezing everyone in his or her tracks. As one, their heads all turned toward the house where that pitiful sound had come from.

Duncan rolled his eyes. "Connor..." he began, knowing full well his kinsman was behind that tormented voice.

The back door banged open and everyone watched as Methos stumbled out, his complexion paler than normal and he leaned weakly against the doorjamb, his eyes rounded in horror.

Silence reigned as everyone waited to see what could possibly reduce the old man to such a state.

Gasping for air, Methos tried and failed to speak several times before finally managing weakly, "There's no beer."

"No beer?" Sheeza asked disbelievingly. "How can there be no beer when I just bought--"

"Say, Sheeza," Richie cut in quickly, "Hand me your basket and I'll load it onto my bike."

"That shouldn't be much of a problem, Methos, didn't you just refill your beer dispenser?" hayden asked.

Still shell-shocked, Methos shook his head. "It's empty. I don't know how, but it's empty."

"Gee, that's too bad, Methos," Connor said blandly. "Guess you'll just have to go buy some more."

"Too bad all the vehicles suddenly broke down," Ennaj whispered gleefully.

Duncan overheard and glared at the four conspirators in question. "Just what have you done this time?" he demanded.

Richie couldn't resist a bit of bragging. "Not much. We knew Methos would try and get out of going, so we made sure he would."

"And how did you accomplish that little feat?"

lahoffy shrugged. "Simple. Ennaj stole the spark plugs from all the vehicles and hid them, Richie drained his beer dispenser, and *I* have all the beer right here," she said, smugly patting the two backpacks at her feet.

Methos had, by this point, made his way to his SUV and everyone watched in fascination as he pounded the steering wheel in frustration when it refused to start. Getting out, he raised the hood and howled again. Grumbling, he glared over at the group, hands on hips.

Lifting a bottle from the backpack, Connor waved it in Methos' direction teasingly.

"Beer, Methos? The only way to get it is to come with us."

The air was filled with cursing, new and ancient.

MacNairCDC

"Who is riding where?" questioned MacNair, waving one hand at the bikes.

"I'm riding with Duncan," announced Sheeza rather quickly. (This was met with giggles all around, since Duncan had recently procured several two person bikes and they all knew Sheeza wanted that second seat behind Duncan to ... watch the scenery.)

"I am not riding with Connor," announced MacNair, to the surprise of all.

"And why not?" demanded the Scot in question.

"Because I know how you view biking! You'll pedal my stumpy legs off, that's why! I wouldn't even be able to walk by the time we got to the lake!" She glared at him for emphasis. "I'll ride my own bike ... along with lynnann, who's a sensible pace kind of gal."

"Sensible pace, that's me. And stops to view the scenery, too," added lynnann. She managed to load her pack onto Connor bike without him realizing that he now carried about three people's packs. That ought to slow Mr. Speedball down a bit, she thought.

Methos grumbled, groaned, and finally went to the shed and drew out his bike, gleaming golden and green in the sunshine. He buckled the helmet, pinched his skin in the process and yelped heartily. By the time he finished shriveling the nearby vegetation with his language, everyone was mounted up, helmeted, and ready to ride.

One by one, the troupe filed across the bridge to the moat and flitted through the scattered red-yellow leaves on the downhill side. The very last rider, lahoffy, heard the moat !hiccup! ... and following close behind it was a polite, "Oh, your pardon, dears!"

"Pardoned," lahoffy called over her shoulder. "How much of that beer dispenser did you drain in that moat, Richie-babe?"

"Enough to give our Old Lady a par-TAY while we're away," he called back. "She promised not to burn the house down."

"I'm glad we have plenty of fire insurance!"

pacemCDC

Ahhhhhhhh...the day was gorgeous!

The blue sky was a perfect frame for the blushing maples in their scarlet suits

And the hickories were just beginning their seasonal conversion to yellow.

All troubles were left behind. Out here on the open road there was only good cheer…

light bantering (Come on Connor, can't ya keep up?)

and the merry colorful trail of M&M's that Denise left along the way.

Until…

one pesky little bee out minding his own bee-business

on the same day at the same moment in the same path

as Methos' nose.......

BuzzzzzzZZZZzzzzzz

Yelp!!!!!

haydencdc

Methos raised both arms in defense of his beak and waved his arms wildly trying to keep the impending attack at bay. His bike began to weave without the control provided by his strong hands. It wove just a bit at first--provoking pacem to lean back on their bicycle built for two and whisper into Hayden's ear, "Excellent balance!"

However, the bee was a determined foe and ultimately found its intended target. The old man yelped even louder, grabbed his injured organ, and releasing a chain of ancient curses!

The bike's wobbling had grown progressively worse and finally the old man lost complete control. The bike came dangerously near the slight embankment at the edge of the road. In the heat of the battle Methos had begun peddling faster and the combination of speed and embankment sent the old man airborne. Luckily for him a nearby drainage pond broke his fall.

(We did say this was a FALL picnic, right?)

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