Transcendence1b

Transcendence part 1b

Part Eight

   Methos floated in a sleepy haze the next morning listening to the exuberant sounds coming from the shower. MacLeod was singing. What the Highlander lacked in quality of sound, he more than made up for in quantity. Loosing a sound of his own
somewhere between a chuckle and a groan, Methos had just pulled the pillows over his head when he sensed the approach of another Immortal. Cursing, he leapt to his feet and grabbed the first article of clothing--his own oversized sweater, and the first
sword--MacLeod's katana, that came to hand.

   He had just enough time to pull the sweater on and raise the sword before the loft's door flew open and Amanda flounced in. She looked totally taken aback upon seeing Methos, but it was hard to say who was really more shocked, the two older
Immortals who stood more or less in a face-off, or MacLeod who chose that moment to stride, soaking wet out of the bathroom with a tiny scrap of a towel rubbing at his head saying, "Did you call me Methos? There's someone..." MacLeod's voice trailed away as he took in the situation.

   "Amanda! he yelped, attempting to position the bit of fabric where it would do some good, then giving it up and placing both hands on his hips. "We weren't expecting you for a couple of days yet!"

   Wrenching her thoughts away from the fact that she had only felt one presence when in fact there were two, Amanda's sharp eyes and sharper mind flitted about the loft taking n information. Since when was MacLeod so casual with his own nudity?
Around her maybe, but around Methos? There were clothes scattered everywhere, all masculine but not, she thought, all MacLeod's. Of course, to say Methos was in a state of partial undress was to state the obvious. And, as her eyes traveled up
the long, sleek legs of the old Immortal, she couldn't restrain the errant thought that clamored in her mind: he's not wearing anything under that sweater!

   Finally, her gaze raked the loft looking for evidence of the bed Methos had so obviously just crawled out of. The only bed was Duncan's--and what a mess that was! The covers were a hopeless tangle, trailing off the side onto the floor. There were
pillows at both ends and in the middle of it all...what was that? Peeping out from a strategically placed pillow was...whoa!

   Amanda resolutely turned her mind away from the evidence of her own eyes. Not Duncan MacLeod. Not the most skillful lover of women she had ever known. Deeply puzzle, Amanda did the first thing that came into her mind--She walked over to a
wary looking MacLeod and kissed him.

   He kissed her back--sort of. The hands that grasped her waist held her at arm's length instead of drawing her close, and the mouth that caressed her own was a study of casual contact: brief and as non-intimate as a naked man could make it.

   Stepping back from him, Amanda's eyes narrowed consideringly then she whirled, strode up to the startled but amused Methos, and kissed him too. Methos showed none of the hesitation MacLeod had. He wrapped his arms around her and
heartily kissed her back. Amanda splayed her hands over his back then suddenly reached down under the end of his sweater and squeezed his firm naked buttocks. Methos yelped and jumped back as MacLeod had to laugh and Amanda smiled in sly
satisfaction and said, "Uh huh, I thought so. Would one of you mind telling me exactly what is going on here?"

   Both men tried to speak at once, but she forestalled them with a raised hand. "On second thought, this is a little too weird for this early in the morning--how about I make some coffee and you two get dressed."

   Relieved at putting it off, even for a few minutes, the two men began to scramble about for their clothing. Amanda's eyes gleamed as she watched them both bending here and there and a grin began to appear. Noticing the look in her eyes,
MacLeod stepped to block her view of Methos as he half crawled under the bed to drag out his jeans. At MacLeod's hiss, Methos looked up, colored slightly then proceeded to the bathroom. Left alone with Amanda, MacLeod gave her a little shrug
and followed the other man, firmly closing the door behind them.

   Shaking her head, but still smiling, Amanda set about making coffee and toast. Just as she was setting the plates and mugs on the bar, the bathroom door opened and two subdued but gorgeous, fully-clothed men emerged. "Step right up, gentlemen,"
Amanda said. "Let's get comfy--oh, that's right, you were already comfy, weren't you? So, how about somebody telling me what I seem to have stumbled into here? Hm? No takers? Duncan MacLeod, you're not afraid to tell me, are you?"

   "Of course not," MacLeod retorted hotly.

   "So?" Amanda prompted.

   "Amanda, you know you mean the world to me, and I love you dearly, right? But we've never, that is we have, of course, but not continuously, I mean..." he trailed off miserably while Methos sat and silently sipped his coffee with an enigmatic smile
on his face.

   Taking pity on him, Amanda reached to squeeze his hand gently and said, "If you're trying to say that we feel love for each other that has nothing to do with whether we are together or with others, you're right. We do. Your point is?"

   Still holding Amanda's hand, Duncan reached across and threaded his free fingers through Methos'. "Amanda, that's exactly right, I do love you, but I am in love with Methos."

   "You and Methos--Methos and you?" She looked from one solemnly nodding head to the other. After sitting in silence a few moments digesting this startling information, she said musingly, "And being 'in love' has a lot to do with whether two people
are together or with others, doesn't it?" Two more nods.

   A sunny smile broke the serious moment. "Well, all right, Methos! I didn't think anyone would ever be able to nail Duncan to the commitment cross--'you're a better man than I am Gunga Din!'"

   Methos, relaxed now, grinned cheekily back, "Well, you know what they say about 'sending a woman to do a man's job'." He and Amanda broke into peals of laughter while MacLeod tried to decide if he was offended or not. Finally, he gave up and
joined in then pulled the three of them up and into an impromptu group hug.

   Amanda was the first to pull back, and she studied the other two as they still stood together then nodded. "You two fit. You look right, like you belong together. I'm happy for you both." And she stepped forward to kiss first Duncan then Methos
before turning and guiding them into the living room. "But tell me boys, surely you didn't get in touch with me for this? I mean, it's great and all, but it could've waited until the next time I wondered by. So what's up?"

   Tacitly agreeing to save the tale of the shared quickening until Connor could hear it too, both men quickly brought her up to speed on the approaching hunters. Then, Methos said, "So we were wondering if you'd be willing to stick around a little while
and help me watch Duncan's oh so attractive backside."

   "Watch your backside you mean, Methos," MacLeod cracked.

   "Boys, boys--I'll be happy to watch both of your backsides, whether they're in danger or not. But, I'm not too inclined to sleep on the sofa and, I suppose it's a little too soon to suggest that the bed is big enough for one more..." she trailed off with a
toothy grin as both men sat in silence, mouths agape. "Ha, ha, right--Anyway, I think I'll go see Joe. I've got a standing invitation there that I've never gotten around to taking him up on," laughing again, Amanda winked and started for the door.
"See you tonight at Joe's, guys." And in a whirlwind, she was gone.

   Methos recovered first, and reaching over, he gently placed a finger under MacLeod's chin and closed his mouth. Mac tried to speak, once, twice, then finally, "Ah, that went...well. I think. I mean considering the fact that I came out here to find you
holding her at sword's point with your ass literally hanging out."

   "You noticed that, huh?"

   "How could I help it? You can bet Amanda noticed more than that, after all I only got the back view. She's not the kind of girl to let an opportunity like that pass her by."

"I knew exactly what kind of a girl Amanda was long before today, MacLeod. Ha, ha, she shocked you, didn't she?"

   "You mean that three in a bed bit? Hardly, I'm just...that is, it's too...Hell yes, she shocked me! I notice you didn't say anything either!" he laughed.

   "Just following your lead, Highlander. Just following your lead."

   "Oh right, I forgot. You're 5000 years old. You'd probably invite Connor and Joe to join us, too."

   "Come on Duncan, Joe maybe, but Connor? I do believe if it's consenting adults, fun is whatever you all agree it is. But, no, I do not want to play menage a' trois, even with Amanda. You two were right when you said there was a difference in love and
being in love. If I just loved you as a friend, we could both be members of Orgies R Us for all I'd care. But, I'm in love with you, Duncan MacLeod, and I don't want to share you with anyone like that. Not now, and not ever."

   By this time the two were lying fully clothed on the bed, propped up against the headboard. "I don't want to be with anyone else either, Methos."

   "Not even the fair Amanda?"

   "Not even Amanda. Our relationship was never like that. Believe me, she understands." And they exchanged a long, slow kiss that seemed to seal their deeping commitment.

   "Now if she can just..." but before MacLeod could continue, the phone rang. It was Joe again.

   After he hung up, Duncan slid down in the bed with a sigh. "We have to be at Joe's at 5:00. Connor is due by then."

   Sliding down beside MacLeod, Methos said with studied casualness, "Hm...that's almost seven hours away. However shall we pass the time?"

Turning towards his new lover eagerly, MacLeod could feel the warm glow from their quickenings beginning to engulf them both, "I suppose we'll just have to think of something."

Part Nine

   Joe's was crowded, as usual, when Mac and Methos arrived a little after 5:30. Seven hours hadn't been enough time after all, though MacLeod hoped, a little sheepishly, that no one remarked on it. He and Methos hadn't quite managed to disengage
their minds as easily as they'd disengaged their bodies, but they sensed the presence of two others of their kind even before they spotted Connor and Amanda seated with Joe at their usual table.

   Both the other Immortals were frowning, and Mac braced himself for pointed comments about the time. Instead, without a word of greeting, Connor turned to Amanda and said, "I thought you said the other guy was Immortal."

   Methos looked at Duncan, arched an expressive brow, then sat down as Duncan embraced his kinsman. "Good to see you too, Connor," he murmured.

   The elder MacLeod gathered himself long enough to land a playful blow to Duncan's arm that would have felled a lesser man and said, "Hi, Duncan." He turned toward Methos and his eyes narrowed in speculation as he continued, "I sense you
now--you are Immortal. But, why couldn't I a minute ago?"

   "I knew something else weird was going on," Amanda erupted. "I only sensed one presence at the loft this morning, too."

   Methos nodded, "Well, that would seem to answer that question."

"Care to enlighten the rest of us?" Amanda asked.

   "Yes," Connor added, "Dawson and Amanda here have told me about this private little war brewing, and I'm in. Plus, the fair lady has informed me as to your new, er, relationship." Connor's eyes flicked between the two reddening men with a purposely
bland expression on his face.

   "Thanks a lot, Amanda!" Duncan sputtered.

   "Hey, don't get mad at me! You didn't say it was a secret. Joe knew!"

   "Amanda!"

   "Duncan, you're brow-beating the girl. You weren't trying to keep it a secret, were you?"

   "Well, no...but, I'd rather we do our own telling. Thank you just the same."

   Connor shook his head, "Duncan MacLeod, who you choose to be with is your business. If you find some attraction in a skinny, young lad--well, so be it. Now, what's wrong with your quickening?"

   By this time, Methos had buried his head in his arms, shoulders silently shaking with laughter. Duncan's frustrated growl brought no help from that sector. Joe and Amanda glanced at each other then Dawson grinned and said, "We didn't think it was our place to pass on that sort of information, guys."

   Amanda added, "We do have some discretion, you know."

   Duncan's look spoke volumes, but he turned to Connor and said mildly, "First of all he is not skinny. Second of all, that young lad is over 5000 years old."

   Connor's eyes opened wide as Methos, finally bringing himself under control, raised his head and met the older Highlander's gaze. "What's your name?" Connor asked abruptly.

   "Methos."

   "Methos," he breathed. His eyes perused the ancient Immortal for long moments then he said, "Well, that explains it then. I can understand what you see in him, Duncan." At the younger man's dumbfounded expression, Connor gave a snort of laughter and thrust his hand out to Methos. "Pleased to make your acquaintance."

   Preliminaries over, the five turned back to the main topic still to be discussed: the double quickening. Both men had decided earlier to save Methos' new information about the meaning of the Game for another time. After a rather convoluted explanation
from Duncan, Methos, and Joe, a lull fell as the other two Immortals tried to process what they'd just heard.

"So you two can read each other's thoughts?" Amanda asked for the third time.

   "Only sometimes, Amanda, when we really concentrate or when the emotions behind the thought are really strong. I know it's kind of hard to believe." Methos didn't know what else to say.

   "And you are always aware of each other--location, state of mind, etc.?" This from Connor.

   "That's about it," said Duncan. "We needed to know if our quickenings appeared unusual to other Immortals too--you answered that when we came in."

   "What happens when only one of you takes a head?" Connor continued his questions.

   "The other still senses the quickening, and, I believe, if he's close enough, he'll share it too."

   "Have you two considered what happens if, say, Methos takes a quickening while you are in the middle of your own fight, Duncan?"

   "This has all reached flashpoint so quickly," Methos took over. "That's another reason I too am grateful you're here. We need to find out these things in such a way that we'll still be alive to discuss them afterwards."

   As if on cue, all four Immortals tensed up and swung their heads to the door. "Oh boy," Joe Dawson said quietly, as not one, not two, but three Immortals entered and, with barely a pause, strode straight up to their table. "Looks like it's time for the
opening round."

   Connor MacLeod's eyes narrowed as he surveyed the three, stopping with the one in the middle. "Davros Voryan," he said flatly. Cold eyes dismissed Connor as the man said in a surprisingly cultured voice, "Wrong MacLeod."

   Duncan stood. "I assume you are looking for me then. I'm Duncan MacLeod." Four other chairs scraped back as en masse they all adjourned to the long alley beside the bar.

   Voryan, apparently the spokesman for his cadre, said, "We're here for Duncan MacLeod--the rest of you are free to leave if you'd like to go on living. For now."

   "This is where I came in," Methos said as he stepped into position beside Duncan.

   "I never walk away from a fight," growled Connor.

   Amanda started to protest but a look from Joe reminded her of the possible added danger to Duncan and Methos. She stepped back with Joe and said, "I'll watch."

   "Fine then," said Voryan as he placed himself in front of Duncan. Benson, you can have the other Highlander, and Nallus, you take care of whomever," and he waved his free hand negligently in Methos' direction.

   "His name is Methos," grated Duncan, "and I have had just about enough of people insulting him for one night." Voryan's head came up with a jerk, but before he could react, the fight was joined.

   It could not be called an easy battle. Advantages were won and lost until all six were bleeding from numerous nicks and cuts. But, finally, the tide turned permanently away from the hunters. Methos took the first head, and even as Duncan and
Connor closed around him to protect him from any errant blows, the quickening began. But then...it just...paused. It was as if someone had reached out and pushed a button to halt the transfer before it had barely begun. A single thread of energy
connected the body to Methos, and an even slimmer thread appeared between him and Duncan.

   Amanda, having been prepared to leap forward and defend Duncan if he fell, stepped back wide-eyed as Methos rose back to his feet.

   In a matter of moments, Connor dispatched his opponent, with Duncan finishing Voryan mere seconds later.

   Again, as with the throwing of a switch, Duncan and Methos fell to their knees as their quickenings commenced to flow between them. The complete merger of the two was obvious to Joe and Amanda. There was literally no discernible way to tell which energy belonged to which man.

   And then, it happened. The energy of Connor's quickening seemed to be attracted to the others.

   Joe and Amanda watched breathlessly as the shared quickening of Mac and Methos seemed to reach out and caress Connor's. There was a brief space of time when they seemed to connect and form something...huge. But, significantly, they
never truly merged, and as the last sparks faded, Connor's quickening flowed back to its proper host even as Mac and Methos' settled around and in both of them.

"I felt you," Connor gasped. "There for a few moments, I felt your minds!"

   "Connor, if there had been a need, do you feel you could have maintained the connection?" Methos asked urgently.

   "Maintained it? Yes," he answered slowly. "I know I could have. It would've been a matter of just holding on--like clasping a hand. Why?"

   "I agree," said Methos. "We could have held the link with you easily. Although, apparently not on the same permanent level that Duncan and I share." He was secretly a little relieved about that.

   Duncan nodded, his eyes shining.

   Amanda started to ask what in the world they were talking about now, but stopped when she realized Joe was sniffling beside her. Putting her arms around him, she said gently, "Joe?"

   "I'm ok," he smiled tremulously. "I'm just so relieved. Thank God. Thank God!" he ended with a shout.

   Methos and Mac grinned hugely as the five of them closed ranks and began to move toward the bar.

   "Guys?" said Amanda. "Guys?"

   Laughing Duncan swept her around in a giddy circle and said, "Methos, Joe and I have another story to tell you two. This one is about the Gathering."

                                            - the end -

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