Revelations

By Donna and Abs

When it was said that the whole of Edan town came to the birthday party of Katherine's little girl, this was no understatement!  Even Grisham and Vera showed their faces in public, though up to then they had kept to themselves within the walls of the Hacienda.

Father Alec had had a good talk with both Sarah Jo and Duncan, telling them that he believed that this Grisham was not the same as the one that had kidnapped and raped her, as well as all the other crimes he had committed. Duncan had grudgingly agreed to behave and not to go head hunting Grisham again.

But of course, he did not entirely trust him. He was still the same man, even if he had had a restart.  The only thing that saved him was his love for Vera, which Methos theorized was the only difference between this one and the other.  "The first came before this happened," he guessed.  "I don't know if he is an alternate reality, like the version of myself that came, or a later one, but there is a difference."

It made sense. So, Grisham was allowed to be a part of Edan's society, on probation, of course! And so far, he had behaved himself very well.

He was Montoya's assistant, and Montoya was not 100% on the up and up, but no one actually knew that.  To the rest of the population, both he and Grisham were upstanding citizens.

Duende was at the party as well. He too was still staying at the Hacienda, mainly because he was enjoying the company of one of the women there. In fact, Dolores had done him the honor of accompanying him to the party!

It was the first time Prudence or Sarah Jo had actually seen Grisham, though.  And it was not easy.  Especially since both were pregnant!  Doc Adams had made the announcement at the party that Prudence was finally expecting. But Grisham hardly even gave both of the women a passing glance! He was too delighted to be there with his lovely wife on his arm. He, too, had a secret!  Vera was also late, and they suspected she was pregnant.  She *was* very pale.  The only problem was, was she carrying his child, or one of the Sadaam men.  She had told him that she had gotten it in August, and had only missed in September.  But she had actually gotten it before her rescue.

While he was getting her settled on a comfortable chair, the crowd from the livery stables arrived. The pony express riders were all pleased with the addition of several horse fae, who, though they did not make long rides, were invaluable when it came to taking care of the animals used on the rides.  And they were not only cute, they were available. It didn't take much for some of the boys to talk them into occasional playful romps in the hay.

The Kid, being shy about these things, had only flirted with Ashleigh, the fae he had his eye on.  But Cody and Hickock had taken much more advantage of the freely available Kishori and Rohan!

But all of the riders were out having a good time dancing not only with the girls they worked with, but the other women of the town. Of course some of them had attachments in town - Like Noah and Kalana, and Buck and Shhiloh!

Shiloh and the members of the Singing Creek Camp had all come, dressed in their finest, the women all wearing fringed dancing shawls. Even Little Deer and Mika, who were both large with child were there! Little Deer was ready to have her baby, but Mika still had a month to go.  Mika was larger - but that was because she was expectinng twins, not because she was heavier before she had gotten pregnant.

It was interesting to watch all the different dancing styles... there was the energetic tap dancing style of the Leprechauns, the fancy arm and leg movements of the Scots, and the slow, methodical movements of the Native Americans as they marched to the beat of the music, plus many other variations of dancing from all the other people there!

As Methos watched all this, he waited impatiently for Kat to come back.  He really did want to know about the Birthday Girl's paternity.  Doc came over as he watched, with Sarah Jo and Duncan.  "Congratulations," said Methos.

Sarah Jo smiled at him, putting her hand on her stomach. She was just starting to really show again. "Thank you," she said with a smile. "But why the glum look on your face?"

"Nothing much, really," said the Immortal.  "Just a rumor that Doctor Shepherd has managed to DNA testing.  And the congratulations extend to both expectant mothers.  Or should I give my condolences, seeing as they are both yours?"  He grinned playfully at Doc, but there was an undercurrent to it.

"Yes," said the other man, "they are both mine.  We know it for sure this time." As happy as he was to know for sure, there was one baby that Doc really wanted to know about. And if the DNA tests were working, he could find out!

He knew Prudence was having his baby this time.  But though MacKenzie was certainly not his, because of the lack of a buzz, they did not know for sure if he was Clay Mosby's, either!  Methos saw the look on his face and said, "I thought the lack of buzz clinched it. Is there something we don't know?"

Doc just shrugged. He wasn't at liberty to say.

But Methos was watching closely.  Prudence was watching Grisham with ill-concealed fear, and that was understandable. But when Grisham and Vera walked by, Prudence nearly stumbled and fell, in her hurry to get the crawling Mac out of their way.  He was not even close to being trodden on, but her attitude was clearly saying she did not want Grisham to even *see* the boy!

Methos put two and two together and came up with ten. Or in this case, another possibility for the boy's father! It had to have happened long before anyone thought there was something going on, but it would explain much.  And it would be very sad.  Taking Doc aside, he said, "Wouldn't it be best to know the truth?"

Doc nodded. "Do you think Shepherd would tell us if we ask?"

"He'd tell you. You're one of the possible fathers."  Before Doc could mention the reason they were sure he was not, Methos said, "We are assuming all of our children are preimmortal.  Perhaps in this case the child took the mother's mortality.  At any rate," he smiled slowly, "I think you can use that to lure Shepherd into anything and everything short of having your child himself!"

Doc nodded. "It’s worth a try at least."

"And while you're at it . . ," Methos said.  Doc smiled and nodded.  No one had thought to ask Shepherd.  And he could always look at the records himself, if Shepherd decided to quote confidentiality.

Doc Adams made his way through all the people dancing and visiting, making his way to where Shepherd was seated. "Any news about the mom to be up in the clinic?" Doc asked as he joined Shepherd.

"From what I hear, it is going quickly," he smiled.  "Ancy has been monitoring it."  He indicated his lover, who was, at the moment, nursing their daughter.

"Good," Doc said. "I hear you got the DNA stuff you were doing to work!"

"Yes I did," smiled Shepherd proudly.  "I think it will be a boon to our society!  Of course, right now there is only one child whose parentage is disputed . . ." He eyed Doc curiously.

"Two," Doc said. "There is a chance that MacKenzie inherited her mother's mortal genes."

"And is actually your child, not Mosby's?"  As Methos had predicted, Shepherd's face lit up like Camelot at Christmas!

"Did you test Doireann already?" Doc asked casually.

"Yes.  Yes I did.  Just for my records, of course.  Even Katherine doesn't know the official results."

"Really?" Doc asked with a raised eyebrow. He could see Methos and Duncan both doing there best to look like they were not edging close enough so that they could hear every word.

"Well, she did not ask me.  But she seems to know, without asking.  So I should say she did not get it from me.  It is there, though, whenever she wants."

Doc nodded. "She has always had this annoying habit of knowing things. Connor told me that she knew he would be going out to sea quite frequently before he had ever even stepped on a boat. So, who’s the dad? My counterpart or Sarah Jo's husband?"

"Oh, I think they should ask me, don't you?"

"If they do, you will tell them?"

"Of course, they are concerned."

"Run a test on MacKenzie then for me," Doc said softly. "I want to know for sure."

"Of course.  Just ask your wife . . ."

Doc frowned.  "Perhaps you might use some of her blood next time she comes for a check up.  To confirm this pregnancy you took some, did you not?"

"Yes," Shepherd said, raising an eyebrow.

"Then don't worry her with it," said Doc.  "Use that sample.  I will tell Clay what you are doing."  God willing, the child was his!  "You might want a sample of his blood."

When Shepherd nodded, Doc got up and walked past the waiting Methos and Duncan. "All you guys have to do is ask," he told them.

Methos grinned.  Then he waved Duncan ahead of him, as if to say, "After you!"

Shepherd looked up in surprise to see the two men standing before him. Duncan glanced at Methos and then cleared his throat. "We would like to know," he said simply.

"She's a MacLeod," Shepherd said.  "Has none of my - or your - DNA at all."  He said this last as he looked at Methos.

There was silence for a moment. "Thank you," Duncan said when he was able to speak. Turning to Methos, he met his eyes.

"I've got my share," Methos said, though of course he was disappointed.  "And more on the way.   I don't plan on stopping, either."  He smiled.  "I'm glad for you, Duncan."

The Highlander nodded. "We don't have to tell Kat we knew. You can still be part of Doireann's life."

"Oh, I plan to," Methos grinned.  "I always planned to."