The Immortal Curse: 1 - Death on a Horse

Fandom: Highlander

Rating: PG.

Category: AU, Death Story, Angst.

Ratings: M/F and Slash M/M, both of them just suggested.

Notes: Sorry, there are several but I think they cover everything.

1º If you are a fan of Cassandra. Don't read this. Cassandra is the villain of this story. I needed someone to do a nasty thing and her background made her the perfect choice.

2º 'Death Story' means that a main character dies here.

3º This is an alternate universe. The eps "Comes a horseman" and "Revelations 6.8" happen after the sixth season so Richie is dead. Sorry.

4º In this story appear some (almost) original female characters: Kasey, Adalisa, Tsila, Rayen Quitral, Wesa and Kanetsidohi. They are immortal witches. In this part they appear briefly, but they participate actively in the second part.

5º There is no sex in this story (at least I don't think so, please tell me if I'm wrong), but there are several references to sex. It's my fault. Highlander has so many attractive characters that I couldn't help it. I'm not crazy for pretty boys and Methos is my favorite, but I just couldn't deny that I think McLeod has one of the most gorgeous bodies that I have ever seen, and those scenes when he practices his katas dressed just in those black pants... Well... <weg>

6º I'm aware that I took 'visions' and 'feelings' from some Highlander stories that I have read lately, but I didn't use a whole oration (Sorry if this is confusing, I couldn't find a way to translate the idea from Spanish to English. To us a sentence is one thing and an oration, another. I hope you understand). Nevertheless, if you think that there is a passage of this story that is too much like a story that was written before this, please let me know. If it is one of those I read and from which I took ideas, I should give it credit. If I didn't read it, it doesn't matter. BTW, this story was started in March 2000.

By Claudia Aranda.

"Cassandra, I want him to live!" roared Duncan again, daring Cassandra to continue.

Astounded, she looked at Duncan. He was protecting Methos! Duncan was protecting Death! But Cassandra wouldn't dare to kill Methos now. Duncan's tone of voice promised really bad things to her, so she threw away the axe and left.

Cassandra was raging mad. Her revenge had been so close! But now that she knew Methos was alive, there wouldn't be a place in the world where he could hide.

*---*

Once Duncan had said: You don't talk with evil; you destroy it.

So why had he stopped Cassandra?

McLeod's mind was confused. He had actually interfered in a challenge!

No. That wasn't a challenge. No matter what Methos had done in the past, he had been defenseless. That was against the rules of The Game; he had done the right thing. He wished that fact would make him feel better but it didn't help. He knew that if Cassandra had killed Methos, he, Duncan McLeod of the Clan McLeod, stubborn defender of justice, might have killed her. No... he was sure that he would killed her. Mac covered his face with his hands. He had betrayed Cassandra! She had suffered so much, she deserved a victory. But he couldn't let her have Methos.

Why? Methos might look like a young man, but he was an old one. Full of dangerous secrets. How many other deadly friends did he have?

Surely Methos would answer that question by tilting his head to one side, narrowing his eyes and smiling. A smile that didn't answer anything. A smile that challenged you to make a guess. A smile that could be sardonic and innocent at the same time. Innocent? Mac could only laugh at the thought but Methos looked so young, innocent and defenseless, that he couldn't help feeling protective toward him. Unfortunately, protectiveness had evolved into another feeling.

Slowly during the few years they had known each other, Mac had fallen in love with Methos. Fearing mockery, laughter, pity, or a sharp rejection, Duncan had never felt brave enough to confess his feelings to the old man. Besides love had brought to the surface desires that Duncan didn't want to acknowledge. Not now, not ever. Love and desire could interfere, to be neutral was the only way to protect the ancient Immortal.

Why? Why did he need to protect that old pain in the ass? God knew how annoying the guy was. Methos had made a habit of critizing every aspect of Duncan's life: his moral code, his pursuit of justice, his tendency to follow any Immortal he sensed, his need for attachments. Which, of course, hadn't stopped Methos from invading his house, eating his food, drinking his beer, or crashing on his couches, both sides of the Atlantic, for weeks. Methos had attacked his life like a storm: disarranging, destroying, replacing. Changing him. Confusing him.

Since the old man had stepped into his life, that feeling had been more and more common. McLeod knew that he was different from the man he was before; he had grown up, and he was grateful to Methos for that. But Duncan didn't want another teacher, he needed more from the ancient Immortal, much more. An attachment. Like those Methos joked about so easily. A relationship. He wanted Methos next to him the way Tessa had been, the way Amanda was.

McLeod had wanted for a long time to have both Tessa and Amanda. The thought might be disturbing to his friends but it made total sense to him. Tessa had been beautiful, intelligent, elegant, classy, honest and reliable. Amanda on the other hand was beautiful, intelligent, elegant and classy when she wanted, occasionally honest and almost reliable. How many times had Duncan wanted to mix the two together to create his perfect soul mate. Now, he knew that Methos was the addition that would complete that vision of perfection, but unfortunately Methos had a little problem: he was a man.

It wasn't that McLeod was homophobic or anything like that. It was simply that he had lived 400 years, some of them in places and situations where not even a man could be completely safe, so he had seen men raped. Luckily that had never happened to him, but the thought made him reluctant to get into a relationship with a man. A relationship with a woman meant sex, sooner or later, and Mac was pretty sure that with a man the same rule could be applied.

Although, to be quite sincere, McLeod suspected that he could overcome the gender problem easily. Too easily for his own liking. Confusing him, again.

Now, while Duncan digested Kronos' memories he was learning a lot about the old Methos, about The Horsemen, about the killing and the destroying, about Kronos and Methos' relationship? Well, he had suspected that much so he shouldn't be surprised; Methos had lived 5000 years after all. If Duncan had seen terrible things down through the years, what might Methos have seen, experienced and survived? What would Duncan have done if he had been on Methos' place? Methos had spent 1500 years with The Horsemen; the mere concept was terrifying and Methos had quite clearly let him know that he would do anything to survive.

Kronos knew that fact too, of course. Duncan smiled. Could the old man possibly realize how well Kronos knew him? How deeply Kronos loved him? Because now Duncan knew that Kronos had loved Methos all those years, and he also knew how much Kronos had mourned the death of his beloved brother. Duncan felt some of his yearning reflected in Kronos' memories. Kronos had played many games to keep Methos at his side. It was much easier than sitting with Methos by the fire and explaining to him why he couldn't leave.

He couldn't leave because Kronos loved him...

He couldn't leave because Duncan loved him...

McLeod wanted, needed, an attachment so deep, so strong that Methos simply couldn't leave. But it was obvious that Methos didn't like that sort of commitment. The ancient had been married 68 times, 69 if you counted Alexa, but never taken an Immortal as his mate, and never a man.

What could Mac offer to the ancient that would make him change his mind about same sex relationships? Protection? Friendship? Love?

Could he really offer any of that? What did he know about same-sex relationships? His closest experience had been his friendship with Fitz, and they never went beyond that point. Protection? It was almost a joke. Methos had lived 5000 years versus his only 400. Friendship? Methos would never fall for something so weak as McLeod friendship, and Mac knew it was only his fault. He clearly remember Methos' expression after he confessed his terrible past. Methos had been expecting... what?! Forgiveness? Understanding? From Duncan McLeod of the Clan Mcleod? Of course, Duncan didn't offer any of that. No, friendship was out of the question. If he wanted Methos' friendship again, this time it had to be based on solid ground, not just on McLeod's arbitrary standars.

So, the only thing left was love. Could he offer love to Methos? Would Methos accept it? How trustworthy could Duncan's love be in Methos' eyes?

Seemed impossible that he would be unworthy of someone's love. But he was. Methos had offered all without questions and Mac had only expected more and more, never stopping to consider what had been given to him. He was just a stupid brat like Methos murmured when he believed Mac wasn't listening. It seemed the only available option was to build a solid friendship with the ancient Immortal and hope to the gods that, with time, Methos would be more open to share his life with Mac in very many ways.

Agreed, he wanted Methos, but not just for sex. To be honest, he knew he could have that easily from a number of people, maybe even from Methos if he pushed him hard enough. But Mac wanted Methos to love him with the same easiness he had loved Alexa. Friendship wasn't enough but he couldn't expect Methos to accept a sexual, and hopefully romantic, relationship with a man whom he didn't trust enough to call friend.

But there was a new problem: Immortality. Everything in the memories of the shared quickening led Mac to believe that the Horseman had been a very integrated gang, like Cassandra said: Methos was the mind, Kronos was the heart. Both of them belonged together. What could Duncan offer after that?

So many question and no answer in sight. Again Mac was confused. The only thing that McLeod knew for sure was he wanted the old guy badly.

Mac hadn't played any games yet, but it could be just a matter of time before it was necessary. Mac panicked at the idea of Methos abandoning him. It had been hard enough to watch him go with Alexa. Duncan couldn't cope with the idea of losing Methos. No, he wouldn't let that happen. Methos was part of his life now! He had to be with him even if that meant to kill him and chain him in the basement! Ooh... kinky... Smiling lustfully, Duncan looked across the water to where Methos waited silently. Maybe he should go and check on Methos... just to see how he was...

Duncan closed his eyes and moaned softly. Kronos' memories were driving him insane. Mac fought the compelling feelings although his resolve was weakening with every minute.

Duncan could feel those frightened eyes watching him carefully. Methos was ready to escape at the slightest sign of danger.

The Highlander shook his head angrily. Good God! What was that, Kronos' or his own dirty mind? He had had these desires before, just hadn't thought about them. It was safer to stay where he was until he regained control. He just hoped that Methos wouldn't put himself within his reach, at least for a couple of hours.

*---*

Methos was quietly sitting near where he had killed Silas, watching McLeod's form. Sometimes Duncan looked pensive, then he looked anxious... pensive again...

Methos was curious. The guy had saved his life. Why? Methos wasn't sure about the reasons. When Cassandra had been ready to kill him, Methos was almost relieved. He felt so miserable about Silas' death that he didn't care what happened next. But now that his mind was a little clearer, Methos cared a lot. He didn't want to die.

Did he deserve execution for Silas' death?

No!

Sure, Silas had been his friend but he had chosen his own path. This would have happened sooner or later. Well... that wasn't completety true, it would have happened much, much later without Methos' intrusion. In fact, it might never have happened. After all, it had been Methos who'd dragged Silas out of the woods. Methos was guilty of Silas' death in more than one way and he still felt miserable about that. Methos almost smiled; he was acting just like McLeod.

To leave the submarine base, Methos had to go near McLeod and he wasn't sure how Mac might react towards him. Maybe it was safer to give Mac time to recover. So he stayed there, watching McLeod silently, trying to think what to do next, but Duncan looked so edgy... it was possible that he wouldn't move for the rest of the day.

Methos sighed. He was dirty! He was hungry! He wanted to go home!

*---*

Cassandra became angrier with every time she replayed in her mind how Duncan had protected Methos.

Maybe she shouldn't have obeyed and just beheaded Methos, but done is done. Deep inside she knew that not killing Methos and leaving the submarine base had been a wise choice. Even if Duncan hadn't threatened openly, she'd heard the warning in his voice.

Maybe Duncan wouldn't have killed her but she didn't want McLeod as an enemy. Not at all. She wanted that amazing Immortal at her side and that gorgeous body in her bed. She just had to be patient and let Duncan absorb Kronos' quickening.

At first she had hoped that, in a moment of fury, Kronos could make Duncan kill Methos for his betrayal. But unfortunately, although she had stalked the submarine base for three long hours, nothing had happened, so Cassandra finally had decided to go home.

Well... she would have to kill Methos by herself. When Methos was alone, of course; she didn't want to risk her head. Duncan seemed much too fond of the old man, for Cassandra's liking.

Why?

Duncan knew Methos was evil. She had told him all about Methos, and Duncan had helped her to track him. But Duncan had kept saying those things to her: Methos is my friend. Methos has changed. Forgive him... Forgive him... Forgive him...

No! Never! She would never forgive him.

Sometimes it had seemed as if Duncan had been at her side just to be sure that she couldn't get near Methos alone. Had Duncan been protecting Methos all the time?

How could Duncan do this to her?

Methos had destroyed her whole life. Her future. He didn't deserve anything less than death in retribution for what he had done to her tribe. But then... why... why hadn't Methos allowed Silas to behead her...?

It didn't matter. Methos was evil and he had to die. Cassandra would make sure of that herself.

*---*

After several hours fighting with Kronos' memories, and his own desires, McLeod finally decided that he had control enough to go near Methos without raping him. Actually he was very proud of himself. This had been the most powerful quickening he had taken in his whole life. He was doing pretty well, Duncan decided. Now it was time to go home.

Duncan stood up and waved to Methos. The suspicion in the older man's eyes was clear but he complied with the command.

"Let's go, Methos." Mac's voice was completely normal, but suddenly he added, "Drive to the barge. I'll follow you. We have to talk."

-The damn child wants to talk!- Methos realized and he wasn't happy about it. He didn't want a lecture. "I don't think so, McLeod, just leave things like this and..."

"I said... we go... to the barge..." McLeod's voice was calm but deep. He felt that his tenuous control was slipping.

Stupidly, aware only of his own needs, Methos didn't see the signs, and refused. "Just leave it, Highlander. We don't..."

In a couple of steps, Duncan closed the distance between the two of them. His fist made contact with Methos' chin and the ancient was sent to the pavement. Methos stared up at McLeod, surprised and incredulous. "McLeod!"

Duncan advanced menacingly. "Shut up! We are going to the barge... and I don't want to hear any more backtalk."

Methos was worried. If Kronos' quickening was making Duncan act like this, the situation could be dangerous. The look in Duncan's eyes showed that he was in control, barely. Methos had made a mistake, and it was time to make amends. He had lived long enough to know that it wasn't wise to upset a man larger than himself who was clearly furious. "Of course, Mac. I'll go with you."

Slowly Methos rose to his feet. To his surprise Duncan grabbed him by the arm and dragged him along with him. "You aren't so reliable, little thing, so we'll go together instead."

Little thing? That was how Kronos called him. Methos didn't like the situation, not at all. It brought back bad memories. Under normal circumstances, Methos wouln't believe, not even for a second, that Duncan would hurt him, but he had lived too much, seen too much and, worse, experienced too much to be completely sure. At least, if this was Kronos' fault, he knew how to deal with it until Mac became his old self again. So he silently prayed to gods older than himself that Duncan would recover soon.

*---*

Joe was worried. The report of the Watchers at the submarine base had been confusing. The only thing sure was that an Immortal had died. Joe felt as his stomach was tied in knots. Duncan had gone alone. How could he fight three Immortals?

Joe knew that Duncan had defeated Caspian, but Kronos, Silas, and Methos were all at the base. Joe feared that if there was a fight, Methos might choose Kronos' side. The thought was disturbing. The young, innocent and defenseless Adam Pierson would never had done anything like that, but Joe reminded himself that Methos wasn't Adam. Methos was Death on a horse.

*---*

Methos was relieved. The trip had helped Duncan to regain control. He finally looked centered and his old self again when they reached the barge. Methos was even more glad about it because the first thing Methos saw was Joe's car. In front of the barge was Joe himself, leaning on his cane. For a moment both Immortals acted like two teenagers who were just about to be reprimanded by their father.

"Why the hell did you take so long to return? Why didn't you idiots call? I was worried!"

Mac tried to placate their angry friend. "Sorry, Joe, we just lost track of the time."

Joe was relieved but angry. "Save it, McLeod." Joe regained his control and continued in a calmer tone, "I heard what happened. Mac, are you ok?"

"Fine, Joe, thank you."

Joe looked sharply at Methos. "And you?"

"I'm fine, Joe, thank you so much for your concern," sneered Methos.

"I was concerned because I had reason to be concerned! Can you imagine how afraid I was? For Duncan! For you!" Joe bit his lips and tried to control himself again. "Mac could have died. You could have lost yourself forever."

Neither Immortal knew what to say. Methos shoved his hands into his pockets and inspected the pavement carefully, but Mac, more used showing his feelings, approached Joe and embraced him tightly. Both men's eyes were wet while they embraced silently. Words weren't needed.

*---*

At 3:00 am, Duncan, Methos, and Joe were still talking in the barge. Well, Duncan and Joe were talking.

Methos grinned to himself; if he didn't know that Duncan was an Immortal and Joe his Watcher, he could believe that Duncan was giving a report about another Immortal to his Watcher boss. Duncan was giving Joe all the information needed, and not even the littlest details were forgotten. Joe absorbed all of it avidly.

Methos was surprised about these two men. It seemed that McLeod didn't care that someone was watching him, as long as that someone was Joe.

Then Methos realized. This wasn't the exchange between a boss and his employee. It would be even more difficult and sad for McLeod when Joe eventually died. Although Mac was 400 years old and Joe just 48, the dynamic was unmistakable. Duncan had found a father.

Suddenly the conversation stopped and Methos found himself being scrutinized by Duncan and Joe. Did they say something?

"Methos, did you hear what Joe said?"

"No... no, sorry. My mind was somewhere else. What did you say, Joseph?"

"I said that Cassandra still could be a danger. Her Watcher said that she waited outside the submarine base for hours. Finally Cassandra went home, but after just an hour she left her apartment, and she managed to lost her Watcher for a while. Cassandra knows now that she has a Watcher, if she tried to lose her it could mean that she is planning to attack you, Methos."

"But she doesn't know that you know me," Methos protested.

"Yeah, but she knows that I know Duncan and that I'll warn him."

Methos sighed. "Maybe I should leave Paris... even better, leave France... better still to leave the continent, to try other places. I haven't been in Chile in many years."

Joe disagreed. "No, old man. She knows you are alive and she is in a really bad mood right now. At the moment it's safer for you to stay with Duncan, so he can protect you. I bet she will watch the barge until she can catch you alone."

"Joe is right, Methos. You are safer with me and besides, we need to talk, a lot."

Methos was about to argue, but when he saw the look in Duncan's eyes he knew that Mac had already made a decision, so he didn't say anything.

*---*

It had been a month since McLeod and Methos had shared the double quickening, and Methos was still staying at the barge. After all the nasty revelations about Methos' past, their friendship might have died but, for some dark reason, McLeod needed the old guy so he forgave him and they spent long days talking, playing chess and drinking beer.

At first Methos was annoyed. Sure, he liked to hang around with Mac, but the situation was becoming ridiculous. They looked like an old married couple: Shopping for groceries, doing the laundry, fixing the barge. Duncan didn't let Methos go any place alone; he had always to be within sensing range of Duncan's quickening.

But after a couple of weeks Methos started to feel quite comfortable and he could swear that Duncan was happy to have him there.

The nights were spent in companiable silence, Duncan reading or managing his business and Methos working on his journals. Sometimes Duncan stopped working and looked fixedly at Methos, as if he wanted to say something but he never did.

Methos was increasingly intrigued with Duncan's behavior. If he'd had a dirty mind, he might think that Duncan was gathering the courage to proposition him. But that wasn't a danger with McLeod. Methos had read Mac's journals and the Highlander had followed the straight and narrow path all his life; not even curiosity had pushed him to discover new pleasures. Methos knew that he was safe with McLeod.

*---*

The museum was beautifully decorated. Lots of incredibly rich people crowded the place, and lots of beautiful people were accompanying the rich ones. It was an art auction. Huge. Several priceless artifacs would be sold that night. At least that was what the charity's organizers hoped.

It seemed that Cassandra had left Paris, so Methos and Duncan decided to go. Both of them appreciated that kind of beautiful things, and after all that time trapped in the barge and its surroundings, they needed some distraction.

When they entered the salon, Methos was amused at the reception they got. Almost all the women looked appreciatively at McLeod, some men too. Methos had to agree that MacLeod looked incredibly handsome; so what else was new? Duncan looked handsome even after a fight. Methos sighed mentally, it had been a long time since Alexa and he was feeling a little lonely, but he had to accept the fact that no women would look at him while he was near the Highlander. Methos thought that he really needed something, or better someone who would distract Duncan's attention from him. Where is Amanda when he needed her?

Duncan was glad to see that he hadn't lost his touch; almost all the women were looking at him. -You couldn't lose your charms in just one month,- admonished Duncan to himself, but it seemed a lot longer. He had spent so much time with Methos that he felt as if they had shared their whole lives. It was a warm sensation.

Suddenly they felt the buzz of an Immortal. They scanned the room and found a smiling Amanda at the top of the stairs. "Mac, honey!" Quickly she joined them and carefully slid one of her hands to Mac's butt while she kissed his cheek.

"Amanda!" hissed Mac, surprised and embarrassed.

Methos was trying hard not to laugh when a clever hand grabbed his butt. Methos almost choked on his champagne. "Amanda!"

"Yes, my boys, it's me. Did you miss me?"

Methos eyed her. "Amanda, my butt is a very beloved possession; please don't bruise it."

Amanda faked a hurt look and entwined her arm with McLeod's. "Well, my boys, what have you been doing for fun?"

"We are at this art auction and tomorrow we're going to see a movie at the Sigmund Freud Academy. Want to come?" replied McLeod.

Amanda looked at Mac then at Methos; the old man made a face and confided to her, "He has a catalog about the most boring places in Paris. We would go to start enjoying it tomorrow."

She looked at Duncan again. He started defensively. "They aren't boring places. These are the most eminent sources of knowledge in the whole city. The places where you would find the company needed to improve your mind," continued McLeod, in a pedantic tone, "very few were released because they were thought just for selected people..."

"Yeah, and you are one of them," murmured Methos.

"What did you say?" asked Mac, menacingly.

"Nothing," Methos defended himself, trying to put on his most innocent face, the one that made him look like a defenseless teenager.

Amanda looked at Mac lovingly. "Mac, you are the most handsome, generous and caring person that I ever met, but... Honey... " purred Amanda, toying with Duncan's tie. "... I rather be beheaded than go to the the Sigmund Freud Academy."

"What?" asked Duncan.

Amanda started to laugh, "A movie at the Sigmund Freud Academy? Honey, please. That place makes the Watcher's Headquartes look like a resort!"

When Methos started to laugh too, Duncan eyed the two Immortals indignantly. "I think the activities in the catalog are rather entertaining and... "

Both Immortals just laughed harder.

"... are educational, too." Finally Mac decided leave it when Methos and Amanda embrace each other so they could laugh easily. "You two are impossible," grumble Mac.

Suddenly they felt an Immortal's buzz... and another; there were several. The three of them were alarmed. What was happening?

Through the crowd, six women advanced towards them. Neither Duncan nor Amanda knew them, but Methos greeted them happily and approaching a woman with dark hair, he whispered softly, "Kanetsidohi?"

The said woman and Methos embraced for a moment and then she said, "Araminta Donoso." Methos smiled and followed her lead. "Adam Pierson." Then he kept greeting all the women like that, all of them telling him their new names. But then Methos faced a woman he had never seen before, a pretty blonde with shining blue eyes. She offered her hand. "Katrina Coleman." Methos shook her hand and smiled at her.

Kanetsidohi smiled at Wesa. "It seems that our students keep falling in love with each other."

"It's just that they are so much alike."

"I can hope it might be more than just that."

"Kanetsidohi, you are a hopeless romantic!" Wesa laughed.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the auction is about to began. Please take your seats."

All the people sat down and the auction started. The selection was eclectic and there were some really good pieces. Duncan had a secret reason for attending the auction: he wanted something for Joe, something that would secure his future.

Finally, Duncan bought a beautiful sword. In case of anything wrong, that sword would assure that Dawson's old age would be comfortable if fate determined that McLeod wouldn't be there to make it so himself. Even Methos and Amanda bought something for Dawson; they were rather fond of the Watcher too, but their reputations didn't let them express it and not even torture would make them confess.

All the Immortals spent a rather nice evening. Duncan was a little worried by Methos' friends because he remembered Byron and Kronos quite well, but these women looked absolutely harmless. How old could they be? Maybe he could ask Methos?

Finally the Immortals said good-bye to each other, and Methos' friends left together in a limo. Amanda was rather impressed. She was staying with McLeod so Methos was allowed to return to his home. She couldn't have arrived at better time, Methos smiled. So, Methos called a cab, while Duncan and Amanda headed to the barge.

In the limo, Methos' friends were exchanging impressions.

Kasey was enthusiastic. "You're right, Kanetsidohi. McLeod is incredibly handsome."

"What do you think of Adam?" Rayen Quitral wondered.

"He's cute. And what a body!"

Tsila admonished her. "Kasey, you are acting as if those men were just pieces of meat. They are persons. They deserve our respect. No matter how gorgeous their bodies are, to us the only important things are their minds."

There was a little silence, but then Tsila started to laugh, "Yeah, right!"

The other women joined her.

*---*

It had been three months since the events with the Horsemen, and Cassandra was sure that, now, Duncan would be in the mood to play with her, so she went to the barge to mend anything that could be mended. When she approached the door, a buzz touched her. She knew that Methos was in Joe's bar, both of them also trying to mend things, so she arranged her dress and her hair, put a smile on her lips and felt ready to face Duncan.

The door opened and a smiling Duncan appeared, but his face darkened when he saw her. "... Cassandra..."

"Hello, Duncan," she started seductively. " I thought we could talk and..."

"... have a little fun?" Amanda's voice intruded on the exchange. Cassandra glared furiously at the thief. Amanda was grinning widely. "Am I wrong, dear? Don't you want to undress him and lick him all over? I can't wait to do it myself!"

"Amanda!" spluttered Duncan, embarrassed.

"What?" Amanda was so good at faking innocence. "Ok, maybe Cassandra just wants to talk so... I'm going to wait in the bedroom. You two won't need it anyway." Amanda grinned at Cassandra again and went to the bedroom. Before closing the door, she whispered to Duncan, "Remember, honey, I'll be waiting..."

Cassandra stood calm even when inside she was furious. She had thought that bitch was still in North America. stealing some artifacts and fooling around with that young new Immortal, Wolf, who was her latest infatuation. But Cassandra should know better; Amanda never would give up the pleasures of bedding Mac. After all, she was there for the same reason.

Ok! Her plans were ruined, but she couldn't left right now or Duncan would realize that again she was only there for sex. Only her incredibly good act as 'The Defenseless, Hysterical and Brainless Girl' had convinced him when they met while searching for Kronos. Cassandra knew she was at a disadvantadge in front of Amanda. The thief cared for Duncan in more ways than just as a bed partner, unlike herself. She had treated Duncan like just a piece of meat more than once. Sure, he liked sex without commitment, but being just a kid, after those hot nights he always expected love. Damn! It seemed that she would have to do the act again, but this time she would have to add contriteness. She was about to speak when Duncan started. "Listen, Cassandra... I'm really sorry about what happened at the submarine base."

That wasn't what Cassandra had expected to hear; it was even better than all her dreams. "Are you sorry? Really, Duncan?"

"Yes. I shouldn't... I never... I..."

"It's all right, Duncan. I'm so happy! We just have to find Methos, and this time I'm going to behead him."

"No!"

"No?"

"No!"

"But, Duncan, you just said..."

"I'm sorry because I threatened you, not for saving Methos' life."

"What?!"

"Cassandra, I'm not going to interfere if you want to challenge him, but I'm not going to help you, either. Sorry. I just can't."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

"You don't know? Ha! I'm pretty sure you know exactly why. You want to fuck him!"

"Cassandra!"

"Tell me I'm wrong, Duncan, and I'll believe you."

Duncan closed his lips tightly and turned around, saying nothing. But his body language was rather more explicit.

"Well, that answers a lot of questions. I assume the bitch knows."

"What!"

"Amanda knows about it."

"Leave her out of this! What I share with Amanda is none of your business. She is an old friend of mine, Cassandra, a very close and dear friend. If you have problems with that, maybe you should leave. Besides... I have a date with her, remember?"

Cassandra was really angry. Duncan was throwing her out of the barge, maybe out of his life. She had to put an end to this situation. First she would kill Methos, then she could get rid of Amanda. She had never liked the thief anyway. Cassandra, hiding her disappointment and anger, calmly replied, "I'm sorry, Duncan, it wasn't my intention... You are right. I'm leaving now. We can talk later."

Duncan rubbed his face tiredly. "Yes, maybe that's the best, let's give it a little time. I'm sure we can talk about it in a few days."

Cassandra slid her hand along Duncan's waist and kissed his lips softly. "Good night. I'll see you in a couple of days. Sorry."

"Goodnight, Cassandra."

Amanda had overheard everything. Duncan was so sweet, defending her against the witch. On the other hand, Cassandra was right. Amanda did know that something was going on between Duncan and Methos, but she wasn't jealous. She was going to teach Duncan a couple of things that could be very handy if he managed to lure Methos into his bed.

Once she had shown Duncan what to do, she was quite sure that she could share some quality time with Methos as well. Quickly she grabbed her purse and checked out the cuffs, the peach jelly and the bottle of lubricant -A girl has to be prepared for anything- She grinned wickedly to herself, hid the purse under the bed, and waited for Duncan.

*---*

Methos and Joe had been talking for several hours. They had been friends for years before Duncan and Adam had met each other. But there were many things Joe didn't know about the old guy. The latest proof of that? The Horsemen.

"It's my life, Joe. If I have to tell you all the things I had been and done, we could sit here for years."

"Methos, I don't want to know everything!"

Methos stared at Joe, not buying it at all.

"Ok! I want to know everything. But you had lived 5000 years, old man. There are so many things that you could tell us."

"Don't worry, Joe. Nothing will be lost. I used to write down all the events of my life in my own chronicles." Methos laughed, "The Methos Chronicles.... sounds like the title of a movie."

"Can I read them?"

"No, not now. They are in safe boxes all over the world." Methos leaned toward Joe conspiratorially. "They will be part of the Watchers' Museum after my death."

"Methos, you are an Immortal. I will die and you'll continue living," Joe laughed.

"To be Immortal is just a word, Joe. Immortals die like all people, only the way they die is different."

"Methos, don't say those things. You have lived 5000 years!"

"Yeah, and Kronos had lived 4000, but he died three months ago. I've lived longer than other Immortals but that doesn't mean that I will live forever."

"Why do you do this, old man?"

"What?"

"I know that I have to die, but not you, McLeod, or Amanda. All of you have to live forever. I couldn't live if I thought that some of you might die before me." Joe was near tears. "I don't want to read your journals if that is the price. I prefer not to know... ever.. I don't want to know all about you, after your death. I prefer to have your company."

Methos realized how much had he upset his friend, so he just embraced him and tried to soothe him. Joe was a Watcher, and now he was saying that he prefered never to know but rather to have him alive? It was a shuddering thought. Maybe he had spent too much time in one place. Maybe he should leave. He didn't want that kind of attachment.

Joe knew the emotions playing in that old mind. "Don't think of running away, either. I'm sure McLeod would search the whole world until he found you and brought you back to him."

Methos stared at Joe, his eyes wide open.

Joe bit his lip, maybe he had said too much. "Duncan is rather fond of your friendship, Methos. He doesn't want to lose you either."

*---*

Cassandra had decided to take advantage of the opportunity. She left the barge but didn't go home. She decided to track Methos from Joe's bar. It was full morning when finally Methos decided to leave, so she followed him until they reached a more private place.

Methos decided to walk. He was too tipsy to drive anyway. So he walked; his new home wasn't that far. He had bought all the properties that the fake Methos possesed. The house in North America was inside a garden like all the others, the man had an almost alarming weakness for grass, trees and flowers. It was a rather nice place thought, like the one at Paris. Quiet and lonely, almost like holy ground. He had just entered the garden and was walking to the house when he felt the buzz of another Immortal. He turned around and saw Cassandra with her sword ready.

Methos fought with his coat until he could pull out his sword.

"Prepare yourself to die, Methos. I will have justice!" Cassandra attacked.

*---*

Cassandra's watcher informed his supervisor that Cassandra had challenged an unknown Immortal. Tall, lean, dark hair. The guy wasn't fighting back, probably a new Immortal who didn't know The Game.

Joe had been a Watcher for many years and when he heard the news he couldn't help but wonder: A tall, lean, dark haired and unknown Immortal? Who wasn't fighting back against Cassandra? In the neighborhood where Adam Pierson lived?

Methos couldn't be that stupid!

What the hell! He had to be sure. So he decided to check the place after warning McLeod.

*---*

Duncan felt the quickening in his own blood. It was huge. Someone really powerful had been defeated. A shiver of fear went through McLeod's frame as he walked towards the place where the quickening had exploded. Suddenly, Methos' buzz touched him. Mac stood still for a moment while Methos' known and loved presence surrounded him. Mac relaxed, relieved, and resumed his steps. This sensation had been there when he saw Methos for the first time, but after the double quickening, it had increased.

Duncan drew his sword and advanced carefully. There was a body on the ground, with a coat of course. What else was new? Methos' quickening called to Duncan to hurry, to rescue him. But Mac couldn't identify where Methos was; Methos moved constantly. Mac was annoyed with the old nuisance. "Methos! Where the hell are you?"

But Methos didn't answer. Only his quickening cried out to McLeod: "Help me!"

McLeod kept advancing until he reached the body. He really could use the Immortal Database. Who might this guy be? Why did he challenge Methos? Could there be more Immortals around? Duncan kept searching for Methos, then he saw a head among the bushes. He walked towards the head, knelt next to the branches and was about to take the head in his hands to check it when two terrified, but lifeless, hazel eyes sent a stab of pain through his body. Duncan gasped in surprise and withdrew his hand so quickly that the movement sent him sitting on the grass.

McLeod's mind wasn't working. In front of him among the bushes was Methos' head. But that wasn't possible. He was feeling Methos' quickening right now! Calling him... Asking him for help...

Nervously, Duncan tried several times to gather courage enough to lift the head and see that it wasn't his friend's. But every attempt was stopped by a higher power inside him and he ending up sitting on the ground again, sobbing, defeated and desperate. He needed to know, but his body refused to work.

To touch Methos that way seemed so inappropiate, so insulting.

McLeod tried to swallow the lump in his throat, to call to his friend and end this nightmare. Finally he managed to whisper, "... Methos..." But Methos' eyes were frozen in that moment of horror and realization. After 5000 years, he would die.

Duncan stared at the face of his friend. His heart was full of pain and rage. He wanted to embrace his friend to take the horror away... to tell him that everything would be all right... that he would protect him from anything... But it was too late and Mac could only embrace himself, while he sobbed bitterly.

The old man had used to laugh at his Scottish guilt, at his code of honor. But this time Duncan's pain wasn't because of guilt. At that precise moment, Duncan was crying for pain. Simple pain. A pain so deep that he doubted he could survive it. Maybe his body wouldn't die, but his soul was already dead.

*---*

The huge quickening impressed Joe and he tried to walk faster, something difficult to achieve with his prosthetic legs, but finally he entered the garden and saw Duncan sobbing near some bushes. It couldn't have happened! Methos had lived 5000 years, he might live forever. Joe felt uncertain. "Mac...?"

Sad eyes turned to Joe. "... he's gone..."

Joe's throat was tight; he couldn't think of anything to say that would lessen Duncan's pain. Mac wasn't aware of it, but after watching him over 20 years, Joe knew him really well, and Joe knew that Duncan loved the old shit.

Joe was about to make another attempt to comfort Duncan when he saw Cassandra in a corner, looking at McLeod. Joe caressed the gun in his pocket. His reputation as a Watcher was already ruined, so if Cassandra tried something against Mac in his vulnerable state, he just would kill her. Nothing mattered to him anymore.

Cassandra approached McLeod. "Duncan, please listen to me. I had to do it! He was evil. He didn't destroy just my tribe or my life years ago. He destroyed my future, my opportunity to be happy!"

Duncan just continued sobbing. Joe grew more and more tired. "Cassandra, please... just leave."

She didn't pay any attention to him. "Duncan? He was evil. You'll be better off without him. Together, we can forget the past... Duncan...?"

Joe insisted. "Cassandra... You've done what you had to. You have your revenge. Please... leave..."

Cassandra watched Duncan for a second. "Duncan...?" He didn't even try to answer, so slowly she left. She was tired and angry. Methos had had a last victory. She had lost Duncan forever. Cassandra's eyes were wide and terrified. The reality of what she had done was painfully clear. Now she was a monster, just like the blue painted Methos.

Joe saw Cassandra leaving and tried to think of something to say, but what can you say when your own heart is broken? So many friends had left them that Joe hadn't the energy to fight anymore. He just lowered his face and let his tears join the pain in McLeod's heart.

End.