This story is written in First person narrative. Both Harry Dresden and Methos will be telling us the story. The transitions are clearly marked for the reader. This story takes place in the Dresden Files Book Universe immediately after the end of Small Favors (2008). In this Alternative Universe wizards and immortals have had little or no contact since the time of the original Merlin. Readers will find a wizard's nexus with an immortal slightly different to that of a wizard's nexus with most mortal men, (i.e. a soulgaze, wizard's sight etc.)
Disclaimer – The Dresden files are the sole property of Jim Butcher. Highlander (Methos) is the property of Davis-Panzer Productions
Chapter One - Harry Meets Methos / A random act of good fortune
Harry's Narrative
Charity, Molly and I were in the Hospital waiting room. I joined them after I had finished having a conversation with Mab in the hospital chapel. Hells Bells, I hate talking to her. The Doctor came in at ten seventeen and introduced himself as Dr. M.E. Stacy, the lead Trauma surgeon for Michael. He was a tall, slender man with a British accent. While we were waiting, the nurses had assured us that this doctor was absolutely the best trauma surgeon they had on staff. It was a fluke, just some random act of good fortune that Dr. Stacy was working tonight because he wasn't scheduled to be on call. The on call OR surgeon, Dr. Warren Harris, had an auto accident earlier today where he had been injured. He had asked for a small favor when he got his friend to take his rotation tonight.
"He's in recovery," reported the tall man in blue scrubs. "The Procedures went." Dr. Stacy sighed. He looked more or at least as tired as either of the Carpenter women. As well as could be expected, better, really. I hesitate to make any claims at this point, but he seems to be stable, and assuming there are no complications in the next hour or two. I think he'll pull through."
Charity bit her lower lip hard. Molly threw her arms around her mother.
"Thank you, Doctor," Charity whispered.
The doctor gave us a weary half smile, and looked at us with his Hazel eyes that seem to exert something deeper than words could say. The Surgeon went on to inform us that Michael's injuries were very extensive, and he might never fully recover from them, and that there was also a possibility for brain damage. He continued with worse news. "That Mr. Carpenter might need assistance, possibly for the rest of his life." But then Dr. Stacy reassured us he would stay on Mr. Carpenter's case and would continue to follow her husband as long as was needed. Molly and I had to leave because Michael was in an iron lung and being wizards, we need to stay away from modern medical technology. Charity stayed and promised to call Molly as soon as Michael woke up.
After digging in my pocket for some coins we found a payphone and I called Thomas. After giving him a quick update he drove over in his Hummer to give Molly and I a ride over to Murphy's place. I had to clarify the day's events with the wardens, speak with Captain Luccio and check on how Ivy was doing. Before leaving I made a date with the Captain for dinner at a Japanese steakhouse near my office. Murphy didn't think going out with Luccio was a good idea, but Stars and Stones; I have to live my own life even if people don't agree with it. Murphy felt there were worse things on the horizon and made me promise she would be part of the fight. I asked Murphy to take Molly home and drop me at St. Mary's where I had left my car, she said yes.
I went in St. Mary's church to see Father Forthill, but instead I found Sanya. We traded manly hugs. You know the ones with all the back thumping, but then he ruined them with those crazy Russian kisses on both cheeks. After a drink of bourbon, I thought Sanya should be drinking vodka, but Sanya dismissed me with saying, why wasn't I wearing a pointy hat and riding a broomstick. I responded with "Touché"
After a discussion about Thorned Namshiel and Johnny Marcone, Sanya came out with Amoracchius, offering me the blade. I told Sanya he could go jump in the lake. I shot the Knight a few crazy comebacks to expound on why I shouldn't take the sword, but finally snatched Amoracchius from his hands.
"As if I didn't have enough problems, I had to go around carrying freaking Excalibur now too!"
After slamming the door of the Blue Beetle, I looked at the copy of The Two Towers that Uriel had given me. Inside the front cover were the hand written words - The reward for work well done is more work. "Ain't that the truth" I muttered to myself.
In the days to come whenever I came to visit Michael, I would see Dr. Stacy, and after several weeks I just started calling him - Doc. Sometimes we would have long conversations lasting long after visiting hours were over. The Doc seemed to have the all the qualities of someone I might want to get to know better. He was originally from England, even though his family's home was in Wales, and seemed like an all around decent guy. He was smart, a gifted surgeon, and had a wicked sense of humor. One night when I was visiting Michael, the Doc, and I got into a discussion about whether beer should be drunk warm or chilled. Doc said he would drink beer either way, but the best micro brewed beers are best served warm. I thought Mac McAnally would like this guy.
Well, as I said, the Doc had spent a lot of extra attention on Michael's case and had gone that hundred and fifty percent to make sure Michael would make as much of a recovery as possible. One evening, he was getting off shift at the same time I was leaving after I visited Michael, so I invited the Doc for a drink at McAnally's. The Doc gave me one of his half smiles. I was beginning to know so well, and he offered to drive. Since the Blue Beetle was in the shop again, I said sure and took him up on the offer. His car was a lot like the one Thomas owned, but instead of a Hummer, the Doc had a big BMW SUV. It looked as if the car had just come off the showroom floor, shiny with all the bells and whistles. I was hoping I didn't fry its computer systems, but figured a ride to McAnally's would not cause too many jolts to the new SUV.
Once we arrived at McAnally's, the Doc gave the place a once over; he counted the thirteen columns, and thirteen tables and noticed the repetition. I wasn't surprised that Doc was a guy who seemed to examine even the smallest details. I introduced him to Mac McAnally, the owner and brew master.
"Mac, I would like you to meet Doc Stacy, he is the guy who patched up Michael and saved his life." I said as the Doc rose from the table to shake Mac's hand.
"Oh, I am just your average every day Trauma Surgeon, nothing special. Thank you, Harry, for bringing me here. This is the best pub I've seen since leaving London. Dresden says you make your own micro brewed beer and serve it warm. I am from the other side of the pond, and I have been looking for some decent beer since I move to this God forsaken city seven years ago."
Mac did the strangest thing after he shook the Doc's hand he smiled and said, "Thanks Doc for what you did for Michael." I didn't know he could string eight words together so elegantly!
I took a double take; Mac didn't make one grunt in the whole sentence. Then while still in a bit of shock I managed spit out "Mac. Can you give us two of your best brews and two steaks and Doc is buying"
The Doc gave me a glaring look and then laughed. "So, Mr. Dresden, Mrs. Carpenter tells me you are a detective who advertised as a wizard in the Chicago Yellow Pages?"
"Yep, that's right I am a wizard" I smiled back at him, I could tell he didn't believe me, so I changed the subject, "so tell me, what does the ME in ME Stacy stand for?"
"Okay you're a real wizard, one doesn't meet magic folk every day. You want to know what my Christian name is? I usually don't tell anyone, but since we are mates, and you seem like a nice chap for a man that proclaims he is a Wizard. It's a family name is Merlin Edwin. It's kind of a joke around the hospital. Speaking of wizards, they say I am a wizard in the operating room," the Doc laughed.
Nope, he didn't believe for one moment I was a real wizard. Maybe the Doc seemed like the kind of guy who only believed in what he could whip up in his test tubes.
"And it's Harry, not Mr. Dresden." I laughed, wow what a name, Merlin Edwin Stacy. I couldn't have made up a better name myself.
The Doc rolled his eyes "I knew I shouldn't have told you that, just call me Doc, or Edwin if you really need to get personal, Harry"
After Mac brought us our brews and steaks, I took a good look at my new friend. He was just over six feet tall, thin, but hiding a muscular build under his expensive bulky sweater. The Doc sported a short goatee and mustache, and dark brown hair that was neatly trimmed, but fell just above his collar. Outside the hospital, he wore a long trench coat even in the warmer weather. Actually, there was nothing exceptional about him except his rather large nose. Really, he was just another face in the crowd. Except for his intense Hazel eyes, I quickly scanned when he wasn't looking at me. His eyes seemed to hint that there was more to this man than his age suggested. His eyes almost had a glitter of gold in them. He was always impeccably dressed, and anyone could see that even though he never said it, Dr. Stacy preferred the finer things in life. I had seen him in hand tailored suits, I knew this because he had his name embroidered on the inside of the suit coat. I overheard the staff tease him that being a bachelor, he was living alone in a huge penthouse condominium at one of Chicago's best high-rise addresses. The only thing was, he never appeared ostentations, only generous to a fault. He was known to do a great deal of pro bono work and spent at least one day a week working at the Medical Center Free Clinic. The more I got to know about the good Doctor, the more contradictions I found in him. He was a puzzle. I am a detective, and I enjoy solving puzzles.
"Harry, I have to say this beer, and steak is the best I had since I left the UK." The Doc paused, closed his eye and smiled, "No. In Paris, there is a small bar there, a friend of mine used to own, "Le Blues Bar" where the beer is as good and the company too." He smiles offering a boon of friendship with his words. After we had eaten, the Doc asked, "Do you want a lift home Harry? I don't mind driving you, but I do have to get going I have to be in the hospital at seven AM."
While driving home, there was a problem, the GPS started shorting out first, followed by lights not working right, the Bluetooth interface causing the sound system to make eerie noises that sounded like a ghost. Then Doc started to act nervous, suggested I take a cab and offered me the fare. The Doc had no idea that modern technology shorted out near wizards and a SUV like the Doc's was sure to be a goner with me driving around in it for very long. First, I thought he was upset about the SUV starting to go berserk, but I soon found that wasn't the problem. We were by Wrigley Field, and the Doc just stopped the SUV and looked at me saying, "Harry if you don't want to take a cab home just take my BMW, but please I am getting out here." There was a strange tone in his voice, there was no reasoning with him, and he just gave me an order.
"Doc this is crazy! Maybe you should call Triple A, I think your BMW is dying. It's late, and no one is here, and it's not the best part of town. I am not just leaving you here" I told my new friend.
"Harry, listen to me, for your own safety just go, you can leave the car somewhere. I can find it and I can fix the cars problems tomorrow. Take it home if you want. I am sorry Harry, but please do not ask me to explain." I could see Doc Stacy wasn't in a mood for negotiation.
I quickly discovered that continuing to talk to him was fruitless, so I dropped the Doc off and he disappeared into the night. The moon was full and in the dim light I saw him enter the baseball stadium. I didn't go home, only drove around to the other side of the stadium and parked the SUV. After picking the locks on a few doors, I entered Wrigley Field to find out why the Doc had entered the baseball stadium. I saw that the Doc was on the field and went out to the pitcher's mound where there he met another man.
As I said, the moon was full thus I could see the two men drop their coats, and pull out their swords.
SWORDS!
Wasn't this the guy I just had a beer with at McAnally's, where the hell was he hiding that sword the whole time!
Now the Doc and another man were right in the middle of Wrigley Field intending to have a sword fight! Hells Bells, what was going on? The acoustics in the stadium were excellent, and I just caught the other man loudly announced himself as Marshal Keaner. The Doc preferred not to identify himself, but Keaner called him Benjamin Adams. OK, why was Doc Stacy letting some stranger with a sword call him Benjamin Adams? Then again, why was the Doc standing in the middle of Wrigley Field with a sword? Then it got really strange - the two men went at each other as if they both wanted blood, swinging their swords with controlled thrusts. It was as if I was watching a Jedi Knight verses a Sith Lord's light sabers battle. But there were two important differences, these men were not using light sabers, but steel swords, and it wasn't a movie.
End chapter one
