The characters of Highlander: The Series, belong to those who created them at Rysher/Panzer. I am just borrowing them for my own amusement.

The young woman adjusted the backpack as it started slip from her shoulder. No matter how many times a person went to graduate school the books seemed to get heavier. She thought fondly of her two other successes at getting a doctorate, History and Anthropology. There was never too much learning that could be done, especially when one had a thousand lifetimes to accomplish the average person's dreams. A slight bump to the back of her head reminded her of the reason for her early return; no one was at the dojo. The handle of her Golden Oriole katana was sticking out of her backpack. Everyone insisted that she carried her weapon everywhere she went, even to classes. It was not her style; she did not want to participate in the Game.

She turned a metal key into the front door of the apartment building. Nodding to the security guard on duty she went to the mail room. Was the security guard frowning when he saw who entered the building? She hoped Methos would not be upset that she was home early; he seemed distracted when she told him that she would not be back until late. However, she had forgotten that Duncan had made dinner plans with…she could not remember the woman's name, there were too many of them. Reaching the mailroom she quickly found their mailbox, second row down eighth box in. Using a smaller key she unlocked the box, mail seemed to come pouring out of the small container. Her small fingers quickly sifted through various bills and advertisements until her eyes alighted on what she had been waiting for, the top left corner held the address for the registrar at Cambridge University.

Ripping the envelop open she scanned the brief letter. She suppressed a squeal of delight at the words: Congratulations Andréa LaCrosse. She had finally been accepted to Cambridge and it had only taken her fifty years. She had been planning her doctoral thesis for just about as many years, Protestant female reformers and their impact on literature. Excitement tingled through her entire being, she had to tell someone. Methos would be so happy for her, well at least she hoped he would. It would definitely mean a change to her life, leaving the security and friendship of Methos, Duncan and Joe. She shook her head to expel the thoughts that surrounded her arrival in these men's lives. It was not good to go back there, besides there were good things to celebrate. Stuffing the rest of the mail into her backpack Andi took the stairs to the penthouse she shared with Methos.

Her steps were light as she climbed the steps, acceptance letter clutched in one hand. For once her heavy backpack did not hinder her progress. A warm presence of awareness swept over her as she came to the door, a smile touched her lips as she understood that Methos was at home for the night. The presence of another immortal could be comforting or deadly. Without thought she unlocked the door and dropped her bag next to the open door. Looking up the acceptance letter fluttered to the ground forgotten. The scene before her eyes caused a sharp pain in her left shoulder. Her body started to tremble.

Before her two bodies, a man and a woman, lay on top of the dinning room table, clothing dotted the floor discarded in a frenzy of passion. The man had a long lean body, with brown hair. Andi did not have to see his face to know he had a prominent nose and kind hazel eyes. The woman beneath him was unknown to her, but it did not matter at this point. When they realized that someone was staring at them they looked up, Methos met the gaze of a young woman blue eyes wide with…fear. He moved to get up but Andi took a step back blinking hard.

The floor had turned to dirt and the clothes were replaced with dark brown bottles and eaten food. Two people were in the same precarious position on a rough wood table, but most of their clothing was intact. Blinking again the man wavered before her eyes and Methos was now standing. He reached down to pick up his pants; light caught the metal belt buckle glinting into Andi's eyes. Again the man was before her, dirty white shirt un-tucked, pants unbuttoned and a shiny six-shooter in his hand, cocking the gun back Methos took a step forward. Andi turned and ran, shoulder screaming in pain.

Methos stood staring at the empty doorway; he turned to look at Jane who was gathering up her clothes. She did not seem pleased.

"Why did you not tell me you had a girlfriend?" she spoke, words laced with disgust.

"She is not my…" Words failed him.

"Lover…whatever." She brushed past him and headed for the door.

"She is not my… I do not know what she is." He looked at Jane in the doorway.

"By the looks of things you had better figure it out." She walked down the hallway, with a wave or her hand. "Oh yeah, and do not call me."

Methos ran a hand through his hair, what had just happened here? The look on Andi's face was one he had seen so many times before on people he was about to kill. Why had she not knocked? Because she did not know that he was going to have company. She was not supposed to be back until Jane had gone. He had meant to tell Andi about Jane, but he could never find the right time. Did he suspect that she would act this way if she knew about Jane? No, it was not her style. And what was the definition of their relationship? They were friends and roommates, but at times it went beyond that on a deeper emotional level. They had never been intimate…except that one time, years ago.

Bending down to pick-up his shirt he eyes noticed a white piece of paper lying on the floor. He took it in his hands and scanned the letter. A sad smile touched his lips; she had been accepted to Cambridge. He clearly remembered their conversation about her dream to go Cambridge. Her blue eyes sparkled with excitement as she explained what she wanted to accomplish at that school. And now would she still go? He folded the letter with care. Buttoning his shirt he decided on a plan of action. There were only two people she could have run to. Grabbing Andi's backpack and his long coat he headed to Macleod's.

Andi ran trying to keep the memories from taking over her mind again. She managed to consider her options, Duncan's or Joe's. Neither had that great of appeal to her, she would have to explain her actions to either of the men. Then there was the problem of her watcher. She had never actually met her watcher, but she knew that he or she was extremely easy to confuse and to lose. There was only one path for her to take now, but it would have to wait until morning. Her feet carried her down several streets before she doubled back to the apartment building. If she knew Methos as well as she thought she did, he would be heading to Duncan. In the apartment, she grabbed the items she would need for her journey. Unfortunately Methos had taken her katana. Under her bed she grabbed the matching Oriole wakizashi, in case of emergencies. Throwing on her tan corduroy trench coat, she slipped the small sword into a leather loop she had fashioned on the inside of the coat.

Stepping out of the penthouse she glanced back, would it be the last time she saw the place? The incident that occurred earlier was just a catalyst; it was time for her to leave. She did not need to be coddled by men any more. Her eyes fell on the dinning table and her breath left her. Yes, it was time to leave.