Disclaimer: I don't own Highlander or the X-Men

Disclaimer: I don't own Highlander or the X-Men! If I did do you think I'd be writing fanfiction? OH yeah read my friend Marcus' stuff too. The fourth series we will be writing together.

PRELUDE TO THE FUTURE

By

Animefreek

Chapter One

Flight 2107 to Paris

** Mmmm. On my way back to Paris. My second home. ** Catherine thought as she adjusted her seat on the plane. Logan was trying to get some sleep while Jubilee and I tried to decide where we were going to go first once I saw my mom and got settled in at home. I hadn't called Amanda to tell her we were coming, I wanted to surprise them and avoid my loving mother making a fuss about my arrival. As I sat near the middle of the plane I couldn't help but think what the future would hold. It was a given that Amanda would be pissed at Logan for making me an immortal and even more pissed at Duncan and Conner for letting me fight Kell, even if there were special circumstances. I let my head bob to look around the plane and was pleasantly surprised. I wasn't expecting to see Buffy's friends Angel, Wesley, and I'm guessing the black man was Gunn. Nudging Jubilee I decided that I should introduce myself to the vampire and his cohorts.

"Hello angel." I said with a slight smirk on my face. The look on the vampire's face was priceless. The look on Wesley's face was adorable, especially when he just started babbling. I could tell that he likes me. Jubilee has a little crush on Angel and Logan doesn't like that. Being the protective father figure that he is Angel just got shoved into the top spot on Logan's list of people to watch. I ended up in a pretty good conversation with Wesley, I hope I get to see him again soon.

It was 3:00 a.m. Paris time when our plane finally landed. Jet lag was beginning to set in and the only thing that any of us wanted to do was get to Amanda's flat. As we loaded our luggage into a cab I got a second burst of energy at the thought of seeing my room again. Logan wanted to stay at a hotel but I convinced him that mom and I had more than enough room. One thing that Amanda always had was room for an extra body in the house. Whether it be Joe Dawson or any of her other friends.

When we arrived the flat was desserted, as I thought it would be. The best Paris nightclubs stay open at least until 2:00 a.m. and the rest of the wee hours of the morning are spent closing and cleaning. Using my spare key we let ourselves in. Jubilee would be staying with me in my attic room and Logan in the spare room on the second floor.

"Wow this place is awesome." Jubilee said as she took in my home. "You've lived here all your life?" "No, this place is pretty new she got it a couple of years ago. Just somewhere to stay between jobs." Catherine said. "Pretty ritzy for just a place to stay." Logan said. Catherine smirked. "What can I say, mom has taste." "You gonna wait up for your mom kid?" Logan asked. "Yeah we have a lot to talk about. Hopefully she won't try to kill you in your sleep after I tell her how I became an immortal." Catherine said. "Maybe you should wait until in the morning, that story is a bit much for 3 in the morning." Logan said. "Maybe you're right, but I'm still going to wait up to see her and the others." Catherine said. "Suit yourself kid." Logan said as he ascended the stairs. "Goodnight Logan." Logan grunted in acknowledgement.

It was 4 a.m. when Catherine felt Amanda coming toward the flat. **Ack! I will never get used to that damn buzzing. ** Catherine thought as she sat and patiently waited for her mother to enter the house. Meanwhile outside all of Amanda's senses were on full alert. "Someone's in the flat." Amanda said as she turned to Remy who was driving. Rouge stared at the woman. "How do ya know that?" Rouge asked. "Whoever's in our home is an immortal." Amanda answered in a cold monotone. "Should we come in, chere?" Remy asked. "Remy you know the rules. One on one. You two just wait out here and if push comes to shove, just be ready to drive away and catch the first flight out of Paris." Amanda said. Remy and Rogue just stared at the immortal in horror. Amanda knew what was going through their minds, but she also knew that truly ruthless immortals would hunt her new family down.

"Maybe its Conner or Duncan." Rogue suggested. "No. It's not their style, they always call first. They are too polite for their own good, plus Duncan would just wait until tomorrow and see me. He has a barge on the river." Amanda said. "Just wait here, if everything is alright I'll come back out." Amanda said. Amanda got out of the car and unsheathed her sword, slowly making her way to the front door. Inside Catherine waited patiently in the den for her mother. Her sword was hidden by her side just incase it wasn't her mother that she sensed.

Amanda tested the front door and found out it was unlocked. In her mind this was not a good sign. The buzz in the back of her mind became more and more incessant as she neared her den. Amanda wasn't prepared for what she saw sitting in a chair by the fireplace, the smiling face of her beloved daughter. Amanda never thought she could feel utter joy and pain at the same time. Joy to see her daughter after months of separation and pain because her child was now apart of the game.

"How…" Amanda started. Catherine cut her off. "Not now. I just want to give my mom and brother a hug and tell them how much I missed them. Then get some sleep and explain everything in the morning when everyone has a clear head." Amanda nodded and went to signal Remy and Rogue to come in. Remy and Rogue walked in expecting to see a new face only to be greeted by a smiling Catherine. Catherine told them she'd explain everything in the morning and informed them that Logan and Jubilee were upstairs asleep or in Logan's case faning sleep.

Amanda's Flat Around Noon

Catherine was the last to wake hours later. It was a little after noon when she groggily made her way toward the kitchen. She knew Amanda would be sitting on pins and needles until she gave her a full explanation. Turning into the kitchen she was greeted by a big hug from her brother and Rogue and a very anxious look from Amanda. "Well, how did it happen?" Amanda asked, the strain evident in her voice. Catherine was dreading this but she knew she had to answer her mother's question. "Mom, we had some major problems at the mansion in the past few weeks." Catherine said in an uneasy voice. Catherine went into the details about Buffy and Kell and basically all that happened. Amanda was calm for most of the story, which surprised Catherine, but when the night of Catherine's immortality and the climactic fight with Kell came up Amanda's resolve shattered. She was absolutely livid. Catherine had never seen her mother this way.

"You, you did this to my baby! You monster!" Amanda screamed and quickly exited the kitchen then the house. Remy wasn't much better. He stood behind the kitchen counter quietly seething and looked as if he were going to lunge at Logan.

"Logan go after Amanda. Maybe if you explain it to her she'll understand." Catherine said. Logan nodded and left the flat. Catherine looked at her big brother and sighed before she began to speak. "Remy he didn't want to do it. A friend's life was at stake and it was the only action left. It was my choice to make." Catherine was expecting her big brother to rant and rave. What he did surprised her even more. He hugged her and she felt his body racked with quiet sobs. Catherine used her powers to gleam his thoughts from his mind. She hugged him tighter when she did. Remy was crying because he understood everything she had given up in that one act of valor. She had given up anything that would have been normal or peaceful. Catherine could never have children of her own, never truly grow old with someone she loved. Her life would be an endless succession of battles and pain and endless tomorrows.

Catherine looked up slightly to her brother. "Remy my life won't be empty. I have you, and Rogue and Mom, not to mention the X-Men and Highlanders." Remy gave her a halfhearted smile. "What do you say we get dressed and show Jubilee the best that the French have to offer." Catherine said with a small smile forming on her lips and a French accent. Rogue smiled at the two siblings and started to change the subject to shopping.

Two Blocks away on a park bench

Logan had finally tracked Amanda to a small park bench in front of a child's sandbox. She never acknowledged his presence. She just sat staring straightforward. Logan took a seat beside her and noticed that tears were streaming down her face and her body was shaking slightly.

"I used to bring her here when she was little." Amanda said suddenly. "She loved this sandbox, loved to dig and build little castles. On spring days I'd have to drag her away from it when it was time to go." Amanda sobbed. "I wanted so much more for her than the life I lead. I wanted her to marry and have a family of her own. To grow old with someone she loved and to rock grandchildren to sleep. She wasn't supposed to fight, she wasn't supposed to be a part of the game."

"I'm sorry." Logan said. "The X-Men were supposed to protect her, I was supposed to protect her. I had nightmares for days after that night; the look of understanding in her eyes when I did what I did still haunts me. Believe me the last thing I would ever want to do is cause her any kind of pain. She's my best friend, believe it or not. The first day I met her I knew there was something different about her. I felt as though she challenged me to see past her age and to see something that nobody else saw. And I did."

"She gets that from her Uncle Conner. Even when she was a baby I think she knew she was different. She had those haunted eyes that could see right into your soul. I first felt her immortality when she was ten years old. I really wanted to cheat fate. Just this one time I wanted one of us to escape this twist of fate." Amanda said sounding angry again. "I'm sorry I called you a monster. I can tell that you love her as much as any of us could, but it just hurts to know that she'll have to go through some of the same pain I've faced." Amanda said in a calmer tone.

"I promise you I'll protect her." Logan said. "That's a nice thought but no one can protect her now, she in the game, she has to protect herself." Amanda said as she leaned her head against shoulder and started to cry again.

Back at the Flat

Catherine had decided to take Jubilee out on the town. Remy decided to stay behind to check on Amanda, plus they had some work to do at the club soon before it opened that evening. Catherine really didn't want to face her mother again soon. Amanda just looked so disappointed and Catherine didn't know if it was her she was disappointed in or herself. Catherine sighed and banished the thoughts from her mind and started walking to Rogue's room to see what the others were going to wear on there outing. Catherine had chosen a yellow silk sundress and white sandals. Her hair was adorned with a simple headband, her hair curled slightly at the ends.

Catherine was totally shocked when she entered Rogue's room. There was not one single piece of green fabric in her room. Yes Amanda had burned all of her clothes. Rouge was standing in her closet as Catherine plopped on her bed. "So she burned your clothes huh." Catherine said with a smirk. "Yeah sugar, and my shoes too. You could've warned me ya know." Rogue said slightly peeved. "What! And take all the fun out of it. Never!" Catherine said in mock disbelief. Rogue snorted and went back to rummaging through her new clothes. Jubes sat in a corner snickering. "Humph, laugh now sugar, but wait till its ya clothes and she forces you to go shoppin in ya underwear." Rouge said with a knowing glare sent at Jubilee. Catherine decided to change the subject slightly and went over to Rogue's closet. "Rogue you're going to wear this." Catherine said as she laid out a sky blue v-neck sweater, a pair of kaki slacks, and retrieved some comfortable white leather shoes. Catherine was getting tired of waiting. Rogue decided to let it slide and put the clothes on. Jubilee was wearing her usual cut off shorts and tee shirt. Catherine knew they would be incinerated soon.

Meanwhile Logan and Amanda had just made it home and Amanda was wondering if she should tell Logan about the other piece of news that she had carefully hidden for months. It was obvious that Logan was not going to take the news well considering how he felt about Catherine. "Logan I have something to tell you." Amanda started. She was interrupted by the sound of a very hyper Jubilee bounding down the stairs. "Hey Logan! Guess what?" Jubilee practically yelled. "What darlin?" Logan asked with a small grin on his face. "Catherine and Rogue are taking me shopping and site seeing. Wanna come?" Jubilee asked. "Nah I think I'll check out this club of Amanda's." Logan said. He got the impression that Amanda wanted to talk to him about something important.

Just then Catherine and Rogue came bounding down the stairs with the keys to Amanda's other car. A classic black mustang convertible with leather interior and a supped up engine. Catherine was itching to get out of the house and put some distance between herself and her mother. Catherine seemed tense to both Amanda and Logan. "I'm not mad at you sweetie. I just got upset with myself. I just had a hard time realizing you're not my little girl anymore." Amanda said sadly.

Catherine's eyes perked up. "I'll always be your little girl and think of it this way, we can totally scope out guys together now." Catherine said. "We did that anyway dear." Amanda laughed. Catherine shrugged. "Okay Jubes, Rogue, and I are going out. Later they are coming to the club, but I think I'll wait until tomorrow night and just spend tonight catching up on some sleep. You know how flying gets to me." Catherine said. Amanda was secretly relieved she had decided not to come to the club. She had no idea how she was going to handle the whole Methos/Catherine situation, but she knew she'd better tell Logan first. She'd heard stories about his legendary temper from Gambit and Rogue, most of the time it was directed toward Scott or Bobby. Scott for being Scott and Bobby for trying to be funny.

"Alright dear, I'll see you in the morning then." Amanda said as the three young women exited the flat. **Okay, that went well. Now how do I tell Logan? **

The Raven's Nest

Methos and Cordelia were taking inventory when Gambit strolled in. "Well about time you got here we can't have my baby do all the work now can we." Cordelia said. "Remy my friend you were supposed to be here an hour ago. What kept ya?" Methos asked. Remy felt like a deer caught in the headlights of a truck. "Nothing much a friend of de family stopped in ta visit us for awhile. We just be entertain'n." Remy said. **Man nice save. ** Remy thought. ** Glad they can't read minds. **

"Well then that's okay. Who was it?" Cordelia asked. **Oh man why the femme be so nosey? ** "Um lets just say someone mama loves very much." Remy said. "Okay be secretive. Its not like she won't tell me tomorrow anyway." Cordelia said as she turned back around to finish checking Amanda's books. Cordelia was satisfied for now but Methos was more than curious. He'd been at the club now for about a month now and he'd never seen or heard Amanda talk about anyone besides Catherine or Duncan. But the best thing to do in any case that involved Amanda was to wait and be surprised.

Just then the lady in question made her grand entrance. Fortunately for her Methos was in the back of the bar still. Remy went over to talk to his mother. Amanda was showing Logan around as Remy pulled her away for a second. "Mere, um Logan is here and 'Adam' is in the back. What we do when Logan sees him and all hell breaks loose? Ya know Logan is a bit overprotective of da femme." Remy stated. Amanda sighed. "The only thing we can do is try to talk to him first. I don't want Catherine to know Methos is here just yet or vice versa, Methos may decide to run again. Maybe we can talk to Logan first." Amanda said.

Unfortunately fate was not on there side today. Methos decided to make an appearance with Cordy. The effect on both sides was not pleasing. Methos looked as though he was going to go into hiding again and Logan was reaching his boiling point. Glaring at Amanda he said, "What's he doing here?" in a near growl. "He works here Logan. He has been here for the last month." Amanda said.

"And you trust him?" Logan asked. "Yes. I've known Methos for longer than you have and the man you met before wasn't him. I forgave him and so should you." Amanda said. "Well forgiveness don't come so easy for me." Logan said. Logan then began to slowly approach Methos glaring. " I'll forgive you and I'm sure Cathy will too, that's the kind of person she is, but I won't forget. You'll have ta earn my trust bub." Logan said in an all too calm voice. Methos simply knodded.

The tension was thick in the club so Amanda and Cordy decided to cut it. "So mister short and hairy how do you know Amanda?" Cordy asked. That one took everyone by surprise especially Logan. He couldn't help himself he had to laugh. Cordy smiled and Amanda shook her head. Any normal person would be severely frightened of Logan but not Cordy. Over the last few weeks Amanda had come to realize that Cordy had more nerve than most immortals she knew. "Well Logan this is Cordelia Chase, Methos' lady friend." Amanda said.

"Pleased to meet you. But I hope you know that there will be no beating up of my boyfriend. He's very sorry for what happened and it wasn't really him in the first place." Cordy said. Methos laughed and said, "I'm dating a mother hen." This earned him a poke in the ribs. "We met a couple of weeks after Catherine came to the institute." Logan said answering a question. Cordy smiled and turned to Methos. "So when are you going to talk to her?" Methos stuttered a little bit. "I, I don't know?" "You'll talk to her tonight here at the club. No more mister self-pity." Cordy commanded. Methos grinned and nodded. "That maybe a little hard to do. She's not coming to the club tonight. Maybe you could go to the flat later instead. I have a feeling the two of you are going to need some alone time." Amanda said.

"Very well I'll see her tonight, but who is going to cover the bar?" Methos asked. "Remy can cover the bar. You need to talk with Catherine." Amanda said. After that everything went on as usual. Even Logan chipped in his services for a bouncer that night.

Ralph Lauren Paris

"Rogue you've got to try this on, midnight blue is so your color." Jubilee said. "Rogue, better do as you're told or Amanda might burn your clothes again." Catherine teased. Rogue gave the girls a mock glare and went to the changing room. "Hey Jubes what do you say we get Logan something to wear to the club tonight. I don't know about you but the plaid shirts and cowboy boots are not doing it for me." Catherine suggested. Jubilee giggled. "How do you think Logan would look in a black silk shirt or maybe a nice dress shirt?" She asked Jubilee. Jubilee shrugged her shoulders. Just then Catherine got that familiar buzzing in the back of her head. Looking around she caught site of an immortal that she immediately recognized, Hugh Fitzcarrin.

Fitz was on the other side of the store in the men's department when he felt a familiar buzzing. Looking over he saw the most beautiful female immortal that he had ever seen. She was tall, leggy, buff, and for some reason strangely familiar. He couldn't put his finger on it, but he got the impression that she looked like someone he knew. Then he caught sight of those eyes; he had to talk to her even if it meant loosing his head.

"Hey Catherine, that guy is coming over hear." Jubilee whispered while trying not to stare. "I know. Know let me do all the talking, we're going to have a little bit of fun." Catherine said with a wicked grin. Fitz cleared his throat. "Hello my name is Hugh Fitzcarrin and you are simply beautiful." "Hello, monsieur Fitzcarrin my name is Monet Ravencrest and this is my ward Jubilation." Catherine said in a deep French accent. "A pleasure to meet you Monet and Jubilation. I know that you don't know me at all but would you be free for a drink this evening?" Fitz asked. Catherine flashed her best Amanda smile and said, "Perhaps, do you know of a place called the Raven's Nest? I may make an appearance there tonight. But no promises monsieur Fitzcarrin." "I'll be there every night my dear if there's a chance to see you again." Fitz said pouring on all the charm. Catherine smiled and leaned in close to his ear and whispered, "Perhaps we'll share more than a drink non." With that said she and Jubilee drifted off to another part of the store leaving Fitz with a goofy lovestruck look on his face. **Mom is going to laugh her ass off when she hears about this one and Dad is probably going to try and take Fitz's head off. ** Catherine said to herself.

Catherine and Jubilee giggled in the far corner. "That my dear Jubes was your first lesson in French Flirting 101. The second lesson shall come soon. You will learn from the master." Catherine said as they remarked on the lovestruck immortal and the reaction he would have to finding out that she was Amanda's daughter.

Little did she know that this night would be full of surprises for her some good and bad.

Okay that's it the first part of ' Prelude to the Future'. And it's only the beginning! More Methos in the next chapter. Plus we'll meet the villains of this series soon. All I'm going to say is this guy is evil and he knows Methos. As always Read and Review I need your input people and Read my friend Marcus'stories and soon we'll be writing some short stories together that will put my original character Catherine in some other shows. The humor and drama will abound.