Part 2-The Prophecy
Methos lifted his head up from the paper he was reading, feeling the buzz of an approaching immortal. He figured it had to be Duncan or Amanda, knowing they were both due to come over today. He got up to get the door before they knocked, but it was too late.
"Adam! Jess!" Duncan shouted, while pounding loudly on the door.
Methos opened up, ushering in MacLeod and Amanda. "Gods, MacLeod, keep it down. We know you're here. Hell, the Canadians know you're here, for God's sake. Now, shh, Jess is still sleeping."
Duncan looked at Jess' closed bedroom door, then put down the wrapped gift he was carrying. He headed to Jess' door, knocking, then opening it wide. Light spilled into the room, and onto the face of the bed's occupant. She opened her eyes, quickly shut them again, and groaned. She fumbled around for the covers, pulling them up over her head to block out the light.
Duncan went over to sit on the side of the bed. "Jess, honey, its Duncan. Rise and shine, beautiful."
The girl under the covers mumbled something, but Duncan was unable to make it out. "What was that, Jess? I couldn't hear you."
Pulling the covers down off her face, but keeping her eyes tightly closed, she whispered, "Please go away and let me die in peace." Then the covers went back up to cover her face once more.
Duncan was concerned. "Jess, honey, what's wrong? Should we call the doctor?" Duncan could hear Amanda and Methos snickering quietly in the living room. Stalking over to the doorway, he said, "I don't see what is so damned funny. Jess is ill, and you two stand there laughing like a pack of hyenas."
This only made the two of them laugh harder. Finally, Amanda managed to croak, "Duncan, how long has it been since you've been on a bender? Jess isn't ill, she hung over." She laughed again as Duncan whirled around to the bed, studying the lump under the covers. He turned furiously on Methos.
"You let her get drunk last night? She's only 18, how could you let her get drunk?"
Methos took offense. "I didn't let her do anything, MacLeod. She went to a graduation party last night. You had to expect that they were going to be drinking. At least the parents hosting the party were overseeing everything, and made sure no one drove home."
"I swear, you haven't..."
Both men stopped as the figure on the bed moaned in pain. Pulling the covers down once more, Jess begged, "Please, can't the two of you argue somewhere I can't hear you, like Siberia."
Duncan and Methos both looked chastised. "Sorry, Jess," Duncan said.
"Me, too, Jess. But it is time to start thinking about getting up. You've got people coming over to see you. We can't celebrate your graduation unless you're there. Come on, now, a hot shower will make you fee much better."
Slowly, Jess started to rise, but it was obvious that she had a doozy of a hangover. Grabbing her head with both hands, she moaned. "What is that awful racket? It sounds like a herd of elephants."
Methos tried to keep a straight face, as he watched Jess' cat pad softly across the carpet. "It's the cat, Jess."
"Well, tell him to stop making so much noise. My head is killing me."
Methos nodded, and picked up the cat. He dare not risk glancing at Amanda, knowing he'd bust out laughing at the slightest hint of a smile on her face. All three immortals retreated into the living room, and let Jess have some privacy. Duncan picked up his argument where he had left off.
"Methos, how could you let her go to a party where you knew there was going to be alcohol? Anything could have happened."
"Look, MacLeod, you didn't seem to have a problem with her going to this party when she asked us last week. Besides, I talked to the Bartons, the parents hosting the party. They assured me that none of the kids would be driving home. I figured it was better that I knew where she was going to be, and that there were responsible adults around to supervise. Anyway, you agreed with me when I mentioned it to you last week!"
"I just think she's a little young to start drinking."
Amanda couldn't stay silent any longer. "Duncan, you're overreacting. I don't think this is going to become a habit for Jess. It was a special occasion. How many times is she going to celebrate graduating from high school? And being named class valedictorian, besides. Have a little faith, Duncan. You two have done a wonderful job of raising her. She's a level-headed and intelligent girl. The fact that she chose to attend a party where the parents were going to be available proves that. Maybe she chose to attend that particular party for a reason, so she could cut loose a little, without having to worry about something happening. Now, calm down, and stop being so hard on Methos."
Duncan had the grace to look slightly ashamed. "You're right, Amanda. Methos, I'm sorry. I don't know why I flew off the handle like that. It just never occurred to me that there would be drinking at the party. But I'm glad you were on top of things, talking to the parents and all. You'd think after all these years, I'd know you wouldn't let Jess get into something she couldn't handle, anymore than I would."
"Apology accepted, MacLeod. Believe me, I worry about her all the time, too. Especially knowing that she's going to be heading off to college, soon. Damn, I feel like I'm losing my little girl."
Amanda, having just flown in from London, hadn't heard all the news. "So, has she chosen a college, yet?"
Duncan smiled like a proud parent. "She's decided to attend Seacouver University. She got a full scholarship."
"She hasn't decided what she's going to major in, though." Methos added. "But the first year is all required courses, anyway. She won't have to decide on a major until her sophomore year." Their conversation was interrupted when someone knocked on the door. Methos opened it to admit Joe Dawson. He said hello to Methos and Duncan, then turned to give Amanda a hug.
"How was your flight?"
"Bumpy, but we made it. How are you, Joe?"
"Doing fine, Amanda. It's good to see you again. Hey, Mac, did you read this morning's paper yet?"
"No. Why?"
"Seems some archaeologists in Skye are having a field day. They're billing it as the discovery of the century." He handed part of a newspaper to Duncan. "Check it out."
Duncan turned to the article Joe was referring to, reading it out loud to Methos and Amanda. "Hmm. Workers in Skye, digging a house foundation, found an ancient tablet bearing Gaelic markings. Though they are still trying to decipher parts of it, archaeologists say it seems to be a prophecy about a savior child." He looked at the grainy picture of the tablet, but was unable to make out much. Methos pointed to the man standing next to the tablet.
"That's Dr. Elias Kincaid."
"Do you know him?" Duncan asked.
"Only by reputation. The man's brilliant, though. If anyone can decipher that tablet, it will be him. Interesting. I sure would be curious to know exactly what the tablet says." He headed into the kitchen as the door to Jess' bedroom opened. Jess stepped out, walking carefully. When Methos handed her a glass of orange juice, she sniffed it suspiciously.
"What's in here? You didn't put something weird in it, did you? Like a raw egg or tabasco sauce?" She accepted the aspirin that was handed to her with a grateful nod.
"No raw egg, no tabasco sauce. Just orange juice and eye of newt."
Jess had the glass halfway to her lips, but stopped with Methos' pronouncement. "Please, tell me you're kidding."
"I'm kidding."
"Well, stop. I don't think I can handle it this morning."
Amanda came over and put an arm around Jess' shoulders, guiding her over to the couch. "Jess, I am so sorry I missed your speech yesterday. But Duncan assures me that he taped it, so I can watch it later. How does it feel to be named valedictorian?"
"Strange. I was so nervous about making that speech."
"Didn't show, though, did it, Jess." Duncan said smugly.
"Had the entire crowd on their feet," Methos claimed.
Amanda just shook her head at the two men. It was so funny to see them acting like strutting peacocks. But gazing at Jess, she knew they had a right to be proud. She was a daughter any one could be proud of. And these two immortals were.
"Well," she said, "let's get a move on, shall we. We have a graduation to celebrate, after all."
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It was early the next morning when Jess came out of her room. Methos looked up from the kitchen where he was toasting a bagel. "Morning, Jess. Like a bagel?"
"Please." They worked in silence, Jess getting plates out of the cupboard, and filling glasses with orange juice. Methos put butter on the bagels, and the headed to the table. They spent the time in silence, both reading the paper.
"So, Jess," Methos finally asked, "do you have any plans for today?"
She shook her head. "No, I thought I'd just hang around here and do some reading. Why?"
"Because I have one more gift for you."
Jess protested. "Adam, you and Duncan already gave me your gift, the trip to Paris."
"I know, and we're going to enjoy showing you around the city, but this gift is personal, and it's something I've wanted to do for awhile now."
"Okay." Jess said, as she sat down on the couch. She looked at Methos as he handed her an envelope. Opening it, she pulled out a single piece of paper. On it was written one word. She looked up at him in question.
"I told you when you first came to know about immortals that someday, when the time was right, I would tell you my real name. That's it."
She looked at the card again, tracing the name with her finger. "Methos. Did I pronounce it right?" She looked at him.
"Yes." Methos took a deep breath. "There's more to this gift, Jess. You already know much about Duncan's life and Amanda's. So I'm ready to tell you about mine. Any questions you have, I'll answer, as truthfully as I can. But..." he hesitated.
"But what? Adam...Methos, what is it?"
"I'm...I'm scared, Jess. There are things I've done in my past, things that sicken me now. I...don't want you to think badly of me."
Jess smiled. "How could I ever think badly of you? You took me in when I had no one to turn to. You raised me as your own daughter, taken care of me for the last five years. Whatever you have to tell me, however I might react to your past, it won't change my love for you now."
Methos nodded, a weight lifting off his shoulders. "So, where do I start?"
"How about at the beginning." Jess said. And he did.
It was close to midnight before Jess' questions finally stopped. Methos' voice was hoarse from all the talking he'd done. Jess knew all about him now, She wasn't thrilled about some of the things he had told her, but Jess, better than anyone, knew he had changed. Methos even told her about the mess with Cassandra and Bordeaux. Jess was gratified to know that Duncan hadn't allowed the woman to take Methos' head. And it did explain some of the things that had passed between the two men over the years. Finally, Jess took pity on Methos, and decided that she'd heard enough for one night. She got up from the couch and walked over to give Methos a hug.
"I promise I won't ever betray your trust in me. Thank you for this gift. It means a lot to me. Almost as much as letting me into your life in the first place."
Methos returned the hug. "Oh, Jess, that was the best thing I've ever done. I'm so proud of you. Now, it's past your bedtime, young lady. Off with you."
Jess giggled. "Yes, father. Night."
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Two weeks later, Joe showed up at Methos' apartment.
"Hey, Joe. Want a beer?" Methos asked the Watcher.
"No, thanks. I just came by to drop something off." He handed Methos the large manila envelope he was carrying. Methos opened it and pulled out several pictures, and a typed sheet of paper, studying them for a minute. He looked at Joe.
"How did you get these?"
"One of the project's backers is an old army buddy of mine from 'Nam. I called in a favor."
Methos looked at the pictures again, then at the paper. Joe watched him.
"Think you can decipher it?"
"May take me a while. My Gaelic's a little rusty. What does your friend say? Are they any closer to translating it all?"
"He didn't say, and I didn't want to press. Figured I should be happy just to get the pictures. I gotta go. See you at the bar later?"
"Yeah," Methos said, already distracted. He didn't even hear the door close behind the man. He was intent on the paper. Typed on it was the message they had found on the tablet.
i àil thig as an dorchadas
àm leanabh de dàn
beir de dithis chaoidh òg athair
aon de an sean dòigh
aon de Gaidhealach fuil
a bàs àil thoir beatha nuadh
a cridhe àil cum sìth ann a saoghal
He grabbed a beer out of the fridge, then headed over to his desk. This was going to take some time.
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Joe was standing behind the bar, talking to Duncan, when Methos came in that night. The man looked slightly bemused. He took the stool next to Duncan.
"How's your Gaelic, MacLeod?"
"Been a while since I spoke it. Why?"
Methos handed him the paper. "Did Joe mention that he was able to get a copy of the writing on the tablet they found in Skye? He dropped it off today. I think I've gotten most of it, but I want to know what you think."
Duncan studied the sheet, then shook his head. "It's different from what I learned as a child. How close have you gotten?"
"Pretty damn close, I think. Here." He handed Duncan a second sheet of paper. This one had the same lines, but beside them, Methos had written what he thought the translation was. Duncan read the translation, then stared at Methos in shock. The old man just nodded.
"Sound like anybody we know?"
"If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it." Duncan said woodenly.
"What! Wouldn't have believed what? Would one of you tell me what's going on." Methos didn't say anything, just passed the sheet over to Joe. The man read silently, his eyes getting wider with every line. He felt like he'd just been run over by a truck. "That's incredible. What do you think it means, Methos?"
"I don't know, Joe. Prophecies are funny things, they can be taken several different ways. Only time will tell if they're proven right. Maybe...maybe she's destined to win the prize." He smiled. "That wouldn't be such a bad thing. She may have a soft heart, but she also has a will of iron. If she won the Game, there is no telling the good she could do."
"And the best of both of you would live on."
"What do you mean, Joe?"
"Think about it Duncan. To the world, you may be her uncles, but in reality, you two are her fathers, her sires. And she has definitely acquired qualities from both of you. And the line about 'death bringing life anew' could mean her mortal death. Her becoming an immortal."
"And the last line," Duncan asked. "What does that mean?"
"Like Methos said, it could be taken many different ways. All we can do is wait and see."
"And until then, we keep it to ourselves. Like we have the fact of her immortality. We don't tell her until she has a need to know." The other men agreed. But they all continued to stare at the paper that was lying on the bar.
i àil thig as an dorchadas - she will come from the darkness
àm leanabh de dàn - this child of fate
beir de dithis chaoidh òg athair - born of two ageless sires
aon de an sean dòigh - one of the ancient ways
aon de Gaidhealach fuil - one of Highland blood
a bàs àil thoir beatha nuadh - her death will bring life anew
a cridhe àil cum sìth ann a saoghal - her heart will keep peace in her world
