Methos tightened his grip on Andi's backpack, causing his knuckles to whiten. He stood outside Duncan Macleod's dojo and home; the essence of an immortal surrounded him. The feeling was stronger, signaling the presence of more than one immortal. She had to be here, there was no where or no one else she could have gone. Macleod had earned Andi's trust during their training sessions. She had confided in him on a student-teacher level, she knew that Macleod would be there to help her out of any difficult situation. Bedsides Richie was in Paris and Joe Dawson did not have that kind of relationship with the young immortal.
Taking a spare key out of his pocket Methos unlocked the door. He was still coming to grips with Andi's actions as he walked across the smooth wood floor of the dojo to the service elevator. Why had she run? She had always claimed that Macleod and the others had saved her from spending her life running away. She never told them what she was running from. Should he apologize for what he had done? No, because that would make him seem guilty and he had done nothing wrong. There was nothing wrong with enjoying the pleasure of a beautiful woman. But she had been afraid; just remembering the look on her face made Methos want to reach out and hold her, let her know that he would protect her from whatever had her scared. There was just something in the back of his mind that just gnawed at him; it was as if he should have known why she left. He hoped she would explain herself.
Macleod gave the beautiful blonde in his arms a frown when they felt the essence of an immortal sweep through them. Everything had been rather quiet with the Game, for the past several weeks. No one was out to take his head or the head of his friends, at least as far as Macleod knew or Joe was aware. Reluctantly, Amanda uncurled her self from the plush leather couch to let Macleod rise. Grabbing his katana, he prepared himself for whoever was going to come out of the elevator, be it friend or foe.
Macleod was not prepared for the sight before him; his friend, the oldest known immortal, stood in the elevator. His face was a mix of anger and confusion. In his hand was gripped a backpack with a sword sticking out of the side. Macleod would have known that sword anywhere, the dark blue hilt wrapped in Japanese cotton, which matched the scabbard could only belong to Andi Lacrosse. He had never figured out how she had gotten hold of an original Golden Oriole Katana. Macleod pushed that thought out of his mind as he issued his friend inside.
The more important question was why was an immortal without their sword? The only option that Macleod could immediately think of was…she had been taken by a stronger immortal. That thought was also pushed out of his mind; even though Andi was young she was a quick learner. Her sword had become an extension of her arm, her skill rivaled Macleod's.
Methos' eyes quickly searched Macleod's apartment. Macleod lived very comfortably, he had amassed a fortune over four hundred years, but he never flaunted his wealth. However he never scrimped on the simple pleasures. Methos realized that he had interrupted something when he saw candles burning on the table, glasses of red wine and Amanda in a little black dress. The lights were dimmed, curtains drawn and dinner plates in the sink. No one had been here for hours except for two people, Macleod and Amanda. Andi, obviously had not come to Macleod's. Methos' mind reeled with the possibilities of what could have happened between the times that Andi had left their home to the time that Methos arrived at Macleod's. He quickly looked down at her katana….no he would not jump to that conclusion.
Macleod shared another worried look with Amanda; their friend was acting completely out of character.
"Methos, what is going on?" Macleod asked in a low voice. He took Methos by the arm and led him further into the living room. Amanda had gone into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of beer. Whatever was on Methos' mind, a beer would help.
"Andréa isn't here is she?" Methos asked taking a seat on the plush leather couch that Macleod and Amanda had occupied just moments before.
"No, she's not." Macleod answered simply, surprised that Methos called their friend by her full name. Methos was the first person to start calling her Andi; Andréa did not fit the young woman.
Amanda sat down next to Methos and offered him the beer. Methos gave her a small smile and shook his head. Something must have been truly wrong for him to decline beer. Placing a gentle hand on Methos' arm Amanda drew his attention to her.
"Maybe you had better tell us what happened." She suggested.
"That's the thing, I don't know what happened." Methos stood to his feet and started pacing on a small part of the room.
"Tell us from the beginning." Macleod spoke.
Letting out a breath Methos explained his side of the story. His friend listened in silence. A small smile touched Amanda's lips as he told of his extracurricular activities on the table. She did not realize the old man's tastes went towards the adventuresome and dare she think…kinky.
"So she looked afraid?" Macleod needed clarification.
"Yes, her face drained of all color and her body became ridged when she first saw…." His voiced trailed off for a moment. "I could see the fear in her eyes; it was so intense I could almost smell it, Macleod. The only other times I have seen fear that intense is when I was riding with the Four Horsemen."
Macleod nodded, familiar with the fear of soldiers entering battle for the first time.
Amanda interrupted their thoughts. "Well she has not been here. Maybe she'll show up later, or she could be back at your place already." She gave a small shrug with her delicate shoulders.
Why was Amanda playing off the importance of Andi's actions? Macleod had always known that Amanda and Andi were not the closest of friends. He had never been able to figure what had caused the strain between them, but now was not the time for petty problems.
"You're right, Amanda. She probably walked around for a little while and returned while I was on my way here." Methos said his mood lightening. "I apologize for ruining your night."
"Don't worry about it old man. Give me a call if she doesn't turn up tomorrow." Methos gave his friends a small nod before grabbing the beer from the coffee table and heading out the door.
As soon as the door shut, Macleod and Amanda went back to the couch. They were silent as they settled into their previous position.
"Do you really think that she will be back at their home?" Macleod asked, because he did not agree. There was something about Methos' story that did not sit right in Macleod's mind.
"The poor girl was just shocked at seeing the man she is completely infatuated with having sex on a table." Macleod remained silent.
Methos arrived back at the penthouse that he shared with Andi. The lights had been turned out, she had come back. Why had she not stayed? Was he the reason she had run or was there something more? Why did she not trust him enough to tell him? Methos shook his head at that last thought; he did not deserve her trust. He had never told her about Jane, or about the other woman he had kept company with over the past several years.
He walked into the bedroom that had been designated as Andi's. The duvet cover had been thrown back and the sheets tossed aside. She kept her wakizashi under the mattress in case of emergencies. At least she was armed, but that didn't mean she was safe. Closing the door behind him he went into his bedroom. Sitting on his bed, he realized that this would be the first night they had been apart for over a year. His bed was looking rather lonely and cold. He needed to find Andi.