They walked into the shadowy interior of Joe's bar. He looked up at the sound of the door and greeted Amanda and Nick cheerfully, Methos mused, obviously they came here regularly. He looked good, a little older, but good. Methos' musings were interrupted as Joe realised the identity of the third individual who entering his premises. With a wide grin, he made his way as fast as possible round the bar.
"Me ... As I live and breathe, it's good to see you Old Man. What rock have you been hiding under?"
"Good to see you too, Joe. Been around and about, things to do, people to see ..."
"Beer to drink!"
"You know me."
"Indeed. So you back in Paris now? You obviously caught up in Amanda."
"Found him in a bar, where else?" was Amanda's cheerful contribution.
Nick was interested to see the obvious affection between the two men as well as how comfortable Amanda seemed with them. From everything he had seen so far, immortals were seldom comfortable among others of their kind, and even less so in the company of Watchers.
Joe ushered them all to a secluded table and brought a round of drinks from the bar.
Adam raised his beer in a half salute and muttered aside to Joe, "On my tab, I presume."
Joe's reply was merely a snort and Amanda grinned.
They whiled away the afternoon with reminisce and drink. Joe had to leave a few times to serve occasional customers but otherwise joined the relaxed conversation.
Nick hadn't consciously realised that everyone had been avoiding one topic of conversation until Amanda excused herself to go to the ladies room and Adam turned to Joe as soon as she was out of hearing range.
"Do you know where MacLeod is?"
Joe shook his head sadly.
"No, he gave us the slip and as far as we can tell he hasn't been to any of his normal haunts."
"Oh."
"He'll turn up, he always does. But I think after the past few years he just needed to .. umm ..."
"Take a time out."
"Yeah." They contemplated their drinks.
"Hey, you didn't ask Amanda, did you?"
"Yes. Obviously not one of my better ideas."
Joe winced. "Not a good idea, no."