Okay here is the rest of what I have so far so let me know if you want me to continue or not. If I'm doing the Highlander characters and series wrong just let me know and I will stop. Well, if I receive little reviews then I guess that would be another sign to not continue. Other than that I like it and hope that you will too. Please read and enjoy.
Chapter 3
Entering, the atmosphere within was dark, yet the music that filled the large populated room gave comfort to that darkness. Dim light obscured by smoke, as the air was filled with its familiar mixture of tobacco and alcohol. Duncan felt the familiar buzz, but was sure that it would be none other than Methos. If one was to look for him, they would not fail in finding him within this place.
Eyes adjusting to the light, he moved forward towards the bar where he knew he would find company amongst friends. Joe Dawson, though watcher, had become one of his closest of friends throughout the years. Adam Pierson, who's real name was Methos, had also become one of those friends, though the oldest immortal alive was a mystery within itself.
Eyebrows rose as he noticed the young woman that the old man was speaking to and who now was being led into the dancing crowd. Sitting at the bar, he grinned at Joe as he came towards him.
"Hey Mac, didn't expect you to be coming back so soon!" Joe remarked with a true smile on his face.
"Yeah, well seems tonight's full of surprises." Duncan commented as he accepted the mid-sized glass of scotch offered by Joe.
Seeing where Duncan's gaze was focused, Joe grinned at the sight of Methos dancing with Melanie. Leave it to him to surprise him every time, "You know Mac, I never pictured him as the dancing type."
Duncan chuckled as he drank some of his scotch, "Looks like business is good tonight."
Shrugging, Joe leaned against the bar looking over the crowded room, "Its Friday night. That's when I'm the busiest."
Melanie followed Adam back to the bar, feeling a bit overwhelmed. She could not explain his familiarity to herself, not to mention the attraction. Reaching the bar where they had vacated to go and dance she noticed the other man that she had met earlier that day with Adam.
Methos saw the Highlander sitting at the bar with Joe, both watching him as he approached. A sly grin crossed his face before turning his attention back to the woman that he was very much intending on knowing more about. Taking her hand, he kissed it, pulling her towards the bar, "I hope that I may have another dance later this evening?"
She smiled in return, "We'll see!" she said in a slightly flirtatious manner. 'Oh God! I don't flirt! What is up with me lately?' she mentally questioned herself.
Reaching the bar Methos grinned to Duncan, "Mac."
"Adam," Duncan returned.
Seeing that both Melanie and Adam had enough time alone she approached her best friend. Leaning towards Melanie Joyce whispered in her ear, "God! Why the hell didn't you mention meeting these gorgeous guys?"
All that Melanie could do was smile, "Hi, Duncan right?"
Taking her hand his kissed the back of it a sexy smile making her blush furiously, "Melanie"
Duncan's action earned a not too friendly glance from Methos as he thought, 'Don't even think about it Macleod!'
Duncan noticed his friend's expression, but chose to ignore it as he gave his most charming of smiles, the one he was told made ladies weak in the knees. "And who is your lovely friend?" he inquired noticing a lovely red head standing beside Melanie.
Joyce immediately took the initiative, "Joyce…" that smile he flashed her made her want to fall into his arms and kiss him senseless. The image that brought about into her mind brought a sly grin into play.
Knowing that Methos was most probably interested in Melanie, he took Joyce's hand as he did Melanie's and kissed the back of her hand, "A pleasure."
Joyce thought she could loose herself with his eyes and the way he kissed the back of her hand made her heart flutter. Oh, she was not going to let this guy get away easily! "I think I need your job Melanie. I'm definitely liking the men you meet."
Melanie just about choked as she heard Joyce's comment earning an unbelieving glance from her. There were times when her friend really had a way with embarrassing the hell out of her.
Joyce was thunderstruck, as she couldn't believe that Duncan actually blushed at her comment. This was way too much for her, he was charming, sexy as hell, and actually blushed at her words! Oh, she definitely liked this guy and would even consider a one-night stand with him, which is not something she did. He better start doing something wrong before she jumped him right then and there.
Melanie saw the way both Duncan and Joyce regarded each other and knew that her friend was attracted to him. Maybe they would both leave with phone numbers tonight. With that thought in mind she decided to make a suggestion, "You guys want to join us at one of the tables?"
Both Methos and Duncan agreed, following the two women to a small table in the corner of the bar not too far from the stage where the band played. Both Joyce and Melanie sat next to each other so that Duncan could sit by Joyce and Melanie could sit next to Adam.
As the music played on and the night continued, both parties started to enjoy each other's company as well as the atmosphere within the Blue's bar.
They were all laughing as they continued to converse, sharing little stories about one another. Joyce nudged Melanie, "If you think this girl is all shy and silent, think again!"
Melanie's face brightened, "Joyce!" she warned, but she knew that her warning would go unnoticed. Joyce had had a few drinks and was a little more open with their lives than Melanie liked. She just prayed that she wouldn't embarrass her too much.
Methos was definitely curious, "Oh, I like a good story."
Joyce grinned mischievously, "Remember that girls night for your birthday?"
'Oh no, not that!' Melanie groaned inwardly, "You're going to tell them this, no matter what I say, aren't you?"
Joyce continued, "This girl here, never, and I mean never gets drunk. Always the designated driver, so me and some of our friends decided to take her out and buy her drinks." At this point Melanie buried her head in her hands with a groan making Methos even more curious to know more.
"Anyway, we leave this bar and decided to go to a country club. I think it was Cowboys Red River or something. Well, they play dance music as well as country and boy can this girl dance. We're dancing on the dance floor and she sees some other women dancing on the bar…" Joyce trailed off grinning at her friend.
"She didn't?" Duncan inquired.
"Oh yes, she did," Joyce could tell Melanie's face was turning beat red in embarrassment. If she was embarrassed now just wait till she gets to the really good part. "Not only that, but you know those mechanical bulls."
Both Methos and Duncan rose their brows simultaneously in surprise. Methos grinned, "You rode a mechanical bull?" This was something he would never have guessed that she would do. True he had only known her today but still she was so shy and quiet. Well they do say that the ones that are quiet are the ones you should look out for.
Pulling her face from her hands she looked to Adam with a smile and her face was flushed in embarrassment, "Well, they did talk me into it."
Joyce shook her head, "Yeah, keep telling yourself that, girlfriend! It sure didn't take much for us to convince you to do it."
"Well, how was it?" Methos asked with a grin loving the way she would blush in embarrassment, it was quite cute and he wondered just how far that blush went.
Melanie shook her head, "Joyce, I'm going to kill you."
"Well?" he urged her to answer.
"Besides being jerked forward and backward in a couple of circles and then suddenly being on the floor looking up, it was kind of fun, but I definitely felt it the next day." Melanie laughed at the memory
Simultaneously, both Methos and Duncan stiffened slightly as the familiar buzz crept up within their heads. Methos was at an advantage, as he was facing towards the door and saw the newcomer immortal that had just entered the bar. It was no one he recognized, which could be either a good or a bad thing. Methos shook his head slightly so that Duncan would see that it was no one that he recognized.
Melanie was whispering to Joyce, not noticing the two men that they were with stiffen, looking cautiously towards the door. Finishing sharing her happiness in meeting Adam, she looked towards him and noticed him looking towards the door. Her eyes followed his gaze and she froze, a huge lump forming in her throat as recognition sunk in.
Chapter 4
Duncan turned slightly in his chair seeing the newly arrived immortal and recognizing him from long in his past. His mind flashed to that point in time, a time that he would gladly not reminisce.
1594 Somewhere in Scotland:
A woman screamed out in horror as her master brought about his whip, bringing it down against a young boy's exposed back. The boy cried out in agony as the lashing continued mercilessly. Red blood trickled down the boy's pale skin as long red lashes marked his back.
Throwing herself down at her lord's feet she clenched on to the material of his pants, "Please, have mercy milord! He's just a boy."
The woman's plea stopped the thrashing momentarily as he backhanded the woman for touching him. His blue eyes looked to her coldly, "For that, dear wench, he shall have thirty lashes added to his punishment!"
She cried out as the thrashing continued, tears streamed down her face as she was forced to watch her son being lashed to death. She knew that he would not be able to survive such a punishment and it was her fault now. She attempted to throw herself in front of the whip, but one of the Lord's comrades pulled her back, making her fall helplessly to the ground. She looked away, her body jerking with every click of the whip.
The thrashing suddenly stopped as her lord stiffened and looked behind him. There, coming in his direction, looked to be some Scott carrying his long sword.
Duncan had heard the cries and came to see what it was about. What he saw made his jaws clench. Deciding that he was not going to stand by and allow this man to kill a defenseless boy by whipping him to death, he stepped forwards and stopped momentarily as he sensed the presence of an immortal. When he saw the tall man with long blond hair turn towards him, he knew that that was the immortal that he sensed.
"I am Duncan Macleod of the Clan Macleod, I demand that you release this boy!"
"Well, Duncan Macleod of the Clan Macleod, I am this boy's lord and master and I will do no such thing." He answered coolly as he motioned for his colleague to hand him his sword.
"I challenge you then, sir. Might I have your name before I run you through?" He answered in reply. He would not stand by and allow this immortal to kill the young boy.
Bowing slightly he balanced his sword within his hand, "Lord Elington."
The memory was only his first encounter with the man, who was someone he would not mind ridding the world of.
Methos watched closely as the man entered and relaxed slightly as the stranger immortal nodded his head in greeting and continued on his way towards a table with the lady that he was currently with. Though Methos was anything but totally convinced that he was to be trusted, he returned his attention towards Melanie and was immediately concerned by the expression of terror on her face.
Joyce noticed the look on Melanie's face and how pale she looked, concerned she looked to where her gaze was focused and cursed under her breath. That bastard was here in Seacouver, how the hell did this happen? Laying her hand gently on her friend's arm, she asked her friend, "Melanie?"
Her words came out in a barely audible whisper, "Is that?" she could not finish her sentence as she felt totally and completely terrified.
Duncan noted Melanie's reaction to the immortal's entrance and leaned forwards after she asked her friend a question he could not hear, "Melanie?"
Methos gently touch her arm but she did not move, her eyes glued to the other side of the room, her body starting to tremble. It looked as if she was going into shock, "What's wrong?"
Instead of answering his question Melanie looked towards Joyce, "I've got to go…" Starting to stand up she wavered slightly causing all to be concerned.
Methos quickly stood, as she looked like she was about to black out. As he feared, she collapsed, but he caught her before she could fall to the floor.
Joyce quickly followed behind Adam as he carried her towards the back of the bar, Duncan right behind her. "Shit!" she exclaimed, not at all happy about this whole situation. Damn that bastard, she had been through enough!
Joe had watched the scene as it took place and headed immediately towards his office where he knew Methos would take her. He reached the office just in time to open the office door for him and ignored the curious stares of some of the patrons within the bar.
Surprise, followed by gratification crossed his face as he watched Melanie Weaver faint. The look of pure terror clearly recognizable on her face. He had wondered where that interfering woman had disappeared to. It was so true, things do come to those who wait. Looking back to his date, he decided to stay for a few minutes more and then leave. He could tell that she was with two immortals, one he had never before met and the other he knew all too well. Now that he knew she was here in Seacouver, he could find her later.
Gently laying her down on the sofa in Joe Dawson's office, he looked towards the door and watched as Joyce entered the door, followed quickly by Duncan and Joe.
Joyce nervously looked back out of the door and then back to her friend, wringing her hands together. She was very worried for her friend.
Duncan, seeing that there were way to many people within the small office and that Melanie would need some free space, he offered Joyce a reassuring squeeze, "It looks like she just fainted, lets go back outside to give her some breathing room."
Joyce only numbly shook her head, the mixture of alcohol, the confusion and shock of the evening made it hard for her to concentrate, let alone help her friend. So she allowed Duncan to usher her out of the door.
Screams rang out making the fear that she was too late consume her. Running forwards with the thought of only stopping the dream from happening, she rushed forwards. Melanie watched with horror filled eyes as the man stood over the bloodied body of the woman in her dreams.
Tears filled her eyes as she knew that she was too late. Stepping back her blood ran cold as her foot kicked a discarded empty beer can.
At the noise, his head snapped up looking at his intruder. A wicked gleam shining within his eyes, he looked to her and grinned evilly. Stepping slightly forwards towards her, his grin widened as she stepped shakily back.
Melanie was in a panic, he saw her and was just standing there. It looked like he was going to come after her but he didn't. Fleeing from the scene, she heard the echo of his mocking laughter.
The boom of the anvil from the judge filled her with a feeling of dread, "Due to the lack of evidence and the corpse of the said victim's body, I must dismiss this case. Mr. Elington, I am sorry for this inconvenience and apologize for any harm done to your character."
She stared horrified as he shook his lawyer's hand in thanks and started to exit the front of the courtroom. His eyes flashing towards her before he exited the room.
Melanie gasped out as she awoke from the memories, feeling a bit disoriented, she held her hand to her head, "What happened?"
Relieved to see that she had woken back up, he helped her to sit up and handed her a glass of water, which she took without question. "You fainted."
Swallowing the water, she leaned back against the couch, the reason for her fears coming crashing back to memory. Jacob Elington, the man she had witness murder a woman and then testified against, only to have the case dismissed and him haunt her life, had just entered right through that bar door. Right now she was wanting nothing more than to have never tried to stop that murder. It was from that point on that she started to give anonymous calls to the police when she would have those dreams of hers. Never again would she try to stop it on her own.
Looking around herself, she recognized the inside of Joe's office from earlier that day and grimaced. Pushing herself up, she was trying to stand when Adam pushed her gently back down. Adam was rewarded with one of her glares that usually spoke volumes and worked in making people back off. The glare was only returned with a look that said, it might work on most people but don't even think that it'll work on me.
"You know, I've been known to make an impression, but rarely have I ever caused a woman I'm interested in faint." he asked while he sat down next to her.
Melanie lightly laughed, "I can't believe I fainted. That's never happened to me before. I'm sorry."
"No apology needed. Mind sharing what you saw that caused your reaction?" Methos asked.
Melanie looked down at her hands that were folded in her lap. Avoiding the question, she asked as she noticed the lack of her best friend, "Where's Joyce?"
Methos looked to her with a sideways glance, "She's with Duncan."
Melanie shifted a bit uncomfortably on the couch, she wanted to tell him but was afraid of his reaction. She really liked him, 'God! Like he's going to want anything to do with you anyway after that little scene. I don't know what to do?' "Jacob Elington" she finally murmured.
Well, he at least had the immortal stranger's name, "What of him?"
Melanie abruptly stood up wringing her hands together, "Look Adam, I really like you a lot but…I'm sorry…" she shook her head taking a deep breath and headed towards the door, "I can't do this."
Standing, he gently took her arm before she could open the door to leave, "Did he hurt you?"
She closed her eyes, the guilt of not being able to stop him from killing that woman, the pain of having to leave her home so that she could be free of the memories of her failure, the whispers cast behind her back accusing her of being crazy. "I…He killed her and I could do nothing to stop him. I saw her dead at his feet but when I went to the police they found no body. The case got dismissed and that bastard got away with it." Melanie pulled her arm away from him and held herself, "During my testimony they implied that I was mentally unstable. After the trial was dismissed, everyone came to the belief that I was nuts and made the whole thing up to get attention. He was the one that murdered and I was the one that they put on trial."
Melanie turned towards him, anger and pain within her eyes, "What the hell is he doing here? I moved here to get away from that bastard and he's sitting out there…" Tears were now pouring out from her eyes as she could not hold back the tears.
Methos pulled her to him, trying to comfort her in some way. He looked out the small window within the door and could see that Duncan had been watching. Saying soothing words he guided her back towards the couch. Seeing that she was starting to stop crying he pulled away so that he could face her, "Being as you are too upset to drive and your friend is too intoxicated, I'm going to take you and Joyce home."
Melanie opened her mouth to argue, but he was right. With a tired sigh she shook her head, not believing the night she was having, "We came in Joyce's car."
"Good, I'll follow Duncan in Joyce's car to drop her and her car off and then we can take you home."
Melanie warily looked towards the door. Was he still out there?
Seeing her worried glance, he glanced out the door and looked towards where he had last seen this Jacob person. He didn't see him but that didn't mean that he had left. "We'll leave out the back, just in case he's still there."