Author's Note: Please Review. I think I have a good idea but I'm not sure I'm writing it all that well. Do you think it's an interesting idea?
Methos found himself practically whistling as he gathered his things to leave the library where he had been working on a research article to beef up Adam Pierson's academic reputation. The old man couldn't remember ever being so happy.
He was in love.
He was an idiot. But that fact didn't make Methos any less happy to have woken up in the Highlander's bed that morning.
The ancient immortal indulged for a moment, remembering the look of ecstasy on MacLeod's face, the helpless cries of pleasure, the feel of Mac moving on top of him, within him, filling him.
The oldest immortal loved it, enjoyed giving MacLeod pleasure from his body. Methos knew that he hadn't, couldn't give Mac everything, everything that the younger immortal deserved, but he had given Mac something that he hadn't given anyone in a long time. It had been centuries, no more than a millennium since Methos had let anyone inside him, in more than one way.
But the ancient man also knew that it wouldn't last, that pain and sorrow were waiting in the wings for him.
Which brought Methos to thoughts of the previous night, he knew MacLeod hadn't enjoyed it, was disgusted by the whole thing, disgusted by him.
And how could Methos explain that he deserved the pain, that it was expected, that things had been too perfect, he had been too happy.
The afternoon sun blinded him for a moment as Methos stepped outside. His cell phone chirped as he powered it up on the way to his Volvo. Almost as soon as it was on the phone began to ring.
Speak of the devil, it was MacLeod. A smile broke out over the ancient man's face and he let it spread unhindered.
"Pierson."
"M…Adam, we need to talk. Joe told me about Cassandra."
Methos' breath caught in his chest. He hadn't expected for it to end so soon, he wasn't ready.
But he wasn't surprised. Methos may have quit the Watchers but he kept up with their reports, using a hidden back door to the system to check on any immortals in the area.
He had noticed the suspicious deaths that seemed to trail him, it had been going on for months now.
Mac started to speak again, but Methos cut him off. He didn't bother trying to plead his case, didn't waste his breath crying his innocence. MacLeod had no reason to trust him and Methos had lived too long to believe in justice…or mercy.
Methos said only one sentence, words he had never said to Duncan before but now they were the only words worth saying.
"I love you." He hung up.
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Duncan was still staring dumbfounded at the phone in his hand when he heard the lift start up. He noted the absence of immortal presence in some far reach of his brain that was not currently involved in preventing his hand from throwing the phone at the nearest wall.
The sound of Joe's ambling gait approaching did not surprise the Highlander as he, with supreme effort, managed to place the phone back on its holder.
"What happened?"
Joe dropped into a chair, tossing a file onto the coffee table. Duncan sank onto the couch himself before reaching for it.
"It started three months ago in Paris. Remember when Adam went out of town…well he was at some academic conference…"
Duncan's eyes widened, both in response to the fact that this had been going on that long and that Methos was advancing 'Adam's' career without him knowing. He didn't even know Adam had a career or that Methos had finished his latest PhD. Joe's eyebrows only rose momentarily and then the man continued speaking.
"A building near the conference blew up, killing all the people inside. Afterwards I learned that there had been an immortal inside, dead. Permanently."
"The fire started because of the quickening, or was it to cover it up?"
Joe shrugged. "We don't know. There have been five deaths plus Cassandra's, resulting in dozens of mortal deaths and all occurred in Adam's vicinity."
Duncan stood up then, throwing the file down. "He didn't do it."
"Of course he didn't," Joe snapped. The Watcher glared at the still standing immortal for a moment before Joe's ire dissolved into a pensive frown. "Wait, you're not judging him, no indignant tirade about how little we know about him?"
The Highlander groaned and brought his hands up to his hips. Nice to know all his friends considered him a self-righteous bastard.
"I don't know everything about him, Joe, but I learned my lesson the last time. Actually I learned several lessons."
The mortal snorted. "Oh yeah, and what might those lessons be?"
Duncan shook his head sadly. "'The only way to know if you can trust a man is to trust him'. I should have remembered that looks can be deceiving…"
Joe laughed out loud. "Particularly in the case of a five thousand year old man who looks like a twenty-five year old bookworm?"
The immortal smiled back. "But most important, I should have remembered to never believe anything that Methos says."
That only made Joe laugh harder.
"You know it's strange that a man who claims to be entirely self-serving would inspire such loyalty."
"You know, MacLeod, I don't think I ever met that man."
Duncan laughed then. Then a thought made him sober again. "Joe, about Methos and I…we've become…more than friends." God, why was this so hard?
Joe sobered as well. The man looked shocked. "What are you saying? That you and he…"
"We've been sleeping together."
Gasp. "What? Like you're dating?"
Damn, trust Joe to get right to the heart of the matter. "I wouldn't say dating."
"Well what would you say?!" Joe's reply was suddenly harsh.
Duncan heard again Methos' voice over the phone, his last words before hanging up. "I love him."
"You better."
Now it was the immortal's turn to be taken aback. He did not understand the Watcher's reaction.
"Oh come on MacLeod." Joe's voice softened as he continued. "Anyone could see how he feels about you, but if you don't feel the same…this won't be easy and if you hurt him..." The mortal's voice had dropped to a warning.
Amazing. Joe was questioning his intentions towards Methos, acting protective of the old bastard. "We have to find him first and convince him to give our relationship a chance."
