Chapter 6

Seacouver 2003

Duncan tossed the baseball to Derrick. "The kid's getting pretty good at this," he thought. Every kid should have the chance to play baseball. He watched as Derrick did a windup and pitched the ball back to him. Duncan deftly caught it and threw it back with a laugh.

Behind them at one of the chess tables sat Duncan's mortal friend George Layton who had helped get Derrick settled with a reliable foster family a month before. George had worked for Social Services for over thirty years before he had retired, and he had pulled some strings to make certain Derrick was well placed. Duncan still owed him an explanation... and he knew George wasn't going to wait much longer on just what had happened and why it had been necessary to leave Derrick's "sister" Ellie out of the official records.

But George had done it.

Now he was operating as a go-between for Derrick so that the boy could see Duncan occasionally. Duncan re-caught the ball. "Not bad, Derrick." He smiled at the ten-year old, who grinned back like any normal kid, out for a game of catch. He tossed the ball back to the boy.

"Thanks Duncan! I practice at school and Ron's even showing me a few things."

Duncan stiffened and looked around. The ball went whizzing past him. He waved at Derrick and started after the ball. It rolled until it stopped at the feet of the immortal he had sensed.

Methos leaned over and picked up the ball, "Think you missed one." He tossed it past MacLeod and straight to Derrick.

"Hey," the boy grinned, "I remember you... Adam, right... Duncan's friend." The boy trotted over.

"Fancy meeting you here," Duncan offered, wondering just what the older immortal was up to.

"Just passing by... saw you here... thought I'd say 'Hello'."

Derrick had reached the men by this time and was casually tossing the ball into his glove over and over. "You said you play chess? Play a game?" He grinned.

Methos stuffed his hands deeply into pockets, "Sure... why not," and let Derrick lead the way over to the chess table where he introduced George who eyed Methos warily.

"I'll bet you like black." Derrick said, taking his seat behind the white pieces and motioning for 'Adam' to take the black.

Methos smirked, "However did you guess?"

The boy shrugged. Duncan sat on the fourth side of the table, opposite George. He mumbled something to George about 'Adam' being an old friend from overseas. George just nodded. He knew nothing about immortals... and Duncan wanted to keep it that way.

Derrick made the first move, and Methos followed suit quickly. As with the games Derrick and George played... this one was fast and furious. Only... instead of it lasting seconds and over in a few moves... this one went on and on... faster and faster... the pieces fell... until only three pieces remained... the white queen and the two kings.

During the game... neither Derrick nor Methos looked at the pieces... they looked at each other... to be precise... they looked at each other's eyes... as though it was there that they read the other's movements.

"You got him now, Derrick," George laughed. "You still have the queen."

But Derrick ignored the queen. She sat alone and unused on the side of the board, as if she were the prize the two kings were fighting for. Round and round the two kings circled.

Duncan attempted to end the game... "It's a draw you two."

George was shaking his head over the whole thing. He had never seen a game quite like this.

Suddenly Derrick's hand paused on his king. The boy smiled and then flicked his king over. "You win..." he whispered. Then he blinked and shook his head a moment. He glanced down at the board then at the three men around him. "Great game, huh!" His infectious grin breaking the odd moment.

Duncan glanced at Methos who had a haunted expression on his face. "Yeah..." the immortal murmured. "See ya later Mac." Methos rose and slouched hurriedly away.

MacLeod strode after him. "We need to talk."

"About what?"

"About just what is going on here... and don't tell me he's just a kid!"

Methos took a deep breath and bit his lip, "But he is MacLeod... he's just a kid who has potential. Don't read any more into this than that. You may be very disappointed if you do." Then he pivoted and stalked off.

Duncan watched him walk away. He wanted to run after his friend and force a confrontation. But leaving now would raise too many questions for George. He was already suspicious. And then there was Derrick to consider. Duncan turned back to the table and shrugged as if to say, "Sorry about that."

***

On the bluff above the park, Peter Taylor watched as his old adversary Adams stalked out of the park. "This just gets better and better!" He'd had no luck finding Adams in decades. The man had a way of just vanishing on him.

He hadn't even been looking for him this time. He'd been researching MacLeod. He knew the Highlander frequented Seacouver and had been keeping an eye out for him. Peter had just happened to be at a restaurant across the street from the park when he'd seen MacLeod enter the park with an old man and a small boy.

He'd carefully followed, making certain not to get too close. Taylor was using his binoculars to get a better view when he'd seen Adams join them. He had grinned at that point... first he would take care of Adams... then he would get back to MacLeod... he could always find MacLeod. That man never completely disappeared.

Taylor took one more look at the chess table to get a better look at MacLeod's friends before he left. He lowered the binoculars suddenly... now that was odd. The boy had been staring at him. He looked through the lenses once more. Yes, the boy was definitely staring at him. Taylor lowered the binoculars once more and this time put them in their case. Better follow Adams while he had the chance. But he felt as though a chill wind was blowing on him.