Disclaimer: I don't own Highlander, only the OC that I created. This is also going a little off Cannon.

Rating: Warning this chapter is K+

Beta Reader: FanLass (thank you). Typo's are all mine.

Reviewers: Loki88 & Syphon01. Thank you both for taking time to review.

Author's Note: Hi everyone, finally got this chapter finished. My mum was in hospital again so this chapter had to take a back seat. But now she's home and doing well, so I've had the time to finish it. Thank you to my amazing beta reader FanLass. Please go and read her work it's really good.

Chapter Six:

"So Methos," Joe Fairchild sat back in his chair. "What do you think of our wondrous century you've found yourself in?"

"I'll let you know after I've had a few more beers," the Immortal bantered. "But so far it's not too bad, despite being drugged, possible dying and kidnapped by Genesis, except for that, I've had a downright wonderful time." Methos said smiling at Caren

Caren jabbed Methos in the ribs while chewing on her lip, she sensed by her father's emotions Gaia hadn't mentioned that to him.

Joe hadn't known. "When did those bastards take my little girl?"

"Dad..." Caren tried to diffuse the situation.

Her father ignored her, keeping his gaze on Methos.

"Two, possibly three days ago. We're not sure how long we were unconscious for," Methos answered him.

"Son off a …." Joe's voice faded, his anger evident as he realised what that meant. "That's when she became Immortal, isn't it?"

Putting her coffee mug down, Caren felt Methos take her hand, showing his support. "They said I had a severe allergic reaction to the gas they used to knock us out. I died and revived in front of them."

"So they know about you both?"

"They know a lot more than I expected," Methos revealed. "Like they know what my real name is." He heard Joe swear softly. "There's more. The President knows all about Genesis, that's why they've never been found."

"You know that for certain?"

"We hacked into their computer, dad," Caren informed. "Genesis is funded by the government."

Joe shook his head. "Damn it. I'm guessing you couldn't get any proof of that?"

"No, but I'm assuming that's why Gaia has men undercover in their operation." Methos told him.

"The Watchers of Gaia," Caren revealed. "A Sergeant Williams helped Methos and I escape, he revealed himself as one of them to get us to trust him."

"That woman's grasp is far and wide," Joe exclaimed. "She never mentioned any of this when she contacted me and said you were here."

"We were on our way to you when we were kidnapped," his daughter announced. "I thought Methos would be safe in New Paris and I wanted to reunite him with his sword."

"It's a good thing I brought it with me then," Joe declared. "I have to say, son, that Ivanhoe is a beauty."

"Thank you, a well-crafted sword is more than a weapon, it's an extension of your own arm," Methos noted. "I have to admit, even though Gaia says Immortals no longer hunt each other, I've been a little lost without it."

"I'll go and get, I know what it's like to lose something," he said as they stood moving away from the table. Joe was the only one that left though.

Methos chuckled, and then turned to Caren locking his eyes upon hers. "I like your father."

"I thought you would," Caren said with a smile. "Doesn't he remind you of another Joe you knew?"

"He does indeed."

She retook his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Thank you."

"For what?" he returned her smile.

"For staying with me and not running when I know it's in your nature to do so," she answered. "I don't know what I would have done if you'd left."

Methos found a comfortable sofa and sprawled out on it. Then he tugged on her hand, she allowed herself to be pulled down onto his lap. He held her close. "Sure in some old chronicles, someplace, there were times I left town fast, but I never ran from those I truly cared about." He kissed the top of her head. "If you read what the original Joe Dawson wrote you find I didn't run out on him. I'm just a guy, Caren, except I've lived a very long time. I've loved and I've lost so many people. I've had to grieve and keep moving on. Now..." He sighed.

She looked up, making sense of his emotions. "I'm not going anywhere, Methos. I'll stay with you as long as you want me to. I know lose, I've experienced it. Not in the scale you have, but in the end it hurts the same way."

"Yes it does," he agreed and then brushed his lips over hers. Needing to change the subject to something lighter. "Do you know how sexy you look when you chew on your lip."

His shift in emotions made her smile and chewed on her bottom lip. "No, but," she shifted so she was straddling his lap. "I can feel what it does to you."

"Is that so?" his smiled widened in a mischievous way.

"Yes," she said with a sexy purr before leaning forward to whisper in his ear in the same tone of voice.

Methos felt the reaction to what she said rush though his body like a forest fire. "I think Gaia might have missed a gift."

Caren smiled, gripping his shoulders she slid forward hearing him hiss. "You're possibly right." She stood and moved away from him, a sexy sway to her hips. "Care to test that theory; I need to take a shower."

"Your father is coming back with my sword, are you sure he would approve?" he pointed out.

"I stopped asking for my father's approval a long time ago, so you'd better stop wasting time," she remarked and headed for the bathroom.

Methos groaned; every fibre of his body felt super-heated with desire. "We are definitely not telling your father about this side of you," he muttered and raced after her.

Joe Fairchild was not stupid; he'd known when to make a discreet exit. Using getting the sword was a good way to leave for a while. If his daughter was anything like her mother... well he didn't want to actually think about that.

Taking the path back to the cottage, he heard voices as he got closer seeing the two of them standing together in each other's arms. They were a cute couple and Joe guessed if he had to see his daughter with any man, then Methos was the man for her.

He couldn't help but tease them anyway. "Alright you two cut it out, parent present," he jeered.

Laughing they moved apart.

"Joe you do know I've been a parent several times myself," Methos pointed out matter of fact.

"Then you know what I'll do to you if you ever hurt my little girl," Joe said straight forth.

"Ahh... Indeed I do."

"Good man," Joe said and then held out the sword case to him, "Your sword."

Methos opened the case and nearly wept at the sight of his beloved Ivanhoe. Polished and gleaming, like she was new again. Drawing it from the case, he smiled.

"Thank for taking good care of it. I never thought I see this particular sword again, it was one of my favourites for; let's just say a long time."

"Well, Caren said it was not only priceless, but it belonged to you and had to be kept safe. That was enough for me," Joe said sincerely as he closed the case and put it at his feet. "It is a beautiful sword."

"This blade has saved my life many times over."

"May I?" Caren asked him gesturing to the sword.

He carefully passed it over to her. "A sword like this would be too heavy for you, even if you do know my style of fighting."

She arched an eyebrow. "The shot first and then bolt, or the fight dirty and win version?" She inquired a touch sarcastically but sweetly at the same time.

Joe couldn't help but laugh. "Well, old man, one thing you'll never have to teach my little girl is sarcasm and wit."

"Nope, she's got plenty of that," Methos agreed and huffed. "She was such a sweet, shy thing when I first met her."

Caren casually rested the blade of the sword against her shoulder. (A stance Methos had held himself plenty of times). "Well I've had a good teacher."

"Thankfully kiddo, you'll never have to use one of those," her father remarked.

"I agree," Methos said sincerely.

Handing the sword back to its owner, Caren had to agree with them. The thought of taking someone's head sickened her. "I'm not sure if being Immortal is a gift or a curse as of yet, but I'm glad I became one now."

"Don't think of it as either," Methos advised. For centuries he'd acted the optimist but in fact had been a pragmatist. His only exception to that rule came when protecting those he loved. Then he'd break any rule and do anything to save them. He saw Caren understood, concluding with: "I try to live for the moment, not in the past or for the future."

"Good advice, even for mortals," Joe declared.

Methos put his sword back in the case and stood. "If Gaia can do what she said, then a lot more Immortals will live in peace. But I doubt even a goddess can pull off this trick, we be more likely to see fairy tales come true. In all the years I've lived I've yet to see a real happily ever after come true."

"Well when I was a child, the stories of Immortals seemed like fairy tales and yet you're here and so am I," Caren stated. "Perhaps this is the happily ever after you've always wanted."

"So you believe Gaia can do what she says?" Methos queried.

She shrugged. "Why not, she made me a new kind of Immortal. Don't you believe she can save someone like Darius?"

"I'll believe it when he comes walking down that path with her."

"Typical man," Caren comment as she through her arms up and wandered back to the cottage to organise some lunch.

Joe arched an eyebrow and then chuckled. "Oh that girl is so much like her mother."

"Should I be worried?" Methos asked him.

"Nope, but life will never be boring," the mortal said with a grin.

The Immortal chuckled. "Once I met your daughter I never expected it would be."

Hearing a sharp whistle from the cottage, both looked, seeing Caren standing in the doorway.

"I'm getting lunch ready, are you two coming in?" She called out.

"We're coming, hold your horse's woman," Methos shouted back and picked up the sword case.

Joe laughed. "I tried to warn you life will be lively with my daughter around, Methos."

"After all the years I spent hiding from the world, I guess I'm ready for a little excitement." he agreed and chuckled as the two of them headed to the cottage.

They had just sat down to lunch when Methos felt it. The buzz of another Immortal, a feeling he thought he'd never feel again.

Caren also felt what he did, or more accurate sensed what he did. "Methos?"

"There's another Immortal outside," he said and without even thinking, just working on instinct he pulled his sword from the case and rushed outside.

Caren and her father followed, both of them stopping sharply at the sight. Gaia was back and with her was a man dressed in Priestly robes.

Hurrying to Methos' side, Caren put her hand on his arm. "Methos, is that Darius?"

He nodded, disbelieve and relief in his eyes. He hadn't believed Gaia could do it but Darius was there standing next to the Goddess.

Darius took in the sight of all around him. When the half-naked woman had just appeared in his church, he'd been surprised. When she'd told him she was there to save his life, that he was to die that day, he'd stared at her in disbelief. She'd told him who she was and where she was from. It wasn't until she'd informed him they were both no longer a part of the timeline and he'd seen the duplicate of himself be murdered by Rogue Watchers, that he'd believed her.

"I believe Methos, I have brought all the proof you need," Gaia informed the Immortal.

Methos said nothing. He past the sword to Caren's father and walked over to his long lost friend. "Darius?"

"It is me, old friend," the Priest assured and reached out to touch his arm.

The two men embraced, two friends who both had both experienced tragedy in their past but had moved forward from that to change. There was laughter and they both spoke at once, but neither minded.

Methos pulled back, still grinning. "It's so good to see you my friend. You have no idea how much I miss you."

"And you, Methos. I trust you have a wondrous tale to tell," Darius remarked cheerfully.

"I do indeed and it seems I will have time to tell it, and we can once more have one of our discussions and enjoy a good game of chess."

Caren and her father joined them, the later smiled warmly. "Welcome to the 26th century Father Darius," she greeted. "I'm Caren Fairchild, this is my father Joseph Fairchild."

"Thank you, child, Joseph."

Gaia interrupted then. "I'll show Father Darius his accommodations, time jumping can be trying."

"I am a little tried," the Priest admitted wearily. He looked warmly at his old friend and his new ones. "Perhaps we can talk later."

"Come and have dinner with us," Methos insisted.

"Yes, please Father Darius, I would like to hear how you and Methos met," Caren agreed.

"And I would like to know what is going on between you and my old friend here. But we will talk later, thank you, Caren." Darius said with a smile. He had a feeling there was something special about this young woman.

Gaia linked arms with the Priest. "This way Father."

He went with her, still a little unsettled by her near nakedness.

Caren then looked cheekily at Methos as they headed for their cottage. "You do realise what this means, don't you?"

"Yes," he grumbled as he took it. "We get to be heroes and save the bloody day."

She stopped Methos. "You've forgotten one thing."

"Oh pray tell what I have forgotten?" he asked her a little amused.

Caren rose up onto her toes, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Well isn't it a fact the hero always gets the girl?" she inquired with a sexy purr.

Methos considered that as his body reacted to her tone of voice. "Not all the time. A certain time lord never did."

"I was thinking more of a particular Starship Captain," she corrected.

"True and I do get to keep you after this adventure is over," he stated and saw her chew on her bottom lip. Damn her. "I still hate playing hero."

"I know, now shut up and kiss me before I slap you," she ordered with a flirtatious giggle, adding. "Do realize what a pain you are?"

"Yes," Methos answered and swung her up into his arms as if she was as light feather. Methos laughed looking at her father. "We'll see you and Darius at dinner, Joe. We're going to have a serious discussion about this hero thing." With that he started toward their cottage, Caren with tenderly laying her head on his shoulder.

"Fine just leave me alone, hey I'm only the father." Joe yelled at the two lovers but his words fell on deaf ears as Methos and Caren disappeared inside the cottage. "Like hell they're discussing anything, I wonder how I could get those two to get married." Joe grumbled as he placed Methos' sword at the door of the cottage and then, wandered off considering how extraordinary day had turned out.

To be continued…..

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