Hello once again. Look at me! Three updates in almost 18 months! Watch me go! Okay...so I must REALLY apologize for a couple of things. First off, I'm sorry for taking so long to get the next chapter up. I must confess, I've had this chapter written for a long time now. I was just to lazy, then to busy, then to lazy again to get it on the computer. But it's here now right? I won't promise this time that I'll have another chapter out in a week or whatever. What I will promise is that this story will be finished. I won't abandon it no matter how long it takes to finish.
Second, I must apologize for the rather abrupt change in direction the last chapter took. I'm sorry for confusing anyone (which judging by at least one of the reviews I did). I must address one thing though. One of my reviewers mentioned that it sounded like I didn't know which way I wanted to go with this story. I do admit that Methos decided he wanted a bigger part in the story then he originally had, but keep in mind who the main pairing of this story is. If you don't remember, it's in the description...I think. I took the abrupt turn because I was tired of it going in the wrong direction with no turn in sight. The further I was getting, the harder it was to get back on track so I just did it. Sorry for confusing anyone but I really do know where I want it to end up. Hopfully this chapter will smooth things out for all you readers. Poor Joe, however....Just read it. :) Happy reading!
Watcher the Immortal - ch. 7
To say Joe was confused was putting it as mildly as saying the ocean had some water in it. He was tired, he was quickly becoming mildly depressed and he was currently locked away in his room, deeply studying the diamond pattern of his wallpaper. He shook his head and finally took a sip of the drink he'd been holding for an hour.
Not three hours ago, he'd been talking to Methos, making plans and feeling pretty damn good. Then, less than ten minutes later, he was all hot and bothered because Mac said nice things, smiled that smile and touched his arm? What the hell was wrong with him?
Joe sighed and contemplated throwing the glass against the wall. How did he get himself into these situations? He seemed to be the master at getting himself into impossible situations with no way out except with someone getting hurt. Usually that person ended up being him, but this time he had the potential to take at least one of his closest friends with him.
He sighed again, listening to Methos knocking on the door and asking if he was alright. He and Mac had been taking turns checking on him ever since he'd retreated to his room a couple of hours ago. Every time, he'd yell back that he was fine, just tired, and they'd leave. Then, about ten minutes later, the other one would come. This was no different and, as endearing as it was, it was becoming a bit annoying. Couldn't they take a hint? He finally decided that sleep might help, and maybe they'd quit knocking if his lights were off.
"What do you think is wrong?" Methos asked as he and Mac sat in the kitchen.
"I don't know. He seemed alright when I talked to him just before we came home."
"Yeah, same here. Well," he continued after Mac's pointed stare. "After we talked through a few things anyway."
"Maybe he really is just tired," Mac said, taking a sip of his drink. "It has been a rough couple of days."
"Maybe," Methos said thoughtfully.
They sat in silence for a long couple of minutes before Mac stood up and turned towards the door.
"Where are you going?" Methos asked, though he already knew the answer.
"To check on him," Mac said, slightly turning around and then leaving the room, never seeing Methos' amused smile. He came back a couple of seconds later and sat back down in his seat.
"Well?" Methos asked when Mac didn't say anything.
"His light was off. He must've gone to bed."
Methos nodded, looking thoughtful.
"I suppose we should go too," he said, standing up.
"I think I'm going to stay up and read a while," Mac said.
"Alright. I'll see you in the morning."
"Yeah. Goodnight."
Mac sighed as Methos left. He finally got up and went to his room to try to read, but instead ended up wondering what was wrong with his friend.
The next day was the very last moving day. There were a few things left in Joe's house and then everyone would be officially moved into the new house. Methos and Mac moved most of the furniture that was left, while Joe stayed by himself, boxing up a few books and things sitting around. He was grateful for the silent solitude while Mac and Methos' slight confusion moved on to full-blown worry.
"What do you think is wrong?" Mac asked, repeating Methos' question from the night before as they carried a bookcase out to the moving truck they'd rented.
"I don't know," Methos answered. "Has he said anything?"
"No," Mac answered as they slid the bookcase into the truck. "Maybe I should talk to him."
"Yeah," Methos said, feeling slightly like it should be him talking to Joe but not being able to bring himself to volunteer. "That's probably a good idea." Mac was better with words anyway.
"Can you handle this for a little bit?"
"Yeah. There's a few small tables and things that need to come out."
"Okay. I'll be back."
"Okay," Methos said, watching his friend go back inside. He felt like a coward. If he was too cowardly to go inside and ask Joe what was wrong, how was he going to make a relationship work?
Methos kicked the tire of the truck before going back to work.
Mac quietly walked to the room Joe was in and stood at the door. Joe was quietly looking around the nearly empty room. To Mac, it looked like he was saying goodbye to an old friend.
"Joe?" he said quietly, so he wouldn't startle him. It didn't work. Joe jumped a little anyway.
"Mac," he said, snapping his gaze from the floor to Mac. "Didn't hear ya come in."
"I know," Mac said, coming more into the room. "You okay?"
"Yeah," he said, looking around the room again. "Just sayin' goodbye."
Mac nodded and moved to stand beside the other man, also looking around.
"Were you here for a long time?"
"Almost twenty years."
"Wow," Mac said, slight amazement in his voice. "I've never stayed anywhere for that long."
"Well you have a good reason," Joe said, throwing the other man a glance and a smile, which Mac returned. Joe suddenly felt that confusion come back and turned his gaze back to the floor. "I guess so do I, now."
Mac felt the sudden tension and couldn't figure out for the life of him what had caused it. Maybe he was still upset about the sudden onset of immortality. He'd seemed fine for a while, but maybe moving out of his house brought it all back.
"Joe, what's wrong?" Mac finally asked, wanting desperately to ease his friends troubles.
"What do you mean?" Joe asked, trying to act as normal as possible. He could tell Mac didn't buy it.
"You've been silent all day, you locked yourself in your room last night and wouldn't come out, and you've barely even looked at Methos or I since yesterday afternoon." Mac turned to fully face Joe, taking his face and forcing him to look at him. "You're in pain, Joe. I just want to help."
Joe stared at him. Pain? Is that was this was? He supposed that was what it was. The pain of knowing he was having feelings for both of his best friends? The pain of knowing that at least one of them was going to get hurt if he didn't figure something out soon? Yep, Mac was right. This was pain. But he didn't think there was anything Mac could do to help when he was part of the problem.
"I don't think there's anything you can do, Mac," he said softly. "I think it's just something I have to work through myself."
Mac didn't look happy with this response, but nodded anyway and Joe decided to ignore the fact Mac hadn't let him go.
"Okay," Mac said finally. "But if you ever need to talk..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but Joe knew what we meant. He would always be there for him. Joe nodded, and only then did Mac seem to realize he still had his hand on Joe's face. He pulled his hand back quickly, looking as confused as Joe felt.
"I...uh...I should go back and help Methos," he said. "I'll see you outside?"
"Yeah," Joe said quietly as Mac turned to leave. He was almost to the door when Joe turned around. "Hey Mac?"
"Yeah?" Mac said, slowly turning around.
"Thank you," he said softly, flashing a small grin.
"You're welcome," Mac replied, flashing a quick grin of his own before ducking quickly out of the room.
Joe just sighed and turned back to the window.
Outside in the hall, Mac was leaning against the wall. What was going on with him? It was just Joe! So why was he feeling...whatever it was he was feeling? Especially when it was quite obvious that Joe and Methos were working on something. Even if it wasn't obvious to them yet. He ran his hand through his hair and took a deep breath.
"Are you alright?" he heard a voice say from beside him and snapped his eyes up to see the worried face of Methos.
"Yeah," Mac said. I'm alright."
"Did something happen with Joe?" Methos asked, concern written all over his face. "Is he alright?"
"No, nothing happened with Joe. We just talked. He's been in this house a long time. I think he's just said to leave." So it wasn't a total lie. Methos didn't need every detail. "I think he'll be okay in a few days.
"Good," Methos said, not entirely believing Mac's answer. You didn't live five thousand years without learning to read body language. "Let's get that big bookcase in the living room next."
"Okay," Mac said as he followed Methos to the living room. Sure he thought Joe would probably be okay in a few days. How he just hoped he would be too.
Hope this one wasn't quite as confusing as the last. We'll be back on track soon!
