Two Men Walk Into A Bar
Chapter 7
Several nights later, Methos is hold up in the Dál Riata with Kenzi when Dyson approaches. "I need to talk to you." he tells Methos as he motions Methos to a more secluded area. Methos looks quizzically at Dyson but starts to move. Kenzi starts to follow, but Dyson holds up a hand and says "Nothing personal, but this doesn't concern you." Kenzi is miffed.
After Methos and Dyson are out of earshot of the other patrons, Dyson says with difficulty "I can use your help."
Methos is surprised, but intrigued that the fae detective would ask such a question. He nods. Dyson takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "There is a guy… a fae who has been killing members of my old band for well over five hundred years. Every fifty years or so… He sent me a note. That's what he does. He calls his shots. So far, he's never failed."
Methos nods nonchalantly. "My condolences. What do you want from me?" Methos takes a swig of beer.
Dyson continues "He uses a sword. I could use some pointers…. Instruction…. From somebody as skilled as you must be."
Methos chuckles slightly at the compliment.
Dyson is taken back. "This isn't easy for me…"
Methos puts up a hand. "I know. I could teach you a few tricks. But that isn't your problem."
Dyson grits his teeth. "No my problem is that some guy who's never lost is coming to take me on with a sword."
Methos shakes his head. "No, your problem is that you are predictable."
Dyson is confused.
Methos continues "Get out of town."
Dyson responds "I won't. I'm not going to let him run me off…."
Methos nods as he knew that would be Dyson's reaction. "Yup, predictable... Tell me about this guy."
Dyson explains "We don't know why he comes after us. We don't even know what kind of fae he is. We don't even know if he's dark or light. He sends a note. Nothing happens for awhile. The person gets so paranoid they are ready to jump at nothing, but when they start to relax they get killed."
Methos asks "Do you have the note?" Dyson hands a small piece of paper to Methos who studies it. "There's a reason you can't figure out what kind of fae he is." Dyson looks at Methos awaiting an answer as Methos hands the note back. Methos hesitates and ponders before explaining "He's not fae. He's immortal. I'm part of the reason he's killing fae."
Dyson is surprised and troubled. "You?"
Methos explains "I … we didn't cause it. He found out Kronos was killing fae … your band and he wanted to join him, Caspian and Silas. But Kronos wasn't interested so he started killing fae on his own to try to get Kronos to notice him. Kronos wanted four horsemen, but he wasn't willing to replace me with this guy."
Dyson "So you'll help me?"
Methos "Why?"
Dyson states "Because you're responsible for this guy."
Methos shrugs "Nope, this is all his doing. I wasn't even with the Horsemen at the time. But he's good at it, got to give him that." Methos chuckles as he has a thought.
Dyson, holding up the note, indignantly says "This is funny to you?"
Methos gets control of himself and responds "No it isn't. What is funny is that the Watchers thought this guy had a knack for finding young immortals and pre-immortals that had no Watcher assigned to them."
Dyson isn't mollified and sarcastically responds "Well, I'm glad it is so amusing to you."
Methos chuckles again and says "Actually, you should. Ian didn't only kill fae and he didn't only kill immortals without Watchers assigned to them."
Dyson caught the name and repeats it. "Ian? You know his name?"
Methos nods, and answers "Yes, or at least some of them. I have some connections. I'll try to get you a photo."
Dyson is pleased, "That will be a great help…"
Methos continues "That's not the best part…" Methos waits for Dyson to indicate he's intrigue before continuing "He killed Lauren's student."
Dyson asks "That amuses you?"
Methos shakes his head as if Dyson was a naïve child. "What do you know of Lauren?"
Dyson shrugs "Not much really. I never thought she could do what I saw on that video."
Methos nods and explains "She's been a soldier or a body guard most of her life. When she said if somebody killed Kenzi, Kenzi would be avenged; she wasn't boasting or being dramatic. It was a simple statement of fact. She's fought in most major European wars, usually alone. She…. disposed of enemy personnel and immortals. When the need is there, she's not a stone cold killer, she's a gleeful one…. And brutally efficient."
Dyson looks at Methos trying to take this in. "How do you know all that?"
Methos explains casually "I used to be a Watcher. I read the files and made it a point to memorize as much as I could about quite a few of the active ones."
Dyson nods. "I'm not hiding behind her."
Methos takes a swig of beer and as he turns to return to Kenzi he quietly says "Predictable…" to himself.
Returning to the table Kenzi asks "Trouble?" Methos nods in the affirmative.
Several nights Trick has invited Lauren and Dyson to his inner sanctum and Bo and Kenzi have tagged along.
Methos joins them, causing Lauren to become very wary. Methos hands an envelope to Dyson and then sits off to the side. Dyson opens the envelope and pulls out several pages of print. He looks at a page of photos and reads the file as the others watch. Dyson looks at Methos and says "I'm not sure I understand." He hands the copies to Lauren.
Lauren studies the file and emits a slight gasp part way through. She looks at Methos. "I killed the guy who killed who killed Adara."
Methos nods. "You got the wrong guy."
"But I was told that…"
Methos shakes his head "Whoever you talked to was wrong or they played you."
Dyson is confused. "What are you two talking about?"
Methos takes the file back and points to a pitifully short paragraph which reads "Subject killed a young immortal. Photos of the deceased were sent to the main office." There is a handwritten note added in the margin "Victim was identified as a student of Kyra's known as Adara - No Watcher assigned." Methos explains "My guess is he wanted her papyrus and she wouldn't give it up. She had no idea what she was messing with, but he probably would have killed her anyway."
Kenzi and Bo watch the discussion. Kenzi asks "So how bad is this guy?"
Methos looks at her and pauses to think before explaining "He wants to be what I was."
"So? The original is always best."
"I wouldn't want to bet my life on the difference, he's got a pretty good start and talent. Besides, he doesn't know me from… Adam."
"Why are you telling us this?" Lauren asks.
"Because he's coming here. He's hunting Dyson."
"That's certainly convenient." Lauren says with grim conviction.
Kenzi is a bit disappointed with Methos. "If you're the oldest aren't you like… the best?"
Methos shakes his head a bit. "With a sword….? There are quite a few other who are better. Sometimes the best fight is the one you avoid." Methos settles into a sprawl. "I'm better than average… Kyra here is probably in the… top twenty, if she isn't too rusty." The eyes in the room go to Lauren. Lauren squirms a bit.
"And how good is this guy?" Bo asks.
Methos shrugs. "Hard to tell, he's taken some pretty good immortals, but most of his fights were with fae or unknowns."
Dyson turns to Lauren. "I'm not going to hide. But I'd appreciate it if you teach me a few things."
Lauren snickers, "So you can fight him the way he's best prepared for? Dial the testosterone down a few notches."
Kenzi's eyes open wide. "Like Indiana Jones!" she says imitating the scene where Indy shoots the swordsman.
Methos snorts a bit and observes "She gets it. You're not obligated to fight by immortal rules. If you didn't know us, you wouldn't even know what those rules are. Things are already different from what he likely expects. For once, the fae target knows what he is and what he looks like."
Bo shifts nervously. "Could we not refer to Dyson as the target?"
As the group begins to break up and head for the bar area Laurel grips Kenzi's arm and pulls her toward Methos. Kenzi is shocked by the strength of Lauren's grip. Lauren looks to Methos. "Get her out of town." Methos nods.
Kenzi escapes Lauren's grip. "I'm not leaving my friends."
Lauren seizes Kenzi's arm again. "He'll target Dyson's friends. I trained Adara for ten years and she would have had no chance. We don't have ten years. Let him come, but I don't want him to find you."
Kenzi glares at Lauren. "And what of Bo? You don't think he'll target her? What about Trick or Hale?"
Methos says "Yes. But you are the most vulnerable. Remember what I told you. Live Kenzi, grow stronger, fight another day."
Lauren asks "Where would you take her?"
Methos shrugs and decides "Seacouver"
Lauren laughs "Yeah. Let him follow her there…." She sees Methos is serious and stops laughing. "This Ian guy, he will have studied this town, figured out who Dyson is close to… It's Dyson's home ground, but he will have neutralized that… You're thinking of taking more than Kenzi aren't you?"
Methos shrugs. "Perhaps, but he's not likely to go. But it would be the smart move"
Lauren pouts. "Take Bo too." Methos nods.
Kenzi is puzzled. "What's in Seacouver?"
Methos smiles knowingly enjoying Lauren's equally knowing smile "Not what, who" he says.
The three immortals catch up with the fae. Soon Methos and Lauren are comfortable embraced dancing to Bob Segar's "Turn the Page" as the Bo and Kenzi watch uneasily, especially Kenzi.
Bo asks Dyson "I thought you said she might leave town to get away from him?"
Dyson looks over at the two elder immortals and back to Bo. "Jealous?"
Bo feigns ease and responds "No. Just puzzled."
Trick asks "What do you sense?"
Bo watches them carefully before responding "Comfort…"
Dyson says "I thought I understood, but..."
Kenzi thinks. "I think I'm beginning to. He told me… Sometimes the only people that understand you are others like yourself… and often, they aren't your friends. They can be a threat to each other, if it comes down to the Gathering one will kill the other, but right now they can still take comfort in each others company. They are alone, always alone, always moving on. Nothing lasts…for them…..someday, maybe for me"
Trick places his had on hers and says quietly "Fae live a long time and you aren't alone."
Kenzi rubs her arm where Lauren gripped her and looks worried. "Are you okay?" Bo asks.
"She's got one powerful grip…"
Dyson observes "She would. I'm surprised I never noticed it before, she hides it well and we never had any reason to suspect that she's been using a sword for thousands of years."
Bo pouts a bit feeling betrayed by Lauren not telling her what she is. "From what I've learned, immortals… learn to be secretive and subtle….not unlike fae."
Dyson nods "There is a difference though. They prey upon one another."
Trick adds "Not always. This guy that's hunting Dyson prey's upon fae. Why?"
Dyson scowls and nods toward Methos. "Because he did."
Kenzi becomes defensive. "That's not fair. He also stopped hunting fae a long time ago."
Dyson counters "Not before setting this in motion intentionally or not."
Trick smiles and changes the topic. "It's been a long time since anyone danced here. But I've heard some grumbling about allowing humans…"
Kenzi says "Do you think they'd like it better if they knew there is eight thousand years of human out there dancing?"
Dyson growls "No."
Bo looks at Methos and Lauren. "I think it's sweet. Good for her."
Out of the floor, Methos says in a whisper "I'm having a difficult time training Kenzi. Some stuff she picks up well but the sword training…."
"Are you asking for help?"
"Yes. I've never had a student…"
Lauren chuckles a bit. "You mean other than Macleod?"
"He's not a student…."
Lauren leans back and looks into Methos eyes.
"Well, maybe he is in a way… Oddly, the stuff Mac won't pick up, Kenzi easily does."
"She's remarkable. Isn't she?"
"She will be if she lives long enough."
Lauren asks "How many wars have you fought in?"
Methos smiles a bit before responding "None."
"I've lost count." Lauren says as she snuggles close.
The next song begins – Brothers in Arms by Dire Straights
Methos asks "So, can you help me with Kenzi?"
"That's one of the main reasons I've been staying here…. to be available if she had her first death. But I would not have caused it. Why did you do that?"
"We found her here among the fae and thought she knew what she was. Mac asked me to come back and help her … you know how he is. I told them, even let Bo take my chi in front of them, but they still didn't believe. Besides, she might have been killed by the fae in a nonviolent way… "
"Yeah, that thought kept me up a lot of nights. It is a risk, but it is traditional. It's our way."
"Most pre-immortals aren't living hip deep in fae. She was already living outside what mortals consider real. You have to change with the times." Methos chuckles. So you'll help?"
"I'll work with her, but alone and near holy ground."
Methos is hurt. "You don't trust me?"
"Knowing what I know at the moment, would you trust you?"
Methos chuckles a bit, is still hurt but agrees "I guess not. One other thing…. We don't teach any fae."
"Agreed. I've noticed Kenzi seems a bit down."
Methos responds "You know her better than I do. That does happen sometimes. She may be one who thrives in risk. I've tried to build up a challenge for her…. doesn't seem to have worked."
A concerned Lauren asks "What did you do?"
"I suggested signing her up for the Dark Fae Invitational, or having her fight you…."
"Fight me?!"
"Yeah….. I figured that would scare the hell out of her since she saw that video…"
"You have a serious screw loose…."
"Possibly" Methos gives a sad chuckle. "I think she's starting to care for me."
Lauren is a bit surprised. "Really? Is that a problem?"
"I'm not ready…. And I've never been involved with another immortal that way. I still miss Alexa. Time is too short for them and her time was far shorter than most. Besides, I may not be able to do what I need to do if I allowed myself that luxury."
