Chapter Twenty one
Le Blues Bar was beginning to transform into a picturesque setting to bring on the night of promise and deception.
The preparations for the small party were finally complete with all the dusting and decorating until the bar shined.
Joe was so proud talking about the guests that were expected. A few special artists agreed to play tonight with the band and Dawson could hardly contain his excitement.
Beth went to change into her dress early. Duncan had to smile when she asked if she could keep her sword.
He asked her, "Where would you put it?"
She insisted, "Strapped to my back, I'll feel naked without it."
Putting his sword away first, Duncan assured her, "I think we should keep both our swords behind the bar. The bartender won't let anyone else touch them."
Beth finally relented but only after she met Rick and saw for herself that he could be trusted.
The band was already set up and softly playing a few tunes to work into the selections for tonight.
There was a long table set out with dishes filled with food of all kinds. Beth was walking around the table taking tiny samples.
He went over to her and said, "Beth you had a big lunch you should wait until later."
"Here try this," she urged him holding up a small shrimp ball for him to taste.
Duncan relented and ate it. "Umm, it's good," he said, "Now that's all." He commanded pulling her away from the table.
She laughed at him and grabbed a crab cake stuffing it quickly in her mouth appearing very unladylike.
Wiping crumbs from her face, he held her gently leading into a slow dance.
He told her, "Now you behave tonight no challenging anyone."
She gave him a mock look of surprise and put her arms up around his neck following the rhythms of his movements. Then drawing herself up taller she kissed him to let her actions speak for her.
As the evening passed peacefully enough the highlander saw a wave from across the room. "Joe," Duncan called out, "What did you want to tell me?"
Joe turned and waved Mac to follow while he moved through the crowed towards them. When they had met halfway and he leaned closer to whisper, "I count four Watchers here."
Duncan said, "Too many for a private party." He then leaned over to whisper to Beth, "Follow my lead no matter what." She nodded her understanding that something was amiss.
They stayed little longer to enjoy the music and dancing with all the guests. Duncan tried to teach her some new moves.
The music picked up in tempo and shook the windows and anyone standing near the large speakers. Everyone took a chance when it came to dancing with the band that played like there was no tomorrow.
Duncan's thoughts wandered as he danced, "What were the Watchers planning by showing up in number?" He didn't think it was a social call. Squeezing Beth's hand, he felt her return squeeze.
He wished he felt more prepared to anticipate what the watchers next move would be. He was not ready for them again so soon. He tried to give the appearance of having a good time and not caring who was there.
When the music stopped for the band members to have a break the applause went on for minutes while Duncan led Beth to the back of the room.
He took her face with his hands to gaze intently into her eyes. Those eyes let him dream of possibilities. Then he kissed her.
For a long moment, nothing happened but then Mac looked up in time to see three watchers coming through the crowd with their hands in their pockets.
Joe was on the alert and suspected fowl play was about to happen. He shouted, "Mac get out of here!"
Duncan grabbed Beth's hand tightly and pulled her toward the back door. Their swords were out of reach and they would have to retrieve them later.
At the back door, Duncan kicked it open and they ran for his car parked a short distance away. Behind them, they heard running footsteps. Not turning to see who pursued them, the race ensued.
Beth was trying to stay ahead and get to the car first followed by Duncan with his keys ready. Unlocking the door he shoved Beth inside and shut the door in time as the three Watchers caught up with them.
Keeping himself between the car and the Watchers, Duncan asked, "What do you want?"
The menacing figure answered, "You should know the answer MacLeod. Egan wants you to join us or die and anyone else with you." He held up a gun and a short sword.
Duncan answered, "I'm not joining him."
The other watcher held an assault rifle pointed at him saying, "Then it's time you were taken out of the game."
He warned them, "This is a mistake you can't interfere or there will be nothing but slaughter as a result." He signaled to Beth behind his back to move over.
While the watchers laughed at him, they raised their guns higher preparing to fire. Beth climbed into the driver seat and started the car. He quickly opened the door and jumped in instructing her, "Put it in gear and give it the gas!"
The killers rained bullets on them shattering the windows as she tried to make the car go forward. Duncan was taking too many hits while shielding her.
The car lurched into motion with Beth now steering erratically. Hitting a few cars on her way down the street MacLeod told her not to stop.
The gunman ran to their car and decided to keep pursuing. They started the engine and raced after with two men leaning out of the window still firing.
Beth drove randomly down any street and screamed as more windows shattered and glass pelted them.
Duncan leaned over to help her steer, "Keep your foot on the gas pedal." He told her.
They heard sirens in the distance and getting louder. The black car chasing them gave up and turned down a street to get away from the scene.
Maneuvering to a small alley a few miles away, Mac told her to stop now. Taking out his cell phone, he saw it was undamaged. He was in a lot of pain as he hit the memory button for Joe's bar.
Hearing the ringing it was finally answered by Rick. Mac could hear the commotions in the background when he asked for Joe Dawson.
"Joe, what happened?" He demanded as soon as he heard Joe speak. "There were three killers posing as Watchers shooting at us. They said I had to join them or die," said Duncan with his voice sounding weaker.
Joe could not answer at first when he did his voice was equally in pain, "Mac, I'm sorry. I don't know why they would want to interfere by killing you and Beth."
Duncan told him, "It's not for money but for the Game. That's our war!"
Feeling helpless, Joe said, "I'll find out why Mac, I promise. It's becoming more ominous all the time." Then he asked, "When do you want to get your swords?"
"Right now come out front in a few minutes and throw them to me when we pass by," he instructed then he coughed up some blood.
Joe told him, "The local police were already here so I sent them in the direction of the Watcher's compound. You should be in the clear."
He hung up the phone receiver and thought of all the curses he could send Egan's way. Duncan lay back in the seat breathing with difficulty. He then asked her, "Beth, do you think you can drive back to Joe's place?"
She told him, "If no one is shooting at us I think I can." Her hands shook as she wiped his face with a cloth.
Duncan gave her a little smile and said, "That's my girl I know you can do it. After we get our swords back I think we should go on our trip." His eyes then closed.
She cried out, "Duncan! Wake up. Don't pass out now!" Shaking him, she realized he had died from the wounds and might not be coming around for a while.
She started the car and drove slowly while looking out for Watchers and police cars. Pulling up in front of Joe's place, she could not see him yet. "Duncan, wake up." She said in vain.
The door of the bar opened and Joe came out with the swords. The window was shattered so Joe leaned over to put the swords in. Seeing the condition Duncan was in, he swore. "Damn it!" Joe cried out in anger, "Why is this happening right now!"
Beth asked him, "Joe help me please?" In spite of the circumstances, she wanted to be brave.
Joe made a decision to get in the car. He told her, "I'll drive you to the barge and when Duncan wakes up you should be packed and ready to leave."
Beth asked him, "What about you?"
"I'm afraid my time is still in limbo." He replied but hoping he was wrong.
Right now, he was too mad to concern himself with retributions. If Methos could sacrifice himself so could he. Amy would just have to understand.
She slid over to hold Duncan as Joe carefully got in to drive the car to the barge with questions and confusion the whole way.
Joe remained silent thinking of how he could turn this incident into a scandal. He could report the watchers for breaking up a private party killing MacLeod and threatening Beth as well.
He kept saying, "This is way too personal." His anger needed a way to vent. "I'm going to fry Egan for this it's bad enough what he's telling Methos but that was his own free will to go back into the Watchers. He did not have to answer that summons." Joe could do nothing about that but this...yes this was different.
With so much damage between watchers and immortals, more than one night could absorb. Joe placed all his trust in what Duncan told him about the Gathering and the Grand Immortal's words. There must be a way to make peace without total bloodshed.
.