Disclaimer: I don't Highlander (or Stargate when I get to it)
Rating: Warning this chapter is K+ with a little M
Beta Reader: Michelle from the Official Highlander Message Board. Typo's are all mine.
Reviewers: FanLass – Thank you for the wonderful reviews, I'm so glad you liked the two chapters. They weren't the easiest of chapters to write but I really wanted to include Alexa into the story.
Author's Note: This chapter takes place right at the end of "One minute to Midnight" and mentions what happens in a story that was written for the book "An Evening at Joe's" called PANTS by Donna Lettow (Associate Creative Consultant).Update (2014): I went through each chapter to fix any mistakes; if I've missed any please let me know. This chapter has Chronicle Extracts included.
AAD
Chapter 26: After midnight
Extracts from the Nyssa Chronicles – Translated by Dr Daniel Jackson
1996 – 5 June (Paris, France)
– I hear about it on the 'Watcher Grape Vine' that Jack Shapiro killed Jacob Galati in retaliation for Galati killing his son. Damn stupid idiot Watchers, what the hell are they thinking? I also hear Joe, MacLeod and Methos were right in the middle of it. Now the shit is going to hit the fan and I know what I have to do. As soon as I finish writing this, I am ringing Nicolas Lambert. He knows what has to be done. Then I have to go and find Methos.
AAD
5 June 1996 – Paris, France
Methos looked hard at the watcher.
"What about you, Joe? Who are you going after?" He shouted then calmed down, however self-doubt crept into his voice. "I'm five thousand years old and I don't know who I am anymore." He got to his feet angry with himself, with the watchers, with Joe as well. "I just helped you set up one of my own!"
Joe looked at him sympathetically. "I didn't know he was going to kill him," he said, pleading for forgiveness. He hadn't known. He hadn't.
"You keep telling yourself that, Joe, maybe you'll believe it," Methos said bluntly and walked off into the night. He wanted to get as far away from the whole mess as he could. It was time for a vacation – perhaps Tibet.
He and Nyssa could go hiking, just be themselves for a while. Be Methos and Nyssa, not Adam and Carin. Get away from MacLeod, Dawson, the bloody watchers and other Immortals.
A familiar sensation passed over him seconds before the silver Lotus Elan pulled up beside him. He got in and it pulled back out onto the road and drove into the darkness.
"What Shapiro did is all over the watcher grapevine," Nyssa told him as she drove.
"I can't believe they were so stupid, I can't believe I was," Methos declared.
"You didn't know what he was going to do, Methos."
"I should have known, it was so obvious, he was angry over his son's death, he wanted revenge," he ranted then noticed the direction they were going in. "Something you want to tell me, little one?"
"I had a feeling you'd like to take a little trip so I called Nicolas. He'll clear the apartment out and take everything to the chateau," she informed him. "I have our bags and swords in the back."
Marisa Lambert, the chateau's caretaker for some forty or so years, had passed on the knowledge to her oldest son Nicolas when he'd turned 21. The young man had promised to keep the secret as his family had done for centuries. He had a good head on his shoulders for business and had suggested running the chateau as a hotel. Nyssa had agreed, as long as the museum wing and her private suites remained off limits. For the past two years, Chateau Pascal had been named in the top ten places to stay in France.
Nicolas was also good at doing impossible things, like cleaning out apartments in the middle of the night without anyone knowing it, and ferrying cars. He was reliable and loyal to Nyssa and Methos before anyone else. He'd also been informed about the Watcher Organization and kept an eye out for tattoos among the guests.
Methos glanced over to the back seat, two bags and a sword case were there and he looked back. "Do you have a destination in mind or are we just going to drive around?"
"My villa in St. Tropez to start with, then wherever you'd like," she informed him.
Methos lent back in his seat and closed his eyes. "Let me know when you want me to drive."
"I will," she said and left it at that.
Halfway to St. Tropez, he made her pull over and they changed places. He drove the rest of the way and they arrived at the villa in the early hours of the morning.
Methos carried their bags in and turned on the lights. Nyssa walked in behind him with the sword cases, shutting the door and locking it behind her.
"We should get some sleep," she noted and yawned.
"That, little one, is the best idea I've heard all night," he agreed.
"Damn right it is," she declared and headed for the bedroom.
Methos chuckled lightly and followed her; he dropped the two bags by the bed next to the sword cases. He removed his long coat, draping it over the chair. "Come on, little one."
She removed her coat and toed off her shoes then followed him into the ensuite. "I'll wash your back if you wash mine."
"And if I want to wash other places?" he inquired cheekily.
Nyssa grinned. "I'll let you do that too," she answered. She stripped off, being the first one in the shower.
Methos removed his shoes, then clothes and joined her; she had both showerheads going. A new feature she had added when she'd updated the villa. He smiled when she turned, her hair in tangles around her face. He remembered when she'd cut it the first time, she'd cried, but it had to be done and he'd been there for her.
Nyssa stepped closer, being drawn into his embrace, feeling his fingers in her hair. She looked up. "Whatever happens, Methos, we'll handle it."
"I know," he brushed his lips over hers and backed her against the shower wall. Already he could feel his body respond to her being so close, to the feel of her against him. The way she responded when they kissed, the tantalizing game their tongues played fuelled the ever-building fire.
Nyssa groaned against his mouth and hooked her leg over his hip, rubbing against him. He cupped her backside, kneading the soft flesh, and she moaned again. She held onto his shoulders and nipped at his chin and then his adam's apple making him shiver. His touch sent waves of ecstasy through her body.
"Methos..." she purred out his name, her body arched and screamed for more. "Please."
"Please what, little one?" He brushed his lips against her throat; the desire burning through him as it did her.
She bit her nails into his shoulders. "Make love to me."
He did, succumbing to her wants, to his own. Taking them both to that peak of orgasmic quickening and over it; enveloping both of them in ecstasy.
Nyssa stroked her fingers lightly over Methos' shoulder as he slept; she knew he was going to need time. What had happened had filled him with self-doubt, he didn't know who he was any more and, for any Immortal, that was bad.
He needed to find himself, whether with her or not. When he was ready to come home, she was going to be there for him, just as she always was, just as he was for her; it was part of how they survived.
AAD
Extracts from the Nyssa Chronicles – Translated by Dr Daniel Jackson
6 June – St. Tropez
– Methos and I have arrived in St. Tropez, at my villa. I'm writing this while he sleeps. Methos is shaken by what has happened, he is full of self-doubt and does not know who he is any more. For an Immortal that is dangerous. Getting away from Paris will help, staying away from the watchers and other Immortals will help even more. I believe it is time for a little journey of self-discovery again.
June
– I find out that the Watchers consider Adam Pierson and Carin Adams, Absent Without Leave (AWOL). I am not that worried and neither is Methos. We have decided to leave St. Tropez and fly to Bangladesh. It is has be some time since we have done some hiking.
I July
– My contact in the Watchers (and no I am not naming who they are) has revealed the new, democratically elected, Watcher Tribunal has meet for the first time and decided the fate of Jack Shapiro. They decided that the death of his son is more than enough punishment and allow him to retire. I will keep my views to myself in this matter; I am enjoying my newly found peace to lose it to nasty thoughts.
4 August
Seacouver, Washington, US – I was left behind in Bangladesh. There are times I could hunt Methos down and give him more than a piece of my mind. I know he wanted to find himself again, but there was no need to leave me behind. If he had asked I would have let him go on, on his own. But no, he leaves in the middle of the night without leave a note. The bastard! Trailing him was like going on a wild goose chase. Which is why I am back in the good old USA.
I am not really angry at Methos, more frustrated at the way he has ditched me. I am going to head over to Joe's Bar, perhaps Joe has heard something. That and I need a beer, or several.
AAD
4 August 1996 – Seacouver, Washington
Nyssa strolled into Joe's bar; a large television had been suspended from the ceiling at the end of the bar. Joe was watching along with MacLeod and another Immortal she didn't know though, if she were to guess, she'd say it was Richie Ryan.
Duncan turned, feeling the sensation of another Immortal, seeing Richie had done the same.
Joe looked, seeing who it was. He grinned. "Hey sweetheart." He waited until she came closer and swept her up into his arms. She seemed younger than before, if that was possible. "You okay?"
She nodded. "Have you seen Adam? I haven't seen him since Bangladesh."
"You just missed him, sweetheart, he was here long enough to get a beer and tell young Richie here about the true spirit of the Olympics."
Nyssa chuckled half-heartedly. "Pants or lack thereof," she said, reminiscing briefly. "Those were the days."
Richie overheard that. "Those were the days?"
Duncan groaned and introduced the two. "Richie Ryan, meet Carin Adams."
"Hi Richie," she shook his hand, "Nice to meet you."
He grinned. "You too." How did Macleod know all these beautiful women? "So... you know about the Ancient Olympics?"
"I do," she revealed. "The hero on the winner's platform wearing nothing but laurel leaves and a smile, his muscles gleaming from the run. It was irresistible."
"That's what Adam said."
She looked bemused, so much so that Duncan explained about 'Adam' telling them they didn't wear pants.
"He was telling you the truth," she mused. "They didn't wear pants. The part about him having to beat the Vestal Virgins off with a stick was a little exaggerated."
"And you know because?" Richie inquired.
"I was there." She smiled at his expression as she moved behind the bar to get herself a beer. She also took the time to see if there were any watchers in the bar, well other than Joe that is. "What, you don't actually think I was born with the name Carin Adams did you?"
"Well..." He looked a little coy.
Joe chuckled. "Trust me, Rich, she wasn't."
"Nope." Nyssa took a drink of her beer.
"So how old is Adam?" The young Immortal asked curiously.
She winked cheekily. "Old enough, Richie, old enough."
He and the others chuckled. "How old are you?"
Duncan groaned. "Rich, it's not polite to ask a woman her age, whether Immortal or mortal."
Joe couldn't help but laugh.
"No its okay, Duncan," Nyssa declared and came from around behind the bar. "Last birthday I was three thousand and twenty-four."
Richie nearly spat out his beer – the oldest Immortal he'd ever met had been Darius. "You're kidding right?"
"Nope."
"Well, um..." He felt a little uncomfortable. "You look great for your age."
"Thanks." She gave him a smile but it lost some of its edge as she recalled Daniel – Richie at that moment so reminded her of him when he was younger. "Well, I'll let you guys watch some more of the Olympics. I'll be over there." She gestured to a table and wandered over. She took a seat and contemplated her beer rather than drinking it.
Joe was concerned. "That's not like her."
Duncan had to agree. "No it's not." Then the reason hit him almost in the face. "Danny." He saw both Joe and Richie look at him. "Last month was Danny's birthday; they always found a way to celebrate it, whether with a phone call or a quick visit – not this year though."
Joe understood then. "This year she couldn't. Damn Adam, he shouldn't have left her."
"Whoa, back up a little fellas, who is Danny?" Richie interrupted.
"Danny is Daniel Jackson," Duncan explained. "He was her son."
Richie looked over at the young woman then back to his mentor. "Would this be the same Daniel you have as a nephew?"
Duncan nodded. "He was killed."
Richie's heart went to his throat. "Not by one of us trying to get to her?"
"No, on a dig run by the Air Force, it was all hushed up and classified," Joe revealed, having heard about it from MacLeod. "I should go and talk to her."
Richie put a hand on his arm, he had a feeling he should do it. "No, I'll go," he insisted and walked over there.
Duncan was proud of his former student, if anyone could help Nyssa now it was Richie.
The young Immortal sat down at the table. "You look like you could use some company."
Nyssa looked up; she'd been fiddling with the beer label. "Not really, Richie," she told him honestly.
He didn't give up. "What was he like?" He saw her arch an eyebrow. "Mac and Joe told me."
She should have known. "Danny was brilliant, caring..." She smiled a little, even knowing what she did, didn't take away the emptiness at times. "He looked at everything with such innocence, seeing it through his eyes made it all come alive again. He cared for others more than himself and in the end that's what got him killed."
"I'm sorry."
She knew he was and looking into his eyes reminded her of Daniel. "Thanks Rich."
He smiled warmly. "Hey, no problem, that's what I'm here for, a friendly face and someone to talk to."
At the bar, Joe and Duncan were keeping an eye on the two.
"I don't think you have to worry any more, Mac." Joe told him.
"I don't think so either," he agreed proudly.
AAD
Duncan tore his attention away from the Immortal working through the kata when he sensed the other Immortal approach. Richie walked into the dojo.
The younger man went over to him. "Hey, Mac."
"Rich." He gave him a smile. "I wasn't expecting you this morning."
Richie chuckled. "I got some sleep; we didn't talk the whole night." He paused; when he spoke his voice was full of admiration. "She is amazing, Mac." He looked from the Scot to the older Immortal. He could have said she looked incredible, her workout clothes were figure-hugging tight shorts and a crop top. She was stunning, even hot and sweaty, but he didn't see her that way. He had so much respect for her. "She's been through so much, done so much."
"Yes she has," Duncan agreed.
"Tell me something, Mac." He saw he had the Immortal's attention. "The chronicle you got from Darius, was she the old friend you took it to?"
"She was."
The younger Immortal chuckled softly. "I can understand why you didn't want Tessa to know."
"Yes, well Tessa didn't react too well to Amanda," Duncan admitted. "If she'd meet... N... Carin..."
Richie smiled. "Yeah, she's... so much more."
"A lot more," his friend declared. "I'm glad you got to meet her, Rich."
"Yeah, me too. No offense Mac, but I think I could learn a lot from her."
"None taken. Nys... Carin has had a lot more experience than I."
"Mac," Richie decided to tell him the truth. "It's okay; she told me she's Nyssa."
That surprised him. "She told you?"
"Yeah, surprised the hell out of me. I mean I've heard the stories about her; she's as big of a myth as Methos," the young Immortal revealed in awe. "Do they even have chronicles on her?"
"She's mentioned in several chronicles, but only as her alias."
"And only because as a Watcher she brought them to light."
"She told you about that too?"
"Yeah she did," Richie answered and then revealed, "You know, I think she's in love with Adam."
"That's an understatement, but I don't think either she or Adam think the time is right."
"Yeah I got that too." His voice softened. "She cried, Mac, one moment we were laughing and the next she was crying in my arms."
"I don't think she's really had a chance to grieve for Daniel, last night you gave her the chance, Rich." Duncan declared sincerely.
"I'm glad I was there for her."
"So am I."
Nyssa finished her kata and slowed her breathing. She saw the younger Immortal with the Scot. "Hey Rich." She grabbed her towel and joined them, patting down her face and shoulders.
"You were amazing," he praised.
"You should see me with a sword," she said with a gleam in her eyes.
Duncan rolled his eyes. "You're no match for her," he warned.
"Oh I know that," Richie declared. "And I haven't even seen her fight."
"Yes, well just because I don't like to fight, doesn't mean I can't," Nyssa informed them. "And if you like Rich, I'll show you a few moves Mac here won't."
Duncan shook his head. "Don't teach him any bad habits."
Nyssa looked shocked. "Mac, Mac, you sound like you don't trust me."
He started for the elevator. "I don't," he said. He lifted the grate and walked in then pulled it shut. "Don't break him," he smirked. He pressed the up button and the elevator moved.
She rolled her eyes. "As if I would." She winked at Richie and gave a 'come hither' gesture. "Come along, grasshopper." Turing she threw her towel back onto the bench as she walked to the centre of the dojo.
Richie removed his jacket and followed, grinning. Oh yeah, he was going to end up on his back quite a few times but it was going to be worth it.
After two straight hours of getting his ass kicked, they stopped for the day and headed up to the loft. Nyssa took a shower and dressed.
Duncan handed her a beer and she sprawled on the sofa. He chuckled. "You've been picking up bad habits."
She looked up at him. "Who says I didn't teach him this one?"
He snorted. Lifting her feet, he sat down and rested them on his lap. "Because I know better."
Sure, you do, MacLeod, she thought, but she didn't voice it.
"How long are you going to be staying?" Richie asked her.
She finished taking a drink. "For a while; I have nothing else to do."
Duncan was surprised to hear that. "You quit the watchers?"
"They've listed Adam and me as AWOL," she stated, "so I guess there's no going back now."
"So what will you do?" Richie wanted to know.
She shrugged. "Hang out here, annoy Mac. Joe might even give me a job at the bar."
Duncan chuckled. "You'd bring in customers."
"Thanks, Mac," she said, a touch sarcastically.
"You're welcome."
Nyssa shook her head. "Any time you want to hang out, Rich, just give me a call."
"I'll do that," he agreed happily.
She smiled and settled back, enjoying her beer as they continued to chat.
AAD
Extracts from the Nyssa Chronicles – Translated by Dr Daniel Jackson
August 1996
– I convinced Joe to give me a job at the bar and his customers have double overnight. That is no boost; it seems they prefer a young pretty face behind the bar. And it does give Joe a little more freedom to play the blues and of course keep Duncan MacLeod in his sights. I also happen to be very good at tending a bar, flirting with customers, and of course I get to corrupt Duncan's former student some more. Richie is a good kid, he reminds me of Daniel. I think I will keep an eye on him. He is still young.
AAD
05 September 1996, Seacouver, Washington
It was the clash of swords that greeted Richie as he revived. He'd been shot. Some slimy bastard had shot him in the heart killing him instantly with the intent of taking his head. Easing himself up, he saw what was going on. Not far from him, Nyssa was locked in combat with the person who had shot him. She'd taken the challenge away from him, thus saving his head.
Getting to his feet, Richie picked up his fallen sword and watched. He'd seen MacLeod fight, he knew his style and he recognised it in Nyssa's, but there were others too that he didn't know. Then again, she had a lot more experience than MacLeod, and a few more teachers.
He gasped aloud as she was forced down onto one knee by a combination of the force of the blow she blocked and her slipping, or seemingly slipping. What should have been the final blow was stopped by her bringing her sword up behind her head, blocking her opponent's sword. From out of nowhere it seemed, she drew a short sword and thrust it into his stomach.
The guy swore at her. Richie couldn't hear what she said but from the look on her face it was evident she didn't care for his tone. She released the sword as he went down onto his knees. She stood, drew back her sword and without any thought or remorse swung, separating his head from his shoulders.
Richie watched her step back, waiting for the Quickening. The white mist rose from the headless body and swirled around her before forcing itself into her body. Then it began in earnest, making Richie duck his head and crouch down; it felt like everything around him was exploding. Lightning streaked around and hit Nyssa; she screamed, her body convulsing with every strike.
Finally he looked up when it stopped – the screaming, the lightning, the explosions. Her gaze met his and for an instant, Richie wasn't in awe of her. No, a shiver ran down his spine and cold fear gripped his heart. No, for a split-second, he was afraid of her.
Then it was gone.
He jumped to his feet as she staggered and rushed to her, holding her up. "Do you know who that guy was?"
"Andreas Spiros, he wasn't after you Rich, he was after me," she revealed, wincing a little. Her skin tingled from the quickening. "Let's get out of here."
"Good idea."
"I have them occasionally," she retorted. Pulling out of his hold, she went over to the body, extracted her short sword from his chest and wiped it on his shirt before replacing it inside her long coat. Together they went to the 69 fastback Ford Mustang she'd bought. "At least your watcher wasn't around to see that."
"What about Spiros?" Richie asked as he got in, putting his sword at his feet.
She'd gotten in the driver's side, her sword going into the custom-made holder. "I didn't see anyone." She started the car, donned her sunglasses and drove away.
"Are you sure you're okay to drive?"
"I'm good," she insisted, it wasn't the first Quickening she'd taken and then driven. A block away though, she pulled over and got out her cell phone, gesturing for Richie to stay quiet. She hit speed dial and waited. "Hey Claire, its Carin Adams... I'm good. Look, I just saw your boy take a challenge... yeah, Andreas Spiros." She gave her the location. "The damn Quickening took out my cell; I had to drive away from the scene... No problem, bye Claire." She closed her phone, ending the call.
"You're saying I took Spiros' head?" Richie was surprised.
"Well, as Carin Adams I'm not even Immortal and Nyssa doesn't exist except in myths, remember." She tucked her cell away and pulled back into traffic. "Hey look at this way, Rich; they think you took down a Greek General."
He saw her smirk. "That is kinda cool."
"Oh yeah," she agreed and laughed with him.
AAD
18 September 1996 – Joe's Bar
Joe was sitting at a table jotting down notes. He didn't have to open for a couple of hours so it gave him time to get some answers from the Immortal seated across from him. The same Immortal had also managed to talk her way into a job at his bar; that is, he'd let her think she was talking him into it – to Joe it was a boon having her there – the things he could find out now!
"Did you meet Demetrious Marinos?" He asked as she poured another glass of scotch.
"In 701 BC in Greece, Dem came to my rescue after I was attacked. He said he didn't want my head, just my friendship. He invited me back to his home and from that moment on, he treated me like a little sister, even though I was older than him." Nyssa revealed and took a drink, smiling. "His men were frightened of him but he was a big teddy bear around me."
Joe chuckled. "Only you would call a Greek General a teddy bear."
She shrugged lazily. "After that, I ran into him again in Greece but this time in 780 AD. He was married to a lovely woman, Katina, who knew he was Immortal. She welcomed me like family. Then I didn't see him until 1235 AD when I was in England. He was getting married again and introduced me to his fiancée as his sister. She was charming too and adored Dem."
He looked up from his notepad. "Any other interesting titbits'?"
Nyssa smiled a little. "In 513 AD, I meet King Arthur, Guinevere and Merlin and I lived at Camelot for seven years. It was Arthur's sword-maker who made the sword I use now; the metal was given to him by Merlin."
Joe looked at her stunned. "You're kidding."
"No."
He quickly wrote all of that down before he forgot it.
She continued when he was finished. "In 1262 I had a run in with Robin of Loxley and his merry men. I stayed with them for two years until one of King John's men put an arrow in my back and I died and revived in Robin's arms. He agreed to keep my secret but I had to move on. I left him with a kiss."
"Robin of Loxley – as in Robin Hood?"
Nyssa poured herself another drink and refilled Joe's class too. "He was a nice guy." Her cell phone rang before another question could be asked. She answered it. "Adams..." Her eyes brightened at the voice on the other end. "Of course I do. Where are you...? When do you arrive...?" She chuckled. "No I won't... Watch your head." She finished the call and put away her phone.
"So..." Joe prompted, though he had an idea. He knew only one man who could make her beam like that.
"Methos is flying in, in two days. He doesn't want me to tell MacLeod."
Joe laughed. "Planning on surprising him, is he?"
"He is, but then Methos always did have a habit of just popping in," Nyssa revealed and they laughed together. "So let's just keep this to ourselves, Joe."
He closed his notebook. "I'm all for that," he said with a smile. "As long as you get the old man to sit down with me like you have."
"Deal." She stood and placed a kiss on the top of his head. "You're a hard man to bargain with, Joe Dawson."
"Yeah right, patronizing me will not get you a raise. I know what you're worth," he informed her bluntly.
Nyssa walked over to the bar, then behind it, grinning. "I lied about that, Joe. I'm worth triple what I told you."
Joe looked at her stunned. For a brief moment, he wondered if she was telling the truth about that and about what she'd been telling him. Sighing, he realized he might never know.
AAD
To be continued in Chapter 27: Return of Death and his Archangel
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