Chapter 28: Everyone Comes to Joe's
Whenever he was in Seacouver, he seemed to spend most of the time at Joe's. There was something about the place that was soothing, and after a long trip through South America, there was nothing he wanted more than an ice-cold beer, a little blues music and some good company.
"Hi, guys," Methos said as he entered the bar to find Richie finishing off a hamburger while Joe sliced some lemons. "So no babysitting today?"
"Nah," Richie replied. "Duncan and Connor are taking Dawn sightseeing."
"Anywhere specific?" Methos asked as he sat on a bar stool beside the younger immortal.
"I think they were going to places that are quintessentially Seacouver like Brockton Public Market and Hastings Park," Riche said. "I understand you'll be joining us for supper at the Bayview."
"Yes, I finally get to meet the infamous Dawn," Methos said as Joe slid him a beer.
"She's a great kid. Bet she's thrilled at not having to spend yet another day at the dojo," Richie commented.
"Starting to go a little stir crazy?" Joe asked while he began slicing some limes.
"Oh yeah, but it's for her own protection," Richie said after a swig of beer. "Remember when Donna thought I was Jeremy's father?"
"How can I forget?" Joe said. "It was right around the time I was getting this place up and running."
"For which we are grateful," Methos said raising his bottle in thanks.
"When Kern came after Donna and Jeremy to get at me and Duncan, I was terrified. I don't think I could ever go through that again." Richie said.
"So you're wondering why Connor would take the same chance by taking Dawn in," Methos deduced.
"Yeah," he admitted.
"Well, the circumstances were a little different. Jeremy had his mother who had a support system of sorts. You knew she would have trouble dealing with the reality of your world so her leaving was the right decision for both of you," Joe pointed out not unkindly. "When that train derailed, Dawn lost her entire world and was completely alone. Given the various options, going to live with Connor was probably the best choice under those circumstances. As for Connor, he's had some experience in raising a traumatized child."
"Hey speaking of Rachel, did you guys know she's flying into town tonight from Athens?" Richie asked.
"Really?" Methos asked contemplatively.
"Yeah," Richie said catching a certain gleam in his friend's eyes. "You know her?"
A smile flickered across Methos' face. "Let's just say we were friends once."
"Really," Richie said intrigued.
"Yes, really, and don't bother asking because a gentleman never kisses and tells."
"So there was kissing involved," Richie said.
The barkeep laughed at the exchange as the phone rang. He put down the knife and picked up the receiver. "Joe's."
There was a moment of silence then a young female voice came on. "Um, is-is Duncan MacLeod there?"
"No, he isn't."
"Oh, um, is Richie Ryan there?"
"Yeah, hold on a sec," Joe replied then motioned to the man in question. "Phone for you."
Richie looked a little puzzled as he raised the receiver to he ear. "Hello?"
"Richie?" a fearful voice asked.
"Dawn? What's wrong?"
"They shot him!"
"What?! Take a deep breath and tell me everything."
Joe and Methos watched as Richie's expression got grimmer and grimmer as he listened to Dawn's explanation.
"Okay, here's what I want you to do," he told her. "There's a library in the mall. It's a little hard to find so ask for directions if you have trouble. I'll meet you there in fifteen minutes."
He hung up the phone and turned to his friends. "Some guys attacked Dawn and Connor while they were shopping. Conner was shot, and Dawn ran to the dojo, but they followed her. She lost them when she got on the LRT. She's at the Lexington Center."
"Why tell her to go to the library?" Joe asked.
"It's hard to find, who would think to look for her there and you can loiter without getting harassed," Richie replied as he grabbed his jacket.
"So you're going to pick her up on your motorcycle?" Joe asked then dug his keys out of his pocket. "Here, take my car."
"Thanks, Joe," Richie said.
"Where are you going to take her?" Methos asked.
"I guess back to my place," Richie said.
"Sure it's secure enough?" Methos asked.
"You could bring her here," Joe suggested.
"Because every blues bar needs a 14 year-old girl in the backroom," Methos said as he dug a key out of his pocket, grabbed a pen and wrote something down on a cocktail napkin. "Take her to my place. Here's the address, the key and the codes for the gate and the security system. Just key in the numbers and press 'Access'. I'll see if I can find Connor and Duncan."
"Keep me posted," Joe said as both men left.
