Chapter 36

"I thought you said Cassie just turned 15 and the twins are almost 13?" Richie asked as he looked at the photos Adam pulled from his wallet on the drive from the airport. "They look more like 7 and 5." He laughed.

Methos rolled his eyes. "OK, so I don't swap out photos regularly. I see them every day, so I really hadn't thought about it. They were in the wallet when Beth gave it to me. Nothing annoys me more than people who drivel over how wonderful their children are and push photographs under your nose as if you really care to see." His admission made Richie laugh harder, the old guy was still in there … a little softer around the edges maybe, but he was still there.

"Do you have any other pictures, maybe back at the house from Christmas?" Richie was hopeful. He hadn't seen them since they were toddlers and had hoped to catch up a little.

Adam thought a minute, but shook his head. "Beth took the camera back with her, and all the holiday photos and video were in her bag."

"Awww man, that is so lame." He tossed Adam's wallet across the seat. "I wish I'd gotten here before they left."

"Yeah well … it wasn't for our lack of trying." He reminded him. "Where were you anyway?"

"I started a European rodeo circuit. At first it was just a way to market my horses, only had a few events … but then … when I found out they would go nuts over it, I expanded. We field every event they have here in the states."

"I guess that includes bull riding too?" Adam reminded him. "Hope your career doesn't get cut short again by a well placed horn."

"I run the show, I don't ride." Richie assured him. "I'm doing pretty well for myself too. If my investments turn out I could be set for a long time."

Adam nodded. That was good to hear.

They pulled into the parking lot of the hospital and sat for a few minutes in the car. Neither was ready to go in, and yet … both wanted to be there for Joe.

"I don't see how you ever get used to this man." Richie admitted.

"What makes you think I do?" Adam slammed the door of the SUV and used the keyring to set the security feature before striding into hospital with Richie right behind.

When the young immortal walked into Joe's room, he was shocked to see the oxygen mask on his face and all the tubes and monitors. It took a moment before Joe opened his eyes, but when he did, it was as if new life had been breathed into his lungs. He fumbled with the controls on the side of the bed so he could sit up and pulled the mask from his face.

"It's good to see you Richie." Joe took a long pause for breath and held out a hand. "I'd hoped to see you again." Richie moved to take it and then leaned to embrace him.

"I'm sorry it took so long Joe. I'd have been here sooner …"

"No regrets Richie. No regrets." Joe shook his head when he interrupted. "You are here and that is what matters."

Duncan had been leaning against the far windowsill. "Did you have a good trip?" he asked as he pushed himself away from the sill and walked to give Richie a quick hug and slap on the back.

"Nothing special, but not bad." Richie admitted. "How've you been Mac?"

"I'm good Richie. We had a good holiday. Wish you could have been here."

Richie nodded. He did too.

"Would you two mind leaving Richie and I alone for a while?" Joe held the mask to his face as soon as his words were out.

Duncan gave Richie's shoulder a squeeze as he followed Adam out the door.

For the next hour, Joe listened as Richie recounted what he'd been doing since they last saw one another. He was proud of Richie for making a success of his business, and let him know it. "I always knew you had great things inside you kid."

Richie let out a slight laugh. "I'm glad somebody did. I wasn't really sure myself for a long time."

"You were young, and just needed some good friends and a few breaks."

"I'd trade it all if it meant you didn't have to go through this Joe." His face showed his sincerity.

"I appreciate that Rich, but it's my time."

"I just wish I could do something … you saved me once, I wish I could do the same for you."

Joe knew he was referring to the day he shot MacLeod when he was in a crazed state from the dark quickening and was an instant away from severing Richie's head from his body. "It wasn't your time, and hopefully … it won't be for a long, long time."

Changing the subject, Joe asked about how Richie managed to keep his secret. "It sounds like you travel a lot, but aren't you worried someone might begin to wonder? You aren't exactly keeping to yourself."

"It won't be a problem for a while I don't think. I keep a low profile … run things from the shadows you might say. We move from city to city, and the people who work for me on the ranch and on the circuit mind their own business. They are interested in the horses and for the most part don't ask many questions about anyone."

Joe could see that. It was the same among musicians he had known. They shared a passion and didn't make someone else's business their own. "I hope it works out the way you want Richie."

A nurse came in to take his vitals, interrupting them for a few minutes. When she had gone, Joe couldn't help asking. "So are you still seeing that Senorita? The one with the big … "

"That would be a … no." Richie laughed before his tone became sad. "Ther'esa was great, but she wanted to live near her family and have lots of children … and well … I knew it wouldn't be fair to let things go on … not for either of us."

"You'll find someone someday where it will be right." Joe was certain of that. "It's just a matter of time."

Richie hoped that was true. He had long since tired of one night stands and relationships with no future. He wanted more, but for now … he focused on his work and building his finances and tried not to think about how much he missed Claudia.

It had been over a dozen years since Claudia's death, and Richie knew that in a different way … Joe's death would hit him just as hard. At times he'd been his friend, and at times he'd been like a father.

"I wish I'd come sooner." he admitted somberly before Duncan and Adam returned.

Over the next week, the three immortals hardly left Joe's side. Esperanza stayed for hours on end and even agreed to smuggle a few of Joe's favorite foods. There was no need to deny him, and he was too weak to eat much anyway. He managed a few bites and then would drift off into an uncomfortable sleep, waking often and complaining that he couldn't breathe.

On the fourth morning, Adam had gone back to the house to shower and call Beth to check on the family. He'd no sooner hung up the phone than it rang again.

"You need to get here." was all Duncan had to say.

Joe had thrown a blood clot and arrested a half-hour before and was now on a respirator. Richie, Esperanza and Duncan had been with him, and only a moment before had answered him when he'd asked what time it was.

That was the last thing he would say. There wouldn't be any final declarations of comfort or goodbye. Joe slipped into a coma knowing his friends were with him. In absence of any family members, and not knowing when this time might come, Joe had signed over his medical decisions to Esperanza.

It wasn't a difficult decision. Joe had always been about life and this is not the way he would want to cling to it. Shortly after Adam arrived, when the doctors gave them no hope of him ever regaining consciousness, she let the nurse know they were ready.

Joe lingered almost an hour after the respirator was removed. Adam called the number in Joe's address book for Amy, but there was no answer. It was just as well he supposed.

As for himself, Adam had no regrets where Joe's passing was concerned. They hadn't felt the need for any last declarations of friendship or poignant words. That had never been what their friendship was about. They understood one another and everything that needed to be said … had already been said.

Sam arrived a few moments before Joe expired. He said nothing, but set a package on the floor and waited in silence with the others. When the line had gone flat, a nurse came in, unhooked the last monitor and told them they would be back to take care of their friend in a while. "You can stay with him if you like."

As soon as she left the room, Sam closed the door and set the package on the table at the foot of the bed. Reaching in he pulled out a bottle of Glenmorangie, 4 shot glasses and a bottled six pack of beer.

"Joe wanted you all to know … this round is on him." he explained. He realized he was one glass short when Esperanza did not hesitate to pick the first he poured from the table.

"I won't need a glass." Adam assured him as he popped the tops off 5 bottles and handed them around. "Just hand over the bottle when you're done."

Duncan and Adam knew he'd had both of them in mind when he'd chosen the liquor, and couldn't help but smile and shake their heads that Joe would find a way to reach out to them even now.

Standing around the bed, with a shot in one hand and a beer chaser in the other, the only thing left was a proper toast.

Duncan cleared his throat and raised his glass high, blinking back his emotions.

"To Joe Dawson … A truer friend I have never known. A man who walked taller among men and immortals, there will never be. Walk on my friend and remember us well."

"To Joe." The words repeated among the rest before they downed their shot and took a long, reverent sip of beer.