Chapter 2
They had been at the hospital for several hours, the doctors had examined Alex and run numerous tests, a nurse was stitching the wound when Duncan noticed the doctor in the corridor, and he mouthed to Alex that he would be right back. The doctor stop as Duncan approached "Ah Monsieur MacLeod I was just coming to talk to you, your friend can go home when the nurse is finished" Duncan looked over to Alex "Can you say when her memory will return?" Duncan asked, the doctor followed Duncan's gaze "in cases like this where there has been a trauma to the head the memory tends to return on it's own.I'm afraid I can't tell you when that could be it.maybe today or it could be weeks" the doctor then handed Duncan a piece of paper "if she starts to suffer any of the symptoms listed here bring her straight back" Duncan thanked the doctor before returning to Alex.
Alex had watched from the cubical as the Doctor spoke with Duncan in French "what did he say?" Alex asked as Duncan came back to her "Well he said you have to be patient.your memory will return when it's ready" Duncan replied smiling at her. Alex swung her legs off the bed "Great so what do they suggest I do.I've no money, no way of proving who I am.I don't even have any where to stay" Alex said as she pulled on the jumper Duncan had leant her. Duncan was stood by the bed his hands clasped together in front of him his long black coat draped over his hands "you can stay with me until you get your memory back".
Alex shook her head "No you've done enough already I don't want to put you out any more" Duncan leant forward putting his hand on her shoulder "your in no condition to be wandering the street.your coming with me and that's the end to it" Duncan said as he helped Alex to her feet. She looked up at him "Ok you win.but I get the couch" Duncan smiled "Ok you get the couch now let's go".
Maurice's boat was in darkness when Duncan parked the car, Duncan took Alex's hand to help her as she got out of the car, "you don't have to do this you know.I mean you don't even know me" Duncan put his head on one side "Ok you tell me where to take you and I'll take you there" Alex smiled weakly "you've got me there"
"Then it's settle you'll stay here until your memory returns" Duncan said as turned on the lights in the barge "but when is that going to be" Alex said as she walked over and flopped down on the couch, Duncan shrugged "would you like something to drink?"
"Yeah a cup of tea would be great" Alex said as she fiddled with the dressing, Duncan raised his eyebrows "I think I can manage that" he said as he disappeared into the kitchen. Duncan came back with a tray with two cups, a pot of tea and milk on it he placed it down on the table as he sat at the other end of the couch, "from you accent I think we'll start with the British Embassy on Monday see if they can help.I mean you sound British and if they have no record of you then we'll try the other English speaking embassies" Duncan poured the tea into the cups, followed by some milk, he then raised the sugar to Alex, she shook her head " So what is the last thing you remember?" Duncan asked as he handed a cup to her. As Alex took the cup her hand shook and she had to take hold of it with both hands "Err.I remember looking down at some water.I was tired and my shoulders ached so I took my back pack off and held onto to it with one arm.That's it My back pack it will have stuff in it to tell me who I am.it must be on the bridge" Alex said moving quickly to the edge of the couch so fast the some of the tea spilt into the saucer "Heh Take it easy" Duncan said putting his hand on her arm as he put down his cup "I'm afraid it won't be much help.it was dragging you down so I took it off.it'll be at the bottom by now" Duncan watched as her eyes dulled as she realised that hope was gone. Duncan stood up "Anyway it's late I think you'd better get some rest.you take the bed I'll take the couch" Alex put her cup down "No.I said I'd sleep on the couch" Duncan was about to protest when Alex put her hand up "Look it's simple.it's a question of size.I'll fit better on the couch".
Duncan walked over to one of the trunks opened it and picked out a couple of sheets and blankets. As he walked back to Alex he said "you need to rest the bed would be better" Alex shook her head as she took the blankets from him "No the couch is fine.the way I feel I could sleep on the floor". After helping Alex to make up the couch Duncan made sure that she was comfortable before going to bed himself, he sat reading for a short while before turning off the light and settling down.
Duncan didn't know how long he had been asleep when he leaped up as he heard shouting "NO PLEASE NO.KEEP BREATHING.OH GOD..YOU BASTARDS!!!" fumbling for the light switch Duncan was quickly to his feet his sword in his hand but as his eyes scanned the dimly lit room he could see there was no one there but the shouting continued. Duncan grabbed his robe as rushed over to the couch Alex was thrashing around her face covered in sweat, Duncan put his sword back by the bed and made his way round he knelt beside the couch, gently he rested his hands lightly on Alex's arms "Hey.Alex calm down.your safe here..Alex.Alex".
Alex's eyes shot open, Duncan could see the hate in her eyes as she pressed herself against the back of the couch "It's all right.it's just a dream" Duncan said softly his hand stroking her hair. It took Duncan a few minutes to calm Alex down, he then went to the kitchen returning with a glass of water which he hand to her, she drank the water down in quick gulps. "Do you want to talk about it?" Duncan asked as he took hold of the empty glass "Err I don't remember much about it" she lied, the faces, the blood, the terror and anger all fresh in her mind but she couldn't make sense of them, she knew that she should know the faces she had seen but her mind just wouldn't reveal their identity. "You try and get some more rest," Duncan said as he got up he went back to the bed.
Duncan tried to go back to sleep but he couldn't relax, he had seen people have nightmares before and he had enough himself to know whatever was haunting Alex had to be bad and could be another reason for her memory loss, so he sat in bed reading until he could see daylight through the portholes. He pulled on his sweats deciding to do his workout but as he tried to walk quietly past Alex she woke up "where are you going?" Alex asked sleepily "I'm just going outside, try and go back to sleep" Duncan said, Alex closed her eyes and Duncan quietly closed the door behind him. It was just after dawn as he climbed onto the deck the air was cold Duncan's breath was visible as he worked out.
Just as Duncan was coming to the end of his workout he felt the presences of an Immortal his eyes scanned the bank. Walking out of the tunnel was a figure it's hands in the pockets of the crumpled brown raincoat that was pulled tightly around his body, as the figure walked closer Duncan recognised his old friend and relaxed. As the figure walked up the gangplank Duncan jumped down to greet him "Methos a little early for you isn't it?" Methos grinned "I just got back into town.I was too early to check in so I thought I'd drop in on my good friend Duncan MacLeod" Methos said as he walked towards the door Duncan step forward blocking his path "come on MacLeod it's freezing out here.or is there someone in there you don't want me to see" Methos said a grin breaking out on his face "No.I mean yes there's someone down there but no I'm not trying to stop you seeing them.it's just she had a bad night she was still asleep when I came out.wait here I'll check if she is awake".
Duncan quietly opened the door, he got to the top of the steps when he noticed that the bedding was neatly folded at one end of the couch and he could hear the shower, so he when back and opened the door to let Methos in "About time Macleod it's freezing out here" Methos said as he went around Duncan "It's not like your about to die of cold" Duncan said as he followed Methos down the steps, Methos stopped abruptly as he saw the pile of bedding, he turned to Duncan "Losing your touch MacLeod?" Methos said as he nodded towards the couch. Duncan shook his head "Coffee?"
"Yes.I'd love one" Methos said as he sat down at the other end of the couch from the bedding. Duncan returned with three cups and a pot of coffee, he poured them both a cup, he handed one to Methos "So Mac where did you meet her.I take it's a her" Duncan took a sip of his coffee, he then explained the previous nights events. Methos laughed "You pushed her in the river! You must be getting desperate if that's your new chat up line"
Duncan raised his eyebrows "no I was trying to stop her throwing herself into the river". A big grin broke on Methos's face "Well it didn't work did it" but then Methos's face became serious "you know it's not a good idea to have strangers around MacLeod.I mean you don't know anything about her or what she was doing on the bridge.which I might add overlooks your barge" Duncan shook his head "you are always so suspicious.she's not a Watcher I've checked"
"It's served me well, I have managed to last 5000 years being suspicious.anyway I wasn't think she was a Watcher.there could be other reasons" Methos said as he refilled his cup "there is something troubling you isn't there?"
Duncan looked down at the coffee in his cup swilling it around and sighed "It's just.she had a nightmare last night I mean not just a little one.shouting, sweating and when she open her eyes the look of pure hatred.I'm wondering if her amnesia isn't just the trauma but something she is hiding from"
"That's my point you don't know what she could be.take her to an Embassy and leave her there, it's not your problem" Duncan was about to answer when Alex came out of the bathroom, dressed in the clothes Duncan had leant her the night before, her hair wrapped in a towel, she had just unwrapped her hair when she saw the stranger, Duncan could see her discomfort and went over to her "Err.Alex this is a friend of mine.Adam Pierson.Adam this is Alex Rogan" Methos smiled and nodded in Alex's direction. Duncan looked over at Methos "I'm going to grab a quick shower.so can you look after Alex, I won't be long" with that Duncan disappeared into the bathroom. Methos smiled at Alex as he poured her a cup of coffee "Mac was telling me what happened.so you don't remember anything?" Methos asked suspiciously. Alex sat down and took the cup Methos was offering, she took a sip and put the cup down as she scratched the dressing on her head "I wish I could but if it wasn't for a letter in my pocket I wouldn't have a clue what my name was" Alex replied as the dressing came away "here let me do that" Methos said putting down his cup "No it's fine I can manage" but Methos was already on his feet "it's all right I have medical training you know.I might be a little rusty but I think I can remember how to dress a wound".
After he had examined the wound he rummaged through one of Duncan's trunks until he found a first aid kit 'trust the Highlander to be prepared.he's such a boy scout' Methos thought to himself as he walked back to where Alex was sitting. Methos gently put the new dressing on her head and taped it in place. "There that didn't hurt now did it?" Alex looked up and smiled at Methos "Quiet a gentle touch you have there" Alex replied, they then both looked over to the steps as Duncan came down them and took his coat off the coat hooks "look I'm going to take Alex into town.see if anything jogs her memory.your welcome to stay here.just lock up when you leave" Duncan waited until Alex had joined him before they left the barge. Methos sank back into the couch and put his feet up "Aah this is the life".
They had been at the hospital for several hours, the doctors had examined Alex and run numerous tests, a nurse was stitching the wound when Duncan noticed the doctor in the corridor, and he mouthed to Alex that he would be right back. The doctor stop as Duncan approached "Ah Monsieur MacLeod I was just coming to talk to you, your friend can go home when the nurse is finished" Duncan looked over to Alex "Can you say when her memory will return?" Duncan asked, the doctor followed Duncan's gaze "in cases like this where there has been a trauma to the head the memory tends to return on it's own.I'm afraid I can't tell you when that could be it.maybe today or it could be weeks" the doctor then handed Duncan a piece of paper "if she starts to suffer any of the symptoms listed here bring her straight back" Duncan thanked the doctor before returning to Alex.
Alex had watched from the cubical as the Doctor spoke with Duncan in French "what did he say?" Alex asked as Duncan came back to her "Well he said you have to be patient.your memory will return when it's ready" Duncan replied smiling at her. Alex swung her legs off the bed "Great so what do they suggest I do.I've no money, no way of proving who I am.I don't even have any where to stay" Alex said as she pulled on the jumper Duncan had leant her. Duncan was stood by the bed his hands clasped together in front of him his long black coat draped over his hands "you can stay with me until you get your memory back".
Alex shook her head "No you've done enough already I don't want to put you out any more" Duncan leant forward putting his hand on her shoulder "your in no condition to be wandering the street.your coming with me and that's the end to it" Duncan said as he helped Alex to her feet. She looked up at him "Ok you win.but I get the couch" Duncan smiled "Ok you get the couch now let's go".
Maurice's boat was in darkness when Duncan parked the car, Duncan took Alex's hand to help her as she got out of the car, "you don't have to do this you know.I mean you don't even know me" Duncan put his head on one side "Ok you tell me where to take you and I'll take you there" Alex smiled weakly "you've got me there"
"Then it's settle you'll stay here until your memory returns" Duncan said as turned on the lights in the barge "but when is that going to be" Alex said as she walked over and flopped down on the couch, Duncan shrugged "would you like something to drink?"
"Yeah a cup of tea would be great" Alex said as she fiddled with the dressing, Duncan raised his eyebrows "I think I can manage that" he said as he disappeared into the kitchen. Duncan came back with a tray with two cups, a pot of tea and milk on it he placed it down on the table as he sat at the other end of the couch, "from you accent I think we'll start with the British Embassy on Monday see if they can help.I mean you sound British and if they have no record of you then we'll try the other English speaking embassies" Duncan poured the tea into the cups, followed by some milk, he then raised the sugar to Alex, she shook her head " So what is the last thing you remember?" Duncan asked as he handed a cup to her. As Alex took the cup her hand shook and she had to take hold of it with both hands "Err.I remember looking down at some water.I was tired and my shoulders ached so I took my back pack off and held onto to it with one arm.That's it My back pack it will have stuff in it to tell me who I am.it must be on the bridge" Alex said moving quickly to the edge of the couch so fast the some of the tea spilt into the saucer "Heh Take it easy" Duncan said putting his hand on her arm as he put down his cup "I'm afraid it won't be much help.it was dragging you down so I took it off.it'll be at the bottom by now" Duncan watched as her eyes dulled as she realised that hope was gone. Duncan stood up "Anyway it's late I think you'd better get some rest.you take the bed I'll take the couch" Alex put her cup down "No.I said I'd sleep on the couch" Duncan was about to protest when Alex put her hand up "Look it's simple.it's a question of size.I'll fit better on the couch".
Duncan walked over to one of the trunks opened it and picked out a couple of sheets and blankets. As he walked back to Alex he said "you need to rest the bed would be better" Alex shook her head as she took the blankets from him "No the couch is fine.the way I feel I could sleep on the floor". After helping Alex to make up the couch Duncan made sure that she was comfortable before going to bed himself, he sat reading for a short while before turning off the light and settling down.
Duncan didn't know how long he had been asleep when he leaped up as he heard shouting "NO PLEASE NO.KEEP BREATHING.OH GOD..YOU BASTARDS!!!" fumbling for the light switch Duncan was quickly to his feet his sword in his hand but as his eyes scanned the dimly lit room he could see there was no one there but the shouting continued. Duncan grabbed his robe as rushed over to the couch Alex was thrashing around her face covered in sweat, Duncan put his sword back by the bed and made his way round he knelt beside the couch, gently he rested his hands lightly on Alex's arms "Hey.Alex calm down.your safe here..Alex.Alex".
Alex's eyes shot open, Duncan could see the hate in her eyes as she pressed herself against the back of the couch "It's all right.it's just a dream" Duncan said softly his hand stroking her hair. It took Duncan a few minutes to calm Alex down, he then went to the kitchen returning with a glass of water which he hand to her, she drank the water down in quick gulps. "Do you want to talk about it?" Duncan asked as he took hold of the empty glass "Err I don't remember much about it" she lied, the faces, the blood, the terror and anger all fresh in her mind but she couldn't make sense of them, she knew that she should know the faces she had seen but her mind just wouldn't reveal their identity. "You try and get some more rest," Duncan said as he got up he went back to the bed.
Duncan tried to go back to sleep but he couldn't relax, he had seen people have nightmares before and he had enough himself to know whatever was haunting Alex had to be bad and could be another reason for her memory loss, so he sat in bed reading until he could see daylight through the portholes. He pulled on his sweats deciding to do his workout but as he tried to walk quietly past Alex she woke up "where are you going?" Alex asked sleepily "I'm just going outside, try and go back to sleep" Duncan said, Alex closed her eyes and Duncan quietly closed the door behind him. It was just after dawn as he climbed onto the deck the air was cold Duncan's breath was visible as he worked out.
Just as Duncan was coming to the end of his workout he felt the presences of an Immortal his eyes scanned the bank. Walking out of the tunnel was a figure it's hands in the pockets of the crumpled brown raincoat that was pulled tightly around his body, as the figure walked closer Duncan recognised his old friend and relaxed. As the figure walked up the gangplank Duncan jumped down to greet him "Methos a little early for you isn't it?" Methos grinned "I just got back into town.I was too early to check in so I thought I'd drop in on my good friend Duncan MacLeod" Methos said as he walked towards the door Duncan step forward blocking his path "come on MacLeod it's freezing out here.or is there someone in there you don't want me to see" Methos said a grin breaking out on his face "No.I mean yes there's someone down there but no I'm not trying to stop you seeing them.it's just she had a bad night she was still asleep when I came out.wait here I'll check if she is awake".
Duncan quietly opened the door, he got to the top of the steps when he noticed that the bedding was neatly folded at one end of the couch and he could hear the shower, so he when back and opened the door to let Methos in "About time Macleod it's freezing out here" Methos said as he went around Duncan "It's not like your about to die of cold" Duncan said as he followed Methos down the steps, Methos stopped abruptly as he saw the pile of bedding, he turned to Duncan "Losing your touch MacLeod?" Methos said as he nodded towards the couch. Duncan shook his head "Coffee?"
"Yes.I'd love one" Methos said as he sat down at the other end of the couch from the bedding. Duncan returned with three cups and a pot of coffee, he poured them both a cup, he handed one to Methos "So Mac where did you meet her.I take it's a her" Duncan took a sip of his coffee, he then explained the previous nights events. Methos laughed "You pushed her in the river! You must be getting desperate if that's your new chat up line"
Duncan raised his eyebrows "no I was trying to stop her throwing herself into the river". A big grin broke on Methos's face "Well it didn't work did it" but then Methos's face became serious "you know it's not a good idea to have strangers around MacLeod.I mean you don't know anything about her or what she was doing on the bridge.which I might add overlooks your barge" Duncan shook his head "you are always so suspicious.she's not a Watcher I've checked"
"It's served me well, I have managed to last 5000 years being suspicious.anyway I wasn't think she was a Watcher.there could be other reasons" Methos said as he refilled his cup "there is something troubling you isn't there?"
Duncan looked down at the coffee in his cup swilling it around and sighed "It's just.she had a nightmare last night I mean not just a little one.shouting, sweating and when she open her eyes the look of pure hatred.I'm wondering if her amnesia isn't just the trauma but something she is hiding from"
"That's my point you don't know what she could be.take her to an Embassy and leave her there, it's not your problem" Duncan was about to answer when Alex came out of the bathroom, dressed in the clothes Duncan had leant her the night before, her hair wrapped in a towel, she had just unwrapped her hair when she saw the stranger, Duncan could see her discomfort and went over to her "Err.Alex this is a friend of mine.Adam Pierson.Adam this is Alex Rogan" Methos smiled and nodded in Alex's direction. Duncan looked over at Methos "I'm going to grab a quick shower.so can you look after Alex, I won't be long" with that Duncan disappeared into the bathroom. Methos smiled at Alex as he poured her a cup of coffee "Mac was telling me what happened.so you don't remember anything?" Methos asked suspiciously. Alex sat down and took the cup Methos was offering, she took a sip and put the cup down as she scratched the dressing on her head "I wish I could but if it wasn't for a letter in my pocket I wouldn't have a clue what my name was" Alex replied as the dressing came away "here let me do that" Methos said putting down his cup "No it's fine I can manage" but Methos was already on his feet "it's all right I have medical training you know.I might be a little rusty but I think I can remember how to dress a wound".
After he had examined the wound he rummaged through one of Duncan's trunks until he found a first aid kit 'trust the Highlander to be prepared.he's such a boy scout' Methos thought to himself as he walked back to where Alex was sitting. Methos gently put the new dressing on her head and taped it in place. "There that didn't hurt now did it?" Alex looked up and smiled at Methos "Quiet a gentle touch you have there" Alex replied, they then both looked over to the steps as Duncan came down them and took his coat off the coat hooks "look I'm going to take Alex into town.see if anything jogs her memory.your welcome to stay here.just lock up when you leave" Duncan waited until Alex had joined him before they left the barge. Methos sank back into the couch and put his feet up "Aah this is the life".