Chapter 14
As Duncan and Fitz arrived at the airport there was a melee of cars jostling for space to pick up their loved ones and friends. Duncan managed to squeeze his car into a space at the far end. As Duncan pulled on the parking brake he turned to Fitz "You wait here I won't be long" before Fitz could reply Duncan was already out of the car and on his way down the sidewalk to the Arrivals lounge.
As Duncan was just going through the double doors, he had to dodge to one side to avoid a rather large lady propelling her heavily laden trolley through the doors, she had gather quite a momentum and wasn't stopping for anyone. The sea of people would make it difficult to spot Alex if she was here. Duncan was about to give up when he noticed the grey haired security guard standing by the wall on the other side of the Arrivals lounge. Duncan fought his way through the crowd "M'excuse Monsieur je me demande si vous pourriez m'aider? (Excuse me Monsieur I wonder if you could help me?) Duncan said as he reached where the security guard was standing, the grey haired man turned to Duncan "mais bien sûr" (but of course).
"Je'chercher de m une jeune femme elle'le s de ce grand" (I'm looking for a young woman she's about this tall), Duncan said as he held his hand just over his shoulder height "Elle a des cheveux blonds et porte le jeans bleu et un veston noir." (She has blonde hair and is wearing blue jeans and a black jacket.) Duncan was about to speak again when the security guard held up his hand "elle était ici à peu près 20 minutes il y a mais je'm craintif elle part" (she was here about 20 minutes ago but I'm afraid she left). Duncan was amazed that from his description the man had recognised it "Etes- vous sûr?" (Are you sure?) the grey hair man smiled at Duncan "qui pourrait oublier une belle femme blonde avec tels yeux verts magnifiques" (who could forget a beautiful blonde woman with such gorgeous green eyes).
"Vous avez vu où elle est allée?" (Did you see where she went?) The man nodded and pointed to the taxi rank outside the building "cela est tout je sais Monsieur" (that is all I know Monsieur).
"merci " (thank you) Duncan said as he turned to go but he had only gone a couple of steps when he turned back "Il y quelqu'un avait avec elle? Ou quoi? " (was there anyone with her? Or anything?"
"Non Oh attendre elle avait un petit sac noir je pense qu'elle l'a reçu d'un des casiers." (No Oh wait she had a small black bag I think she got it from one of the lockers) Duncan nodded his thanks but before he could continue on his way the guard spoke again "Ce doit être dur à perdre quelque chose si beau" (It must be hard to lose something so beautiful). Duncan smiled he knew what the guard thought was happening and he wished it was that simple.
Duncan then went back out to where Fitz was waiting "Well MacLeod what did you find out?" Fitz asked as soon as Duncan got in the car "She was here all right and I think she collected a bag from the storage lockers.which to me means she's got her memory back".
"Good" Fitz replied but as he looked across at his friend's face he could see that he wasn't so sure "I mean getting her memory back is good news.isn't it Laddie?" Duncan shrugged "I'm not so sure"
"So what do we do know?" Fitz asked as Duncan started the car and put it into gear "Well I'm going to drop you off to pick up your car and then I'm going to see if I can find her before she gets herself killed" Fitz though as he sucked on his unlit pipe "I'll have a drive round when I've retrieved my car.you know another pair of eyes" Duncan looked across at his old friend and smiled "on one condition".
"and that is?" Fitz replied taking his pipe from his mouth "If you see her, call me I'll handle it from there" Fitz shook his head and smiled "You know Laddie I do know how to act around a lady.I have been with a few in my time" Fitz said as he straighten his cravat Duncan looked across at him and smiled "I know but this isn't like that.just trust me on this.please Fitz I'll explain it all to you later". Fitz laughed, "All right dear boy.I'll do as you ask". Duncan dropped Fitz at the police compound so he could pay the fine and retrieve his car, he then turn the car in the direction of the barge.
On the way to Rue du Javel Alex decided to get the cab driver to dropped a few streets away, she walked the rest of the way concealing herself in the same place she had used the other day. She watched people enter the café, eat, drink and then leave but in the 4 hours she watched Du Pont didn't show, finally she decided to that maybe she would have better luck at the old office building. So she peeled away from shadows and set off in the direction she had followed Du Pont the other day. The sky was darkening and there weren't many people on the streets, which made it a little more difficult for Alex to be lost in. But Alex didn't need to worry as the office building was deserted, she managed to climb onto a wall at one end of the building and look through the window, there was nothing in the room except a broken wooden chair. She climbed down and sat on the wall rubbing her eyes, it seemed that every time she had a lead it got cut off before she could attach another.
Looking at her watch Alex realised she had been trying to find Du Pont all day and she need to find a room for the night. So she jumped down and walked towards the hotels she had tried a few days ago, the first one still didn't have any rooms and Alex contemplated going back to the barge. Duncan was so different from any man she had ever met, he had been so kind and trusting. She felt a pang of guilt at having left the way she did, without a word, but she didn't want to bring him into her seedy world, she had something she had to do something that she must do. Alex decided to find a hotel and return to the café in the morning it was her only lead now and she didn't care how long it took she would get Du Pont and he would lead her to Lazarski.
Alex found a small hotel nestled in the back streets the outside was in need of some attention as the paint was peeling from all the woodwork she could see, but inside in was clean and tidy. The price also suited Alex as her funds at the moment where limited. The hotel was run by a middle aged couple, they were both as round as each other, like a pair of book ends but even Alex couldn't fail to notice the love in their eyes when they look at each other. "Is your luggage outside?" the woman asked as she got Alex to sign the register "No this is all I have" Alex said as she lifted the small black bag onto the counter. She saw the side ways glance the woman gave her husband "I like to travel light" Alex replied a little uncomfortable under the woman's pitying gaze. "Your room is up the stairs third door on the right" Alex thanked the woman before climbing the stairs.
Alex had to jiggle the key in the lock, as it was stiff, the door finally creaked opened. The room was quite large it had two windows that overlooked the street; there was a large bed with a flowery bed spread on the wall opposite the windows, a small wooden dressing table and stool on the wall between the windows. The floor had carpet but it was thread bare in places but it was clean, Alex threw the small black bag onto the bed and kicked off her boots she then went through the door that was on the same wall as the bed, Alex turned on the light as Alex had expected it was the bathroom the bath was stained with brown marks where the water had run into it over time, she sat on the edge of the bath turning on the bath taps she held her hand under the flowing water until it started to get warm then she put the plug in, looking around the room, she reached up for one of the small bottles on the small glass shelf above the sink, she was grateful for the complimentary bottles of bath foam and shampoo. While the bath was filling she walked back into the other room she went over to the window and looked out at the street below. She must have been staring out the window for sometime because when she went back into the bathroom the bath was almost full.
Alex came back into the room after a long soak her body wrapped in a large white towel, she was using another smaller towel to dry her hair, she walked over to the bed and opened her handbag taking out a brush. Alex then draped the wet towel she had used to dry her hair over the stool as she walked to the window. While she brushed out her hair she watched the people in the street below, the hotel maybe in a back street but the street was still quite busy. When she had finished she drew the curtains and crossed over to the bed she let the towel drop from her body before slipping under the white sheets, her feet touched the small black bag, which was still where she had dropped it. She took a deep breath before reaching for it her fingers traced the zip her fingers playing with the piece of metal at one end of the zip, slowly she pulled the zip open. Hesitantly, her hand went in to the black hole that the opening the zip had left her fingers took hold of a soft square object; Alex pulled it into the light. In her hand was an old brown wallet that had marks of being well used on it.
Alex sat back resting her head on the bedstead she turned the wallet over and over in her hands before she raised it to her head she closed her eyes as the wallet rested against the bridge of her nose. The scent of old leather and a faint hint of the aftershave he wore took her back to other times. It had been after the kidnapping case that she, Ray Muir and Thomas Bishop had been working, the case had ended badly Alex had been suspended for how she had handled the case and McCormack wouldn't let her return to duty unless she agreed to work with a partner. At first she had resisted but McCormack wouldn't give into her this time, he had always give her a lot of chances but this time she had really stepped over the line, so reluctantly she had agreed. It still took 4 weeks for him to find someone willing to take her on, she had a repudiation for wanting to do things her own way, she took risks to get an arrest, risks most though of as unacceptable and it had earned her the nickname 'Rogue', not very imaginative just a play on her surname.
The first day she had met her new partner she had come into the office early and had been moaning at Thomas in the common room about there was no need for her to have a partner, that she worked better alone and how McCormack wasn't going to land her with a rookie as she didn't have time to be a nursemaid and how she was going to tell me that. A few minutes later the intercom growled into life as McCormack demanded she get to his office now, Alex looked at her watch she was late not the best way to enter his office. Alex didn't bother to knock she just opened the large wooden door and walked in, sat in one of the two chairs in front of McCormack's desk was a brown haired man he didn't turn round when she came in, he stayed focused on McCormack.
McCormack was a man in his late fifties, his hair had gone grey at the temples and he always dressed in a dark grey suit, he motioned for her to sit down in the other chair "I'd rather stand" Alex replied.
"Phil Chambers this is Alex Rogan" McCormack said as he pointed to Alex "Look Sir.." Alex started to speak but a wave of his hand and a look that Alex was convinced render the gun McCormack carried obsolete. The man stood up he looked older than Alex, his brown hair neatly cut, his skin was tanned but fading he offered his hand to Alex "I'm please to meet you.I've heard so much about you I'm really looking forward to working with you" he said smiling, his smile was warm, friendly and what took Alex's acid comment from her mind, genuine.
As Alex remember how she had treated him in those first few months why he stayed with her she will never know. It had taken another incident where she had bent the rules to nearly breaking point to make her accept him. He had stood along side her in McCormack's office while he chewed them out and never once did he tell him that he was not responsible for any of it. When McCormack had finished and told them to get out of his sight, outside the office Phil walked off down the corridor Alex had to run to catch him "Hey way did you do that?" she asked as she grabbed his arm, he turned to her with that smile of his "I'm your partner.that's the only reason I need". After that she had opened up to him a little and every time she started to get out of control he would steer her back, her conscious she'd called him.
Things only changed after the Embassy ball incident when she had seen that man again, her blood had run cold at the mere sight of his face. That face will always be etched into her mind, Phil had been the only one to believe her he had waited out side of McCormack's office for her, he had tried to come in but McCormack had sent him back out. Even though she had told McCormack that she would let this drop and apologised to the Ambassador for ruining his ball, she hadn't all her free time had been taken up with finding the man again. She knew that she was getting close and one day while Phil was in the car with her when her mobile rang, someone had information on where to find him, she had made excuses to Phil about the call and she hadn't realised that he wasn't buying any of it. She had dropped him at his home and had driven to meet the informant where he had found Lazarski.
It was an old office building the boards on the outside read that it was due to be demolished, her need to get Lazarski had blinded her to Phil tailing her. She walked up to the building something didn't feel right but she put it out of her mind as she entered, there were no lights in the first room "Bobby?" she called out. She narrowed her eyes as several figures entered the room through a door opposite her, their bodies silhouetted against the light from the other room. It didn't take Alex long to recognise two of the figures one was Bobby and the other was Lazarski. Alex already had her gun in her hand, her hand tightened around it "So I was right".
"You know your really becoming a pain in the arse.that I can stand but now your costing me money and I can't allow that.Drop your gun and take the place of your little friend.you know your life for his" Lazarski said as he put a gun to Bobby's head, Alex could see that the young man was crying and only just managing to stand "If you kill me others will hunt you down" Lazarski laughed "I'm sure they will waste time looking for a dead man.remember you shot me". No one notices the figure in the shadow inching closer to where Alex was standing. Alex shifted her feet to give her a solid base her mind racing about all the options she had she knew that she couldn't trust Lazarski if she dropped her gun then both she and Bobby were dead. But before she could raise her weapon Lazarski raised his a shot rang out, suddenly Alex flet a tremendous force that knocked her to the floor behind an old desk as she looked round she was greeted by Phil's smile "You can't stay out of trouble can you?" Alex nodded and smiled back before firing back at Lazarski hitting one of the men beside him "what are you doing here?" she asked as she reloaded her gun "We're partners remember.partners watch each others back.and you don't make it easy.I knew you were up to something I could let you do it alone and it's a good job that I did".
Lazarski was backing away to make his escape his arm firmly around Bobby's neck, he had counted on Alex being alone, he didn't like the odds now she had help. Alex tried to take aim but he was using Bobby as a shield "you bastard" she said but there was nothing she could do but watch as he got to the door. An evil grin came over Lazarski's face as he put the gun to Bobby's head and pulled the trigger, Bobby's head exploded, blood and bone hitting the door frame, Alex watched as his body dropped to the ground, Alex fired but Lazarski had slipped away all that was left was the blood slowly running down the yellowing paintwork and Bobby's lifeless corpse.
Alex stood up as was about to go after Lazarski when something inside screamed at her that something was wrong she looked down Phil was sitting on the floor with his back to the desk his face was pale and his eyes were closed, Alex crouched down beside him it was then that she saw the blood spreading across his chest her eyes moved from side to side trying to take in what she was seeing. "Phil.Phil?" his eyes flickered open "Oh Alex I think it's bad.I'm so cold". Alex moved Phil so that she cradled him in her arms "Hold on Phil.I'll get help.just hang in there" Alex managed to get her mobile phone out of her pocket with one hand she dialled the emergency number gave their location and that there was one man down. Then she settled back to hold Phil "What are you doing here.your supposed to be at home with your wife" Alex said as she pulled him closer putting the only thing she had to stem the flow of blood, her jacket under his shirt and trying to use her body heat to warm him. He looked up "You have my letters don't you?"
"Stop talking like that.they'll be here any minute.you just hang in there" Alex said as her hand lightly brushed his hair back from his face "Of course I have but I'm not going to need them as You aren't going to Die". Phil shifted his position slightly causing him to grimace with pain "I need you do something else for me?" Alex nodded "Anything you know that".
"Tell Beth that I love her and Jamie" Phil became silent and closed his eyes as another wave of pain ran through him, the smile Alex had grown so fond of faded "It's Beth's birthday tomorrow.her present is in my glove box.make sure she gets it" he said as he opened his eyes again.
Alex looked down at him "You'll be able to give it to her.I won't let you die" Phil managed to smile through the pain he was feeling "I don't think you have a choice in this one" his words trailed off to a whisper, the smile faded as he closed his eyes, Alex felt his body relax against her. "Oh no you don't Phil Chambers.Phil.Phil" Alex said as she shook him, in the distance Alex could hear sirens "Oh No NOT NOW PHIL" she shouted but no reply came.
The next thing Alex remembered is a hand on her shoulder "Rogue let him go" it was Thomas Bishop but Alex just pulled Phil closer her hand moving his limp head back against her body, then on her other side someone crouched down his voice low, calm and smooth "Alex you have to let Phil go.let the Paramedic's do their job" Alex looked up into a pair of cool blue eyes that belonged to Ray Muir, Ray could see the pain in her eyes finally she released Phil and the Paramedics went to work, but all three of them knew it was too late. Ray helped Alex to her feet "are you all right? Come on we'll take you home" he asked as he let go of her hand "No.I'm fine.there are some things I need to take car of" Alex said without meeting either of their eyes, she walked out of the dusty atmosphere of the building into the fresh cool night air.
It didn't take her long to find Phil's car, the car was unlocked, as Phil hadn't had time as he chased after her. She slowly pulled open the passenger door and sat down her feet still on the ground outside, her eyes stared at the glove box. Alex swallowed hard before reaching for the catch, the glove box fell open inside was a dark blue box Alex took it out, the lid creaked as she opened it inside was a gold locket Alex opened the locket inside was a picture of Phil and their new baby son Jamie.
Suddenly, Alex realised that tears where streaming down her face, she wiped them away with one hand while the other dropped the wallet on the bed. This was the first time she had cried since it happened something about her had changed. Alex looked over at the table beside the bed, there was a telephone next to a small vase of fresh flower she reached over and picked it up laying it on her legs in front of her. Hesitantly, she picked up the receiver and dialled.
Duncan had looked for Alex all day, in all the places they had been together but he had drawn a blank every time so he returned to the barge. He had phone Methos, Joe and Fitz to see if they had any news for him but no one had seen or heard from Alex. Duncan decided to see if a workout would calm his mind and it had while as he concentrated on the movements of his body but when he had finished his mind turned back to Alex and Lazarski, he had to find her before she found Lazarski or he found her.
He had just opened the door to the barge when the phone began to ring he rushed down the stairs, wiping the sweat from his face with one side of the towel that was laid across his shoulders. "MacLeod" Duncan said as he answered the phone but no one spoke, he could hear the person breathing "Alex is that you?" he had just spoken the words when the line went dead; he knew it was her he didn't have to hear her voice but why couldn't she bring herself to speak.
Alex picked up the phone and put it back on the side table she shook her head why had she even called him. Had it been to say she was sorry or to fill the empty space that seemed to be inside her, she wasn't sure which but when she had heard his voice all the words had dried up in her throat. Alex curled into a tight ball on the clean white sheets, the wallet still grasped tightly in her hands. For as long as she could remember she had been alone not letting anyone past her self inflicted barrier, doing things when she wanted and how she wanted never having to think about the safety of others. Part of her wanted to curse Phil for what he had done to her but the two years they had been partners had been the ones where she had felt most alive. But now he was gone and emptiness had replaced him until Duncan.
As she stared out across her room at the shadows on the wall from the faint light coming around the curtains she knew that she could never see Duncan again, she buried her face into the pillow trying to force the emotion away. Alex knew she couldn't have any weaknesses if she was going to take out Lazarski. The only way was to rid herself of any emotion or attachments that he could use against her. Alex laid there listening to the ticking of the clock but somewhere in the darkness sleep had found her.
As Duncan and Fitz arrived at the airport there was a melee of cars jostling for space to pick up their loved ones and friends. Duncan managed to squeeze his car into a space at the far end. As Duncan pulled on the parking brake he turned to Fitz "You wait here I won't be long" before Fitz could reply Duncan was already out of the car and on his way down the sidewalk to the Arrivals lounge.
As Duncan was just going through the double doors, he had to dodge to one side to avoid a rather large lady propelling her heavily laden trolley through the doors, she had gather quite a momentum and wasn't stopping for anyone. The sea of people would make it difficult to spot Alex if she was here. Duncan was about to give up when he noticed the grey haired security guard standing by the wall on the other side of the Arrivals lounge. Duncan fought his way through the crowd "M'excuse Monsieur je me demande si vous pourriez m'aider? (Excuse me Monsieur I wonder if you could help me?) Duncan said as he reached where the security guard was standing, the grey haired man turned to Duncan "mais bien sûr" (but of course).
"Je'chercher de m une jeune femme elle'le s de ce grand" (I'm looking for a young woman she's about this tall), Duncan said as he held his hand just over his shoulder height "Elle a des cheveux blonds et porte le jeans bleu et un veston noir." (She has blonde hair and is wearing blue jeans and a black jacket.) Duncan was about to speak again when the security guard held up his hand "elle était ici à peu près 20 minutes il y a mais je'm craintif elle part" (she was here about 20 minutes ago but I'm afraid she left). Duncan was amazed that from his description the man had recognised it "Etes- vous sûr?" (Are you sure?) the grey hair man smiled at Duncan "qui pourrait oublier une belle femme blonde avec tels yeux verts magnifiques" (who could forget a beautiful blonde woman with such gorgeous green eyes).
"Vous avez vu où elle est allée?" (Did you see where she went?) The man nodded and pointed to the taxi rank outside the building "cela est tout je sais Monsieur" (that is all I know Monsieur).
"merci " (thank you) Duncan said as he turned to go but he had only gone a couple of steps when he turned back "Il y quelqu'un avait avec elle? Ou quoi? " (was there anyone with her? Or anything?"
"Non Oh attendre elle avait un petit sac noir je pense qu'elle l'a reçu d'un des casiers." (No Oh wait she had a small black bag I think she got it from one of the lockers) Duncan nodded his thanks but before he could continue on his way the guard spoke again "Ce doit être dur à perdre quelque chose si beau" (It must be hard to lose something so beautiful). Duncan smiled he knew what the guard thought was happening and he wished it was that simple.
Duncan then went back out to where Fitz was waiting "Well MacLeod what did you find out?" Fitz asked as soon as Duncan got in the car "She was here all right and I think she collected a bag from the storage lockers.which to me means she's got her memory back".
"Good" Fitz replied but as he looked across at his friend's face he could see that he wasn't so sure "I mean getting her memory back is good news.isn't it Laddie?" Duncan shrugged "I'm not so sure"
"So what do we do know?" Fitz asked as Duncan started the car and put it into gear "Well I'm going to drop you off to pick up your car and then I'm going to see if I can find her before she gets herself killed" Fitz though as he sucked on his unlit pipe "I'll have a drive round when I've retrieved my car.you know another pair of eyes" Duncan looked across at his old friend and smiled "on one condition".
"and that is?" Fitz replied taking his pipe from his mouth "If you see her, call me I'll handle it from there" Fitz shook his head and smiled "You know Laddie I do know how to act around a lady.I have been with a few in my time" Fitz said as he straighten his cravat Duncan looked across at him and smiled "I know but this isn't like that.just trust me on this.please Fitz I'll explain it all to you later". Fitz laughed, "All right dear boy.I'll do as you ask". Duncan dropped Fitz at the police compound so he could pay the fine and retrieve his car, he then turn the car in the direction of the barge.
On the way to Rue du Javel Alex decided to get the cab driver to dropped a few streets away, she walked the rest of the way concealing herself in the same place she had used the other day. She watched people enter the café, eat, drink and then leave but in the 4 hours she watched Du Pont didn't show, finally she decided to that maybe she would have better luck at the old office building. So she peeled away from shadows and set off in the direction she had followed Du Pont the other day. The sky was darkening and there weren't many people on the streets, which made it a little more difficult for Alex to be lost in. But Alex didn't need to worry as the office building was deserted, she managed to climb onto a wall at one end of the building and look through the window, there was nothing in the room except a broken wooden chair. She climbed down and sat on the wall rubbing her eyes, it seemed that every time she had a lead it got cut off before she could attach another.
Looking at her watch Alex realised she had been trying to find Du Pont all day and she need to find a room for the night. So she jumped down and walked towards the hotels she had tried a few days ago, the first one still didn't have any rooms and Alex contemplated going back to the barge. Duncan was so different from any man she had ever met, he had been so kind and trusting. She felt a pang of guilt at having left the way she did, without a word, but she didn't want to bring him into her seedy world, she had something she had to do something that she must do. Alex decided to find a hotel and return to the café in the morning it was her only lead now and she didn't care how long it took she would get Du Pont and he would lead her to Lazarski.
Alex found a small hotel nestled in the back streets the outside was in need of some attention as the paint was peeling from all the woodwork she could see, but inside in was clean and tidy. The price also suited Alex as her funds at the moment where limited. The hotel was run by a middle aged couple, they were both as round as each other, like a pair of book ends but even Alex couldn't fail to notice the love in their eyes when they look at each other. "Is your luggage outside?" the woman asked as she got Alex to sign the register "No this is all I have" Alex said as she lifted the small black bag onto the counter. She saw the side ways glance the woman gave her husband "I like to travel light" Alex replied a little uncomfortable under the woman's pitying gaze. "Your room is up the stairs third door on the right" Alex thanked the woman before climbing the stairs.
Alex had to jiggle the key in the lock, as it was stiff, the door finally creaked opened. The room was quite large it had two windows that overlooked the street; there was a large bed with a flowery bed spread on the wall opposite the windows, a small wooden dressing table and stool on the wall between the windows. The floor had carpet but it was thread bare in places but it was clean, Alex threw the small black bag onto the bed and kicked off her boots she then went through the door that was on the same wall as the bed, Alex turned on the light as Alex had expected it was the bathroom the bath was stained with brown marks where the water had run into it over time, she sat on the edge of the bath turning on the bath taps she held her hand under the flowing water until it started to get warm then she put the plug in, looking around the room, she reached up for one of the small bottles on the small glass shelf above the sink, she was grateful for the complimentary bottles of bath foam and shampoo. While the bath was filling she walked back into the other room she went over to the window and looked out at the street below. She must have been staring out the window for sometime because when she went back into the bathroom the bath was almost full.
Alex came back into the room after a long soak her body wrapped in a large white towel, she was using another smaller towel to dry her hair, she walked over to the bed and opened her handbag taking out a brush. Alex then draped the wet towel she had used to dry her hair over the stool as she walked to the window. While she brushed out her hair she watched the people in the street below, the hotel maybe in a back street but the street was still quite busy. When she had finished she drew the curtains and crossed over to the bed she let the towel drop from her body before slipping under the white sheets, her feet touched the small black bag, which was still where she had dropped it. She took a deep breath before reaching for it her fingers traced the zip her fingers playing with the piece of metal at one end of the zip, slowly she pulled the zip open. Hesitantly, her hand went in to the black hole that the opening the zip had left her fingers took hold of a soft square object; Alex pulled it into the light. In her hand was an old brown wallet that had marks of being well used on it.
Alex sat back resting her head on the bedstead she turned the wallet over and over in her hands before she raised it to her head she closed her eyes as the wallet rested against the bridge of her nose. The scent of old leather and a faint hint of the aftershave he wore took her back to other times. It had been after the kidnapping case that she, Ray Muir and Thomas Bishop had been working, the case had ended badly Alex had been suspended for how she had handled the case and McCormack wouldn't let her return to duty unless she agreed to work with a partner. At first she had resisted but McCormack wouldn't give into her this time, he had always give her a lot of chances but this time she had really stepped over the line, so reluctantly she had agreed. It still took 4 weeks for him to find someone willing to take her on, she had a repudiation for wanting to do things her own way, she took risks to get an arrest, risks most though of as unacceptable and it had earned her the nickname 'Rogue', not very imaginative just a play on her surname.
The first day she had met her new partner she had come into the office early and had been moaning at Thomas in the common room about there was no need for her to have a partner, that she worked better alone and how McCormack wasn't going to land her with a rookie as she didn't have time to be a nursemaid and how she was going to tell me that. A few minutes later the intercom growled into life as McCormack demanded she get to his office now, Alex looked at her watch she was late not the best way to enter his office. Alex didn't bother to knock she just opened the large wooden door and walked in, sat in one of the two chairs in front of McCormack's desk was a brown haired man he didn't turn round when she came in, he stayed focused on McCormack.
McCormack was a man in his late fifties, his hair had gone grey at the temples and he always dressed in a dark grey suit, he motioned for her to sit down in the other chair "I'd rather stand" Alex replied.
"Phil Chambers this is Alex Rogan" McCormack said as he pointed to Alex "Look Sir.." Alex started to speak but a wave of his hand and a look that Alex was convinced render the gun McCormack carried obsolete. The man stood up he looked older than Alex, his brown hair neatly cut, his skin was tanned but fading he offered his hand to Alex "I'm please to meet you.I've heard so much about you I'm really looking forward to working with you" he said smiling, his smile was warm, friendly and what took Alex's acid comment from her mind, genuine.
As Alex remember how she had treated him in those first few months why he stayed with her she will never know. It had taken another incident where she had bent the rules to nearly breaking point to make her accept him. He had stood along side her in McCormack's office while he chewed them out and never once did he tell him that he was not responsible for any of it. When McCormack had finished and told them to get out of his sight, outside the office Phil walked off down the corridor Alex had to run to catch him "Hey way did you do that?" she asked as she grabbed his arm, he turned to her with that smile of his "I'm your partner.that's the only reason I need". After that she had opened up to him a little and every time she started to get out of control he would steer her back, her conscious she'd called him.
Things only changed after the Embassy ball incident when she had seen that man again, her blood had run cold at the mere sight of his face. That face will always be etched into her mind, Phil had been the only one to believe her he had waited out side of McCormack's office for her, he had tried to come in but McCormack had sent him back out. Even though she had told McCormack that she would let this drop and apologised to the Ambassador for ruining his ball, she hadn't all her free time had been taken up with finding the man again. She knew that she was getting close and one day while Phil was in the car with her when her mobile rang, someone had information on where to find him, she had made excuses to Phil about the call and she hadn't realised that he wasn't buying any of it. She had dropped him at his home and had driven to meet the informant where he had found Lazarski.
It was an old office building the boards on the outside read that it was due to be demolished, her need to get Lazarski had blinded her to Phil tailing her. She walked up to the building something didn't feel right but she put it out of her mind as she entered, there were no lights in the first room "Bobby?" she called out. She narrowed her eyes as several figures entered the room through a door opposite her, their bodies silhouetted against the light from the other room. It didn't take Alex long to recognise two of the figures one was Bobby and the other was Lazarski. Alex already had her gun in her hand, her hand tightened around it "So I was right".
"You know your really becoming a pain in the arse.that I can stand but now your costing me money and I can't allow that.Drop your gun and take the place of your little friend.you know your life for his" Lazarski said as he put a gun to Bobby's head, Alex could see that the young man was crying and only just managing to stand "If you kill me others will hunt you down" Lazarski laughed "I'm sure they will waste time looking for a dead man.remember you shot me". No one notices the figure in the shadow inching closer to where Alex was standing. Alex shifted her feet to give her a solid base her mind racing about all the options she had she knew that she couldn't trust Lazarski if she dropped her gun then both she and Bobby were dead. But before she could raise her weapon Lazarski raised his a shot rang out, suddenly Alex flet a tremendous force that knocked her to the floor behind an old desk as she looked round she was greeted by Phil's smile "You can't stay out of trouble can you?" Alex nodded and smiled back before firing back at Lazarski hitting one of the men beside him "what are you doing here?" she asked as she reloaded her gun "We're partners remember.partners watch each others back.and you don't make it easy.I knew you were up to something I could let you do it alone and it's a good job that I did".
Lazarski was backing away to make his escape his arm firmly around Bobby's neck, he had counted on Alex being alone, he didn't like the odds now she had help. Alex tried to take aim but he was using Bobby as a shield "you bastard" she said but there was nothing she could do but watch as he got to the door. An evil grin came over Lazarski's face as he put the gun to Bobby's head and pulled the trigger, Bobby's head exploded, blood and bone hitting the door frame, Alex watched as his body dropped to the ground, Alex fired but Lazarski had slipped away all that was left was the blood slowly running down the yellowing paintwork and Bobby's lifeless corpse.
Alex stood up as was about to go after Lazarski when something inside screamed at her that something was wrong she looked down Phil was sitting on the floor with his back to the desk his face was pale and his eyes were closed, Alex crouched down beside him it was then that she saw the blood spreading across his chest her eyes moved from side to side trying to take in what she was seeing. "Phil.Phil?" his eyes flickered open "Oh Alex I think it's bad.I'm so cold". Alex moved Phil so that she cradled him in her arms "Hold on Phil.I'll get help.just hang in there" Alex managed to get her mobile phone out of her pocket with one hand she dialled the emergency number gave their location and that there was one man down. Then she settled back to hold Phil "What are you doing here.your supposed to be at home with your wife" Alex said as she pulled him closer putting the only thing she had to stem the flow of blood, her jacket under his shirt and trying to use her body heat to warm him. He looked up "You have my letters don't you?"
"Stop talking like that.they'll be here any minute.you just hang in there" Alex said as her hand lightly brushed his hair back from his face "Of course I have but I'm not going to need them as You aren't going to Die". Phil shifted his position slightly causing him to grimace with pain "I need you do something else for me?" Alex nodded "Anything you know that".
"Tell Beth that I love her and Jamie" Phil became silent and closed his eyes as another wave of pain ran through him, the smile Alex had grown so fond of faded "It's Beth's birthday tomorrow.her present is in my glove box.make sure she gets it" he said as he opened his eyes again.
Alex looked down at him "You'll be able to give it to her.I won't let you die" Phil managed to smile through the pain he was feeling "I don't think you have a choice in this one" his words trailed off to a whisper, the smile faded as he closed his eyes, Alex felt his body relax against her. "Oh no you don't Phil Chambers.Phil.Phil" Alex said as she shook him, in the distance Alex could hear sirens "Oh No NOT NOW PHIL" she shouted but no reply came.
The next thing Alex remembered is a hand on her shoulder "Rogue let him go" it was Thomas Bishop but Alex just pulled Phil closer her hand moving his limp head back against her body, then on her other side someone crouched down his voice low, calm and smooth "Alex you have to let Phil go.let the Paramedic's do their job" Alex looked up into a pair of cool blue eyes that belonged to Ray Muir, Ray could see the pain in her eyes finally she released Phil and the Paramedics went to work, but all three of them knew it was too late. Ray helped Alex to her feet "are you all right? Come on we'll take you home" he asked as he let go of her hand "No.I'm fine.there are some things I need to take car of" Alex said without meeting either of their eyes, she walked out of the dusty atmosphere of the building into the fresh cool night air.
It didn't take her long to find Phil's car, the car was unlocked, as Phil hadn't had time as he chased after her. She slowly pulled open the passenger door and sat down her feet still on the ground outside, her eyes stared at the glove box. Alex swallowed hard before reaching for the catch, the glove box fell open inside was a dark blue box Alex took it out, the lid creaked as she opened it inside was a gold locket Alex opened the locket inside was a picture of Phil and their new baby son Jamie.
Suddenly, Alex realised that tears where streaming down her face, she wiped them away with one hand while the other dropped the wallet on the bed. This was the first time she had cried since it happened something about her had changed. Alex looked over at the table beside the bed, there was a telephone next to a small vase of fresh flower she reached over and picked it up laying it on her legs in front of her. Hesitantly, she picked up the receiver and dialled.
Duncan had looked for Alex all day, in all the places they had been together but he had drawn a blank every time so he returned to the barge. He had phone Methos, Joe and Fitz to see if they had any news for him but no one had seen or heard from Alex. Duncan decided to see if a workout would calm his mind and it had while as he concentrated on the movements of his body but when he had finished his mind turned back to Alex and Lazarski, he had to find her before she found Lazarski or he found her.
He had just opened the door to the barge when the phone began to ring he rushed down the stairs, wiping the sweat from his face with one side of the towel that was laid across his shoulders. "MacLeod" Duncan said as he answered the phone but no one spoke, he could hear the person breathing "Alex is that you?" he had just spoken the words when the line went dead; he knew it was her he didn't have to hear her voice but why couldn't she bring herself to speak.
Alex picked up the phone and put it back on the side table she shook her head why had she even called him. Had it been to say she was sorry or to fill the empty space that seemed to be inside her, she wasn't sure which but when she had heard his voice all the words had dried up in her throat. Alex curled into a tight ball on the clean white sheets, the wallet still grasped tightly in her hands. For as long as she could remember she had been alone not letting anyone past her self inflicted barrier, doing things when she wanted and how she wanted never having to think about the safety of others. Part of her wanted to curse Phil for what he had done to her but the two years they had been partners had been the ones where she had felt most alive. But now he was gone and emptiness had replaced him until Duncan.
As she stared out across her room at the shadows on the wall from the faint light coming around the curtains she knew that she could never see Duncan again, she buried her face into the pillow trying to force the emotion away. Alex knew she couldn't have any weaknesses if she was going to take out Lazarski. The only way was to rid herself of any emotion or attachments that he could use against her. Alex laid there listening to the ticking of the clock but somewhere in the darkness sleep had found her.