Disclaimer: The X-Men and Highlander characters belong to their prospective owners and not me. I only wrote this fanfic for my own entertainment and I'm making no money so don't sue me. It would be a waste of time.
Of Mutants and Immortals
By Animefreek
**denote thoughts
Chapter six
**This guy passed out on the couch is my dad? Gee, I thought I'd be doing the fainting if I ever met my biological parents. This guy has obviously watched "Camille" one too many times on American Movie Classics.** Catherine thought as she sat on the love seat adjacent to Duncan. "Is he awake yet?" Catherine was jarred from her thoughts by her mother's question. "No, he hasn't come back to the real world yet." Catherine tried not to sound coarse toward her mother, but it just came out that way. All of her life, up until that moment in the cafe, Catherine had thought that Amanda had never lied to her. She knew their relationship could never be "normal". After all Amanda was Amanda. She couldn't change what she was and she was a thief. Up until the cafe Catherine thought their relationship was built on complete honesty, at least between them.
"Kate I know what you're thinking." Amanda said while sitting on the love seat next to her. "What, that I hate being called Kate or that you lied to me every single time I ever asked you about my birth parents." Catherine's voice was icy as she slid over to the other end of the couch. "Catherine I just wanted to protect you, I didn't know how Duncan would react to you. I still don't." Catherine was about give a very nasty retort to her mother's deductive reasoning when Duncan stirred on the couch. **I have a feeling my life is about to get much more complicated.** Catherine thought as Duncan swung himself upright on the couch.
Duncan sat up, thinking that the events of the day were some sort of strange dream, but as he opened his eyes and saw Amanda and his "daughter" his delusion was shattered. **I have a daughter? This kid is my daughter or at least Amanda says she is. What do I do?** These were the only thoughts going through his head as he stared at the frail looking young woman sitting adjacent to him. Then he turned to Amanda, she had a lot of explaining to do the both of them according to the look on Catherine's face. Duncan had wanted a family so desparately, but this isn't the way he ever thought he'd get one. Amanda gave a little cough, which was Catherine's cue to turn in for the night. Reluctantly she said her good nights and went into Duncan's guest room.
There was an intense staring contest for at least an hour or more. Catherine sat patiently listening at the foot of the guest room door, one of the advantages of being an immortal's daughter is that time is something taken for granted because immortals have so much of it. She had learned to be very patient. "Amanda why did you wait so long to tell me this?" Duncan asked hesitantly. "Honestly? I guess I wanted something all to myself. I've never had anything that was mine before, everything I have is stolen. Catherine was mine." Amanda's voice was cracking now, partly because of what she knew Duncan was about to say. "And you didn't steal her from me? All those years I could have been her father. You got to see her first steps, to hear her first words. What's left for me? I'm not even sure I should be her father or could." With that said Duncan walked out into the night and didn't look back. "Duncan where are you going?" "To think, stay here on the barge until I get back." Little did we know that we'd be in Paris for a month while Duncan "found himself again" in some secret hide away.
So to make a long story short Amanda and I wiled away the month doing what we did best. I was still mad at her and didn't bother to hide it in public or private. Things came to a head between us in the park the day before Duncan decided to grace us with his prescence again.
"Catherine please talk to me." Amanda demanded. "And say what mom, say that I forgive you for lying to me my entire life, that I forgive you for depriving me of a father!" "Catherine I can't ask you to forgive me and I won't, but I didn't want you to get hurt. The way you are now." Amanda looked down at her feet and there was an odd moment of silence between them. "Amanda? Why tell me now? If you didn't want me hurt why just blurt out something so important?" Catherine waited for an answer as Amanda stood looking at the skyline. "Because you need both of us now. You're going to be an immortal someday, you need him to teach you how to fight." **Its not like I wasn't expecting her to say something like this, I've suspected as much. Even back to my earliest memories. Amanda was so protective, more than any other normal mother. But then again who would dare call an immortal thief normal except for me?**
"Whoa, so you are going to be immortal?" Bobby said scratching his head. "Yes Bobby." Catherine said in a motherly tone. "Who's this Methos dude and why is he after you any way?" Bobby was still scratching his head. Catherine would probably have to review the whole story again for him later. **I like this guy but we're gonna have to work on his comprehension skills.** Catherine thought to herself. The professor and Jean grinned. **I'm going to have to talk to those guys about eaves dropping in my thoughts too.**
"Can I get back to my story now?" Catherine was starting to get irritated by the interuptions. "Could you speed it up? Some of us have work to do." Scott said with a smirk. Catherine quickly drew out her sword and raised the tip right between Scott's eyes. "Are you going to let me finish or do I have to use this thing?" Scott gulped, "I thought I confiscated that thing, how'd you get it back?" "One, don't think for a second that I don't have more than one, and Two, get a better security system for the boat house. It was too easy to get this back." Logan snorted down a laugh and so did Jubilee. Catherine brandished her sword around the room, "Any more interruptions? No. Good. I'll continue."
Chapter Seven
The next day Duncan returned. He was obviously accepting the truth of the situation and he quickly took me under his wing as soon as he noticed my potential immortality. Our first hand-to-hand combat lesson was quite amusing. He had assumed that Amanda hadn't taught me anything about self defense. After I floored him a couple of times he got over that idea. As for swordplay I caught on pretty fast, if I do say so myself.
"Who is Methos? I mean this father daughter stuff is nice, but is it relevent to the story?" Said Bobby still confused. **I'm getting a headache.** Catherine rubbed her temples. "I'm getting to that Bobby dear." Catherine said trying to immitate her mother's most mocking tone.
"As I was saying my dad and I were getting along fabulously and we decided to forgive Amanda after letting her stew in her own juices for while. We were getting along so well that he decided that it was time to introduce his friends to his daughter. Thats when all hell broke loose." Catherine said with an edge to her voice.
Duncan decided to introduce me to his friend Joe Dawson first. Joe was definitely not what I expected as I met my first watcher face to face. He was actually pretty cool. "She's you what!" Joe said as he choking on scoth and bourbon. Duncan laughed and for the first time since this whole mess started I did too. "She's my daughter, Catherine Amanda Montrose." Duncan said not believing how nonchalant he sounded about it. Joe was still choking, Duncan had to pat his back and pour him something a little stronger. "Duncan come into my office. We have to talk." Joe said staring at Catherine. Duncan looked at Catherine and patted her on the head. She got the picture. "Go go I'll just sit out here and case the joint maybe I'll order a Long Island Ice Tea or something." Catherine smiled and gave Joe an innocent wink and gestured for them to leave. **I hope they knew I wasn't joking about the drink.** Catherine thought.
After an hour and two long island Ice teas Catherine was a little tipsy and Joe and Duncan were peeved at the young bartender who served them to her. He obviously wanted a date and was willing to get her drunk first before asking. Joe exited his office acting like he was Catherine's father. She had never seen a man so interested in her life before it was one of the few times she was ever caught off guard. "Don't be too flattered he'll be writing this up in a report for the watchers, he just wants to get all the facts straight." Duncan said laughing. "Don't listen t'em, kid. There's no way I'm letting anybody in on this, you're my little secret." Joe said with a frightening gleam in his eye. "Well then Mr. Dawson if you're going to keep me I suggest we talk allowances, after all I'm a rather high maintenance girl." Catherine was almost as good a flirt as her mother. "She's definitely Amanda's alright!"
Next on the list was Adam Pierceson AKA Methos. This is where the shit hits the fan. Methos wasn't as pleasantly surprised as Joe in fact he turned a ghastly shade of eggshell white at the sight of Catherine. Duncan wasn't aware of his friend's true feelings, but Catherine sensed something was wrong and was bracing herself as if lighting were going to strike where she stood.
Methos stood staring at this miraculous freak of nature claiming to be the biological child of Amanda and Duncan. Looking at this girl he knew his number was coming up and he'd soon have to rejoin the game unless he could destroy her. **A daughter? This is breaking all the rules! How dare they! I won't have a child destroy me. I won't let Cassandra be right, not this time.**
(flash back to the end of the four horsemen)
Cassandra stood standing over a weakened Methos poised to take his head and have her revenge. "Cassandra Stop!" Duncan called from the walk way above. "Why! He should die. He betrayed and used me and when I gave him my heart he threw it away!" Cassandra snapped. "He deserves to die Duncan. He's used so many people, he's used you to do his dirty work for him, he knew he couldn't defeat Kronos so he used your chivalrous tendencies against you. He knew you'd play the hero and save the world once again." Duncan couldn't refute her arguement, he'd figured Methos' plan out too late and now he had to go along with it no matter the out come would be. "He save you Cassandra, doesn't that gain him a second chance? Or at least a repreive for now." It was all Duncan could think of to say. He knew if Methos had the chance or the strength Cassandra wouldn't stand a chance.
"Cassandra, for me then, I'm tired of the killing." Cassandra looked at Duncan's youthful face and for ther first time in her life saw an immortal's true age. His eyes said it all. "Alright Duncan, but someday you'll come to regret this." Cassandra spat. Then Cassandra grabbed the weary Methos by the scruff of the neck and started to say something. At this same moment a jolt of energy went through her body and she saw the Destiny of Methos and smiled. Pulling Methos to eye level she spoke the words that he's never forget.
"Your destiny is to die Methos so that one wiser can take your place. The child of two immortals shall take revenge for herself and for me. You'll cause your own destruction." With that said she walked away from Paris and out of Methos' world, at least for now. Methos turned pale. Duncan had no idea what Cassandra said but was glad she left.
Methos sat quietly humoring his happy friend as Duncan doted over his daughter. He couldn't help staring at the girl.He sat wondering how could such a delicate looking creature could possibly be a threat. Catherine was starting to get edgey. ** Why is he staring at me like that? Its like he's never seen a teenager before.** Catherine smiled at Methos trying to seem sencere in her effort. She really wanted to leave it only she could think of an excuse. Then it hit her. "Dun--Dad, I have to get back to the barge! I promised to go shopping with mom and she'll kill me if I let her go over our budget again." The feigned distress in her voice was perfect and the thought of having to pay Amanda's shopping bills was enough to jar Duncan back into the real world and out of instant fatherhood. Methos smiled at Catherine knowing that this particular young lady would be somewhat of a challenge for him.
Back at the barge Catherine was on edge as she told Amanda about her encounter with Adam (Methos). Amanda didn't like what she heard one single bit, Catherine wasn't the kind to assume anything. Her senses were too keen thanks to Amanda's training. Catherine and Amanda agreed that they should place a call to their friend Cassandra maybe she could clear up the situation. After all she was the only immortal who knew Methos intimately.
Chapter Eight
Cassandra was sitting in her penthouse in New York enjoying the view on the unusually clear morning when the phone rang. Cassandra wondered who could be calling her at such an early hour. It was Amanda. She should have known, maybe she and Catherine were back in town. Cassandra always liked visiting and shopping with her god-daughter. The happiness soon drained from the conversation after a few minutes. She couldn't believe Catherine's time had come so soon and she dreaded telling the girl and her mother of the prophecy that would soon dominate their lives.
Amanda and Catherine hung up their phones as Cassandra's conversation ended and reality or what was left of it set in. Duncan had just come in from Joe's and was asking how their imaginary shopping trip went. Catherine wasn't the type to beat around the bush and just blurted out the whole story to Duncan and quickly wrapped her shaking arms around her father's waist. Duncan looked to Amanda for a slower version of the story.
"There is no way Methos would ever buy something like that and try to hurt Catherine over it!" Duncan protested. Just then shots rang out from every corner of the barge. Catherine, Duncan, and Amanda lay huddled on the floor, slowly crawling towards the entrance when Amanda and Duncan felt an all too familiar surge of power behind their eyes. Their was an immortal on the barge. As the door creaked open Duncan and Amanda unsheathed their swords and took up defensive positions in front of Catherine. On the otherside was Methos brandishing his own sword to both of their surprise.
Methos stepped into clear view and began to speak. "Duncan that child is an abomination you can get rid of her yourself and save all of us a lot of trouble or I can do it for you." Methos' voice was icier than usual, Catherine hid a shudder of fear. She stared down the immortal trying for something close to intimidation, he smiled at her. "You have two days Duncan, Amanda and then I take this into my own hands. If I have to come back into the game I will." Duncan and Amanda looked at each other as if speaking telepathically, they weren't about to kill their daughter.
"Well thats the whole story. After Methos left the barge Duncan got on the horn with the professor and he agreed to let me come here. I'll finish my basic education here and train with you guys. Taking into consideration the fact that I'll become an immortal someday, hopefully later and not sooner, I have been given the option of becoming an X-Man by the professor." Catherine said matter-of-factly to her captive audience. From the look on the X-Men's faces she could tell they were still finding some of her story hard to swallow. "Where are Catherine's parents now Professor?" Scott asked. He could've asked Catherine that, but she decided to let it slide for now. "Duncan and Amanda have split up in an attempt to lure Methos away from Catherine. They thought it would be too risky for either of them to stay near Catherine, but Duncan has imformed me that a freind will be keeping watch from nearby."
"Immortals, prophecies, and thieves. This is too strange even for us!" Jubilee proclaimed. "Well kid it's probably gonna get even stranger." Logan chimed in. "This aint the end of story by a long shot." Logan was right it wouldn't be over until either Methos or Catherine was dead. Catherine didn't like hiding from her problems but at the moment the Institute was the safest place, at least until Methos tracked her down and he would soon. She felt guilty about dragging the X-Men into her fight and it showed on her face. "We b'hin' ya won hunnard p'cent ma petite." Gambit said in his most charming, although overdone cajun accent. One by one the X-Men joined in his sentiment, even Jubilee and Scott. For the first time in a month Catherine felt safe.
Halfway across the world in Greece Methos was hot on Amanda's trail and she was running out of ideas.
Ok this took a long time because of school work and I got a little stuck. There will be a quickening soon but I'm not telling who. I changed the ending to the horsemen because this is my little world (insert evil laughter here). theres a lot of exposition but its necessary so there. I'd like to give credit where credit is due so thanks lesley and tosha for your input, and thanks Kevin for the suggestions. You'll see them soon.
Of Mutants and Immortals
By Animefreek
**denote thoughts
Chapter six
**This guy passed out on the couch is my dad? Gee, I thought I'd be doing the fainting if I ever met my biological parents. This guy has obviously watched "Camille" one too many times on American Movie Classics.** Catherine thought as she sat on the love seat adjacent to Duncan. "Is he awake yet?" Catherine was jarred from her thoughts by her mother's question. "No, he hasn't come back to the real world yet." Catherine tried not to sound coarse toward her mother, but it just came out that way. All of her life, up until that moment in the cafe, Catherine had thought that Amanda had never lied to her. She knew their relationship could never be "normal". After all Amanda was Amanda. She couldn't change what she was and she was a thief. Up until the cafe Catherine thought their relationship was built on complete honesty, at least between them.
"Kate I know what you're thinking." Amanda said while sitting on the love seat next to her. "What, that I hate being called Kate or that you lied to me every single time I ever asked you about my birth parents." Catherine's voice was icy as she slid over to the other end of the couch. "Catherine I just wanted to protect you, I didn't know how Duncan would react to you. I still don't." Catherine was about give a very nasty retort to her mother's deductive reasoning when Duncan stirred on the couch. **I have a feeling my life is about to get much more complicated.** Catherine thought as Duncan swung himself upright on the couch.
Duncan sat up, thinking that the events of the day were some sort of strange dream, but as he opened his eyes and saw Amanda and his "daughter" his delusion was shattered. **I have a daughter? This kid is my daughter or at least Amanda says she is. What do I do?** These were the only thoughts going through his head as he stared at the frail looking young woman sitting adjacent to him. Then he turned to Amanda, she had a lot of explaining to do the both of them according to the look on Catherine's face. Duncan had wanted a family so desparately, but this isn't the way he ever thought he'd get one. Amanda gave a little cough, which was Catherine's cue to turn in for the night. Reluctantly she said her good nights and went into Duncan's guest room.
There was an intense staring contest for at least an hour or more. Catherine sat patiently listening at the foot of the guest room door, one of the advantages of being an immortal's daughter is that time is something taken for granted because immortals have so much of it. She had learned to be very patient. "Amanda why did you wait so long to tell me this?" Duncan asked hesitantly. "Honestly? I guess I wanted something all to myself. I've never had anything that was mine before, everything I have is stolen. Catherine was mine." Amanda's voice was cracking now, partly because of what she knew Duncan was about to say. "And you didn't steal her from me? All those years I could have been her father. You got to see her first steps, to hear her first words. What's left for me? I'm not even sure I should be her father or could." With that said Duncan walked out into the night and didn't look back. "Duncan where are you going?" "To think, stay here on the barge until I get back." Little did we know that we'd be in Paris for a month while Duncan "found himself again" in some secret hide away.
So to make a long story short Amanda and I wiled away the month doing what we did best. I was still mad at her and didn't bother to hide it in public or private. Things came to a head between us in the park the day before Duncan decided to grace us with his prescence again.
"Catherine please talk to me." Amanda demanded. "And say what mom, say that I forgive you for lying to me my entire life, that I forgive you for depriving me of a father!" "Catherine I can't ask you to forgive me and I won't, but I didn't want you to get hurt. The way you are now." Amanda looked down at her feet and there was an odd moment of silence between them. "Amanda? Why tell me now? If you didn't want me hurt why just blurt out something so important?" Catherine waited for an answer as Amanda stood looking at the skyline. "Because you need both of us now. You're going to be an immortal someday, you need him to teach you how to fight." **Its not like I wasn't expecting her to say something like this, I've suspected as much. Even back to my earliest memories. Amanda was so protective, more than any other normal mother. But then again who would dare call an immortal thief normal except for me?**
"Whoa, so you are going to be immortal?" Bobby said scratching his head. "Yes Bobby." Catherine said in a motherly tone. "Who's this Methos dude and why is he after you any way?" Bobby was still scratching his head. Catherine would probably have to review the whole story again for him later. **I like this guy but we're gonna have to work on his comprehension skills.** Catherine thought to herself. The professor and Jean grinned. **I'm going to have to talk to those guys about eaves dropping in my thoughts too.**
"Can I get back to my story now?" Catherine was starting to get irritated by the interuptions. "Could you speed it up? Some of us have work to do." Scott said with a smirk. Catherine quickly drew out her sword and raised the tip right between Scott's eyes. "Are you going to let me finish or do I have to use this thing?" Scott gulped, "I thought I confiscated that thing, how'd you get it back?" "One, don't think for a second that I don't have more than one, and Two, get a better security system for the boat house. It was too easy to get this back." Logan snorted down a laugh and so did Jubilee. Catherine brandished her sword around the room, "Any more interruptions? No. Good. I'll continue."
Chapter Seven
The next day Duncan returned. He was obviously accepting the truth of the situation and he quickly took me under his wing as soon as he noticed my potential immortality. Our first hand-to-hand combat lesson was quite amusing. He had assumed that Amanda hadn't taught me anything about self defense. After I floored him a couple of times he got over that idea. As for swordplay I caught on pretty fast, if I do say so myself.
"Who is Methos? I mean this father daughter stuff is nice, but is it relevent to the story?" Said Bobby still confused. **I'm getting a headache.** Catherine rubbed her temples. "I'm getting to that Bobby dear." Catherine said trying to immitate her mother's most mocking tone.
"As I was saying my dad and I were getting along fabulously and we decided to forgive Amanda after letting her stew in her own juices for while. We were getting along so well that he decided that it was time to introduce his friends to his daughter. Thats when all hell broke loose." Catherine said with an edge to her voice.
Duncan decided to introduce me to his friend Joe Dawson first. Joe was definitely not what I expected as I met my first watcher face to face. He was actually pretty cool. "She's you what!" Joe said as he choking on scoth and bourbon. Duncan laughed and for the first time since this whole mess started I did too. "She's my daughter, Catherine Amanda Montrose." Duncan said not believing how nonchalant he sounded about it. Joe was still choking, Duncan had to pat his back and pour him something a little stronger. "Duncan come into my office. We have to talk." Joe said staring at Catherine. Duncan looked at Catherine and patted her on the head. She got the picture. "Go go I'll just sit out here and case the joint maybe I'll order a Long Island Ice Tea or something." Catherine smiled and gave Joe an innocent wink and gestured for them to leave. **I hope they knew I wasn't joking about the drink.** Catherine thought.
After an hour and two long island Ice teas Catherine was a little tipsy and Joe and Duncan were peeved at the young bartender who served them to her. He obviously wanted a date and was willing to get her drunk first before asking. Joe exited his office acting like he was Catherine's father. She had never seen a man so interested in her life before it was one of the few times she was ever caught off guard. "Don't be too flattered he'll be writing this up in a report for the watchers, he just wants to get all the facts straight." Duncan said laughing. "Don't listen t'em, kid. There's no way I'm letting anybody in on this, you're my little secret." Joe said with a frightening gleam in his eye. "Well then Mr. Dawson if you're going to keep me I suggest we talk allowances, after all I'm a rather high maintenance girl." Catherine was almost as good a flirt as her mother. "She's definitely Amanda's alright!"
Next on the list was Adam Pierceson AKA Methos. This is where the shit hits the fan. Methos wasn't as pleasantly surprised as Joe in fact he turned a ghastly shade of eggshell white at the sight of Catherine. Duncan wasn't aware of his friend's true feelings, but Catherine sensed something was wrong and was bracing herself as if lighting were going to strike where she stood.
Methos stood staring at this miraculous freak of nature claiming to be the biological child of Amanda and Duncan. Looking at this girl he knew his number was coming up and he'd soon have to rejoin the game unless he could destroy her. **A daughter? This is breaking all the rules! How dare they! I won't have a child destroy me. I won't let Cassandra be right, not this time.**
(flash back to the end of the four horsemen)
Cassandra stood standing over a weakened Methos poised to take his head and have her revenge. "Cassandra Stop!" Duncan called from the walk way above. "Why! He should die. He betrayed and used me and when I gave him my heart he threw it away!" Cassandra snapped. "He deserves to die Duncan. He's used so many people, he's used you to do his dirty work for him, he knew he couldn't defeat Kronos so he used your chivalrous tendencies against you. He knew you'd play the hero and save the world once again." Duncan couldn't refute her arguement, he'd figured Methos' plan out too late and now he had to go along with it no matter the out come would be. "He save you Cassandra, doesn't that gain him a second chance? Or at least a repreive for now." It was all Duncan could think of to say. He knew if Methos had the chance or the strength Cassandra wouldn't stand a chance.
"Cassandra, for me then, I'm tired of the killing." Cassandra looked at Duncan's youthful face and for ther first time in her life saw an immortal's true age. His eyes said it all. "Alright Duncan, but someday you'll come to regret this." Cassandra spat. Then Cassandra grabbed the weary Methos by the scruff of the neck and started to say something. At this same moment a jolt of energy went through her body and she saw the Destiny of Methos and smiled. Pulling Methos to eye level she spoke the words that he's never forget.
"Your destiny is to die Methos so that one wiser can take your place. The child of two immortals shall take revenge for herself and for me. You'll cause your own destruction." With that said she walked away from Paris and out of Methos' world, at least for now. Methos turned pale. Duncan had no idea what Cassandra said but was glad she left.
Methos sat quietly humoring his happy friend as Duncan doted over his daughter. He couldn't help staring at the girl.He sat wondering how could such a delicate looking creature could possibly be a threat. Catherine was starting to get edgey. ** Why is he staring at me like that? Its like he's never seen a teenager before.** Catherine smiled at Methos trying to seem sencere in her effort. She really wanted to leave it only she could think of an excuse. Then it hit her. "Dun--Dad, I have to get back to the barge! I promised to go shopping with mom and she'll kill me if I let her go over our budget again." The feigned distress in her voice was perfect and the thought of having to pay Amanda's shopping bills was enough to jar Duncan back into the real world and out of instant fatherhood. Methos smiled at Catherine knowing that this particular young lady would be somewhat of a challenge for him.
Back at the barge Catherine was on edge as she told Amanda about her encounter with Adam (Methos). Amanda didn't like what she heard one single bit, Catherine wasn't the kind to assume anything. Her senses were too keen thanks to Amanda's training. Catherine and Amanda agreed that they should place a call to their friend Cassandra maybe she could clear up the situation. After all she was the only immortal who knew Methos intimately.
Chapter Eight
Cassandra was sitting in her penthouse in New York enjoying the view on the unusually clear morning when the phone rang. Cassandra wondered who could be calling her at such an early hour. It was Amanda. She should have known, maybe she and Catherine were back in town. Cassandra always liked visiting and shopping with her god-daughter. The happiness soon drained from the conversation after a few minutes. She couldn't believe Catherine's time had come so soon and she dreaded telling the girl and her mother of the prophecy that would soon dominate their lives.
Amanda and Catherine hung up their phones as Cassandra's conversation ended and reality or what was left of it set in. Duncan had just come in from Joe's and was asking how their imaginary shopping trip went. Catherine wasn't the type to beat around the bush and just blurted out the whole story to Duncan and quickly wrapped her shaking arms around her father's waist. Duncan looked to Amanda for a slower version of the story.
"There is no way Methos would ever buy something like that and try to hurt Catherine over it!" Duncan protested. Just then shots rang out from every corner of the barge. Catherine, Duncan, and Amanda lay huddled on the floor, slowly crawling towards the entrance when Amanda and Duncan felt an all too familiar surge of power behind their eyes. Their was an immortal on the barge. As the door creaked open Duncan and Amanda unsheathed their swords and took up defensive positions in front of Catherine. On the otherside was Methos brandishing his own sword to both of their surprise.
Methos stepped into clear view and began to speak. "Duncan that child is an abomination you can get rid of her yourself and save all of us a lot of trouble or I can do it for you." Methos' voice was icier than usual, Catherine hid a shudder of fear. She stared down the immortal trying for something close to intimidation, he smiled at her. "You have two days Duncan, Amanda and then I take this into my own hands. If I have to come back into the game I will." Duncan and Amanda looked at each other as if speaking telepathically, they weren't about to kill their daughter.
"Well thats the whole story. After Methos left the barge Duncan got on the horn with the professor and he agreed to let me come here. I'll finish my basic education here and train with you guys. Taking into consideration the fact that I'll become an immortal someday, hopefully later and not sooner, I have been given the option of becoming an X-Man by the professor." Catherine said matter-of-factly to her captive audience. From the look on the X-Men's faces she could tell they were still finding some of her story hard to swallow. "Where are Catherine's parents now Professor?" Scott asked. He could've asked Catherine that, but she decided to let it slide for now. "Duncan and Amanda have split up in an attempt to lure Methos away from Catherine. They thought it would be too risky for either of them to stay near Catherine, but Duncan has imformed me that a freind will be keeping watch from nearby."
"Immortals, prophecies, and thieves. This is too strange even for us!" Jubilee proclaimed. "Well kid it's probably gonna get even stranger." Logan chimed in. "This aint the end of story by a long shot." Logan was right it wouldn't be over until either Methos or Catherine was dead. Catherine didn't like hiding from her problems but at the moment the Institute was the safest place, at least until Methos tracked her down and he would soon. She felt guilty about dragging the X-Men into her fight and it showed on her face. "We b'hin' ya won hunnard p'cent ma petite." Gambit said in his most charming, although overdone cajun accent. One by one the X-Men joined in his sentiment, even Jubilee and Scott. For the first time in a month Catherine felt safe.
Halfway across the world in Greece Methos was hot on Amanda's trail and she was running out of ideas.
Ok this took a long time because of school work and I got a little stuck. There will be a quickening soon but I'm not telling who. I changed the ending to the horsemen because this is my little world (insert evil laughter here). theres a lot of exposition but its necessary so there. I'd like to give credit where credit is due so thanks lesley and tosha for your input, and thanks Kevin for the suggestions. You'll see them soon.