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 nine
Amanda was running frantically through the streets of Athens searching for a place to hide. Methos was hot on her trail and gaining. She'd been dodging him for a week, all the time trying to convence him that Catherine was near by. She'd leave notes at random hotels and check a fictious Catherine into them. All the time wishing her daughter was really with her, she missed her dearly and wanted nothing more than to hold her.
**I have to ditch him soon otherwise my head and my daughter are lost. I hope Cassandra is watching her god daughter.** Amanda thought as she ducked blindly into an alley. "Amanda!" A man's voice from behind her. "There's no use in running, stand down and accept your fate."
In the distance bystanders heard the clanging of metal and suddenly an explosion racked its way up the alley. A headless body was lying in the alley.
Back at the Institute Bobby and Catherine were in the danger room. They were practicing their team work skills (and Bobby was showing off) when Scott abruptly ended the session and told Catherine that she had a phone call from a Mr. Dawson. Catherine got a weird sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. When she walked into the war room Joe was waiting on the video phone.
"Joe whats up? Hows things in the world of watchers?" Catherine was trying not to look at Joe the expressiion on his face was too dire. "If its not good news Joe I don't need it."
Joe liked to see Catherine so at ease and hated the fact that he had to relay bad news her way. He braced himself and let it fly. " Catherine I have some news for you. We last spotted your mother in Greece and apparently Methos was on her tail."
"Joe spit it out. Is my mother dead or alive?" Catherine spat in a matter of fact way. Joe had admire her resolve, Amanda trained her well, maybe too well. Children should be children especially sixteen year olds.
"Catherine I don't know, your mother and Methos were spotted in Greece but the body that was left is unidentifiable. And since immortals don't have dental or medical records theres no way of identifying the body." Joe was really hating being a watcher, right now if he had his way Methos would be staring down the barrel of his gun and Catherine would have her new family back.
"What about her watcher, didn't he see what happened?" Catherine wanted to hang up the phone, how dare he tell her this where was Duncan.
"Amanda ditched him and no one knows that Methos is really Adam, at least not yet. We don't know if it was even Methos in the alley with Amanda. I just thought you should know just in case." Joe could see the stress on the girl's face and immediately regretted calling.
"Thanks Joe." Catherine's voice was smaller now. "But until someone can tell me for sure that Amanda is dead, she's alive and I won't take anything else as a possibility." Catherine had to be the strong one. Joe was under a lot of pressure and seeing her cry would only make things worse. "She's alive Joe and we'll get Methos off my tail no matter what, but you have to keep your part of the bargain. Exposing him as an immortal would only make him mad and bolder. If he were exposed he'd have nothing to lose and we'd lose our edge."
Joe had to admire her composure. How a sixteen year old kid could possibly be so cool was beyond him. "Okay little lady I'll keep you updated. Bye." Catherine let her head drop to her lap when Joe's face disappeared from the screen. She rubbed her temples and wished that she could see her mom and dad.
Scott and Bobby were listening from the hall. "I have to be out of my mind to let you talk me into eaves dropping on Catherine's conversation." Scott said glaring at Bobby. "Drake you're a bad influence."
"Hey if we're gonna help her we've got to find out all the info right. Anyway she's not talking and neither is the prof." Bobby smiled and started to walk into the war room. Scott walked towards the kitchen to get something to drink. **That kid is trouble and this is going to blow up. Immortals, and pre-immortals, and prophecies. This is too much.** Scott thought as he entered the kitchen. Jean was there to give him a mental nudge about his attitude. He seriously didn't like Catherine and for the life of her she didn't know why. The rest of the team was warming up to her quite nicely even Jubilee.
Back in the war room Catherine was sobbing on Bobby's shoulder. Bobby liked Catherine very much and since she came to the mansion everybody seemed to be having more fun. She had this kind of free spirit that dared you not to laugh when she was at her most lively. She made a sport out of teasing Scott and even the prof. had to laugh at her enthusiasim. Now she was this fragile kid wondering whether or not her mother was dead. He felt awful for her, but what could he possibly say to make her feel better. He could only think of one thing to say. "Catherine I love you."
Logan was walking by the war room and heard Bobby's confession. **Kid what are you getting yourself into?** He quickly left before he was noticed. **Popsicle and I are gonna hav ta talk. He has no idea what he's gettin inta.**
Catherine was in shock. She was completely, but pleasantly caught off guard. Then reality set in. "Bobby you don't know what you're saying or asking." She said flatly. "It'll never work and it isn't just my age."
Bobby was ready to argue but she cut him off. "Bobby, immortals and mortals or even pre-immortals like me don't work. For all I know I could die and become immortal tomorrow and then what. I'll look sixteen forever."
"I wouldn't mind you looking the way you do now forever." Said Bobby with a smile. "Its not that simple Bobby." Catherine said with a sneer.
"Imagine being with someone who never changed never grew old. It hurts. Even for me, especially for me. I'm going to have to watch the people I love die. I may even have to kill my own father or mother. So for both our sakes let this idea go." Catherine stalked out of the room feeling bad not only for Bobby, but for herself. She felt the same way about Bobby.
** This can't be happening to me. To us. He can't love me, I won't let him.** She walked right by Logan and Hank, not noticing the concerned looks on their faces and right into Ororo.
**Great this is all I need, the weather witch asking questions. Just brush her off and go for a walk to clear your head.** "What is the matter child did someone say something to offend you?" Storm was concerned, Catherine had been very cheerful the last few weeks and now she seemed aged. "If you need to talk child I am here." She said in her most motherly voice.
"Maybe later. I just really need to be alone right now. I wish my mom were here but for all I know she may be dead and my dad who knows." With that Catherine walked out the bay doors and into the garden. **Oh Bobby, why'd you have to go and ruin things? I could explain my reasons a million times over and you still couldn't grasp the gravity of this situation. Everyone that I love is going to die before me.** As she was thinking and walking she felt the pressence of someone behind her. She quickly dried her eyes and turned around.
A young man who seemed to be in his early twenties stood before her. His brown eyes and sandy blonde hair gave him the appearance of being younger. He stuck out his hand to her and she hugged him. "Richie what are doing here? Not that it isn't great to see you." Catherine nearly smiled and she would have if her day wasn't going to hell in a hand basket. "I'm watching you while Mac is leading Methos on another wild goose chase. I never thought the guy would lose it like this." Richie said scratching his head.
"How'd you get past the mansion's defenses? Never mind I'm forgetting that I'm not the only thief around." Catherine smiled now. "You have to come in and meet the others. They've never actually met a full immortal before and I'm sure Hank would love to run some tests on you." Richie cringed and Catherine began laughing at the expression on his face. Richie nodded after getting the "joke" and let Catherine lead him into the rec room.
Most of the X-Men were assembled there already. News gets around fast especially if someone's upset. Richie was obviously nervous as his friend led him into a thicket of mutants. He'd never met any mutants before and these mutants were powerful and knew about immortals. Intimidation was not the word for what he was feeling. Catherine leaned into his shoulder and whispered into his ear. "They won't bite I swear." "You promise." Richie quips.
Richie poured on the charm for the ladies and Jubes was drooling the entire time. Logan on the other hand was playing the protective father and keeping Jubes and Richie a good distance away from each other. Hank wanted to run some tests on Richie, his scientific curiousity taking over. Bobby was giving Richie the evil eye, she would have to explain that to Richie later. Scott was basically interrogating him especially about the security system. The Professor, Charles when Scott wasn't around, was very stoic I'm guessing he knows how Bobby feels about me.
"So Ryan where are you staying?" Scott said in his most authoritative voice. "I can't say right now but I'll be near by with a friend, she has a stake in this too." Richie said trying to loosen up the mood and failing miserablely. Catherine shot him a look that said "He's a prick, deal with it, I do." Richie looked at his watch and announced he had to leave and that he'd be in touch. Catherine walked him out. Hugging him she slipped him her cell phone number and told him to call her later. It was nice to forget about her worries for a little while.
In an estate a mile away Cassandra was waiting for Richie to return. She had had one of her visions and it wasn't good. She'd seen Amanda fighting with an immortal but whether or not she'd won was still unknown to her. She could feel Methos' prescence getting closer to Catherine.
Richie strolled into the newly bought Westchester estate wondering how Cassandra had managed to accumulate so much money. Then again she's been around for almost as long as Methos, immortals who played their cards right never had to worry about jobs or money. Too bad he wasn't one of them. He'd had to resort to petty crimes since his racing accident, it was a good thing that Amanda had taken him under her wing. He hated the idea of having to go to Duncan for another loan. It was really embarassing especially since he gave Duncan that big speech about being independant.
"Richie, how is Catherine? Is she being treated well?" Cassandra sounded worried and with good reason. Professor Xavier's reputation had preceded him in more ways than one. From what she could find out about the Institute through normal channels the school was for gifted children, but in other circles she found out that the school was a front for a renegade band of mutants called the X-Men. Their mission was to promote peace between norms and mutants but more often than not they usually only suceeded in diffusing small situations and went largely unnoticed by the media unless it was pictures of them fighting.
"She's fine, physically at least, she did seem a little shaken when I found her. I think its because of Joe's phone call. It could be something else though." Richie smirked.
"Like what?" Cassandra frowned. " I don't know yet but I'll call her tonight. She looked like she needed to talk to someone who really knows her." Richie's voice was a little more sober now.
Catherine and Richie were more like brother and sister than anything else. When Amanda took Richie in he became the second apprentice under her mentorship. At first it was hard for him swallow his pride and take orders from Catherine, but he soon fell into line when Catherine's quick thinking saved him from getting caught on his first professional hiest. Catherine was as good a thief as her mother and since she was going to be an immortal someday she'd have time to improve her techniques. It surprised him even more when Duncan and Amanda told him the truth about Catherine, no wonder she was so bossy, she got it from both sides of her family.
After dinner Cassandra decided to pay a surprise visit to her god daughter. She wanted to see first hand how the X-Men were treating her little one. The X-Men were quite surprised at the "sudden increase" in immortals they were meeting lately. Cassandra was her usual regal self, perfectly groomed and utterly mysterious at all times. Catherine grinned as her godmother charmed the room all the while sizing up each of the X-Men. The men were totally charmed, even Remy, to the annoyance of Rogue.
"Professor I hope my god- daughter isn't too much of a hand full for you. She has a tendency to try a saint's patience on the best of days." Cassandra grinned evilly at Catherine and Catherine returned the look with a mock glare. "She's always been a most inquisitive child. I can imagine she's had a lot of questions for you when she's studying." The professor nodded and replied that Catherine was doing quite well in her studies and that he wished another teenager in the house would use her as an example. Jubes glared at Catherine. "Its not my fault you don't study." Catherine announced. The group laughed. Now it was Catherine's turn to talk.
"Cassandra, have you heard from my mother yet?" Cassandra was waiting for that question all night and didn't want to answer it, but her Catherine never took silence for an answer. "No, dear and I'm taking that as a good sign. Your mother is too much of a professional to risk you by calling me, even if Methos doesn't know we're connected." Cassandra said roughly. She didn't want to be harsh, but life for immortals was harsh and violent at times. She saw no need in sugar coating things. The other X-Men, especially Bobby, glared at her. **Good they're protective of her, that'll help. She needs to live to a proper age. Teenage immortals are usually the first to die because they're not fully developed. Hmm the tall blonde seems to have a crush on my girl, good for you Catherine. Perhaps some distraction is just what the doctor ordered.**
Cassandra took her leave of the X-Men after some more pleasent conversation and securing her belief that her little one was in good hands. Catherine again turned into the sober and aged sixteen year old she was a few hours earlier and went to her room to wait for a phone call from Richie. The X-Men, excluding Jubilee, had some things to talk over in the Professor's office.
"Professor, Scott chimed in, this is getting a little unreal. In two days we've met two immortals and learned many things that some of wish we hadn't." "Speak for yourself bub! The kid's not hurting anybody and cept for you she gets along with evr'ybody." Logan snarled with his cigar in his mouth.
"Don't start with me Logan, she has no discipline or respect for authority. She belongs somewhere else." Scott snarled back. Jean was about to interject when Bobby stood up.
"If you don't want her here Scott give us a better reason than that. If thats the only reason for you wanting her out I should have been kicked out years ago. Whats the deal? Why don't you like her?" Bobby was giving him a look that none of the other X-Men had ever seen on his face. He looked as though he was ready to kill.
**He's got it bad.** Remy, Logan, and Hank all thought at the same time.
"You really want to know. Fine. The scientist that brought Catherine into this world was my best friend. He died in that explosion! He didn't deserve that, he had everything and more going for him. She caused the death of one on my dearest friends." Scott stormed out of the office and Jean followed.
The rest of the X-Men filed out of the office one by one. Hank, Logan, and, Remy grabbed Bobby and pulled him outside into the garden. Hank started off the conversation. "Robert it cannot and could not possibly work, she's too young and her life is too complicated." Hank tried to sound scientific about the matter but he ended up sounding more like Bobby's father. Logan on the other hand knew how Bobby felt, he didn't even know how old he was so every woman he ever fell in love with could be too young for him. Catherine was a different matter all together her life was going to be more complicated than anyone in the X-Men could even imagine. Remy was, to say the least, amused by the situation. If it weren't for the age difference Rogue would have a run for her money.
"Don't even start with me Hank, she's different and you know it, normal rules don't apply to her." Bobby said waving his hands in Hank's face trying to leave the group of men. "Robert it won't work. She's too different, surely she explained what might happen if she were to undergo a relationship with you." Hank was his best friend and was trying his best to disuade him from the path he'd chosen.
"What da petite tink o'dis homme? She got ta have a say in dis too." Remy chimed in. Bobby's face sank. "She said it wouldn't work. She said it'd be too painful for the both of us even if we tried to make it work." Bobby said reluctantly. "Den dere's ya anser homme, leave it alone, she got enuf problem without you." Gambit said sympathetically to his friend. Bobby looked over at Logan. "Well what about you, whats your sage advice?" Bobby sniped at Logan. "Do what ya want bub, but make sure the kid wants it too." With that said Logan walked off into the garden and lit his cigar.
"Guys I know you mean well, but I have to talk to Catherine. We have to figure this thing out on our own." Bobby walked back towards the mansion alone.
Upstairs Catherine was lying on her bed and reviewing the past two days in her head. She was relieved to know that Cassandra and Richie would be nearby and her training was progressing fast. The danger room program she designed was working wonderfully, she'd never had such a thorough workout before. On the other hand thoughts of Bobby kept creeping into her head. She'd had crushes before, but nothing like this. **I wish my mom were here, she'd know what to do. Mom knows men better than anyone I know, she'd tell me what to do. Maybe I should talk to the prof. or Jean. Maybe not, Jean she has enough on her hands, dealing with everyone else's sanity. I know I'll call Cassandra.** With that decision made she picked up the phone and called her godmother.
"My dear what is the problem? If you feel the same way about him go with it. After all in a few years you'll be an immortal and time and age will start to mean very little to you. Find love, real love, where ever you can. Immortals have all the time in the world but our lives can be very lonely." Cassandra was sincere in her advice but worried. ** I hope she doesn't get hurt. I hope he really loves her.**
"Cassandra are you sure about this? What if this all blows up in my face. What if this turns ugly? What about the other students, what if they don't..."
Cassandra cut Catherine off. "What if the world blows up and the sun goes black. Life is full of " what ifs". What if you miss out on the love of your life?"
"What if I die tomorrow?" Catherine said coldly. "What if you live? Whatever you do it's your decision." Cassandra hung up the phone. Catherine was wondering how she was going to talk to Bobby. Whatever she decided it was going to wait until tomorrow and she was going to get some sleep.
In Louisiana Duncan was wondering how his daughter was doing and whether or not he should try to get a message to Richie.
Chapter Ten
Louisiana was the perfect place for an immortal. It was one of the few places left where mortals didn't ask too many questions when one of the town residents didn't seem to age in a decade or two. Duncan was sitting in the Cafe Demonde sipping a mug of hot chocolate. It was a pleasent enough distraction considering the trouble he'd been through the past two weeks.
He'd managed to find a young actress who would play the role of Catherine and not ask a lot of questions. He made it well worth her while. Besides what he was paying her to play his daughter, she got the added perk of impromptu shopping sprees and some very public appearences with uppercrust of New Orleans society. He hated using the poor girl but his own daughter had to be protected. Miss Morgan was a talented young woman and Duncan found himself at times thinking of her as Catherine. After this was all over he'd make a few calls and Miss Morgan would get a scholarship from Juliard.
The sound of a carriage passing and the blarring of a New Orleans cab's horn brought Duncan from his revelry. "Dad!" Miss Morgan yelled from across the street. Duncan started to go over to her. "No I'll come to you, I could use a cup of coffee." She yelled across the busy street. As she was crossing the street he felt a familiar surge under his skin and heard the screech of tires against the pavement. There was no time to react and Duncan was at a loss for words. A black Camary barreled down the street and sent Miss Billie Morgan hurtling into the on coming traffic killing her in one of the worst accidents of the year. Duncan's stomach sank as he saw the driver of the Camary, Methos.
Methos already knew that the young woman wasn't the elusive Catherine, but Duncan needed to be taught a lesson. Duncan needed to know that the world's oldest immortal wasn't ready to die just yet.
Catherine woke up in a cold sweat from her fitful slumber. The dream she had was so vivid. She saw someone who looked like her walking across a busy street, only to be run down by a car. The driver of the car is what scared her the most, it was Methos. **Haven't I got enough to think about, now I have a stranger's blood on my hands as well. I hate hiding I wish I could fight!** Catherine's head was screaming from the migrane she was having and from other thoughts, most of which were about Bobby.
Scott and Jean were in the kitchen preparing breakfast. Neither of them had spoken to each other since the meeting in Xavier's office and Scott had blocked there telepathic link. "It wasn't her falt, you know that." Jean said softly. "I know but she isn't susposed to be here, she's not susposed to exist. That immortal woman defied nature and ended up killing an entire complex of people." Scott proclaimed. They hadn't noticed Catherine standing in the door.
"If you have a problem with me, you should tell me. You could've saved us both a lot of problems. If I'm not really welcome here then I'll take my chances somewhere else." Catherine said coldly. Scott had to admire her courage but thats where the admiration stopped. He didn't think much of the girl or her carefree life.
"Of course you're welcome here Catherine." Jean interjected. Scott walked away to set the table. "Scott will come around. He just needs some time to get use to you."
"Get use to me? I'm the one who needs to use to all of this. One day I'm a somewhat normal teenager the next day I'm hiding from a mad man who wants to kill me, and a man in his mid-twenties tells me he loves me!" Catherine blurted out. She was expecting Jean to be surprised, then she remembered that Jean has known Bobby since he was a teenager. "Your not surprised?"
"No. I noticed the first day you got here that he had a crush on you." Jean smiled sweetly. "And you don't see anything wrong with that." Catherine was getting confused. "I didn't say that. I'm just saying I know. To tell you the truth I'm worried about the both of you." Jean was completely serious now. "Bobby hasn't had the greatest luck with women and your life is, to say the least, chaos."
"Thats what I tried to explain to Bobby, but he's got it in his that he loves me and whats worse I know I love him." Catherine said matter of factly. "It can't work and its not just my age. My mom and dad wouldn't care about our ages, heck I don't really care. Its the fact that he's going to have to learn that he can't protect me. Its a part of the rules of the game."
"What are the rules?" Jean quaried. Catherine took a deep breath and started to explain.
There are basically four rules that must be followed:
1. There can be only one.
2. The old tutor the new.
3. All fights are one on one.
4. No fighting on holy ground.
There is another rule, but more and more immortals where ignoring, don't envolve mortals or let them know of our existace. Duncan and Amanda broke this rule on the regular basis.
"You see Jean sooner or later I'm going to die. Granted I won't look my age, but I know I probably won't be the last. It'll probably be an immortal like Duncan or his kinsman Conner. How's Bobby going to feel when one day I accept a challenge and I don' t come back?" Catherine had never felt so sad. The thought of hurting Bobby was horrible. Almost as horrible as the thought of Methos finding her. She wasn't ready for the fighting yet, not by a long shot.
Back in New Orleans Methos had disappeared from the chaos of the car "accident" and was headed toward Duncan's hotel. "Mr. Macleod and I are going to have a little talk. He can either tell me where the child is or I can take his head, either way she's mine."
Duncan regretted it but there would be too many questions if he claimed to young girl's body right now. How could he possibly explain the reason for hiring her to impersonate his daughter? The only thing he could do was pack and leave New Orleans. He'd have to claim her body later.
While Duncan was in his room packing Methos had just entered the hotel lobby. Methos casually strolled up to the hotel clerk and gave her his most charming smile. "Excuse me could you tell me if my cousin Duncan Macleod has checked in yet?" He used his most European accent to charm the obviously naive young woman. She smiled timidly and he realized she was right where he wanted her. "Uhm yes, he just came in, I believe he's just about to check out." She said trying to cover up her deep accent. "Could you tell me what room he's in?" The clerk looked down at her nails sheepishly. "Come on, I won't tell anybody you broke the rules, just this once." He said while caressing her cheek. The young clerk was mush.
"Mr. Macleod is in room 220 east." The clerk said. "Thank you my dear." Methos said as he started to turn and leave. It was definately his lucky day, for just as he was about to ascend the stairs there stood Duncan. "Cousin, Methos said trying to keep up his charade, its been too long, after you check out we must go somewhere private and talk." Duncan knew the last thing Methos wanted to do was have a friendly talk.
The charade was dropped as soon as the two men left the hotel. Duncan was fuming at the audacity of the ancient, passing himself off as a "kinsman". "Why so mad Duncan?" Methos said smiling like the cat that swallowed the canary. "You have your nerve Methos. You stalk Amanda and I for a month, trying to kill us at every turn, and now you sit at this table with me like you just didn't kill someone in cold blood." Duncan's voice was low in an almost growl.
"Duncan everything can go back the way it was between the three of us when the child is dead." The cold in Methos' voice made Duncan shudder inside. "I don't want to die Duncan and I don't want to be in the game again. Simply hand her over and we can live our lives again." If Duncan could have killed with a look, Methos would be dead. His friend had gone mad or maybe he already was. "Do you hear yourself man? Your asking me to be my daughter's executioner. I can't and won't sacrifice my own flesh and blood so that you can have a few extra years." Duncan's flesh was beginning to crawl.
"I'm not asking you to execute her, I'm asking you to had her over to me, so that I can execute her. Its the only way to avoid my predicted fate." Methos said with a gleam in his eye. **The years have driven him mad.** Duncan thought. "Maybe Cassandra was right, maybe I should have let her kill you." **Hhmm, how did Cassandra get into this conversation? You made your first mistake Mr. Macleod.** Methos thought as a wide grin appeared on his face. Duncan knew he made a mistake in that instant. "Goodbye Duncan we'll meet again soon." With that said Methos casually stood and glided out of the restaurant.
The phone rang in Professor Xavier's office. "Hello. Oh hello Duncan. I see. When can we expect you and your freind? Should I tell Catherine your coming? Alright I'll wait until tommorow. Until then, goodbye Duncan." The phone call was brief but Xavier could sense the tension and stress that his longtime friend was feeling. He'd felt the same way the many times his X-Men were in trouble. They were his children.
Duncan placed a call immediately to Joe Dawson after his "talk" with Methos. His worst fears were confirmed. "Adam Pierceson" had used the Watcher database to track down Cassandra and was headed to New York. Joe and Duncan decided to connect in Chicago and book it to Westchester. Charles and the X-Men needed to know everything they could about Methos. Even super powered mutants would have problems with an obsessed immortal. They had a habit of coming back after being killed. It was time to take the defensive.
Of Mutants and Immortals
By Animefreek
**denote thoughts
Chapter nine
Amanda was running frantically through the streets of Athens searching for a place to hide. Methos was hot on her trail and gaining. She'd been dodging him for a week, all the time trying to convence him that Catherine was near by. She'd leave notes at random hotels and check a fictious Catherine into them. All the time wishing her daughter was really with her, she missed her dearly and wanted nothing more than to hold her.
**I have to ditch him soon otherwise my head and my daughter are lost. I hope Cassandra is watching her god daughter.** Amanda thought as she ducked blindly into an alley. "Amanda!" A man's voice from behind her. "There's no use in running, stand down and accept your fate."
In the distance bystanders heard the clanging of metal and suddenly an explosion racked its way up the alley. A headless body was lying in the alley.
Back at the Institute Bobby and Catherine were in the danger room. They were practicing their team work skills (and Bobby was showing off) when Scott abruptly ended the session and told Catherine that she had a phone call from a Mr. Dawson. Catherine got a weird sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. When she walked into the war room Joe was waiting on the video phone.
"Joe whats up? Hows things in the world of watchers?" Catherine was trying not to look at Joe the expressiion on his face was too dire. "If its not good news Joe I don't need it."
Joe liked to see Catherine so at ease and hated the fact that he had to relay bad news her way. He braced himself and let it fly. " Catherine I have some news for you. We last spotted your mother in Greece and apparently Methos was on her tail."
"Joe spit it out. Is my mother dead or alive?" Catherine spat in a matter of fact way. Joe had admire her resolve, Amanda trained her well, maybe too well. Children should be children especially sixteen year olds.
"Catherine I don't know, your mother and Methos were spotted in Greece but the body that was left is unidentifiable. And since immortals don't have dental or medical records theres no way of identifying the body." Joe was really hating being a watcher, right now if he had his way Methos would be staring down the barrel of his gun and Catherine would have her new family back.
"What about her watcher, didn't he see what happened?" Catherine wanted to hang up the phone, how dare he tell her this where was Duncan.
"Amanda ditched him and no one knows that Methos is really Adam, at least not yet. We don't know if it was even Methos in the alley with Amanda. I just thought you should know just in case." Joe could see the stress on the girl's face and immediately regretted calling.
"Thanks Joe." Catherine's voice was smaller now. "But until someone can tell me for sure that Amanda is dead, she's alive and I won't take anything else as a possibility." Catherine had to be the strong one. Joe was under a lot of pressure and seeing her cry would only make things worse. "She's alive Joe and we'll get Methos off my tail no matter what, but you have to keep your part of the bargain. Exposing him as an immortal would only make him mad and bolder. If he were exposed he'd have nothing to lose and we'd lose our edge."
Joe had to admire her composure. How a sixteen year old kid could possibly be so cool was beyond him. "Okay little lady I'll keep you updated. Bye." Catherine let her head drop to her lap when Joe's face disappeared from the screen. She rubbed her temples and wished that she could see her mom and dad.
Scott and Bobby were listening from the hall. "I have to be out of my mind to let you talk me into eaves dropping on Catherine's conversation." Scott said glaring at Bobby. "Drake you're a bad influence."
"Hey if we're gonna help her we've got to find out all the info right. Anyway she's not talking and neither is the prof." Bobby smiled and started to walk into the war room. Scott walked towards the kitchen to get something to drink. **That kid is trouble and this is going to blow up. Immortals, and pre-immortals, and prophecies. This is too much.** Scott thought as he entered the kitchen. Jean was there to give him a mental nudge about his attitude. He seriously didn't like Catherine and for the life of her she didn't know why. The rest of the team was warming up to her quite nicely even Jubilee.
Back in the war room Catherine was sobbing on Bobby's shoulder. Bobby liked Catherine very much and since she came to the mansion everybody seemed to be having more fun. She had this kind of free spirit that dared you not to laugh when she was at her most lively. She made a sport out of teasing Scott and even the prof. had to laugh at her enthusiasim. Now she was this fragile kid wondering whether or not her mother was dead. He felt awful for her, but what could he possibly say to make her feel better. He could only think of one thing to say. "Catherine I love you."
Logan was walking by the war room and heard Bobby's confession. **Kid what are you getting yourself into?** He quickly left before he was noticed. **Popsicle and I are gonna hav ta talk. He has no idea what he's gettin inta.**
Catherine was in shock. She was completely, but pleasantly caught off guard. Then reality set in. "Bobby you don't know what you're saying or asking." She said flatly. "It'll never work and it isn't just my age."
Bobby was ready to argue but she cut him off. "Bobby, immortals and mortals or even pre-immortals like me don't work. For all I know I could die and become immortal tomorrow and then what. I'll look sixteen forever."
"I wouldn't mind you looking the way you do now forever." Said Bobby with a smile. "Its not that simple Bobby." Catherine said with a sneer.
"Imagine being with someone who never changed never grew old. It hurts. Even for me, especially for me. I'm going to have to watch the people I love die. I may even have to kill my own father or mother. So for both our sakes let this idea go." Catherine stalked out of the room feeling bad not only for Bobby, but for herself. She felt the same way about Bobby.
** This can't be happening to me. To us. He can't love me, I won't let him.** She walked right by Logan and Hank, not noticing the concerned looks on their faces and right into Ororo.
**Great this is all I need, the weather witch asking questions. Just brush her off and go for a walk to clear your head.** "What is the matter child did someone say something to offend you?" Storm was concerned, Catherine had been very cheerful the last few weeks and now she seemed aged. "If you need to talk child I am here." She said in her most motherly voice.
"Maybe later. I just really need to be alone right now. I wish my mom were here but for all I know she may be dead and my dad who knows." With that Catherine walked out the bay doors and into the garden. **Oh Bobby, why'd you have to go and ruin things? I could explain my reasons a million times over and you still couldn't grasp the gravity of this situation. Everyone that I love is going to die before me.** As she was thinking and walking she felt the pressence of someone behind her. She quickly dried her eyes and turned around.
A young man who seemed to be in his early twenties stood before her. His brown eyes and sandy blonde hair gave him the appearance of being younger. He stuck out his hand to her and she hugged him. "Richie what are doing here? Not that it isn't great to see you." Catherine nearly smiled and she would have if her day wasn't going to hell in a hand basket. "I'm watching you while Mac is leading Methos on another wild goose chase. I never thought the guy would lose it like this." Richie said scratching his head.
"How'd you get past the mansion's defenses? Never mind I'm forgetting that I'm not the only thief around." Catherine smiled now. "You have to come in and meet the others. They've never actually met a full immortal before and I'm sure Hank would love to run some tests on you." Richie cringed and Catherine began laughing at the expression on his face. Richie nodded after getting the "joke" and let Catherine lead him into the rec room.
Most of the X-Men were assembled there already. News gets around fast especially if someone's upset. Richie was obviously nervous as his friend led him into a thicket of mutants. He'd never met any mutants before and these mutants were powerful and knew about immortals. Intimidation was not the word for what he was feeling. Catherine leaned into his shoulder and whispered into his ear. "They won't bite I swear." "You promise." Richie quips.
Richie poured on the charm for the ladies and Jubes was drooling the entire time. Logan on the other hand was playing the protective father and keeping Jubes and Richie a good distance away from each other. Hank wanted to run some tests on Richie, his scientific curiousity taking over. Bobby was giving Richie the evil eye, she would have to explain that to Richie later. Scott was basically interrogating him especially about the security system. The Professor, Charles when Scott wasn't around, was very stoic I'm guessing he knows how Bobby feels about me.
"So Ryan where are you staying?" Scott said in his most authoritative voice. "I can't say right now but I'll be near by with a friend, she has a stake in this too." Richie said trying to loosen up the mood and failing miserablely. Catherine shot him a look that said "He's a prick, deal with it, I do." Richie looked at his watch and announced he had to leave and that he'd be in touch. Catherine walked him out. Hugging him she slipped him her cell phone number and told him to call her later. It was nice to forget about her worries for a little while.
In an estate a mile away Cassandra was waiting for Richie to return. She had had one of her visions and it wasn't good. She'd seen Amanda fighting with an immortal but whether or not she'd won was still unknown to her. She could feel Methos' prescence getting closer to Catherine.
Richie strolled into the newly bought Westchester estate wondering how Cassandra had managed to accumulate so much money. Then again she's been around for almost as long as Methos, immortals who played their cards right never had to worry about jobs or money. Too bad he wasn't one of them. He'd had to resort to petty crimes since his racing accident, it was a good thing that Amanda had taken him under her wing. He hated the idea of having to go to Duncan for another loan. It was really embarassing especially since he gave Duncan that big speech about being independant.
"Richie, how is Catherine? Is she being treated well?" Cassandra sounded worried and with good reason. Professor Xavier's reputation had preceded him in more ways than one. From what she could find out about the Institute through normal channels the school was for gifted children, but in other circles she found out that the school was a front for a renegade band of mutants called the X-Men. Their mission was to promote peace between norms and mutants but more often than not they usually only suceeded in diffusing small situations and went largely unnoticed by the media unless it was pictures of them fighting.
"She's fine, physically at least, she did seem a little shaken when I found her. I think its because of Joe's phone call. It could be something else though." Richie smirked.
"Like what?" Cassandra frowned. " I don't know yet but I'll call her tonight. She looked like she needed to talk to someone who really knows her." Richie's voice was a little more sober now.
Catherine and Richie were more like brother and sister than anything else. When Amanda took Richie in he became the second apprentice under her mentorship. At first it was hard for him swallow his pride and take orders from Catherine, but he soon fell into line when Catherine's quick thinking saved him from getting caught on his first professional hiest. Catherine was as good a thief as her mother and since she was going to be an immortal someday she'd have time to improve her techniques. It surprised him even more when Duncan and Amanda told him the truth about Catherine, no wonder she was so bossy, she got it from both sides of her family.
After dinner Cassandra decided to pay a surprise visit to her god daughter. She wanted to see first hand how the X-Men were treating her little one. The X-Men were quite surprised at the "sudden increase" in immortals they were meeting lately. Cassandra was her usual regal self, perfectly groomed and utterly mysterious at all times. Catherine grinned as her godmother charmed the room all the while sizing up each of the X-Men. The men were totally charmed, even Remy, to the annoyance of Rogue.
"Professor I hope my god- daughter isn't too much of a hand full for you. She has a tendency to try a saint's patience on the best of days." Cassandra grinned evilly at Catherine and Catherine returned the look with a mock glare. "She's always been a most inquisitive child. I can imagine she's had a lot of questions for you when she's studying." The professor nodded and replied that Catherine was doing quite well in her studies and that he wished another teenager in the house would use her as an example. Jubes glared at Catherine. "Its not my fault you don't study." Catherine announced. The group laughed. Now it was Catherine's turn to talk.
"Cassandra, have you heard from my mother yet?" Cassandra was waiting for that question all night and didn't want to answer it, but her Catherine never took silence for an answer. "No, dear and I'm taking that as a good sign. Your mother is too much of a professional to risk you by calling me, even if Methos doesn't know we're connected." Cassandra said roughly. She didn't want to be harsh, but life for immortals was harsh and violent at times. She saw no need in sugar coating things. The other X-Men, especially Bobby, glared at her. **Good they're protective of her, that'll help. She needs to live to a proper age. Teenage immortals are usually the first to die because they're not fully developed. Hmm the tall blonde seems to have a crush on my girl, good for you Catherine. Perhaps some distraction is just what the doctor ordered.**
Cassandra took her leave of the X-Men after some more pleasent conversation and securing her belief that her little one was in good hands. Catherine again turned into the sober and aged sixteen year old she was a few hours earlier and went to her room to wait for a phone call from Richie. The X-Men, excluding Jubilee, had some things to talk over in the Professor's office.
"Professor, Scott chimed in, this is getting a little unreal. In two days we've met two immortals and learned many things that some of wish we hadn't." "Speak for yourself bub! The kid's not hurting anybody and cept for you she gets along with evr'ybody." Logan snarled with his cigar in his mouth.
"Don't start with me Logan, she has no discipline or respect for authority. She belongs somewhere else." Scott snarled back. Jean was about to interject when Bobby stood up.
"If you don't want her here Scott give us a better reason than that. If thats the only reason for you wanting her out I should have been kicked out years ago. Whats the deal? Why don't you like her?" Bobby was giving him a look that none of the other X-Men had ever seen on his face. He looked as though he was ready to kill.
**He's got it bad.** Remy, Logan, and Hank all thought at the same time.
"You really want to know. Fine. The scientist that brought Catherine into this world was my best friend. He died in that explosion! He didn't deserve that, he had everything and more going for him. She caused the death of one on my dearest friends." Scott stormed out of the office and Jean followed.
The rest of the X-Men filed out of the office one by one. Hank, Logan, and, Remy grabbed Bobby and pulled him outside into the garden. Hank started off the conversation. "Robert it cannot and could not possibly work, she's too young and her life is too complicated." Hank tried to sound scientific about the matter but he ended up sounding more like Bobby's father. Logan on the other hand knew how Bobby felt, he didn't even know how old he was so every woman he ever fell in love with could be too young for him. Catherine was a different matter all together her life was going to be more complicated than anyone in the X-Men could even imagine. Remy was, to say the least, amused by the situation. If it weren't for the age difference Rogue would have a run for her money.
"Don't even start with me Hank, she's different and you know it, normal rules don't apply to her." Bobby said waving his hands in Hank's face trying to leave the group of men. "Robert it won't work. She's too different, surely she explained what might happen if she were to undergo a relationship with you." Hank was his best friend and was trying his best to disuade him from the path he'd chosen.
"What da petite tink o'dis homme? She got ta have a say in dis too." Remy chimed in. Bobby's face sank. "She said it wouldn't work. She said it'd be too painful for the both of us even if we tried to make it work." Bobby said reluctantly. "Den dere's ya anser homme, leave it alone, she got enuf problem without you." Gambit said sympathetically to his friend. Bobby looked over at Logan. "Well what about you, whats your sage advice?" Bobby sniped at Logan. "Do what ya want bub, but make sure the kid wants it too." With that said Logan walked off into the garden and lit his cigar.
"Guys I know you mean well, but I have to talk to Catherine. We have to figure this thing out on our own." Bobby walked back towards the mansion alone.
Upstairs Catherine was lying on her bed and reviewing the past two days in her head. She was relieved to know that Cassandra and Richie would be nearby and her training was progressing fast. The danger room program she designed was working wonderfully, she'd never had such a thorough workout before. On the other hand thoughts of Bobby kept creeping into her head. She'd had crushes before, but nothing like this. **I wish my mom were here, she'd know what to do. Mom knows men better than anyone I know, she'd tell me what to do. Maybe I should talk to the prof. or Jean. Maybe not, Jean she has enough on her hands, dealing with everyone else's sanity. I know I'll call Cassandra.** With that decision made she picked up the phone and called her godmother.
"My dear what is the problem? If you feel the same way about him go with it. After all in a few years you'll be an immortal and time and age will start to mean very little to you. Find love, real love, where ever you can. Immortals have all the time in the world but our lives can be very lonely." Cassandra was sincere in her advice but worried. ** I hope she doesn't get hurt. I hope he really loves her.**
"Cassandra are you sure about this? What if this all blows up in my face. What if this turns ugly? What about the other students, what if they don't..."
Cassandra cut Catherine off. "What if the world blows up and the sun goes black. Life is full of " what ifs". What if you miss out on the love of your life?"
"What if I die tomorrow?" Catherine said coldly. "What if you live? Whatever you do it's your decision." Cassandra hung up the phone. Catherine was wondering how she was going to talk to Bobby. Whatever she decided it was going to wait until tomorrow and she was going to get some sleep.
In Louisiana Duncan was wondering how his daughter was doing and whether or not he should try to get a message to Richie.
Chapter Ten
Louisiana was the perfect place for an immortal. It was one of the few places left where mortals didn't ask too many questions when one of the town residents didn't seem to age in a decade or two. Duncan was sitting in the Cafe Demonde sipping a mug of hot chocolate. It was a pleasent enough distraction considering the trouble he'd been through the past two weeks.
He'd managed to find a young actress who would play the role of Catherine and not ask a lot of questions. He made it well worth her while. Besides what he was paying her to play his daughter, she got the added perk of impromptu shopping sprees and some very public appearences with uppercrust of New Orleans society. He hated using the poor girl but his own daughter had to be protected. Miss Morgan was a talented young woman and Duncan found himself at times thinking of her as Catherine. After this was all over he'd make a few calls and Miss Morgan would get a scholarship from Juliard.
The sound of a carriage passing and the blarring of a New Orleans cab's horn brought Duncan from his revelry. "Dad!" Miss Morgan yelled from across the street. Duncan started to go over to her. "No I'll come to you, I could use a cup of coffee." She yelled across the busy street. As she was crossing the street he felt a familiar surge under his skin and heard the screech of tires against the pavement. There was no time to react and Duncan was at a loss for words. A black Camary barreled down the street and sent Miss Billie Morgan hurtling into the on coming traffic killing her in one of the worst accidents of the year. Duncan's stomach sank as he saw the driver of the Camary, Methos.
Methos already knew that the young woman wasn't the elusive Catherine, but Duncan needed to be taught a lesson. Duncan needed to know that the world's oldest immortal wasn't ready to die just yet.
Catherine woke up in a cold sweat from her fitful slumber. The dream she had was so vivid. She saw someone who looked like her walking across a busy street, only to be run down by a car. The driver of the car is what scared her the most, it was Methos. **Haven't I got enough to think about, now I have a stranger's blood on my hands as well. I hate hiding I wish I could fight!** Catherine's head was screaming from the migrane she was having and from other thoughts, most of which were about Bobby.
Scott and Jean were in the kitchen preparing breakfast. Neither of them had spoken to each other since the meeting in Xavier's office and Scott had blocked there telepathic link. "It wasn't her falt, you know that." Jean said softly. "I know but she isn't susposed to be here, she's not susposed to exist. That immortal woman defied nature and ended up killing an entire complex of people." Scott proclaimed. They hadn't noticed Catherine standing in the door.
"If you have a problem with me, you should tell me. You could've saved us both a lot of problems. If I'm not really welcome here then I'll take my chances somewhere else." Catherine said coldly. Scott had to admire her courage but thats where the admiration stopped. He didn't think much of the girl or her carefree life.
"Of course you're welcome here Catherine." Jean interjected. Scott walked away to set the table. "Scott will come around. He just needs some time to get use to you."
"Get use to me? I'm the one who needs to use to all of this. One day I'm a somewhat normal teenager the next day I'm hiding from a mad man who wants to kill me, and a man in his mid-twenties tells me he loves me!" Catherine blurted out. She was expecting Jean to be surprised, then she remembered that Jean has known Bobby since he was a teenager. "Your not surprised?"
"No. I noticed the first day you got here that he had a crush on you." Jean smiled sweetly. "And you don't see anything wrong with that." Catherine was getting confused. "I didn't say that. I'm just saying I know. To tell you the truth I'm worried about the both of you." Jean was completely serious now. "Bobby hasn't had the greatest luck with women and your life is, to say the least, chaos."
"Thats what I tried to explain to Bobby, but he's got it in his that he loves me and whats worse I know I love him." Catherine said matter of factly. "It can't work and its not just my age. My mom and dad wouldn't care about our ages, heck I don't really care. Its the fact that he's going to have to learn that he can't protect me. Its a part of the rules of the game."
"What are the rules?" Jean quaried. Catherine took a deep breath and started to explain.
There are basically four rules that must be followed:
1. There can be only one.
2. The old tutor the new.
3. All fights are one on one.
4. No fighting on holy ground.
There is another rule, but more and more immortals where ignoring, don't envolve mortals or let them know of our existace. Duncan and Amanda broke this rule on the regular basis.
"You see Jean sooner or later I'm going to die. Granted I won't look my age, but I know I probably won't be the last. It'll probably be an immortal like Duncan or his kinsman Conner. How's Bobby going to feel when one day I accept a challenge and I don' t come back?" Catherine had never felt so sad. The thought of hurting Bobby was horrible. Almost as horrible as the thought of Methos finding her. She wasn't ready for the fighting yet, not by a long shot.
Back in New Orleans Methos had disappeared from the chaos of the car "accident" and was headed toward Duncan's hotel. "Mr. Macleod and I are going to have a little talk. He can either tell me where the child is or I can take his head, either way she's mine."
Duncan regretted it but there would be too many questions if he claimed to young girl's body right now. How could he possibly explain the reason for hiring her to impersonate his daughter? The only thing he could do was pack and leave New Orleans. He'd have to claim her body later.
While Duncan was in his room packing Methos had just entered the hotel lobby. Methos casually strolled up to the hotel clerk and gave her his most charming smile. "Excuse me could you tell me if my cousin Duncan Macleod has checked in yet?" He used his most European accent to charm the obviously naive young woman. She smiled timidly and he realized she was right where he wanted her. "Uhm yes, he just came in, I believe he's just about to check out." She said trying to cover up her deep accent. "Could you tell me what room he's in?" The clerk looked down at her nails sheepishly. "Come on, I won't tell anybody you broke the rules, just this once." He said while caressing her cheek. The young clerk was mush.
"Mr. Macleod is in room 220 east." The clerk said. "Thank you my dear." Methos said as he started to turn and leave. It was definately his lucky day, for just as he was about to ascend the stairs there stood Duncan. "Cousin, Methos said trying to keep up his charade, its been too long, after you check out we must go somewhere private and talk." Duncan knew the last thing Methos wanted to do was have a friendly talk.
The charade was dropped as soon as the two men left the hotel. Duncan was fuming at the audacity of the ancient, passing himself off as a "kinsman". "Why so mad Duncan?" Methos said smiling like the cat that swallowed the canary. "You have your nerve Methos. You stalk Amanda and I for a month, trying to kill us at every turn, and now you sit at this table with me like you just didn't kill someone in cold blood." Duncan's voice was low in an almost growl.
"Duncan everything can go back the way it was between the three of us when the child is dead." The cold in Methos' voice made Duncan shudder inside. "I don't want to die Duncan and I don't want to be in the game again. Simply hand her over and we can live our lives again." If Duncan could have killed with a look, Methos would be dead. His friend had gone mad or maybe he already was. "Do you hear yourself man? Your asking me to be my daughter's executioner. I can't and won't sacrifice my own flesh and blood so that you can have a few extra years." Duncan's flesh was beginning to crawl.
"I'm not asking you to execute her, I'm asking you to had her over to me, so that I can execute her. Its the only way to avoid my predicted fate." Methos said with a gleam in his eye. **The years have driven him mad.** Duncan thought. "Maybe Cassandra was right, maybe I should have let her kill you." **Hhmm, how did Cassandra get into this conversation? You made your first mistake Mr. Macleod.** Methos thought as a wide grin appeared on his face. Duncan knew he made a mistake in that instant. "Goodbye Duncan we'll meet again soon." With that said Methos casually stood and glided out of the restaurant.
The phone rang in Professor Xavier's office. "Hello. Oh hello Duncan. I see. When can we expect you and your freind? Should I tell Catherine your coming? Alright I'll wait until tommorow. Until then, goodbye Duncan." The phone call was brief but Xavier could sense the tension and stress that his longtime friend was feeling. He'd felt the same way the many times his X-Men were in trouble. They were his children.
Duncan placed a call immediately to Joe Dawson after his "talk" with Methos. His worst fears were confirmed. "Adam Pierceson" had used the Watcher database to track down Cassandra and was headed to New York. Joe and Duncan decided to connect in Chicago and book it to Westchester. Charles and the X-Men needed to know everything they could about Methos. Even super powered mutants would have problems with an obsessed immortal. They had a habit of coming back after being killed. It was time to take the defensive.