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. I have one little curse word in this so deal.
Of Mutants and Immortals
By Animefreek
**denote thoughts
Chapter Eleven
Catherine and Remy were in the Danger Room fine tuning her sym program. Remy wanted to see what real swordplay was all about. He definitely got more than he bargained for. His reflexes were nowhere as sharp as Catherine's with a sword and he soon gave that up and starting charging up his cards. "Don't give up so soon, Gambit you were doing great." Catherine said encouragingly. "It takes a lot of training and patience to use a broad sword. You're not going to get use to it on the first try, believe me. Every muscle in my body ached for a week after my first training session with Dad."
"Well Gambit stick to de cards, dey lite and easy to hide." Gambit said with a grin. Catherine laughed as the sym program moved to the second level. The first level was an open warehouse environment with lots of space to dive and duck into. The second level was a small sparsely furnished apartment. "Why dis place petite?" "Duncan says an immortal has to be ready to fight in any environment. He says there's been many times he's had to fight in a cramped hotel room or even a freight elevator." Just then the first opponent for the level stepped out. A tall sandy blonde Norsemen. He was wearing biker clothes and carrying a battle axe. "He's pretty ugly petite. Ow you tink him up?" "Amanda stole a gold crucifix from him, she had to take his head." Gambit was stunned by Catherine's coolness. He was about to ask her about her mother when the biker attacked.
Gambit watched as Catherine's face steeled as she took on her sword stance. The biker slashed across the small apartment knocking over a table and chairs. Gambit could hardly move in the cramped space and marveled at how Catherine seemed to glide through it. She said that her mother was one of the world's best thieves and from the way Catherine moved he believed it. Catherine dodged and weaved under the big biker with ease. The next thing she did he wasn't ready for. As Catherine dodged under the man once again she jumped up on a nearby coffee table and took the sym's head off with her sword. The sym abruptly ended.
Catherine noticed Gambit's face. "This is my life or at least a part of it, Remy. I don't like the idea of killing anything and I'd much rather not, but its either me or them." Gambit knodded in agreement. "So tell me petite, when Gambit get t'meet de fam'ly?" "When Gambit learns to use a sword." Catherine teased. "My mom would really like you. One thief to another that is." Catherine and Gambit strolled out of the Danger room and headed towards the kitchen. They'd both worked up and appetite and wanted to finish off last night's gumbo. As they were passing the rec room Catherine thought she saw a familar face out the corner of her eye.
"Some greeting that is. Ya come to a guy's bar and have a couple of ice teas and ya never see him again."
"Oh my God Joe! What are you doing here? Please tell me its good news." Catherine's was estatic and her face was pleading. Catherine saw the look on Joe's face and her smile dimmed slightly. She hugged him and kissed him on his cheek. "So what happened?" Joe recanted the whole story and Duncan's change in tactics. "So the hunter becomes the hunted." Catherine smirked. "Yeah its about time if you ask me. He's gone off the deep end and there's no retrieving him." Joe said with a lump in his throat.
"I know he was your friend. I'm sorry I caused all this." Catherine said into his ear. "Not your fault kid. Time just gets to some immortals, even the best of them." Joe hugged Catherine close as he said this. "Where's my Dad?" Catherine asked. "He's with Professor Xavier he'll be out in a second."
Duncan was talking with his old friend and inquiring about Catherine's mental state. The professor said she was fine considering some of the recent goings on in the mansion. He decided to go into detail about Catherine and Bobby's entanglement and Scott's feelings concerning her. Duncan wasn't pleased at all in either case. "Where is Catherine now?" Charles closed his eyes and scanned the mansion. "She's in the rec room with Mr. Dawson."
Back in the rec room Catherine decided to introduce Joe to the surrounding X-Men. "Joe, this is Remy Lebeau, Rogue, and Logan. The rest of the guys are in a training session. You'll probably meet them at dinner. You are staying in the mansion right?" Catherine looked worried. If Methos killed that poor girl in New Orleans, what would he do to a friend? "Yeah, we can catch up and maybe I can play a couple a tunes for you babe." Joe grinned at the possibility of having a captive audience. Catherine hated being called babe but since it was Joe she let it slide once in awhile. Logan half smiled, Remy grinned as he caught the shock in Joe's eyes at seeing someone with red on black eyes, and Rogue gave him a dazzling smile that would melt butter.
Just then Duncan walked in and his eyes lit up as he saw his daughter. He couldn't believe how much he had missed her. Catherine almost knocked him down. She was so glad to see her father. She loved saying that, "father". "Joe told me about New Orleans. Are you alright?" Catherine was worried, her father didn't look well at all. She could tell this situation was tearing him apart. One of his best friends has gone completely mad and the mother of his child is missing, more than likely dead. "Darling you look wonderful, just like your mother." Duncan was on the verge of tears. "Dad why don't I take you to your room and we can talk." Duncan marveled at how strong his daughter was, he acreditted it to youth. He himself was on the verge of breaking down and she seemed like an oak. ** I have to be strong for the both of us for the moment. I'lll cry later.** Catherine thought.
Duncan wasn't in the mood to eat but he wanted to meet the other X-Men, especially Scott and Bobby. For the most part dinner was quiet casual conversation ruled the room. "So petite , Remy started, tell me bout ya mama Amanda. She sounds like a and full." Catherine smiled and began. "Well, where do I start with Amanda? She's a thief, the best around. I've been her apprentice since I could walk. (Duncan grimmaced, he didn'tl like the idea of his daughter being a thief.) We've pulled off quite a few capers that would have sent any other thief to jail for the rest of thier lives. But of course since meeting Duncan Amanda and I have gone into "retirement." You'd absolutely love her, she's so full of life and always up to something that Dad wouldn't approve of." Catherine was beaming as she always did when she talked about her mother. "Dat sounds familiar petite. Your mama sounds like you." Gambit said laughing.
**Hhmmm, thier really is honor among thieves after all.** Duncan thought to himself. He decided to shake up the table a little bit. "So Mr. Lebeau how long have you been a thief?" Duncan said with a grin that rivaled Catherine's. Gambit nearly choked on his wine.
"How you know I usta be a tief? Nobody here tell you dat." Gambit said still slightly choking.
Duncan smiled. "I'm 408 years old and Amanda is at least 1200. I know a thief when I see one." Gambits eyes were wide.
"Petite you didn't tell me ya papa was older than dirt." It was Remy's turn to grin. Duncan gave him a slight glare and the rest of the X-Men including Catherine laughed until they turned red. Duncan joined in after a couple of minutes.
Remy and Duncan's comradery seemed to dispell the air of tension the room. Joe was having a very pleasent conversation about the "Watchers" with the professor and Beast looked as though he wanted to ask Duncan if he would allow him to run a few tests. Bobby was making goo goo eyes at Catherine and she found herself making them back a couple of times until her senses came back to her. Duncan caught the exchange and gave Bobby a stare that would have given the oldest of immortals a chill. Bobby gulped and Catherine elbowed Mac.
After Dinner Duncan thought he'd take Mr. Drake for a drink at the local bar and see just where Bobby's mind was concerning his little girl. Bobby was looking around for help when Duncan asked him out for a drink. He wasn't immortal and was willing to bet a sword thru the heart hurt like hell. **I'd better go. If I don't he'll think I'm some kind of coward or worse a pervert. Heck, he probably thinks that already!** Bobby had broken out into a sweat to the delight of Duncan.
At the bar Duncan and Bobby were sitting in a quiet corner booth sipping their beers. Niether of them had said a word in the car on the way over and Bobby was wondering whether or not he should start off the conversation. He didn't have long to wonder, Duncan made the first move.
"Bobby. Can I call you Bobby?" Bobby nodded. "I just learned that I had a daughter a little over a month ago and to make things more complicated she's going to become an immortal. Do you understand what that means? She could die tomorrow and look sixteen for the next three hundred or more years. Or whats even worse is that Methos could find her and end her life before it even begins. I'm not telling you this to scare you away from her. I'm just letting you know that if you pursue this that the both of you are going to be hurt. If not sooner then later. Immortals hurt everyone they come in contact with, especially mortals who love them." Duncan's eyes dropped as he began to think briefly of Amanda. Not knowing whether she was dead or alive was taking its toll on him. Keeping his daughter alive and sane was his main concern now.
"Duncan she's told me all of this. I still love her. I know I can't protect her from other immortals or her own immortality, but I still want to be with her. I've had my share of bad relationships and I'm no stranger to being hurt. I promise you I will stay by her side no matter what happens." Bobby's convictions came thru in his voice.
"Will you be there for her after you see her kill? That's what she'll have to do eventually, we all do. I've known Charles for years and I know where he stands on the value of human life. He wouldn't have chosen any of you to be on his team if you didn't have the same views." Duncan had made a strong point but he was hoping Bobby's convictions were stronger.
"I'll be there for her, no matter what." Bobby whispered. "Does she love you?" Duncan asked. "I think so. She has a hard time showing it sometimes. She doesn't want to hurt me." Bobby stated.
Duncan looked down into his beer. He had just discovered his daughter and he was going to loose her to another man already. "Lets go Bobby. You have a lot to talk about with Catherine." **Is he giving me his permission to see his daughter?** Bobby asked himself. "Bobby if you hurt her I'll kill you." Ducan said coldly. **I guess I have my answer.**
Back at the mansion Catherine was showing Joe around. The Professor had given her his permission to show Joe the lower levels, much to Scotts disapproval. Joe was, to say the least, empressed. The technology they were using was years beyond anything he'd seen, almost "alien". After the tour Joe decided to get to know the ladies of the house a little better. Jubilee was charmed and won over by a few magic tricks, while Jean, Rogue, and Ororo enjoyed Joe's blues guitar playing. Catherine thought to herself that Amanda would like the other X-ladies. In a way they had all been her family while Amanda and Duncan were gone. Even Jubilee was beginning to warm up to her.
A couple of days ago they had gone to the mall together. Catherine had to get Jubilee out of that yellow jacket. They had actually ended up in the arcade playing pinball when Jean picked them up. Some of the outfits that Catherine picked for Jubilee weren't exactly to Jean's liking. Catherine had a fetish for things that were black, skin tight, and leather and if it wasn't that it was just short. Catherine tried to explain that cat burgulars didn't need a lot of fabric getting in thier way. "Well Catherine you're not a thief anymore." was Jean's only response. They ended up taking most of Jubilee's clothes back.
Catherine was knocked out of her flash back by the sound of Duncan and Bobby's voices coming toward the reck room. They were talking as if they were old friends. **Good. Duncan didn't kill him. Thats a good sign.** Catherine thought. "You two are awfully chummy. Something I should know?" Catherine questioned as she put her arm around her father. "Yes, I think you and Bobby have something to discuss." Duncan said in a low voice. "We've had that discussion Dad." Catherine scowled.
"No. You talked and I listened. Its my turn now." Bobby said to surprise of them both. "Lets go out side and talk." Bobby's voice was completely serious, something he didn't do often. They both proceeded to go out towards the garden.
Remy had walked in on the scene and was grinning from ear to ear as they passed him. "Homme ya so in now." Gambit said joking. Rogue, Jean, and Ororo slapped him on the back of the head and glared.
"Like you don tink they a nice couple." Gambit wined as a bump was rising on the back of his head. On the other side of the room Joe was looking kind of confused as he began to put all the clues together. Then all of a sudden a look of surprise came over his face. ** No wonder he had that silly expression on his face during dinner. How come I'm the last to know about these things?** Joe thought as the couple exited the building and Remy was rubbing his head.
Meanwhile in New York Methos had made it to Cassandra's apartment. Finding Cassandra had been too easy. He had to hand it to the Watchers, when it came to finding immortals they were very accurate. They had everything Cassandra had done and everyone she'd seen within the last six months on file. Imagine his surprise in finding a phone call from Amanda on the list around the same time Methos had first met Catherine. "Well well. If you're hiding her witch you'll share her fate as well." Methos said with a smile on his lips that meant trouble for everybody. Methos then proceeded in finding out where Cassandra was now. She had managed to dodge her watcher and disappear.
Methos frantically tore apart Cassandra's desk until he found a business card. "Camron Rose, Realtor" **A realtor? Did you buy a house for the litte girl to hide in? Maybe I should pay Mr. Rose a visit.** Methos abruptly left the penthouse and headed for downtown Manhattan. At that time of night he and mister Rose wouldn't have any interruptions.
It was lucky for Methos that Rose's apartment was right above his office. It wasn't so lucky for Camron Rose. Rose was frightened shitless. One minute he was sleeping peacefully in his bed, the next he's trussed up in his apartment, his nose bleeding from a blow to the face. A tall slender man was standing in front of him. Short cut black hair and almost scarecrow like. On the street he'd be the last person to frighten Camron, but right now he was the most frightening thing on earth. He was questioning him about a woman named Cassandra. Of course he remembered the woman, who could forget someone looked the way she did or payed in cash, but he wasn't about to tell this guy that. Camron didn't know he could hurt so much, blow after blow his resistance weakened. Then finally the slender man bent close to his ear.
"Where's Cassandra's new house?" Methos whispered. Before Rose could stop himself he blurted out the house's address in Westchester. "Now that wasn't so hard was it? You could have saved yourself a lot of pain Mr. Rose by just answering my question the first time." Methhos smiled. Rose was disgusted with himself. There was no telling what that mad man would do to that poor woman. "Now I'll be leaving you Mr. Rose." Methos turn around and began to waltz out the door. Rose's courage was building again and he mumbled an almost inaudible curse. "Go to Hell."
"Now, Now Mr. Rose was that called for?" Methos said almost playfully. "And I was going to let you live." Methos quickly turned unshiething his sword and took Rose's head. **Its just not the same without a quickening, but all the same it was fun.** Methos mused as he gentally closed the door of the brownstone behind himself and strolled out onto the busy night time streets of the city. He was on his way to Westchester, but first he needed to see some people about an actor of his own and he needed to remember why Westchester sounded so familiar to him.
Chapter Twelve
Bobby and Catherine had been in the garden for nearly two hours talking or better to say Bobby was talking. Catherine just sat listening to Bobby poor his heart out. She would have given in an hour ago but she hadn't been able to get a word in edgewise.
"Bobby I give. I love you too." Catherine said cutting in to Bobby's speech.
"You what." Bobby said perplexed. "I love you, stupid." Catherine said again grinning. Bobby waisted no time in taking Catherine into his arms and planting a very passionate kiss on her lips. **I could get use to this.** Catherine thought. Breaking off the kiss Catherine suggested that they head back to the mansion. Bobby started to grin again. "Get your mind out of the gutter. Everyone is probably wondering where we are." Catherine chastised. "You know we could possibly be perfect for each other. I'm 16 and act I like I'm 30 and you're nearly 30 and you act like you're 16." Catherine kissed her new bow on the cheek as he pretended to be hurt. "Stop pouting. We have all the time in the world." Catherine gave him a sly "come hither" look. Bobby perked up and the new couple walked back to the mansion arms wrapped around each other.
"Amazingly" the X-Men were still up talking with Joe and Duncan. Duncan was regailing them with one of his many "I romanced a royal woman stories" and Joe seemed to be taking note of Rogue's measurements to the distress of Remy. When the couple came through the sliding doors Jubilee burst into a fit of laughter. For the life of her Catherine couldn't guess why until she looked up at Bobby. Bobby's face was smeared with lipstick. Catherine took note to switch to smudgeproof from now on. Bobby was puzzled and decided to speak up.
"Guys what's so funny? Let me in on the joke." Bobby said. The whole room, except for Duncan and Scott, erupted into laughter. Even Catherine had to laugh. Bobby looked down at Catherine. He didn't like being left out on a joke since he was the crown prince of pranks in the school. Catherine walked off towards the hall and as she turned to say goodnight she tapped her own lips as a signal. Bobby brushed his own in return and turned a dark shade of red. He almost looked as red as the lipstick smudge he'd just made worse. As Catherine walked to her room she couldn't help but to think that he was the cutest 25 year old she'd ever met.
"My dear friend Robert, I take it we can assume that the two of you are now a couple." Hank said stifling a laugh and handing him a kleenex. Duncan and Scott were still glaring each for his own reason. Duncan walked up to Bobby and slapped him on the shoulder hard. "Like I said before Bobby, hurt her and I'll kill you." This time Duncan said it with a smile and that really scared Bobby. **I'm a dead man anyway.** Bobby thought smiling.
Logan was on the floor with Jubilee laughing. Then he walked over to the "popsicle" as he called him. "Popsicle ya better treat her real nice or your gandkids will be running from him." Logan said laughing. Bobby was still as red as a beat. "Homme I told ya , ya was in." Remy blurted out between laughs. Rogue, Jean, and Ororo slapped him on back of the head again. "Guys I'm going to bed." Bobby proclaimed. He heard Jubilee say "OOOOOOh" and a what sounded like slaps as he walked down the hall to his room.
The next morning Catherine and Duncan continued where they'd left off in her training. He was pleased with her improvement, but noticed that Catherine was lacking the spontaneity needed in a sword fight. Sometimes it was only "seat of your pants" thinking that won a fight and not skill. Catherine had all the skill and knowledge that her immortal parents could teach her, but she lacked experience. Duncan hoped she wouldn't gain that kind of experience until much later. Taking the life of another human being was much more different than taking the head off a sym.
Catherine could see that worry on her father's face as they spared in the Danger Room. He was always the honorable soldier and friend. Everything came to Duncan in black and white, gray areas confused him. Catherine felt safe in grey areas, because those were the only ones she ever knew. A person had to be somewhat amoral when it came to stealing for a living. He was distracted. She hoped that it didn't get him killed, she wanted to keep him around a little longer.
Meanwhile, Cassandra was watching the mansion and glad to see at least one of Catherine's parents alive. Cassandra hadn't seen anymore visions of Amanda since the last. She didn't know whether to take it as a good sign or a bad one. Either way she was set on protecting her god daughter at any cost, even if it meant her life. Richie was at Salem Center grocery shopping for the house and trying to contact some of the local snitches. Joe and Duncan were sure that Methos would come looking for Cassandra and he wanted to know when or if a stranger had come into the community. Cassandra on the other hand wasn't worried about Methos coming after her she knew she was going to die soon enough.
Bobby was waiting for Catherine after her session in the Danger Room. Duncan gave a knodd to Bobby as he left the pair to talk. Bobby almost chaistly gave her a peck on the forehead as Duncan passed thru the last entrance on his way to the ground floor of the mansion. Catherine raised an eyebrow in suspicion then smiled as a wicked thought ran thru her mind. It was Bobby's turn to raise an eyebrow now.
"I know you can do better than that Mr. Drake." She said with the same raised eyebrow and wicked grin. "I know I can too, but I'd rather not in front of your father. " Bobby said with a frightened look on his face.
"Well dad isn't here now. We're all alone." Bobby took that as an invitation. "Ya know Bobby we're gonna have a lot of fun once this Methos thing is over." Catherine said while trying to her best Groucho Marx impression. It was the first time in weeks that she'd felt truly confident and wasn't faking for the benefit of someone else. Bobby was all smiles as he held her in his arms. He'd found his perfect match. She was beautiful, strong, funny, and most of all she made Bobby want to go on fighting no matter what the cause. He was on cloud nine.
Methos decided to make a little hotel outside of Salem center as his base of operations. The first thing he needed to do was find out as much information he could about where Cassandra was and whether or not Catherine was really with her. It wasn't above Duncan to try and throw him off track with a false lead and Cassandra hated him enough to risk her own life to kill him. The actress he hired turned out to be more than he could've ever asked for. With her "special skills" and precise timing Catherine would come to him.
**What a beautiful day. The air is crisp and dear Cathy's blood will spill soon.** Methos thought as he stepped out onto the grounds of the little hotel. **I have to pick a suitable battle field, after all Maclead and his daughter are the honorable soldiers. How could I give them anything less than perfection.** Methos' was determined to fight on his own turf and use his own rules. The location of the hotel was perfect. Secluded, empty, and nowhere to hide, unless you felt like taking a header of a cliff and into some very sharp rocks. The hotel staff had been taken care of earlier by some rather disreputable mutants that Methos had hired.
At the mansion the Professor thought that it would be a nice change of pace to have lunch and dinner outside for a few days since the weather was so beautiful. No one had any complaints and the training sessions were cut short so they could enjoy the weather together. Scott, Logan, and Remy were playing basketball with Rogue, Storm, Jean (and loosing badly). Jubilee and Joe were discussing the "Watchers Society" and immortals, while Duncan was having a pleasent conversation with the prof. Hank was still in his lab looking rather perplexed at a blood sample that Duncan had been talked into giving to him until Bobby and Catherine coaxed him out with the promise of hamburgers and twinkies. Hank mumbled something about not loosing a best friend but gaining an equally annoying girlfriend as the couple tried to carry him out of his lab. Catherine and Bobby laughed and said that he needed more sunlight and fresh air.
Duncan and Charles had managed to remove themselves from the groug and their conversation instantly became much more serious. "You do know that once Catherine becomes fully immortal that she will have to kill to survive?" Duncan said. "She may even have to leave the institute if the others can't handle it." Charles nodded his agreement.
"By the others, you mean Bobby right." Xavier surmised. "Duncan you don't have to worry about Bobby he'll be there for her. After all I am a psychic, I know these things." Xavier cracked a smile.
"Charles, of all the mortals I've ever known you never cease to amaze me." Duncan said as he punched Xavier in the arm. "Out of all the mortals you've ever known how many could read minds? Don't worry she's the one for him and likewise for her." Charles said with a smile. Seeing his X-Men happy and at peace was one of his greatest wishes, even if it was only for a short time.
Cassandra watched the happy scene from a nearby hilltop. **What is Duncan thinking? Catherine should be training for the upcoming battle. That young one never seases to amaze me when it comes to naivete. You'd think after 400 years that he'd be a little less trusting.** Just then Cassandra's cell phone rang out. It was Richie.
"Cassandra, I think I've got a lead on Methos. Some locals from an inn outside of Salem Center haven't been seen in a few days and thier friends are getting antsy. Plus, get this, some rather bad dudes have been seen in the area too. The local snitches say they're bad news on a major scale. They sound like the kind of guys that our "new" Methos would use to get Catherine. I'll check it out and get back to ya tonight." Richie reported.
"Thanks Richie. I'll wait until you report back before contacting Duncan. We really don't know if Methos has found me or not. He can't find Catherine now she's not ready." Cassandra said before abruptly flipping the phone off and resuming her watch. **This isn't going well. He wasn't supposed to be so close so soon. Amanda where are you? Are you alive?** Cassandra thought as she decided to watch the X-Men and Catherine from another advantage point.
Down below on the mansion grounds Wolverine had decided to call the basketball game quits. He wasn't about to let the X-ladies get the better of him in one his favorite passtimes. After eating he decided to patrol the grounds. He couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched and the love birds were starting to make him sick. Wolverine had wondered into the edge of the woods on the east side of the school grounds and caught a familiar scent in the air.
Meanwhile just outside of Salem Center Richie was examining the grounds of a small inn. He had seen Methos earlier through an upstairs window, but what he found in woods surrounding the inn surprised him even more. Richie found what was left of the hotel owners and staff. They weren't even buried and to make matters worse thier heads were gone. Richie wanted to vomit. He wouldn't have believed it if he hadn't seen it for himself, the ancient had truly lost his mind. None of these corpses has been immortal, they were all mortals and upon closer examination one of them was even a watcher. **Great Methose, let the whole world know about us why don't cha. Wait until the watchers find out about this. If this doesn't start a war between us nothing will.** Richie thought as he quickly moved away from the bodies and back toward his car.
Methos smiled as he sensed the young immortal watching from the nearby grove of trees. **Hello Richie. I hope you know I'm letting you see me. As soon as you report back to Cassandra or Duncan the first part of my plan will be complete. Afterall why go to claim a prize when the prize can come to you, and she will come to me.** At that moment, and as Richie was turning his back a woman walked into view. "What do you think of my plan my Dear?" Methos queried. The woman smiled and moved to sit in his lap. She gave a slight peck on the cheek and smiled looking out the window. "Amanda my dear, Methos said smiling wickedly, you are a tease." She moved in closer for a more personal response to his question.
Back on the mansion grounds Wolverine was having an encounter of his own. "Come on out now. I can smell you a mile away with that perfume." Logan said with a snort. Out of the shadows the slender figure of woman stepped out to be seen. "So how long has it been darlin, ten, twenty years? An ya still look great." Logan asked. Cassandra smiled. "Thank you, you don't look that bad yourself. I was wondering how long it would take for you to find me out here." Cassandra said.
(Flash back, New York City, twenty years earlier.)
Logan just about to leave a local pool hall when the most gorgeous red-head he'd seen in a while walked in carrying a pool cue. He could tell she was a hustler by the innocent way she sauntered in the place, after all what would an innocent, seemingly meek, woman be doing in a dive like that. Immediately the guys in the bar gathered like flies around her.
Usually Cassandra liked the attention she got from men in these dives, but today she just wanted a decent game. Pool was one of her favorite pass times ever since its invention she'd been hooked. "Hey darlin don't cha think you'd be better off in one o'dose fancy dives across town?" Cassandra looked around to see who was addressing her. He was a rather stocky looking man, yet handsome in an animalistic way. She smiled and parted the crowd as she moved toward him. "You up for a game?" Cassandra asked. "I'm up for anything darlin." Logan answered. "Cute, but lets just play for now." Cassandra cooed.
Logan and his new friend played pool and conversed for most of the night. He was amazed to find a scholar and a politician playing pool in a seedy biker bar. "So darlin whats your name?" Logan asked. " Cassandra, but you can call me Cass." Cassandra smirked.
Cassandra was about to invite him to her place for a drink when an all too familiar alarm sounded in her head. Another immortal was coming and she had to cut her encounter with this very interesting mortal short. Much to her disappointment.
(Back in the present)
"You still wear the same perfume darlin, you immortals must get into a rut after a few decades." Logan joked. "So why'd you run out on me that night Cass?"
"Immortal business. When the quickening calls we fight, its our nature." Cassandra sighed. "I should be asking you why you decided not to tell anyone that you knew me."
"I could ask you the same thing darlin, or can I guess? You didn't want to tip yer hand too soon. Finding out that almost everyone they've met in the past week is an immortal can be kind o' nerve racking even for the best of us." Logan said with a half smile. "Why are you stalking the mansion anyway? Don't trust us to look after the kid." Logan said his face going emotionless.
"On the contrary I do trust you with her. The person I don't trust is Methos. Richie spotted him at a local inn and he also spotted the corpses of the innkeepers and staff." Cassandra said with a shudder in her voice.
"Well then darlin lets go get Macleod and get rid of this Methos joker." Logan in full Wolverine mode started to move in the direction of the mansion.
"Wait Logan thats not the way this game is played." Cassandra said urgently. "This game is a one on one fight and its Macleod's call if he wants to fight or take Catherine and run. Methos is a madman now and beyond reason, he'll use whoever and whatever he can to get Catherine. He's been a master strategist since before he made me what I am, if you believe for one second that Richie saw Methos out of pure luck you're very much mistaken." Cassandra's voice was cold and determined. "Lets go tell Macleod and Catherine. I think they'll decide that its time to fight."
Inside the mansion Scott and Duncan were having a rather heated discussion of thier own.
"I'm not pretending to like either of you, because of your girlfriend and daughter one of my closest friends and the rest of the scientists in that compound are dead. Those men and women were among the best and brightest the world ever knew. They could have changed this world for the better!" Scott said in an almost cursing manner.
Duncan stood and listened to young mortal. Scott's voice was so full of rage. Duncan wondered if he'd ever used that tone of voice with his daughter. In the short time that Duncan had come to know his daughter, he had figured her out completely. Catherine may seem as tough as nails on the outside but she was a very sensitive soul. He quelled the anger inside of him and spoke calmly to Scott.
"I know how you feel Scott I've lost hundreds of friends and lovers over the years. I've fought for centuries in war after war trying to make this world a better place, just as you and the other fight in secret now. The atrocities I've witnessed are worse than anything you could ever imagine. If you have to blame anyone for your loss blame me, blame Amanda, blame society and fate, but don't blame Catherine. She didn't have a choice in all this. If you really took the time to get to know her you'd see a soul that would gladly die to protect the ones she loves and who'd die to bring back the innocent." Duncan looked fatiged but his speech came from the deepest regions of his soul and as he looked into Scott's eyes he knew he had hit a nerve.
Scott bowed his head slightly in thought and with an ashamed look in his eyes walked off toward his room to think. Duncan was about to retire as well, but another immortal was near and he started to prepare himself mentally to fight.
Richie stared at the fireplace in Cassandra's den intently as he sipped his coffee. He knew that Cassandra wouldn't wait until morning to tell Duncan the news about Methos and he was bothered by the fact that they still treated him as if he were a child. Being out of the loop was definitely no fun and what was worse his best friends could possibly be killed because of it. Richie remembered Duncan telling him about team work and how all members of a team should be on an equal level, but he guessed the rules were different when a daughter was concerned. **There has to be a way to even up the odds against Methos. Maybe if I could get on the inside.** Richie thought as he stood up and grabbed the keys to his car.
Okay this was a long one. I know what your thinking, she can't leave me hanging like this. Well I can. I hope you enjoy this installment and review it because if you don't review I won't know whether or not to continue. As for my loyal readers I had a lot of tests to study for so thats why it took so long to get this thing posted. let me know if you like it or not.
Of Mutants and Immortals
By Animefreek
**denote thoughts
Chapter Eleven
Catherine and Remy were in the Danger Room fine tuning her sym program. Remy wanted to see what real swordplay was all about. He definitely got more than he bargained for. His reflexes were nowhere as sharp as Catherine's with a sword and he soon gave that up and starting charging up his cards. "Don't give up so soon, Gambit you were doing great." Catherine said encouragingly. "It takes a lot of training and patience to use a broad sword. You're not going to get use to it on the first try, believe me. Every muscle in my body ached for a week after my first training session with Dad."
"Well Gambit stick to de cards, dey lite and easy to hide." Gambit said with a grin. Catherine laughed as the sym program moved to the second level. The first level was an open warehouse environment with lots of space to dive and duck into. The second level was a small sparsely furnished apartment. "Why dis place petite?" "Duncan says an immortal has to be ready to fight in any environment. He says there's been many times he's had to fight in a cramped hotel room or even a freight elevator." Just then the first opponent for the level stepped out. A tall sandy blonde Norsemen. He was wearing biker clothes and carrying a battle axe. "He's pretty ugly petite. Ow you tink him up?" "Amanda stole a gold crucifix from him, she had to take his head." Gambit was stunned by Catherine's coolness. He was about to ask her about her mother when the biker attacked.
Gambit watched as Catherine's face steeled as she took on her sword stance. The biker slashed across the small apartment knocking over a table and chairs. Gambit could hardly move in the cramped space and marveled at how Catherine seemed to glide through it. She said that her mother was one of the world's best thieves and from the way Catherine moved he believed it. Catherine dodged and weaved under the big biker with ease. The next thing she did he wasn't ready for. As Catherine dodged under the man once again she jumped up on a nearby coffee table and took the sym's head off with her sword. The sym abruptly ended.
Catherine noticed Gambit's face. "This is my life or at least a part of it, Remy. I don't like the idea of killing anything and I'd much rather not, but its either me or them." Gambit knodded in agreement. "So tell me petite, when Gambit get t'meet de fam'ly?" "When Gambit learns to use a sword." Catherine teased. "My mom would really like you. One thief to another that is." Catherine and Gambit strolled out of the Danger room and headed towards the kitchen. They'd both worked up and appetite and wanted to finish off last night's gumbo. As they were passing the rec room Catherine thought she saw a familar face out the corner of her eye.
"Some greeting that is. Ya come to a guy's bar and have a couple of ice teas and ya never see him again."
"Oh my God Joe! What are you doing here? Please tell me its good news." Catherine's was estatic and her face was pleading. Catherine saw the look on Joe's face and her smile dimmed slightly. She hugged him and kissed him on his cheek. "So what happened?" Joe recanted the whole story and Duncan's change in tactics. "So the hunter becomes the hunted." Catherine smirked. "Yeah its about time if you ask me. He's gone off the deep end and there's no retrieving him." Joe said with a lump in his throat.
"I know he was your friend. I'm sorry I caused all this." Catherine said into his ear. "Not your fault kid. Time just gets to some immortals, even the best of them." Joe hugged Catherine close as he said this. "Where's my Dad?" Catherine asked. "He's with Professor Xavier he'll be out in a second."
Duncan was talking with his old friend and inquiring about Catherine's mental state. The professor said she was fine considering some of the recent goings on in the mansion. He decided to go into detail about Catherine and Bobby's entanglement and Scott's feelings concerning her. Duncan wasn't pleased at all in either case. "Where is Catherine now?" Charles closed his eyes and scanned the mansion. "She's in the rec room with Mr. Dawson."
Back in the rec room Catherine decided to introduce Joe to the surrounding X-Men. "Joe, this is Remy Lebeau, Rogue, and Logan. The rest of the guys are in a training session. You'll probably meet them at dinner. You are staying in the mansion right?" Catherine looked worried. If Methos killed that poor girl in New Orleans, what would he do to a friend? "Yeah, we can catch up and maybe I can play a couple a tunes for you babe." Joe grinned at the possibility of having a captive audience. Catherine hated being called babe but since it was Joe she let it slide once in awhile. Logan half smiled, Remy grinned as he caught the shock in Joe's eyes at seeing someone with red on black eyes, and Rogue gave him a dazzling smile that would melt butter.
Just then Duncan walked in and his eyes lit up as he saw his daughter. He couldn't believe how much he had missed her. Catherine almost knocked him down. She was so glad to see her father. She loved saying that, "father". "Joe told me about New Orleans. Are you alright?" Catherine was worried, her father didn't look well at all. She could tell this situation was tearing him apart. One of his best friends has gone completely mad and the mother of his child is missing, more than likely dead. "Darling you look wonderful, just like your mother." Duncan was on the verge of tears. "Dad why don't I take you to your room and we can talk." Duncan marveled at how strong his daughter was, he acreditted it to youth. He himself was on the verge of breaking down and she seemed like an oak. ** I have to be strong for the both of us for the moment. I'lll cry later.** Catherine thought.
Duncan wasn't in the mood to eat but he wanted to meet the other X-Men, especially Scott and Bobby. For the most part dinner was quiet casual conversation ruled the room. "So petite , Remy started, tell me bout ya mama Amanda. She sounds like a and full." Catherine smiled and began. "Well, where do I start with Amanda? She's a thief, the best around. I've been her apprentice since I could walk. (Duncan grimmaced, he didn'tl like the idea of his daughter being a thief.) We've pulled off quite a few capers that would have sent any other thief to jail for the rest of thier lives. But of course since meeting Duncan Amanda and I have gone into "retirement." You'd absolutely love her, she's so full of life and always up to something that Dad wouldn't approve of." Catherine was beaming as she always did when she talked about her mother. "Dat sounds familiar petite. Your mama sounds like you." Gambit said laughing.
**Hhmmm, thier really is honor among thieves after all.** Duncan thought to himself. He decided to shake up the table a little bit. "So Mr. Lebeau how long have you been a thief?" Duncan said with a grin that rivaled Catherine's. Gambit nearly choked on his wine.
"How you know I usta be a tief? Nobody here tell you dat." Gambit said still slightly choking.
Duncan smiled. "I'm 408 years old and Amanda is at least 1200. I know a thief when I see one." Gambits eyes were wide.
"Petite you didn't tell me ya papa was older than dirt." It was Remy's turn to grin. Duncan gave him a slight glare and the rest of the X-Men including Catherine laughed until they turned red. Duncan joined in after a couple of minutes.
Remy and Duncan's comradery seemed to dispell the air of tension the room. Joe was having a very pleasent conversation about the "Watchers" with the professor and Beast looked as though he wanted to ask Duncan if he would allow him to run a few tests. Bobby was making goo goo eyes at Catherine and she found herself making them back a couple of times until her senses came back to her. Duncan caught the exchange and gave Bobby a stare that would have given the oldest of immortals a chill. Bobby gulped and Catherine elbowed Mac.
After Dinner Duncan thought he'd take Mr. Drake for a drink at the local bar and see just where Bobby's mind was concerning his little girl. Bobby was looking around for help when Duncan asked him out for a drink. He wasn't immortal and was willing to bet a sword thru the heart hurt like hell. **I'd better go. If I don't he'll think I'm some kind of coward or worse a pervert. Heck, he probably thinks that already!** Bobby had broken out into a sweat to the delight of Duncan.
At the bar Duncan and Bobby were sitting in a quiet corner booth sipping their beers. Niether of them had said a word in the car on the way over and Bobby was wondering whether or not he should start off the conversation. He didn't have long to wonder, Duncan made the first move.
"Bobby. Can I call you Bobby?" Bobby nodded. "I just learned that I had a daughter a little over a month ago and to make things more complicated she's going to become an immortal. Do you understand what that means? She could die tomorrow and look sixteen for the next three hundred or more years. Or whats even worse is that Methos could find her and end her life before it even begins. I'm not telling you this to scare you away from her. I'm just letting you know that if you pursue this that the both of you are going to be hurt. If not sooner then later. Immortals hurt everyone they come in contact with, especially mortals who love them." Duncan's eyes dropped as he began to think briefly of Amanda. Not knowing whether she was dead or alive was taking its toll on him. Keeping his daughter alive and sane was his main concern now.
"Duncan she's told me all of this. I still love her. I know I can't protect her from other immortals or her own immortality, but I still want to be with her. I've had my share of bad relationships and I'm no stranger to being hurt. I promise you I will stay by her side no matter what happens." Bobby's convictions came thru in his voice.
"Will you be there for her after you see her kill? That's what she'll have to do eventually, we all do. I've known Charles for years and I know where he stands on the value of human life. He wouldn't have chosen any of you to be on his team if you didn't have the same views." Duncan had made a strong point but he was hoping Bobby's convictions were stronger.
"I'll be there for her, no matter what." Bobby whispered. "Does she love you?" Duncan asked. "I think so. She has a hard time showing it sometimes. She doesn't want to hurt me." Bobby stated.
Duncan looked down into his beer. He had just discovered his daughter and he was going to loose her to another man already. "Lets go Bobby. You have a lot to talk about with Catherine." **Is he giving me his permission to see his daughter?** Bobby asked himself. "Bobby if you hurt her I'll kill you." Ducan said coldly. **I guess I have my answer.**
Back at the mansion Catherine was showing Joe around. The Professor had given her his permission to show Joe the lower levels, much to Scotts disapproval. Joe was, to say the least, empressed. The technology they were using was years beyond anything he'd seen, almost "alien". After the tour Joe decided to get to know the ladies of the house a little better. Jubilee was charmed and won over by a few magic tricks, while Jean, Rogue, and Ororo enjoyed Joe's blues guitar playing. Catherine thought to herself that Amanda would like the other X-ladies. In a way they had all been her family while Amanda and Duncan were gone. Even Jubilee was beginning to warm up to her.
A couple of days ago they had gone to the mall together. Catherine had to get Jubilee out of that yellow jacket. They had actually ended up in the arcade playing pinball when Jean picked them up. Some of the outfits that Catherine picked for Jubilee weren't exactly to Jean's liking. Catherine had a fetish for things that were black, skin tight, and leather and if it wasn't that it was just short. Catherine tried to explain that cat burgulars didn't need a lot of fabric getting in thier way. "Well Catherine you're not a thief anymore." was Jean's only response. They ended up taking most of Jubilee's clothes back.
Catherine was knocked out of her flash back by the sound of Duncan and Bobby's voices coming toward the reck room. They were talking as if they were old friends. **Good. Duncan didn't kill him. Thats a good sign.** Catherine thought. "You two are awfully chummy. Something I should know?" Catherine questioned as she put her arm around her father. "Yes, I think you and Bobby have something to discuss." Duncan said in a low voice. "We've had that discussion Dad." Catherine scowled.
"No. You talked and I listened. Its my turn now." Bobby said to surprise of them both. "Lets go out side and talk." Bobby's voice was completely serious, something he didn't do often. They both proceeded to go out towards the garden.
Remy had walked in on the scene and was grinning from ear to ear as they passed him. "Homme ya so in now." Gambit said joking. Rogue, Jean, and Ororo slapped him on the back of the head and glared.
"Like you don tink they a nice couple." Gambit wined as a bump was rising on the back of his head. On the other side of the room Joe was looking kind of confused as he began to put all the clues together. Then all of a sudden a look of surprise came over his face. ** No wonder he had that silly expression on his face during dinner. How come I'm the last to know about these things?** Joe thought as the couple exited the building and Remy was rubbing his head.
Meanwhile in New York Methos had made it to Cassandra's apartment. Finding Cassandra had been too easy. He had to hand it to the Watchers, when it came to finding immortals they were very accurate. They had everything Cassandra had done and everyone she'd seen within the last six months on file. Imagine his surprise in finding a phone call from Amanda on the list around the same time Methos had first met Catherine. "Well well. If you're hiding her witch you'll share her fate as well." Methos said with a smile on his lips that meant trouble for everybody. Methos then proceeded in finding out where Cassandra was now. She had managed to dodge her watcher and disappear.
Methos frantically tore apart Cassandra's desk until he found a business card. "Camron Rose, Realtor" **A realtor? Did you buy a house for the litte girl to hide in? Maybe I should pay Mr. Rose a visit.** Methos abruptly left the penthouse and headed for downtown Manhattan. At that time of night he and mister Rose wouldn't have any interruptions.
It was lucky for Methos that Rose's apartment was right above his office. It wasn't so lucky for Camron Rose. Rose was frightened shitless. One minute he was sleeping peacefully in his bed, the next he's trussed up in his apartment, his nose bleeding from a blow to the face. A tall slender man was standing in front of him. Short cut black hair and almost scarecrow like. On the street he'd be the last person to frighten Camron, but right now he was the most frightening thing on earth. He was questioning him about a woman named Cassandra. Of course he remembered the woman, who could forget someone looked the way she did or payed in cash, but he wasn't about to tell this guy that. Camron didn't know he could hurt so much, blow after blow his resistance weakened. Then finally the slender man bent close to his ear.
"Where's Cassandra's new house?" Methos whispered. Before Rose could stop himself he blurted out the house's address in Westchester. "Now that wasn't so hard was it? You could have saved yourself a lot of pain Mr. Rose by just answering my question the first time." Methhos smiled. Rose was disgusted with himself. There was no telling what that mad man would do to that poor woman. "Now I'll be leaving you Mr. Rose." Methos turn around and began to waltz out the door. Rose's courage was building again and he mumbled an almost inaudible curse. "Go to Hell."
"Now, Now Mr. Rose was that called for?" Methos said almost playfully. "And I was going to let you live." Methos quickly turned unshiething his sword and took Rose's head. **Its just not the same without a quickening, but all the same it was fun.** Methos mused as he gentally closed the door of the brownstone behind himself and strolled out onto the busy night time streets of the city. He was on his way to Westchester, but first he needed to see some people about an actor of his own and he needed to remember why Westchester sounded so familiar to him.
Chapter Twelve
Bobby and Catherine had been in the garden for nearly two hours talking or better to say Bobby was talking. Catherine just sat listening to Bobby poor his heart out. She would have given in an hour ago but she hadn't been able to get a word in edgewise.
"Bobby I give. I love you too." Catherine said cutting in to Bobby's speech.
"You what." Bobby said perplexed. "I love you, stupid." Catherine said again grinning. Bobby waisted no time in taking Catherine into his arms and planting a very passionate kiss on her lips. **I could get use to this.** Catherine thought. Breaking off the kiss Catherine suggested that they head back to the mansion. Bobby started to grin again. "Get your mind out of the gutter. Everyone is probably wondering where we are." Catherine chastised. "You know we could possibly be perfect for each other. I'm 16 and act I like I'm 30 and you're nearly 30 and you act like you're 16." Catherine kissed her new bow on the cheek as he pretended to be hurt. "Stop pouting. We have all the time in the world." Catherine gave him a sly "come hither" look. Bobby perked up and the new couple walked back to the mansion arms wrapped around each other.
"Amazingly" the X-Men were still up talking with Joe and Duncan. Duncan was regailing them with one of his many "I romanced a royal woman stories" and Joe seemed to be taking note of Rogue's measurements to the distress of Remy. When the couple came through the sliding doors Jubilee burst into a fit of laughter. For the life of her Catherine couldn't guess why until she looked up at Bobby. Bobby's face was smeared with lipstick. Catherine took note to switch to smudgeproof from now on. Bobby was puzzled and decided to speak up.
"Guys what's so funny? Let me in on the joke." Bobby said. The whole room, except for Duncan and Scott, erupted into laughter. Even Catherine had to laugh. Bobby looked down at Catherine. He didn't like being left out on a joke since he was the crown prince of pranks in the school. Catherine walked off towards the hall and as she turned to say goodnight she tapped her own lips as a signal. Bobby brushed his own in return and turned a dark shade of red. He almost looked as red as the lipstick smudge he'd just made worse. As Catherine walked to her room she couldn't help but to think that he was the cutest 25 year old she'd ever met.
"My dear friend Robert, I take it we can assume that the two of you are now a couple." Hank said stifling a laugh and handing him a kleenex. Duncan and Scott were still glaring each for his own reason. Duncan walked up to Bobby and slapped him on the shoulder hard. "Like I said before Bobby, hurt her and I'll kill you." This time Duncan said it with a smile and that really scared Bobby. **I'm a dead man anyway.** Bobby thought smiling.
Logan was on the floor with Jubilee laughing. Then he walked over to the "popsicle" as he called him. "Popsicle ya better treat her real nice or your gandkids will be running from him." Logan said laughing. Bobby was still as red as a beat. "Homme I told ya , ya was in." Remy blurted out between laughs. Rogue, Jean, and Ororo slapped him on back of the head again. "Guys I'm going to bed." Bobby proclaimed. He heard Jubilee say "OOOOOOh" and a what sounded like slaps as he walked down the hall to his room.
The next morning Catherine and Duncan continued where they'd left off in her training. He was pleased with her improvement, but noticed that Catherine was lacking the spontaneity needed in a sword fight. Sometimes it was only "seat of your pants" thinking that won a fight and not skill. Catherine had all the skill and knowledge that her immortal parents could teach her, but she lacked experience. Duncan hoped she wouldn't gain that kind of experience until much later. Taking the life of another human being was much more different than taking the head off a sym.
Catherine could see that worry on her father's face as they spared in the Danger Room. He was always the honorable soldier and friend. Everything came to Duncan in black and white, gray areas confused him. Catherine felt safe in grey areas, because those were the only ones she ever knew. A person had to be somewhat amoral when it came to stealing for a living. He was distracted. She hoped that it didn't get him killed, she wanted to keep him around a little longer.
Meanwhile, Cassandra was watching the mansion and glad to see at least one of Catherine's parents alive. Cassandra hadn't seen anymore visions of Amanda since the last. She didn't know whether to take it as a good sign or a bad one. Either way she was set on protecting her god daughter at any cost, even if it meant her life. Richie was at Salem Center grocery shopping for the house and trying to contact some of the local snitches. Joe and Duncan were sure that Methos would come looking for Cassandra and he wanted to know when or if a stranger had come into the community. Cassandra on the other hand wasn't worried about Methos coming after her she knew she was going to die soon enough.
Bobby was waiting for Catherine after her session in the Danger Room. Duncan gave a knodd to Bobby as he left the pair to talk. Bobby almost chaistly gave her a peck on the forehead as Duncan passed thru the last entrance on his way to the ground floor of the mansion. Catherine raised an eyebrow in suspicion then smiled as a wicked thought ran thru her mind. It was Bobby's turn to raise an eyebrow now.
"I know you can do better than that Mr. Drake." She said with the same raised eyebrow and wicked grin. "I know I can too, but I'd rather not in front of your father. " Bobby said with a frightened look on his face.
"Well dad isn't here now. We're all alone." Bobby took that as an invitation. "Ya know Bobby we're gonna have a lot of fun once this Methos thing is over." Catherine said while trying to her best Groucho Marx impression. It was the first time in weeks that she'd felt truly confident and wasn't faking for the benefit of someone else. Bobby was all smiles as he held her in his arms. He'd found his perfect match. She was beautiful, strong, funny, and most of all she made Bobby want to go on fighting no matter what the cause. He was on cloud nine.
Methos decided to make a little hotel outside of Salem center as his base of operations. The first thing he needed to do was find out as much information he could about where Cassandra was and whether or not Catherine was really with her. It wasn't above Duncan to try and throw him off track with a false lead and Cassandra hated him enough to risk her own life to kill him. The actress he hired turned out to be more than he could've ever asked for. With her "special skills" and precise timing Catherine would come to him.
**What a beautiful day. The air is crisp and dear Cathy's blood will spill soon.** Methos thought as he stepped out onto the grounds of the little hotel. **I have to pick a suitable battle field, after all Maclead and his daughter are the honorable soldiers. How could I give them anything less than perfection.** Methos' was determined to fight on his own turf and use his own rules. The location of the hotel was perfect. Secluded, empty, and nowhere to hide, unless you felt like taking a header of a cliff and into some very sharp rocks. The hotel staff had been taken care of earlier by some rather disreputable mutants that Methos had hired.
At the mansion the Professor thought that it would be a nice change of pace to have lunch and dinner outside for a few days since the weather was so beautiful. No one had any complaints and the training sessions were cut short so they could enjoy the weather together. Scott, Logan, and Remy were playing basketball with Rogue, Storm, Jean (and loosing badly). Jubilee and Joe were discussing the "Watchers Society" and immortals, while Duncan was having a pleasent conversation with the prof. Hank was still in his lab looking rather perplexed at a blood sample that Duncan had been talked into giving to him until Bobby and Catherine coaxed him out with the promise of hamburgers and twinkies. Hank mumbled something about not loosing a best friend but gaining an equally annoying girlfriend as the couple tried to carry him out of his lab. Catherine and Bobby laughed and said that he needed more sunlight and fresh air.
Duncan and Charles had managed to remove themselves from the groug and their conversation instantly became much more serious. "You do know that once Catherine becomes fully immortal that she will have to kill to survive?" Duncan said. "She may even have to leave the institute if the others can't handle it." Charles nodded his agreement.
"By the others, you mean Bobby right." Xavier surmised. "Duncan you don't have to worry about Bobby he'll be there for her. After all I am a psychic, I know these things." Xavier cracked a smile.
"Charles, of all the mortals I've ever known you never cease to amaze me." Duncan said as he punched Xavier in the arm. "Out of all the mortals you've ever known how many could read minds? Don't worry she's the one for him and likewise for her." Charles said with a smile. Seeing his X-Men happy and at peace was one of his greatest wishes, even if it was only for a short time.
Cassandra watched the happy scene from a nearby hilltop. **What is Duncan thinking? Catherine should be training for the upcoming battle. That young one never seases to amaze me when it comes to naivete. You'd think after 400 years that he'd be a little less trusting.** Just then Cassandra's cell phone rang out. It was Richie.
"Cassandra, I think I've got a lead on Methos. Some locals from an inn outside of Salem Center haven't been seen in a few days and thier friends are getting antsy. Plus, get this, some rather bad dudes have been seen in the area too. The local snitches say they're bad news on a major scale. They sound like the kind of guys that our "new" Methos would use to get Catherine. I'll check it out and get back to ya tonight." Richie reported.
"Thanks Richie. I'll wait until you report back before contacting Duncan. We really don't know if Methos has found me or not. He can't find Catherine now she's not ready." Cassandra said before abruptly flipping the phone off and resuming her watch. **This isn't going well. He wasn't supposed to be so close so soon. Amanda where are you? Are you alive?** Cassandra thought as she decided to watch the X-Men and Catherine from another advantage point.
Down below on the mansion grounds Wolverine had decided to call the basketball game quits. He wasn't about to let the X-ladies get the better of him in one his favorite passtimes. After eating he decided to patrol the grounds. He couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched and the love birds were starting to make him sick. Wolverine had wondered into the edge of the woods on the east side of the school grounds and caught a familiar scent in the air.
Meanwhile just outside of Salem Center Richie was examining the grounds of a small inn. He had seen Methos earlier through an upstairs window, but what he found in woods surrounding the inn surprised him even more. Richie found what was left of the hotel owners and staff. They weren't even buried and to make matters worse thier heads were gone. Richie wanted to vomit. He wouldn't have believed it if he hadn't seen it for himself, the ancient had truly lost his mind. None of these corpses has been immortal, they were all mortals and upon closer examination one of them was even a watcher. **Great Methose, let the whole world know about us why don't cha. Wait until the watchers find out about this. If this doesn't start a war between us nothing will.** Richie thought as he quickly moved away from the bodies and back toward his car.
Methos smiled as he sensed the young immortal watching from the nearby grove of trees. **Hello Richie. I hope you know I'm letting you see me. As soon as you report back to Cassandra or Duncan the first part of my plan will be complete. Afterall why go to claim a prize when the prize can come to you, and she will come to me.** At that moment, and as Richie was turning his back a woman walked into view. "What do you think of my plan my Dear?" Methos queried. The woman smiled and moved to sit in his lap. She gave a slight peck on the cheek and smiled looking out the window. "Amanda my dear, Methos said smiling wickedly, you are a tease." She moved in closer for a more personal response to his question.
Back on the mansion grounds Wolverine was having an encounter of his own. "Come on out now. I can smell you a mile away with that perfume." Logan said with a snort. Out of the shadows the slender figure of woman stepped out to be seen. "So how long has it been darlin, ten, twenty years? An ya still look great." Logan asked. Cassandra smiled. "Thank you, you don't look that bad yourself. I was wondering how long it would take for you to find me out here." Cassandra said.
(Flash back, New York City, twenty years earlier.)
Logan just about to leave a local pool hall when the most gorgeous red-head he'd seen in a while walked in carrying a pool cue. He could tell she was a hustler by the innocent way she sauntered in the place, after all what would an innocent, seemingly meek, woman be doing in a dive like that. Immediately the guys in the bar gathered like flies around her.
Usually Cassandra liked the attention she got from men in these dives, but today she just wanted a decent game. Pool was one of her favorite pass times ever since its invention she'd been hooked. "Hey darlin don't cha think you'd be better off in one o'dose fancy dives across town?" Cassandra looked around to see who was addressing her. He was a rather stocky looking man, yet handsome in an animalistic way. She smiled and parted the crowd as she moved toward him. "You up for a game?" Cassandra asked. "I'm up for anything darlin." Logan answered. "Cute, but lets just play for now." Cassandra cooed.
Logan and his new friend played pool and conversed for most of the night. He was amazed to find a scholar and a politician playing pool in a seedy biker bar. "So darlin whats your name?" Logan asked. " Cassandra, but you can call me Cass." Cassandra smirked.
Cassandra was about to invite him to her place for a drink when an all too familiar alarm sounded in her head. Another immortal was coming and she had to cut her encounter with this very interesting mortal short. Much to her disappointment.
(Back in the present)
"You still wear the same perfume darlin, you immortals must get into a rut after a few decades." Logan joked. "So why'd you run out on me that night Cass?"
"Immortal business. When the quickening calls we fight, its our nature." Cassandra sighed. "I should be asking you why you decided not to tell anyone that you knew me."
"I could ask you the same thing darlin, or can I guess? You didn't want to tip yer hand too soon. Finding out that almost everyone they've met in the past week is an immortal can be kind o' nerve racking even for the best of us." Logan said with a half smile. "Why are you stalking the mansion anyway? Don't trust us to look after the kid." Logan said his face going emotionless.
"On the contrary I do trust you with her. The person I don't trust is Methos. Richie spotted him at a local inn and he also spotted the corpses of the innkeepers and staff." Cassandra said with a shudder in her voice.
"Well then darlin lets go get Macleod and get rid of this Methos joker." Logan in full Wolverine mode started to move in the direction of the mansion.
"Wait Logan thats not the way this game is played." Cassandra said urgently. "This game is a one on one fight and its Macleod's call if he wants to fight or take Catherine and run. Methos is a madman now and beyond reason, he'll use whoever and whatever he can to get Catherine. He's been a master strategist since before he made me what I am, if you believe for one second that Richie saw Methos out of pure luck you're very much mistaken." Cassandra's voice was cold and determined. "Lets go tell Macleod and Catherine. I think they'll decide that its time to fight."
Inside the mansion Scott and Duncan were having a rather heated discussion of thier own.
"I'm not pretending to like either of you, because of your girlfriend and daughter one of my closest friends and the rest of the scientists in that compound are dead. Those men and women were among the best and brightest the world ever knew. They could have changed this world for the better!" Scott said in an almost cursing manner.
Duncan stood and listened to young mortal. Scott's voice was so full of rage. Duncan wondered if he'd ever used that tone of voice with his daughter. In the short time that Duncan had come to know his daughter, he had figured her out completely. Catherine may seem as tough as nails on the outside but she was a very sensitive soul. He quelled the anger inside of him and spoke calmly to Scott.
"I know how you feel Scott I've lost hundreds of friends and lovers over the years. I've fought for centuries in war after war trying to make this world a better place, just as you and the other fight in secret now. The atrocities I've witnessed are worse than anything you could ever imagine. If you have to blame anyone for your loss blame me, blame Amanda, blame society and fate, but don't blame Catherine. She didn't have a choice in all this. If you really took the time to get to know her you'd see a soul that would gladly die to protect the ones she loves and who'd die to bring back the innocent." Duncan looked fatiged but his speech came from the deepest regions of his soul and as he looked into Scott's eyes he knew he had hit a nerve.
Scott bowed his head slightly in thought and with an ashamed look in his eyes walked off toward his room to think. Duncan was about to retire as well, but another immortal was near and he started to prepare himself mentally to fight.
Richie stared at the fireplace in Cassandra's den intently as he sipped his coffee. He knew that Cassandra wouldn't wait until morning to tell Duncan the news about Methos and he was bothered by the fact that they still treated him as if he were a child. Being out of the loop was definitely no fun and what was worse his best friends could possibly be killed because of it. Richie remembered Duncan telling him about team work and how all members of a team should be on an equal level, but he guessed the rules were different when a daughter was concerned. **There has to be a way to even up the odds against Methos. Maybe if I could get on the inside.** Richie thought as he stood up and grabbed the keys to his car.
Okay this was a long one. I know what your thinking, she can't leave me hanging like this. Well I can. I hope you enjoy this installment and review it because if you don't review I won't know whether or not to continue. As for my loyal readers I had a lot of tests to study for so thats why it took so long to get this thing posted. let me know if you like it or not.