Chapter Eleven: Confrontations
Life went on. Life, as Methos had long ago dicovered, always returned to some resemblance of normality. People had a way of coping, well, most of them did, and just carried on. Amanda continued her survalence of MacLeod, Methos continued drinking beer at Joe's, Joe continued serving him. No-one mentioned the 'incident', no-one mentioned Mac's missing presence from the bar, let alone Richie's. And that, as far as Methos was concerned, screamed 'not normal', underneath the pretence. But he, as ususal, was reluctant to rock the boat, again. He was still trying to work out what had happened. He did enjoy a challenge, well, the intellectual type, at least. When he thought about it, he would admit that the whole thing actually had him more worried than he liked to believe. He didn't like not being in control, and he was still worried about Duncan, about what being caught up in, well, whatever it was - a demon? - whilst he was so vulnerable had done to him. And it would probably be a cold day in Hell when Duncan ever decided to consider him a friend again. Oh, well, it wouldn't be the first time. If only Duncan wasn't so, well, Duncan. Methos sighed, he truely was in deep.
He downed his third beer of the evening and waited for Amanda. She was doing a good job of keeping an eye on Duncan and it was making all three of the others feel better. It was just a shame that Duncan himself didn't feel that way. He had taken to completely ingoring Amanda, and so she was not bothering to hide from him anymore. He wasn't shouting at her to leave him alone, had suddenly become immune to all her odd tricks and charms, he wasn't even acknowledging her presence. All he did was mediate and do katas, not that it seemed to be doing anything to help him, and even Amanda was starting to get a little annoyed with him after another month.
Looking up Joe noticing methos had 'that look', and smiled. Amanda.
At that moment, Amanda did indeed enter the bar. She was out of breath and disheved, very unlike the usual poised Amanda. It could only mean one thing. Something was wrong.
" 'Manda, what's happened?" Methos asked already starting towards the woman.
"D-Duncan. He's... quick...."
"What? Slow down."
"Duncan's leaving. Quick."
Almost before she had finished, Methos had rushed out the building like death itself was behind him.
Methos caught up with Duncan just as his T-bird was pulling away from the dojo. Duncan frowned as he saw Methos move to stand in front of the car.
"Methos, move. Amanda couldn't stop me going, nor can you."
"Where will you go?"
"I don't know. Why does it matter?"
"It just does! You can't just leave. We've coped with you shutting us all out, but I can't let you leave."
"Do as I say and not what I do, Methos?"
"Getting better Mac, but still no cigar. Now, get out of the car and talk to me about this!"
"Talk to you, don't make me laugh."
Methos wished he could.
"Damn you and your stubborn Scottish upbring, MacLeod! Now get out of that car before I drag you out," Methos yelled as Joe and Amanda came running up.
"No, now just move Methos!"
"No! I guess you're just have to run me over, won't you!"
"Fine!"
"They're like two five year-olds sometimes. I wish they could just kiss and make up..." Joe commented, nervously, to Amanda.
Amanda just looked at him curiously.
"What?"
"I, er, I think Methos already tried that," she replied, unsure of how much Joe knew.
"You're...You're kiding right?"
She shook her head and Joe's expression was priceless.
"Well. I...Well, I never," he finally settled for.
Amanda grinned. "Yeah, I know. Tell me about it!"
Methos, meanwhile, looked like he may actually be in danger of being run over by his former best friend.
Methos felt the sudden stop of the car milimetres away from his chest, and sighed in relief. It seemed Duncan had come to some sense.
He looked up at the highlander, ready to torment the younger man further for his stubborn actions, when the look in Duncan's eyes made him stop and a chill ran up his spine. It was possible that Duncan hadn't stopped the car entirely through his own decision.
The Highlander was motionless, staring at someting or someone behind Methos, a look of shock and fear in his eyes. He was muttering something quietly to himself.
"Another delusional Immortal?" immediately flitted across Methos mind as he noticed that there appeared to be nothing there where Mac was staring.
"Mac! Mac! Snap out of it!" he yelled, actually scared by the other man's actions.
"Dead. Dead. You're dead!" were the faint words coming from Duncan.
"Who, Duncan, who is it?" Methos asked softly, hoping to distract the other man out of whatever it was he was seeing.
"Horton!" came the whispered reply.
Methos started. James Horton, a renegade watcher had been dead for at least 2 months. Why was Duncan seeing dead men?!
"Who are you?" Duncan continued, his voice gradually gaining volume.
"Now who's there Duncan?" Methos asked quietly, not wanting to scare the other man.
Then Methos heard his own name, and a voice from his distant past that he hoped never to hear again.
"Methos, brother!"
"Kronos?" he whispered. Turning around slowly, Methos saw a faint image of his one-time 'brother', Kronos, a man he had ridden with for over 1000 years roughly 3000 years ago. A time when the two of them and their two other brothers had delighted in killing, raping, and pillaging. A part of his past which he had carefully hidden from both Mac and Joe. He also knew that Kronos had died 50 years ago, when Methos himself had killed him.
However, the man in front of him, although clearly not real, was also
real enough to Duncan. The image was faint to Methos, but it was enough to chill him to his bones, again. It didn't help that the figure had glowing red eyes.
"You are not Kronos, Kronos is dead. What are you?!"
"I am the end of time Methos. Do you not remember me, old friend?"
"I know you are not my brother,"
"Oh, so sad, you do not recognise me. Don't worry, you soon will!" The creature grinned evily, and Methos felt a flash of recognition. He knew that he knew who or what was behind all this, if only he could remember!
"Methos, you-you know this evil creature?!" Duncan, even delusional, with his great goodness and honour, could reconise the intense evil in this Thing.
Methos just nodded, unable to explain even if he wanted to.
He was loosing it, finally after 5000 years he'd gone insane. Well it had to happen sometime. Here he was seeing dead Immortals and wierd creatures with glowing eyes in the middle of a back street in modern Seacouver. It was like something out of a bad horror film. All he needed now was a storm for atmosphere and another mysterious death and the setting would be complete.
'But,' a little voice addded, the one that had somehow keep him sane - just about- for 5000 years, 'if you've gone insane, why is Duncan also seeing things? He's only 400 years old. And the eyes, old Man, look at his eyes. They're like Duncan's were at the warehouse!'
"You escaped me once, Old Man, but not a second time. I will have you back and once again you will do my bidding. You and your friend as well. He is young, but strong. He nearly killed you last time, with my help, and I know he enjoyed it. Next time you won't be so lucky!" 'Kronos' continued.
"What do you mean? And, you leave MacLeod alone."
"Delightful," 'Kronos' just grinned. "I will enjoy this."
A second later, 'Kronos' had appeared behind MacLeod, a sword at the ready, while Duncan just stood there stunned.
"No!" cried Joe, his cry allerting Duncan, who swung round, just too late. 'Kronos' started to bring his sword round and ready, aimed at Duncan's neck.
Duncan stared into the eyes of his killer, and knew it was too late. His time had come, and even while he pulled his sword, he debated the sense of just giving in and letting this 'Kronos' or whatever his name was, take his head. What was the point in him keeping it? 'He's evil!' his conscience attempted to tell him, but Duncan just didn't care.
Duncan silently closed his eyes and waited for the end. He heard the sword swish down, and 'Kronos' laugh manicly...and then nothing. 'What was taking so long?'
He opened his eyes to an amazing sight.
During Kronos' melodramic savouring of his supposedly victory, Methos had somehow managed to place himself between Duncan and 'Kronos', and 'Kronos' sword was placed at the older Immortals' neck. Kronos screamed in anger and lowered the sword.
"No! He is mine. I will have him, and I will have you, but I will not kill you - yet!"
With that he vanished, his exit just as surreal as the rest of his sudden, mysterious presence.
There was slience, broken only by the sound of Joe's cane as he and Amanda approached the other two from their hiding place.
"Wow!" was all the mortal could utter.
"Are you alright, Duncan?! Methos?!" Amanda asked.
"Fine, for now", Methos answered, shaken.
"What on God's Earth was that thing?!" Amanda continued.
"I don't think God has anything to do with it", Methos replied.
"I think we've just had another run-in with whatever's been causing this choas these past few weeks," remarked Joe. Methos nodded in agreement, and Amanda looked worried.
"That's twice, now, that he's attacked us four directly, and especially you and Duncan, Methos! What do you think he wants with you?"
"I wish I knew. He's still just playing with us. I'm sure he'll be back, you know what they say - third time's a charm! Although you're forgetting Richie, I think that may be three," Methos replied, his usual mastery of the witicsm of the English language returning as he reacted to the situation in the only way that would stop him becomming a qibbering wreak in the face of this new threat from the ghosts of his past.
Realising that Duncan still hadn't uttered a single word since 'Kronos' disapearance, Amanda turned to him.
"Duncan, are you OK?"
"What the Hell did you think you were doing?" he shouted in response, at Methos, suddenly exploding.
"I thought I was saving your head", the other man replied, calmly.
"Maybe I didn't want it saved!"
"You only thought you didn't. It's not like you to just give up."
"Don't you presume to tell me what I'm like. At least I don't pretend to be something I'm not, Adam Pierson!"
"Oh, and I suppose you'd prefer it if I just went around announcing myself as 'Methos of the Clan whatever, who was born over 5000 years ago in a place called God-knows-what that no longer even exists'!"
Methos' voice rose as he took out his anger and frustation at this
impossible situation on the one man avilable.
"I don't care what you do, Old Man! When are you ever going to realise that. You hang around like a bad smell, drink all my beer, torment me about being a so-called boy-scout, and are the biggest fan of the 'look out for number one' theory. And then, you risk your own life to save mine. Well I didn't ask for your help. I didn't ask for anyone's help!"
"Fine. Next time I'll just let you die!"
"Fine by me!"
"Duncan! Methos! Stop it, this isn't helping!" Amanda tried to intervene.
"Just leave me alone, Methos," Duncan continued, ignoring Amanda.
"Why don't you all just leave me alone for once. Why do I have to be the hero all the time!"
"You don't, we just want you to be Duncan MacLeod again," Amanda replied.
"Just grow up Mac! Try acting your real age not the age you look!" came Methos' comment.
"Duncan MacLeod is dead!" Duncan replied coldly, and walked away.
"You know, Mac," Methos called bitterly after him, "if you had wanted to die, you could have come to me. It would have been a pleasure to take your head! Just whatever you do, don't give it to some evil monster!"
But Duncan ignored him, wanting nothing nothing more than to walk away from his friends, his teacher, his lover, and his Watcher. Away from his life.
"Give him time," Joe said softly.
"No, as of this moment I wash my hands of Duncan MacLeod of the bloody Clan MacLeod. Let Connor deal with him. I have more immportant things to do. Amanda, I'll see you soon, we need to continue with our work. Joe, I'll fill you in tomorrow and bring you on board if you still want to."
"Um, fine," Joe agreed. Amanda nodded. Both knew that they were going to get nothing else out of Methos when he closed himself off and went into evasive mode. Methos began to leave.
"Come on, Joe, I'll walk you home," offered Amanda, worried about the shock of the evenings' events on the mortal.
Joe nodded and took Amanda's arm, as his eyes followed the old Immortal retreating back. He was worried about him, and about Mac. Their world looked about to fall apart, Mac was wanting to kill himself, and Methos was becomming as skitish as Hell. Why he hadn't already boarded a plane to Bora Bora was anyone's guess. Yet, he'd also just risked his own life for Duncan's!
Joe sighed. It had been a very long day. They'd survived two run-ins with this demonic monster and were safe for now, but were still no closer to finding a way to defeating it. He couldn't help thinking that maybe Methos was right - third time was a charm. Maybe he should contact Connor...
Life went on. Life, as Methos had long ago dicovered, always returned to some resemblance of normality. People had a way of coping, well, most of them did, and just carried on. Amanda continued her survalence of MacLeod, Methos continued drinking beer at Joe's, Joe continued serving him. No-one mentioned the 'incident', no-one mentioned Mac's missing presence from the bar, let alone Richie's. And that, as far as Methos was concerned, screamed 'not normal', underneath the pretence. But he, as ususal, was reluctant to rock the boat, again. He was still trying to work out what had happened. He did enjoy a challenge, well, the intellectual type, at least. When he thought about it, he would admit that the whole thing actually had him more worried than he liked to believe. He didn't like not being in control, and he was still worried about Duncan, about what being caught up in, well, whatever it was - a demon? - whilst he was so vulnerable had done to him. And it would probably be a cold day in Hell when Duncan ever decided to consider him a friend again. Oh, well, it wouldn't be the first time. If only Duncan wasn't so, well, Duncan. Methos sighed, he truely was in deep.
He downed his third beer of the evening and waited for Amanda. She was doing a good job of keeping an eye on Duncan and it was making all three of the others feel better. It was just a shame that Duncan himself didn't feel that way. He had taken to completely ingoring Amanda, and so she was not bothering to hide from him anymore. He wasn't shouting at her to leave him alone, had suddenly become immune to all her odd tricks and charms, he wasn't even acknowledging her presence. All he did was mediate and do katas, not that it seemed to be doing anything to help him, and even Amanda was starting to get a little annoyed with him after another month.
Looking up Joe noticing methos had 'that look', and smiled. Amanda.
At that moment, Amanda did indeed enter the bar. She was out of breath and disheved, very unlike the usual poised Amanda. It could only mean one thing. Something was wrong.
" 'Manda, what's happened?" Methos asked already starting towards the woman.
"D-Duncan. He's... quick...."
"What? Slow down."
"Duncan's leaving. Quick."
Almost before she had finished, Methos had rushed out the building like death itself was behind him.
Methos caught up with Duncan just as his T-bird was pulling away from the dojo. Duncan frowned as he saw Methos move to stand in front of the car.
"Methos, move. Amanda couldn't stop me going, nor can you."
"Where will you go?"
"I don't know. Why does it matter?"
"It just does! You can't just leave. We've coped with you shutting us all out, but I can't let you leave."
"Do as I say and not what I do, Methos?"
"Getting better Mac, but still no cigar. Now, get out of the car and talk to me about this!"
"Talk to you, don't make me laugh."
Methos wished he could.
"Damn you and your stubborn Scottish upbring, MacLeod! Now get out of that car before I drag you out," Methos yelled as Joe and Amanda came running up.
"No, now just move Methos!"
"No! I guess you're just have to run me over, won't you!"
"Fine!"
"They're like two five year-olds sometimes. I wish they could just kiss and make up..." Joe commented, nervously, to Amanda.
Amanda just looked at him curiously.
"What?"
"I, er, I think Methos already tried that," she replied, unsure of how much Joe knew.
"You're...You're kiding right?"
She shook her head and Joe's expression was priceless.
"Well. I...Well, I never," he finally settled for.
Amanda grinned. "Yeah, I know. Tell me about it!"
Methos, meanwhile, looked like he may actually be in danger of being run over by his former best friend.
Methos felt the sudden stop of the car milimetres away from his chest, and sighed in relief. It seemed Duncan had come to some sense.
He looked up at the highlander, ready to torment the younger man further for his stubborn actions, when the look in Duncan's eyes made him stop and a chill ran up his spine. It was possible that Duncan hadn't stopped the car entirely through his own decision.
The Highlander was motionless, staring at someting or someone behind Methos, a look of shock and fear in his eyes. He was muttering something quietly to himself.
"Another delusional Immortal?" immediately flitted across Methos mind as he noticed that there appeared to be nothing there where Mac was staring.
"Mac! Mac! Snap out of it!" he yelled, actually scared by the other man's actions.
"Dead. Dead. You're dead!" were the faint words coming from Duncan.
"Who, Duncan, who is it?" Methos asked softly, hoping to distract the other man out of whatever it was he was seeing.
"Horton!" came the whispered reply.
Methos started. James Horton, a renegade watcher had been dead for at least 2 months. Why was Duncan seeing dead men?!
"Who are you?" Duncan continued, his voice gradually gaining volume.
"Now who's there Duncan?" Methos asked quietly, not wanting to scare the other man.
Then Methos heard his own name, and a voice from his distant past that he hoped never to hear again.
"Methos, brother!"
"Kronos?" he whispered. Turning around slowly, Methos saw a faint image of his one-time 'brother', Kronos, a man he had ridden with for over 1000 years roughly 3000 years ago. A time when the two of them and their two other brothers had delighted in killing, raping, and pillaging. A part of his past which he had carefully hidden from both Mac and Joe. He also knew that Kronos had died 50 years ago, when Methos himself had killed him.
However, the man in front of him, although clearly not real, was also
real enough to Duncan. The image was faint to Methos, but it was enough to chill him to his bones, again. It didn't help that the figure had glowing red eyes.
"You are not Kronos, Kronos is dead. What are you?!"
"I am the end of time Methos. Do you not remember me, old friend?"
"I know you are not my brother,"
"Oh, so sad, you do not recognise me. Don't worry, you soon will!" The creature grinned evily, and Methos felt a flash of recognition. He knew that he knew who or what was behind all this, if only he could remember!
"Methos, you-you know this evil creature?!" Duncan, even delusional, with his great goodness and honour, could reconise the intense evil in this Thing.
Methos just nodded, unable to explain even if he wanted to.
He was loosing it, finally after 5000 years he'd gone insane. Well it had to happen sometime. Here he was seeing dead Immortals and wierd creatures with glowing eyes in the middle of a back street in modern Seacouver. It was like something out of a bad horror film. All he needed now was a storm for atmosphere and another mysterious death and the setting would be complete.
'But,' a little voice addded, the one that had somehow keep him sane - just about- for 5000 years, 'if you've gone insane, why is Duncan also seeing things? He's only 400 years old. And the eyes, old Man, look at his eyes. They're like Duncan's were at the warehouse!'
"You escaped me once, Old Man, but not a second time. I will have you back and once again you will do my bidding. You and your friend as well. He is young, but strong. He nearly killed you last time, with my help, and I know he enjoyed it. Next time you won't be so lucky!" 'Kronos' continued.
"What do you mean? And, you leave MacLeod alone."
"Delightful," 'Kronos' just grinned. "I will enjoy this."
A second later, 'Kronos' had appeared behind MacLeod, a sword at the ready, while Duncan just stood there stunned.
"No!" cried Joe, his cry allerting Duncan, who swung round, just too late. 'Kronos' started to bring his sword round and ready, aimed at Duncan's neck.
Duncan stared into the eyes of his killer, and knew it was too late. His time had come, and even while he pulled his sword, he debated the sense of just giving in and letting this 'Kronos' or whatever his name was, take his head. What was the point in him keeping it? 'He's evil!' his conscience attempted to tell him, but Duncan just didn't care.
Duncan silently closed his eyes and waited for the end. He heard the sword swish down, and 'Kronos' laugh manicly...and then nothing. 'What was taking so long?'
He opened his eyes to an amazing sight.
During Kronos' melodramic savouring of his supposedly victory, Methos had somehow managed to place himself between Duncan and 'Kronos', and 'Kronos' sword was placed at the older Immortals' neck. Kronos screamed in anger and lowered the sword.
"No! He is mine. I will have him, and I will have you, but I will not kill you - yet!"
With that he vanished, his exit just as surreal as the rest of his sudden, mysterious presence.
There was slience, broken only by the sound of Joe's cane as he and Amanda approached the other two from their hiding place.
"Wow!" was all the mortal could utter.
"Are you alright, Duncan?! Methos?!" Amanda asked.
"Fine, for now", Methos answered, shaken.
"What on God's Earth was that thing?!" Amanda continued.
"I don't think God has anything to do with it", Methos replied.
"I think we've just had another run-in with whatever's been causing this choas these past few weeks," remarked Joe. Methos nodded in agreement, and Amanda looked worried.
"That's twice, now, that he's attacked us four directly, and especially you and Duncan, Methos! What do you think he wants with you?"
"I wish I knew. He's still just playing with us. I'm sure he'll be back, you know what they say - third time's a charm! Although you're forgetting Richie, I think that may be three," Methos replied, his usual mastery of the witicsm of the English language returning as he reacted to the situation in the only way that would stop him becomming a qibbering wreak in the face of this new threat from the ghosts of his past.
Realising that Duncan still hadn't uttered a single word since 'Kronos' disapearance, Amanda turned to him.
"Duncan, are you OK?"
"What the Hell did you think you were doing?" he shouted in response, at Methos, suddenly exploding.
"I thought I was saving your head", the other man replied, calmly.
"Maybe I didn't want it saved!"
"You only thought you didn't. It's not like you to just give up."
"Don't you presume to tell me what I'm like. At least I don't pretend to be something I'm not, Adam Pierson!"
"Oh, and I suppose you'd prefer it if I just went around announcing myself as 'Methos of the Clan whatever, who was born over 5000 years ago in a place called God-knows-what that no longer even exists'!"
Methos' voice rose as he took out his anger and frustation at this
impossible situation on the one man avilable.
"I don't care what you do, Old Man! When are you ever going to realise that. You hang around like a bad smell, drink all my beer, torment me about being a so-called boy-scout, and are the biggest fan of the 'look out for number one' theory. And then, you risk your own life to save mine. Well I didn't ask for your help. I didn't ask for anyone's help!"
"Fine. Next time I'll just let you die!"
"Fine by me!"
"Duncan! Methos! Stop it, this isn't helping!" Amanda tried to intervene.
"Just leave me alone, Methos," Duncan continued, ignoring Amanda.
"Why don't you all just leave me alone for once. Why do I have to be the hero all the time!"
"You don't, we just want you to be Duncan MacLeod again," Amanda replied.
"Just grow up Mac! Try acting your real age not the age you look!" came Methos' comment.
"Duncan MacLeod is dead!" Duncan replied coldly, and walked away.
"You know, Mac," Methos called bitterly after him, "if you had wanted to die, you could have come to me. It would have been a pleasure to take your head! Just whatever you do, don't give it to some evil monster!"
But Duncan ignored him, wanting nothing nothing more than to walk away from his friends, his teacher, his lover, and his Watcher. Away from his life.
"Give him time," Joe said softly.
"No, as of this moment I wash my hands of Duncan MacLeod of the bloody Clan MacLeod. Let Connor deal with him. I have more immportant things to do. Amanda, I'll see you soon, we need to continue with our work. Joe, I'll fill you in tomorrow and bring you on board if you still want to."
"Um, fine," Joe agreed. Amanda nodded. Both knew that they were going to get nothing else out of Methos when he closed himself off and went into evasive mode. Methos began to leave.
"Come on, Joe, I'll walk you home," offered Amanda, worried about the shock of the evenings' events on the mortal.
Joe nodded and took Amanda's arm, as his eyes followed the old Immortal retreating back. He was worried about him, and about Mac. Their world looked about to fall apart, Mac was wanting to kill himself, and Methos was becomming as skitish as Hell. Why he hadn't already boarded a plane to Bora Bora was anyone's guess. Yet, he'd also just risked his own life for Duncan's!
Joe sighed. It had been a very long day. They'd survived two run-ins with this demonic monster and were safe for now, but were still no closer to finding a way to defeating it. He couldn't help thinking that maybe Methos was right - third time was a charm. Maybe he should contact Connor...