The Elizabeth Series Chapter 4: Cockroaches, a highlander fanfic

THE ELIZABETH SERIES
CHAPTER FOUR

COCKROACHES

CHARACTERS: DM M J A Amy (OC) Elizabeth Kevin Joshua Logan

SUMMARY: Methos wants to take off after finding out what he most dreaded in the world, but Joe puts on a guilt trip.

DISCLAIMER: All disclaimers still apply.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2000
NEW YORK CITY
METHOS' APARTMENT

Methos hurriedly packed his stuff and wanted to get as far away from the city and immortals and his 'so called friends' ASAP. When the phone rang, he even debated about picking it up, but it could be Joe, or worse yet, about Joe's health. Even though he wanted to throttle him, Joe Dawson was still the best friend he ever had. Methos answered on the third ring with "Yeah?"

Joe chuckled at his directness, "I was wondering where you went."

"Joe, how are you?" Methos tried to be nonchalant, but even he knew it wasn't working. He was damn angry Joe kept that piece of information quiet.

"Better, sitting up. I still can't eat though. The thought of food makes me--"

"I'm glad you called actually," Methos interrupted. "So I can tell you... I have to leave for while."

"No, you don't."

"Yes, Joe. I do."

Joe's voice became his own forceful self again, the hoarseness that came with Joe's brand of begging was in evidence, "Amy's wedding is on Saturday. If I can't make it up the aisle with her, I was hoping you could do it for me... saying you saved her life and all. And mine. Twice. Maybe more."

"Joe," Methos squinted, hating to be put in that position. "I can't."

"Adam, get your butt over here right now. We also have this Logan thing to deal with. Amy's frantic that Liz is going to take off, too."

"Joe, this doesn't have anything to do with Elizabeth, or Logan, or you. This has to do with me."

There was a pause on the line that Methos almost thought they'd been cut off. "You found out," Joe's voice was quiet, spent.

Methos straightened, as if a finger dug into the small of his back. "You know?"

"Yeah," Joe slowly admitted. "Right before I retired I heard Zoll found out who you really were."

"How did she?"

"Cassandra's watcher figured it out."

"Cassandra..." Ever since that woman walked into Duncan's dojo, Methos knew that even when she decided not to relieve him of his head, she would still be causing problems for him. "And... how long ago was that?! You didn't think to tell me?" Methos bristled. "You didn't think I'd be interested in that tidbit of information?"

"Hey! I knew you could take care of yourself. Then you moved to New York to be close to me. No one's come after you."

"Thanks, buddy!"

"Now, calm down and come over here and let's talk about it," Joe paused as the conversation was taking a lot out of his strength. "I can't get on my feet yet to kick your butt if you leave town! You can't do this to my daughter. We need you here!"

Methos didn't like Joe using Amy as a pawn to get him to his bidding, didn't like the information that Adam Pierson was in fact Methos on every database of every watcher on the planet and Joe didn't let him know, AND he didn't like one bit that a young pup mortal was telling him what to do. "Fend for yourself," Methos seethed and hung up the phone, then disconnected the cord from the wall.

LATER - JOE'S APARTMENT

Amy was frantic as she ate pretzels in the kitchen. She just got back from getting Joe a couple magazines at a store down the block and no one was there. She didn't know what happened to Adam, he took off without telling anyone after Blair's visit, she was on the phone trying to reach Diane Wentworth when he disappeared. Duncan and Amanda weren't back from New Jersey yet. She couldn't get a hold of Jessica, her watcher friend, then remembered she was in Washington DC on business until Thursday. She hadn't heard from Elizabeth, who should be done with the fitting. Kevin was still at the airport picking up his parents. There was too much going on and she had nothing to do but worry.

It was only when Duncan and Amanda showed up that she started to calm down. She asked them if they wouldn't mind sticking close to Elizabeth until after the wedding. They both agreed, even suggested taking Joe over to Amy's apartment and stay there also to have safety in numbers. A buzz drifted to Duncan and Amanda.

Amy didn't notice, couldn't feel it, just beamed that they agreed with her, "Between Liz's and our place, we have two extra rooms. That would be so great. I don't want to leave Joe alone."

Methos said, "I'll take your pull out sofa," as he walked into the kitchen, having used the key Joe gave him to get in.

They looked at him, surprised. He only lived blocks away. Methos didn't want to have to explain that he was only in town for the wedding, and couldn't be at his apartment in case his address was also on the database. "Oh," he said, meekly. "I gotta move out... for a couple of days."

Duncan had to ask, "Why do you have to move out?"

Joe looked at him, wondered if he'd be forthcoming. Methos said, "My flat's getting fumigated." Joe smiled at his friend, and gave a soft, heart-felt nod of thanks.

Duncan smiled at him, "Did you have a little battle with a cockroach or something?"

Methos smiled. He'd heard of a lot of nicknames for the eminent Dr. Amy Zoll, but that one was the best so far. "Something like that."

Joe was offended, but saw Methos' smile. Duncan and Amanda didn't notice. Amanda reported to them, "The car was stolen, Mrs. Tildon already filed it with the police."

"Where's Mr. Tildon," Methos asked Duncan.

"Six feet under."

"By Logan?"

"No. A heart attack months ago. It was just a stolen car."

"We can bring your things over to Liz's as soon as she gets back, Duncan," Amy said. "I did tell her to come here, didn't I?" After Kevin nodded, she said, "I should call Terry and see if she left yet." She went back to the kitchen.

"Who's Terry?"

"The seamstress."

Methos used his cell to call Diane again, no answer. Was her cell phone dead, or did she forget to carry it with her? Who the hell was she? Could she be trusted to help them get rid of her assignment, or was she attached to the ass? Maybe she was working with Logan, that's how he could find out where Elizabeth was when it was time to attack.

When everyone spread from the bedroom, Duncan helped Joe into a spare pair of legs. Joe hated that Duncan saw him at his most vulnerable, but Duncan acted like it was old hat, even though he'd never seen him without his legs until he was shot. Joe grumbled. When he was too weak to stand, Duncan offered to carry him. Joe fumed, "Oh, God. Like a little girl. But I don't want to be locked up in here."

In the living room, Amanda asked, "Where did Elizabeth go?"

Kevin said, "To the final fitting for the dress."

When Amanda asked, "Are you sure that's where she went?", Methos smiled, glad she was asking the same questions he was. He still had mighty suspicions about an immortal who let a one-legged man terrorize her for over 150 years.

Kevin assured them, "Yes."

The old Amanda showed up. "Oh, I hope she brings the dress with her. I'd love to see it. I love weddings." Methos saw Duncan carrying Joe into the living room and helped set him on the couch. Amanda said, "Don't you love weddings, Mac?"

"Yes, when they're not mine."

Amanda grimaced that it was too much to hope the big guy would want to settle down, really settle down with her. She must have let a flash of disappointment fly across her face because Duncan put his arm around her and kissed her on the forehead.

Methos told Joe, "Logan's watcher still doesn't answer her cell."

Joe fidgeted, tried to get comfortable but it felt like a red hot poker was still in her shoulder. "Are you feeling okay," Methos asked.

"I feel like I got shot last night. How am I supposed to feel?"

Duncan positioned his legs straight for him, "Do you want to lie back down? Would that make you more comfortable?"

"I'm not comfortable in any position," he grumbled. When Methos adjusted a pillow behind his back, Joe grabbed his arm and said, "Thanks for talking to Blair for me." Then whispered, "And staying. Looking after Amy. I appreciate it."

"You'd better," Methos smiled. "I'm keeping strict accounting of what you owe me."

"When I'm back on my feet, I'll make it up to you. I promise."

"If I still have my head," Methos groaned as he stood.

Duncan told Methos, "What's that supposed to mean?" When Methos didn't answer, he asked, "You decide when we're in town to have your apartment fumigated?"

"I have to do it sometime."

Duncan could see the look in Methos' eyes, knew he wanted more than anything to leave town, but couldn't figure out why. Amy came into the living room and said, "Now I'm worried. Liz left Terry's two hours ago."

Amanda said, "Does she have a cell phone?"

"She didn't answer it."

"Well, honey," Joe said. "The battery could be dead. She may have turned it off when she dropped the dress off at home first."

"She didn't answer there, either. And I tried NYU. I'm going to look for her."

"Stop, wait," Duncan said. "It's raining, there's traffic, her cell battery may be dead, there's a hundred reasons why she hasn't shown up."

Methos didn't verbalize that she may be sans head and Logan was the hell out of town, that's why they couldn't get in touch with his watcher, but then thought, "Was anyone here all day, besides Joe?"

"I fell asleep," Joe said. "I don't know."

Amy said that when she went for magazines, no one was there when she came back. Methos asked, "Joe, your answering machine is in the den, isn't it?"

Joe nodded. "Has anyone checked it?"

"God, Adam," Amy muttered. "Why didn't I think of that?"

The message light was blinking. When Amy pushed it, the voice announced, "Tuesday, September 5, 3:53 p.m." The message was just over an hour old. Then Liz's voice said, "Amy, this is Liz. I really need to talk to you about the sanity of all this. I thought I'd give you all some breathing room, and just went home. I bought some food, I can cook dinner for everyone if they want to be within a twelve block radius of me. You're all welcome. I hope Joe's better. If you want, I can come over later to check on him... but, I'm sure Adam's taking care of it. Call me. Or come home. Talk later."

Amy breathed a sigh of relief, then said, "Why didn't she answer when I just called?"

She was going to try again, but Duncan said, "Why don't we just go over there and check it out?"

"Yeah," Joe said. "She makes delicious stroganoff."

Amy said, "I hope that's what she's planning. Stroganoff is the only thing she can make."

The amateur chefs in the room, Duncan and Methos, both looked at Amy, who replied, "Bless her, but Elizabeth is not a good cook."

Amanda looked on the bright side, "Well, it should be interesting." Then she asked Joe, "Are you sure you're in the mood to travel?"

"I'm not sitting her while you all eat stroganoff."

AMY AND ELIZABETH'S APARTMENT BUILDING

When they got Joe out of the car and up the stairs, Amanda went to park it. Amy ran to the elevator and held it for them. They waited for Amanda to come running in. "It's pouring out there. When's it going to stop?"

"Before Saturday, I hope!" Amy punched the button.

When the doors opened at their floor, they felt a buzz. "She's here," Duncan announced.

"How do you..." Amy began. "Oh, yeah. Thank God."

"At least, we hope it's her," Methos commented as they brought Joe down the hall. "Amanda," he looked back at her in the hall. "You go first and we'll see what happens."

Amanda grimaced to him as she moved down the hall, "Yeah, don't worry. I'll protect you."

Amy went to Elizabeth's door and knocked. Kevin poked his head out of their apartment door, "I thought I heard you. We're in here."

"Liz, too?"

"Yeah."

"Coast's clear, Adam," Amanda smiled.

Kevin's parents, Walter and Helen, were sitting with Elizabeth at the kitchen table with glasses of wine. Having felt their buzzes, she rose and fumbled with her weapon in her sweat pant's pocket, and only relaxed when Kevin's voice didn't seem agitated.

Amy made a beeline for Elizabeth and demanded, "Where have you been? Did you get the dress?"

Methos and Duncan helped Joe in and set him on the couch. Methos noticed Elizabeth's wet hair combed straight back off her face, did a double take. She was freshly scrubbed and even in sweat pants and a t-shirt, she looked luminous. Then he remembered who she was and why his friend needed help walking from his bed to a chair and all thoughts went out of his head.

"Yes," Elizabeth said, making sure the gun wasn't seen or a was noticeable bulge in her pocket. "I got the dress. It fits, it's hemmed. Don't worry. It's in my closet."

Kevin introduced everyone to his parents and then started to pour wine for everyone. Amy put her hand on Helen's shoulder and said, "Good to see you again, Helen."

"It's soon time for you to call me Mom."

Amy kissed her on the cheek and asked, "You haven't met my father, have you?" Amy walked Walter and Helen toward the living room, "This is Joseph Dawson. Dad, this is Walter and Helen Randall."

They both looked at him and wondered why he was being carried around like an invalid. "Nice to meet you," Joe smiled, raising his hand. "Kevin is a good guy."

Amy looked Elizabeth over and asked, "You just got out of the shower?"

"A long hot bath. When I came out to put in a load of clothes in the wash, I met them in the hall as they came from the airport." She put her hand to her face and said, "I must look awful. I should go get dressed. Are you all hungry? I can start supper."

"Only if it's stroganoff," Joe piped up.

"Of course, it's the only thing I know how to make, Joe," Elizabeth smiled, knelt by him. "How do you feel?"

"Better."

Methos humphed, when he asked, all he got was a grumble. When Elizabeth asked, Joe smiled and put on a happy demeanor. Elizabeth asked, "Has Adam checked your bandage lately?"

"No."

"Do you mind if I do?"

"Go ahead," Joe said, looking at everyone. "Not with an audience though."

"What does he need a bandage for?" Walter asked his son.

"He got... hurt last night," Kevin said.

Amy quickly asked her future in-laws, "Would you both like to see what we got from the travel agent about Italy?"

Walter said, "You have to go to Florence."

"I was thinking that, too," Amy said as she steered them to the den. Kevin followed.

Amanda said, "They seem nice."

"Why couldn't I have met them last week when I was on my own legs, so to speak?" Joe grumbled as he unbuttoned his shirt. Then put his hand over Elizabeth's when she took it personally again. He shook his hand to make sure she got that idea out of her head.

Elizabeth saw there was no blood on the bandage. "Well, it's not seeping." She cautiously lifted the corner of the tape and peered under the gauze. "Not too bad." She looked at Adam, "Do you want to see?"

He leaned in and took a look. It was still red and puffy, but no sign of infection. "Looks good."

"I hope you brought some supplies with you," Elizabeth said as she gently pulled the bandaging off. "I don't have any gauze to redress it."

Duncan said, "It's all in his bag."

Amanda handed it to her and she put a fresh bandage on. There wasn't a scissor, so she used her teeth to cut the tape before putting it on. "There," she helped him readjust his shirt. "I'll go make supper."

"Put that nutmeg in it," Joe said. "That's the secret ingredient, isn't it?"

"Nutmeg in stroganoff? I don't think so," she smiled.

"Well, what is it?"

"I'll never tell."

"I'll go help you," Amanda said. "I can bring our stuff over, too. I guess we're staying with you. Did you know that?"

"No, why?"

Duncan said, "Strength in numbers until after the wedding."

Elizabeth felt like dancing on the ceiling, "That's great. You aren't nervous about it or anything?"

Duncan said, "Adam here is even going to stay."

Elizabeth's eyes about bulged out.Methos explained, "There are massive cockroaches at my place."

"Ah, they can be nasty. Where do you live?"

"On Moore Street."

"That's a good area."

Methos nodded, "But it has cockroaches, that I just found out about."

"So, you're going to bring them over here," Elizabeth lightly said, "Thanks."

Methos was adamant, "I'm not bringing cockroaches over here."

"How do you know?"

"I know," Methos nodded, "I know a lot of things."

"Have you checked your bags for cockroach babies?"

She wouldn't let up. Methos told her, "There are no cockroach babies in my bags. Relax."

"Relax," Elizabeth smiled. What a word. Coming from him, the most pent up man she'd ever met. "Maybe you should, too."

As she walked out, Methos mumbled, "Kind of hard to, with you around."

Amanda slapped his arm, "All those years walking the planet and no one ever taught you manners?"

Amanda was out the door before Methos registered that another young one tried to admonish him. What was he doing there if he wasn't getting credit for it?

LATER

Amy and Kevin were in the dining room with Kevin's parents as Duncan went through the CD collection in the living room. Methos had set his duffle in the corner and was making himself at home, sprawling on the couch. When Kevin walked in with his father, Methos noted that they both had a beer in their hands. The opening strains of "Medea" blared. Methos cringed at the music and had to ask, "Have you got another beer?"

Kevin, holding a bottle, guiltily said, "These were the last ones, sorry."

Methos looked out the window and wistfully said, "It's still raining. Hard." The nearest store was blocks away.

Kevin suggested, "Liz might have some."

ELIZABETH'S APARTMENT

Catalogues on the counter had Amanda's attention, she flipped through them as Elizabeth started dinner. Cutting up the steak, seasoning it, putting the wild rice on to boil. When she put the meat plate in the fridge to cure, she told Amanda she was going to make herself presentable. Amanda said she'd watch the rice, and went back to focusing on the catalogue.

When she heard the blow drier in the bathroom, Amanda felt a new buzz, then a sharp knock at the door. Amanda hesitantly moved toward the door, then thought, I don't think Logan would knock...

With trepidation anyway, Amanda looked out the peephole and saw Adam's head turned, looking down the hall, then at the door. As soon as she opened the door, Methos said, "Hey," and walked in.

"What are you doing here?"

"The screeching over there," he shook, "It's horrendous."

"Are they fighting?"

"No, MacLeod's controlling the stereo. Medea gives me a headache. He could at least put on Carmen, La Boehme..."

Amanda went back to her stool at the counter and turned the page of the catalogue. Methos looked around, felt Elizabeth's buzz but didn't see her.

The blow dryer turned on again in the bathroom. He knocked on the ajar door. Elizabeth had changed into khakis and a cotton blouse, was bent over blow-drying her hair over her head. She jumped when she saw him from the vantage point of under her armpit. She turned off the dryer and straightened," Yes?"

He noticed she had makeup on, fluffy hair, took a minute to adjust to her transformation. "You and I drink the same brand of beer. Can I have one? It's raining and I don't want to go to the store."

"How do you know we drink the same brand of beer?"

He didn't want to tell her he saw them in the fridge earlier, was poking around her apartment, "Kevin told me."

"Grab one," Elizabeth said. "Make yourself comfortable."

Amanda shrieked, making both Methos and Elizabeth jump, rush to the kitchen. She held up the catalogue and pointed to a long red dress. "That's the perfect color," she beamed.

Elizabeth, relieved it wasn't an uninvited trouble-maker, bent over and looked at the red dress that Amanda had her finger on. Methos took a beer from the fridge and popped the cap. He was going to toss it above the fridge as was habit at MacLeod's, but instead, asked where the garbage was. Elizabeth pointed under the sink and agreed with Amanda, "That's adorable."

Methos smiled, sipped the beer. Rolling Stones emanated from the stereo in the living room. Ah, a beer, rock and roll, the only thing to spoil his mood would be a hail of bullets flying. He cautiously looked out the kitchen window. An immortal can never be too relaxed.

Amanda said, "I used to have this really soft red silk sari... I haven't been able to find one like it since."

"A sari? Have you been to India lately?"

"Not for centuries."

Elizabeth timidly asked, "Just how old are you?"

"I'm a woman, Liz," Amanda put her hand demurely to her chest. "I don't like to talk about such things."

Methos sat on the next stool and laughed. "She's still a kid."

Amanda was going to counter with, most are, compared to you, but didn't in front of Elizabeth. "I'm glad I didn't buy that dress at Bloomies today. This was one is perfect. How long does it take to receive an order?" She leafed through the catalog for the answer.

"I have no idea, I haven't ordered from them," Elizabeth said, then realized she was smack dab between the two immortals at the counter. She stepped back, still not comfortable with the closeness with any immortal, and certainly wasn't looking forward to another blame session with Adam, but asked, "How's Joe?"

"Sitting on the couch. He doesn't need 24 hour surveillance. He's fine. Or he will be." They regarded each other. Methos softly admitted, "You did good work."

It was like getting manna from heaven! Elizabeth didn't quite know why she appreciated a gift of a compliment from him, but she smiled, "Thank you. Unfortunately, I've had a lot of nursing practice."

"Yeah," Methos soured, sipped on the beer.

"I wonder what address I should have it shipped to," Amanda was lost in her task.

Elizabeth stared at Adam, tried to figure him out. He didn't seem the gym type but could see he had great muscle tone from his lower arms that peeked out of the pushed-up sleeves of the too-large navy long sleeved t-shirt. His legs were skinny but shapely under those jeans. What did he do to keep in shape, or was he naturally thin?

That neck... she could stare at the back of his neck for ages, it was strong, smooth, seemed to be made of silk. His hair was too short. Why did he keep it in a military cut? What wars did he fight? Was he a marine? Marines seemed to live and breath their training their whole lives. Then he took another sip of beer.

The way he held the bottle, cultured, he wasn't a marine. Ever. Of that Elizabeth was certain of. Those long, elegant fingers didn't belong holding a gun. Bet he had a great grip on a sword. There were times she thought he would whip it out and take her head any minute, but there he was, on her stool, in her kitchen, drinking her beer, seemingly at ease about it all. Who was he, where he was from, "How old are you? You aren't a woman, so you can't be offended."

"I'm still offended."

She waited, when there was no more information, she said, "I told you all about me, you can't tell me anything?"

"I'm not a threat to your health and safety."

Even Amanda caught the jab, lifted an eyebrow at Methos. Elizabeth was hurt by that remark and asked, "What are you doing here, then?"

"I'm here because of Joe and Amy."

"Well, Joe and Amy aren't here. Why don't you go find them?" Elizabeth turned the flame down on the rice and took the meat out of the fridge, started making dinner. Amanda grimaced at Methos.

It was the truth. Can't she handle the truth? He studied her as she worked on that meat. It was a sight he hadn't yet seen from her. She was hurt. He decided to make nice when Amanda kicked him under the bar. He was there until the wedding, he was at least going to have a pleasant time. He didn't want an immortal (another one) mad at him. He asked, "What are you making?"

"Stroganoff."

"Can I help?"

"No."

Amanda shut the catalogue and said, "We'll at least set the table. Right, Adam?"

LATER

After the table was set and Amanda went to get the others, Methos lingered by the sauce. Elizabeth put asparagus in the steamer, then turned to see Adam putting his pinky in the pot and tasting it. "You aren't afraid I'm going to poison you?"

He ignored that, "It needs... something."

Elizabeth told him as she started to stir it to keep it from burning, "It's not finished."

"What else are you going to add?" Methos looked at the ingredients set out on the counter. "I think it needs thyme."

"I don't have any thyme."

Methos joked, "Time is what immortals have in spades." She didn't even turn in his direction. "What's the secret ingredient that Joe can't figure out? I taste beef broth, garlic... something creamy..."

"That might be the cream."

Methos leaned his elbow on the counter and asked one more time, "What else are you going to put in?"

"You don't want to know," she smiled. "I'm embarrassed myself, but it's a good recipe I found in a church cookbook."

"Pony up, what is it?"

She shut the fridge and set a bottle of ketchup on the counter.

"Oh... well... okay. The miracle sauce."

LATER

When Elizabeth served Joe, she said, "Maybe you should just have a bowl of soup or something."

"No, I can't wait for this," Joe rubbed his hands together in anticipation as Duncan pushed his chair closer to the table. "It's been months since you cooked for me."

"Don't eat too much," Elizabeth said. "How's your heart?"

"Ticking."

Helen and Amy came in talking about the wedding and when they all sat, they were going to help themselves. Helen interrupted, "Shouldn't we grace the Lord's gifts before the meal?"

"Of course, Mom," Kevin said, bowing his head. They all did as she said grace. Then grabbed the rice, noodles, stroganoff meat sauce, rolls, wine.

As they passed the food around, Kevin said, "

They all groaned. Amy told him, "Honey, try not to be funny." They all laughed.

Helen said, "Kevin always told terrible jokes. Especially the elephant jokes."

Kevin acted shocked, "Ma... I'm hurt..."

Helen was sorry to say, "I love you to death, my child, but you can't tell a joke to save your soul."

Talk of the upcoming wedding filled the conversation until Walter spoke up and asked what everyone did for a living. He knew Amy was going for her masters in Economics, Kevin was a marketing researcher for an exporting business. Amy's father was a musician after his retirement from a researching job. What were their friends like? Duncan said he owned a dojo in Seacouver. "Oh," Walter looked at him. "What's a dojo?"

"A marital arts studio," Duncan explained. "It's a workout gym and we teach fencing."

"Fencing? Is that with swords? Is there a lot of call for that?"

Duncan smiled, "It's busy, if that's what you mean."

Walter looked at Amanda, "And you?"

"I'm... I was recently a detective."

"A cop?"

"Kind of. Only I worked for myself."

"Why don't you do that anymore? Were you shot or something?"

"No, nothing so... dramatic," she looked at Joe, who was cleaning his plate. Amanda noticed Duncan was wondering the same thing himself. "I just got tired of it, needed something new." She thought to get in touch with Nick again. He wouldn't have a thing to do with her after she shot him, turned him properly. She just made sure he got himself a good teacher and went on her way.

Walter kept needling, "To just change jobs like that. Are you rich?"

"You could say that."

"How did you get your money? Inherited it?"

Amanda thought, that's as good as anything. She had inherited her money from past lives she'd led. Nodded the affirmative to Kevin's father, who looked at Adam and said, "Well? What about you?"

Elizabeth was eager to find out all this information too. After the age remarks from the night before and earlier while making dinner, she was scared to ask. Methos answered, "I'm a researcher for the Museum of Art."

"What do you research?"

"Ancient artifacts."

"They pay well?"

Methos smiled, "I'm doing okay," then tossed in a "Sir," at the end of the response, with his eyebrow raised. Joe noticed and thanked him for being cordial with a smile on his face, a twinkle in his eye.

Walter said, "How's NYU paying?" He looked at Elizabeth.

"I could always use more," she smiled. "But it's okay." She was going to miss teaching, the faculty, her students, when she has to leave the city.

When Walter told them, "You all seem like good kids," they all about spit out their food from the remark, but were gracious.

Joe said, "Yeah, they're all good people at this table, Walter. My best friends. I couldn't be more happy about the choice my daughter made for her husband." He raised his glass of wine and said, "To Amy and Kevin. May your lives be long, your love immense, your sorrows few, your children, many."

"Dad," Amy smiled as she clicked his glass. "Many children?"

"Yeah, I want grandkids on my lap."

"Then you can raise them."

Helen looked stricken, "You're going to have children, aren't you?"

"One," Kevin said. "Sure. But not many."

AMY'S APARTMENT

Kevin took his parents down to get a cab for them to go back to their hotel. After getting Joe settled in the spare bedroom, Duncan and Amanda were off to Elizabeth's. Duncan stopped to watch Methos make the pull out bed. He pulled Methos aside and had to ask again, "Why are you staying here?"

"You wanted safety in numbers, right?"

Duncan was pleased, "Thanks." Smiled broadly. It didn't take a lot to talk him into helping in Joe's quest, in turn, helping Elizabeth and finding Logan. "Thanks a lot."

"I live for your gratitude, Highlander," Methos mused, with a little more than the usual bit of mockery.

"But, if that's the reason, you don't have to make up the excuse of cockroaches." Duncan added, "You don't need to make excuses for helping out friends."

"Who said I'm making it up?"

"Whatever..." Duncan smiled. He didn't want to argue, was just glad he was there.

ELIZABETH'S APARTMENT

Amanda was gracious before she and Duncan retired to the spare bedroom, thanking Elizabeth for the hospitality. She in turn, thanked them for staying close. Scared after the attack, she was extremely grateful for the company, but didn't feel comfortable with immortal buzzes in her apartment all night. It would be the first time since 1920 that she tried to sleep around one. Then she had to hear their giggling. She let it go. Let them do what they want. They were there for her protection along with Amy's and Joe's.

That other one that was staying at Amy's, though. Adam Pierson. She couldn't get a handle on him. Where was he from? How old was he? Why did he have such a chip on his shoulder? Sure, he should be upset at her, they all should. But he was the only one to make it plain, simple, and without misunderstanding that it was all her fault. If it was so bad, why was he still there? Couldn't he protect himself? Why was he staying right across the hall from the one who, as he so eloquently put it, 'a threat to their health and safety'?

Amanda and Duncan, Amy and Kevin, everyone seemed happy, at least satisfied, except for her. She was lonely since kicking her husband out. Eliot Abernathy was enjoying too many women during their marriage, but he was one sexy guy and the thought of him at that late hour, alone and in bed, made her very uncomfortable indeed, with the remembrance of his body on top of hers or spooned behind her as she slept. Lord, she missed the comfort of a man.

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 6, 2000
ELIZABETH'S APARTMENT

Since Amy went to class, Kevin went to work, and Amanda went to look up an old friend, Methos and Duncan brought Joe to Elizabeth's apartment for the day for what Joe called a change of scenery. The phone rang while Methos and Duncan were talking at the kitchen table so Joe could sleep in the chair, still insisting he was watching his soaps, not drifting off. Methos reached over and answered it. A man asked for Elizabeth. Methos said, "She's not here."

"Where is she?"

"Who is this?"

"Foley," was the short reply.

Methos straightened up in his chair. "She's at NYU." Duncan just came back from making sure she got there safely. "You didn't know that? Were you sleeping on the job?"

"I didn't see her leave the building."

Methos cringed over the ineptitude of some watchers. "Where's Logan?"

"That's what I'm calling about. I shouldn't be doing this, but I thought Elizabeth should be warned."

"Yes, you should."

"I could get fired for this."

"You could get worse than that if anyone's hurt because you worry more about your job than lives."

Long pause. "His watcher is Diane Wentworth from Denver. That's where Logan has spent most of his time." He gave the address and phone number.

"We know that already. She isn't home."

"I'd imagine you'd like her cell number then."

"We have that too. Where is she?"

"Wentworth's in lower Manhattan, watching Logan. I really think something's up and Bennett should watch herself." He hung up.

Methos said to Duncan, "Mr. Observant didn't see Elizabeth leave the building. Did you take a back door or something?"

"No," Duncan laughed. "Well, we took Joe's car. He didn't think to look in the garage? It's not like we snuck out or anything."

Methos shrugged and called Wentworth's cell number. When she answered, he said, "I'll make this quick. Logan was hunting and shot a watcher and the watchers want him."

"I have Logan in my scope right now."

"Where," he said, more of a demand than a question.

"In Battery Park. There's a meeting of some kind with a bunch of teenagers."

"What's the address?"

"You'll never make it here in time, it's breaking up. Give me your number and I'll call when he's planted for a while."

Methos was surprised he didn't have to sweet talk the woman into helping them. "I'd appreciate that. Thank you."

"The sooner that bastard's taken," Diane sounded tired. "The sooner I can get a new assignment."

He gave his cell number and made sure it was charged.

BATTERY PARK

Diane was a watcher for almost 25 years, most of it on Joshua Logan. He would stay in Denver for years, not do anything besides walk to the store for a paper every day. Then, he'd start to get visitors, travel. She saw him ambush Elizabeth Bennett in 1980. When that chilled her to the bone, she looked up the volumes on him that former watchers had catalogued and read for the first time that he had a pattern to strike Bennett every 20 years. He would kill all in the area, tell Bennett something as she's gasping for breath and then kill her, not take her head, just walk away. He'd go home and lay low again for years. The chill returned the other night when he attacked her again, only he looked like he was going to finish the job. Thank goodness those people showed up to stop him. It wasn't the fact that Bennett could lose her head to Logan that was the problem for Wentworth, it was the way he was going to do it. Immortals should have a fair fight.

Logan had only been challenged once since Diane Wentworth was assigned to him. In 1994. Logan was at a Broncos game. In the parking lot after the third quarter and it was assured in Logan's mind that they would win again. A man in a black coat walked to him after he had opened his car door and pulled out his sword. Logan, to Wentworth's estimation as she watched through binoculars, looked like he was going to shit nickels. He motioned stop to the man, then bent into the car and again straightened. Then pulled out his sword, Logan's shakiness was clearly evident to Diane, three rows away from them. Diane wondered if they'd actually have a fight there in the parking lot of Mile High Stadium. Would they be so stupid? There would be too many witnesses. But then she hoped they would. She could get a different assignment.

It was either mind-boggling boring to chronicle Logan, or stomach wrenching. Only after a few clicks of their swords, Logan fell to the concrete. Diane felt bad he was toast, was ready to walk away before the blow came. Then jumped, heard a gunshot. She turned and saw the black coated man fall to the concrete.

Logan lifted himself to his feet and put the pistol in his pocket, took his sword and cut off the man's head. The quickening made tons of noise, broke glass and windshields on the parked cars. There was another man hovering in the area. Diane walked to him and asked who his assignment was. "Terrence McNaughten."

"Why did he challenge for no reason," Wentworth asked.

The other watcher took it personally, "Does yours always break the rules?"

"Pretty much," she had to admit, heard Logan's car speed away before people from the stadium came running to the sound of the noise. Wentworth made a hasty departure to keep with Logan, but the other watcher called in the incident and for the clean up crew to come. It wouldn't be easy to have the 'no cops policy' this time. There was already a crowd gathered around the headless body and inspecting the damage to the surrounding cars.

As Diane watched Logan in Battery Park with three young men, she knew it was Bennett they were after once again. Why didn't Elizabeth Bennett just leave town? When Logan couldn't find her during the summer, Wentworth hoped Logan would skip the anniversary. Why was Bennett letting herself be a target? Did she have a death wish?

ELIZABETH'S APARTMENT

Amanda came back from her mysterious excursion as Duncan called NYU to check up on Elizabeth. The receptionist transferred his call to the history department and a staffer said she hadn't seen Professor Bennett all day. Duncan said that was impossible. He saw her to her classroom himself. He asked her to try again.

They heard voices in the hallway. Amy knocked on the door, but used her key to get in. "Have you heard from Elizabeth?"

Amy's good mood was crushed with one question from Duncan. "No, I thought she'd be here."

"I brought her to work this morning."

"She's alone?" She went to the phone and called.

Duncan said, "I already called the university."

When Elizabeth answered, Amy muttered, as a mother would to an unruly child, "Liz, where are you?" She paused then told Duncan, "She's walking down the sidewalk in front of the building." She spoke to the phone, "Well, get up here."

When Elizabeth walked in and saw the faces, full of trepidation, she asked, "What happened?"

"You were missing."

"Well, I knew where I was."

Duncan asked Elizabeth, "You left work before anyone could see you?"

"I decided to drop off the syllabus to the sub who'll take my place. I quit today."

"Why didn't you say you'd do that when I was there?"

"I hadn't decided it yet. After looking over my course plans, I figured now was a good time for another teacher to take over. All my classes are starting new chapters. What happened?"

Methos said, "Wentworth is going to call us when she knows where Logan is ending up."

"Great," Elizabeth groaned. She had to rush home for Logan information? How bad was it going to be?

"He's in a meeting right now in the park."

"Not great," Elizabeth sank onto the couch. "What kind of meeting?"

"Can't you take a stab in the dark?"

"Yes, I can. I can still leave town."

"That's not the right decision," Duncan said. "This has to be taken care of now."

Both Elizabeth and Methos wondered if that were true. Elizabeth didn't want to be the target and maybe lose her head for good and Methos thought if she took off, they'd all be safe.

"You're staying right here," Amy said. "We're all together on this. Right?" She looked at the others. Duncan nodded, so did Amanda. Methos stuck his hands in his pockets. But he did notice that Elizabeth's attitude changed from calm woman to caged animal with the information on Logan.

Amy sat next to her and rubbed her shoulder. "Take a breath. It's okay."

Elizabeth leaned her head against Amy's and started to feel better. "Where is he? Is he still at the park?"

Amanda joined the party on the couch and took Elizabeth's hand, "We don't know. Diane was going to call."

She had the audacious thought of taking off to the park and ambush him, but she didn't have the guts. She saw Joe almost to the snoring stage on the recliner.

When the phone rang, more than a couple in the room jumped. It was a tinny ring, not Elizabeth's hooked up phone. Methos pulled his cell out of his pocket and answered. It was Diane, "He's in a cab, seemingly on his way to Brooklyn. Maybe he's going to the airport and leave town."

"We can only hope. Thanks. Keep us informed."

"Will do."

Methos looked at the others, "The meeting's over. Wentworth thinks he's going into Brooklyn."

Elizabeth's phone rang, making them jump. Could it be Logan? Elizabeth answered it, then tensed. "What do you want?"

Amy asked, "Is it Logan?"

Elizabeth shook her head and said, "I don't care. I already have the coffee table."

"Eliot," Amy groaned.

"Come over and we'll talk about it," Eliot suggested over the phone.

"There's nothing to talk about." Elizabeth paused, had an awful thought about the timing of Eliot's call. "What have you been doing today?"

"I called in sick to work."

"Are you sick?"

"No, I've been trying to get a hold of you. We need to talk. I miss you, Lizzie. Who's staying with you?"

Has he been watching her too? She surveilled the area out the apartment window for any trace of him. "What do you mean?"

"A guy answered the phone when I called earlier."

"He's a..." she put her phone down and asked, "Did someone call earlier?"

Methos said, "While you and Duncan were gone this morning, but they didn't say anything and hung up."

She put the phone back on her ear and looked out the window again, "People are in town for Amy's wedding. Why didn't you leave a message?" The whole time she was thinking he had gotten a hold of by Logan. That this was a trap to get her to his apartment, alone, ambush her.

"I should talk to a guy I thought you're sleeping with?" Eliot laughed. "You aren't sleeping with him, are you?"

"No."

"We need to talk. We can straighten all the crap. Please talk to me."

Amy pulled on Elizabeth's arm, "Why are you still giving him the time of day? Hang up."

Elizabeth ignored her and asked Eliot, "Where are you?"

"At home. Come over. We'll talk."

Elizabeth ended the call without saying a word. Amy said, "Good. Dad's still sleeping. Kevin is with his parents. I should go and be sociable. Do you want to come with me?"

"No," Elizabeth said. "I think I'm going to see what Eliot has to say."

"Who's Eliot?" Duncan asked.

"My ex-husband."

Amy said, "You're not going over there alone."

"I'm a big girl, Amy. He just wants to talk."

Everyone in the room didn't know why she would crave the numbers, but want to gallivant out alone again. Elizabeth felt the backpack, knew that her gun was in there, but did she load it that morning? "He only lives three blocks away. It's broad daylight. You said Logan was in Brooklyn. I'll be right back."

Amanda said, "Should I go with you?"

"No, I'd just as soon outrun him myself, not have to worry about anyone else."

"Honey," Amanda boasted. "I'm probably faster than you are."

"We were going to the opera tonight," Duncan reminded her. "It was one of all the New York things on your list to do. Remember?"

"Go," Elizabeth said. "Here's my cell number," she wrote it on a piece of paper. "Call me if you hear anything. Eliot lives in the orange brick building down the block. You can see it from here. I'll be back in an hour, tops. I'd like to see what he has to say." Or have the ambush happen away from the others. Just, have it all over.

After she left, Joe snorted in his sleep. Methos and Duncan looked at each other and figured he should be put back in bed.

AMY'S APARTMENT

Amy and Kevin went to the hotel to see his parents while Duncan and Methos transferred Joe back to Amy's and he still denied he fell asleep, didn't want to be put into the bed. He didn't like to see anyone while he was down, and when they carried him across the hall and Amanda hovering like a nurse, he just wanted his legs again. Duncan told him no again, he was too weak to stand, let alone walk on them.

As soon as he was deposited on the spare room's bed, Joe was out again. After Duncan made sure Methos was going to stick around in case Joe needed anything, he and Amanda went back to Elizabeth's to change into their evening clothes for the opera. Methos laid a blanket over Joe, accidently waking him. "What's going on?"

"We were rehashing the drama queen's day," Methos said.

"Methos, that's unfair. She's in it deep."

"I know," he said as he tucked the covers around Joe's body to keep him warm.

Joe had to slap his hands, wondered when Methos became his overprotective mother. "We can trust her. I don't want anything to happen to her, just like I don't want any harm to come to any of us. Equally."

"What do you know about an Eliot?" Methos walked into the attached bathroom and filled a glass of water.

"Eliot?"

Methos gave Joe the glass and a Tylenol from the medicine bag. "Her ex-husband."

"I know that." Joe shook his head. He looked at the Tylenol. "Do I really need this?"

"Do you have any pain?"

"Not really, when I'm settled."

Methos put the glass and pills on the table next to the bed within Joe's reach. "You can take it later if you want. Did she ever talk about him?"

"Eliot? As little as possible. He was philandering."

Methos wondered why. He had to be an idiot. Methos himself had always been faithful to the one he was with, didn't understand stepping out on them. He gave his lovers and spouses the dignity of leaving them all together to pursue other interests, not just leave them by deed. You can't work both ways.

Joe squinted, "Why do you ask about Eliot?"

"She went over to see him."

"Why?"

"That's what I'd like to know."

"Why?"

"Maybe he's in on the plot."

"A plot. For what?"

"He's not immortal, is he?"

"I seriously doubt it. Liz told me the other night she was leery of immortals. She certainly wouldn't have married one."

Methos realized they had something in common.

ELIOT'S APARTMENT

On the way to Eliot's building, she was ready for anyone to appear out of the blue. She pushed the intercom button and he buzzed the door without even asking who it was. Stepping back from the door and again looking around the area, she decided to not live with the fear anymore. Whatever would happen is going to happen since there weren't any innocent bystanders around, just Eliot, and if he was working with Logan, she didn't care what happened to him. The lump in her backpack gave her the extra courage she needed.

Eliot was standing in the hallway as she got off the elevator. "Thanks for coming, Lizzie." Eliot was blond, blue eyed, packed solid, could knock the wind out of her sails with a look that he perfected since he hit puberty. As he hugged her, she tensed, kept an eye on the surroundings, don't melt. There wasn't a buzz in his apartment as she walked in slowly, eyes darting for anything out of the ordinary. Eliot was an immaculate housekeeper and true to form, there wasn't a thing out of place.

As she sat on the sofa with her eye on the window, she asked, "What do you want to talk about?"

He closed the door and said, "Us."

"There is no us."

"There still can be. I never stopped loving you."

Her mind flashed to 1920 when John Dieterle told her, I love you, then hugged her, then said, Let me say one thing first. I'm sorry.

Eliot sat next to her and put his hand on Elizabeth's knee, "Let me tell you something."

Elizabeth tensed, flung his hand off, ready to unzip her bag for the gun. "What?"

"I'm worried about you."

"Why?"

She stood, alert. Eliot said, "Somebody is after you, isn't there?"

She thrust her hand in the backpack. The feel of the cold steel at her fingertips warmed her, "How do you know?"

"He called me."

"For what? What are you supposed to do for him?"

She took the gun out, making Eliot jump back in shock. "What the hell is that for!"

"How much is he paying you? Where is he? What are you supposed to do?" She frantically looked around. She came over expecting it, but self preservation kicked in and she wanted to get the hell out of there.

Eliot put his hands up as she was waving the gun around. "What? He's... Liz, put that down!"

He tackled her, pulled the gun out of her hand, sat back, took the clip out. "What are you carrying a gun for? I was worried before, but now I'm petrified for you! When did you start carrying a gun?"

Elizabeth cowered away from him. How did she lose the gun so quickly? She should just offer up her head and get it over with, she can't protect herself, let alone Amy or Kevin or Joe.

He asked her again, "Why?"

"What did that man ask you to do?"

"Nothing. Is that what's the matter? He didn't ask me to do anything. He only wanted information."

"What kind of information?"

"Where you live for one."

"Did you tell him?"

"No."

"How did he know about you in the first place?"

"That's what I wanted to find out. He wouldn't tell me."

"What all did he say? When was this?"

"About a month ago," Eliot said, trying to calm himself down, knowing that only then would Elizabeth calm too. "An Irish sounding man called and asked questions about you, like where you work, where you live, who you know." He saw the look of fear in her eyes and didn't like it. She never had a reason to fear him, she had a reason to kick him in the balls, make his life a living hell for his sleeping around, but not to fear him. "I didn't tell him anything. It's no one's business."

She didn't know if she could believe that. "Why didn't you tell me before?"

"You weren't home, then I figured it wasn't that big of deal. I forgot about it."

"Why is it a big deal now? Today?"

"Because he called me early this morning when I was going to leave for work. He asked if I wanted to make some money. When I told him no, he hung up. I didn't tell him anything, but it worried me. You have to be careful. Who is he? Where did you meet him? What did you do that made him angry? He sounded... sinister."

Her cell phone rang, startling her. "Hello?" She fully expected it to be Logan.

Amy said, "We're going to have supper at the hotel. Do you want to come about 8 tonight? Get a hold of the others? I can't reach them, only Adam. He's at my place in case Dad wakes up."

"I'll see."

"Are you still at Eliot's?"

"Yeah."

"What did he want?"

"To talk, I guess."

"Tell him to drop dead."

"Amy! Bye." She ended the call and looked at Eliot, "Amy sends her best regards."

"I bet," Eliot smiled.

"So, that's what you wanted to talk about? The Irish guy?"

"Isn't that enough? If you're willing, I would like to give a talk about getting back together a shot."

"Eliot, I don't know if I'm all that willing."

"Why did you come here then?"

"I thought... some problems I'm having would be over if I did."

"The Irish guy?"

"Yeah."

"Who is he?"

"An enemy."

"You? Enemies?" he smiled, confused. Everything she'd done since coming to his apartment was confusing.

She asked for her gun back and said she had to leave. He grunted, "I'm not letting you go out there with a gun. Do you know how to use it?"

"Yes. It's for protection only."

"But you pointed it at me."

"I know. I'm sorry. I misunderstood."

"I'd never hurt you, Liz," he said. Then noted her hurt expression. "I didn't mean to ever hurt you."

"Really. I should have just looked the other way? Wait at home until you decided to sleep in my bed for once?" He was going to get into it again, but she just took her gun and inserted the clip. "I gotta go."

He stopped her at the door. "You can count on me. If you need anything, you just have to call."

She smiled, it felt good to know she may be able to count on another person in her quest to stay safe from Logan, and hugged him. "Thanks, but, I have to do this on my own. You take care. And if you hear from him again, you'll call me?"

"You think he'll call again? I wasn't very helpful to him."

"Just, watch your back for a while to be on the safe side."

"What the hell does that mean?"

She left without answering, needed air. By the time she got to the sidewalk, she felt like a goldfish in a bowl. Someone was watching her, she just knew it. Elizabeth hoped it was just Foley, but walked fast back to her place to be on the safe side. She looked in all directions, even up on the higher floors and roofs of the buildings for snipers. The tingles of nervousness wouldn't stop, so she started running, then bumped into a man on the sidewalk, who she didn't see as she was busy looking in all other directions. When she started to apologize for not looking where she was going, she saw that he was pointing a gun at her and a sudden sensation of a buzz.

AMY'S APARTMENT

Methos had fallen asleep on the couch, was aroused by an approaching buzz, about jumped out of his skin when someone crashed into the door and fumbled with the lock. He leaped to get his Ivanhoe and had it at ready, leaning against the wall when Elizabeth barreled into the room.

They both jumped when they saw each other, he with his sword at her neck, she with a gun in her hand. Methos ducked out of firing range. "Are you completely insane?!"

"What the hell are you trying to do, scaring me half to death?!" she screamed, flung his sword back with her hand, cutting it in the process.

He looked at the gun, "You're packing heat now?"

"Of course."

"Do you have a permit for that?"

"Well... seven days is an awfully long waiting period."

She tried to catch her breath as she watched her hand heal. Then ran to the window and looked out, hiding herself by the wall. Methos pulled the gun out of her hands. "Where did you get the gun?"

She moved him back from the window and said, "From a guy selling them out of the trunk of a car. I'm not planning on using it unless I have to."

Methos looked out the window, at her, at the gun in his hands. "Do you at least know how to use one?"

"Yes. I've had one before. My aim is pretty good."

"Just don't miss and hit me."

Elizabeth tore her glance off the window to glare at him, "If I do, it's not like you're dead. You should be more worried about my sword. With half the things that come out of your mouth, I'm surprised I haven't taken your head already."

"As if you could!"

"Why are you here, anyway? Your apartment can't be that overrun with vermin."

"Don't you like having reinforcements? That's why you came here instead of your own apartment? You felt the buzz and knew someone was here to protect you?"

"Oh, is that what you are? Protection? I'm sorry. I haven't see that side of you yet." Elizabeth looked around Amy's apartment and didn't feel right being there without them home, alone with Adam. "Where's the other 'reinforcements'? I didn't think there'd just be you here."

"Hey! We would have taken off if it wasn't for Joe and Amy's wedding."

"Funny, that's why I'm still here, too. I resigned from the U, I'm taking off as soon as Amy leaves for her honeymoon. I can't wait for it to be over. For it all to be over!" She closed the curtains and leaned against the wall, slid down it, holding herself, trying to pull herself together.

"What happened?"

"Oh," she groaned. "Don't pretend you care."

Methos looked at the gun as he set it on the table, "Is this your big plan? Buy a gun and wait to be ambushed? Are you thinking clearly?"

"It's already happened. Why do you think I ran in here when I felt a buzz? I was hoping it would be Duncan or Amanda."

Methos ignored that, "Logan's out there?"

"Yes!"

Methos peered down out the window as his body was protected from the wall. A woman was staring up at the building, Methos seethed, it had to be Wentworth. He called her cell number and as soon as she answered, he screamed, "You could have warned us!"

Diane said, "I can't! That's against the rules."

"Rules?! That maniac could take out more watchers while you have your thumb up your arse! Would you be able to deal with that?! Where is he?"

"He just came out of her building. He's hailing a cab. Did you surprise him up there?"

Methos was so pissed at Elizabeth and her buzz that another one didn't register. Did Logan feel a more powerful buzz and split, or did he not even get close enough? That one legged guy was a puzzle.

Wentworth said, "Logan's leaving. So am I."

"If he comes within a mile of any of us, call!"

Wentworth ended the call, wondering what Elizabeth, an immortal was doing with watchers. Why were they protecting her? And why hadn't she been notified about it? There was no time to ask such questions, her assignment was getting away.

Methos slammed the phone down. Joe hollered from the bedroom, "What the hell's going on?"

Elizabeth wasn't in the room, but the door was open. Methos went to the doorway of the bedroom to tell Joe, "Nothing. TV. Be right back."

He went out to the hallway and felt a buzz. Elizabeth had to have gone to her own apartment. Methos knocked on the door.

ELIZABETH'S APARTMENT

Elizabeth was huddled in the corner of the living room floor, not knowing what to do. She looked at the gun in her hand. The seconds outside repeated over and over in her mind. A man appeared out of no where, gun on her, the buzz of Logan coming closer. She had gotten her gun out of the backpack as she kicked the gun out of his hand, surprising herself at her speed. But it was an adrenaline rush. When she held her gun to his face, she couldn't shoot him. She froze. But knowing Logan had to be around there close, she kicked the man in the balls and ran instead, hoping she wouldn't be shot in the back. As she was running for the safety of her building, she couldn't believe it was happening. It was broad daylight, and a few people, witnesses around! Logan had to be desperate and she could see the end of her life.

Tears were sour on Elizabeth's cheeks as she sat in that corner of her living room. She didn't even have the courage to look outside, not having a back up immortal around. Elizabeth just wanted the world to disappear. Carlton was only trying to save Logan's life. Why couldn't he see that? Why couldn't he accept it, live a different life without hatred and revenge? The vision of seeing her young sister-in-law, Marcy, that Logan must have confused with her, lying on the alley, throat cut, made the tears flow like a faucet.

Then there was a buzz, and a rap at the door, making her jump, but couldn't move from her perch. Could Logan be so bold? She tried to soften her breathing, quiet down, but couldn't. As much as she wanted to run away from everything, including Adam, she couldn't move.

Methos said through the door, "Elizabeth? It's Adam. Open up." That didn't calm her. She didn't need a lecture about bringing danger to them again. No one could do as good a job as herself. Methos knocked again, "Come on!"

His booming authoritative voice jolted her off the floor and to the door to face his wrath. When she opened the door, she turned away, didn't want him to see her not being able to stop the crying, or the shaking. He shut the door and asked, "What happened out there?" To her surprise, his voice was soft.

She sat on the couch and looked at the gun still in her hand. "I couldn't do it," she croaked, closing her eyes. "I couldn't finish it." Methos sat next to her. "Logan was close, I could feel him. I couldn't do it. I couldn't shoot him. I failed." It wasn't a video game, that she was proficient at. It was a real man with a real gun who brought real danger and she couldn't inflict violence.

Methos took the gun out of her hand. "Where there others with him?"

She nodded. "One had a gun on me." She half heartedly smiled, proud, "I got the gun away from him." She cringed again. "But I couldn't shoot him, even though it was on his agenda to shoot me. I kicked him and ran. Mrs. Landry was coming out of the building." She laughed, "I didn't have to fumble for my key. I could have gotten stuck in the vestibule if she hadn't come out. I'll have to do something really nice for her." She couldn't stop laughing when she started, the nerves were bubbling all over her body. "I could have died." She laughed.

"That's not funny," Methos stared at her.

"No, it isn't..." She finally silenced. Wiped the tears away. "I'm sorry. I just... don't get that close to death very often." She looked at the gun on the table. "When I bought that, the guy said he had bullet proof vests. I was going to buy one, then was going to buy seven of them, but he'd only take cash. I didn't have enough on me."

Methos waited while she pulled herself together. That immortal woman who he was nervous of and mad at was thinking of them, and was definitely scared. He placed his hand on the back of her neck and massaged. She tightened from the sudden, unexpected movement, then relaxed. "Thanks. I was expecting a sermon."

"About what?"

"About bringing Logan to your door."

"It's your door."

"But, don't you want to take off, be free of this, of my problem?"

"Yes. But it's not just your problem. We'll have to travel in packs until the wedding. You aren't going anywhere alone anymore." She looked back at him. "None of us are going to be alone. Logan could use one of us against you. Let's start by calling everyone to come back here, then wait it out."

She felt like crying again. He was the last person she expected that from. "Thank you." Suddenly, she was breathing easier.

Methos nodded and smiled, making her feel safe. He was still angry at the circumstances of the week, but realized by how she reacted to everything that happened that it wasn't her fault. Joe and Amy would spend their last breath about how trustworthy she was. Methos just hoped their last breath wouldn't be drawn for a very long time. He, Duncan and Amanda would make sure it wouldn't.

AMY'S APARTMENT

Methos got a hold of Duncan on his cell phone, just as they were walking into the theater. Amanda was a little ticked, but when Methos described the reason for the intrusion, they agreed to forgo it and get back to the others. There would be many more opportunities to see Medea, could even play the CD again that evening, it could wait.

They all gathered in Amy's living room, Kevin had just got back from the hotel his parents are staying in after dropping them off from a day of museum hopping. When Amy asked what happened to make even Adam adamant about being a pack, Elizabeth wouldn't say, Adam only said, "There was a close call, that's all."

Even after prodding from Duncan and Amy, they didn't say anything. Methos actually was thinking that Elizabeth would break down again and didn't think that would do anyone any good, and Elizabeth didn't want to vocalize her failure to everyone. If she could only have shot that man, Logan, and anyone who was with him, it would all be over. She would have a hard time living with herself for killing mortals, but it would be all over with. Elizabeth sat quietly dreaming about what her life would be like without the threat of Logan in her life, but then, it was too much to hope. She then imagined what it would be like to lose her head, for good. Would she feel it? Was there an afterlife for immortals? Would she still be conscious inside of Logan's brain?

Amy sat by her and wondered what she was thinking, but didn't like it when Elizabeth was quiet and only wanted her to know that they were there for her, not push or prod. She'd tell her when she was ready to talk. While she was held by Walker, she was frightened, but had the knowledge that she was a pawn, not Walker's target and that alone made her know that she would walk away from it all. Elizabeth was the target and even though she wasn't in his immediate grasp, it was enough to make her feel like the weight of the world was on her shoulders.

Kevin said he was going to turn in, he had to go into work earlier to work on an account before his two week honeymoon. As soon as the words, 'go to work' came out of his mouth, Duncan argued that he wasn't going anywhere. Kevin was stunned, "I'm not immortal. Logan wouldn't be after me. He probably doesn't know anything about me."

"He could have seen you," Elizabeth gravely said. "Then you'd be a target."

"It's really important that I get that work done before we leave, Amy," he stated to only her, not the others.

Duncan said, "Then I'll go with you."

"No," Amy said. "That's splitting us up again." She was scared to death something would happen to Kevin. Or Duncan. Any of them.

"If I take a cab from door to door. The office is full of people," Kevin pointed out. "I really have stuff I have to do."

"Is it worth risking your life?" Methos' comment got him.

"How? Why me?"

"You could be a nice little pawn to kidnap and use as a bargaining chip for her head," he pointed at Elizabeth, who put her head in her hands. When she got up to make herself another whiskey coke. Methos seemed to know, as he said, "Get me another beer." She nodded and went to the kitchen.

Amy asked Kevin, "It's only two days. Is it really that important?"

"If I want that promotion, yes," he said, then saw the dire faces of the people in the room. People he didn't even know about a week ago, now dictated his life. "But I could just work harder after we get back."

"Thank you, honey," Amy kissed him.

"What about my parents?" Kevin looked at their faces, not getting an answer. "We just leave them at the hotel until the wedding? They wanted to go sightseeing tomorrow."

Amy thought about that, then looked at the immortals, "It's not like we can explain this to them."

"You're having wedding plan problems?" Amanda suggested. "Helen's been married. She may know things can go wrong. And you're too tired at night to go out..."

Kevin looked at Amy and hugged her. "Okay. We'll stay here. I'll do as much as I can by phone." He smiled, wide. "My friends told me to watch out. Married life changes you. They were right." He kissed Amy and said, "But you're worth it."

They retired to their room, said they were going to call his parents. Elizabeth came in with a beer and a tall, dark liquid filled glass. After a while of listening to music and only a little talking, Amanda fell asleep on the couch, then Duncan.

Elizabeth yawned, "I guess I'll call it a night, too. Good night."

Methos said, "Whoa, whoa, whoa." Elizabeth looked back at Adam, wondering if he wanted to keep talking or something. He pointed at Duncan and Amanda and said, "Bring them with you. They're on my bed."

They tried to nudge them, but they were testy, wouldn't budge. Elizabeth offered, "Well, they'll eventually wake up. Or, you can have their room."

"Do you have a change of sheets?"

She laughed. "Probably." Methos smiled, stared at her. Her laughter faded and stayed a grin, liking the smile on his mouth. It wasn't an everyday occurrence and was nice. She liked seeing it a lot, it lit up her whole face. When the stare became uncomfortable as there weren't words to say, she took the blankets from the chest and covered Duncan and Amanda, trying not to wake them.

ELIZABETH'S APARTMENT

When they got to her place, Elizabeth pointed out where the spare room, bathroom, towels and fridge were. Methos smiled, "Yeah, I've been here before."

She tossed a set of sheets at him, "Here. Or do you want help changing them?"

He tossed them back at her, "You can do it. You're the hostess."

She tossed them back, "I'm not your maid. I'll help though."

After they changed the sheets, Methos said he'd be fine. "Good night." After she left the room, he looked around it. MacLeod's shaving kit was on the dresser. Methos fingered through it. Amanda's undies were on the chair. The framed picture on the wall across the bed caught his attention. Three union soldiers leaning on a fence. One of the men's faces was fuzzy, he probably moved when the picture was taken. One was looking at the ground, looked tired. The last was posed with his rifle on his hip. As he undressed and slipped into bed, he kept looking at the picture. The three faces of man. On the move, accepting of the situation, or ready for attack.

Elizabeth's buzz was close, probably just on the other side of the wall, from when he remembered the layout of her bedroom when he walked in on her as on the phone. He wondered about Logan. Methos had never been leery of mortals before. Never had to be leery of anyone not in the immediately vicinity, except watchers. How could Wentworth not call? Logan couldn't be that fast. She seemed trustworthy on the phone, but she was a watcher. Then he realized he couldn't lump them all together. Look at Joe. Good, solid, loyal. Loyal. Was that her problem? Wentworth cared more for her assignment than who he was after?

Methos didn't worry about immortals because he steered clear of them. There was something about that immortal in the other room that didn't spook him or want to steer clear of. He wanted to know more about her. She was pretty open. She had a sword on him over a hundred years before and she didn't challenge. Methos smiled. Not that she would have a chance in hell of winning, but that didn't stop others from challenging him. He saw how she looked at him since her run in with Logan earlier that day, when she thought he wasn't looking. He liked it. He was an oddity that she couldn't figure out and he felt it was a good move on his part. She wanted to figure him out for friendship, not as a tactical advantage to use in battle.

Was he still in New York City just to make MacLeod, Joe and Amy happy? He started to fall asleep when the image of Elizabeth back in 1898 came back to him. She wore brown pants, unheard of for a woman to wear pants. She also wore chaps, a blue checked flannel shirt. Her long, wild hair that came out of the ponytail. And her sword. Pointed at him. How she fell so fast when he pulled her leg from his sleeping position in the bed roll on the ground. He fell asleep replaying their first meeting in his mind.

In Elizabeth's room, she tossed and turned. Adam had been wearing a pair of long johns. His hair was wavy, almost to his shoulders. He wore a beard and mustache. Wasn't in the least bit modest, even though he was hanging out. She would have liked to stay back then and get to know him, have protection, or someone to help her in her quest to go after Logan. She'd been alone for so long. Not alone in the strict sense, she always seemed to have a man most of the time, but alone in her emotional life. She really didn't have anyone in her life that knew exactly what she was and what an immortal went through on a day to day basis. The only one was her first husband, when she was still mortal. Teddy. He was the only one she felt a peer to, not different, better than or inferior to. Back in 1898, she had an agenda on her mind, she needed to find Logan.

Elizabeth turned in bed again, not wanting to think about Logan, just for a little while. Her mind returned to the wakened man in dirty white long johns by a fading fire. Then the to same man who sat at her kitchen counter sipping on a beer. Where in the world was he from? She fell asleep wondering if she would ever have the chance to find out.

CONTINUED in Chapter Five - Union