Elissa turned over and glared at the clock it was eleven. She flopped over onto her back, stretching. She then threw the sheet off and grabbed a pair of sweats, a t-shirt and underwear and went into her bathroom. A few minutes later she emerged face freshly washed hair brushed and clothes on. After making her bed she opened the door and stepped out. The smell of bacon being fried assailed her nostrils. She took a deep breath and grinned. And French Toast her nose informed her. The last time she had French Toast was at a Denny's about a month ago. And no one had ever cooked her French Toast before. She felt a little more awake by the minute.
"Morning." She said brightly as she walked into the kitchen.
Adam looked up from the stove and grinned, "Good morning, there's fresh coffee in the pot."
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For breakfast."
"You're welcome."
She reached over and poured herself a cup and noticed a half full beer bottle sitting on the counter next to the stove. "Already drinking beer?"
"It's happy hour somewhere in the world."
"You have a point."
"Besides I lived in Europe, we drink beer like it was water."
"Yes and American beer is water compared to what you guys have over there."
"So true." He flipped over the bread that was in the skillet. "There are some that are done sitting on the table already if you'd like to start."
"I'll wait for you."
"Well I'm almost done."
A few moments later he was seated next to her at the table. He eyed her curiously as she sprinkled granulated sugar atop her French Toast, "What?" She questioned.
"I always thought it was powdered sugar that went on top."
"Something my Mom used to do."
"I see."
"Hey don't knock it till you try it." She said eating a bite. She swallowed, "Very good French toast. I haven't had this good unless I ate at a restaurant."
"I'll take that as a compliment."was the rye reply.
She grinned chuckling, "Hey, anything is better then when I make it. I always end up either not cooking it long enough or burning it. There is no happy medium."
He took a bite of his own, drank some beer then commented, "According to Joe you're an excellent cook."
"Dinner yes, breakfast, well I normally do cereal. If I want something warm I use the toaster."
"Pancakes in the toaster, hmm, I'd think that gets a little messy."
"Not if you by them pre made."
"Ewww!"he exclaimed scrunching up his nose.
"I agree: that's why I usually eat cereal or bagels."
"So this is a treat for you."
"So much so I'll probably just have a salad for dinner."
"Women and their eating habits. I never understood the point of starving yourself."
"I don't starve myself, if I'm hungry I do eat."
"Well there's a first, a woman who will eat when she's hungry."
Elissa smiled, "I don't work at my figure, honest. I just don't function well if I eat large meals. Grant it this is brunch so it's kind of different."
"Whatever you say." He took another bite, "So the mirror in at the end of your hall, is that what you used as the mirror in your story?"
Elissa paled, "Why would you think that?"
"Well, as if the fact that you turned white as a sheet wasn't clue enough, I noticed that it has to at least be one hundred to two hundred years old. The gargoyle motif was popular in about the mid to late eighteen hundreds and unless I'm mistaken it is brushed with diamond dust. You can tell because after awhile the image gets distorted as the diamond dust deteriorates."
"You're right about the age. It was my Great Aunt Emma's."
"And you inherited it?"
"Actually my mom did. Along with the antique dresser and chamber cupboard. Then when I got my own place she gave them to me."
"So you like antiques?"
"I like old things, yes." She said with a smile. "Why, you think you're too old for me, Adam? Think that's another thing between us?"
Oh there's a lot more between us then you realize, he thought darkly. He smiled outwardly, "Well, I don't know you might think I'm too old for you."
She grinned, laughing, "Look, I think Sean Connery is sexy okay? I know you are younger then he is."
Looks maybe; reality not by a long shot, he thought to himself. "So you don't have a problem with dating someone who's thirty three?"
"That's only six years difference, Adam no biggie!" She took another bite, then took another sip of coffee. She dabbed at her mouth with the corner of her napkin placed it back on her lap then once again met his gaze, "Why did you come here last night?"
"I told you, cause I care."
"It's more then that."
"I was worried."
"That goes under the cause I care category. You could have stopped over this morning or afternoon, why last night?"
"Because of the phone call."
"Still you could have called."
"I thought the topic was too personal to discuss over the phone."
"Okay still you could have waited 'til today. Why last night?"
He took a drink of beer and looked at her. "Has Joe ever told you about the organization he works for?"
"You mean the Watchers?"
"You know?"
Elissa sneered, "Oh yes. I know but not from Uncle Joe. I found out about him belonging later. James Horton tried to recruit me."
"Horton?" Adam gasped.
"Yes. Something about he knew of some people that were different then us and with my background in history I might be able to help do research."
"What did he tell you about these people?"
"That they were quick healers. Legend had it that they couldn't be killed. I asked if King Arthur was an immortal."
"And he said?"
"He told me as far as he knew King Arthur was just a Legend. He told me that these people were called immortals. He explained how he was hunting them because they were abominations to humanity. He thought I should understand because after all I am a historian."
"And you said?"
"I told him he was crazy. That such a being, if they existed, could help us. My goodness I mean can you imagine what kind of knowledge these people would have? Hell if they existed they might have known my long lost ancestors and could tell me what they were like good or bad! But I told him I had more important things to do."
"So when did you find out that Joe was involved?"
"Well Uncle Joe had asked me to join about a week after Horton had. But his explanation wasn't the same. He just asked if I would mind doing some research and archiving for a historical organization he worked with. You see everyone knows I'm a bookworm! He told me there were files that were miss-filed and it would consist of a lot of reading but my expertise would be wanted. He then told me I might find some things that would seem fantastic and unbelievable but he'd swear it was true. I told him I had always found truth to be stranger then fiction. But, I needed to get back to Oklahoma. Get out of Dodge start over. I never told him Horton had already approached me."
"So you know."
"Know that there are people that can live a long time that walk this earth yes. Have I personally met any? Not to my knowledge."
"So what do you think of Immortals?"
"Are they an abomination? No. I'm sure like everyone there are good and bad. Should everyone know? No, cause then they'd be poked and prodded like lab rats. Is it that far fetched? Not really. Things that I've seen first hand, people wouldn't believe, so personally I believe anything is possible." She studied him her eyes focusing acutely on his, "How do you know about the watchers?"
"I'm a friend of Joes."
"Yet you aren't a watcher."
"Not exactly."
She reached out and flipped over his wrist. No tattoo. She sat back scrutinizing him once again. "May I see your hand please?" He looked at her saying nothing but setting his hand across the table. She touched the skin. It was smooth but not as smooth as her hands. His hands had seen some sort of manual labor. She looked at the back of his hand hardly any scarring. His cuticles were perfect. His nails were perfect. She looked at his face one slight scar on his lip where it might have been split but that was it. No cut from shaving, a slight growth of beard from not shaving yet today but that was it. Hardly any blemishes. No age spots no blemishes nothing. She sat back her eyes sparkling. She opened her mouth to speak. But nothing came out. She smiled to herself taking a deep breath to calm her racing pulse, "You're an Immortal!" she whispered in awe.
"Yes."
She rose from her chair taking her dishes to the sink anything to keep her moving so she didn't dance around like a child who's just met their favorite star. "Oh my God!" she gushed. She then turned and looked at him, "I'm sorry. I mean I always believed but, I never knew and well this is well---"
"I'm just a guy."
"Yes but how old are you? Where are you from what--" she stopped herself. Looking at the floor, "I'm sorry. That's none of my business. Don't answer any of it." She took another breath and met his gaze, "Okay, I am now officially done treating you like anything but a human being." She sat down in her chair and calmly said, "So you were wondering if I knew about the watchers?"
Adam smiled with a chuckle, "Thank you for respecting my privacy."
She smiled, "Oh don't think it's the end of all of the questions I have. But I swear my Mom raised me to be a lady sometimes I open my mouth without first engaging my brain. I will treat you with the same courtesy I always have. That and I need to remember that after all, you let me tell you my secrets when I was ready. I'll try to give you the same chance."
He smiled again, "Thank you. Anyway about the watchers, seems that there is an immortal in town, just passing through."
She got a horrified look on her face, "It's not--"
"No, Evan is not an immortal. However he is a Watcher."he assured her.
"Oh God." she mumbled.
"Not only that, he seems to have tracked you down because of us."
"What do you mean?"
"Every Watcher has a clearance for the Watcher database. Every immortal has a Watcher, well almost every immortal," he added with a smirk, "anyway each Watcher can log in and forward their reports to regional headquarters about his or her immortal. Like for instance, Joe might put in ' was watching my immortal he was with his friends at my bar'."
"So they're general."
"No."
Elissa studied him, "Joe isn't your watcher is he?"
"No, he isn't."
"Okay, before we go on do you need to ask people if it's okay if I know about immortals?"
"How about you guess? That way I can honestly say that I didn't tell you."
"Let's see...," she said pondering. "Joe is Duncan's watcher."
"How'd you figure that out?"
"Too easy. They're friends but they have that distance to them when they're in public."
"And he doesn't have that with me?"
"Nope. Almost as if he's known you for awhile."
"He has."
"Did he know you were an immortal at the time?'
"No."
"See, that's why the stiffness isn't there. So Duncan is one also."
"Yes."
"Good Lord I not only know one but two! What is Uncle Joe's place: an Immortal gathering zone?"
"Not exactly." he shrugged smiling.
She smiled, "So anyway, Evan could have found out by the individual reports that were put in?"
"Yes."
"And he probably got my number by hacking into the phone company's computer."
"We'll look out for you."
"Thanks but, I can't repay you if you get killed. Since he knows about immortals he's going to know how to kill you."
"Not if he doesn't realize I'm an immortal."
"True. Why wouldn't he realize that? You have a Watcher."
He grinned, "Yes, I have a Watcher."
"Doesn't he or she have to report in?"
"Every once in a great while."
She studied him trying to piece all the puzzle pieces together, "You're not."
"Oh yes."
"You're your own watcher?"
"Yes." was the somewhat smug reply.
"So Adam Pierson is a watcher?"
"I think what you were initially looking for is on this wrist." He placed his other arm on the table and turned it upward showing the purple emblem.
"I get my own left and right mixed up! Guess I should have asked to see the other wrist." She pursed her mouth as she thought, "So Adam Pierson is his own watcher. So who's he the watcher of? Never mind there I go again."
"It's okay. Logical question."
"Thanks."
"Not to change the subject but why didn't you join?" He wanted to know what twist of fate kept her from him. Surely they would have run into each other.
"Horton."
"But you could have helped rat him out."
"True, but I couldn't stand aside while he was murdering helpless individuals."
He studied her, "You realize if you would have joined chances were, you would have run into me?"
"Well, what will be will be."
"You're a little young to be so blase don't you think?"
"Old soul trapped in young body." she replied non chalantly.
"I see." He stood and put his dishes in the sink. Then returned with another beer. "So," he said as he folded his arms over the back of the chair that he was straddling, "How would you like us to be on an official date come Friday?"
"Official?"
"Yes official."
"Oh my. I haven't been on a date in years." She smiled playfully. "Okay, I accept." She blushed.
Adam chuckled, "I don't get it. You write these sexually charged scenes and yet here you are blushing because I asked you out on a date." He took a drink of his beer, "It's very alluring you know." Her blush deepened, "I see you get a compliment and you blush more. Now this could be fun."
"Oh stop it!" She chided as she playfully slugged his arm, "It is NOT alluring!"
"Says who?"
"Says me!"
"Well I say it is."
She dropped her gaze.
He reached for the hand that was resting beside her coffee cup. He gently placed his hand atop hers. Her face turned crimson, "Is this okay?" He asked huskily.
"Yes." She answered quietly unable to take her eyes off of their hands. She felt her pulse racing. Her hand started to tremble ever so slightly. She chewed on her lower lip.
"Why are you trembling? Do I make you that nervous?" He started to use his thumb to gently caress her hand.
"You don't make me nervous."
"Oh really?" He asked sarcastically.
"Yes really." She said finally meeting his eyes full on, "It's just well." She searched for the words. She wanted to say 'it's just that I like your touch' but that was too honest. "It's been awhile since anyone has wanted to hold my hand is all."
"I see." He watched her. "So do you feel like your sixteen all over again?"
She giggled, "Yes."
"Good."
"Good?"
"Yes, good."
"Why?"
"Because that should be a good feeling."
"It is," she said smiling.
He squeezed her hand, "Should we stop by Joe's to see what he might have found out?"
"Sure."
"I'll drive."
They were sitting at one of the round tables at the bar. Methos had his fingers entwined with Elissa's as their hands rested atop the table.
"So," Elissa spoke quietly, "Horton recruited him a few months before I left."
"Yes."
"That makes some sense I guess with him being in the Army."
"Well Horton was looking for people for his death squad."
"I know."
"What do you mean: you know?"
"Because Uncle Joe, before you asked me to join the watchers, Horton did."
"You never said---"
"Uncle Joe, he was your brother in-law. Do you think I was going to bad mouth him if I had no proof?"
"You knew?"
"Yes. Well kind of. I just knew that he thought immortals were an abomination along with anything or anyone else that wasn't his version of human. He wanted me for research. Put my soon to be acquired degree to good use. Same as you but the outcomes were different." She took a sip of water, "So he's still in the watchers."
"You mean Evan?"
"Yeah and actually that was a comment not a question."
"I knew that, Lisey. So, now that we know who recruited him we know how he feels about immortals. But that isn't what is the problem. He's taken a two-week vacation here in Seacouver. Someone else is covering his immortal for him right now."
"Great." Elissa muttered.
Adam squeezed her hand. She squeezed back.
Joe watched the two of them, "So any ideas on what to do for the next two weeks?"
"Nothing. I'm not going to let him dictate what to do with my life Uncle Joe."
"I'm saying, maybe you should just lie low."
"I'm going to start teaching on Monday. You really think I can just hole up in my place 'til then?"
"At least have Adam stay with you." Joe implored.
"I don't need a body guard."
"We'll discuss this later okay, Elissa." Adam murmured.
"No we'll discuss this now. Look Adam, I like you. But I don't want you to feel you have to protect me from my ex. I can handle him."
He studied her, "I don't want the next time I see you in a hospital."
"I won't be."
"Oh and how can you guarantee that?"
"I can't. But the only way he's going to be able to lay a hand on me is if he catches me alone. The only way that would happen is if I were at home. I don't let just anybody in my house and if he forced his way in I'd be calling 911."
"What if he picked your lock and was waiting for you?"
Elissa looked over at Adam. "I never thought of that."
"See, Lisey, you need a body guard."
Adam looked at her, "Do you own a gun?"
"Excuse me? And have it used against me? I don't think so."
"Lisey, then how are you going to defend yourself?"
"I don't think think your frying pan would do much good." Adam stated with a smile. Trying to ease the tension that was building.
"I have a rapier."
"You have a what?" Joe and Adam asked at the same time.
"I had two physical education credits to fill before I could get my degree. I took self defense and I also took fencing."
"And how did you manage to get an actual rapier?" Adam asked.
"My instructor gave it to me when she found out that I had been published. She was the friend that worked at the University that told me about the job here in Seacover."
"So how did your instructor find out about the job here?" Joe asked raising and eyebrow.
"From her husband who is the head of the English department."
"Why would a job opening be sent to him?" asked Adam.
"Because he was a friend of Dr. Harrison that retired from here. They're old golfing buddies. But that isn't what we were talking about now is it?"
"You do need to figure out how you're going to defend yourself. And something tells me Evan is going to know about you taking fencing."
"I know, Uncle Joe, but I'm really uncomfortable about owning a gun."
"Okay," Adam remarked, "What if Evan has a gun?"
Elissa looked at Adam biting her lip, "I never thought of that," she stated quietly.
Adam squeezed her hand, "I realize that. But unfortunately you cannot out maneuver a bullet."
Elissa sat back in her chair with a sigh, "What am I going to do?"
Adam smiled, "Have an immortal body guard of course!"
She turned and looked at him, "And what good is it going to do me to have you get shot? One, he'll know what you are and two he'll still have more bullets!"
"That may be true but if I can get the gun away from him then you have a chance of getting away and he'll follow you and not notice me."
"this is assuming he has a gun in the first place."
"I'm just trying to show you why you need a "bodyguard" around."
"Fine. You stay on the couch again tonight." she acquiesced.
"Okay." He smiled at her as he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.
"What was that for?"
"I think I won our first argument" he grinned. She rolled her eyes.
"Well I need to get back home so I can get ready for tonight."
"Lisey, there's something else." Elissa stopped in mid motion. Joe looked solemnly at her, "The reason why he was able to get away with what he did to you is because the Judge was Evan's superior in the Watchers. That and because the Judge knew you had turned Horton down."
Elissa's jaw dropped, "So he got away with it all because I wasn't in the clique?" she thought this over for a moment, "He got away with abuse because he knew the right people. That's not fair, uncle Joe! The law is always supposed to be on the side of right. If he comes after me again is he going to get away with it again?"
"Lisey, I'm truly sorry, had I known I would have let the proper people know. But that judge is no longer practicing and from what I know we don't have any watcher's whom are judges at the moment." He reached over and patted her hand, "Besides, this time if something happens you'll have witnesses."
Adam walked her into her town house. Once Elissa had the door firmly shut Adam began to check out the place, walking down the hallway and checking out the different rooms. Nothing out of the ordinary. Elissa stood in the middle of the living room her arms folded. "Feel better?"
"Yes."
"Good." She then walked into the kitchen, "I thought I was paranoid." She joked as she turned to the dinette table. There in the center were a dozen blood red roses. "God I hate roses." She muttered.
Adam got to the table before she did. He held out the card for her to read. She slowly pulled it from the envelope. She took one look at it and threw it down onto the table.
Adam cocked an eyebrow at her, "May I?"
"Go ahead. He obviously wanted you to read it." She turned on her heel and left the kitchen.
Adam looked at the card,
DID I BREAK HER IN PROPERLY, MR PIERSON?
GIVE MY LOVE TO ELISSA
~~E.
Adam put the card back on the table. He walked down the hall in search for Elissa. He thought she might have gone to the bathroom but he found her in her room sitting on the window seat, arms circling her legs hugging her knees to her chest and her head resting on them. She was looking out the window facing away from him. He sat down beside her.
"Don't let what he wrote bother you."
"It's not what he wrote." she said as she turned her head to face him, Her eyes a deep sapphire blue, "it's, oh I don't know. What was behind the writing I guess."
Adam reached out and brushed some stray hairs away from her cheek. Her face turned into his open palm and she closed her eyes, "I'll be here."
"I know." she murmured.
He leaned against the wall and placed an arm about her shoulders pulling her to him. She laid her head against his shoulder, enjoying the comfort. "You know, I thought he'd give up." She began quietly, "I thought eventually he'd find someone else and write me off as a fling. I thought he had. He hadn't tried to contact me in five years. I started to enjoy my life again. But now it's like when I first left him. I feel the same fear and all I want to do is run. But I can't run. What's he going to do next time he gets a hold of me?" she went on as if talking to herself. "Is he going to brand me like he threatened? Is he going to beat me so brutally that I will literally be within an inch of my life? He broke into my house, without me even being here. He could have been laying in wait. He would have caught me off guard and then where would I be? Hopefully in the hospital." She sat upright furiously wiping at her eyes. "Damn it! I haven't cried in over eight years!" She tried to turn away. Adam held her close. "Don't," she pleaded. "I don't want you see this!"
"See what?"
"Me crying." she mumbled into her hands that were hiding her face.
Adam gently pulled her hands away and looked into her stormy eyes, "You have every right to cry." He wiped a tear away.
"It won't do any good! It's a waste of time. I have to outsmart him again. I have to make him believe one thing and do another."
"What are you planning in that head of yours Elissa?"
"I don't know. I need to trap him I need to get him here and then have the police show up at the right time. I have to be bait. I did it once and survived I can surely do it again."
"You aren't going to be bait, Elissa."
"Adam I have no choice! What, you want me to just lure him here and kill him in cold blood?"
He didn't answer. She opened her mouth and closed it. She then asked, "You could kill in cold blood?"
"Yes." came the monotone answer.
She took a deep breath. "I couldn't. Even him, I couldn't."
"Even after what he did to you?"
"Yes, Adam, even after that."
"So, you couldn't kill him?"
"If it were self defense, yes. But if I premeditate a self defense murder it's just that, murder."
"So you'd be bait with no defense?"
"I do know some martial arts."
"As does he."
"Yes."
"I'm sorry Elissa, someone who is seven feet tall and knows the exact amount or more martial arts then you will best you."
"I know that."
"So what were you thinking?"
"I'm quicker, and because I'm smaller I can get closer to him. The problem is, I have to actually let him within my personal space."
"You can't be serious."
"Dead serious." her voice had a steely edge to it.
"What if he rapes you?"
"He can hurt the body all he wants, but I will survive. Mentally I'll have to recover more slowly but if that's what it takes. Then well I'll swallow my pride and do what I've got to do."
"You would let him rape you and not kill him?" he asked disbelievingly.
"Yes."
"I don't understand. Don't you want revenge?"
"Revenge for my past? I forgave what he did a long time ago."
"You FORGAVE him?"
"No I forgave myself. It wasn't my fault that I didn't please him, it was his. He assumed I knew certain things. He assumed he knew everything. It was because of his assumptions that he wasn't satisfied. There was no communication in our relationship. A major wrong on both of our parts. So if he was wrong, which of course he was always right, then of course I was the one always wrong. I had to pay for being wrong. After the divorce I realized I shouldn't be sorry for being wrong or right. Wasn't my fault the man was insecure and paranoid."
"Don't you hate him?" his eyes stared ruefully into hers.
She smiled ruefully, "Honestly, I don't have enough feelings for him to hate him. I don't care. I'm scared of him, but that's the victim in me. I don't like pain and yes he will cause me an awful lot of pain if he gets his hands on me. But hate, no I don't hate him."
"Could you ever love him?"he almost whispered.
"Not in this lifetime. Not after all the betrayals. Not after the abuse."
Adam stiffened. He looked out the window thinking. Elissa watched intently realizing that suddenly they weren't talking about her. "Adam?"
He looked at her, taking a deep breath his face void of any emotion, "I was once a rapist." his voice cut through the silence.
She stared at him. She couldn't believe it. The man whom had just given her comfort admitted to being a rapist. It didn't mix. She waited hoping for more of an explanation.
"Have you ever heard of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?"
"Yes."
"I mean other than in the Bible."
"No."
"Well they actually existed. Pestilence, Death, Famine, war."he took a breath, "I was Death." He watched her face. It was still blank. "We rode together about three thousand years ago."
"That makes you--" she uttered in wonderment.
"Yes, over three thousand years old. Anyway, for a thousand years I raped and pillaged and murdered. I was good at it. I enjoyed it. I was a god. We were all gods."
"Were the others also immortal?"
"Yes. But you don't have to worry about them. They are all gone." he said with a touch of sadness.
Elissa stared at him. He was guarded, She couldn't decipher anything in his eyes or his face or his voice. It was all devoid of any emotion. "Have you raped anyone since those days?" she asked quietly.
"No."
"Has Adam Pierson?"
"You just asked--"
"No I asked if you had gone raping and murdering, not Adam Pierson. I am assuming Adam Pierson is a persona?"
He smirked, "Yes he's a persona."
"So what is your real name? If you don't mind me asking."
"Methos."
"Okay, Methos," she sounded the name out.
"Okay?"
She leaned against the window pain and smiled at him placing her hand in his once again, "You must either want to try for a relationship or you're scared and you're trying to scare me off." She leaned in closer, "It takes a lot to scare me, Methos."
"It doesn't bother you?"
"Look, you did that 3,000 years ago. I wasn't even a glimmer in my father's eye, hell my father didn't even exist at that point!" She backed off a bit realizing she was invading his personal space, "How many times have you been married?"
"Sixty- eight why?"
"Did you ever abuse your wives?"
"No."
"Then I am not worried." She looked at her clock, "I still need to get ready for our "date" she giggled.
"I suppose I should leave now?"
"I'm going to be in the bathroom with the door closed. You can sit here contemplating your navel or go wander the bookshelves in the computer room. I don't care." With that she went to her closet, pulled out a hanger with a black plastic bag over it and sauntered into the bathroom.
"Morning." She said brightly as she walked into the kitchen.
Adam looked up from the stove and grinned, "Good morning, there's fresh coffee in the pot."
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For breakfast."
"You're welcome."
She reached over and poured herself a cup and noticed a half full beer bottle sitting on the counter next to the stove. "Already drinking beer?"
"It's happy hour somewhere in the world."
"You have a point."
"Besides I lived in Europe, we drink beer like it was water."
"Yes and American beer is water compared to what you guys have over there."
"So true." He flipped over the bread that was in the skillet. "There are some that are done sitting on the table already if you'd like to start."
"I'll wait for you."
"Well I'm almost done."
A few moments later he was seated next to her at the table. He eyed her curiously as she sprinkled granulated sugar atop her French Toast, "What?" She questioned.
"I always thought it was powdered sugar that went on top."
"Something my Mom used to do."
"I see."
"Hey don't knock it till you try it." She said eating a bite. She swallowed, "Very good French toast. I haven't had this good unless I ate at a restaurant."
"I'll take that as a compliment."was the rye reply.
She grinned chuckling, "Hey, anything is better then when I make it. I always end up either not cooking it long enough or burning it. There is no happy medium."
He took a bite of his own, drank some beer then commented, "According to Joe you're an excellent cook."
"Dinner yes, breakfast, well I normally do cereal. If I want something warm I use the toaster."
"Pancakes in the toaster, hmm, I'd think that gets a little messy."
"Not if you by them pre made."
"Ewww!"he exclaimed scrunching up his nose.
"I agree: that's why I usually eat cereal or bagels."
"So this is a treat for you."
"So much so I'll probably just have a salad for dinner."
"Women and their eating habits. I never understood the point of starving yourself."
"I don't starve myself, if I'm hungry I do eat."
"Well there's a first, a woman who will eat when she's hungry."
Elissa smiled, "I don't work at my figure, honest. I just don't function well if I eat large meals. Grant it this is brunch so it's kind of different."
"Whatever you say." He took another bite, "So the mirror in at the end of your hall, is that what you used as the mirror in your story?"
Elissa paled, "Why would you think that?"
"Well, as if the fact that you turned white as a sheet wasn't clue enough, I noticed that it has to at least be one hundred to two hundred years old. The gargoyle motif was popular in about the mid to late eighteen hundreds and unless I'm mistaken it is brushed with diamond dust. You can tell because after awhile the image gets distorted as the diamond dust deteriorates."
"You're right about the age. It was my Great Aunt Emma's."
"And you inherited it?"
"Actually my mom did. Along with the antique dresser and chamber cupboard. Then when I got my own place she gave them to me."
"So you like antiques?"
"I like old things, yes." She said with a smile. "Why, you think you're too old for me, Adam? Think that's another thing between us?"
Oh there's a lot more between us then you realize, he thought darkly. He smiled outwardly, "Well, I don't know you might think I'm too old for you."
She grinned, laughing, "Look, I think Sean Connery is sexy okay? I know you are younger then he is."
Looks maybe; reality not by a long shot, he thought to himself. "So you don't have a problem with dating someone who's thirty three?"
"That's only six years difference, Adam no biggie!" She took another bite, then took another sip of coffee. She dabbed at her mouth with the corner of her napkin placed it back on her lap then once again met his gaze, "Why did you come here last night?"
"I told you, cause I care."
"It's more then that."
"I was worried."
"That goes under the cause I care category. You could have stopped over this morning or afternoon, why last night?"
"Because of the phone call."
"Still you could have called."
"I thought the topic was too personal to discuss over the phone."
"Okay still you could have waited 'til today. Why last night?"
He took a drink of beer and looked at her. "Has Joe ever told you about the organization he works for?"
"You mean the Watchers?"
"You know?"
Elissa sneered, "Oh yes. I know but not from Uncle Joe. I found out about him belonging later. James Horton tried to recruit me."
"Horton?" Adam gasped.
"Yes. Something about he knew of some people that were different then us and with my background in history I might be able to help do research."
"What did he tell you about these people?"
"That they were quick healers. Legend had it that they couldn't be killed. I asked if King Arthur was an immortal."
"And he said?"
"He told me as far as he knew King Arthur was just a Legend. He told me that these people were called immortals. He explained how he was hunting them because they were abominations to humanity. He thought I should understand because after all I am a historian."
"And you said?"
"I told him he was crazy. That such a being, if they existed, could help us. My goodness I mean can you imagine what kind of knowledge these people would have? Hell if they existed they might have known my long lost ancestors and could tell me what they were like good or bad! But I told him I had more important things to do."
"So when did you find out that Joe was involved?"
"Well Uncle Joe had asked me to join about a week after Horton had. But his explanation wasn't the same. He just asked if I would mind doing some research and archiving for a historical organization he worked with. You see everyone knows I'm a bookworm! He told me there were files that were miss-filed and it would consist of a lot of reading but my expertise would be wanted. He then told me I might find some things that would seem fantastic and unbelievable but he'd swear it was true. I told him I had always found truth to be stranger then fiction. But, I needed to get back to Oklahoma. Get out of Dodge start over. I never told him Horton had already approached me."
"So you know."
"Know that there are people that can live a long time that walk this earth yes. Have I personally met any? Not to my knowledge."
"So what do you think of Immortals?"
"Are they an abomination? No. I'm sure like everyone there are good and bad. Should everyone know? No, cause then they'd be poked and prodded like lab rats. Is it that far fetched? Not really. Things that I've seen first hand, people wouldn't believe, so personally I believe anything is possible." She studied him her eyes focusing acutely on his, "How do you know about the watchers?"
"I'm a friend of Joes."
"Yet you aren't a watcher."
"Not exactly."
She reached out and flipped over his wrist. No tattoo. She sat back scrutinizing him once again. "May I see your hand please?" He looked at her saying nothing but setting his hand across the table. She touched the skin. It was smooth but not as smooth as her hands. His hands had seen some sort of manual labor. She looked at the back of his hand hardly any scarring. His cuticles were perfect. His nails were perfect. She looked at his face one slight scar on his lip where it might have been split but that was it. No cut from shaving, a slight growth of beard from not shaving yet today but that was it. Hardly any blemishes. No age spots no blemishes nothing. She sat back her eyes sparkling. She opened her mouth to speak. But nothing came out. She smiled to herself taking a deep breath to calm her racing pulse, "You're an Immortal!" she whispered in awe.
"Yes."
She rose from her chair taking her dishes to the sink anything to keep her moving so she didn't dance around like a child who's just met their favorite star. "Oh my God!" she gushed. She then turned and looked at him, "I'm sorry. I mean I always believed but, I never knew and well this is well---"
"I'm just a guy."
"Yes but how old are you? Where are you from what--" she stopped herself. Looking at the floor, "I'm sorry. That's none of my business. Don't answer any of it." She took another breath and met his gaze, "Okay, I am now officially done treating you like anything but a human being." She sat down in her chair and calmly said, "So you were wondering if I knew about the watchers?"
Adam smiled with a chuckle, "Thank you for respecting my privacy."
She smiled, "Oh don't think it's the end of all of the questions I have. But I swear my Mom raised me to be a lady sometimes I open my mouth without first engaging my brain. I will treat you with the same courtesy I always have. That and I need to remember that after all, you let me tell you my secrets when I was ready. I'll try to give you the same chance."
He smiled again, "Thank you. Anyway about the watchers, seems that there is an immortal in town, just passing through."
She got a horrified look on her face, "It's not--"
"No, Evan is not an immortal. However he is a Watcher."he assured her.
"Oh God." she mumbled.
"Not only that, he seems to have tracked you down because of us."
"What do you mean?"
"Every Watcher has a clearance for the Watcher database. Every immortal has a Watcher, well almost every immortal," he added with a smirk, "anyway each Watcher can log in and forward their reports to regional headquarters about his or her immortal. Like for instance, Joe might put in ' was watching my immortal he was with his friends at my bar'."
"So they're general."
"No."
Elissa studied him, "Joe isn't your watcher is he?"
"No, he isn't."
"Okay, before we go on do you need to ask people if it's okay if I know about immortals?"
"How about you guess? That way I can honestly say that I didn't tell you."
"Let's see...," she said pondering. "Joe is Duncan's watcher."
"How'd you figure that out?"
"Too easy. They're friends but they have that distance to them when they're in public."
"And he doesn't have that with me?"
"Nope. Almost as if he's known you for awhile."
"He has."
"Did he know you were an immortal at the time?'
"No."
"See, that's why the stiffness isn't there. So Duncan is one also."
"Yes."
"Good Lord I not only know one but two! What is Uncle Joe's place: an Immortal gathering zone?"
"Not exactly." he shrugged smiling.
She smiled, "So anyway, Evan could have found out by the individual reports that were put in?"
"Yes."
"And he probably got my number by hacking into the phone company's computer."
"We'll look out for you."
"Thanks but, I can't repay you if you get killed. Since he knows about immortals he's going to know how to kill you."
"Not if he doesn't realize I'm an immortal."
"True. Why wouldn't he realize that? You have a Watcher."
He grinned, "Yes, I have a Watcher."
"Doesn't he or she have to report in?"
"Every once in a great while."
She studied him trying to piece all the puzzle pieces together, "You're not."
"Oh yes."
"You're your own watcher?"
"Yes." was the somewhat smug reply.
"So Adam Pierson is a watcher?"
"I think what you were initially looking for is on this wrist." He placed his other arm on the table and turned it upward showing the purple emblem.
"I get my own left and right mixed up! Guess I should have asked to see the other wrist." She pursed her mouth as she thought, "So Adam Pierson is his own watcher. So who's he the watcher of? Never mind there I go again."
"It's okay. Logical question."
"Thanks."
"Not to change the subject but why didn't you join?" He wanted to know what twist of fate kept her from him. Surely they would have run into each other.
"Horton."
"But you could have helped rat him out."
"True, but I couldn't stand aside while he was murdering helpless individuals."
He studied her, "You realize if you would have joined chances were, you would have run into me?"
"Well, what will be will be."
"You're a little young to be so blase don't you think?"
"Old soul trapped in young body." she replied non chalantly.
"I see." He stood and put his dishes in the sink. Then returned with another beer. "So," he said as he folded his arms over the back of the chair that he was straddling, "How would you like us to be on an official date come Friday?"
"Official?"
"Yes official."
"Oh my. I haven't been on a date in years." She smiled playfully. "Okay, I accept." She blushed.
Adam chuckled, "I don't get it. You write these sexually charged scenes and yet here you are blushing because I asked you out on a date." He took a drink of his beer, "It's very alluring you know." Her blush deepened, "I see you get a compliment and you blush more. Now this could be fun."
"Oh stop it!" She chided as she playfully slugged his arm, "It is NOT alluring!"
"Says who?"
"Says me!"
"Well I say it is."
She dropped her gaze.
He reached for the hand that was resting beside her coffee cup. He gently placed his hand atop hers. Her face turned crimson, "Is this okay?" He asked huskily.
"Yes." She answered quietly unable to take her eyes off of their hands. She felt her pulse racing. Her hand started to tremble ever so slightly. She chewed on her lower lip.
"Why are you trembling? Do I make you that nervous?" He started to use his thumb to gently caress her hand.
"You don't make me nervous."
"Oh really?" He asked sarcastically.
"Yes really." She said finally meeting his eyes full on, "It's just well." She searched for the words. She wanted to say 'it's just that I like your touch' but that was too honest. "It's been awhile since anyone has wanted to hold my hand is all."
"I see." He watched her. "So do you feel like your sixteen all over again?"
She giggled, "Yes."
"Good."
"Good?"
"Yes, good."
"Why?"
"Because that should be a good feeling."
"It is," she said smiling.
He squeezed her hand, "Should we stop by Joe's to see what he might have found out?"
"Sure."
"I'll drive."
They were sitting at one of the round tables at the bar. Methos had his fingers entwined with Elissa's as their hands rested atop the table.
"So," Elissa spoke quietly, "Horton recruited him a few months before I left."
"Yes."
"That makes some sense I guess with him being in the Army."
"Well Horton was looking for people for his death squad."
"I know."
"What do you mean: you know?"
"Because Uncle Joe, before you asked me to join the watchers, Horton did."
"You never said---"
"Uncle Joe, he was your brother in-law. Do you think I was going to bad mouth him if I had no proof?"
"You knew?"
"Yes. Well kind of. I just knew that he thought immortals were an abomination along with anything or anyone else that wasn't his version of human. He wanted me for research. Put my soon to be acquired degree to good use. Same as you but the outcomes were different." She took a sip of water, "So he's still in the watchers."
"You mean Evan?"
"Yeah and actually that was a comment not a question."
"I knew that, Lisey. So, now that we know who recruited him we know how he feels about immortals. But that isn't what is the problem. He's taken a two-week vacation here in Seacouver. Someone else is covering his immortal for him right now."
"Great." Elissa muttered.
Adam squeezed her hand. She squeezed back.
Joe watched the two of them, "So any ideas on what to do for the next two weeks?"
"Nothing. I'm not going to let him dictate what to do with my life Uncle Joe."
"I'm saying, maybe you should just lie low."
"I'm going to start teaching on Monday. You really think I can just hole up in my place 'til then?"
"At least have Adam stay with you." Joe implored.
"I don't need a body guard."
"We'll discuss this later okay, Elissa." Adam murmured.
"No we'll discuss this now. Look Adam, I like you. But I don't want you to feel you have to protect me from my ex. I can handle him."
He studied her, "I don't want the next time I see you in a hospital."
"I won't be."
"Oh and how can you guarantee that?"
"I can't. But the only way he's going to be able to lay a hand on me is if he catches me alone. The only way that would happen is if I were at home. I don't let just anybody in my house and if he forced his way in I'd be calling 911."
"What if he picked your lock and was waiting for you?"
Elissa looked over at Adam. "I never thought of that."
"See, Lisey, you need a body guard."
Adam looked at her, "Do you own a gun?"
"Excuse me? And have it used against me? I don't think so."
"Lisey, then how are you going to defend yourself?"
"I don't think think your frying pan would do much good." Adam stated with a smile. Trying to ease the tension that was building.
"I have a rapier."
"You have a what?" Joe and Adam asked at the same time.
"I had two physical education credits to fill before I could get my degree. I took self defense and I also took fencing."
"And how did you manage to get an actual rapier?" Adam asked.
"My instructor gave it to me when she found out that I had been published. She was the friend that worked at the University that told me about the job here in Seacover."
"So how did your instructor find out about the job here?" Joe asked raising and eyebrow.
"From her husband who is the head of the English department."
"Why would a job opening be sent to him?" asked Adam.
"Because he was a friend of Dr. Harrison that retired from here. They're old golfing buddies. But that isn't what we were talking about now is it?"
"You do need to figure out how you're going to defend yourself. And something tells me Evan is going to know about you taking fencing."
"I know, Uncle Joe, but I'm really uncomfortable about owning a gun."
"Okay," Adam remarked, "What if Evan has a gun?"
Elissa looked at Adam biting her lip, "I never thought of that," she stated quietly.
Adam squeezed her hand, "I realize that. But unfortunately you cannot out maneuver a bullet."
Elissa sat back in her chair with a sigh, "What am I going to do?"
Adam smiled, "Have an immortal body guard of course!"
She turned and looked at him, "And what good is it going to do me to have you get shot? One, he'll know what you are and two he'll still have more bullets!"
"That may be true but if I can get the gun away from him then you have a chance of getting away and he'll follow you and not notice me."
"this is assuming he has a gun in the first place."
"I'm just trying to show you why you need a "bodyguard" around."
"Fine. You stay on the couch again tonight." she acquiesced.
"Okay." He smiled at her as he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.
"What was that for?"
"I think I won our first argument" he grinned. She rolled her eyes.
"Well I need to get back home so I can get ready for tonight."
"Lisey, there's something else." Elissa stopped in mid motion. Joe looked solemnly at her, "The reason why he was able to get away with what he did to you is because the Judge was Evan's superior in the Watchers. That and because the Judge knew you had turned Horton down."
Elissa's jaw dropped, "So he got away with it all because I wasn't in the clique?" she thought this over for a moment, "He got away with abuse because he knew the right people. That's not fair, uncle Joe! The law is always supposed to be on the side of right. If he comes after me again is he going to get away with it again?"
"Lisey, I'm truly sorry, had I known I would have let the proper people know. But that judge is no longer practicing and from what I know we don't have any watcher's whom are judges at the moment." He reached over and patted her hand, "Besides, this time if something happens you'll have witnesses."
Adam walked her into her town house. Once Elissa had the door firmly shut Adam began to check out the place, walking down the hallway and checking out the different rooms. Nothing out of the ordinary. Elissa stood in the middle of the living room her arms folded. "Feel better?"
"Yes."
"Good." She then walked into the kitchen, "I thought I was paranoid." She joked as she turned to the dinette table. There in the center were a dozen blood red roses. "God I hate roses." She muttered.
Adam got to the table before she did. He held out the card for her to read. She slowly pulled it from the envelope. She took one look at it and threw it down onto the table.
Adam cocked an eyebrow at her, "May I?"
"Go ahead. He obviously wanted you to read it." She turned on her heel and left the kitchen.
Adam looked at the card,
DID I BREAK HER IN PROPERLY, MR PIERSON?
GIVE MY LOVE TO ELISSA
~~E.
Adam put the card back on the table. He walked down the hall in search for Elissa. He thought she might have gone to the bathroom but he found her in her room sitting on the window seat, arms circling her legs hugging her knees to her chest and her head resting on them. She was looking out the window facing away from him. He sat down beside her.
"Don't let what he wrote bother you."
"It's not what he wrote." she said as she turned her head to face him, Her eyes a deep sapphire blue, "it's, oh I don't know. What was behind the writing I guess."
Adam reached out and brushed some stray hairs away from her cheek. Her face turned into his open palm and she closed her eyes, "I'll be here."
"I know." she murmured.
He leaned against the wall and placed an arm about her shoulders pulling her to him. She laid her head against his shoulder, enjoying the comfort. "You know, I thought he'd give up." She began quietly, "I thought eventually he'd find someone else and write me off as a fling. I thought he had. He hadn't tried to contact me in five years. I started to enjoy my life again. But now it's like when I first left him. I feel the same fear and all I want to do is run. But I can't run. What's he going to do next time he gets a hold of me?" she went on as if talking to herself. "Is he going to brand me like he threatened? Is he going to beat me so brutally that I will literally be within an inch of my life? He broke into my house, without me even being here. He could have been laying in wait. He would have caught me off guard and then where would I be? Hopefully in the hospital." She sat upright furiously wiping at her eyes. "Damn it! I haven't cried in over eight years!" She tried to turn away. Adam held her close. "Don't," she pleaded. "I don't want you see this!"
"See what?"
"Me crying." she mumbled into her hands that were hiding her face.
Adam gently pulled her hands away and looked into her stormy eyes, "You have every right to cry." He wiped a tear away.
"It won't do any good! It's a waste of time. I have to outsmart him again. I have to make him believe one thing and do another."
"What are you planning in that head of yours Elissa?"
"I don't know. I need to trap him I need to get him here and then have the police show up at the right time. I have to be bait. I did it once and survived I can surely do it again."
"You aren't going to be bait, Elissa."
"Adam I have no choice! What, you want me to just lure him here and kill him in cold blood?"
He didn't answer. She opened her mouth and closed it. She then asked, "You could kill in cold blood?"
"Yes." came the monotone answer.
She took a deep breath. "I couldn't. Even him, I couldn't."
"Even after what he did to you?"
"Yes, Adam, even after that."
"So, you couldn't kill him?"
"If it were self defense, yes. But if I premeditate a self defense murder it's just that, murder."
"So you'd be bait with no defense?"
"I do know some martial arts."
"As does he."
"Yes."
"I'm sorry Elissa, someone who is seven feet tall and knows the exact amount or more martial arts then you will best you."
"I know that."
"So what were you thinking?"
"I'm quicker, and because I'm smaller I can get closer to him. The problem is, I have to actually let him within my personal space."
"You can't be serious."
"Dead serious." her voice had a steely edge to it.
"What if he rapes you?"
"He can hurt the body all he wants, but I will survive. Mentally I'll have to recover more slowly but if that's what it takes. Then well I'll swallow my pride and do what I've got to do."
"You would let him rape you and not kill him?" he asked disbelievingly.
"Yes."
"I don't understand. Don't you want revenge?"
"Revenge for my past? I forgave what he did a long time ago."
"You FORGAVE him?"
"No I forgave myself. It wasn't my fault that I didn't please him, it was his. He assumed I knew certain things. He assumed he knew everything. It was because of his assumptions that he wasn't satisfied. There was no communication in our relationship. A major wrong on both of our parts. So if he was wrong, which of course he was always right, then of course I was the one always wrong. I had to pay for being wrong. After the divorce I realized I shouldn't be sorry for being wrong or right. Wasn't my fault the man was insecure and paranoid."
"Don't you hate him?" his eyes stared ruefully into hers.
She smiled ruefully, "Honestly, I don't have enough feelings for him to hate him. I don't care. I'm scared of him, but that's the victim in me. I don't like pain and yes he will cause me an awful lot of pain if he gets his hands on me. But hate, no I don't hate him."
"Could you ever love him?"he almost whispered.
"Not in this lifetime. Not after all the betrayals. Not after the abuse."
Adam stiffened. He looked out the window thinking. Elissa watched intently realizing that suddenly they weren't talking about her. "Adam?"
He looked at her, taking a deep breath his face void of any emotion, "I was once a rapist." his voice cut through the silence.
She stared at him. She couldn't believe it. The man whom had just given her comfort admitted to being a rapist. It didn't mix. She waited hoping for more of an explanation.
"Have you ever heard of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?"
"Yes."
"I mean other than in the Bible."
"No."
"Well they actually existed. Pestilence, Death, Famine, war."he took a breath, "I was Death." He watched her face. It was still blank. "We rode together about three thousand years ago."
"That makes you--" she uttered in wonderment.
"Yes, over three thousand years old. Anyway, for a thousand years I raped and pillaged and murdered. I was good at it. I enjoyed it. I was a god. We were all gods."
"Were the others also immortal?"
"Yes. But you don't have to worry about them. They are all gone." he said with a touch of sadness.
Elissa stared at him. He was guarded, She couldn't decipher anything in his eyes or his face or his voice. It was all devoid of any emotion. "Have you raped anyone since those days?" she asked quietly.
"No."
"Has Adam Pierson?"
"You just asked--"
"No I asked if you had gone raping and murdering, not Adam Pierson. I am assuming Adam Pierson is a persona?"
He smirked, "Yes he's a persona."
"So what is your real name? If you don't mind me asking."
"Methos."
"Okay, Methos," she sounded the name out.
"Okay?"
She leaned against the window pain and smiled at him placing her hand in his once again, "You must either want to try for a relationship or you're scared and you're trying to scare me off." She leaned in closer, "It takes a lot to scare me, Methos."
"It doesn't bother you?"
"Look, you did that 3,000 years ago. I wasn't even a glimmer in my father's eye, hell my father didn't even exist at that point!" She backed off a bit realizing she was invading his personal space, "How many times have you been married?"
"Sixty- eight why?"
"Did you ever abuse your wives?"
"No."
"Then I am not worried." She looked at her clock, "I still need to get ready for our "date" she giggled.
"I suppose I should leave now?"
"I'm going to be in the bathroom with the door closed. You can sit here contemplating your navel or go wander the bookshelves in the computer room. I don't care." With that she went to her closet, pulled out a hanger with a black plastic bag over it and sauntered into the bathroom.