*** 2001 ***

Methos knew he was slow in opening the door. The man in front of him seemed frozen. There was no expression in his eyes, no free will, not even rage at being used this way. It seemed to take forever before he moved, and when he finally did, it came almost out of nowhere. Methos barely managed to duck under the attack and stopped the other's blade with his own.
The immortal tried to get him outside, but Methos knew that if he did, he'd be doomed. He kept his position, just barely on the dooropening.

Shadows waited for him, just outside the door. He needn't see them to know who or what they were, or whose orders they were following. Methos grabbed his opponants collar and dragged him over the doorstep, across the barrier formed by his blood.
It helped, but not enough.
"Two heads for the master." the man muttered, madness shone through his eyes.
Methos no longer cared, the threat was too big, both for himself and for Harry.

He let out a primal battle cry and forget about finesse. Led by his rage and fear his attack was too strong to be held off. the other immortal stared up at him for a mere moment as Methos held his sword up for the final strike.
"Thank you."
Methos could see the fear show and knew that whatever happened, he'd freed the other immortal from a fate worse than death.

He gasped for air, grasping for something to hold on to. He was unprepared when the Quickening came, but then again, when could you ever be prepared for it's force to begin with. The fire came on to him, making the night as light as day and even in the rush of the pain and pleasure invading him, he could see the shadows vanishing.

He fell down on his knees, staring at his blooded sword and stared up at Harry who came down towards him.The boy's eyes were damped with tears.

*** 1983****

"Where am I?
His hand touched a crystal ball in front of him. He stared at it, it seemed unfamiliar somehow.

"Remember."

Methos gazed blankly at the white haired face
"Remember what?"
What was he forgetting? He was safe, there was darkness beyond the walls, darkness and pain.
He felt himself huddled behind a crystal wall. An old man stood in front of him, kneeling down next to him. Whispering somethign... Telling him to remember. But he didn't want to.

He startled at his own words, barely aware that he'd spoken them out loud.
"But you must."
Methos held his hands over his ears, closed his eyes and wiped the man's presence away from him.
He wouldn't remember. He wouldn't. Never again.

Methos shrieked up as he opened his eyes and a young man was holding him.
The master.
The master who shouldn't be helping him, he wasn't worth it.

"Don't worry, everything's allright."
Methos leanedc closer, holding his trembling body together.
Where was Severus?

He muttered the wizard's name, almost unsure of the sound of his own voice. The master just brushed thorugh his hair, attemtping to sooth him.
"He'll be here soon."
Soon, he'd learned that word, it wouldn't take long then. The master looked at him from behind double eyes.

Methos wondered what the master wanted of him. He tracked the man's every move, gazing at him in a reverant awe as the master opened one of those weird flat scrolls of his. Methos had seen writing before, but he'd never seen it done on any material that thin. The master turned to him, his double eyes reflected the light. Methos wondered what seemed to bring a smile to his master's face.

He tried to controll himself when the master aimed his staff at him, he could hear some strange words and then all he could feel was a slight ringing in his ears. Nothing else happened. The master rustled through his hair, attempting to flatten it while looking at the staff in his hand.

Methos shrank back as the master hit himself on the head. He stared with wide open eyes as the master aimed the staff at himself and was surrounded by a bright light.

/"Hello"/
It was the first word since Mauri had spoken his sentence and he'd woken up in the demon's cage that Methos actually understood as his own tongue.
/"Don't worry. I just put a spell on myself."/
Methos stared at him, completely bewildered.
/"I thought it would be easier if we understood one another."/
The master continued as if he didn't even noticed Methos' reaction.
/"So how are you?"/

Methos finally managed to stutter a response.
/"I am fine master"/
But the master seemed startled by something.

/"Are you sure?"/

/"I just ..."/ Methos lowered his gaze, worried what might happen if he said the wrong thing. What if he insulted the master in some way, calling his wrath upon him?

The master waited a few seconds, giving him the chance to answer, but Methos stayed silent.
/"Lilly and I are worried."/
Methos wondered what he'd done wrong to give needless worries to either of his masters.

/"But I'm fine master. Really I am."/
The master winced at something he'd said.
/"I just wish I knew what kind of service you desire of me."/

Methos hand hit his mouth as soon as the words passed his lips. How dare he make a request like that of the master. To demand anything. All would happen as the master wished it.

The master just pulled him up. gently holding his hands, before he could hit himself again.
/"You don't have to do anything."/

/"But master."/

/"All I want is for you to stop calling me that..."/
Methos stared at him in confusion.
/"I'm nobodies master Methos. I'm just a wizard."/
Methos could feel his heart fall silent, not but then ...
/"And my name's James."/
But if the master wasn't his master, then who did he belong too. Would he be returned to the demon who owned him?
/"Try it, James."/
No. Methos bit his lip, stunned in a baffled silence.ยต

"James..."

/"Good, Easy enough right?"/

Methos gave him a quick nod to keep him happy, but deep inside his heart trembled at the other's behavior. He followed the master as he motioned for him to follow him outside. He stared up, near blinded by the light of father sun in the sky. It was a small valley they were in, the house was built at the middle of a small clearing in the woods. It was the only house in sight and all around them were trees higher than two men...

His wonder was audible in his voice as he was forced to gasp for air. He knew no words to describe the flowers that surrounded them. The beauty of a forrest, greater than any oasis he'd ever seen.
Pretty, was all he could say.

The master didn't say a word, he just placed his hand on Methos' shoulder and nodded.
Methos basked in the sun like a newborn child, and like a father, his master joined him in the miracle, sharing the wonder.