Chapter 26
Rain hammered against the windowpane causing Methos to look up from the papers that were strewn over his desk, he pinched the top of his nose closing his eyes tightly, as he stretched, he then reached for the next stack of papers. Flicking over the first pages he came across some pages where the writing was faded he reached over, pulling the desk lamp closer so he could read the text easier, he jotted a few notes on the pad he had in front of him, he then sat back in the red leather chair threw the pencil onto the desk "That could be one reason why" he exclaimed he then looked at his watched 'it's a bit later to ring MacLeod now' he thought.
As he sensed the presence of an Immortal his eyes searched the room for the direction of the other Immortal, he reached across switching the desk lamp off, darkness fell over the room. He stood up and carefully made his way across the room to where his coat and sword were hanging, when there was a knock at the front door, drawing his sword from his coat he walked cautiously to the door standing to one side, he turned the key unlocking the it, he then put both hands back onto his sword as the handle turned he brought the sword back ready to strike as the door opened "Dani!" he said dropping his sword down by his side, as he recognised the bedraggled figure who entered. "Sorry Adam.to call so late.but I need your help" Methos gestured for her to come inside, he looked passed her "Where is MacLeod?" he questioned, "It's me that needs your help" Dani replied. Methos showed her into the study this time turning on the main light "So what can I help you with that MacLeod can't?" Methos said as he went over to the table on the far side of the room, where three crystal decanters were standing, taking hold of the middle one which he raised it towards Dani who shook her head "I need your experience of.disappearing.I must leave.tonight Adam" Dani said.
"But why me.Mac could help you just as much as I can" Methos replied pouring himself a whisky. He then walked over to his desk and leant back against it and took a drink from his glass "No not like you.you've had 5000 years to work on it.and you're good at it.Methos" A look of horror came over Methos as he nearly choked on the whisky "W.What did you just call me?"
"Methos.that's your real name isn't it" Methos turned his face away placing his hand over his mouth, "MacLeod told you?" he said as he turned back to face her. Dani smiled at him as she sat down in the nearest chair, she rested her right elbow on the arm of the chair and her head in her hand "No.Duncan didn't tell me.you did". Methos walked over to the desk switching the desk lamp on, he picked up the handwritten papers he was reading earlier, he re-read the last few passages, he then turned back to Dani "I see.I think I understand.but why do you want to leave?" Dani explained all about the growing headaches and about Hamilton and some of what he had told her "I need to be alone Adam.to try and get this under control.if I stay I could be a danger to Duncan and all those around him.will you help me?" Dani pleaded.
"You know you should talk this though with MacLeod" Methos said as he walked over to her, he could see from her eyes that he wasn't convincing her "I've found some text that I think relates to what you are going through.MacLeod knows someone who might be able to help you.you just have to give him time to sort it out" Dani stood up "I'm leaving tonight Adam.Methos.with or without your help.I'm not very good at disappearing but I will leave tonight" Methos raised his hands in defeat "OK..OK.have you a passport?" Dani nodded and she handed it to him, he went back to his desk and opened his laptop computer, it seemed long time to Dani while she waited, finally Methos turned off the computer and returned her passport to her "I've managed to get you on a flight to London.and I've wired some money for you to pick up once you arrive" Methos said handing her a piece of paper "you didn't have to do that.I have some money of my own" Methos smiled at her "it is always easier to disappear if you have money.trust me" he held out his hand come on.I'll take you to the airport.that way I can be sure that you don't run into Hamilton. I had a feeling that man couldn't be trusted" Dani followed Methos out to his car.
Methos stopped the car outside the airport's main terminal building "Still time to change your mind.you know.MacLeod isn't going to like this.not to mention if he finds out I helped you" Dani smiled at him "This is for the best Adam.I can't let anyone else hurt because of what I am.one last thing" Dani said "What's that?" asked Methos "Promise me that you won't tell Duncan where I've gone or why" Methos turned away from Dani "Promise me.Adam" "Ok.now go before I change my mind" Dani leant back into the car and kissed Methos on the cheek "Thanks.your not as bad as I thought" she then closed the door and waved as she disappeared into the airport. Methos watched as she disappeared 'I'll give you a few days.but Mac needs to know about Hamilton' he thought before putting the car into gear "he isn't going to like this" he said to himself as he pulled away.
The Loft - The next day.
The sunlight fell onto Duncan's face, he turned over, his hand searching for Dani but he only found an empty space. The empty bed brought him fully awake, he sat up and looked around the loft, he couldn't see Dani and he couldn't sense her. He through back the covers, leaped up pulling on his trousers, he was about to go down to the dojo when he noticed the envelope propped against the lamp. He picked it up, turning it over, he flicked open the flap, pulling out the paper held inside, he unfolded the single page and read.
Duncan
I'm sorry to say goodbye in this way but I think it will be easier for both of us. I'm sorry to do this but it's the best of everyone, your right I don't seem to be the same as others, I can't control what is happening to me, I need some time to myself, some time to sort out who and what I am.
These past few weeks have been the best of my life and you have become very important to me Duncan and though it breaks my heart to have to leave I know it's for the best. Why didn't I wait to talk to you, well one look into your eyes and I would have lost my conviction and stayed. Thank you for everything that you have done for me, I won't forget you and please don't worry about me.
I hope you aren't angry with me and that we will meet again one day. Please take care of yourself and remember me well.
All my Love Dani
He check the loft nearly all her clothes were gone, his eyes then fell on the black sword case, he walked over, he ran his hands over the lid, feeling the black leather beneath his fingers 'please let it be empty' he thought as he lifted the lid but there laying in the silk was the blue katana "Damn" Duncan exclaimed out loud, as he slammed the case closed. Duncan finished dressing quickly, he then grabbed the phone 'Dawson might know' the phone rang for sometime before a sleepy Joe answered "Joe.it's MacLeod"
"Mac.do you know what time it is?" Joe replied "Sorry it's so earlier Joe.but I'm hoping you can help me.Dani's gone.she left during the night.please tell me that you have a watcher on her" Joe could hear concern in Duncan's voice "Sorry Mac.I haven't got round to it.but I'm sure she will be back" there was a short silence before Duncan replied "No she won't.she took all her clothes Joe"
"You said yourself the other day that she was getting pretty good with a sword.maybe she thought that it was time for her to leave.all student leave at some point.you know that" Joe replied. "Joe.She didn't take her sword" Duncan could hear Joe's sharp intake of breath "I'll check with the other watchers in the area.see if they've seen her.it's gona take sometime though Mac"
"Thanks Joe.I'm going to check her apartment and the hostel.I'll catch you later" Duncan said before putting the phone down. After checking Dani's apartment and talking with Father Peter about places Dani might have gone, Duncan was no closer to finding her. He stopped by Joe's that evening but Joe hadn't found out anything to help him.
Rain hammered against the windowpane causing Methos to look up from the papers that were strewn over his desk, he pinched the top of his nose closing his eyes tightly, as he stretched, he then reached for the next stack of papers. Flicking over the first pages he came across some pages where the writing was faded he reached over, pulling the desk lamp closer so he could read the text easier, he jotted a few notes on the pad he had in front of him, he then sat back in the red leather chair threw the pencil onto the desk "That could be one reason why" he exclaimed he then looked at his watched 'it's a bit later to ring MacLeod now' he thought.
As he sensed the presence of an Immortal his eyes searched the room for the direction of the other Immortal, he reached across switching the desk lamp off, darkness fell over the room. He stood up and carefully made his way across the room to where his coat and sword were hanging, when there was a knock at the front door, drawing his sword from his coat he walked cautiously to the door standing to one side, he turned the key unlocking the it, he then put both hands back onto his sword as the handle turned he brought the sword back ready to strike as the door opened "Dani!" he said dropping his sword down by his side, as he recognised the bedraggled figure who entered. "Sorry Adam.to call so late.but I need your help" Methos gestured for her to come inside, he looked passed her "Where is MacLeod?" he questioned, "It's me that needs your help" Dani replied. Methos showed her into the study this time turning on the main light "So what can I help you with that MacLeod can't?" Methos said as he went over to the table on the far side of the room, where three crystal decanters were standing, taking hold of the middle one which he raised it towards Dani who shook her head "I need your experience of.disappearing.I must leave.tonight Adam" Dani said.
"But why me.Mac could help you just as much as I can" Methos replied pouring himself a whisky. He then walked over to his desk and leant back against it and took a drink from his glass "No not like you.you've had 5000 years to work on it.and you're good at it.Methos" A look of horror came over Methos as he nearly choked on the whisky "W.What did you just call me?"
"Methos.that's your real name isn't it" Methos turned his face away placing his hand over his mouth, "MacLeod told you?" he said as he turned back to face her. Dani smiled at him as she sat down in the nearest chair, she rested her right elbow on the arm of the chair and her head in her hand "No.Duncan didn't tell me.you did". Methos walked over to the desk switching the desk lamp on, he picked up the handwritten papers he was reading earlier, he re-read the last few passages, he then turned back to Dani "I see.I think I understand.but why do you want to leave?" Dani explained all about the growing headaches and about Hamilton and some of what he had told her "I need to be alone Adam.to try and get this under control.if I stay I could be a danger to Duncan and all those around him.will you help me?" Dani pleaded.
"You know you should talk this though with MacLeod" Methos said as he walked over to her, he could see from her eyes that he wasn't convincing her "I've found some text that I think relates to what you are going through.MacLeod knows someone who might be able to help you.you just have to give him time to sort it out" Dani stood up "I'm leaving tonight Adam.Methos.with or without your help.I'm not very good at disappearing but I will leave tonight" Methos raised his hands in defeat "OK..OK.have you a passport?" Dani nodded and she handed it to him, he went back to his desk and opened his laptop computer, it seemed long time to Dani while she waited, finally Methos turned off the computer and returned her passport to her "I've managed to get you on a flight to London.and I've wired some money for you to pick up once you arrive" Methos said handing her a piece of paper "you didn't have to do that.I have some money of my own" Methos smiled at her "it is always easier to disappear if you have money.trust me" he held out his hand come on.I'll take you to the airport.that way I can be sure that you don't run into Hamilton. I had a feeling that man couldn't be trusted" Dani followed Methos out to his car.
Methos stopped the car outside the airport's main terminal building "Still time to change your mind.you know.MacLeod isn't going to like this.not to mention if he finds out I helped you" Dani smiled at him "This is for the best Adam.I can't let anyone else hurt because of what I am.one last thing" Dani said "What's that?" asked Methos "Promise me that you won't tell Duncan where I've gone or why" Methos turned away from Dani "Promise me.Adam" "Ok.now go before I change my mind" Dani leant back into the car and kissed Methos on the cheek "Thanks.your not as bad as I thought" she then closed the door and waved as she disappeared into the airport. Methos watched as she disappeared 'I'll give you a few days.but Mac needs to know about Hamilton' he thought before putting the car into gear "he isn't going to like this" he said to himself as he pulled away.
The Loft - The next day.
The sunlight fell onto Duncan's face, he turned over, his hand searching for Dani but he only found an empty space. The empty bed brought him fully awake, he sat up and looked around the loft, he couldn't see Dani and he couldn't sense her. He through back the covers, leaped up pulling on his trousers, he was about to go down to the dojo when he noticed the envelope propped against the lamp. He picked it up, turning it over, he flicked open the flap, pulling out the paper held inside, he unfolded the single page and read.
Duncan
I'm sorry to say goodbye in this way but I think it will be easier for both of us. I'm sorry to do this but it's the best of everyone, your right I don't seem to be the same as others, I can't control what is happening to me, I need some time to myself, some time to sort out who and what I am.
These past few weeks have been the best of my life and you have become very important to me Duncan and though it breaks my heart to have to leave I know it's for the best. Why didn't I wait to talk to you, well one look into your eyes and I would have lost my conviction and stayed. Thank you for everything that you have done for me, I won't forget you and please don't worry about me.
I hope you aren't angry with me and that we will meet again one day. Please take care of yourself and remember me well.
All my Love Dani
He check the loft nearly all her clothes were gone, his eyes then fell on the black sword case, he walked over, he ran his hands over the lid, feeling the black leather beneath his fingers 'please let it be empty' he thought as he lifted the lid but there laying in the silk was the blue katana "Damn" Duncan exclaimed out loud, as he slammed the case closed. Duncan finished dressing quickly, he then grabbed the phone 'Dawson might know' the phone rang for sometime before a sleepy Joe answered "Joe.it's MacLeod"
"Mac.do you know what time it is?" Joe replied "Sorry it's so earlier Joe.but I'm hoping you can help me.Dani's gone.she left during the night.please tell me that you have a watcher on her" Joe could hear concern in Duncan's voice "Sorry Mac.I haven't got round to it.but I'm sure she will be back" there was a short silence before Duncan replied "No she won't.she took all her clothes Joe"
"You said yourself the other day that she was getting pretty good with a sword.maybe she thought that it was time for her to leave.all student leave at some point.you know that" Joe replied. "Joe.She didn't take her sword" Duncan could hear Joe's sharp intake of breath "I'll check with the other watchers in the area.see if they've seen her.it's gona take sometime though Mac"
"Thanks Joe.I'm going to check her apartment and the hostel.I'll catch you later" Duncan said before putting the phone down. After checking Dani's apartment and talking with Father Peter about places Dani might have gone, Duncan was no closer to finding her. He stopped by Joe's that evening but Joe hadn't found out anything to help him.