Chapter 41
Methos was a few yards ahead of Dani as they walked down the mountainside towards the Inn, as he reached the dirt road that ran along one side of the loch he turned back to see how far behind Dani was. He was just in time to see Dani stumble and fall to her knees, Methos shook his head and sighed before climbing back up the grass bank towards her, as he got closer he could see the tears streaming down her face "come on we've no time for this" he said as he went to lift her onto her feet but Dani resisted bring out her sword she held it up to him "end this now.Methos please" she pleaded, a look of horror came across Methos's face "Stop being so mellow dramatic.Mac wouldn't appreciate it and neither do I" he replied knocking her sword from her hands "now get up and let's get going" he said as he turned to walk down the bank to the loch.
'Fine.then you leave me no choice' Dani thought as she picked up her sword and used it to help her to her feet. Dani took a deep breath and started to run towards Methos, who turned round just in time to realise what she was doing and side step the blow. "What are you doing?" he shouted as he brought out his sword "the only thing left for me.sorry Methos but I have no choice" she replied as she thrust her sword towards his chest, Methos blocked the blow with easy "you don't want to do this" he said as he made his way onto the path, Dani tried again to attack but this time Methos was more than ready, as she charged towards him he knocked her sword down and as her momentum carried her past him he kicked the back of her knee sending her crashing to the ground. Methos then walked over to her bring his sword up to her throat "Get up" he ordered as he let his sword just bite into her neck, with the pressure of his sword at her throat Dani did as she was asked, she turned to Methos "why won't you end this?" she asked. Methos dropped his sword "Two reasons mainly.one you don't deserve to die and secondly I don't want a grief stricken Scotsman hunting me".
Methos put his sword back into his coat and then he took Dani's hand relieving her of her sword "I think I should keep hold of this.don't you" after he slipped Dani's sword into his coat alongside his own he slipped his arm around her "I understand what you were trying to do.but it's not the answer.there are many things to try first" he said as they started walking, they hadn't gone more than a hundred yards when Dani stopped and turned to face Methos, her eyes searching his "Adam.if this happens again.I mean.that I use my gift to hurt someone.promise me something please" Methos lent his head to one side and narrowed his eyes "You want me to take your head?" Dani nodded and dropped her eyes "It might come to that Adam.and if it does I don't want to cause Duncan anymore pain" Methos put his hands onto her upper arms " but you don't mind causing me pain?" he replied, Dani smiled weakly at him "it's not that Adam.I've seen into your mind.you're a survivor and I know that you will do what ever is necessary to achieve that.and you realise how much of a threat the knowledge I posses could be to you and the others if someone else takes my head" Methos could see that tears were starting to well up in her eyes again "you've managed to learn to close off areas of your mind so that thing don't haunt you.Duncan would torture himself trying to find reason where there isn't any.instead of just accepting what has to be.please promise me" she pleaded.
Methos took hold of her hand and brought it up to his lips kissing it lightly "for someone who has only known us a short time.you know us all too well" he said smiling "if it should come to it.and I don't think it will.I promise" he then took her by the hand and they walked back to the inn.
As they walked closer to the Inn they both felt the presence of an Immortal and they both knew that it must be Cassandra waiting inside. Methos hesitated at the door as in the distance he saw lighting light up the sky. Dani became aware of Methos's apprehension as he pushed the door open. The room was empty except for Cassandra sitting by the fire; she turned towards the door as it opened "Duncan?" her face-harden when Methos stepped into the room "Methos.what are you doing here?" she said her hand reaching for her sword.
Methos walked forward his hands outstretched "Look I don't want any trouble.I'm here to help.didn't MacLeod tell you I was coming?" Cassandra slid her sword back into the folds of her cape but her hand hovered close to the fabric encase she had to act quickly "No.he didn't.if your here for her head.you will have to face me" Cassandra said pointing towards Dani "if I was I could've taken it on the mountain.I'm just here to help my friends the same as you" Dani could see the rage in Cassandra's eyes, she fired angry questions at Methos trying to trip him up and find his real intent, the room started to fill with hate, Dani backed silently out of the Inn, unnoticed, her head felt that it would explode with all the images emanating from the of them, so she disappeared into the night.
It was sometime before Duncan pulled the Land Rover up outside the Inn, he was dirty from the fight and exhausted from the quickening. He wearily pushed open the door and was greeted to the sound of raised voices which only stopped as he walked into the room "you look like hell, MacLeod" Methos exclaimed, "you should have seen the other guy" Duncan replied with a weak smile as he sat in a nearby chair "so Methos what was so important that you travelled all this way?" Duncan asked, "Oh yes.I nearly forgot" Methos replied looking around he noticed his bags lying next to the bar. He unzipped the front pocket on the first bag and pulled out a small faded blue velvet bag, he walked over to Duncan and handed him the bag "Where did you get this?" Duncan asked. "Courtesy .of the Watchers" Methos sat down opposite Duncan "Does Joe know you have this?" Methos smiled and nodded "yes he set it up so that I could get into the locker where Luther's thing are kept.none of them knew what they had in there".
Duncan untied the silken cord that surround the bag and held out his hand, he then tipped up the bag; a gold necklace fell into his hand, the light from the fire glinting off of the small shape on the chain, he turn it over in his hand. There was a fine gold chain linked to a gold pendant, his fingers traced the three spirals that all linked to a central white stone. Cassandra had been watching from her seat by the fire she got to her feet and walked quickly over to Duncan "Is that what I think it is?" she asked as she reached out her hand, Duncan handed the necklace to her "you tell me.is it the amulet?" he asked hopefully, Cassandra turned it over in her hands "I've never seen it before but it looks just like.how it was described to me" Cassandra said as her finger traced the spirals, her finger lingered over the milky white stone in the centre "but there is only one way to know for sure" Duncan was about to ask how they could be sure when he realised that Dani wasn't there "Where is Dani?" he asked and the others looked around "she was just there" Methos replied pointing to an empty chair by the door . Duncan's eyes flashed with anger "You were supposed to be taking care of her.I suppose you two were too busy arguing about the past to notice her leave.she must have been scared after all.you too have a lot of history.come on" Duncan said as he made for the door "where are we going?" Methos asked as he followed Duncan into the night, Cassandra followed close behind as they walked through the village.
As they walked Methos put his hand in his coat "I think you had better look after this" he said handing Duncan the blue katana "this is Dani's.what are you doing with it?" Duncan asked as he took hold of the sword "I thought it was wise to relieve her of it.before she tried again to relieve me of my head". Duncan stopped "but why did she attack you?" Methos had walked a few steps ahead of Duncan he stopped and turned back when he realised that Duncan wasn't following "she wasn't really going for my head.she wanted me to take her head.and when I refused she attacked me.I suppose she thought that in the heat of battle I would be tempted to do what she asked" he saw the look of horror on Duncan's face "yes, I was tempted.anyone would.to have that kind of power is a temptation for anyone.but I knew it wasn't a serious attempt so I took it from her" Cassandra had caught up with them and had heard the conversation "Duncan, Dani overheard us the other night.she must think that is the only option she has left" Duncan looked at both of the other Immortals before walking quickly towards the church without saying another word.
As they reached the church they all felt the same sensation and knew that Dani was inside, "how did you know she would be here?" Methos said as he touched Duncan's arm "you don't have to be able to read minds to know how some people react to things.whenever Dani is scared she heads for the nearest church" Duncan replied, Methos nodded "no a bad habit for one of us".
"I'll go in first.give me a few minutes and then come in.she's frighten and I don't want to make it any worse" Duncan said quietly to the others who nodded their agreement. The old wooden door creaked as Duncan pushed it open, the church was in darkness except for the moonlight coming through the stain glass windows, in the gloom Duncan could see Dani on her knees in front of the altar. He walked down the aisle towards her and as he got closer he heard her speak and it sent a chill down his spine "Please, tell you have come to end this nightmare.to give me peace and I will go with you" Duncan sat down in the front pew "if you mean am I here to take your head.then the answer is no.I'm here to help you" as Dani looked round Duncan could see the moonlight glisten off the tears that streamed down her face "Dani what you did to Robert was wrong.you know that.I also know you did it because you felt you had no choice.you thought it was the only way to save Rachel.it's not as though you enjoyed it" Dani stood up and walked towards him her eyes connecting with his "If only that were true Duncan.but when he fell to his knees in front of me.I could've stopped there but I enjoyed his helplessness and the pain I was causing.if you hadn't stopped me.I would have killed him" Duncan moved to embrace her but she stepped back, his arms fell down to his sides "All I did was talk to you.you stopped yourself not me.your not evil Dani" Duncan heard the church door creak as Methos and Cassandra joined them in the church, Cassandra walked up the aisle towards the altar "Dani listen to my words.you are safe now.Duncan speaks the truth.come to me" Cassandra could see that Dani was resisting her and knew that her power had grown "you have nothing to fear.from me or Duncan.Please let us help you" to her relief Dani slowly started to walk towards her, as Dani got close Cassandra lifted the necklace so that she could slip it over Dani's head.
They all watched as Cassandra placed the necklace over Dani's neck "Well is it the amulet?" Duncan asked impatiently, "patience Duncan" Cassandra answered. Dani looked down at the necklace, she picked up the pendant and as her fingers traced the shape of the three spirals, the stone in the centre started to glow, Cassandra took hold of Duncan's arm and smiled warmly at him "yes Duncan, it's the amulet.it didn't change for me.but look at the stone" They all watched as the stone changed several different colours before returning to the milky white it had been in Cassandra's hands. As Dani watched the colours she felt her mind clearing, there was no longer the jumble of images that had haunted her days since she became Immortal. Duncan and the others noticed that Dani's face relaxed, she looked at them one at a time, she could still see images from them but only as she concentrated on them "Duncan it's over.it's really over" Duncan move towards her folding his arms around her and they stood for a few minutes in each other's arms. Duncan then felt Cassandra's hand on his arm "We should be getting back.Rachel will be getting worried" Duncan nodded and with his arm around Dani they followed Cassandra and Methos back to the Inn.
Methos was a few yards ahead of Dani as they walked down the mountainside towards the Inn, as he reached the dirt road that ran along one side of the loch he turned back to see how far behind Dani was. He was just in time to see Dani stumble and fall to her knees, Methos shook his head and sighed before climbing back up the grass bank towards her, as he got closer he could see the tears streaming down her face "come on we've no time for this" he said as he went to lift her onto her feet but Dani resisted bring out her sword she held it up to him "end this now.Methos please" she pleaded, a look of horror came across Methos's face "Stop being so mellow dramatic.Mac wouldn't appreciate it and neither do I" he replied knocking her sword from her hands "now get up and let's get going" he said as he turned to walk down the bank to the loch.
'Fine.then you leave me no choice' Dani thought as she picked up her sword and used it to help her to her feet. Dani took a deep breath and started to run towards Methos, who turned round just in time to realise what she was doing and side step the blow. "What are you doing?" he shouted as he brought out his sword "the only thing left for me.sorry Methos but I have no choice" she replied as she thrust her sword towards his chest, Methos blocked the blow with easy "you don't want to do this" he said as he made his way onto the path, Dani tried again to attack but this time Methos was more than ready, as she charged towards him he knocked her sword down and as her momentum carried her past him he kicked the back of her knee sending her crashing to the ground. Methos then walked over to her bring his sword up to her throat "Get up" he ordered as he let his sword just bite into her neck, with the pressure of his sword at her throat Dani did as she was asked, she turned to Methos "why won't you end this?" she asked. Methos dropped his sword "Two reasons mainly.one you don't deserve to die and secondly I don't want a grief stricken Scotsman hunting me".
Methos put his sword back into his coat and then he took Dani's hand relieving her of her sword "I think I should keep hold of this.don't you" after he slipped Dani's sword into his coat alongside his own he slipped his arm around her "I understand what you were trying to do.but it's not the answer.there are many things to try first" he said as they started walking, they hadn't gone more than a hundred yards when Dani stopped and turned to face Methos, her eyes searching his "Adam.if this happens again.I mean.that I use my gift to hurt someone.promise me something please" Methos lent his head to one side and narrowed his eyes "You want me to take your head?" Dani nodded and dropped her eyes "It might come to that Adam.and if it does I don't want to cause Duncan anymore pain" Methos put his hands onto her upper arms " but you don't mind causing me pain?" he replied, Dani smiled weakly at him "it's not that Adam.I've seen into your mind.you're a survivor and I know that you will do what ever is necessary to achieve that.and you realise how much of a threat the knowledge I posses could be to you and the others if someone else takes my head" Methos could see that tears were starting to well up in her eyes again "you've managed to learn to close off areas of your mind so that thing don't haunt you.Duncan would torture himself trying to find reason where there isn't any.instead of just accepting what has to be.please promise me" she pleaded.
Methos took hold of her hand and brought it up to his lips kissing it lightly "for someone who has only known us a short time.you know us all too well" he said smiling "if it should come to it.and I don't think it will.I promise" he then took her by the hand and they walked back to the inn.
As they walked closer to the Inn they both felt the presence of an Immortal and they both knew that it must be Cassandra waiting inside. Methos hesitated at the door as in the distance he saw lighting light up the sky. Dani became aware of Methos's apprehension as he pushed the door open. The room was empty except for Cassandra sitting by the fire; she turned towards the door as it opened "Duncan?" her face-harden when Methos stepped into the room "Methos.what are you doing here?" she said her hand reaching for her sword.
Methos walked forward his hands outstretched "Look I don't want any trouble.I'm here to help.didn't MacLeod tell you I was coming?" Cassandra slid her sword back into the folds of her cape but her hand hovered close to the fabric encase she had to act quickly "No.he didn't.if your here for her head.you will have to face me" Cassandra said pointing towards Dani "if I was I could've taken it on the mountain.I'm just here to help my friends the same as you" Dani could see the rage in Cassandra's eyes, she fired angry questions at Methos trying to trip him up and find his real intent, the room started to fill with hate, Dani backed silently out of the Inn, unnoticed, her head felt that it would explode with all the images emanating from the of them, so she disappeared into the night.
It was sometime before Duncan pulled the Land Rover up outside the Inn, he was dirty from the fight and exhausted from the quickening. He wearily pushed open the door and was greeted to the sound of raised voices which only stopped as he walked into the room "you look like hell, MacLeod" Methos exclaimed, "you should have seen the other guy" Duncan replied with a weak smile as he sat in a nearby chair "so Methos what was so important that you travelled all this way?" Duncan asked, "Oh yes.I nearly forgot" Methos replied looking around he noticed his bags lying next to the bar. He unzipped the front pocket on the first bag and pulled out a small faded blue velvet bag, he walked over to Duncan and handed him the bag "Where did you get this?" Duncan asked. "Courtesy .of the Watchers" Methos sat down opposite Duncan "Does Joe know you have this?" Methos smiled and nodded "yes he set it up so that I could get into the locker where Luther's thing are kept.none of them knew what they had in there".
Duncan untied the silken cord that surround the bag and held out his hand, he then tipped up the bag; a gold necklace fell into his hand, the light from the fire glinting off of the small shape on the chain, he turn it over in his hand. There was a fine gold chain linked to a gold pendant, his fingers traced the three spirals that all linked to a central white stone. Cassandra had been watching from her seat by the fire she got to her feet and walked quickly over to Duncan "Is that what I think it is?" she asked as she reached out her hand, Duncan handed the necklace to her "you tell me.is it the amulet?" he asked hopefully, Cassandra turned it over in her hands "I've never seen it before but it looks just like.how it was described to me" Cassandra said as her finger traced the spirals, her finger lingered over the milky white stone in the centre "but there is only one way to know for sure" Duncan was about to ask how they could be sure when he realised that Dani wasn't there "Where is Dani?" he asked and the others looked around "she was just there" Methos replied pointing to an empty chair by the door . Duncan's eyes flashed with anger "You were supposed to be taking care of her.I suppose you two were too busy arguing about the past to notice her leave.she must have been scared after all.you too have a lot of history.come on" Duncan said as he made for the door "where are we going?" Methos asked as he followed Duncan into the night, Cassandra followed close behind as they walked through the village.
As they walked Methos put his hand in his coat "I think you had better look after this" he said handing Duncan the blue katana "this is Dani's.what are you doing with it?" Duncan asked as he took hold of the sword "I thought it was wise to relieve her of it.before she tried again to relieve me of my head". Duncan stopped "but why did she attack you?" Methos had walked a few steps ahead of Duncan he stopped and turned back when he realised that Duncan wasn't following "she wasn't really going for my head.she wanted me to take her head.and when I refused she attacked me.I suppose she thought that in the heat of battle I would be tempted to do what she asked" he saw the look of horror on Duncan's face "yes, I was tempted.anyone would.to have that kind of power is a temptation for anyone.but I knew it wasn't a serious attempt so I took it from her" Cassandra had caught up with them and had heard the conversation "Duncan, Dani overheard us the other night.she must think that is the only option she has left" Duncan looked at both of the other Immortals before walking quickly towards the church without saying another word.
As they reached the church they all felt the same sensation and knew that Dani was inside, "how did you know she would be here?" Methos said as he touched Duncan's arm "you don't have to be able to read minds to know how some people react to things.whenever Dani is scared she heads for the nearest church" Duncan replied, Methos nodded "no a bad habit for one of us".
"I'll go in first.give me a few minutes and then come in.she's frighten and I don't want to make it any worse" Duncan said quietly to the others who nodded their agreement. The old wooden door creaked as Duncan pushed it open, the church was in darkness except for the moonlight coming through the stain glass windows, in the gloom Duncan could see Dani on her knees in front of the altar. He walked down the aisle towards her and as he got closer he heard her speak and it sent a chill down his spine "Please, tell you have come to end this nightmare.to give me peace and I will go with you" Duncan sat down in the front pew "if you mean am I here to take your head.then the answer is no.I'm here to help you" as Dani looked round Duncan could see the moonlight glisten off the tears that streamed down her face "Dani what you did to Robert was wrong.you know that.I also know you did it because you felt you had no choice.you thought it was the only way to save Rachel.it's not as though you enjoyed it" Dani stood up and walked towards him her eyes connecting with his "If only that were true Duncan.but when he fell to his knees in front of me.I could've stopped there but I enjoyed his helplessness and the pain I was causing.if you hadn't stopped me.I would have killed him" Duncan moved to embrace her but she stepped back, his arms fell down to his sides "All I did was talk to you.you stopped yourself not me.your not evil Dani" Duncan heard the church door creak as Methos and Cassandra joined them in the church, Cassandra walked up the aisle towards the altar "Dani listen to my words.you are safe now.Duncan speaks the truth.come to me" Cassandra could see that Dani was resisting her and knew that her power had grown "you have nothing to fear.from me or Duncan.Please let us help you" to her relief Dani slowly started to walk towards her, as Dani got close Cassandra lifted the necklace so that she could slip it over Dani's head.
They all watched as Cassandra placed the necklace over Dani's neck "Well is it the amulet?" Duncan asked impatiently, "patience Duncan" Cassandra answered. Dani looked down at the necklace, she picked up the pendant and as her fingers traced the shape of the three spirals, the stone in the centre started to glow, Cassandra took hold of Duncan's arm and smiled warmly at him "yes Duncan, it's the amulet.it didn't change for me.but look at the stone" They all watched as the stone changed several different colours before returning to the milky white it had been in Cassandra's hands. As Dani watched the colours she felt her mind clearing, there was no longer the jumble of images that had haunted her days since she became Immortal. Duncan and the others noticed that Dani's face relaxed, she looked at them one at a time, she could still see images from them but only as she concentrated on them "Duncan it's over.it's really over" Duncan move towards her folding his arms around her and they stood for a few minutes in each other's arms. Duncan then felt Cassandra's hand on his arm "We should be getting back.Rachel will be getting worried" Duncan nodded and with his arm around Dani they followed Cassandra and Methos back to the Inn.