CHAPTER 54
Duncan and Ellen had to wait four hours before they could get a plane to Paris that would connect with Munich. That meant it would be a day and a half before he could get there.
Ellen reached over and put her hand on his fingers, stopping the mindless drumming he'd been doing on the armrest between their seats. "Do you have to do that?"
"Do what?" he asked before looking down at his hand and realizing what she meant. "Sorry, nervous habit."
"Do you really think Adam would go to such an extreme to call you out? I mean why would he need to bring anyone else into this. He could have come straight for you any time. It's not like you are the type to run." Ellen noted in a hushed tone.
"I don't know what else to think. Amanda's in Munich and then he calls me on Claudia's phone, which tells me he was in on her abduction as well. What other explanation could there be?" Duncan played it all over and over in his head until he nearly made himself ill. It was bad enough Methos appeared to be targeting every immortal important to him. What surprised him the most was the idea that Joe would fall victim in all this. Of all of them he thought Methos would respect the relationship he'd had with Joe enough to leave him out of this vicious rampage he was hell bent on fulfilling.
"He did seem to be pretty cold." Ellen replied when Duncan remained lost in his thoughts. "I still can't see you having someone like him for a friend. He seems so different."
"He is different." Duncan wondered just how much of Methos' true personality he'd missed or chosen to ignore. He'd truly thought the man was his friend. It hadn't been too long ago he'd even described him as almost a brother when speaking to Rick Shaffer at the New Year's Eve party.
Ellen could see Duncan wanted to be left alone, so she decided to make the most of the late flight and snuggled back into the seat to sleep.
Beside her Duncan was replaying every conversation he'd ever had with Methos. His mind revisited that fateful day when his friend had so plainly and proudly recited his history as one of the Horsemen. He'd seen something spark in those cold eyes that had given him a glimmer of insight into just how dark a soul could become. But after Methos orchestrated the demise of the other Horsemen and actively participated, he really thought they'd turned a corner. It took time for Duncan to really trust him or feel comfortable with him again, but it had happened.
Now the only conclusion he could draw was to believe that Methos had turned back into the monster that had wandered three continents destroying everything and everyone in his path. He felt a deep pain in the hollow of his ribcage and shook off the desire to let himself mourn the loss. He couldn't afford to feel any pity or sympathy if he had any hope of rescuing the others, that is if he found them alive.
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Rick Shaffer continued with his plan from his hotel near the villa in Italy. He'd decided to stay there until the time was right and let minions do his bidding until the last minute. It was better that way and would keep Duncan from putting two and two together if he accidentally stumbled upon him in Munich.
With his inside connections within the airline industry, it hadn't taken much effort to find out which flight MacLeod had taken or when he would arrive in Munich. Shaffer planned to have a little something ready for him the minute he stepped into the terminal.
"Is everything in place?" he asked the man on the other end.
"Yes Mr. Shaffer. I've reserved a room at the Hotel Jederman as you requested. It's only five minutes from the central train station and should serve your purposes well."
"Let me know when he has arrived." Shaffer responded. His next call was to Garrett.
"It's time." He told him. "Be ready to contact MacLeod tomorrow night and say everything just as I told you." Shaffer gave Garrett the number and reminded him that his future depended on following orders to the letter.
Garrett hung up the phone and looked up to see Helen coming downstairs with Cassie.
"She's up from her nap early isn't she?"
"She was a little fussy, but I'll get her to bed early tonight." Helen replied as she started to pass him on the way to the summer room.
"I'll take her." He said, reaching for the baby. "If you'd like, you can have the rest of the night off."
"But I was just going to give her a bottle." Helen replied.
"Prepare it and bring it upstairs. We'll be in Beth's room." He told the woman.
"It will only take a minute. I heated it already."
Garrett waited and then carried the baby and her bottle upstairs.
Beth wasn't surprised to hear Garrett's knock, but she was completely at a loss for words when she saw he'd brought her daughter.
"Cassie" she exclaimed, rushing across the room. She stopped just a few steps away, unsure of what he had in mind and not wanting to presume and ruin this opportunity. Beth would be content to simply stand and stare at the beautiful cherub if that were all he allowed.
"Here, you take her." Garrett realized what was going on in her mind.
Beth didn't hesitate further but took Cassie in her arms and snuggled the baby tightly against her cheek. Cassie recognized her mother and immediately responded with a happy bubbling.
For the next half hour Garrett sat across the room and watched Beth become reacquainted with her daughter. He saw the color seem to rise in her cheeks and heard the sparkle return to her voice. "It's good to see you so happy Beth." He said when Cassie had finished eating and was lying on her mother's shoulder.
Beth wanted nothing more than to scream at him that he was the one responsible for ripping her happiness away and that she resented the power he had over her that dictated when she could and could not be with her own child. But those words could not be said . not now anyway. For now she had to concentrate on what would help she and Cassie escape all this one day. She focused on that possibility when she looked up at Garrett and managed to keep a smile on her face and in her eyes.
"Thank you for bringing her." She told him. "I know this hasn't been easy for either of us, and I can't honestly tell you I understand why you did this, but if it means that Cassie can be happy I'm willing to try."
Garrett got up from the chair and walked to sit beside her on the bed, reaching his hand out to caress the back of Cassie's head. "That's all I will ask you to do Beth, because I really believe that once you have a chance to think about it you will realize that Craig would want us to be a family. I know I can't take his place, but we know each other so well and I know we can be happy . the three of us. I'll always be here for you and for Cassie, for as long as both of you live I will be here.
"How can you promise that Garrett? I mean . I understand you want to, but what about the Game? What about the other immortals?" Beth tried to think of a way she could gain a connection with him. "I saw how Rick treated you the other day. I'm truly afraid he will make good on his threat if you cross him."
"I will be fine with Rick. He won't be coming around for awhile and when he does I'll make sure he doesn't bother you." Garrett said.
"But you are so new to this. How can you be sure some immortal won't show up one day and take your Quickening?" she asked.
"I may be new, but I'm not as green as you think. Rick found me a week after I became immortal and we spent the next 18 months training. He hired the best teachers, and I became quite skilled at several styles of swordsmanship."
"Garrett, have you ever taken a Quickening?" Beth asked, her voice quiet and her eyes wide as she realized he'd fooled them all.
Garrett smiled proudly. "I've taken four, the last one being one of those teachers Rick brought in to train me. God what a rush!" his voice and face showed his pleasure at the thought. "1,200 years old this guy was . a Samari no less. He gutted me pretty bad, but Rick had shown me the man's weakness and prepared me." Garrett stood and stepped away, pulling the sword Beth hadn't realized he was wearing out of it's hiding place and swiping wildly into the air. He imitated the move he'd used to first slice and then behead the man.
Beth jumped and pulled Cassie close to her body, which made Garrett stop and put the weapon away.
"I'm sorry. I'll try to keep this part of my life away from you and Cassie." He promised, gingerly reaching out this time to stroke Beth's cheek. "I can handle a challenge, and I can protect you both."
Beth felt her stomach begin to churn, but she swallowed the bile that rose in her throat and forced herself to let her cheek lean slightly into his touch. "I'm so sorry Adam" she said to herself as she let her eyes lock with Garrett's. She didn't trust herself to speak, but he took her silence and her gaze as acceptance.
Thankfully, Cassie stirred and interrupted the moment Garrett thought they were having.
"Helen has the night off. I'll bring the crib back in and Cassie can stay here with you tonight." He told her. "I'll leave you alone to get reacquainted."
Beth smiled and thanked him, but was never more relieved than when the door closed behind him.
"I'll get us back to your Daddy princess. I promise." She whispered as she rocked the child to sleep.
Duncan and Ellen had to wait four hours before they could get a plane to Paris that would connect with Munich. That meant it would be a day and a half before he could get there.
Ellen reached over and put her hand on his fingers, stopping the mindless drumming he'd been doing on the armrest between their seats. "Do you have to do that?"
"Do what?" he asked before looking down at his hand and realizing what she meant. "Sorry, nervous habit."
"Do you really think Adam would go to such an extreme to call you out? I mean why would he need to bring anyone else into this. He could have come straight for you any time. It's not like you are the type to run." Ellen noted in a hushed tone.
"I don't know what else to think. Amanda's in Munich and then he calls me on Claudia's phone, which tells me he was in on her abduction as well. What other explanation could there be?" Duncan played it all over and over in his head until he nearly made himself ill. It was bad enough Methos appeared to be targeting every immortal important to him. What surprised him the most was the idea that Joe would fall victim in all this. Of all of them he thought Methos would respect the relationship he'd had with Joe enough to leave him out of this vicious rampage he was hell bent on fulfilling.
"He did seem to be pretty cold." Ellen replied when Duncan remained lost in his thoughts. "I still can't see you having someone like him for a friend. He seems so different."
"He is different." Duncan wondered just how much of Methos' true personality he'd missed or chosen to ignore. He'd truly thought the man was his friend. It hadn't been too long ago he'd even described him as almost a brother when speaking to Rick Shaffer at the New Year's Eve party.
Ellen could see Duncan wanted to be left alone, so she decided to make the most of the late flight and snuggled back into the seat to sleep.
Beside her Duncan was replaying every conversation he'd ever had with Methos. His mind revisited that fateful day when his friend had so plainly and proudly recited his history as one of the Horsemen. He'd seen something spark in those cold eyes that had given him a glimmer of insight into just how dark a soul could become. But after Methos orchestrated the demise of the other Horsemen and actively participated, he really thought they'd turned a corner. It took time for Duncan to really trust him or feel comfortable with him again, but it had happened.
Now the only conclusion he could draw was to believe that Methos had turned back into the monster that had wandered three continents destroying everything and everyone in his path. He felt a deep pain in the hollow of his ribcage and shook off the desire to let himself mourn the loss. He couldn't afford to feel any pity or sympathy if he had any hope of rescuing the others, that is if he found them alive.
-----------------------
Rick Shaffer continued with his plan from his hotel near the villa in Italy. He'd decided to stay there until the time was right and let minions do his bidding until the last minute. It was better that way and would keep Duncan from putting two and two together if he accidentally stumbled upon him in Munich.
With his inside connections within the airline industry, it hadn't taken much effort to find out which flight MacLeod had taken or when he would arrive in Munich. Shaffer planned to have a little something ready for him the minute he stepped into the terminal.
"Is everything in place?" he asked the man on the other end.
"Yes Mr. Shaffer. I've reserved a room at the Hotel Jederman as you requested. It's only five minutes from the central train station and should serve your purposes well."
"Let me know when he has arrived." Shaffer responded. His next call was to Garrett.
"It's time." He told him. "Be ready to contact MacLeod tomorrow night and say everything just as I told you." Shaffer gave Garrett the number and reminded him that his future depended on following orders to the letter.
Garrett hung up the phone and looked up to see Helen coming downstairs with Cassie.
"She's up from her nap early isn't she?"
"She was a little fussy, but I'll get her to bed early tonight." Helen replied as she started to pass him on the way to the summer room.
"I'll take her." He said, reaching for the baby. "If you'd like, you can have the rest of the night off."
"But I was just going to give her a bottle." Helen replied.
"Prepare it and bring it upstairs. We'll be in Beth's room." He told the woman.
"It will only take a minute. I heated it already."
Garrett waited and then carried the baby and her bottle upstairs.
Beth wasn't surprised to hear Garrett's knock, but she was completely at a loss for words when she saw he'd brought her daughter.
"Cassie" she exclaimed, rushing across the room. She stopped just a few steps away, unsure of what he had in mind and not wanting to presume and ruin this opportunity. Beth would be content to simply stand and stare at the beautiful cherub if that were all he allowed.
"Here, you take her." Garrett realized what was going on in her mind.
Beth didn't hesitate further but took Cassie in her arms and snuggled the baby tightly against her cheek. Cassie recognized her mother and immediately responded with a happy bubbling.
For the next half hour Garrett sat across the room and watched Beth become reacquainted with her daughter. He saw the color seem to rise in her cheeks and heard the sparkle return to her voice. "It's good to see you so happy Beth." He said when Cassie had finished eating and was lying on her mother's shoulder.
Beth wanted nothing more than to scream at him that he was the one responsible for ripping her happiness away and that she resented the power he had over her that dictated when she could and could not be with her own child. But those words could not be said . not now anyway. For now she had to concentrate on what would help she and Cassie escape all this one day. She focused on that possibility when she looked up at Garrett and managed to keep a smile on her face and in her eyes.
"Thank you for bringing her." She told him. "I know this hasn't been easy for either of us, and I can't honestly tell you I understand why you did this, but if it means that Cassie can be happy I'm willing to try."
Garrett got up from the chair and walked to sit beside her on the bed, reaching his hand out to caress the back of Cassie's head. "That's all I will ask you to do Beth, because I really believe that once you have a chance to think about it you will realize that Craig would want us to be a family. I know I can't take his place, but we know each other so well and I know we can be happy . the three of us. I'll always be here for you and for Cassie, for as long as both of you live I will be here.
"How can you promise that Garrett? I mean . I understand you want to, but what about the Game? What about the other immortals?" Beth tried to think of a way she could gain a connection with him. "I saw how Rick treated you the other day. I'm truly afraid he will make good on his threat if you cross him."
"I will be fine with Rick. He won't be coming around for awhile and when he does I'll make sure he doesn't bother you." Garrett said.
"But you are so new to this. How can you be sure some immortal won't show up one day and take your Quickening?" she asked.
"I may be new, but I'm not as green as you think. Rick found me a week after I became immortal and we spent the next 18 months training. He hired the best teachers, and I became quite skilled at several styles of swordsmanship."
"Garrett, have you ever taken a Quickening?" Beth asked, her voice quiet and her eyes wide as she realized he'd fooled them all.
Garrett smiled proudly. "I've taken four, the last one being one of those teachers Rick brought in to train me. God what a rush!" his voice and face showed his pleasure at the thought. "1,200 years old this guy was . a Samari no less. He gutted me pretty bad, but Rick had shown me the man's weakness and prepared me." Garrett stood and stepped away, pulling the sword Beth hadn't realized he was wearing out of it's hiding place and swiping wildly into the air. He imitated the move he'd used to first slice and then behead the man.
Beth jumped and pulled Cassie close to her body, which made Garrett stop and put the weapon away.
"I'm sorry. I'll try to keep this part of my life away from you and Cassie." He promised, gingerly reaching out this time to stroke Beth's cheek. "I can handle a challenge, and I can protect you both."
Beth felt her stomach begin to churn, but she swallowed the bile that rose in her throat and forced herself to let her cheek lean slightly into his touch. "I'm so sorry Adam" she said to herself as she let her eyes lock with Garrett's. She didn't trust herself to speak, but he took her silence and her gaze as acceptance.
Thankfully, Cassie stirred and interrupted the moment Garrett thought they were having.
"Helen has the night off. I'll bring the crib back in and Cassie can stay here with you tonight." He told her. "I'll leave you alone to get reacquainted."
Beth smiled and thanked him, but was never more relieved than when the door closed behind him.
"I'll get us back to your Daddy princess. I promise." She whispered as she rocked the child to sleep.