*Author's Note: I'm sorry it has taken so long to update this story, but I
have had some personal medical issues that have kept me from doing so,
nothing serious though. I would like to tell SouthernChickie and blackblade
I have taken a good look at what they said, and I will make sure to watch
out for shifting tenses in the future. I hope you guys keep writing and
reviewing. So without further ado I present the next chapter in my saga.*
Part 9:
Jake unleashed a string of swears as he woke up in the alley. The smell of rotting trash had become way too familiar to him over the last six months along with the ever present numbness his body felt after sleeping outside in the cold. His back felt like it was several thousand knots slammed together with no way to release them. 'And lets not even get into the matter of my neck,' he thought.
The problem was he could only complain so much before he was forced to admit if only to himself that this was entirely his fault. 'Yeah, when you jump into things drunk and without thinking things through you end up flying by the seat of you pants. Considering how that usually leaves you just barely escaping capture Jake,' he thought. 'You or I or what the hell ever really need to start thinking, but then again I'm a guy for me to think is like 'Baywatch' to have a plot it's not going to happen.'
Jake's internal monologue. 'No,' he thought, 'let's call it what it is, my poor Jake whining because I can't actually think before I do anything thoughts.' Meaning I just barely avoided stumbling into a bum who was barely holding on to a bottle of Jack Daniels which caused him to shout out, "Hey watch where you're going,"
"Okay I'll do that, and then you stop being a lazy bum whose only talent in life if chugging Jack Daniels," Jake shouted back. Great, he thought. Now I have one more person angry at me. I wish I was some character in a story because I right about now the author could cut to another scene so no one will hear what I am about to think.
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Amanda let her thoughts wander as she made her escape from the warehouse in Seattle's dock area. Her need for the thrill of a good robbery had resurfaced after coming out of retirement to help Duncan steal the Cross of St whatever. I'm not exactly the most religious immortal, she thought. For her it had simply been that she had succumbed to an impulse. Okay, stealing several million in uncut diamonds wasn't exactly what many would consider an impulse especially with how carefully she planned out her thefts, but they were illegal war diamonds which made her one of the good guys. She was keeping the illegal suppliers from profiting from their shipment not that Macleod would see it that way, she thought. He would just go on and on about the morality of stealing, and after 300 or so years she really just kind of nodded her head not really listening to what he was saying.
"No alarms, no cops, and no immortals chasing me," she said as she got into her car, "Looks like today is my lucky day."
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Jake looks up at the sun and the sky as exits the alley. He'd always avoided using the very public streets unless absolutely necessary, and so he rarely felt the warmth of the sun on his face anymore. God this is nice, he thought. I wish this would last. I'm mean seriously it's like there is some author out there trying to get me to follow some convoluted plot that only makes sense in his deluded brain.
Inside his head it felt like a second voice was saying, "Why on earth did you say that? Haven't you learned by now that saying that is like saying, I'll be right back in a horror film you're always going to die!" Jake stopped and hung his head for a second not for the first time wondering at the sanity of his life. Then turned to look up, and was greeted by the smiling face of a Watcher sweeper. His face seemed lit by happiness, and it filled his words.
"Excuse me sir, but would you mind coming with me?"
Jake didn't answer he just punched the guy in the face, and turn bolting back down the alley as he screamed back, "Bet you weren't expecting that?"
However he stopped a couple of seconds later when he suddenly found himself looking into the faces of four watchers with guns drawn.
"Shit," meanwhile in his head a part of him laughed with what sounded a little to like an I told you so.
"Actually," the first watcher said once he caught up with Jake. "Well I guess I don't need to answer your question, do I? I mean it would be really obnoxious to rub your nose in it?"
"So does that mean I have to put up with this till you take me to your headquarters?"
"Trust me when I say that this is only the beginning," the first watcher said as he came up behind Jake making like he was going to cuff him. Which made the Watcher's action of drawing his gun, and firing at two other members of his team more shocking then it should have been. One of the four blocking his path had turned his firearm on the watcher closest to him, and in a second three of the five member team was dead.
Jake just turned to look at the two remaining watchers as they walked toward him with their guns drawn.
"So let me guess some of James Horton's friends, right? And isn't that son of a bitch dead?" The first watcher now walked up and slammed his pistol into the side of Jake's head. Jake dropped to the ground so fast he hit the ground before he knew what had happened.
"How daring you speak of Horton that way," the first watcher said as he dropped to his knees, and held the gun right up to Jake's head. Okay, Jake thought, I really need to come up with better plans then hit me till I'm so bloody you let your guard down.
Jake watched the watcher as he holstered his gun, and began to move to cuff him. At that point Jake moved grabbing the man's holstered gun, and holding him between him and the other watcher.
Taking the gun and placing it up to the man's chin Jake almost cheered, "You know I don't like getting pistol whipped, and so I think I'm going to give you a piece of.What the hell?"
Jake stopped as he felt something dig into his stomach, and the watcher in front of him had this look of surprise on his face. His eyes rolled up into his head, and then he dropped to the ground. The second watcher held his gun steady at Jake.
"Now you are going to come along peacefully and quietly. I don't like distractions and neither does Daniels, but you should know that. So get that shocked expression off your face Jake or I swear to god you wish I'll shot you." Okay he just killed his partner, Jake thought. There is no way on Earth he will keep any deal he makes with you, me, ohh whatever.
"Hey Jake this isn't thinking time. You either starting moving now or I will shoot you till you move."
Jake nodded his head then spoke, "So how fast does a bullet travel?"
Jake bolted back out toward the street, and hoping that whoever that guy was he wasn't going to open fire in a place crowded with people. Oh you so need to start working out, Jake's mind screamed. Alright I just cleared the alley, but no people I'm dead. That thought passed through Jake's head just as another bullet slammed into him. Jake felt his right leg go out, and his body hit pavement faster then a 21 year old on St. Patrick's Day. Okay seriously now, he thought as he struggled to his feet. I need to freakin' plan better! Or at least that was what he would have thought if the car that he hadn't seen hadn't just slammed into him and caused him to slide across the hood and land hard on his shoulder right in front of the driver's door.
"God hates me," Jake cried out in pain just as the driver's door slammed into his skull.
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Amanda's thought ranged from this is not my fault and Macleod is never going to believe me to even 1,500 year olds can't avoid someone who jumps out of nowhere into the middle of the street. Okay I just ran over someone in while I'm transporting stolen war diamonds. I so do not need to be running from a murder rap. So I'll just go out, and take him to a hospital.
As Amanda opened the door she heard the door hit the guys head, and heard something that sounded like, "God hates me."
Amanda looked down at the bloody mess in front of her, and tried to decide if it was already too late. He looked at her, and mumbled something. Amanda bent closer trying to hear what he was saying.
"Help me Amanda, please help me," Amanda didn't get a chance to recoil in shock because a stream of bullets now started flying in her direction from the alley. Grabbing him quickly Amanda through him into the backseat of her car, and then floored it as the bullets continued to impact her car.
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Jake opened his eyes and then immediately closed them. The light in the room was really to bright to handle. Okay, he thought, I am feeling crappy and am sensitive to light. I'm a vampire! Okay I apparently have lost a lot of blood as well because that was about the dumbest thing I have ever said, but then again I'm not talking I'm thinking which is an entirely different.
Jake stopped his minds ramblings for a second, and for a change the eternal mystery that is his mind calmed down. Must be the medication, he thought. Waite that doesn't.why do I even bother? Okay I'm not in a hospital I know that, and that means the watchers might know where I am.
"So you're awake now?" Amanda said as she moved toward Jake. "Cause I really would like an explanation for why you jumped in front of my car.?"
"I didn't jump in front of your car. You hit me Amanda, and unfortunately I don't have time to go through the usual witty banter people usually have to go through with you. We need to get out of here, and I do mean now!"
Amanda just looked at him, and Jake sighed. "Please you helped me this far, and I need you to trust me. I'm not safe here, and I need to get out of quickly or I'm dead."
"Would you care to explain why you are in such danger, and I took great care to make sure that no one would follow me."
"Even from your watcher?" Jake shot back with a sneer.
"The Watchers are after you, why?"
"I'll tell you when you get me on a plane out of Seattle?" Jake answered as he struggled to his feet.
"Oh, come on you have to give me more then that. You know my mine, about immortals, and even watchers if you want my help you have to give me something more," she replied.
Inside his Jake felt that little voice say, 'You just loving been the know it all, and no you have you the chance you have been waiting for. You really need to get a life.'
Jake tried to smile, and give off an impression of confidence but the pain he felt as he tried to move prevented that. So he just made sure he could look Amanda in the eye when he spoke, "Because Amanda what I know could decide the fate of us all: Watchers, and Immortals."
Five minutes later Amanda got them seats on a flight out of Seattle. Ten minutes after that they were out of her apartment. As Jake watched Amanda whip them through traffic to get to the airport a thought crossed his head, 'I am never driving with Amanda again!' As they barely missed another car, and Jake unleashed a string of swear words. Amanda just laughed saying that it would be okay she's never had an accident that she couldn't walk away from.
"Amanda you're immortal there really isn't any accident that you couldn't walk away from!" Jake shot back as Amanda shot them past and 18 wheeler. "I think I just escaped the firing squad to get killed in a fireball of death."
"Oh so does that mean you want me to go faster?"
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Joel Cohen started cursing in every one of the 22 languages that he knew. Daniels was going to kill him, he thought. I told him we should have killed him when we found him in Paris, but does anyone listen to me no. Now I lost Jake after tracking him for almost a year, and to Amanda. Who is no doubt going to take him to see Macleod, who is going to bring Joe Dawson into this mess, and all our work will get exposed! The only way I will survive is if I get to the airport and capture him before he leaves Seattle, and the odds of that happening are.I have no idea. I just don't think that they are good.
At that moment Joel's cell phone started ringing, "Cohen."
"Hey Cohen this Greg Sanders, Amanda and some guy who looks really pale pick up tickets on American Airlines flight 68 for Paris, it will be leaving in 15 minutes."
"Then I will be there in ten!"
Ten minutes later Joel was running through the airport with Greg Sanders and two other watchers posing as FBI agents. They reached the plane whose passengers were more then a little worried about seeing cops jump onto the plane. Joel really couldn't have cared less, and if it was a different place and time he would just have killed everyone on the plane.
"What seating Greg?"
The Younger man stammered a little then answered, "A26 B and C on the right."
Joel got there before anyone else, and then resumed the cursing he started in his car as he walked back. A Japanese man gave him an angry look as he covered his daughter's ears as he walked past. Ohh, Joel thought, how sweet daddy's making sure his daughter doesn't hear bad words. I want to puke.
"They aren't here," Joel said to the group, "Fan out I want every part of this airport checked. Even if it means tearing it down!"
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Joel gave American Flight 68 no more thought as it took off into the wild blue yonder. On board a Stewardess on board noticed a woman, and man leave the bathroom together. Some people, she thought. I mean really get a hold of your hormones people.
She had to hide her disgust as they were sitting right along her path, and her next stop.
"Excuse me stewardess my friend her isn't feeling well, and he just threw up in the bathroom could you please bring him some water?"
After looking over the woman's friend she noticed his how pale and weak he looked. She wasn't sure, but she thought she saw blood on his shirt.
"Of course ma'am."
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Daniels was reclining in his chair as he finished reading the report. Jake escapes once again, he thought. Well he always was tougher then he looked, and his timing couldn't have been better if I had planned it myself. With my established contacts with Dark Immortals and rogue watchers finally getting me exactly where I want his resurfacing can give me the cover to make my move.
Daniels stood up, and walked over to his computer. One little e-mail, he thought. And all the nice rogue watchers will be on Jake from the minute he reaches Paris. Macleod and his friends will have to deal with them before they even think about dealing with me.
Daniels felt his mind twirling with ideas and plans. God, he thought. I feel like God, and I am having so much fun its scary. I can't wait to see the watchers reactions if they thought a dark immortal winning the game was their worst nightmare wait till they get a hold of me.
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By the Amanda and her male companion he really had been conscious enough to tell her his name. He was clearly suffering from moving before his condition was stabilized, and the trip had definitely had a negatively affect on his health. I really have to get him to Macleod's before he dies on me.
She looked down at the sweating man who was struggling to keep himself conscious enough to get out of the airport.
"I should have had that drink last night," he said as the stumbled past customs.
Deciding that keeping him conscious would be better then dragging his limp body to a cab she continued replied, "Really what did you drink last night?"
"I can't go out drinking I told you that, but maybe we can go to a movie sometime."
Great, Amanda thought. Now he is so out of it he thinks he is breaking up with me. This had better win me some brownie points with Macleod or I will beat the crap out of him. God where's a taxi when you need one? And what the heck is he mumbling?
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Jake looked up into the bright light that created a circle of light around him in a room of darkness. Why does this feel so familiar? Jake thought as his scanned the darkness for something to indicate where he was. Suddenly his head was filled with searing pain, and Jake dropped to his knees.
"Oh quit your whining," a voice called out from the darkness.
"Who are you?" Jake got out between flashes of searing pain.
"Why do you care? You won't remember it anyway," the voice continued.
"What the hell is going on?" Jake demanded struggling to get to his feet even though the pain increased the more he forced himself up.
"You are fast approaching a moment of transition. You will have to make a choice, and you must choose wisely or all is lost."
"I don't understand? Choose what? What the hell is going on?" Jake called out as he finally succumbed to the pain, and started falling.
"Balance Jake," the voice continued as Jake drift back to consciousness, "You have to take responsibility for you choices, and deal with the consequences."
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Macleod was clearly away the remnants of his lunch when he felt the presence of another immortal. He was expecting Richie to stop by, but not for awhile and plus the strength of the immortal was a lot stronger then Richie's. He let go of his dishes, and moved closer to his sword as his front door flew open.
"Duncan, darling how wonderful to see you again," Amanda called out.
"Whatever it is Amanda the answer is no!" I really should just kick her out, Duncan thought. Every time she stops by someone or something comes after me, and I never learn.
Duncan's thoughts stopped right there as he noticed the figure hanging limply from Amanda's body. He was deathly pale, and clearly not immortal.
"I don't mean to impose Duncan, but HELP!" She called out as the man began to slip from her grasp. Duncan got over there before the body hit the floor. She comes in with a mortal who looks like he is about to drop dead any minute, he thought. Oh this is going to end well.
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Joe walked into Mac's barge like any friend walks into another home. That means he totally did not expect to see Duncan screaming at Amanda, and what looked like a pale bum passed out on Macleod's sofa.
"Who is he Amanda?"
Joe watched as Amanda rolled her eyes before she answered, "Like I told you for the fifth time I don't know, and why won't you believe me?"
"I don't know Amanda, well actually I do! The last time you said that I ended up getting shot by an FBI agent," Macleod shot back.
"But I wasn't lying I didn't know him," now it was Duncan's turn to roll his eyes and Amanda turned around. Her mood seemed to improve as soon as she saw Joe, "Joe good to see you. Maybe you can talk some sense into Duncan here."
Joe looked over to Duncan, "What's going on Macleod? You said you needed my help?" "Yeah, Amanda brought me an uninvited house guest in serious need of medical attention, and it needs to be discrete Joe. Apparently he is being hunted by someone."
Using his cane to steady himself Joe walked down the steps toward Duncan and Amanda. Okay who do I know that with medical training who can get here pronto, he thought?
"I think I know a guy, but I need to use your phone. I just used the last of my cell phone's battery, do you mind?"
"No go ahead Joe and hurry I don't know how much longer this guy will hold on."
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Joe's friend arrived a couple minutes later, and was able to stabilize the patient in half an hour. Meaning that while he was working Amanda had to endure being grilled by Joe and Macleod about her knew friend. Amanda sighed as she went over the story for the fifth time. I mean I knew guys were dense, but I always thought these two had some hope, she thought.
"So you hit him with your car he asked for your help, and then you drove off with him in a hail of gun fire, which you had nothing to do with?"
"Yes Duncan just like I said the last six times."
Duncan laughed, "Amanda you never help anyone out of the kindness of your heart, why were you really helping him?"
"Give me some credit Macleod. I mean after all these years don't you think you have had some impact on my behavior?" Joe and Duncan just exchanged a look that was as good as saying, yeah right.
"Fine," deciding that she might as well give the whole truth as she was sick of answer the same questions over and over again.
"I was just driving down the street when he jumped out into the road. I couldn't stop in time, and I hit him with my car. He flew over the hood, and landed right next to the driver's door. I got out, and he asked for my help so I pulled him into the car."
"Wait did he know your name?" Joe's asked.
"As a matter of fact he did? I did find that kind of odd," Amanda replied as she moved passed Joe to sit on the outside of the barge.
"And you didn't think that was worth mentioning the first time around?"
"Geez, Macleod I just assumed he was a watcher, or someone working with one," her tone as sarcastic as his, "Not that I could ask him. He wasn't conscious long enough to tell me."
Duncan walked over to Amanda, and pointed his right index finger right in her face, "So you have no idea who he is, and so your first thought is bring him to Duncan. You know one of these days Amanda you're going to have to clean up your own messes."
"Geez what's got your panties in a bunch Macleod, and I'm sorry but I thought you would be able to help him. That is what you do isn't it?"
"Well next time could you at least find out their name before you dump them in my house!"
Now Amanda smiled at Duncan before she responded, "You know Duncan technically it isn't really a house."
"Amanda!" Before he could continue Joe interrupted them by making a coughing noise.
"I think I may know something about our guest here."
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Joe explained what he could to Duncan and Amanda. Joe told them he hasn't been keeping tag on this situation so is going to call watcher headquarters for a situational report on their guest last known description, and last location to confirm if this is him. Joe took Macleod's phone, and dialed up HQ.
"This is Dawson I need you to get me some information."
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Methos was dropping of some of the latest research on 'Methos' for the chronicles. Lately these developments had almost caused him to laugh out loud as these people scourged the history books for information on him. The words Jake had used a couple of years ago about working with people who think they discovered something that was wrong had even given a new perspective on his job. So when he noticed a watcher he knew practically running across the hall.
"Hey Jordan why such a rush?"
Jordan stopped for a second then turned to look at Adam/Methos, "Dawson wants some information about the guy who broke in here a couple of years ago. He gave us some lame story about seeing someone who looked like him at a subway stop in Paris."
"Hey, don't knock Dawson he is incredibly meticulous, and he wouldn't have called for information if he wasn't sure."
"Yeah I guess thanks. Adam what are you doing here? I mean you guys on the chronicles never come into headquarters?"
"Had to drop off a report and no one ever wants to listen to me when I say just use a fax machine," Methos smiled calmly as he was saying this being very disarming. However his thoughts were really analyzing the meaning behind Dawson's request, and the fact that Jake had told him he would not be returning to Paris. This is something I have to check out, he thought. However, I can't do it right away because that would garner more attention then I want, finish my job then I'll go to Macleod's, and see if I can find answers.
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Richie didn't know what it was about Paris, but it always made him rejuvenated. Maybe it was the history, the fashion, or the women. Okay, he thought. It's the women, but there are worse things to feel rejuvenated by. As he walked towards Macleod's barge he noticed Joe Dawson's car outside, and he started walking faster. God this is never good, he thought. As he got closer he saw Amanda, Duncan, and Joe on the deck clearly having an intense discussion.
"Hey guys what's up?"
Duncan smiled, "Good to see you Richie."
Joe just nodded, and Amanda chuckled, "Nice to see you Richie."
"So what is going on? I mean usually you don't hold conversations out on deck. What is the barge bugged or something?"
"No, Amanda just dropped over with a body," this caused Amanda to jump up and give Duncan an angry look.
"He's not dead or at least not yet."
"Amanda he was shot, and then you hit him with your car. Then brought across the world without medical treatment," Duncan shot back with just as angry a look.
Richie walked up next to Joe and whispered in his ear, "So Joe is a fight anyone can join, or is this another one of those arguments that is really about them and everyone else is just observing?"
Joe gave a soft chuckle, "Richie I'm only out here to make sure things don't come to blows. Why don't you go inside and check on our guest?"
"Sure Joe," Richie moved off without Duncan or Amanda noticing. Geez it seems like their trying to stare each other to death.
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God I feel like I just about died, Jake thought as he opened his eyes for the first time in what seemed like days. Jake felt more then saw the I-V line in his arm, but the pressure bandages on his chest made any lateral movement impossible. His eyes drifted around the room he was in, and it seemed vaguely familiar. Hey this looks a lot like Duncan Macleod's barge, Jake thought. It can't be because that would mean I would have to be in Paris.
Just then the door to the barge opened, and a smiling Richie Ryan entered which caused Jake to mutter just as Richie turned to look at him, "Oh Shit."
Richie's face went from shock to anger in a second as his eyes worked over the pale man lying on the couch.
"I'm going to kill you!"
Part 9:
Jake unleashed a string of swears as he woke up in the alley. The smell of rotting trash had become way too familiar to him over the last six months along with the ever present numbness his body felt after sleeping outside in the cold. His back felt like it was several thousand knots slammed together with no way to release them. 'And lets not even get into the matter of my neck,' he thought.
The problem was he could only complain so much before he was forced to admit if only to himself that this was entirely his fault. 'Yeah, when you jump into things drunk and without thinking things through you end up flying by the seat of you pants. Considering how that usually leaves you just barely escaping capture Jake,' he thought. 'You or I or what the hell ever really need to start thinking, but then again I'm a guy for me to think is like 'Baywatch' to have a plot it's not going to happen.'
Jake's internal monologue. 'No,' he thought, 'let's call it what it is, my poor Jake whining because I can't actually think before I do anything thoughts.' Meaning I just barely avoided stumbling into a bum who was barely holding on to a bottle of Jack Daniels which caused him to shout out, "Hey watch where you're going,"
"Okay I'll do that, and then you stop being a lazy bum whose only talent in life if chugging Jack Daniels," Jake shouted back. Great, he thought. Now I have one more person angry at me. I wish I was some character in a story because I right about now the author could cut to another scene so no one will hear what I am about to think.
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Amanda let her thoughts wander as she made her escape from the warehouse in Seattle's dock area. Her need for the thrill of a good robbery had resurfaced after coming out of retirement to help Duncan steal the Cross of St whatever. I'm not exactly the most religious immortal, she thought. For her it had simply been that she had succumbed to an impulse. Okay, stealing several million in uncut diamonds wasn't exactly what many would consider an impulse especially with how carefully she planned out her thefts, but they were illegal war diamonds which made her one of the good guys. She was keeping the illegal suppliers from profiting from their shipment not that Macleod would see it that way, she thought. He would just go on and on about the morality of stealing, and after 300 or so years she really just kind of nodded her head not really listening to what he was saying.
"No alarms, no cops, and no immortals chasing me," she said as she got into her car, "Looks like today is my lucky day."
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Jake looks up at the sun and the sky as exits the alley. He'd always avoided using the very public streets unless absolutely necessary, and so he rarely felt the warmth of the sun on his face anymore. God this is nice, he thought. I wish this would last. I'm mean seriously it's like there is some author out there trying to get me to follow some convoluted plot that only makes sense in his deluded brain.
Inside his head it felt like a second voice was saying, "Why on earth did you say that? Haven't you learned by now that saying that is like saying, I'll be right back in a horror film you're always going to die!" Jake stopped and hung his head for a second not for the first time wondering at the sanity of his life. Then turned to look up, and was greeted by the smiling face of a Watcher sweeper. His face seemed lit by happiness, and it filled his words.
"Excuse me sir, but would you mind coming with me?"
Jake didn't answer he just punched the guy in the face, and turn bolting back down the alley as he screamed back, "Bet you weren't expecting that?"
However he stopped a couple of seconds later when he suddenly found himself looking into the faces of four watchers with guns drawn.
"Shit," meanwhile in his head a part of him laughed with what sounded a little to like an I told you so.
"Actually," the first watcher said once he caught up with Jake. "Well I guess I don't need to answer your question, do I? I mean it would be really obnoxious to rub your nose in it?"
"So does that mean I have to put up with this till you take me to your headquarters?"
"Trust me when I say that this is only the beginning," the first watcher said as he came up behind Jake making like he was going to cuff him. Which made the Watcher's action of drawing his gun, and firing at two other members of his team more shocking then it should have been. One of the four blocking his path had turned his firearm on the watcher closest to him, and in a second three of the five member team was dead.
Jake just turned to look at the two remaining watchers as they walked toward him with their guns drawn.
"So let me guess some of James Horton's friends, right? And isn't that son of a bitch dead?" The first watcher now walked up and slammed his pistol into the side of Jake's head. Jake dropped to the ground so fast he hit the ground before he knew what had happened.
"How daring you speak of Horton that way," the first watcher said as he dropped to his knees, and held the gun right up to Jake's head. Okay, Jake thought, I really need to come up with better plans then hit me till I'm so bloody you let your guard down.
Jake watched the watcher as he holstered his gun, and began to move to cuff him. At that point Jake moved grabbing the man's holstered gun, and holding him between him and the other watcher.
Taking the gun and placing it up to the man's chin Jake almost cheered, "You know I don't like getting pistol whipped, and so I think I'm going to give you a piece of.What the hell?"
Jake stopped as he felt something dig into his stomach, and the watcher in front of him had this look of surprise on his face. His eyes rolled up into his head, and then he dropped to the ground. The second watcher held his gun steady at Jake.
"Now you are going to come along peacefully and quietly. I don't like distractions and neither does Daniels, but you should know that. So get that shocked expression off your face Jake or I swear to god you wish I'll shot you." Okay he just killed his partner, Jake thought. There is no way on Earth he will keep any deal he makes with you, me, ohh whatever.
"Hey Jake this isn't thinking time. You either starting moving now or I will shoot you till you move."
Jake nodded his head then spoke, "So how fast does a bullet travel?"
Jake bolted back out toward the street, and hoping that whoever that guy was he wasn't going to open fire in a place crowded with people. Oh you so need to start working out, Jake's mind screamed. Alright I just cleared the alley, but no people I'm dead. That thought passed through Jake's head just as another bullet slammed into him. Jake felt his right leg go out, and his body hit pavement faster then a 21 year old on St. Patrick's Day. Okay seriously now, he thought as he struggled to his feet. I need to freakin' plan better! Or at least that was what he would have thought if the car that he hadn't seen hadn't just slammed into him and caused him to slide across the hood and land hard on his shoulder right in front of the driver's door.
"God hates me," Jake cried out in pain just as the driver's door slammed into his skull.
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Amanda's thought ranged from this is not my fault and Macleod is never going to believe me to even 1,500 year olds can't avoid someone who jumps out of nowhere into the middle of the street. Okay I just ran over someone in while I'm transporting stolen war diamonds. I so do not need to be running from a murder rap. So I'll just go out, and take him to a hospital.
As Amanda opened the door she heard the door hit the guys head, and heard something that sounded like, "God hates me."
Amanda looked down at the bloody mess in front of her, and tried to decide if it was already too late. He looked at her, and mumbled something. Amanda bent closer trying to hear what he was saying.
"Help me Amanda, please help me," Amanda didn't get a chance to recoil in shock because a stream of bullets now started flying in her direction from the alley. Grabbing him quickly Amanda through him into the backseat of her car, and then floored it as the bullets continued to impact her car.
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Jake opened his eyes and then immediately closed them. The light in the room was really to bright to handle. Okay, he thought, I am feeling crappy and am sensitive to light. I'm a vampire! Okay I apparently have lost a lot of blood as well because that was about the dumbest thing I have ever said, but then again I'm not talking I'm thinking which is an entirely different.
Jake stopped his minds ramblings for a second, and for a change the eternal mystery that is his mind calmed down. Must be the medication, he thought. Waite that doesn't.why do I even bother? Okay I'm not in a hospital I know that, and that means the watchers might know where I am.
"So you're awake now?" Amanda said as she moved toward Jake. "Cause I really would like an explanation for why you jumped in front of my car.?"
"I didn't jump in front of your car. You hit me Amanda, and unfortunately I don't have time to go through the usual witty banter people usually have to go through with you. We need to get out of here, and I do mean now!"
Amanda just looked at him, and Jake sighed. "Please you helped me this far, and I need you to trust me. I'm not safe here, and I need to get out of quickly or I'm dead."
"Would you care to explain why you are in such danger, and I took great care to make sure that no one would follow me."
"Even from your watcher?" Jake shot back with a sneer.
"The Watchers are after you, why?"
"I'll tell you when you get me on a plane out of Seattle?" Jake answered as he struggled to his feet.
"Oh, come on you have to give me more then that. You know my mine, about immortals, and even watchers if you want my help you have to give me something more," she replied.
Inside his Jake felt that little voice say, 'You just loving been the know it all, and no you have you the chance you have been waiting for. You really need to get a life.'
Jake tried to smile, and give off an impression of confidence but the pain he felt as he tried to move prevented that. So he just made sure he could look Amanda in the eye when he spoke, "Because Amanda what I know could decide the fate of us all: Watchers, and Immortals."
Five minutes later Amanda got them seats on a flight out of Seattle. Ten minutes after that they were out of her apartment. As Jake watched Amanda whip them through traffic to get to the airport a thought crossed his head, 'I am never driving with Amanda again!' As they barely missed another car, and Jake unleashed a string of swear words. Amanda just laughed saying that it would be okay she's never had an accident that she couldn't walk away from.
"Amanda you're immortal there really isn't any accident that you couldn't walk away from!" Jake shot back as Amanda shot them past and 18 wheeler. "I think I just escaped the firing squad to get killed in a fireball of death."
"Oh so does that mean you want me to go faster?"
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Joel Cohen started cursing in every one of the 22 languages that he knew. Daniels was going to kill him, he thought. I told him we should have killed him when we found him in Paris, but does anyone listen to me no. Now I lost Jake after tracking him for almost a year, and to Amanda. Who is no doubt going to take him to see Macleod, who is going to bring Joe Dawson into this mess, and all our work will get exposed! The only way I will survive is if I get to the airport and capture him before he leaves Seattle, and the odds of that happening are.I have no idea. I just don't think that they are good.
At that moment Joel's cell phone started ringing, "Cohen."
"Hey Cohen this Greg Sanders, Amanda and some guy who looks really pale pick up tickets on American Airlines flight 68 for Paris, it will be leaving in 15 minutes."
"Then I will be there in ten!"
Ten minutes later Joel was running through the airport with Greg Sanders and two other watchers posing as FBI agents. They reached the plane whose passengers were more then a little worried about seeing cops jump onto the plane. Joel really couldn't have cared less, and if it was a different place and time he would just have killed everyone on the plane.
"What seating Greg?"
The Younger man stammered a little then answered, "A26 B and C on the right."
Joel got there before anyone else, and then resumed the cursing he started in his car as he walked back. A Japanese man gave him an angry look as he covered his daughter's ears as he walked past. Ohh, Joel thought, how sweet daddy's making sure his daughter doesn't hear bad words. I want to puke.
"They aren't here," Joel said to the group, "Fan out I want every part of this airport checked. Even if it means tearing it down!"
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Joel gave American Flight 68 no more thought as it took off into the wild blue yonder. On board a Stewardess on board noticed a woman, and man leave the bathroom together. Some people, she thought. I mean really get a hold of your hormones people.
She had to hide her disgust as they were sitting right along her path, and her next stop.
"Excuse me stewardess my friend her isn't feeling well, and he just threw up in the bathroom could you please bring him some water?"
After looking over the woman's friend she noticed his how pale and weak he looked. She wasn't sure, but she thought she saw blood on his shirt.
"Of course ma'am."
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Daniels was reclining in his chair as he finished reading the report. Jake escapes once again, he thought. Well he always was tougher then he looked, and his timing couldn't have been better if I had planned it myself. With my established contacts with Dark Immortals and rogue watchers finally getting me exactly where I want his resurfacing can give me the cover to make my move.
Daniels stood up, and walked over to his computer. One little e-mail, he thought. And all the nice rogue watchers will be on Jake from the minute he reaches Paris. Macleod and his friends will have to deal with them before they even think about dealing with me.
Daniels felt his mind twirling with ideas and plans. God, he thought. I feel like God, and I am having so much fun its scary. I can't wait to see the watchers reactions if they thought a dark immortal winning the game was their worst nightmare wait till they get a hold of me.
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By the Amanda and her male companion he really had been conscious enough to tell her his name. He was clearly suffering from moving before his condition was stabilized, and the trip had definitely had a negatively affect on his health. I really have to get him to Macleod's before he dies on me.
She looked down at the sweating man who was struggling to keep himself conscious enough to get out of the airport.
"I should have had that drink last night," he said as the stumbled past customs.
Deciding that keeping him conscious would be better then dragging his limp body to a cab she continued replied, "Really what did you drink last night?"
"I can't go out drinking I told you that, but maybe we can go to a movie sometime."
Great, Amanda thought. Now he is so out of it he thinks he is breaking up with me. This had better win me some brownie points with Macleod or I will beat the crap out of him. God where's a taxi when you need one? And what the heck is he mumbling?
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Jake looked up into the bright light that created a circle of light around him in a room of darkness. Why does this feel so familiar? Jake thought as his scanned the darkness for something to indicate where he was. Suddenly his head was filled with searing pain, and Jake dropped to his knees.
"Oh quit your whining," a voice called out from the darkness.
"Who are you?" Jake got out between flashes of searing pain.
"Why do you care? You won't remember it anyway," the voice continued.
"What the hell is going on?" Jake demanded struggling to get to his feet even though the pain increased the more he forced himself up.
"You are fast approaching a moment of transition. You will have to make a choice, and you must choose wisely or all is lost."
"I don't understand? Choose what? What the hell is going on?" Jake called out as he finally succumbed to the pain, and started falling.
"Balance Jake," the voice continued as Jake drift back to consciousness, "You have to take responsibility for you choices, and deal with the consequences."
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Macleod was clearly away the remnants of his lunch when he felt the presence of another immortal. He was expecting Richie to stop by, but not for awhile and plus the strength of the immortal was a lot stronger then Richie's. He let go of his dishes, and moved closer to his sword as his front door flew open.
"Duncan, darling how wonderful to see you again," Amanda called out.
"Whatever it is Amanda the answer is no!" I really should just kick her out, Duncan thought. Every time she stops by someone or something comes after me, and I never learn.
Duncan's thoughts stopped right there as he noticed the figure hanging limply from Amanda's body. He was deathly pale, and clearly not immortal.
"I don't mean to impose Duncan, but HELP!" She called out as the man began to slip from her grasp. Duncan got over there before the body hit the floor. She comes in with a mortal who looks like he is about to drop dead any minute, he thought. Oh this is going to end well.
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Joe walked into Mac's barge like any friend walks into another home. That means he totally did not expect to see Duncan screaming at Amanda, and what looked like a pale bum passed out on Macleod's sofa.
"Who is he Amanda?"
Joe watched as Amanda rolled her eyes before she answered, "Like I told you for the fifth time I don't know, and why won't you believe me?"
"I don't know Amanda, well actually I do! The last time you said that I ended up getting shot by an FBI agent," Macleod shot back.
"But I wasn't lying I didn't know him," now it was Duncan's turn to roll his eyes and Amanda turned around. Her mood seemed to improve as soon as she saw Joe, "Joe good to see you. Maybe you can talk some sense into Duncan here."
Joe looked over to Duncan, "What's going on Macleod? You said you needed my help?" "Yeah, Amanda brought me an uninvited house guest in serious need of medical attention, and it needs to be discrete Joe. Apparently he is being hunted by someone."
Using his cane to steady himself Joe walked down the steps toward Duncan and Amanda. Okay who do I know that with medical training who can get here pronto, he thought?
"I think I know a guy, but I need to use your phone. I just used the last of my cell phone's battery, do you mind?"
"No go ahead Joe and hurry I don't know how much longer this guy will hold on."
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Joe's friend arrived a couple minutes later, and was able to stabilize the patient in half an hour. Meaning that while he was working Amanda had to endure being grilled by Joe and Macleod about her knew friend. Amanda sighed as she went over the story for the fifth time. I mean I knew guys were dense, but I always thought these two had some hope, she thought.
"So you hit him with your car he asked for your help, and then you drove off with him in a hail of gun fire, which you had nothing to do with?"
"Yes Duncan just like I said the last six times."
Duncan laughed, "Amanda you never help anyone out of the kindness of your heart, why were you really helping him?"
"Give me some credit Macleod. I mean after all these years don't you think you have had some impact on my behavior?" Joe and Duncan just exchanged a look that was as good as saying, yeah right.
"Fine," deciding that she might as well give the whole truth as she was sick of answer the same questions over and over again.
"I was just driving down the street when he jumped out into the road. I couldn't stop in time, and I hit him with my car. He flew over the hood, and landed right next to the driver's door. I got out, and he asked for my help so I pulled him into the car."
"Wait did he know your name?" Joe's asked.
"As a matter of fact he did? I did find that kind of odd," Amanda replied as she moved passed Joe to sit on the outside of the barge.
"And you didn't think that was worth mentioning the first time around?"
"Geez, Macleod I just assumed he was a watcher, or someone working with one," her tone as sarcastic as his, "Not that I could ask him. He wasn't conscious long enough to tell me."
Duncan walked over to Amanda, and pointed his right index finger right in her face, "So you have no idea who he is, and so your first thought is bring him to Duncan. You know one of these days Amanda you're going to have to clean up your own messes."
"Geez what's got your panties in a bunch Macleod, and I'm sorry but I thought you would be able to help him. That is what you do isn't it?"
"Well next time could you at least find out their name before you dump them in my house!"
Now Amanda smiled at Duncan before she responded, "You know Duncan technically it isn't really a house."
"Amanda!" Before he could continue Joe interrupted them by making a coughing noise.
"I think I may know something about our guest here."
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Joe explained what he could to Duncan and Amanda. Joe told them he hasn't been keeping tag on this situation so is going to call watcher headquarters for a situational report on their guest last known description, and last location to confirm if this is him. Joe took Macleod's phone, and dialed up HQ.
"This is Dawson I need you to get me some information."
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Methos was dropping of some of the latest research on 'Methos' for the chronicles. Lately these developments had almost caused him to laugh out loud as these people scourged the history books for information on him. The words Jake had used a couple of years ago about working with people who think they discovered something that was wrong had even given a new perspective on his job. So when he noticed a watcher he knew practically running across the hall.
"Hey Jordan why such a rush?"
Jordan stopped for a second then turned to look at Adam/Methos, "Dawson wants some information about the guy who broke in here a couple of years ago. He gave us some lame story about seeing someone who looked like him at a subway stop in Paris."
"Hey, don't knock Dawson he is incredibly meticulous, and he wouldn't have called for information if he wasn't sure."
"Yeah I guess thanks. Adam what are you doing here? I mean you guys on the chronicles never come into headquarters?"
"Had to drop off a report and no one ever wants to listen to me when I say just use a fax machine," Methos smiled calmly as he was saying this being very disarming. However his thoughts were really analyzing the meaning behind Dawson's request, and the fact that Jake had told him he would not be returning to Paris. This is something I have to check out, he thought. However, I can't do it right away because that would garner more attention then I want, finish my job then I'll go to Macleod's, and see if I can find answers.
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Richie didn't know what it was about Paris, but it always made him rejuvenated. Maybe it was the history, the fashion, or the women. Okay, he thought. It's the women, but there are worse things to feel rejuvenated by. As he walked towards Macleod's barge he noticed Joe Dawson's car outside, and he started walking faster. God this is never good, he thought. As he got closer he saw Amanda, Duncan, and Joe on the deck clearly having an intense discussion.
"Hey guys what's up?"
Duncan smiled, "Good to see you Richie."
Joe just nodded, and Amanda chuckled, "Nice to see you Richie."
"So what is going on? I mean usually you don't hold conversations out on deck. What is the barge bugged or something?"
"No, Amanda just dropped over with a body," this caused Amanda to jump up and give Duncan an angry look.
"He's not dead or at least not yet."
"Amanda he was shot, and then you hit him with your car. Then brought across the world without medical treatment," Duncan shot back with just as angry a look.
Richie walked up next to Joe and whispered in his ear, "So Joe is a fight anyone can join, or is this another one of those arguments that is really about them and everyone else is just observing?"
Joe gave a soft chuckle, "Richie I'm only out here to make sure things don't come to blows. Why don't you go inside and check on our guest?"
"Sure Joe," Richie moved off without Duncan or Amanda noticing. Geez it seems like their trying to stare each other to death.
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God I feel like I just about died, Jake thought as he opened his eyes for the first time in what seemed like days. Jake felt more then saw the I-V line in his arm, but the pressure bandages on his chest made any lateral movement impossible. His eyes drifted around the room he was in, and it seemed vaguely familiar. Hey this looks a lot like Duncan Macleod's barge, Jake thought. It can't be because that would mean I would have to be in Paris.
Just then the door to the barge opened, and a smiling Richie Ryan entered which caused Jake to mutter just as Richie turned to look at him, "Oh Shit."
Richie's face went from shock to anger in a second as his eyes worked over the pale man lying on the couch.
"I'm going to kill you!"