Chapter 25
Alex made for the door she hadn't gone far when she realised Joe wasn't with her so she rushed back, Joe was leaning against the wall by the stairs "Come on Joe there's no time to rest" Alex said as she pulled him towards the door. Alex pushed the wooden board out of the way to let Joe go through, Alex looked down the corridor and could just make out in the dim light that Methos had nearly reached Duncan.
Methos skidded to a halt just by the kneeling Duncan who was leaning against his sword for support "Come on Mac.you can rest later.right now we have to get the hell out of here" Methos said as he put his hand under Duncan's arm. Duncan got to his feet still a little unsteady from the force of the quickening, Methos could see the confusion on his friends face but he didn't give him any time to think or question as he pulled him towards the door. Methos had already seen that Alex and Joe had left the building a few moments earlier so he only had to focus on getting Duncan and himself out. As Alex and Joe left the building he had seen Methos's car parked a few doors down and they had made their way there to wait for the others. The car was unlocked and to Joe's relief he muttered something as he got into the car but Alex couldn't quite make out what he had said, she was leant against the car nervously she checked her watch again 3 minutes left, if she had done the maths right, Alex sighed with relief when she saw Adam and Duncan emerge from the building and hurry towards the car.
"What are you doing here?" Duncan asked as he reached the car but Alex's eyes were focused elsewhere and she didn't answer him, suddenly she ran towards the building opposite the one they had just come from. "What the Hell is she up to now?" Methos exclaimed as he followed Duncan who had run after her. Alex stopped in the doorway pulling back the old blankets that were covering a body of the person who was sleeping there the figure started to struggle against Alex "Come on you've got to get out of here" Alex said as she pulled again on his arm, the man was now shouting at her in French but Alex didn't understand a word but she did know he would be killed if he stayed where he is. Alex turned to look at Duncan as he appeared next to her and took hold of the tramps other arm and between them they pulled him from the doorway and up the street. Duncan looked across at Alex who was trying to avoid looking at him "What's going on Alex?" he demanded as they got the tramp to the safety of a door way further up the street "There's a bomb in there" Alex said pointing to the building where Claude's body now lay "and in just under a minute that building is going to blow.this guy was too close he would've been killed" Alex said looking at her watch. Duncan turned to the tramp who was rambling in French, Duncan took hold of his face and made him look at him "Stay here.it's not safe.Stay here" Duncan said in French before he followed Alex across to the waiting car they had both just managed to get in as Methos accelerated away, a few seconds later the street was rocked by the sound of the explosion.
Duncan turned in his seat to look at Alex but she kept her eyes fixed on window, she didn't even turn to look at him when he called her name. Joe leaned forward he had seen the hurt look in his friend's eyes and put his hand on Duncan's shoulder "Thanks for that Mac" Joe said as he followed Duncan's gaze to Alex, he tapped his shoulder to get Duncan to look at him before quietly speaking "Don't worry Mac.I'll talk to her when we get to the barge.it's a lot for a person to take in" Duncan nodded and turned back to look out of the windscreen. Outside it had started to rain Alex watched as the rain drops ran along the window, her mind racing trying to understand what had happened 'Is Duncan part of Lazarski's world.can I still trust him or have I been a fool' Alex thought as she swallowed back the tears that were forming in her eyes 'What's with the swords, Duncan killed that man and it didn't seem to bother him.it looked all too easy' she thought as she clenched her hands together. The journey to Duncan's barge was done in silence all of them lost in their own thoughts.
As Methos drove the car down onto the river bank near the barge Alex opened the door before the car had stopped, as the car slowed she leaped out and made for the barge fumbling in her pockets for the keys, she wanted out of there as quickly as she could but she need her bag. Duncan helped Joe out "It's going to be ok Mac.I promise" Joe said as he started to walk towards the barge Duncan came round the car following Joe but before he could get to the gangplank he felt Methos take hold of his arm "Leave it to Joe Mac.he knows what he's doing.you still got that bottle of brandy in the wheelhouse.I could really do with a drink" Duncan nodded and they both walked on board the barge heading to the wheelhouse.
As Joe entered the barge he could see Alex rushing around packing her things into a bag "Alex..Alex.let's talk" Joe said as he came down the steps, Alex stopped thrusting clothing into a bag and turned to face him, Joe could see the fear in her eyes "Talk.about what.the fact that the man I trust is mixed up with Lazarski.or the fact that I saw him take a bullet in the chest and then get up as if nothing had happened or the real icing on the cake that he just took a man's head clean off then acts as if it's an everyday occurrence.not to mention the lighting stuff" Alex said returning to her packing. Joe walked across to her as she turned to get some more of her things Joe grabbed her arm, Alex was surprised by strength of his grip "If you give me a chance I'll explain it all to you.it's not what you think" Alex looked into Joe's eyes and she couldn't explain it but the look in his eyes made her want to listen "ok you've got 10 minutes" Alex said sitting down on the couch, Joe moved the chair so he could face her, he wiped his hand across his beard explaining Immortals was never an easy task and with a time limit even harder.
Joe leant forward looking Alex in the eye "How old do you think Mac is?" Alex thought this was a strange question to ask but he was wasting his 10 minutes "34, 35 I guess".
"Well, Alex he's actually over 400 years old"
"Your mad" Alex said as she started to get to her feet but Joe just put his hand on her arm "You said I had 10 minutes" Joe replied, Alex sat back down "He was born in 1592 in the Highlands of Scotland and he can't die in the normal sense, he'll only die if you cut off his head.you saw him shot through the heart yourself didn't you?"
"Yes.so was the other guy.Claude an Immortal then?" Alex asked.
Joe nodded "yes.you said that it look like cutting off a man's head was an everyday occurrence for Duncan" Alex only nodded as a reply "Well for an Immortal it is a regular occurrence not a daily one.you see for centuries Immortals have been hunting each other fighting with swords to the death.it's a part of their lives they don't have any choice in it" Joe could see that he still had a way to go to convince her. "So why do they fight?" Alex asked, Joe smiled "We're not really sure.but the legend is that they fight for the prize what that is I don't think any of them knows for sure..there are Immortals all over the world and one day those that are left will feel an irresistible pull to somewhere in the world to the 'Gathering' to fight until only one of them remains"
"Then what?" Alex asked and Joe could see a spark of interest in her eyes "That depends on who wins.if it's someone like Mac who cares, who has honour we shouldn't have much to worry about but if one of the others.like.."
"Like Lazarski.he's one of them isn't he?" Alex leaped to her feet before Joe could stop her, Joe got up and went across to where Alex was picking up some of her things "Yes he is.you can't deal with this on your own.you need help.our help".
"Are you one of them Joe?" Alex said as she put the clothes back down where they had been "No I'm just like you.I'm a Watcher.Mac's watcher" Joe said gesturing for Alex to return to the couch. Alex walked over to the couch and stood waiting as Joe followed her and sat back into the chair then Alex sat down. He then explained all about the watchers and gave Alex time to ask questions and to take in all that he was telling her. Joe watched as Alex started to relax and he knew that he had won her round.
"but not all Immortals fight each other do they.I mean Adam must be one.he has a sword and Fitz he let it slip the other day that he had been around in 1886, Duncan tried to cover it but the date he said was right, wasn't it?"
"Yes.but you can't tell anyone, the lives of the Immortals must be kept a secret Alex" Joe said as he sat forward on the chair.
"But why did Claude snatch you? He didn't seem that interested in fighting Duncan.probably because without that gun he wasn't very good"
Joe ran his hand through his hair; he wasn't sure how she was going to react to this news "Claude took me to make Mac give you to him"
"Why didn't Duncan tell me?"
"It's quite simple he wanted to keep you out of it.that's the kind of man he is" Alex put her hands over her face "Are you all right?" Joe asked
Alex dropped her hands away from her face "It's.just I was so horrible to Duncan just now.he took me in despite the risks and I never gave him a chance to explain" Alex said, her eyes started to water as she remembered the hurt look in Duncan's eyes that she had seen when she had quickly glance at him in the car. Joe gently laid his hand on Alex's "It's not too late.he's on deck with Adam.why don't you go and talk to him" Joe said smiling at her, Alex wiped her eyes "do you think he'll forgive me.he's been so good to me and."
"Mac's been around Alex.he'll understand.go and talk to him" Alex stood up "Thanks Joe".
As Alex walked out on deck she saw Duncan and Methos at the far end of the barge, as she walked towards them Methos looked round first "I'm going to take Joe home.I'll call you tomorrow Mac" Methos said as Duncan took his hands out of the pockets of his coat "Thanks Adam for today" Methos patted Duncan on the arm "no problem" Methos said as he put his hands into the pockets of his brown raincoat and he pulled it around him, he smiled at Alex as he went past to meet Joe who had come out on deck and was waiting for him by the gangplank.
Duncan turned back to look out over the river as Alex approached, Alex reached out her hand but hesitated before putting it on his arm "Duncan.I'm sorry.I didn't understand, I didn't know" Duncan turned to her, he could see the tears forming in her eyes, he cupped her face in his hands "Hey.It's all right.there is no way you could've known" he then pulled her into his embrace, they stood there in the cool night air their bodies entwined Alex's head rested on Duncan's chest she listened to his heart beating, Alex tried to remember when she had last felt this way, safe and secure. Duncan moved back so he could see her face "Is there anything you want to ask me?" Alex shook her head and smiled "No.you don't have to tell me anymore.I'm sorry I didn't trust you.you've been so good to me.it's just I find it hard to let anyone get close.I am so sorry." Duncan leant forward and silenced Alex with a kiss, Alex wrapped her arms around his neck Duncan put his arms around her waist and pulled her to him, the passion in the kiss warmed both of them and the chill of the night air no longer bothered them. Duncan broke their embrace "let's get you inside" he said as his hand caressed her cheek, "I think you should" Alex said smiling up at him. Duncan took hold of Alex's hand and led her down inside the barge.
Alex made for the door she hadn't gone far when she realised Joe wasn't with her so she rushed back, Joe was leaning against the wall by the stairs "Come on Joe there's no time to rest" Alex said as she pulled him towards the door. Alex pushed the wooden board out of the way to let Joe go through, Alex looked down the corridor and could just make out in the dim light that Methos had nearly reached Duncan.
Methos skidded to a halt just by the kneeling Duncan who was leaning against his sword for support "Come on Mac.you can rest later.right now we have to get the hell out of here" Methos said as he put his hand under Duncan's arm. Duncan got to his feet still a little unsteady from the force of the quickening, Methos could see the confusion on his friends face but he didn't give him any time to think or question as he pulled him towards the door. Methos had already seen that Alex and Joe had left the building a few moments earlier so he only had to focus on getting Duncan and himself out. As Alex and Joe left the building he had seen Methos's car parked a few doors down and they had made their way there to wait for the others. The car was unlocked and to Joe's relief he muttered something as he got into the car but Alex couldn't quite make out what he had said, she was leant against the car nervously she checked her watch again 3 minutes left, if she had done the maths right, Alex sighed with relief when she saw Adam and Duncan emerge from the building and hurry towards the car.
"What are you doing here?" Duncan asked as he reached the car but Alex's eyes were focused elsewhere and she didn't answer him, suddenly she ran towards the building opposite the one they had just come from. "What the Hell is she up to now?" Methos exclaimed as he followed Duncan who had run after her. Alex stopped in the doorway pulling back the old blankets that were covering a body of the person who was sleeping there the figure started to struggle against Alex "Come on you've got to get out of here" Alex said as she pulled again on his arm, the man was now shouting at her in French but Alex didn't understand a word but she did know he would be killed if he stayed where he is. Alex turned to look at Duncan as he appeared next to her and took hold of the tramps other arm and between them they pulled him from the doorway and up the street. Duncan looked across at Alex who was trying to avoid looking at him "What's going on Alex?" he demanded as they got the tramp to the safety of a door way further up the street "There's a bomb in there" Alex said pointing to the building where Claude's body now lay "and in just under a minute that building is going to blow.this guy was too close he would've been killed" Alex said looking at her watch. Duncan turned to the tramp who was rambling in French, Duncan took hold of his face and made him look at him "Stay here.it's not safe.Stay here" Duncan said in French before he followed Alex across to the waiting car they had both just managed to get in as Methos accelerated away, a few seconds later the street was rocked by the sound of the explosion.
Duncan turned in his seat to look at Alex but she kept her eyes fixed on window, she didn't even turn to look at him when he called her name. Joe leaned forward he had seen the hurt look in his friend's eyes and put his hand on Duncan's shoulder "Thanks for that Mac" Joe said as he followed Duncan's gaze to Alex, he tapped his shoulder to get Duncan to look at him before quietly speaking "Don't worry Mac.I'll talk to her when we get to the barge.it's a lot for a person to take in" Duncan nodded and turned back to look out of the windscreen. Outside it had started to rain Alex watched as the rain drops ran along the window, her mind racing trying to understand what had happened 'Is Duncan part of Lazarski's world.can I still trust him or have I been a fool' Alex thought as she swallowed back the tears that were forming in her eyes 'What's with the swords, Duncan killed that man and it didn't seem to bother him.it looked all too easy' she thought as she clenched her hands together. The journey to Duncan's barge was done in silence all of them lost in their own thoughts.
As Methos drove the car down onto the river bank near the barge Alex opened the door before the car had stopped, as the car slowed she leaped out and made for the barge fumbling in her pockets for the keys, she wanted out of there as quickly as she could but she need her bag. Duncan helped Joe out "It's going to be ok Mac.I promise" Joe said as he started to walk towards the barge Duncan came round the car following Joe but before he could get to the gangplank he felt Methos take hold of his arm "Leave it to Joe Mac.he knows what he's doing.you still got that bottle of brandy in the wheelhouse.I could really do with a drink" Duncan nodded and they both walked on board the barge heading to the wheelhouse.
As Joe entered the barge he could see Alex rushing around packing her things into a bag "Alex..Alex.let's talk" Joe said as he came down the steps, Alex stopped thrusting clothing into a bag and turned to face him, Joe could see the fear in her eyes "Talk.about what.the fact that the man I trust is mixed up with Lazarski.or the fact that I saw him take a bullet in the chest and then get up as if nothing had happened or the real icing on the cake that he just took a man's head clean off then acts as if it's an everyday occurrence.not to mention the lighting stuff" Alex said returning to her packing. Joe walked across to her as she turned to get some more of her things Joe grabbed her arm, Alex was surprised by strength of his grip "If you give me a chance I'll explain it all to you.it's not what you think" Alex looked into Joe's eyes and she couldn't explain it but the look in his eyes made her want to listen "ok you've got 10 minutes" Alex said sitting down on the couch, Joe moved the chair so he could face her, he wiped his hand across his beard explaining Immortals was never an easy task and with a time limit even harder.
Joe leant forward looking Alex in the eye "How old do you think Mac is?" Alex thought this was a strange question to ask but he was wasting his 10 minutes "34, 35 I guess".
"Well, Alex he's actually over 400 years old"
"Your mad" Alex said as she started to get to her feet but Joe just put his hand on her arm "You said I had 10 minutes" Joe replied, Alex sat back down "He was born in 1592 in the Highlands of Scotland and he can't die in the normal sense, he'll only die if you cut off his head.you saw him shot through the heart yourself didn't you?"
"Yes.so was the other guy.Claude an Immortal then?" Alex asked.
Joe nodded "yes.you said that it look like cutting off a man's head was an everyday occurrence for Duncan" Alex only nodded as a reply "Well for an Immortal it is a regular occurrence not a daily one.you see for centuries Immortals have been hunting each other fighting with swords to the death.it's a part of their lives they don't have any choice in it" Joe could see that he still had a way to go to convince her. "So why do they fight?" Alex asked, Joe smiled "We're not really sure.but the legend is that they fight for the prize what that is I don't think any of them knows for sure..there are Immortals all over the world and one day those that are left will feel an irresistible pull to somewhere in the world to the 'Gathering' to fight until only one of them remains"
"Then what?" Alex asked and Joe could see a spark of interest in her eyes "That depends on who wins.if it's someone like Mac who cares, who has honour we shouldn't have much to worry about but if one of the others.like.."
"Like Lazarski.he's one of them isn't he?" Alex leaped to her feet before Joe could stop her, Joe got up and went across to where Alex was picking up some of her things "Yes he is.you can't deal with this on your own.you need help.our help".
"Are you one of them Joe?" Alex said as she put the clothes back down where they had been "No I'm just like you.I'm a Watcher.Mac's watcher" Joe said gesturing for Alex to return to the couch. Alex walked over to the couch and stood waiting as Joe followed her and sat back into the chair then Alex sat down. He then explained all about the watchers and gave Alex time to ask questions and to take in all that he was telling her. Joe watched as Alex started to relax and he knew that he had won her round.
"but not all Immortals fight each other do they.I mean Adam must be one.he has a sword and Fitz he let it slip the other day that he had been around in 1886, Duncan tried to cover it but the date he said was right, wasn't it?"
"Yes.but you can't tell anyone, the lives of the Immortals must be kept a secret Alex" Joe said as he sat forward on the chair.
"But why did Claude snatch you? He didn't seem that interested in fighting Duncan.probably because without that gun he wasn't very good"
Joe ran his hand through his hair; he wasn't sure how she was going to react to this news "Claude took me to make Mac give you to him"
"Why didn't Duncan tell me?"
"It's quite simple he wanted to keep you out of it.that's the kind of man he is" Alex put her hands over her face "Are you all right?" Joe asked
Alex dropped her hands away from her face "It's.just I was so horrible to Duncan just now.he took me in despite the risks and I never gave him a chance to explain" Alex said, her eyes started to water as she remembered the hurt look in Duncan's eyes that she had seen when she had quickly glance at him in the car. Joe gently laid his hand on Alex's "It's not too late.he's on deck with Adam.why don't you go and talk to him" Joe said smiling at her, Alex wiped her eyes "do you think he'll forgive me.he's been so good to me and."
"Mac's been around Alex.he'll understand.go and talk to him" Alex stood up "Thanks Joe".
As Alex walked out on deck she saw Duncan and Methos at the far end of the barge, as she walked towards them Methos looked round first "I'm going to take Joe home.I'll call you tomorrow Mac" Methos said as Duncan took his hands out of the pockets of his coat "Thanks Adam for today" Methos patted Duncan on the arm "no problem" Methos said as he put his hands into the pockets of his brown raincoat and he pulled it around him, he smiled at Alex as he went past to meet Joe who had come out on deck and was waiting for him by the gangplank.
Duncan turned back to look out over the river as Alex approached, Alex reached out her hand but hesitated before putting it on his arm "Duncan.I'm sorry.I didn't understand, I didn't know" Duncan turned to her, he could see the tears forming in her eyes, he cupped her face in his hands "Hey.It's all right.there is no way you could've known" he then pulled her into his embrace, they stood there in the cool night air their bodies entwined Alex's head rested on Duncan's chest she listened to his heart beating, Alex tried to remember when she had last felt this way, safe and secure. Duncan moved back so he could see her face "Is there anything you want to ask me?" Alex shook her head and smiled "No.you don't have to tell me anymore.I'm sorry I didn't trust you.you've been so good to me.it's just I find it hard to let anyone get close.I am so sorry." Duncan leant forward and silenced Alex with a kiss, Alex wrapped her arms around his neck Duncan put his arms around her waist and pulled her to him, the passion in the kiss warmed both of them and the chill of the night air no longer bothered them. Duncan broke their embrace "let's get you inside" he said as his hand caressed her cheek, "I think you should" Alex said smiling up at him. Duncan took hold of Alex's hand and led her down inside the barge.