Chapter 30
As Duncan pulled the car into the kerb they all looked up at the warehouse it was in darkness "I think it would be best if we stuck together for this one" Duncan said looking over his shoulder at Methos, who nodded. Alex looked up at Duncan "she needs to stay here.can you make her understand?"
"Nous're entrer dans ce construire, nous avons besoin de vous rester ici et nous attendre.a laissé personne mais nous dans la voiture, comprenez-vous?" (We're going into that building, we need you to stay here and wait for us.let no one but us into the car, do you understand?). The girl nodded "Oui Monseuir" (Yes Monseuir), Alex picked up her jacket and put it around the girl's shoulders "try and get some sleep" Duncan translated what Alex had said and the girl nodded again before curling up under Alex's jacket.
"Can I have my gun?" Alex said catching hold of Duncan's arm as he walked towards the warehouse, she could see that Duncan wasn't keen on the idea "Duncan it's the only thing I have for protection.the last time I looked I wasn't Immortal" reluctantly Duncan pulled the gun from his pocket and handed it to Alex, she checked the gun and flipped the safety catch off as they walked round the side of the building. Methos had seen the look in Alex's eyes in the basement, they had been cold, she had felt nothing for the man who's brains she had just blown all over the room and he knew that she was no stranger to death. Duncan forced the side door with relative ease "I see your technique has improved MacLeod" Fitz said as he followed Duncan into the building. They searched the first two floors but found nothing but empty offices, so they moved up the stairs to the next floor, as they started to walk down the corridor, all 3 Immortals felt the presences of another of their kind. "This is not good" Methos said in a hushed voice. Duncan stopped and turned to Alex "I want you to go on alone, we'll go down this corridor and create a diversion.you just find the child and get out of the building.take them both to the police" Duncan said handing Alex his car keys "But." Duncan silenced Alex's protest by placing his finger on her lips "this isn't open for debate", Alex could see from his eyes that it was unless to try and argue.
"Do you know who is here?" Fitz asked, as they started down the corridor "No prisoners" Methos said both Duncan and Fitz knew what he meant. It wasn't long before they found the first guard, Duncan slipped up behind him and before he could register anything Duncan had grabbed him round the neck seconds later he was lying on the floor his body twisted and his neck broken, Duncan took the gun from his hand and handed it to Methos, who motioned he was going to check on the sound he had just heard coming from behind one of the doors.
Alex moved slowly down the corridor, she didn't want to use her gun unless there was no alterative the sound of weapons firewould lose them the element of surprise. Alex carefully peered round the corner a man stood outside an office a sub-machine gun in his hand, Alex ducked back as the office door opened and Lazarski walked out, he had a glazed far away look in his eyes, the same kind of look she had seen come over Duncan and the others, Lazarski beckoned the man to follow him. Alex waited until they were out of sight before moving down the corridor to the office, she constantly checked all around as she went. She checked the corridor one last time before entering the room, she quietly shut the door behind her, as she walked into further into the room she noticed as small glass panelled office at the far end she could just make out a shape in the darkness huddled against the glass, the door was open so Alex moved to the doorway her gun ready in her hands. Alex almost cried out when she saw the batter face staring wide-eyed at her, quickly she dropped one hand away from the gun "It's all right I'm here to help you" in her haste to get to the child Alex hadn't checked behind the door, as she walked towards the child Alex felt a sharp pain in her head as a blow of a fist hit her, Alex crumpled to her knees, before she could recover the man wrapped his arm around her neck choking her, Alex managed to struggle to her feet but dropped her gun. Alex elbowed the man in the ribs as she desperately tried to break his hold but he held firm, she then managed to get her feet onto the wall and pushed back hoping to knock the man off balance but he only stumbled, Alex could feel herself starting to lose conciseness she knew this was her last chance reaching behind her she grabbed hold of the man's groin and she pulled and twisted with all her remaining strength. To her relief the sudden pain had caused the man to release his grip for just enough time for her to slip from his grasp. Alex dropped to the floor rolling across to where her gun lay, she knew that she had no choice, she fired the child screamed as blood from the man's chest bubbled through his fingers. The man made a final lunge towards Alex but the second bullet slamming into his body threw him to the ground.
Alex scrambled to her feet grabbing hold of the child's arm, there was no time for kind words Alex knew that they had to get out before anymore of Lazarski's men arrived.
As Methos came out of the room with two more guns in his hand he hand them to Duncan who gave one to Fitz before they moved on through the building leaving several dead bodies behind them but they didn't find the child or Alex, they all still sensed the faint presences of another Immortal but they hadn't come face to face yet. They entered the final office on this floor and Duncan moved further into the office to the glass office at the far side, Methos and Fitz stayed by the door. One look inside the glass room and Duncan knew that Alex must have been here as he looked down at the bloody corpse of a man; he then saw the mattress in the corner and Duncan realised that Alex must have the child. Quickly, he made his way back to the door "Looks like Alex has the child.we had better get back to the car" Duncan said as he moved passed the other two Immortals.
Alex and the child had made it down to the lower floor, she just rounded the corner into the last corridor when out from one of the doorways stepped Lazarski. Alex stopped swallowing hard, her heart beating so loudly that she thought it would burst through her chest, glancing down she saw the terrified look on the child's face and Alex now knew who had given her the bruises. Alex guided the child behind her "My dear Alex you came all this way.were you going to leave without saying goodbye" Lazarski said grinning at her, Alex licked her lips and brought her gun up in front her "You must have known I couldn't let you do this" Alex said raising her gun "I know what and who you are.I'm no longer afraid of you now.I'm not the scared child any more you have no power here".
Lazarski walked forward "Is that why your hands are shaking" Alex backed away trying to keep the distance between them, Alex looked down at the hands she hadn't realised they were shaking "Stay where you are" Alex demanded "or what you'll shoot me.if you truly know what I am you'll know that you can't kill me"
"I might not be able to kill you permanently but you'll be dead long enough for us to get out of here"
"Alex.Alex you were always my favourite" Lazarski outstretched his arms as he walked forward again "your favourite.your favourite punching bag you mean" Alex laughed nervously.
"Why fight it Alex you'll come to me.how many more people have to suffer because of you.she was nearly as feisty as you were but not so much of a challenge" he said as he started to walk towards her, Alex could feel the fear she had felt as a child coming to the surface and she knew that she must act now if she was to save the child cowering behind her and herself. Her finger squeezed the trigger and the gun fired hitting Lazarski in the chest, as the shot made him step backwards he felt the presences of another Immortal "I see you have brought a friend with you it must be the Highlander MacLeod.I'm not ready for him yet but his time will come and I'll see you soon" he said before disappearing through one of the open doors. Alex knew the sound of the gun shot would bring the others so checking the doorways as she went she hurried the child outside and over to the car. "Get in" she gestured as she unlocked the door and the little girl got into the back seat with the other child who woke up as the car door opened. Alex shut the door she leant back against the car but she became overwhelmed by nausea quickly she moved over to the warehouse wall using it for support as she threw up.
Duncan could see her as they all came out of the building, he motioned for the others to go to the car while he came over to her, putting his hand on her shoulder "Hey are you all right" Alex nodded as she spat out the last of the bile that was in her mouth. Methos had seen what was going on he grew suspicious as he watched Alex and Duncan, he had seen the way Alex had reacted in the basement and it was obvious she had been involved in operations of this kind before she shouldn't be acting like it was her first time he thought. Methos then turned his attention to the little girl Alex had just brought out "Il je va très bien ne vais pas vous endommager. ..can vous me dites ce qu'est arrivé seulement avant que vous ayez ait reçu à la voiture?" (it's all right I'm not going to hurt you...can you tell me what happened just before you got to the car?) Methos gently wiped the tears from the girl's cheek "le mauvais homme est venu, je mets't sait une bonne partie de qu'il a dit.mais je pense qu'il veut qu'elle soit allé avec lui, quelque chose des gens étant endommagé à cause d'elle" (the bad man came, I don't know much of what he said.but I think he want her to go with him, something about people being hurt because of her).
Methos stopped talking as he heard Duncan walking Alex over to the car "are you sure you're not hurt".
"I'm fine Duncan just too much adrenalin happens sometimes" Alex said she was relieved that Duncan seemed happy with this answer "We'll drop the children at the nearest Police station and then we'll go back to the barge" Duncan said as he held the door for Alex to get into the back seat with the children and Methos. As she go in she looked across at Methos and she knew from the expression on his face that he wasn't convinced by her story. She held her breath and Methos's gaze willing him not to say anything, when he just nodded and looked down at the two girls huddled between them Alex relaxed.
"What are we going to tell the Police" Fitz asked as he took out his pipe "I'm just thinking about.not in here Fitz wait till we get to the barge" Duncan said as he looked in the rear-view mirror first at Alex but she was resting her head back on the headrest with her eyes closed, then he looked at Methos who sighed "I'll deal with it". Methos then motioned to the two little girls to turn to face him "Je sais que vous avez été par un lotissement dans le dernier peu de jours mais je vraiment ai besoin de vous m'aider. ..can vous faites que pour moi?" (I know you've been through a lot in the last few days but I really need you to help me...can you do that for me?) The two girls nodded "Nous allons être au poste De Police dans un moment et alors vous devrez aller dans seul. ..you voit que nous ne peut pas aller avec vous, nous avons besoin d'oublier quoi de nous ou nous pourrions créer des ennuis pour une partie des choses qui est arrivé. ..do vous comprenez?" (We are going to be at the Police station in a moment and then you'll have to go in alone...you see we can't go with you, we need you to forget everything about us or we might get into trouble for some of the things that happened...do you understand?) again the two girls nodded "J'ai besoin de vous promettre. ..do vous promettez?" (I need you to promise...do you promise?)
The two girls chattered to each other for a few minutes before the girl which had the bruised face spoke "Nous les deux promesse. ..neither de nous se souviendra de n'importe quoi de vous sauf qu'il y avait quatre de vous. ..you a risqué vos vies pour nous je pense que nous pouvons vous promettre ceci" (We both promise...neither of us will remember anything about you except that there was four of you...you risked your lives for us I think we can promise you this)
"Merci" Methos said as Duncan parked the car outside the Police station, Methos got out of the car and held the door open for the two little girls to get out "Vous serez la maison bientôt" (You'll be home soon) he watched as the two girls entered the Police station. "Let's go Mac" Methos said as he got back into the car. "There will be some very happy parents tonight I would wager" Fitz said as he patted Duncan on the shoulder "and a good nights work".
As Duncan pulled the car into the kerb they all looked up at the warehouse it was in darkness "I think it would be best if we stuck together for this one" Duncan said looking over his shoulder at Methos, who nodded. Alex looked up at Duncan "she needs to stay here.can you make her understand?"
"Nous're entrer dans ce construire, nous avons besoin de vous rester ici et nous attendre.a laissé personne mais nous dans la voiture, comprenez-vous?" (We're going into that building, we need you to stay here and wait for us.let no one but us into the car, do you understand?). The girl nodded "Oui Monseuir" (Yes Monseuir), Alex picked up her jacket and put it around the girl's shoulders "try and get some sleep" Duncan translated what Alex had said and the girl nodded again before curling up under Alex's jacket.
"Can I have my gun?" Alex said catching hold of Duncan's arm as he walked towards the warehouse, she could see that Duncan wasn't keen on the idea "Duncan it's the only thing I have for protection.the last time I looked I wasn't Immortal" reluctantly Duncan pulled the gun from his pocket and handed it to Alex, she checked the gun and flipped the safety catch off as they walked round the side of the building. Methos had seen the look in Alex's eyes in the basement, they had been cold, she had felt nothing for the man who's brains she had just blown all over the room and he knew that she was no stranger to death. Duncan forced the side door with relative ease "I see your technique has improved MacLeod" Fitz said as he followed Duncan into the building. They searched the first two floors but found nothing but empty offices, so they moved up the stairs to the next floor, as they started to walk down the corridor, all 3 Immortals felt the presences of another of their kind. "This is not good" Methos said in a hushed voice. Duncan stopped and turned to Alex "I want you to go on alone, we'll go down this corridor and create a diversion.you just find the child and get out of the building.take them both to the police" Duncan said handing Alex his car keys "But." Duncan silenced Alex's protest by placing his finger on her lips "this isn't open for debate", Alex could see from his eyes that it was unless to try and argue.
"Do you know who is here?" Fitz asked, as they started down the corridor "No prisoners" Methos said both Duncan and Fitz knew what he meant. It wasn't long before they found the first guard, Duncan slipped up behind him and before he could register anything Duncan had grabbed him round the neck seconds later he was lying on the floor his body twisted and his neck broken, Duncan took the gun from his hand and handed it to Methos, who motioned he was going to check on the sound he had just heard coming from behind one of the doors.
Alex moved slowly down the corridor, she didn't want to use her gun unless there was no alterative the sound of weapons firewould lose them the element of surprise. Alex carefully peered round the corner a man stood outside an office a sub-machine gun in his hand, Alex ducked back as the office door opened and Lazarski walked out, he had a glazed far away look in his eyes, the same kind of look she had seen come over Duncan and the others, Lazarski beckoned the man to follow him. Alex waited until they were out of sight before moving down the corridor to the office, she constantly checked all around as she went. She checked the corridor one last time before entering the room, she quietly shut the door behind her, as she walked into further into the room she noticed as small glass panelled office at the far end she could just make out a shape in the darkness huddled against the glass, the door was open so Alex moved to the doorway her gun ready in her hands. Alex almost cried out when she saw the batter face staring wide-eyed at her, quickly she dropped one hand away from the gun "It's all right I'm here to help you" in her haste to get to the child Alex hadn't checked behind the door, as she walked towards the child Alex felt a sharp pain in her head as a blow of a fist hit her, Alex crumpled to her knees, before she could recover the man wrapped his arm around her neck choking her, Alex managed to struggle to her feet but dropped her gun. Alex elbowed the man in the ribs as she desperately tried to break his hold but he held firm, she then managed to get her feet onto the wall and pushed back hoping to knock the man off balance but he only stumbled, Alex could feel herself starting to lose conciseness she knew this was her last chance reaching behind her she grabbed hold of the man's groin and she pulled and twisted with all her remaining strength. To her relief the sudden pain had caused the man to release his grip for just enough time for her to slip from his grasp. Alex dropped to the floor rolling across to where her gun lay, she knew that she had no choice, she fired the child screamed as blood from the man's chest bubbled through his fingers. The man made a final lunge towards Alex but the second bullet slamming into his body threw him to the ground.
Alex scrambled to her feet grabbing hold of the child's arm, there was no time for kind words Alex knew that they had to get out before anymore of Lazarski's men arrived.
As Methos came out of the room with two more guns in his hand he hand them to Duncan who gave one to Fitz before they moved on through the building leaving several dead bodies behind them but they didn't find the child or Alex, they all still sensed the faint presences of another Immortal but they hadn't come face to face yet. They entered the final office on this floor and Duncan moved further into the office to the glass office at the far side, Methos and Fitz stayed by the door. One look inside the glass room and Duncan knew that Alex must have been here as he looked down at the bloody corpse of a man; he then saw the mattress in the corner and Duncan realised that Alex must have the child. Quickly, he made his way back to the door "Looks like Alex has the child.we had better get back to the car" Duncan said as he moved passed the other two Immortals.
Alex and the child had made it down to the lower floor, she just rounded the corner into the last corridor when out from one of the doorways stepped Lazarski. Alex stopped swallowing hard, her heart beating so loudly that she thought it would burst through her chest, glancing down she saw the terrified look on the child's face and Alex now knew who had given her the bruises. Alex guided the child behind her "My dear Alex you came all this way.were you going to leave without saying goodbye" Lazarski said grinning at her, Alex licked her lips and brought her gun up in front her "You must have known I couldn't let you do this" Alex said raising her gun "I know what and who you are.I'm no longer afraid of you now.I'm not the scared child any more you have no power here".
Lazarski walked forward "Is that why your hands are shaking" Alex backed away trying to keep the distance between them, Alex looked down at the hands she hadn't realised they were shaking "Stay where you are" Alex demanded "or what you'll shoot me.if you truly know what I am you'll know that you can't kill me"
"I might not be able to kill you permanently but you'll be dead long enough for us to get out of here"
"Alex.Alex you were always my favourite" Lazarski outstretched his arms as he walked forward again "your favourite.your favourite punching bag you mean" Alex laughed nervously.
"Why fight it Alex you'll come to me.how many more people have to suffer because of you.she was nearly as feisty as you were but not so much of a challenge" he said as he started to walk towards her, Alex could feel the fear she had felt as a child coming to the surface and she knew that she must act now if she was to save the child cowering behind her and herself. Her finger squeezed the trigger and the gun fired hitting Lazarski in the chest, as the shot made him step backwards he felt the presences of another Immortal "I see you have brought a friend with you it must be the Highlander MacLeod.I'm not ready for him yet but his time will come and I'll see you soon" he said before disappearing through one of the open doors. Alex knew the sound of the gun shot would bring the others so checking the doorways as she went she hurried the child outside and over to the car. "Get in" she gestured as she unlocked the door and the little girl got into the back seat with the other child who woke up as the car door opened. Alex shut the door she leant back against the car but she became overwhelmed by nausea quickly she moved over to the warehouse wall using it for support as she threw up.
Duncan could see her as they all came out of the building, he motioned for the others to go to the car while he came over to her, putting his hand on her shoulder "Hey are you all right" Alex nodded as she spat out the last of the bile that was in her mouth. Methos had seen what was going on he grew suspicious as he watched Alex and Duncan, he had seen the way Alex had reacted in the basement and it was obvious she had been involved in operations of this kind before she shouldn't be acting like it was her first time he thought. Methos then turned his attention to the little girl Alex had just brought out "Il je va très bien ne vais pas vous endommager. ..can vous me dites ce qu'est arrivé seulement avant que vous ayez ait reçu à la voiture?" (it's all right I'm not going to hurt you...can you tell me what happened just before you got to the car?) Methos gently wiped the tears from the girl's cheek "le mauvais homme est venu, je mets't sait une bonne partie de qu'il a dit.mais je pense qu'il veut qu'elle soit allé avec lui, quelque chose des gens étant endommagé à cause d'elle" (the bad man came, I don't know much of what he said.but I think he want her to go with him, something about people being hurt because of her).
Methos stopped talking as he heard Duncan walking Alex over to the car "are you sure you're not hurt".
"I'm fine Duncan just too much adrenalin happens sometimes" Alex said she was relieved that Duncan seemed happy with this answer "We'll drop the children at the nearest Police station and then we'll go back to the barge" Duncan said as he held the door for Alex to get into the back seat with the children and Methos. As she go in she looked across at Methos and she knew from the expression on his face that he wasn't convinced by her story. She held her breath and Methos's gaze willing him not to say anything, when he just nodded and looked down at the two girls huddled between them Alex relaxed.
"What are we going to tell the Police" Fitz asked as he took out his pipe "I'm just thinking about.not in here Fitz wait till we get to the barge" Duncan said as he looked in the rear-view mirror first at Alex but she was resting her head back on the headrest with her eyes closed, then he looked at Methos who sighed "I'll deal with it". Methos then motioned to the two little girls to turn to face him "Je sais que vous avez été par un lotissement dans le dernier peu de jours mais je vraiment ai besoin de vous m'aider. ..can vous faites que pour moi?" (I know you've been through a lot in the last few days but I really need you to help me...can you do that for me?) The two girls nodded "Nous allons être au poste De Police dans un moment et alors vous devrez aller dans seul. ..you voit que nous ne peut pas aller avec vous, nous avons besoin d'oublier quoi de nous ou nous pourrions créer des ennuis pour une partie des choses qui est arrivé. ..do vous comprenez?" (We are going to be at the Police station in a moment and then you'll have to go in alone...you see we can't go with you, we need you to forget everything about us or we might get into trouble for some of the things that happened...do you understand?) again the two girls nodded "J'ai besoin de vous promettre. ..do vous promettez?" (I need you to promise...do you promise?)
The two girls chattered to each other for a few minutes before the girl which had the bruised face spoke "Nous les deux promesse. ..neither de nous se souviendra de n'importe quoi de vous sauf qu'il y avait quatre de vous. ..you a risqué vos vies pour nous je pense que nous pouvons vous promettre ceci" (We both promise...neither of us will remember anything about you except that there was four of you...you risked your lives for us I think we can promise you this)
"Merci" Methos said as Duncan parked the car outside the Police station, Methos got out of the car and held the door open for the two little girls to get out "Vous serez la maison bientôt" (You'll be home soon) he watched as the two girls entered the Police station. "Let's go Mac" Methos said as he got back into the car. "There will be some very happy parents tonight I would wager" Fitz said as he patted Duncan on the shoulder "and a good nights work".