Chapter 40
Joe drank down his drink as he watched Duncan leave without a word before walking over to the phone, as he dialled he saw Duncan's car speed away. Methos's hand fumbled around the table by his bed for the phone "Yes?" Methos said the annoyance in his voice obvious.
"It's Joe" came the reply.
"Joe? …is everything alright?" Methos asked as he sat up in the bed rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he hadn't gone straight to bed after Duncan had dropped him off, he decided to spend some time trying to trace Lazarski through his computer but he found nothing. He had fallen asleep over his computer for a short while before finally admitting he must get some real sleep.
"Mac was just here…he left in a hurry after getting a call, he didn't even finish the drink I poured him, I think it was bad news from the hospital…I just thought you should know" Joe said as he struggled to pull on his coat while still talking to Methos "I've got to check in with a few people but then I'm heading to the hospital…will I see you there?" Joe asked.
"Yeah…I'll grab a quick shower. Let me know if you find out anything" Methos said as he swung his legs out of the bed putting the phone down in the process. He sat for a few moments on the edge of the bed trying to collect his thoughts, he ran his hands over his face, if only he had gone back for Lazarski's head all those years ago none of this would be happening now but he hadn't so he would just have to deal with it. He walked barefoot across the wooden floor to the shower his mind trying to think like his former pupil, if he could get inside his head it might give them the advantage they needed.
Thomas had lost count of the yachts they had stopped, but they hadn't found what they were looking for. He pulled his coat around him as he walked across the deck to where McCormack and Ray were standing by the rail, the sky was just starting to lighten as the dawn of a new day approached "I think Alex got some duff information" Thomas said as he put his hands into the pockets of his coat to keep them warm. McCormack looked at his watch "Ok will call it a night"
"No, let's give it a little longer, Alex risked a lot to get us this information we owe her to at least see it through to dawn" Ray said as he move to stop McCormack going to the bridge, McCormack laid his hand on Ray's shoulder and smiled, he hadn't wanted to give up either "Ok till dawn it is".
A voice from the bridge of the ship made them all look up "Hey Monsieur McCormack, there is a yacht about a mile ahead, it's been spotted by one of our other ships, it's not responding to the radio calls"
"What are you waiting for, I think this might be the one we are looking for" McCormack shouted back, the young coastguard smiled and waved his hand as he turned the ship in the direction of the other coastguard vessel and the yacht. Ray was glad that it was a calm night he was never that comfortable on the water, he would be glad to get back to ashore. The ship cut through the still water with easy and they made good time to the yacht, the other larger coastguard vessel was already trying to hail the crew of the yacht through loudspeakers in both French and English but still nothing, it still held to it's course towards the harbour. McCormack went to the bridge to find out what they could do next, the captain was in contact with his colleague on the other coastguard vessel and they had decided they would board the yacht. The yacht wasn't under sail as there was little wind it was using it's motor to take it in, as it wasn't responding to their calls to stop they would have to board it while it was underway.
"My men will go with yours" McCormack told the captain as he motioned to Ray and Thomas to get ready "If this is what we think it is we need to get it away from the coast, we can't let it reach the shore"
"I understand Monsieur, we have the authority from my Government to use what ever is necessary to stop it" the captain said as he moved his ship closer, with a calm sea it was easy for the coastguard ships to match the yacht's speed and come alongside. Two French coastguards officers gauged the speed and jumped on board the yacht first they took with them ropes to secure the yacht to their ship, Ray and Thomas followed their guns drawn. The yacht wasn't very big and it didn't take longer to find out that no one was onboard; the men from the coast guard easily found the system piloting the yacht as they worked to shut it down while Ray and Thomas searched for the device.
Ray lifted a small panel under one of the bunks "GOT IT" he shouted as he looked down at the explosives packed tightly around the small glass vial. He traced the wires without touching them, he looked up as Thomas clambered over the other bunk to get a look "This is way out of our league" Ray said looking Thomas in the eyes "any ideas?" Ray asked as he watched Thomas go through all the same things he had "by the look of this counter we shouldn't hang around too long" Thomas said as he pushed himself away from the panel, heading for the deck, Ray followed "Come on you're the expert what are we going to do?" Ray asked as he came through the small hatch but Thomas didn't answer him he was already in conversation with McCormack over the radio "Sir, Our only chance is to sink it before it can detonate"
"Then what are you waiting for?" came the gruff reply, Thomas rolled his eyes as he looked over at Ray who had heard their bosses words of wisdom "I'll get the bag" he said as motioned for the two coastguard officers to follow him, he then jumped back onto the coastguard ship, it was easier this time as the coastguards had managed to disconnect the piloting system so the yacht and the ships were now only being moved by the motion of the waves. As soon as Ray had got himself onto the deck McCormack thrust a black bag into his hands "Thank you Sir". Ray then tossed the bag to Thomas who caught it and started to open it with one smooth move. As Ray clambered back on board the yacht he had just got his footing when Thomas tossed a small device to him, which he nearly dropped, "Hey, be careful or we'll all end up at the bottom" Ray said glaring at Thomas but it only made him grin more "place that as far forward as you can get it and as close to the bottom as possible" Thomas said before heading to the other end of the yacht.
Duncan paced the corridor outside Alex's room, he kept checking his watch, he had been waiting for over an hour now "Mac why don't we sit down I'm sure they are doing the best they can" Duncan didn't get the chance to answer as they both felt another Immortal, both Fitz and Duncan looked towards the door as Methos walked in "Mac, what happened?" Methos walked past Fitz straight to where Duncan was standing "I don't know, they haven't told me anything the doctor is still in there with her and it's been over an hour" Duncan said as he wiped his hands over his face "I don't understand it Adam she was weak when we left but she was improving wasn't she?" Duncan's face showed the concern he was feeling, Methos put his hand on Duncan's arm "there could be a lot of reasons for the set back Mac, I know it's hard but try not to worry"
The door to Alex's room opened and the doctor came out "Monsieur MacLeod?" he said looking around the corridor "I'm Duncan MacLeod" Duncan said moving Methos out of the way as he walked towards the doctor. "How is she?"
"Would you mind walking with me Monsieur MacLeod," the doctor said gesturing down the corridor "Sure" Duncan replied looking over at Methos, who nodded at Duncan's unspoken request positioning himself against the wall opposite Alex's room. Duncan turned and walked along the corridor with the doctor "So what is wrong with her?" Duncan asked impatiently, the doctor turned to face him "I will be honest with you, we are not sure, we'll know more when we get the test results back." This wasn't what Duncan had wanted to hear "You must have some idea?" his eyes flashed with anger, which made the doctor step back, Duncan saw the look of fear in the young doctor's eyes "I'm sorry, I'm just…" the doctor patted Duncan on the arm "I understand Monsieur, but I can't give you answers I don't have, but it could be an infection, it's not uncommon in long procedures but we should know more tomorrow". The sound of the crash trolley and the nurses leaving the room made the doctor and Duncan look back down the corridor.
"Can I see her?"
"Yes" Duncan heard the reply and didn't wait to hear anymore before he turned for towards the room but the doctor reached out his hand "Monsieur, we've managed to stabilise her but she is very weak, she is drifting in and out of consciousness, don't expect to much from her" he then moved his arm away allowing Duncan to go to Alex. He walked passed Fitz and Methos without a word they both could see the pain on his face, Fitz started to follow him but was stopped as Methos moved into his path and put his arm around Fitz's shoulder "I think he needs to be alone, why don't you buy me a coffee".
Duncan slowly pushed the door open he stood in the doorway part of him didn't want to go in, the room was empty now except for the small figure in the bed by the window. As he walked towards her he laid his coat on the spare bed he stood at the end for a few moments, images of people he had cared for and lost filled his mind; he had to bite his lip to stop from being overwhelmed by his emotion. He moved silently to the chair, taking hold of Alex's hand he sat down pressing it to his lips and a single tear rolled down his cheek dropping onto her hand. Alex's eyes flickered; Duncan smoothed her hair as his eyes followed every contour of her face, he smiled as her eyes opened, it took a few moments for her eyes to focus on his "Duncan, are you all right?" her voice wasn't more than a whisper, Duncan moved to the edge of the chair "you know gave us quite a scare for awhile there" Alex ran her hand down his cheek "I'm tougher than I look you know, anyway you still owe me tha…" Alex didn't manage to finish her sentence before her arm fell back to the bed and she lapsed to unconsciousness but Duncan knew what she was trying to say he smiled at her "Don't worry I always pay a debt" he then sat back in the chair and just watched her. Duncan didn't look up as Methos, Fitz and Joe entered the room, the two Immortals stayed by the door but Joe walked round to where Duncan was sitting "Mac, what did the doctor say?" Duncan stood up and walked over to the window "They don't really know what has happen, they're running tests but they think it could be an infection" Joe stood beside Duncan looking out of the window "I've got a few leads on Lazarski but it will take some time, I just wanted you to know that I haven't given up" Joe then looked over at Alex he had dug up some things on Lazarski which had turned his stomach and he wondered how something that looked so fragile had managed to survive such a nightmare. "I'll check back with you in the morning, I take it you'll be staying here?" Joe asked, Duncan turned to him, he smiled weakly and nodded, Joe looked round at the other two Immortals "Can I give anyone a lift?"
Methos shook his head and looked across at Fitz "Yes, well if you don't mind could you drop me off at my apartment".
"Sure, no problem" Joe said as he motioned Fitz to follow him "I'll come back tomorrow MacLeod" Fitz said but Duncan didn't answer he just nodded while he look out into the night. Methos knew that this wasn't a time for words so he climbed onto the spare bed, leaving his friend with his thoughts but being ready if he needed to talk.
Joe drank down his drink as he watched Duncan leave without a word before walking over to the phone, as he dialled he saw Duncan's car speed away. Methos's hand fumbled around the table by his bed for the phone "Yes?" Methos said the annoyance in his voice obvious.
"It's Joe" came the reply.
"Joe? …is everything alright?" Methos asked as he sat up in the bed rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he hadn't gone straight to bed after Duncan had dropped him off, he decided to spend some time trying to trace Lazarski through his computer but he found nothing. He had fallen asleep over his computer for a short while before finally admitting he must get some real sleep.
"Mac was just here…he left in a hurry after getting a call, he didn't even finish the drink I poured him, I think it was bad news from the hospital…I just thought you should know" Joe said as he struggled to pull on his coat while still talking to Methos "I've got to check in with a few people but then I'm heading to the hospital…will I see you there?" Joe asked.
"Yeah…I'll grab a quick shower. Let me know if you find out anything" Methos said as he swung his legs out of the bed putting the phone down in the process. He sat for a few moments on the edge of the bed trying to collect his thoughts, he ran his hands over his face, if only he had gone back for Lazarski's head all those years ago none of this would be happening now but he hadn't so he would just have to deal with it. He walked barefoot across the wooden floor to the shower his mind trying to think like his former pupil, if he could get inside his head it might give them the advantage they needed.
Thomas had lost count of the yachts they had stopped, but they hadn't found what they were looking for. He pulled his coat around him as he walked across the deck to where McCormack and Ray were standing by the rail, the sky was just starting to lighten as the dawn of a new day approached "I think Alex got some duff information" Thomas said as he put his hands into the pockets of his coat to keep them warm. McCormack looked at his watch "Ok will call it a night"
"No, let's give it a little longer, Alex risked a lot to get us this information we owe her to at least see it through to dawn" Ray said as he move to stop McCormack going to the bridge, McCormack laid his hand on Ray's shoulder and smiled, he hadn't wanted to give up either "Ok till dawn it is".
A voice from the bridge of the ship made them all look up "Hey Monsieur McCormack, there is a yacht about a mile ahead, it's been spotted by one of our other ships, it's not responding to the radio calls"
"What are you waiting for, I think this might be the one we are looking for" McCormack shouted back, the young coastguard smiled and waved his hand as he turned the ship in the direction of the other coastguard vessel and the yacht. Ray was glad that it was a calm night he was never that comfortable on the water, he would be glad to get back to ashore. The ship cut through the still water with easy and they made good time to the yacht, the other larger coastguard vessel was already trying to hail the crew of the yacht through loudspeakers in both French and English but still nothing, it still held to it's course towards the harbour. McCormack went to the bridge to find out what they could do next, the captain was in contact with his colleague on the other coastguard vessel and they had decided they would board the yacht. The yacht wasn't under sail as there was little wind it was using it's motor to take it in, as it wasn't responding to their calls to stop they would have to board it while it was underway.
"My men will go with yours" McCormack told the captain as he motioned to Ray and Thomas to get ready "If this is what we think it is we need to get it away from the coast, we can't let it reach the shore"
"I understand Monsieur, we have the authority from my Government to use what ever is necessary to stop it" the captain said as he moved his ship closer, with a calm sea it was easy for the coastguard ships to match the yacht's speed and come alongside. Two French coastguards officers gauged the speed and jumped on board the yacht first they took with them ropes to secure the yacht to their ship, Ray and Thomas followed their guns drawn. The yacht wasn't very big and it didn't take longer to find out that no one was onboard; the men from the coast guard easily found the system piloting the yacht as they worked to shut it down while Ray and Thomas searched for the device.
Ray lifted a small panel under one of the bunks "GOT IT" he shouted as he looked down at the explosives packed tightly around the small glass vial. He traced the wires without touching them, he looked up as Thomas clambered over the other bunk to get a look "This is way out of our league" Ray said looking Thomas in the eyes "any ideas?" Ray asked as he watched Thomas go through all the same things he had "by the look of this counter we shouldn't hang around too long" Thomas said as he pushed himself away from the panel, heading for the deck, Ray followed "Come on you're the expert what are we going to do?" Ray asked as he came through the small hatch but Thomas didn't answer him he was already in conversation with McCormack over the radio "Sir, Our only chance is to sink it before it can detonate"
"Then what are you waiting for?" came the gruff reply, Thomas rolled his eyes as he looked over at Ray who had heard their bosses words of wisdom "I'll get the bag" he said as motioned for the two coastguard officers to follow him, he then jumped back onto the coastguard ship, it was easier this time as the coastguards had managed to disconnect the piloting system so the yacht and the ships were now only being moved by the motion of the waves. As soon as Ray had got himself onto the deck McCormack thrust a black bag into his hands "Thank you Sir". Ray then tossed the bag to Thomas who caught it and started to open it with one smooth move. As Ray clambered back on board the yacht he had just got his footing when Thomas tossed a small device to him, which he nearly dropped, "Hey, be careful or we'll all end up at the bottom" Ray said glaring at Thomas but it only made him grin more "place that as far forward as you can get it and as close to the bottom as possible" Thomas said before heading to the other end of the yacht.
Duncan paced the corridor outside Alex's room, he kept checking his watch, he had been waiting for over an hour now "Mac why don't we sit down I'm sure they are doing the best they can" Duncan didn't get the chance to answer as they both felt another Immortal, both Fitz and Duncan looked towards the door as Methos walked in "Mac, what happened?" Methos walked past Fitz straight to where Duncan was standing "I don't know, they haven't told me anything the doctor is still in there with her and it's been over an hour" Duncan said as he wiped his hands over his face "I don't understand it Adam she was weak when we left but she was improving wasn't she?" Duncan's face showed the concern he was feeling, Methos put his hand on Duncan's arm "there could be a lot of reasons for the set back Mac, I know it's hard but try not to worry"
The door to Alex's room opened and the doctor came out "Monsieur MacLeod?" he said looking around the corridor "I'm Duncan MacLeod" Duncan said moving Methos out of the way as he walked towards the doctor. "How is she?"
"Would you mind walking with me Monsieur MacLeod," the doctor said gesturing down the corridor "Sure" Duncan replied looking over at Methos, who nodded at Duncan's unspoken request positioning himself against the wall opposite Alex's room. Duncan turned and walked along the corridor with the doctor "So what is wrong with her?" Duncan asked impatiently, the doctor turned to face him "I will be honest with you, we are not sure, we'll know more when we get the test results back." This wasn't what Duncan had wanted to hear "You must have some idea?" his eyes flashed with anger, which made the doctor step back, Duncan saw the look of fear in the young doctor's eyes "I'm sorry, I'm just…" the doctor patted Duncan on the arm "I understand Monsieur, but I can't give you answers I don't have, but it could be an infection, it's not uncommon in long procedures but we should know more tomorrow". The sound of the crash trolley and the nurses leaving the room made the doctor and Duncan look back down the corridor.
"Can I see her?"
"Yes" Duncan heard the reply and didn't wait to hear anymore before he turned for towards the room but the doctor reached out his hand "Monsieur, we've managed to stabilise her but she is very weak, she is drifting in and out of consciousness, don't expect to much from her" he then moved his arm away allowing Duncan to go to Alex. He walked passed Fitz and Methos without a word they both could see the pain on his face, Fitz started to follow him but was stopped as Methos moved into his path and put his arm around Fitz's shoulder "I think he needs to be alone, why don't you buy me a coffee".
Duncan slowly pushed the door open he stood in the doorway part of him didn't want to go in, the room was empty now except for the small figure in the bed by the window. As he walked towards her he laid his coat on the spare bed he stood at the end for a few moments, images of people he had cared for and lost filled his mind; he had to bite his lip to stop from being overwhelmed by his emotion. He moved silently to the chair, taking hold of Alex's hand he sat down pressing it to his lips and a single tear rolled down his cheek dropping onto her hand. Alex's eyes flickered; Duncan smoothed her hair as his eyes followed every contour of her face, he smiled as her eyes opened, it took a few moments for her eyes to focus on his "Duncan, are you all right?" her voice wasn't more than a whisper, Duncan moved to the edge of the chair "you know gave us quite a scare for awhile there" Alex ran her hand down his cheek "I'm tougher than I look you know, anyway you still owe me tha…" Alex didn't manage to finish her sentence before her arm fell back to the bed and she lapsed to unconsciousness but Duncan knew what she was trying to say he smiled at her "Don't worry I always pay a debt" he then sat back in the chair and just watched her. Duncan didn't look up as Methos, Fitz and Joe entered the room, the two Immortals stayed by the door but Joe walked round to where Duncan was sitting "Mac, what did the doctor say?" Duncan stood up and walked over to the window "They don't really know what has happen, they're running tests but they think it could be an infection" Joe stood beside Duncan looking out of the window "I've got a few leads on Lazarski but it will take some time, I just wanted you to know that I haven't given up" Joe then looked over at Alex he had dug up some things on Lazarski which had turned his stomach and he wondered how something that looked so fragile had managed to survive such a nightmare. "I'll check back with you in the morning, I take it you'll be staying here?" Joe asked, Duncan turned to him, he smiled weakly and nodded, Joe looked round at the other two Immortals "Can I give anyone a lift?"
Methos shook his head and looked across at Fitz "Yes, well if you don't mind could you drop me off at my apartment".
"Sure, no problem" Joe said as he motioned Fitz to follow him "I'll come back tomorrow MacLeod" Fitz said but Duncan didn't answer he just nodded while he look out into the night. Methos knew that this wasn't a time for words so he climbed onto the spare bed, leaving his friend with his thoughts but being ready if he needed to talk.