Chapter 41
The pocket of his suit started to vibrate then the phone started to ring, Lazarski excused himself from his guest and went into the next room, he pulled out the cell phone and flipped the cover open "Yes, what is it?" he barked down the phone "Err…we have a small problem Sir" came the reply, Lazarski was already angry this was only making things worse "What are you talking about?"
The man on the other end of the phone took a deep breath before he started speaking "The yacht hasn't arrived and there has been a lot of coastguard activity, I think they've got to it first" the tremble in the man's voice evident to Lazarski. "but they should have been waiting for it to berth" Lazarski replied as he tried to think what could have gone wrong "I know Sir but there is no one waiting for it but I saw at least 3 coastguard ships in and around the harbour" with this news Lazarski knew that his little demonstration had been thwarted and there was only one person to blame "Get back here now" he said before slamming the cell phone closed. "DAMN IT!" he shouted as he knocked all the ornaments from the mantelpiece sending them crashing to the ground, the door was quickly opened by one of his men "Is everything all right Sir?"
"No is not. Did Noir managed to do what I asked?" Lazarski was in no mood to find out that he hadn't, "Yes, he said it was easier than he had thought. Do you want me to put the next part into action?" Lazarski was relieved that something had gone right "Yes" he said with a wave of his hand dismissing the man. Lazarski took a few moments to compose himself he didn't want to alarm his guest that anything was wrong with their deal. He walked over to the desk in front of the window, he sat down in the high backed red leather chair and leant on the desk, resting his chin on one of his hands, he hadn't given her the credit she deserved but now the game was over and he smiled to himself as he thought about his victory, the disc would be his within days.
The nurse crept into the room to check on Alex she didn't want to disturb the two men who were now sleeping after being up most of the night, but she had just reached the bed when the dark haired man in the chair awoke "What time is it?" he asked, the nurse checked her watch that was pinned to her chest "It's a little after 7 Monsieur. They are starting to serve breakfast in the canteen if you and your friend are hungry?" Duncan wiped both his hands over his face as he got to his feet and stretched "No I'm fine but I'll tell him when he wakes up" Duncan said as he nodded towards the sleeping form on the spare bed. The nurse smiled as she started her checks, there was a yawn from the spare bed as Methos sat up blurry eyed "What time is it?"
"Just gone 7" Duncan said as he walked towards him "If your hungry the canteen has opened" Methos swung his legs off the bed "Sounds good to me, are you coming?" he already knew the answer but though he should ask anyway. "No, I'm going to wait for the doctor, see what they have found out" Methos slipped off the bed patting Duncan on the arm "I'll bring you something back" he said as he followed the nurse towards the door. Duncan rubbed his neck it was a little sore from the position he had been sleeping in, he wished the doctor would hurry up he wanted to know what was wrong with her. Alex had been unconscious since he had spoken to her the night before he didn't want that to be the last time.
Methos hadn't arrived back before the doctor started his rounds just before 8 but the doctor couldn't tell Duncan any more than he had last night, the first test results wouldn't be back until later that morning, Duncan's frustration was evident to the doctor who shared his need to find out the answers as this didn't seem to be a normal infection but he did his best to reassure Duncan. Methos came back with a brown paper bag, which he handed to Duncan "This was all I could get" he said as he went over to Alex he carried out all the checks the nurse had just done, his medical training coming back to him.
Methos had gone for some coffee when the doctor returned just before midday; he stood in the doorway "Can I have a word Monsieur MacLeod?" Duncan stood up "Can't you tell me here?"
"I would rather do this away from the patient" the doctor replied, Duncan sighed before following the doctor outside "Here will be fine" he said stopping the doctor going over to the seats by the nurses' station "Ok Monsieur, some of the test results are back" he looked down at the paper work in his hands. While they discussed the results a courier appeared at the nurse's station with a large bouquet of flowers, the nurse signed for them and took a quick look at the card before finding a vase. She smiled at Duncan as she went into Alex's room, Duncan moved over just opening the door enough to see the nurse arranging the vase on the table at the end of Alex's bed. As the nurse was making sure the flowers were looking their best, Alex's eyes opened "How are you feeling?" the nurse asked as she checked the drip "you're a lucky lady all these beautiful flowers, would you like me to read the card?" Alex nodded "Ok let's see who your admirer is" the nurse said pulling the card from the small white envelope "Oh I don't read English very well, I'm sorry" the nurse said handing the card to Alex "That's ok I'll read it later".
The nurse left after turning the flowers one last time to make sure they looked their best. Alex slowly moved the card closer so she could see it better, her blood ran cold and she had to fight to stay conscious as the words from the card filled her mind.
The battle is yours but the war is mine. Make the most of your time, I am the only one who can save you. You know what I want. I'll be in touch.
Alex's hand tightened around the card, but she was too weak to crush it, as the door started to open Alex pushed the card under her pillow. Duncan walked into the room he was greeted by Alex smiling at him from the bed "Nice flowers, who are they from?" Duncan asked as he walked over to her taking hold of her hand "I don't know there wasn't a card" she lied. Methos came back in as Duncan sat on the edge of Alex's bed "Are sleeping beauty awakes" he said as he handed a plastic cup of coffee to Duncan. Alex looked up into Duncan's eyes she tried to reach for his face but she was too weak, he caught hold of her hand, Alex's eyes searched his face "Duncan I want to promise me that no matter.." Alex stopped as a wave of pain ran through her body "Sssh don't try to talk just rest" Duncan said as he smiled down at her, Alex slowly blinked and licked her lips before starting again "no matter what happens, promise me that you won't give the disc to him" Duncan could see her eyes start to glisten with tears and he wondered what she wasn't telling him "Please Duncan promise me" Alex voice was no more than a whisper now as she fought to stay with him to hear his answer, Duncan smoothed her hair and smiled at her "I promise, now get some rest" as Duncan's words soothed her mind she let her eyes close entering the blackness of unconsciousness.
"What was that all about?" Methos asked as he leant back on the spare bed sipping his coffee, Duncan shrugged as his eyes looked over her sleeping form "I'm not sure, but I have a feeling she knows something we don't".
"Has the doctor been yet?" Methos asked as he took another sip of his coffee, Duncan got off the bed and walked over to the flowers on the end of Alex's bed he searched through the flowers but there was nothing there "They haven't found the cause yet he's waiting for one more test. Who sends flowers like this without a card and how would the nurse know to bring them in here" he asked as he looked over to Methos "Perhaps there was a card and the nurse forgot to leave it, I'll check" Methos said putting his cup down on the cabinet beside the spare bed. It didn't take him long to find out that the nurse who brought in the flowers was off duty until the next day. Methos was making his way back to the room when he felt another Immortal; Methos rolled his eyes when he saw Fitz walking down the corridor, he wasn't in the mood to put up with this strange Immortal but he was Mac's friend so he would try. "Arr, Adam, dear boy is MacLeod here?" Fitz asked as he pointed to Alex's room, Methos nodded as he walked towards the room.
"MacLeod, you look terrible, have the doctor's said what is wrong yet?" Fitz asked as he entered the room, "Fitz did you send more flowers?" Duncan asked, as he turned round. When Fitz saw the flowers Duncan was asking about "My dear fellow having seen them I wish I could say that I had but alas not". Methos follows Fitz into the room "Mac the nurse is off duty until tomorrow". Duncan went back and sat in the chair "I think I'm getting a little paranoid". The three Immortals talked about Lazarski and where he might have gone at some length, Alex had been conscious for a short while, Fitz had made his presences felt and even managed to raise a smile from her before she lapsed back into unconsciousness. An uneasy silence descended on the room as they had exhausted all their small talk "What would you say to a drink?" Fitz asked as he got to his feet both Duncan and Methos said they would like one, so Fitz went off to find the canteen. Alex had become restless in the bed and as Duncan tried to calm her Methos straightened out the drip tube, which had become wrapped around her arm, as his fingers ran along the length he felt some moisture on his fingers. Methos began to inspect the tube his actions alerted Duncan "What's wrong?" he asked as he walked round to where Methos was standing "Methos?"
"Sorry Mac, it might be nothing but there is liquid on the outside of this tube" Methos didn't have to look much further before he found what he was looking for "then again it could be something" he pressed the tube and a small droplet of the liquid formed on the outside. Duncan's mind raced as he tried to think how this could have happened, he was interrupted by Fitz entering the room with 3 cans of drink. Duncan turned to his friend "When you were here alone did anyone other than the nurses come in?" Duncan asked as he moved towards Fitz "No one but the nurses got past Hugh Fitzcairn, I swear" Fitz replied as he handed Duncan one of the cans, Duncan turned away to the window as he tried to understand how the tube had become damaged, he opened the can and took a sip, he watched a couple of nurses walk into the entrance of the hospital several stories below. He quickly turned round "Which nurses?" Fitz looked a little surprised by the question and at first didn't answer "Fitz?" Duncan's tone demanded an answer "well, there was two middle aged ones, one with a face that could curdle milk" Fitz shuddered as he remembered her face "the other about the same age but very plain, then in the afternoon this Venus in a uniform appeared" Fitz smiled as he remembered the pretty young nurse he was to entertain that night, but when he looked at Duncan's face he could see it had darkened "Fitz did you leave Alex alone?" Duncan said loudly walking towards him, Fitz's mind raced and then a look of horror crossed his face as he remembered that he had "Fitz?"
"It…it was only for a moment I promise," Fitz said as he backed away "Why…why did you leave her?" Duncan demanded his eyes flashed with anger "I was talking and she wanted to give me her number and didn't have a pen so…"
"I don't believe you because of your libido it looks like Lazarski has managed to get to Alex" Duncan couldn't bear to look at Fitz and he turned away. "It was only a moment I swear MacLeod, I was only at the nurses station".
"JUST GO…GET OUT" Duncan shouted without turning round, Fitz went to walk towards Duncan but he found Methos's arm stopping him "I think it's best if you go" he said as he steered Fitz towards the door just before he closed the door he said "don't worry he'll calm down just give him time" Fitz nodded somewhat crestfallen at his moment of weakness had possibly caused Alex's condition. A few moments later the doctor came into the room after being told of the raised voices "Is everything all right?" he asked as he entered the room, Duncan pulled his anger in as he turned round to greet the doctor "have the results come back yet?"
"Yes but they aren't what I had hoped, there seems to a virus in her system but we haven't been able to identify it yet" the doctor could see the distress his news was causing "try not to worry I'm not giving up, I'm going to take some more samples so we can do some more tests" Duncan rubbed his forehead as he tried to come to terms with what the doctor had just told them, paced the floor, he could feel his anger rising, he turned to Methos "I need some air can you stay with her Adam?"
"Of course" Methos replied, Duncan grabbed his coat and headed outside. The doctor started taking blood samples while Methos watched, when the doctors attention was taken by a nurse opening the door to ask him about another patient, he took his chance and pocketed one of the vials of blood. After the doctor had finished Methos was straightening the bed around Alex, as he moved the pillows he spotted a piece of white card, he pulled it out and realised that it was from the flowers. As he read it he knew that Alex already knew what had happened to her, now the promise she made Duncan make made sense. He tapped the card against fingers as he tried to decide what to tell Duncan, he hadn't noticed Alex come round, as her eyes focused a feeling of alarm overwhelmed her as she saw the card in Methos's hand, with great effort she lifted her hand taking hold of the edge of the card, the pull on the card made Methos look down, he took hold of her hand pulling it away from the card "Adam, please, please don't tell Duncan" she pleaded, he leant forward so he could hear her better "You must know that it might be the only way to save your life" he smoothed her hair away from her eyes "I know but if he gets that disc more people will die, hundreds maybe thousands" Alex struggled to get her breath " Adam, I don't want to live at the expense of others, I've enough blood on my hands as it is" her voice trailed away as she slipped back into unconsciousness, part of him was relieved, as he hadn't promised her anything this would be his decision and he hoped he would make the right one.
The pocket of his suit started to vibrate then the phone started to ring, Lazarski excused himself from his guest and went into the next room, he pulled out the cell phone and flipped the cover open "Yes, what is it?" he barked down the phone "Err…we have a small problem Sir" came the reply, Lazarski was already angry this was only making things worse "What are you talking about?"
The man on the other end of the phone took a deep breath before he started speaking "The yacht hasn't arrived and there has been a lot of coastguard activity, I think they've got to it first" the tremble in the man's voice evident to Lazarski. "but they should have been waiting for it to berth" Lazarski replied as he tried to think what could have gone wrong "I know Sir but there is no one waiting for it but I saw at least 3 coastguard ships in and around the harbour" with this news Lazarski knew that his little demonstration had been thwarted and there was only one person to blame "Get back here now" he said before slamming the cell phone closed. "DAMN IT!" he shouted as he knocked all the ornaments from the mantelpiece sending them crashing to the ground, the door was quickly opened by one of his men "Is everything all right Sir?"
"No is not. Did Noir managed to do what I asked?" Lazarski was in no mood to find out that he hadn't, "Yes, he said it was easier than he had thought. Do you want me to put the next part into action?" Lazarski was relieved that something had gone right "Yes" he said with a wave of his hand dismissing the man. Lazarski took a few moments to compose himself he didn't want to alarm his guest that anything was wrong with their deal. He walked over to the desk in front of the window, he sat down in the high backed red leather chair and leant on the desk, resting his chin on one of his hands, he hadn't given her the credit she deserved but now the game was over and he smiled to himself as he thought about his victory, the disc would be his within days.
The nurse crept into the room to check on Alex she didn't want to disturb the two men who were now sleeping after being up most of the night, but she had just reached the bed when the dark haired man in the chair awoke "What time is it?" he asked, the nurse checked her watch that was pinned to her chest "It's a little after 7 Monsieur. They are starting to serve breakfast in the canteen if you and your friend are hungry?" Duncan wiped both his hands over his face as he got to his feet and stretched "No I'm fine but I'll tell him when he wakes up" Duncan said as he nodded towards the sleeping form on the spare bed. The nurse smiled as she started her checks, there was a yawn from the spare bed as Methos sat up blurry eyed "What time is it?"
"Just gone 7" Duncan said as he walked towards him "If your hungry the canteen has opened" Methos swung his legs off the bed "Sounds good to me, are you coming?" he already knew the answer but though he should ask anyway. "No, I'm going to wait for the doctor, see what they have found out" Methos slipped off the bed patting Duncan on the arm "I'll bring you something back" he said as he followed the nurse towards the door. Duncan rubbed his neck it was a little sore from the position he had been sleeping in, he wished the doctor would hurry up he wanted to know what was wrong with her. Alex had been unconscious since he had spoken to her the night before he didn't want that to be the last time.
Methos hadn't arrived back before the doctor started his rounds just before 8 but the doctor couldn't tell Duncan any more than he had last night, the first test results wouldn't be back until later that morning, Duncan's frustration was evident to the doctor who shared his need to find out the answers as this didn't seem to be a normal infection but he did his best to reassure Duncan. Methos came back with a brown paper bag, which he handed to Duncan "This was all I could get" he said as he went over to Alex he carried out all the checks the nurse had just done, his medical training coming back to him.
Methos had gone for some coffee when the doctor returned just before midday; he stood in the doorway "Can I have a word Monsieur MacLeod?" Duncan stood up "Can't you tell me here?"
"I would rather do this away from the patient" the doctor replied, Duncan sighed before following the doctor outside "Here will be fine" he said stopping the doctor going over to the seats by the nurses' station "Ok Monsieur, some of the test results are back" he looked down at the paper work in his hands. While they discussed the results a courier appeared at the nurse's station with a large bouquet of flowers, the nurse signed for them and took a quick look at the card before finding a vase. She smiled at Duncan as she went into Alex's room, Duncan moved over just opening the door enough to see the nurse arranging the vase on the table at the end of Alex's bed. As the nurse was making sure the flowers were looking their best, Alex's eyes opened "How are you feeling?" the nurse asked as she checked the drip "you're a lucky lady all these beautiful flowers, would you like me to read the card?" Alex nodded "Ok let's see who your admirer is" the nurse said pulling the card from the small white envelope "Oh I don't read English very well, I'm sorry" the nurse said handing the card to Alex "That's ok I'll read it later".
The nurse left after turning the flowers one last time to make sure they looked their best. Alex slowly moved the card closer so she could see it better, her blood ran cold and she had to fight to stay conscious as the words from the card filled her mind.
The battle is yours but the war is mine. Make the most of your time, I am the only one who can save you. You know what I want. I'll be in touch.
Alex's hand tightened around the card, but she was too weak to crush it, as the door started to open Alex pushed the card under her pillow. Duncan walked into the room he was greeted by Alex smiling at him from the bed "Nice flowers, who are they from?" Duncan asked as he walked over to her taking hold of her hand "I don't know there wasn't a card" she lied. Methos came back in as Duncan sat on the edge of Alex's bed "Are sleeping beauty awakes" he said as he handed a plastic cup of coffee to Duncan. Alex looked up into Duncan's eyes she tried to reach for his face but she was too weak, he caught hold of her hand, Alex's eyes searched his face "Duncan I want to promise me that no matter.." Alex stopped as a wave of pain ran through her body "Sssh don't try to talk just rest" Duncan said as he smiled down at her, Alex slowly blinked and licked her lips before starting again "no matter what happens, promise me that you won't give the disc to him" Duncan could see her eyes start to glisten with tears and he wondered what she wasn't telling him "Please Duncan promise me" Alex voice was no more than a whisper now as she fought to stay with him to hear his answer, Duncan smoothed her hair and smiled at her "I promise, now get some rest" as Duncan's words soothed her mind she let her eyes close entering the blackness of unconsciousness.
"What was that all about?" Methos asked as he leant back on the spare bed sipping his coffee, Duncan shrugged as his eyes looked over her sleeping form "I'm not sure, but I have a feeling she knows something we don't".
"Has the doctor been yet?" Methos asked as he took another sip of his coffee, Duncan got off the bed and walked over to the flowers on the end of Alex's bed he searched through the flowers but there was nothing there "They haven't found the cause yet he's waiting for one more test. Who sends flowers like this without a card and how would the nurse know to bring them in here" he asked as he looked over to Methos "Perhaps there was a card and the nurse forgot to leave it, I'll check" Methos said putting his cup down on the cabinet beside the spare bed. It didn't take him long to find out that the nurse who brought in the flowers was off duty until the next day. Methos was making his way back to the room when he felt another Immortal; Methos rolled his eyes when he saw Fitz walking down the corridor, he wasn't in the mood to put up with this strange Immortal but he was Mac's friend so he would try. "Arr, Adam, dear boy is MacLeod here?" Fitz asked as he pointed to Alex's room, Methos nodded as he walked towards the room.
"MacLeod, you look terrible, have the doctor's said what is wrong yet?" Fitz asked as he entered the room, "Fitz did you send more flowers?" Duncan asked, as he turned round. When Fitz saw the flowers Duncan was asking about "My dear fellow having seen them I wish I could say that I had but alas not". Methos follows Fitz into the room "Mac the nurse is off duty until tomorrow". Duncan went back and sat in the chair "I think I'm getting a little paranoid". The three Immortals talked about Lazarski and where he might have gone at some length, Alex had been conscious for a short while, Fitz had made his presences felt and even managed to raise a smile from her before she lapsed back into unconsciousness. An uneasy silence descended on the room as they had exhausted all their small talk "What would you say to a drink?" Fitz asked as he got to his feet both Duncan and Methos said they would like one, so Fitz went off to find the canteen. Alex had become restless in the bed and as Duncan tried to calm her Methos straightened out the drip tube, which had become wrapped around her arm, as his fingers ran along the length he felt some moisture on his fingers. Methos began to inspect the tube his actions alerted Duncan "What's wrong?" he asked as he walked round to where Methos was standing "Methos?"
"Sorry Mac, it might be nothing but there is liquid on the outside of this tube" Methos didn't have to look much further before he found what he was looking for "then again it could be something" he pressed the tube and a small droplet of the liquid formed on the outside. Duncan's mind raced as he tried to think how this could have happened, he was interrupted by Fitz entering the room with 3 cans of drink. Duncan turned to his friend "When you were here alone did anyone other than the nurses come in?" Duncan asked as he moved towards Fitz "No one but the nurses got past Hugh Fitzcairn, I swear" Fitz replied as he handed Duncan one of the cans, Duncan turned away to the window as he tried to understand how the tube had become damaged, he opened the can and took a sip, he watched a couple of nurses walk into the entrance of the hospital several stories below. He quickly turned round "Which nurses?" Fitz looked a little surprised by the question and at first didn't answer "Fitz?" Duncan's tone demanded an answer "well, there was two middle aged ones, one with a face that could curdle milk" Fitz shuddered as he remembered her face "the other about the same age but very plain, then in the afternoon this Venus in a uniform appeared" Fitz smiled as he remembered the pretty young nurse he was to entertain that night, but when he looked at Duncan's face he could see it had darkened "Fitz did you leave Alex alone?" Duncan said loudly walking towards him, Fitz's mind raced and then a look of horror crossed his face as he remembered that he had "Fitz?"
"It…it was only for a moment I promise," Fitz said as he backed away "Why…why did you leave her?" Duncan demanded his eyes flashed with anger "I was talking and she wanted to give me her number and didn't have a pen so…"
"I don't believe you because of your libido it looks like Lazarski has managed to get to Alex" Duncan couldn't bear to look at Fitz and he turned away. "It was only a moment I swear MacLeod, I was only at the nurses station".
"JUST GO…GET OUT" Duncan shouted without turning round, Fitz went to walk towards Duncan but he found Methos's arm stopping him "I think it's best if you go" he said as he steered Fitz towards the door just before he closed the door he said "don't worry he'll calm down just give him time" Fitz nodded somewhat crestfallen at his moment of weakness had possibly caused Alex's condition. A few moments later the doctor came into the room after being told of the raised voices "Is everything all right?" he asked as he entered the room, Duncan pulled his anger in as he turned round to greet the doctor "have the results come back yet?"
"Yes but they aren't what I had hoped, there seems to a virus in her system but we haven't been able to identify it yet" the doctor could see the distress his news was causing "try not to worry I'm not giving up, I'm going to take some more samples so we can do some more tests" Duncan rubbed his forehead as he tried to come to terms with what the doctor had just told them, paced the floor, he could feel his anger rising, he turned to Methos "I need some air can you stay with her Adam?"
"Of course" Methos replied, Duncan grabbed his coat and headed outside. The doctor started taking blood samples while Methos watched, when the doctors attention was taken by a nurse opening the door to ask him about another patient, he took his chance and pocketed one of the vials of blood. After the doctor had finished Methos was straightening the bed around Alex, as he moved the pillows he spotted a piece of white card, he pulled it out and realised that it was from the flowers. As he read it he knew that Alex already knew what had happened to her, now the promise she made Duncan make made sense. He tapped the card against fingers as he tried to decide what to tell Duncan, he hadn't noticed Alex come round, as her eyes focused a feeling of alarm overwhelmed her as she saw the card in Methos's hand, with great effort she lifted her hand taking hold of the edge of the card, the pull on the card made Methos look down, he took hold of her hand pulling it away from the card "Adam, please, please don't tell Duncan" she pleaded, he leant forward so he could hear her better "You must know that it might be the only way to save your life" he smoothed her hair away from her eyes "I know but if he gets that disc more people will die, hundreds maybe thousands" Alex struggled to get her breath " Adam, I don't want to live at the expense of others, I've enough blood on my hands as it is" her voice trailed away as she slipped back into unconsciousness, part of him was relieved, as he hadn't promised her anything this would be his decision and he hoped he would make the right one.