Chapter 18

New York

Eleanor was beginning to worry about Phillip. He had been so quiet the past day or so... not like himself at all.

She leaned forward on the park bench... observing Derrick's play with other children on the playground equipment. The boy seemed so much better these past few days and he was sleeping through the nights... as though simply remembering and at last talking about his memories had finally walled them off or rendered them powerless.

Eleanor rubbed her palms. Already they were burning again. She and Methos would have to finish the bonding ritual before too much longer. She supposed his rather long and involved memories were the reason it was taking her so long to respond and be ready for their next attempt. That... and trying to incorporate those other old memories that did not quite make sense to her yet. They would... Eleanor had faith in that... but only once they'd finished.

Lately, she'd discovered, that if she closed her eyes and concentrated... she could almost sense him... as now... hunched over a computer and grumbling about something MacLeod was having him do. For a moment he seemed to pause... as if aware of her... he rubbed his own palms and she felt him... she shivered as she felt his need for her. Then she pulled back, casually rubbing her hands over her arms as she regarded Derrick and Phillip.

With Derrick being better... they could likely take a flight now... but it was Phillip she was beginning to worry about. He seemed so distant... as if his mind were on something else entirely. He was clearly uneasy... and worried. She had never known Phillip to really worry about anything... not in over eleven hundred years.

Even now... he stood within reach of Derrick... casually at parade rest... but ready to move if need be... and yet... he did not truly seem to be himself.

Was it the sword? She and Methos had worried about that... but it needed to stay near Derrick. If Derrick would accept the sword... as he had not yet... the sword would be silenced for a while. It bothered her... but she had long ago turned a deaf ear to it. It had always wanted something from her that she was never willing to give... especially not now.

She smiled and shivered again, this time she felt Methos as though he were behind her breathing on her neck. He could do it too! For a moment his hands seemed to slip beneath her clothing to trail along the patterns. The bond was growing! Eleanor smiled, leaned back and let out a ragged breath... yes... something of him was definitely here. She could almost hear his laughter... then it faded and he was gone. She shook her head to clear her thoughts.

Eleanor stood, dusting off her rear as she walked over to Phillip's side. She stuck her hands in her rear jeans pockets and shifted her weight onto one leg as she crossed the other in front of her. "What say we see about some dinner?" she asked Phillip. The Greek nodded absently. But his eyes had a distant and glassy look to them.

***

That night... Phillip sat up late. Derrick and Eleanor were asleep in one bed. At least the boy seemed to have given up the floor for the time being. Perhaps that was a good sign. The stone! Ask about the stone! He'd heard that all day inside his head. So far he'd managed to say nothing... but he was uncertain how much longer he could manage that.

Staring at the keyboard of Eleanor's laptop Phillip considered their flight options. Finally he made his decision. They'd fly tourist class... a little more crowded... but ultimately safer. He'd have to ship the swords... already he was making arrangements so that they'd go separately but that they could pick them up once they'd arrived. He hated that part of flying... still... there was no other way. Certainly not in today's climate and security!

Another alias would have to be used. Phillip sighed, shaking his head at how fast they were going through them. Once again he thought about just going home... about fading once more from sight... lost to the world of immortals and Watchers alike... He could govern his island... build his hospital... oversee his property... rest... For a moment he closed his eyes and could see Niebos as clearly as if he were there. He could feel the sun on his face and smell the salt tang in the air. He could hear the laughter of his people and taste the wine he made from his own vineyard. Just as suddenly it was all gone.

He glanced over at the sleeping duo. Derrick on his right side... slightly curled up... beneath the covers. Eleanor the same... on top of the covers... under a spare blanket... her arms about him. In her sleep she moaned suddenly... casting her arms outward... as though reaching for something... or someone. Then she rolled onto her back and arched it as though reacting to something... or someone. She let out a ragged breath... then shivered and curled up on her right side once more.

Something was definitely going on with her. Ever since she and Methos had taken care of Peter Taylor... there had been an even stronger connection than the one that he had always sensed between them. From that first time he'd seen them together in the Black Forest... until that last wake on Niebos... for over eight hundred years... those two had never been able to stay apart for very long. Like oil and water sometimes... different... but once mixed together... a truly amazing pair! On Niebos he'd seen the beginnings of their intense attraction to one another once more. In fact... that last day... he'd have almost bet they'd have renewed their relationship... but then Methos had left and Eleanor had remained... not quite ready. Now... Phillip shook his head. Now they were apart once more... but somehow they were together. So here he was... keeping an eye on her as he had done for so long... and not just her... but the boy as well.

Yet still Niebos called him home.

No... he had a job to do first. One he had promised Danae long ago. "Be my champion!" she had asked him when she'd sent him off to war. Her green eyes had been so sad that day... Perhaps she had known the fate that awaited him. "Be my champion... for all time!" Phillip smiled... he was that... above and beyond all other concerns... he was that.

Slowly he closed the laptop and stretched. Tomorrow they'd leave. All the plans were made. He crossed to the other bed and stretched out to get some sleep. At least tomorrow on the plane... that damned sword wouldn't be so close!