A/N: Okay just a quick note to say that I'm sorry if any of the characters seem out of character. I'm still getting a feel for them and trying to imagine them in a modern world. Also if anyone could tell me the name of the boatman who brings souls across the river Styx I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.

Chapter 4

The after show party was in full swing when Bri finally made it there. She had been talking to various critics about the play. It seemed to have been a success so she felt she could relax now. She made her way to the bar and got a glass of wine for herself. Before she could move, she felt that familiar buzz in her head that indicated another immortal's presence. She turned to give Achilles a piece of her mind but was surprised when she found someone else standing there.

"Methos?! What are you doing here?" He smiled as she gave him a quick hug.

"Well I couldn't miss your big night now could I?"

"Thank you. But last I heard you were in America. Dublin is a long way from New York."

"I was coming this side of the world anyway. McCloude is in Paris, you know, and I thought I'd pay him a visit."

Bri gave him another hug. "Thank you. It's nice to see a friendly face after those critics."

"Ah. So did it go well?" Methos asked as he led her away from the bar.
Alex had been waiting for the right moment to go up to Bri and try and talk to her again when he saw another man walk up to her. 'He's immortal too,' he realised. Bri seemed really happy to see him. They seemed to be quite close. He could feel the jealousy rise up in his chest. How could he have thought that after 3 thousand years she wouldn't have found someone else? 'How the hell could I have been so naïve?' He was ready to leave when he saw the girl who had played "Briseis" standing by herself. She looked so alone that his heart went out to her. He made he way over to her. "May I just tell you how good you were in the play?" Leona blushed slightly and thanked him. "I'm Alex Price."

"Leona Murray. Are you the Alex Price that wrote all those books on Greek mythology?"

"Not all of them," he replied smiling. Leona really seemed nice; he couldn't understand why she had been alone. "My grandfather and I share a name. He wrote most of them. I just continue his work. May I ask you something Leona, why was a lovely girl like you standing alone?"

Leona blushed even more. "I guess I'm just wishing that something might happen." Alex didn't understand her at first but then he followed her eye line right to where "Hector" was standing talking to some people. He understood now. "Men can be the most wretched things," he told her. "Do not let him spoil your night. If he does not see what he is missing then he is a fool." Leona just smiled sadly.
"...so now he's living with her. As simple as that." Methos finished. "Bri? Bri, are you even listening to me?"

"What? Oh, sorry Methos. I was miles away."

"With him?" Methos asked indicting where Alex was talking to Leona. Bri didn't answer just continued to look. "Who is he?"

"He's the man I loved enough to kill myself to see." Bri replied not once looking away.

"Achilles?" Methos asked confused. "But he died. Over 3 thousand years ago."

Bri turned and smiled then. "Technically we did too my friend. It seems that his fate was much the same as ours."

"Who is the girl he's with?" They both turned back to look at the pair, who seemed to be having a good time together.

"She is the actress who played me in the play. Leona. A sweet girl. Much too quiet offstage though. I think this is the first time I've truly seen her smile as much." Bri replied keeping her voice steady. Inside, however, conflicting emotions were raging a war as fierce as the Trojan War. She was happy that Achilles was happy. It was what she wanted for him. But she couldn't deny that she wanted to be the one to make him smile like that. To make his eyes light up with life like that.
Alex could feel Bri's eyes on him and he tried to ignore her. He was actually having fun talking to Leona. She was no Briseis but she was charming. He only wished that "Hector" could see that. "What is his name?"

"Jason. Everyone calls him Jay though." Achilles smiled to himself. He had seen Jay looking discretely in their direction every so often. If he couldn't find love himself he decided, he'd help Leona to.

"Would you like to dance?" Leona nodded gently and allowed Alex to lead her to the floor. The band was playing jive music and it wasn't long before Leona was laughing as Alex spun her around again and again.
"You want to hear my theory?" Methos asked.

"Sure, shoot."

"You're still in love with him," Methos lifted his hand to silence Bri's protest. "Don't deny it. I've known you too long. I can see it in your face. Your eyes have barely left him since he started talking to Leona. Why don't you just ask him to dance?"

Bri smiled. "Maybe I will. Why are you always right?!"

Methos laughed loudly. "I'll admit – it's a gift!"
The band decided to change pace and a slow song was starting when Alex felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Jay standing there looking slightly sheepish. "Do you mind if I...umm...cut in?" Alex nodded a goodbye to Leona and handed her hand to Jay. He backed away slowly, smiling at the couple. "I've been trying for months to get those two together." Bri was standing beside him suddenly.

"I got the feeling that you avoiding me. You didn't exactly look thrilled to see me."

"It was a bit of a shock to the system to see you standing there, you know. Maybe I just needed a bit of time to get used to the idea of you being alive. Anyway why are we just standing here? Would you like to dance?"

"I would love that," Alex said pulling Bri into his arms. She had forgotten how big he was in comparison with her. his arms engulfed her.

"So I guess you're not going by your real name anymore."

"No I've been calling myself Alex for a while now. Alex Parks." Bri laughed quietly.

"So I guess I'm not the only one who's made a living from their past." Alex just laughed in response. They didn't say anymore for the rest of the dance. As the band finished the song Methos came over. "I hate to break this up but I just wanted to let you know I'm leaving now Bri. I've a plane to catch."

"Your plane is leaving tonight?"

"Yeah. Do you want a lift home? It's on the way?"

"Yeah I think I will. I'm a bit tired now." Methos noticed the look Alex was giving him and smiled inside. "I'll wait for you at the door." Alex looked down at Bri. "Who's that?" He didn't really know if he wanted the answer but he couldn't stop himself from asking. Bri guessed why he was asking. "That's just Methos. He's been a good friend for a long time now. Helped me a lot when I was new at this kind of life."

"I was hoping we could talk." Bri bit her lip. "How bout tomorrow night in the bar? I'll meet you there at bout 8."

"That would be great. I'll see you then."