Chapter 43

Paris

Once they had returned to the grove, Eleanor discovered that Derrick was running a slight fever. She had checked his arm and while red and a bit swollen… it did not seem to be infected… But she wasn't taking any chances! She ducked back out while he rested and obtained some over the counter antibiotics, ointment and other supplies. I should never have brought him along! she kept thinking. Her fear for him and what might happen to him was preying on her mind, as well as her guilt at having hurt him.

Once back in the upper room she soaked and cleansed his arm, applying fresh ointment and new bandages. She stood over him while he took the antibiotics and one additional pain pill.

When he finally settled down to sleep… she curled up in the wooden chair and gazed out over the cityscape she had known so well for most of her immortal life. She'd seen it grow and change over the centuries. From this window she'd seen the tapestry of life passing by. She'd seen battles, occupations, parades of triumph, and celebrations of life… and love. For eight hundred years… she'd felt at home in this place as she never had anywhere else. But her life was no longer here. And remaining here would not help her find the answers she needed.

Eleanor lay her cheek on her upraised knees and tried to sense anything of Methos. "I'll be back," he'd promised her. "I may swing by Geneva and retrieve Darius' letters to us." Eleanor raised her head and stared thoughtfully into the night.

-----

By morning, Derrick felt somewhat better. His head no longer felt swabbed in hot cotton, nor did his arm feel as though there was a throbbing fire within it. Stretching in the narrow, uncomfortable bed he stared around at the empty room. Hearing movement in the other room, he rose to see what Ellie was up to.

When he opened the door, she grinned at him as she unpacked several sacks of food. He also saw a stack of used books and computer disks on the wooden table. "Looks like you stocked up… as if we'll be here a while," the boy mumbled. He crossed slowly to the table.

"Oh… just making certain you have plenty to eat and things to occupy you for a few days." She hummed a bit as she put the food away.

Derrick sorted through the books and then stared out the window. "You're leaving me here."

Ellie was suddenly silent. Finally she spoke up. "Yes, I should never have brought you along. I want you safe… and you will be safe, here."

He turned to face her… tears stinging in his eyes.

She smiled and came toward him. "I won't be but a few days… last night I thought of something Adam said before he left us… a place he mentioned. I'm going there. It won't take long. I'll be back. Besides, Joe won't know anything for a few days. Rather than just wait here, I'll go, check this out, then come straight back."

"No!" The word ripped from Derrick's soul and he collapsed onto the wooden floor with a moan. He buried his head in his good hand and rocked back and forth. "Don't leave me here! I hate it here! Please!" He stared up at, seeing the pain he was causing her mirrored in her expression. "Don't leave me here Ellie… I can't bear it… please don't leave me!"

Ellie knelt by the boy and ran her fingers through his shaggy sandy hair and gazed into blue eyes that spoke only of pain, loneliness, and fear. "It's only for a few days, I promise."

Throwing his good arm around her, Derrick buried his face in her chest. "Don't leave me here. I want to go with you."

Ellie let him sob a few moments then pushed him back with a smile. "You should be able to hook the computer up. I found some old games you can play on it if you get bored. The books are good ones. We could talk about them when I get back. Now I have to go." She lay a hand along the side of his face, kissed his brow and rose as she pulled her already packed bag onto her shoulder. She paused at the door, "Keep an eye out for Joe. If he stops by… tell him I'll be back in a day or two."

"No… Eleanor… please," Derrick sobbed from the floor. "I'd miss you too much."

Startled by his words and the change in his voice, Eleanor turned and stared at him. Her mouth worked up and down several times before words actually issued forth. "You'll be safe here."

Derrick looked up at her, tears streaking down his cheeks. "But I wouldn't be with you. You promised not to leave me… you promised. How will you get where you're going? You need me to drive. Please… I'm afraid to stay here. Don't make me! I promise to do whatever you ask. Just don't leave me behind Eleanor… not this time."

The backpack slipped from Eleanor's shoulders as she regarded him somberly. Finally she sighed and with a small smile agreed. "All right. But you will do what I say… when I say it."

-----

Joe's luncheon with Pierre Gautier, Marie Chezlon, Therese Comblanc, and Michel LeClare had gone better than he expected. His old Watcher friends were as suspicious and as angry as he was at the changes they had noticed within the organization to which they had given their lives.

"I stopped by the library last week… to look up old friends… There were none there I knew. Only young people far too busy to speak with me," Marie complained.

Therese nodded in understanding. "I wanted to know how my immortal was doing. But no one was willing to tell me anything. Not even if she were alive or dead." She threw up her hands.

"We should never have retired," Michel snorted.

""No?" Pierre had laughed. "But unlike those we Watch… we are not immortal. We grow old… Should we have died on the job?"

"But what if things are going on there that shouldn't?" Joe had cautiously offered. He did not want to expose his thoughts and concerns until he was certain his friends were of like mind.

Pierre had nodded. "These young ones… They do not even bear the mark of our order with pride. Everything is so hush-hush these days."

"And I worry they are not just watching," Marie offered quietly. "There is a sense about those I've seen that they are involved somehow."

Therese smiled as she sipped her tea, "Ah… but Joseph was often involved in the life of his… or so I heard."

Joe grinned, "What have you heard?" Then he leaned forward to listen and to offer comments where appropriate.

-----

Byron Delano had located the Land Rover by accident. Once certain it was the same one… he'd found an observation post on the roof of a nearby building. He was far enough away not to be noticed, if she came back… and Byron wanted to see her again… and the boy. Oh… he told himself, he had no intention of bothering them… no… he just wanted to see them. Running a hand along his neck he was still amazed that the immortal hadn't sliced his throat open… But it might have been worth it. Even now he could almost hear her voice whispering in his ear, feel her touch as she'd rummaged in his coat for his sword, the enticing smell of her… almost like honey. And the boy… ? What was it about the boy?

So lost was he in his thoughts, that he nearly missed their return. If Delano hadn't heard a door slam and looked up at just the right moment… they'd have returned and gone. As it was… he had only the briefest glimpse of the immortal as she and the boy climbed into the Land Rover and pulled out. As he watched the vehicle vanish down the Paris street… Byron considered trying to follow once more. But he knew it was hopeless.

Rubbing his neck… he sank back onto the roof. Maybe they'd be back. And if they came back… maybe he could try to re-introduce himself again… either that… or watch their back for them. Byron lay against the extended wall of the roof… and waited. He wasn't going anywhere. At least… not far… and not for long.

-----

Niebos

Phillip, Amanda and Luke had sat up half the night discussing options and arrangements. While Nick, Valeraine, and Ursa needed to remain at the villa… Nick, because they could not trust him out among mortals, and the others to help care for him, Amanda thought it best if Luke and the children found other accommodations.

"Is there a house they could rent? Some place on the island which could accommodate them and offer some privacy?"

Phillip nodded. "There is an old farmhouse on the north shore. It's not in the best of shape… that's why it's empty. I just hadn't gotten around to fixing it up."

"Sounds perfect for us," Luke smiled. "We can be your tenants and fix it up some while we are there. But what of you my dear?"

Amanda shook her head. "Now that someone else who knows Nestor… really knows him… can watch him… You don't need me. I need to find MacLeod."

Phillip poured refills of the wine and nodded his agreement. "You must be careful though. You are well known to the Watchers… and this place is not."

"I won't tell. Besides… I'm not entirely certain where I am," She grinned impishly with a shrug. "Even once I leave… I won't know for certain what this place is."

"But you will be careful? Perhaps one of the lambs should go with you." Luke was clearly concerned. The attack on the convent had not set well with her.

Amanda laughed. "Luke… I am far better off alone. I was a thief for centuries. I know how to move in the shadows." She smirked and winked, "And… I can watch the Watchers. Maybe I can discover just what is going on with them. Besides… if I can find MacLeod… after killing him for vanishing on me… I can let him know you are all safe."

The three looked up as Denara entered the kitchen, rubbing her eyes. "I'm thirsty," she said.

"I'll get you something." As Luke rose to fix the small one a glass of water, Amanda was struck once more by the confusion these children presented. Adults one moment… children the next… they truly were lost. Perhaps that is why Kenny went the way he did. Lost between the two realities of his existence… without anyone to truly guide him for so long… he'd become too much one… and not enough of the other… except as a means to an end.

"I leave tomorrow, Phillip," she murmured quietly, "Unless you need me to help settle Luke and the others in that farmhouse.

The Greek shook his head. "Let me try and email MacLeod and let him know you're looking for him… Perhaps I can set a meeting." He sighed, shaking his head, "I meant to message him earlier today, but I got distracted by our little field trip. He needs to know what happened at the convent and that we are safe." Phillip sat back running a hand through his brown hair. "I hesitate to put too much out there though. I don't know how secure email is sometimes." He met Amanda's gaze with a rueful look. "Maybe I'll just let him know you're looking for him."

Amanda nodded. "He doesn't know about this place… does he? And you don't want to chance the Watchers finding it?"

Phillip shook his head. "Besides the doctor and his family… none of us know. Although… I got the feeling this morning that Ursa may have known something."

"Ursa?" asked Luke returning to the table. "Well he certainly knew where we were headed today after you and the children left to climb the mountain. He didn't even wait for me to tell him where we going… He just scooped Nick into his arms and headed out."

Phillip nodded. "I don't know why yet… and I don't ever recall him being here… but then… I was not always here… and the Oracle was here long before I came to these shores."

"Do you think we will ever find out what goes on his mind?" Amanda asked.

Phillip smiled. "Perhaps… if the gods wish it."

Luke snorted, "And what gods would that be?"

Amanda leaned forward, elbows on the table and picked up her wineglass thoughtfully. "The gods of light and darkness… the gods of creation and destruction… and of life… and death." She took a drink.

Luke gazed at her solemnly. "And what if they no longer exist… these old gods?"

Phillip threw back his head and roared. "Then we are… royally screwed!"