Author's Note: This is a short extra chapter for today. --elle
-------------------------------------------------
Chapter 44
Southern France
Their exit from Rome had gone far more smoothly than Duncan could have hoped. The Highlander had charmed and tipped his way through the sign-out procedure and joined the other two at the car. "Drive!" he'd said sharply once getting in, "and don't stop until I tell you to." So Ian had driven.
Several hours later, they'd pulled off to the side of the road and switched positions. Pulling into a service station shortly after that, Duncan had gassed up again and driven on. As they'd approached the border, he'd told Ian to get into the back seat and lie down… and cover his face. They'd had no problems. Ian eventually took the opportunity to catch some shut-eye.
"How long to Paris?" Alisaunne had asked once she started seeing signs in French.
"A few hours yet. When I was young… this trip took days… if not weeks." He'd grinned at the memory of some of the stops he'd made… and the lasses he'd met at many an inn along the way. "Travel was long, arduous, and very interesting."
Alisaunne had chuckled. "And here I was thinking how much I was enjoying this trip… Not too fast and not too slow."
"Ah… a truly modern woman," Duncan said with a teasing smile and a wink. Alisaunne nodded thoughtfully and glanced at the back seat and Ian's sleeping form.
"Or maybe an old-fashioned one… trapped in a modern life," she said with an audible sigh.
Duncan had chuckled. The air between them no longer seemed charged with electricity. Perhaps speaking the unspeakable and facing it had done both of them some good. When they passed a road-sign that said Cannes… Duncan smiled.
"Who was she?" Alisaunne asked.
"Oh… just a lovely lass I met one night and never saw again."
"Were there a lot of them?"
"More than I'd like to admit. But only a handful I ever truly loved." Duncan smiled at the memories. "Did I ever tell you about Tessa?"
Alisaunne shook her head.
"She was mortal."
"And now she's dead."
Duncan nodded. "They're all dead. All but Amanda."
"And she's one of us."
Duncan nodded. "Yes," he said softly.
"And that worries you. You fear to be with her… You fear she'll kill you or you'll kill her?"
Duncan nodded once more.
Alisaunne glanced back at Ian's sleeping form, a warm smile on her face. "But sometimes… don't you have to just make a leap of faith… let down your guard and trust someone?"
Duncan chuckled, "Aye… that's the hard part. Trusting someone not only with what you are… but with your life… and your heart. I have loved Amanda for years… but every time we try… one of us runs."
"I'm not running."
Duncan glanced over at her sharply.
But she was still gazing back at Ian. "Wherever Ian Daffyd goes… there I go."
Duncan nodded once more and focused on the road… letting his memories of Amanda and Tessa, and all the other faces of his past… keep him company.
-----
Rome
"Got 'em!" Arthur Kidman looked over at Mischkov with a smile. "A trio matching the descriptions were at the Hotel Minerva."
Mischkov sat forward and glared, "Were?"
Kidman held hp one hand, "Si… Grazie!" Kidman hung up the phone. "They checked out this morning. All very low-key… no hurry… no fuss."
"Any idea where they went?"
Kidman shook his head.
"What alias were they using?"
"Patel I believe. It was an Indian couple and their son. The wife and son were only seen briefly during the check-in."
"Security tapes?"
Kidman smiled. "I hope you have deep pockets."
Avril Mischkov grinned, "Deep… oh yes… deep enough to allay the dreams of avarice."
-----
Berlin
Reagan Cole and Warren Green checked quietly into a mid-range hotel in downtown Berlin.
"We need to sleep… and I need to do some reconnaissance." Reagan told him as they fell into the kingsize bed. "Sleep first," she murmured as she slipped a gun under her pillow. Warren nodded and lay on the bed staring at the ceiling. Eventually… even he slept.
-----
When he awoke… it was already dark. Reagan had opened the drapes slightly and was gazing out at the night. "Good… you're awake. I'm headed out… stay in the room and don't open the door for anyone… except me."
"Why don't I come with you?" Warren was worried. "Shouldn't we stay together?"
"Because my dear Watcher… I can move more freely if it's just me… and I won't have to worry about you. Now stay here." Reagan crossed the room and opened the door. "And put the security bolt on!" she snapped at him as she left. Warren did so… then sat dejectedly on the bed. He was awake now… so he fumbled for the remote… and started flipping through channels to find something to watch.
He didn't regret his decision to warn her… he'd gotten the feeling lately that she was being watched by eyes other than his… and after what had happened to Mallory and her immortal, Warren hadn't felt like he had a choice. Still… this wasn't quite what he'd thought would happen. He'd thought Reagan would just vanish and he'd have to explain to his superiors why he'd lost her… he hadn't dreamed she'd drag him along. But she had… and while thrilling and exciting… Warren Green also thought his lifeline might just have been shortened… a lot. Still… for the chance to really know her… it was worth it.
-----
Reagan bought a coffee at the all-night coffee and internet cafe and settled down at one of the terminals. After checking her several email accounts and coming up empty… she began sending messages to friends whose addresses she knew. She needed to find out what others knew… and what they were doing. Once finished… she logged off, grabbed her coffee, paid for her time and left to return to the hotel.
They'd stay until this evening. She wanted to check messages again before moving on. Perhaps the answers she received, if any, would determine her next course of action. She stopped at a deli to purchase sandwiches and drinks before returning to the hotel room. If she was lucky, she could get a few more hours of sleep before moving on.
---------------
Author's Note: Reagan Cole is a canon character from the Sixth Season Episode Deadly Exposure. Warren Green is an original character.