Chapter 51

Paris

The flight had been long and boring. The in-flight movie had not even been any good. The food was passable… and the company charming. Still, once the plane touched down in Paris… Amanda was ready to be rid of Cory Raines. She hastily exited the plane, but Cory remained at her elbow, chatting. She'd hoped to lose him at baggage claim… but there he was again.

"Looks like he's not here to meet you!" Cory smirked as she waited for her bag.

"Of course not. I'm meeting him elsewhere," she quipped, wondering just where Duncan might be found. She hated to chance the barge. Pulling the bag from the carousel, aware by its weight that her sword was still safely hidden within it, she headed for customs. She had to trust that the sword would remain hidden in its compartment. She wanted out of here… and she wanted to fade once more into the shadows. Not for the last time, Amanda wondered if she shouldn't have taken Phillip up on his offer for her to remain on that island.

Amanda shook her head. That wasn't the answer. She needed to find Duncan, and fill him in completely on things. Phillip didn't dare put too much in those encrypted short messages he sent. Duncan could be in a lot of danger. Amanda still recalled how easily she'd fallen to those hunters who'd hit the school. She'd not be taken like that again… not if she could help it. Finally through customs, she hefted the bag… unwilling to let it go and headed for the entrance.

She stopped suddenly, "Cory! Honestly… I do not need a chaperone!" she snapped. Cory was still way too close and the last thing she needed once she found Duncan was for Cory to be anywhere near her. Duncan did not truly understand Cory… and he had never understood Amanda's fascination with the self-styled Robin Hood.

Cory grasped her elbow to whisper in her ear, "I rather think you do dollface. There are two men over at the gate. They straightened when they saw us… I think we've been made."

Amanda nodded, seeing them now. Surely they were safe here… but what to do. Then she smiled. "Follow me and keep arguing."

"About what?"

Amanda turned and slammed her suitcase against him. "How dare you compare me to a cheap whore!" She eyed Cory meaningfully, then turned and walked off in a huff.

"Darling!" he called out weakly as he bent over grimacing. "There is no comparison! You are in a class by yourself!"

Amanda stormed close to the two men… grumbling about men as she passed them and then turned back on them… pleased to see that both were watching her… and that one had started to follow. She slammed the suitcase between the legs of the tall bearded man following her while Cory slipped up behind the other man and knocked him out with a fist that he then began shaking. "I hate that!" he quipped. "It always hurts me more!"

Swiftly he rejoined Amanda as the two of them raced out of the terminal to grab the nearest taxi. Once piled into the back seat, Cory rattled off an address, while the two of them began laughing uncontrollably.

"That was fun," Amanda managed to get out.

"It was… wasn't it!" he agreed, then leaned over to kiss her.

Amanda found herself kissing him back. She raised her hands uncertain as to whether to embrace him or not. Finally she pushed him away and bit her lips. "I can't… really Cory… I can't."

Cory sat back and nodded. "If you're certain… but I had to try."

Amanda smiled as she glanced out at the gray Paris dawn. "You're sweet to try… but honestly… I really can't. Where are we going?" she suddenly asked.

"A friend of mine has a place near here… I thought we could go there."

"No!" Amanda leaned forward to give MacLeod's address and then bit her tongue. She didn't know where he'd be. She collapsed back in the seat.

"My luck's looking better suddenly," Cory laughed.

Amanda crossed her legs. "Just don't get any ideas," she said softly and wondered just how best to find MacLeod.

-----

Amy nervously bit her lip. She'd been told to report in early this morning… evidently someone wanted an update.

Avril Mischkov flipped through the file… and sighed. He swiveled toward her, as he regarded her from his chair. "You haven't been entirely honest with us have you Ms. Meyers."

"I'm certain I don't know to what you are referring, Mr. Mischkov," she said evenly, afraid he could hear her heart pounding.

"You neglected to mention that Duncan MacLeod was at Dawson's bar last night."

"I was not away of that. Joe was alone when I arrived. We spoke of several things throughout the evening… He did not mention MacLeod." Amy was afraid to say anything else… she thought her throat was ready to shut and worried that she'd soon be gasping for air… and he'd know… he'd know. And it was the truth. She had not seen MacLeod… nor had Joe mentioned he'd been there. Amy had gathered that someone had made contact with her father, though. She had seen it in the brightness of his eyes… and the flush on his face.

"It's your business to know," said Mischkov darkly. "You will find out who he saw… he tried to meet with someone a few days ago… at St. Julien Le Pauvre… do you recognize the significance of that place?"

Amy nodded. "Yes sir." Her voice was little more than a whisper.

"Then meet him for lunch… unexpectedly… drop by… try to get him to open up." Mischkov closed the folder abruptly and Amy knew she was dismissed. Nodding to him she rose and was leaving when she heard him comment. "Make certain you bring us a name."

Amy nodded once more, closed her eyes for a moment… then left. She'd have to give them someone… but who? She had a feeling Joe wouldn't agree to this… even if he knew someone who'd be willing. Thoughtfully she sat at her station… thumbing through journals. She had to find someone… or else.

-----

"Duncan please! I didn't get to see anything of Rome… I so want to see Paris again… really see it!" Alisaunne pleaded.

"Not today. It's not safe. Watchers picked up on me yesterday. I need to find a way to see Joe and learn what's going on." Duncan rubbed one hand across his brow as he tapped the stylus on the PPC screen. A brief email from Phillip translated that they were safe, there were Watcher problems, and that Amanda was on her way to Paris. Another one from Katya in St. Louis on an old address warned of much the same thing. That meant this thing was bigger than he'd thought. It meant there was more at stake here than just a few of them in Europe… it may be world-wide. Joe had said Methos had vanished, and then Ellie. Duncan was worried about Derrick… if the immortals had vanished… what would have happened to the boy.

Duncan sat back and did some mental math… not a boy anymore… he was likely about eighteen now. Duncan shuddered… still too young… Thoughts of Richie crossed his mind… eighteen was still too young.

Glancing at Ian, Duncan sighed. So young… so very young. He tapped the stylus to let Phillip know he'd gotten the message. If Amanda were on her way… where would she look for him? Who would she contact? Joe! She'd contact Joe.

He turned off the PPC and rose suddenly. "I have to go out. Stay here and don't open the door for anyone… not anyone." Meeting both sets of eyes, he knew they understood… he just hoped they listened. "Now is not the time to be out on the streets or to be involved in a challenge. Do you understand?"

Once more they nodded.

"You shouldn't be out there either," Alisaunne called to him as he made to leave.

Duncan paused… "I know," he said, "I know… but it can't be helped. I'll keep in touch." He closed the door behind him and listened for the bolt. Satisfied they were as safe as he could make them… Duncan MacLeod headed out once more. He needed to figure out how and where to meet safely with Joe.

-----

Joe Dawson leaned heavily on his cane as he locked his door and headed for his car. Age, it seemed was catching up with him… no matter how he tried to deny it. Climbing in he was just turning on the ignition when he glanced in the rear view mirror.

Mac's eyes stared back at him and then vanished.

The Highlander was in his back seat, crouched down so he wouldn't be seen. "Just drive for a bit Joe… We need to talk."

"And good morning to you too," Joe said starting the ignition. As he pulled out, he noted the Watcher sitting in his car, reading the paper. "You did notice the guy on me, didn't you?"

"I got here before he did. They don't watch you all the time?"

"Naw… I'm pretty regular so they just watch for me to do something unusual. It's not me they want… it's you guys."

"What happened inside Watchers, Joe?"

"Hell if I know. A lot of us were retired about eight years ago… beginning with me. The ones in charge now seem to have a new agenda… but it's not widely known inside. Amy's been trying for years to discover what's happening and who's behind it."

"Any luck?"

Joe stopped at the intersection and then turned left. "A man named Henry Rawlins is, we think. When he was made European Coordinator… things changed. Amy was finally able to get into the inner circles recently… but Mac… I'm worried she may be in too deep."

"Let's hope not, Joe. On another matter… if Amanda contacts you… warn her to be extra careful."

"Amanda? I told you Mac… she vanished."

"Amanda's fine, Joe. She's on her way to Paris. She won't know how to meet up with me. Tell her…" Duncan smiled. "… Tell her to meet me tomorrow afternoon where we once danced a tango."

"That's kinda vague."

"It's meant to be… but she'll know. She'll understand. And warn her to stay away from the barge."

"Right."

"Oh, and Joe…" The tone of Duncan's voice changed. "You mentioned both Methos and Ellie vanishing recently. What about Derrick? Have you seen him?"

"Briefly. He was with Ellie."

"Was he immortal?"

Joe shook his head. "I asked, but she said no. I have no reason to doubt her. You know I don't have the radar you guys have."

A chuckle sounded from the back seat.

"Listen… I'm pulling up behind the club. I can't deviate too much or they'll get suspicious. Be careful." Joe braked to a stop and shifted into park before turning the ignition off. "Gotta go." He climbed out and with a surer step… circled around to the front of the bar… and unlocked the front door. Damn but he felt good!