TIMELESS- CHAPTER TWO

I didn't hear you leave, I wonder how am I still here,
I don't want to move a thing, it might change my memory
Oh I am what I am, I'll do what I want, but I can't hide
I won't go, I won't sleep, I can't breathe, until you're resting here with me
I won't leave, I can't hide, I cannot be, until you're resting here with me
I don't want to call my friends, they might wake me from this dream
And I can't leave this bed, risk forgetting all that's been
Oh I am what I am, I'll do what I want but I can't hide
I won't go, I won't sleep, I can't breathe until you're resting here with me
I won't leave, I can't hide, I cannot be, until you're resting here with me.—Dido, Here with Me.

SIX MONTHS LATER

Darcy woke to an empty bed; she rolled over, finding the expected note. Methos had written to her in Latin. She laughed gently and kissed the note to her lips.

It was noon by the time Darcy left his place. She wasn't working today but that didn't mean much. Ever since her performance at the restaurant six months ago, she'd been asked to return several times. The manager had even offered a job. This week was her deadline for giving her answer. She was sorely tempted to say yes.

As a child she had loved to sing; she'd always been good at it, even gone to Juilliard to study. Upon graduation she'd landed roles on Broadway and fame had been knocking. Then along came Toby King and all that had vanished.

He'd taken her career, her future and nearly her life.

Now, in Paris, almost three years later, she still carried the pain of him with her.

Darcy stopped in the street and pulled in a deep breath. She would take that job. Toby King wasn't going to haunt her anymore. She had a real man now, a real life, she deserved to have a glimmer of her career.

Stopping at a pay phone, Darcy called the restaurant and spoke to the manger. He was thrilled to have her answer. He asked for her to be at rehearsal on Friday, which was tomorrow.

She hung up happy and excited, she was singing for a living again. It made her want to dance. Instead she hurried to meet Methos. He'd asked her to meet him for lunch at one.

Methos was enjoying his second cup of coffee. The outdoors where cool but inviting. He saw her coming and warmth flooded his ancient heart. He stood and held an arm to guide her. She grinned at him and his love threatened to burst his heart.

Taking her into his arms, Methos kissed the woman he loved. She was happy to accept and return it, her arms tight around his back.

"Guess what?" She asked, still in his arms.

"Tell me,"

"Monsieur Lewis, offered me a job singing at his restaurant. I called him just now and accepted. I'm going to be singing again, Methos. Me! Singing!" Her green eyes glowed with joy.

"I'm happy for you." He waved to a seat and she took it. "I have something to ask of you."

"Name it."
A waiter arrived and handed them menus. Darcy looked over the selection, Methos did not.

"Joe is still missing."

"Hmm, you've mentioned it a few times."

"We know he's not dead, they sent another Proof of Life this morning. But we're running out of places to look."

Darcy glanced up, "And?"

"I need your help."

The menu was forgotten, "How?"

Methos looked down at his hands, "Well first of all, I need you to agree to something."

"Anything."

He sighed, "Marry me."

Darcy's jaw dropped open, she shook herself and sat back, "Say that again?"

He took her hands in his, running his thumbs across her palms. "For six months there has been no danger to us. But I fear that will change. Call it a hunch, call it whatever you want. But I am afraid that something is coming."

Darcy stared into his eyes, he was serious. "We've never married before."

"I know. Perhaps that will break the jinx or whatever it is." Methos never looked away from her. "I need to know you'll be here for me."

"You..." She stopped and looked at his hands, "Alright, yes."

He gently squeezed her hands before reaching into his coat pocket. He drew out a small blue velvet bag. Pressing the material into her palm he sat back.

Darcy pulled open the top of it and spilled the contents into her hand. The ring was gold, the inside of it was engraved. She murmured the words and looked up at him with tears.

"It describes us."

She read the words again, "Not even time."

Darcy studied the rest of the ring. The band held three stones, a black one, a red one and a diamond. She stared at the combination. "You remembered."

"Yes." Methos slid the ring onto her left finger and kissed her hands.

The three stones represented the three millennia they had been together. The black one was for the start, when times were dark and dangerous. The red was for Rome and their passion and the diamond was for now. It was their stone of hope and purity, a symbol of eternal love.

Darcy looked even closer, "Methos, these are all diamonds." She's thought the black was onyx. But it wasn't, the black stone was a black diamond, so was the red. The end stone was a white diamond that glittered with rainbows.

She stared at him. "How did you find these first two?"

"Remember Amanda?" She nodded, "I asked her to find them for me. She's very good at that."

Darcy looked up at him and wasn't sure how he had found them. But left it alone, she was used to odd behavior from him.

"So have you told her about us?" Darcy asked gently.

"No, no one knows about us. I didn't want to tell them until I knew you would mine for good."

She chuckled, "I never thought you for the jealous type."

"It's not jealousy. I've lost you so many times, I won't loose you again."

"You won't," She kissed him on the mouth and sat back. "Are we going to tell them?"

"I haven't decided yet." Methos paused as their order arrived.

"How can I help you find Joe?"

Methos drew out a folder from inside his coat. "Take a look."

Darcy nibbled at her fries as she read over the information. "Sounds like Joe is a wanted man."

"He's a Watcher, not the most popular one at that. We originally thought that the Watchers had taken him. But so far that's turned up negative."

"It could be another Immortal."

"But for six months?" Methos shook his head, "It doesn't seem right."

"Could it be a random kidnapping?" She asked, putting aside the folder and continuing lunch. Methos looked serious, "Perhaps, Joe owed somebody money?"

"No. He was visiting us here."

"Is there any way I can talk to Mac and Amanda?"

Methos shifted his gaze to her, "Why?"

"Well Mac has known him longer then you have. Perhaps he knows something. And well, Amanda...never you know where the leads come from."

"You sound like a cop."

"Nope, I was PI in the forties."

Methos frowned, "I don't remember that."

"I never met you than."

"You were in the United States?"

"Yes." Darcy finished her water. "Where were you?"

"In the nineteen forties...." Methos' expression changed suddenly. He sat up and looked around.

"What? Is someone coming?"

"Yes." Methos caught sight of the person over her head, he relaxed. She turned. "It's Mac."

Indeed it was. The large man was striding toward them with a set look on his face.

Methos nodded at him as Mac stopped beside their table, he nodded curtly to Darcy before focusing on Methos.

"We need to talk,"

"She knows about Joe," Methos said coolly.

"They called again, they want to meet, tonight." Mac sounded angry.

"You want me to be there?" Methos asked.

"Yes," Mac never broke eye contact, "Well?"

"Well what?" Methos asked, "I said I would help get him back and I will."

"So you'll come?"

Methos nodded silently. Mac accepted that and left, he nodded once to Darcy as he went.

She studied Methos for a minute, "That was icy."

"Mac and I have our differences sometimes."

"I can see why,"

He looked at her sharply, "Meaning what?"

"He reminds me of a big boy scout; granted he's four hundred years old. But still, a boy scout. You aren't close to being a boy scout."

"Hmmm,"

Methos and Darcy spent the rest of the afternoon in the apartment.

After a few hours of passion; they shifted their focus to more important matters. The combined force of concentration was tangible in the air. Finally, Methos reached across the board and moved his knight.

Darcy considered for a moment then countered.

The game continued at a painfully slow speed. It was a relief when the telephone rang.

Darcy jumped and looked around, "When did you get a phone?"

"Last week, Mac's the only with the number." Methos stood and crossed to the kitchen. A moment later his voice carried softly.

Darcy didn't bother to listen; instead she got dressed in a jeans the first shirt she saw. It was only as she pulled it over her head, that she realized it was his sweater.

"Oh well," She muttered and reclaimed her seat on the couch. Her ring caught the light and she watched the stones sparkle.

It was real. This was real.

She drew in a breath; the conversation at lunch had hit a cord with her. For weeks now she'd been haunted by a bad feeling; a premonition of danger. When Methos had mentioned it, she'd been surprised. He'd never said a word before. Why now?

Darcy flexed her hand, the ring sparkled again. He'd never asked her to marry him either; perhaps he was right, the jinx might not happen this time.

Somehow she didn't really believe that, she was still haunted.

"I have to go." He called.

She looked up from the couch; a sudden clamp of fear squeezed her heart. "Methos!" She hurried to him and threw her arms around his neck. "I love you. I'm glad you asked me."

He held her tightly, "Is something wrong?"

"No, I just wanted to tell you that's all."

Gently he kissed her, stepping back he shrugged on his coat. "I'll be home late. Don't wait up."

"Wake me when you come in."

He laughed, his hand smoothed across her cheek. "Count on it."

Methos was bent over the desk; the maps were beginning to blur in front of his eyes. He sank into the near by arm chair and rubbed his face.

"It's useless," he confessed, "We are getting no where."

Duncan looked up from his own studies and frowned. "But that doesn't make sense. They said it was a clue."

Amanda swayed into the main area with a soda can in one hand. "Boys, you need to take a break. Perhaps fresh air would help?"

Mac nodded and stood up, as he passed her, he kissed Amanda.

Methos watched the interaction and thought of Darcy. The taste of her lips was suddenly there, he smiled gently, brushing a thumb across his lips.

"Methos..." Amanda slinked up to him, "Why the smile? You've never done that before."

He dropped his hand, "It's nothing."

"I've meaning to ask you, why did you want those stones? They sure as heck weren't cheap or easy to find either."

Methos stood quickly, "That's why I asked you to get them for me." He stepped around Amanda's long legs and made his way above deck.

For some reason, the dark feeling he'd been carrying was worse now. He hadn't realized what was bothering him until now. Until Amanda mentioned the stones, a sudden though seized him. Darcy!

"Mac, I have to take care of something, I'll be right back." Methos hurried onto dry land and ran for home.

Methos stopped at the sight of the open door. Shards of wood were sprinkled across the ground; a few were embedded into the welcome carpet. Darcy had insisted they get one. Methos leaned his back against the railing, his breathing rapid and fearful.

The presence of two Immortals washed over him and he spun. Sword out and read to strike.

"No! Methos it's Mac!"

He saw Mac and Amanda as they stood looking up. There was a flight of stairs separating them. Mac had his hands up with Amanda tucked behind him.

"What are you doing here?"

"You looked terrified when you ran off. I was worried." Mac glanced at the area behind Methos. "Did someone break into your place?"

"You might say that." Methos lowered the sword but kept it out. He took gentle steps toward the door. Nothing came at him.

Methos stepped into his apartment. More broken wood was lying on the floor, glass sparkled in shards. The whole apartment was in ruin. He exhaled when there was no body waiting for him. She wasn't dead.

Mac came up behind and looked around, "What happened?"

"Thieves probably," Methos muttered.

"Ah, I doubt that." Amanda nodded to the bed, "That's blood."

Methos hurried to the tangled mass of blanket and sheets. A bright red smear of blood unfolded from the mess. His sword hit the floor with a heavy thud. Methos was on his knees. Clutching the bloody sheets to his chest.

Mac and Amanda stared at one another then at him.

"Ah, Methos, it's only cotton." Amanda said gently, "You can buy new ones."

Methos didn't hear her; his sense were filled with the scent of his fiancé. The sheets still smelled of her sweetness, of her love. He could still feel her warmth on them.

Mac crouched down beside the world's oldest man and touched his shoulder.

"Who is she, Methos?"

Every muscle tightened in his body at Mac's words. Methos looked up from the sheets, his face wet with tears.

"I haven't seen you act like this since Alexa. There's a woman involved, now who is she?"

Methos sucked in a deep breath to steady himself. It is true Alexa had touched his heart, had loved him while she could. But Darcy was different. She was constant, permanent in his life. Darcy was his soul-mate.

"She's my soul-mate."

Mac looked to Amanda, she shrugged. He looked back to Methos.

"And?" Amanda asked carefully.

"And I asked her to marry me this afternoon." Methos clutched the sheets tighter. "That's why I asked for the stones. They were for her ring."

"I take it she said yes?" Mac inquired gently.

Methos nodded.

"I hate to be the nay-sayer, but is she aware of what you are?" Amanda asked darkly.

"Yes." Methos made himself stop squeezing the sheets. "We've known each other for the last three thousand years. I first met her..." He paused as the storm of memories hit him, "It was along time ago. Every time we meet it's like a Quickening, only without the dead body. She touches my soul in a way I only feel with her."

"And she keeps dying?" Amanda asked.

Methos nodded, "My enemies kill her." He hung his head, "I thought that by being engaged the pattern would stop. She would be safe, we could live together."

"Well maybe there's a piece of the puzzle you still need to solve."

Mac nodded, "Amanda's right. You need to tell us everything. There's clearly a pattern here." He saw the pain on his friend's face, "Methos, she's not dead. They would have left her body here if she was. Now think, think about this. She's still alive."

Methos stared at Mac like a fool. He had thought that originally, but the sight of blood had sent him over the edge.
Not exactly the kind of behavior one expects from a five thousand year old man. He stood up slowly, put the sword away and looked at his apartment.

Nothing was missing. Things were damaged and some ruined, but nothing was gone. He frowned and reached under the bed. The box he drew out was a heavy dark wood case with three brass latches. He lifted them and than the lid. The contents were gone.

"What was in there?" Mac asked.

"A sword,"

Amanda stepped up on the other side, "Why would have sword under your bed?"

"I never use anymore, the last time I carried it, Alexander ruled the world. I saw Darcy die that time. It was horrible. I put the sword away and found the one I use now."

"So it's being gone, proves what?" Amanda asked.

"Darcy never knew this was here. Whoever took her, knew I had it." Methos stopped cold. "Alexander is the only who would know that."

Mac stared at the man, "You mean Alexander the Great?"

Methos nodded, "He gave the sword after our first battle together."

Amanda frowned, "But that would make Alexander an Immortal."

"Why would he come after you?" Mac asked carefully.

Methos sighed, "He never understood how I could love Darcy so much. When he found out she was the daughter of King Darius, he wanted to kill her." Methos paused as the memory came back, "I was too late to stop him. I swore to get revenge. But he disappeared before I got the chance."

Amanda stared at the empty box, "So Alexander the Great kidnapped Darcy in order to get you to fight him?"

"So it would seem."

Mac stared at the box then Methos, "Is it possible he's been the one killing her all this time?"

Methos turned his head slowly, "What?"

"Well you said Alexander wanted revenge on her. You tried to stop him. It's possible he might still carry a grudge."

Now that Mac mentioned it, the idea was possible. Methos considered it and nodded slowly.

"That sounds like something he would do."

"Oh this is wonderful," Amanda quipped, "We're going after Alexander the Great. This is fantastic. Where are we supposed to start?"

Methos let go of the lid, it slammed shut with a bang. "I know the place."

END OF CHAPTER TWO