TIMELESS – CHAPTER EIGHT

Here's to the nights we felt alive
Here's to the tears you knew you'd cry
Here's to goodbye
Tomorrow's gonna come too soon... -- Eve 6- Here's to The Night.

A NIGHT IN PARIS

PRESENT DAY PARIS

Evening sat over the city of Paris, France. Lights glowed as crowds of fun-seekers paraded down the ancient streets. Lost in the crowd were four people who were laughing it up.

"Then I said to him, why not ride backwards, that way you can keep your eye on them." Mac retold the tale with flourish, "He said to me: But who then will guide the horse?'

"So what happened?" Darcy asked as they walked.

"We ended up sharing the horse." Mac said and Darcy laughed.

Amanda pulled up short, "Here it is!"

She exclaimed and hauled her man into the club. Darcy was pulled in with them and so was her husband.

The music was multi-cultural and the décor was exotic. This was a place to dance and let loose. Amanda shed her coat revealing a very small backless red dress. She went straight for the dance floor, dragging Mac with her.

Darcy tugged at the new dress Amanda had talked her into. It had a halter top and very short skirt. Opaque hose went down her legs to brand new boots. Both Methos and Duncan were wearing jeans and a semi-causal shirt. Mac was in dark red and Methos was bright blue.
The colors had been Amanda's idea, "We need a way to keep track of our men." She had insisted.

"We'll grab you a table." Darcy called as Mac threw her helpless smile.

Methos and Darcy sat a booth near the floor; they ordered a round of beers and watched the dancing.

"Mac can sure move." Darcy exclaimed with admiration.

Methos watched the Highlander, "I suppose."

Darcy shot her husband a look, "Think you can do better?"

Methos stood up, held out hand, "Yes, I do." Methos found a spot on the floor, "Try to keep up."

"I'm the Julliard graduate, you try to keep up." Darcy said.

The two of them spun into a salsa as the music shifted to the fast beats required. Methos knew exactly how to move and was always in the right place. Darcy spun and twisted, jumped and twirled. The lights blended in with her vision and it was like being in a dream.

She was grounded by the solidness of Methos body against her. His hands slid along her torso, up to her arms, she would spin and he would catch her around the waist. His breath would tingle against her skin as he lifted her into the air.

Darcy stared into his eyes and saw passion there. The music was the sound of love and his hands let her know he felt it. Darcy grinned at him as she touched ground. Her hips and arms moved and twirled as though possessed.

The music gave way to something Caribbean and the floor was flooded anew. Darcy led off the floor and they sat in the booth. Mac stood as they did so.

"Very nicely done," He commended. "You'll have to share that with me sometime." Mac teased.

"I think not," Methos countered as he kissed his wife.

Darcy laughed, "I'd forgotten how much fun dancing was."
The music changed again to a thoroughly country two step.

Amanda was on her feet instantly. "Mac, come on."

Darcy jumped in and the four of them two-stepped to the Dixie Chicks.

As they returned to their booth there was a menu waiting.

"I say we get the party platter," Amanda informed them, "Although, that does look good." She pointed and looked to Mac, "How about you?"

"I need another beer." He said and stood up. "Anyone else?"

"Might as well get a round," Methos said as he draped an arm around Darcy's shoulders.

"Fine." Mac shook his head and disappeared into the crowd.

The food was almost gone; a third round of beers was two-thirds finished, the music was still going. The last hour had been tango. Darcy had tried a couple dances but wasn't taking to it.

The music switched to something she recognized, "Oh finally, some real music." She stood up as Missy Elliot came across the speakers. The three Immortals sat listening, Amanda arched a fine brow.

"She calls this music?"

Mac shrugged as he grabbed the last chicken wing, "Kid's today."

"At least it's not Disco." Methos muttered as he tossed back the last of his beer.

"It's your turn to get beer," Mac said as he finished his.

Methos stood up and disappeared into the crowd.

Mac watched as the two women danced on the floor. Amanda was as good as Darcy in keeping up with the hip-hop beats. The two of them were having a great time.

Methos returned with four beers and settled. He caught Mac's expression. Following the Scot's gaze, he slapped him on the shoulder. Mac looked over.

"That's my wife, Mac." Methos grinned at the look on Mac's face. "I'm glad to see you and Amanda are back on."

"Yeah, for this week," Mac snatched a beer and took a long swig.

Darcy tumbled into her husbands arms as she and Amanda returned to the table. Amanda snuggled up to Mac.

"Are we spending the evening here?" Amanda asked she took a drink of Mac's beer.

"I don't see why not," Darcy said lightly, "Music is good, food is fine and the beer is cold."

"I concur," Methos clinked bottles with Darcy in agreement.

Three a.m. had long since passed as the quartet stumbled down the street. Darcy was being carried by Methos and Mac finally followed suit by scooping up Amanda.

"Can you make it home?" Amanda asked as she set her feet on the ground. She cuddled against Mac's chest.

"Or what, stay here?" Darcy shook her head, "I'd rather not listen to you two make out."

Amanda grinned, "We saw you two, during those salsa songs. That was pretty much the same thing."

Darcy grinned at her, "I know." The two women burst into laughter.

Methos grabbed his wife in a mock shoulder toss. Darcy squealed as she dangled over his shoulder. "See you guys later."

"You barbarian!" She cried in fake terror. "I'm being kidnapped by a barbarian."

"And you'll love it." Mac shouted to them as Methos walked down the street.

"Now," Amanda pulled Mac down to her mouth, "Where's my barbarian?"

Mac kissed her and swept her up, "Waiting below."

The following day Darcy woke up with Methos still beside her. She snuggled up to him and he rolled over. She settled on his chest and he held her.

"Last night was..." Darcy paused as Methos laughed gently, "I meant the dancing."

"Oh," He tried to sound serious, "I rather liked the end result myself."

"I'm not complaining; I just liked the whole thing."

Methos yawned as his telephone rang. He climbed out of bed and stumbled over discarded clothes.

He came back a moment later, "Mac is coming over."

"Why? What's happened?" Darcy sat up as Methos pulled on clothes.

"I have no idea, he's just coming."

Mac accepted the coffee and sipped at it for a few minutes. "I can't believe this. I mean I can, this is Amanda we're talking about. But still, after last night, I thought...Well I thought she might stay."

Darcy pulled her hair back as she sank beside Methos, "She's gone?"

Mac nodded, "Left me a not saying she was sorry."

"It must have been important," Methos said gently.

Mac shook his head, "More important than my feelings for her?"

Darcy knew to stay out of it; instead she stood up and went to the kitchen, breakfast was a great diversion. She heard the murmur of the men as they spoke; but didn't try to listen. She settled at the table and peered at the morning paper. There was nothing interesting.

Darcy was half way through the paper when she caught sight of an ad. Tearing it loose she went to the men.

"Read this,"

Mac looked it over and frowned, "Amanda wouldn't," He paused, "She might."

"Might what," Methos took the ad and frowned, "Amanda would."

Darcy perched on the couch arm, "Would she really try to steal the Hope Diamond?"

"Yes." They said in unison.

"She won't be able to sell it." Darcy reasoned.

"Think of the ransom she could have." Mac stood up quickly, "I've had it with her. I am tired of this dance of hers." He grabbed his coat, "Thanks for listening Methos. Have a good day Darcy."

Darcy exhaled once Mac was gone. "He's really angry."

Methos looked up at her, "Mac loves Amanda, at least as much as he can."

Looking at the clipping in her hand, Darcy sighed. "Well at least we know why she left him."

Methos stood and pulled her against him, "At least we have each other."