TIMELESS – CHAPTER NINE
We that are true lovers run into strange capers; but as all is mortal in nature, so is all nature in love mortal in folly." --From As You Like It (II, iv, 53-56)
UNTOLD SECRETS: PART ONE
"You're what?" Darcy asked as she watched Methos pack.
"I have to leave for a few days."
"Why?" She asked and caught his hands, he looked up her. She searched his face and knew he was hiding something from her. "Tell me."
"I can't." He pulled his hands free and finished packing, "I'll call you."
Darcy flinched the door closing. She sat alone in bed, listening to the whir of the heater. He was gone, just like that. She bit her lip as confusion swelled in her mind. Methos had never kept anything from her before. It didn't sit well with her.
Darcy hurried in her walk; she was freezing and miserable. Finally she broke into a jog and that helped only slightly. The sharp click of her boats reminded her of the events three days ago.
Amanda had up and vanished after a night with Mac. The Highlander had been a wreck ever since. Now Methos was up and leaving with no explanation.
Darcy paused at the sight of Mac's boat. She carefully boarded and called out as she went below.
"Mac?" She peeked around the corner. The living room was a disaster area and smelled just as bad.
Darcy picked her way into the space. She caught sight of Mac's large form in bed. "Mac?"
She approached the bed and stopped. In her year with Methos she'd never looked at another man. But the back that faced her now as worth looking at. The shoulders were broader then they looked under clothes. His waist was just as narrow and he was just as tanned all over.
Darcy shook herself and backed away from the bed. She busied her self with cleaning up.
Mac awoke to the smell of strong fresh coffee. "Amanda?" He rolled over and sat up, he was startled to see Darcy. "What are you doing here?"
"I figured I'd come check on you." She crossed the clean living room with a cup of coffee.
Mac sat up as he sipped it, "This is good. Tastes different."
"I washed your coffee pot." Darcy stood at the foot of the bed.
Mac inhaled as he yawned, "Something smells orangey."
"That would be the cleaning solution I used on your living room." Darcy made a concentrated effort not to look at Mac as he got up from the bed.
"Wow, you did all this?" Mac finished his coffee and scratched his chest. "Why?"
"The smell was getting to me." Darcy backed away slightly, "Speaking of smell,"
Mac frowned and sniffed under his arms, "What? I smell?"
Darcy smiled at his innocent sounding voice, "You could do with a shower and a shave."
Mac ran his hands over his face, "Oh."
Darcy fried up eggs and sausage as Mac showered and dressed. He came out of the bathroom and Darcy stopped in her tracks. He'd left his hair loose and even wet it curled. He was in a sleeveless shirt which left his arms and most of his shoulders bare. He was stunning. A sweater slid over top and she blinked, tearing her eyes off him.
"How do I look?" He asked.
Darcy swallowed, "Better."
He grinned at her, "Is that breakfast?"
Darcy looked at the plate in her hands. "Yeah."
Mac took the plate, "Let's eat outside."
"But it's freezing." Darcy countered as Mac went above deck.
Mac was seated on the roof of his living room. He patted a spot beside him. "Come sit down. This is great by the way." He gave her a thumbs up sign. "Methos is one lucky man."
"You wouldn't know why he would suddenly leave do you?" Darcy sat next to Mac and huddled in her sweater.
"Not really," Mac looked across the water, "But Methos doesn't tell me everything. Why do you ask?"
"He left this morning. No explanation, nothing. Just gone." Darcy sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. "Mac, would he leave me for..."
"For someone else?" Mac shook his head, "Not likely."
Darcy shivered as a wind breathed through her shirt. "I got a call from my Dad the other day."
"How is old Roger?" Mac finished up and set the plate aside.
"Fine. He's moving to New Orleans next month."
Mac arched a brow, "Did he say why?"
Darcy shook her head and shivered again. "Can we please go back inside?"
Mac watched Darcy clean up and put everything away. She moved with grace and strength; with a confidence and power that was all feminine. Mac loved watching her. She was peaceful and happy; she was also smart. He could tell by way she organized his kitchen.
As she turned her back to him, Mac's gaze went down. He shook his head at the thought that went through his mind.
Don't even think it, He warned himself, She's married to Methos. Don't even think it.
But he was a man and he did think it. There's no harm if she doesn't know, he told himself and left it at that.
Darcy turned and was surprised at the intense Mac was giving her. She found her coat quickly and shrugged it on.
Mac blinked and stood up as she prepared to leave. "Let me walk you," He grabbed his coat before she could argue.
Darcy was slightly uncomfortable walking next to Duncan. He was large and power next to her, not to mention imposing and tall. She felt dwarfed beside him.
Methos was thin and lithe, so walking beside him was easy. But not Mac.
Darcy spun to face Mac as they reached the staircase up to her place. "Thanks for walking me."
Mac looked down at her; she really did have stunning eyes. "You're welcome."
Darcy exhaled sharply and went up the stairs.
Mac called out to her, "Can you come over tomorrow?"
Darcy paused, turning to face him. "Why?"
Mac shrugged, "Why not?"
Darcy wanted to tell him why not; she wanted to scream at him, but she nodded instead. He gave a regal bow and left. Darcy stared at him until he disappeared. She sat on the stairs and stared at her hands. The gold of her rings flashed as the diamonds sparkled.
"Oh god," She whispered as tears filled her eyes, "Oh no."
END OF CHAPTER NINE