Chapter Fourteen
The Canyon Suites:

By morning, Sarah Manning was getting suspicious. Neither Ben Adams… nor his little friend had returned during the night. Sarah was certain of that. Dressing in comfortable hiking clothes… as if just another tourist, she spared one long lingering look in the mirror to be certain she was at her best. Her clothes were crisply ironed and pleated. Her glossy hair was artfully pulled back and tied with a bandanna that coordinated with her shirt. Sarah grinned and picked up the wide-brimmed hat. She was ready… and just in case she ran into him… she looked as if she belonged here.

In the hallway, Sarah stepped closer to his door and closed her eyes. She still could feel no sense of him here. Her heart sank in despair. Had he given her the slip? How had he known she was still following him? Or was it something else. Behind her the sound of the utility cart exiting the service elevator gave her an idea. She moved down the hall and slipped into a small alcove to watch. There were only six suites on this floor… Sarah shouldn't have long to wait.

Half an hour later… the maid parked her cart in front of Benjamin's suite and knocked politely. "House-cleaning," she called out.

Sarah smiled. That was a good sign. That meant he was supposed to be here.

The maid used her keycard and opened the door, setting a trashcan by the propped open door and entered to begin her duties. Sarah slipped out of the alcove and headed for the room.

Laughing to no one, she waved at the door, "I'll only be a minute," and slipped in, giving the maid a wave as she passed into one of the two rooms. The bed was mussed as if it had been slept in. Sarah entered the adjacent bath… noticing the damp towels strewn on the floor and the shaving items in disarray on the messy countertop. She fingered the tooled "AP" on the leather kit and then turned to stare at the clothes hanging in the closet.

"Definitely your style," she said quietly to herself. Leaning over… she picked up a discarded shirt, holding it to her nose. "And your after-shave." She smiled, hearing the maid turn off the vacuum in the parlor room and enter the bedroom to strip the bed.

Sarah mumbled pleasantries and exited to check out the other bedroom. She took note of the still-made bed and the clothes that lay discarded on the floor. Sticking her head in the bath, she noted that it, too, showed signs of use.

"Curioser and curioser," she chuckled. "They were here… I recognize that blouse as the one she was wearing at dinner when I met her. But where were they last night?"

Swiftly… Sarah pivoted to exit the suite and return to hers. After hanging out the "Do Not Disturb" sign… she booted up her PPC and checked the satellite surveillance she had access to. Again and again she tried to find the vehicle. Nothing in any of the parking lots. After a long pause during which she attempted to get her breathing under control and her mind carefully ticking off possibilities… Sarah ran the access back to the last moment she'd seen the car, pulling out of the main lot toward one of the overlooks. She'd checked in then and had not rechecked the data last night as the hotel records showed Adams/Pierson was here. "Fool!" she hissed to herself. "If he's gone… I've lost valuable time."

The car was parked at an overlook until the satellite had moved out of position. By the time the next one had picked up the area… the car was gone. If she'd checked last night… she'd likely have caught it in enough time to find it. Now… she ran wider sweeps… but without something to go on… even a direction… she had no idea where to begin.

If this had happened to a target during her government days, they'd have gone into the files to learn more about past possible destinations… and properties. Sarah felt like tossing the small computer across the room. Instead she sat for a long moment, carefully thinking.

"I've lost track of him for the moment. That's not important. He'll surface again… but where?" Idly she pulled up the airport photo of the woman and two children. "Home," Sarah said. "You'd go home… eventually."

At the knock on her door, she angrily cried out to the maid to go away, and then set about hacking into the tax and land records of Fairfax County, VA. "You're here… I know you are."

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Las Vegas, NV, last night:

"I don't understand," insisted Jayne. "Why are we doing this?"

"I'm being watched," Methos said as he reluctantly covered the Centaur with a tarp. He'd called ahead and rented a storage building. He'd have to leave the car here so that they could disappear.

Jayne laughed. "Sorry… occupational hazard. I assume you mean by someone other than me."

"Sarah Manning, I think. She worked with the U.S. N.A.S. during the 1990's. She must still have credentials."

With a teasing smile Jayne shouldered her small bag. "You mean your old flame? Do you really have that strong an effect on women that once they've had you… they want you forever?"

Methos glared at her as he tied down the tarp. "The GPS in the Centaur was compromised. I took care of it in Chicago. At least… I thought that took care of it… but I want to be sure."

"In other words, you're paranoid."

Methos straightened and grabbed his small overnight bag. "I'll tell you a secret. Paranoia is the secret to longevity," he winked. "Let's go while we have the darkness."

"What about transportation to wherever we're headed?"

Methos closed and locked the storage shed with a laugh. "Trust me. I've had centuries of practice. I know how to vanish."

"Even with me tagging along?" Jayne was not happy that most of her things were still back at the hotel. She hadn't brought much with her… and Methos had insisted on their leaving without returning to the hotel… or officially checking out.

"Even with you," Methos said softly as he led the way onto the darkened city street. He'd need a good used car… one he could pay cash for. There could be no credit trail for the foreseeable future. He'd reclaim his car on some future day. Likely… he should have lost it before now… but he'd wanted that speed at his disposal just in case. Now… he feared leading anyone to Derrick… especially another immortal.

He'd have to have a reasonably reliable car. Methos knew that the fastest way to where he needed to be was to backtrack south and take the I-15 west to Barstow, Ca. From there he'd have to make the crossover to the I-5 just south of Bakersfield and head north… all the way to Seacouver. It was a long way… and he feared he was already too late.

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Seacouver:

Two days after vanishing… Derrick had returned… during the height of the lunch crowd… sauntering into the mess hall as if he'd only just stepped outside for a moment. Amber excused herself from the serving line to confront him.

"I was worried… where ha' ya' been?"

Derrick grinned and grabbed her by the waist as he danced around the floor. "I was buying you a surprise."

"What?" she asked breathlessly.

"Later… this afternoon. I'll show you." Around them was laughter and applause as he dipped her low and then inclined his face toward hers for a teasing kiss.

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"It's a bloody boat!"

"It's an ocean-going yacht. Used… but in good shape." Derrick grinned widely as if extremely pleased with himself.

"Like boats," Burke mumbled as he rambled up the gangplank intent on exploring. Wingate shook his head and shrugged with resignation. David and Michelle just laughed.

"I've always traveled on the big cargo ships. I wanted to travel across on a smaller one and really get the feel of the ocean."

"You do realize that once at sea… without proper paperwork… we'd have trouble getting back in anywhere… don't you?" David shook his head.

Amber glanced around as it dawned on her… that each of them was assuming they would be coming along… even David and Michelle. Amber's mouth worked open and shut as she considered what all of these immortals were considering… taking an ocean cruise on a small yacht… with other immortals. Somehow the recipe for disaster seemed to loom.

"Derrick," she whispered. "We can't all go on a boat. It wouldna be safe."

"Why not?" Derrick gazed at her with those blue eyes of his and just smiled. He shrugged as if the idea that anything could happen was as foreign to him as the concept of the game appeared to be. "We're friends… or at least companions. I sincerely doubt anything would really happen."

"What's your plan?" asked David.

"I thought we could head north and hug the coastline a bit before crossing over the Pacific. I don't think setting sail for Hawaii would be prudent with just us aboard. We'd need to learn to handle her first." He pointed to the name. "That's why I bought her."

"Lady Ambergris II," read Amber… a flush rising over features. "Why am I not surprised?"

Derrick hugged her tightly as he led her up the gangplank along with the others. "Let's take a look. I'm going… and any of you who wish to come are welcome. I think there're enough cabins for all of us. I can handle the navigation and the engines." His voice went on with his hopes and plans.

Amber tuned much of it out as she let him lead the way. Obviously… his idea of immortal friends took precedence over reality. Well… she for one would sleep only with her cutlass in hand. At least he admitted it would take time before they were ready to leave. Derrick evidently had plans for some short training cruises in the harbor before they headed out to sea.

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Paris:

Joe tapped off his phonecard and snorted. "They're goin' out to dinner somewhere." Idly he tapped his fingers on the surface of the arm of his wheelchair and thought about Mac's words.

"We ran into an old friend. We're going to dinner. We'll be in later."

"Damn!" snapped Joe. "He was keepin' somethin' from me."

"What would he be keeping?" Amy said as she washed the salad greens and began chopping the vegetables to go into the salad.

"I don't know. Is anyone on him tonight?"

Amy shook her head. "He's so good about telling you stuff, that we agreed to keep our distance from him. You know that."

"Yeah… well I thought maybe that was just for my benefit."

"Dad. Duncan MacLeod has shown he's a man to be trusted. We only watch when he meets with someone else and his or her Watcher makes a note of it. Most of the immortals, even those who know about us, don't pay us too much attention." She chuckled suddenly. "Well… other than Methos and the ones on Niebos that is. But those are special cases. There are a few others who have invited Watchers into their homes to chronicle their lives… but they are few. We generally keep our distance… and if they ask us to back off… we do so and call it in. Never again will we be a threat to them. At least not while I have any say so."

Joe couldn't help but smile. "You… uh… got that stubborn streak from me ya know."

Amy smirked and stuck her tongue out at him. "Do tell!"

Duncan had hated lying to Joe, but Alisaunne was an immortal he wanted the Watchers to leave alone… both for her sake… and for theirs. Satisfied that she was down for the night, and determined to check on her tomorrow, Duncan had decided a quiet dinner at Faugeron across town on the Rue de Longchamps would do both him and Amanda good.

In the taxi on the way over… he felt her curl into his embrace and rest quietly… silently… evidently a lot on her mind. He'd kissed her hair and wondered where they were headed in their lives… whether they would ever be ready for the next step in a relationship… or if they were only marking time… until something else… something better came along.

It was at times like this that Duncan inevitably thought of Tessa. Perhaps if they'd had that long life together… she wouldn't still prey on his mind whenever he considered a life with Amanda.

"I feel so sorry for her sometimes. She didn't ask to be different. And she certainly didn't ask for all the horrible things that have happened to her."

"I hear a but in there some place."

Amanda sat up, the passing lights flickering over her face. "She needs to pull herself together. She can't let what's happened to her rule her every thought." Amanda sat back dejectedly. "Maybe Derrick should never have told her about that cavern. I mean it's not as if the writing there or Darius' journal have ever made one bit of sense to her. It's not as if that old computer game you used to work on was ever completely solved.

Duncan had nodded his agreement. The game had stalled years ago. With Methos' help… he'd found the forty-five symbols of the ancient immortals. But as yet… he still had no clue as to what the symbols were really trying to say… only that they were a part of all the artifacts that Darius had collected over the centuries… artifacts still lost to them… still hidden somewhere at Waterloo.

The taxi arrived at the restaurant. Duncan paid the driver, tipping well as he and Amanda were ushered in. He'd called ahead for reservations. Inside, linen tablecloths, fine china, and elegant food awaited them. Duncan wanted to thank Amanda for all she'd done for Alisaunne today. Without her there, Duncan doubted he'd have been able to help the girl.

While waiting for coffee and dessert after their meal, Amanda excused herself to the powder room and Duncan sat contemplating life and listening to the melodious tones from the piano on one side of the restaurant. He was lost in thought when he felt a presence approaching the table. He sat back. "What kept you?"

A familiar voice laughed. "And here I thought I'd surprise you."

Duncan glanced up at the face of Katherine Mary Devaney… his wife of less than one night… whom he'd killed before her time. "Kate," he mumbled, the guilt and sadness that lay between them still a raw and gaping wound despite all the years since they'd attempted to seal the breach. That they'd failed in the aftermath of Connor's death to make a go of it… had only added additional layers of guilt to what he'd already felt. Truthfully, he'd not thought of her in years. "I'm here with someone."

"I saw. Not to worry," Kate said as she slid into Amanda's seat. "I won't stay. I just wanted to ask you something."

"Anything… you know that." He apprised her. She was even thinner than the last time he'd seen her… almost gaunt. "Are you all right? Do you need anything?"

"Funny you should ask. I need a child and I understand you know how I can have one."

Duncan paled as he sat back. The children were still a closely guarded secret… at least until they were grown. "Children? Immortals don't have children, Kate. You know that."

"I never believed it. And now I know there is a way… and that you know what it is." Her voice cut him like a knife. Duncan made no reply. Evidently someone who knew had said something to her. Furiously his mind ticked off those who knew… those who'd been sworn to secrecy. This could constitute a danger to Methos, Eleanor and the children they had sacrificed for to bring into the world. "I'd like to know who told you such a thing," Duncan finally said.

"I'll just bet you would." she looked up with a smile at the male immortal that approached. "Darling… you know my ex-husband."

Duncan stared into the brown eyes of the man he'd last seen in a cavern in Switzerland twelve years ago. "Alistair Craille," he murmured.

"MacLeod, nice to see you again under more agreeable circumstances. This is a most fortuitous meeting. Kate was wondering how to go about finding you."

Had Craille sensed something that day? Had he known? Or had someone mentioned it to him while he and others who'd been rescued had spent some time at Ste. Genevieve, recovering. Cassandra had worked with the ones there. She had known. Had she said something? Duncan's mind was filled with questions that had no answers.

"Duncan," Kate leaned closer. "I'm not asking you to father a child… only tell me how it's done," she clasped Craille's hand. "Alistair has said he'd father the child if we only knew what we had to do to make it happen."

Amanda returned at that point, smiling curiously at the two newcomers. "Kate… Alistair… a pleasure."

"Amanda… lovely as always," Alistair kissed Amanda's cheek.

Kate rose. "We need to go. Here's where we are staying. Please Duncan. You owe me this. Turn me down and I will never forgive you." Kate pivoted and pushed through Amanda and Alistair to make her withdrawal.

Alistair shrugged. "She's a woman of great passions. Pity you never bothered to learn that." He followed Kate out of the restaurant.

Amanda reclaimed her seat. She sat quietly until after the coffee and dessert was served. Finally she sighed. "I won't push, Duncan. But what did she want?"

Duncan picked up a spoon and swirled it about in the coffee cup. Finally he set it down and lifted the cup to his lips. He paused. Then he said directly. "She wants to have a baby. Evidently someone talked."

Amanda's eyes widened. "So what are you going to do?"

Duncan gazed at her numbly as he set the cup down. "I don't know." He picked up the address and held it in his hands, staring at it.

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