Chapter Thirty-Six
Off the Coast of Australia:

Seagulls dipped and circled in the distance. The sounds of their cries sounding like the screams of the dying on a battlefield. Derrick shuddered slightly, sensing some ghost of past memory float through his consciousness and then evaporate utterly until he had only the sense of déjà vu about him as he steered along the shore. They'd make landfall later today.

The others were excited, especially Caspar, about sightseeing in a land where English was actually spoken. He'd never had to learn other languages, and he was finding it difficult. Given enough time, he'd learn… they all did… if he had the time.

From the pilothouse of the yacht, Derrick could see them all… Michelle and Amber were chatting amiably while sunning themselves. Masahiro-sensei and Caspar were leaning on the railing as they gestured at the horizon. Neither had ever been to Australia… and Derrick could imagine their conversation about what they'd see and learn. David was patiently showing Burke how to sand wood. It all seemed very dream-like and perfectly normal, as if it were a moment caught in time.

Derrick wondered that they'd come with him… and wondered what it was he was sailing towards. The horizon held the promise of tomorrow. So why did he sense storm clouds there? What was waiting for him? And what would happen to his friends if the storm overtook them? Was he leading them to their deaths?

He leaned back in the pilot's chair attempting to focus on something pleasant… some memory that would dispel his fears. He was a boy again… oblivious of immortals… and sitting in Ellie's lap. She was just Ellie then… his sister… and the darkness of his forgotten past was kept at bay as she taught him to use the computer. He was still six, and it was long before they'd begun running. Before Ellie had been spooked by the stalking presence of an immortal. When they'd just been two young people alone in the world… but warm and happy and content. She smelled like the honey he'd liked to drown his toast in, and when she laughed, it sounded like small tinkling silver bells.

But the raucous cries of the gulls intruded. Derrick opened his eyes. The past was only a memory… it was his yesterday. It was pleasant to recall the good times… but it wasn't where he was needed. Here and now… facing his unknown future was what he needed to do. He sensed an impending doom out there waiting for him… a test… a decision… something that might make or break him.

A cloud passed over the sun… momentarily dimming the day. Amber sat up to sip at some iced drink that Michelle had made and laughed lightly. When the sun returned… the rays made her hair glow for a moment and Derrick wondered if she were his salvation… or the one who would lead him to his doom. He pushed the thought away and tried to recapture the sense of perfection that he'd felt earlier in the scene of immortals coexisting without swords. Having now taken a quickening… and having felt the loss of self and the gain of power for himself… Derrick wondered if immortals as a race could ever give up the game… and the enticing and hypnotic feel of another immortal's quickening… or if it was only a dream… and death was the only reality that they could count on.

He found he was gripping the wheel tightly… as if attempting to steer a clear path among the oncoming storms. On the deck… his friends seemed once more frozen in time… oblivious to what only he could somehow sense.

-----

Several hours later, as the sun was falling towards evening, and the air seemed cool and fresh, the Lady Ambergris II sailed into Roebuck Bay on the northwestern coast of Australia. The red rock formations in the area shone as if bleeding in the slant of afternoon sunlight. Derrick shivered, wondering if he were delivering them all into the mouth of Hell.

As he steered the yacht slowly into a slip at the wharf… he felt the presence of an immortal… as did the others. They clustered along one side and stared at the wharf. He didn't want to look. He feared who would be there.

"Tie us off," he called out to the others and watched with satisfaction as they turned to grab the hawsers and tossed them to the dock. Caspar leaped over the side to the dock and secured them. Only after the ship was secured and the electronics shut down, did Derrick cross to the port railing.

"Who is she?" Michelle asked.

Derrick sighed. "Cassandra," he said quietly.

The ancient immortal stood in the center of the dock staring up at all of them. Her long main of tangled brown hair blew in the offshore breeze. She was simply dressed in a long off-white dress with crocheted sleeves and white boots. Around her neck was a necklace of burnt orange stones, strung on thick black cord. She was waiting for them.

Derrick motioned for David to lower the gangway and waited for Cassandra to make her way aboard. She moved smoothly, confidently as she stepped onto the deck, nodding politely at the others and threading her way through them towards Derrick.

Amber moved into her way to prevent her approach.

Derrick saw Cassandra's eyes widen as though she recognized her and then she smiled. "I'm a friend of Derrick's." She tossed her mane of hair and regarded him openly. "Tell them Derrick."

Derrick nodded as he clapped his hands on Amber's shoulders and moved her aside. "What do you want Cassandra?"

"You don't seem surprised to see me," she replied with a hint of a smile.

Derrick shrugged. "I always figured you'd show up one day."

She smiled more broadly as she caressed his cheek. "You look exactly as I knew you would all those years ago."

"And you knew where to find me?"

Cassandra laughed. "I saw this moment." She dropped her hand and turned. "And you've already begun."

"Begun what?" Derrick asked.

Cassandra smiled and turned toward the others. "To change things. I recall Michelle and David from our recovery groups a few years ago, but I don't know the others. Introduce me to your friends."

Derrick made the introductions and watched while Cassandra smiled and chatted with all of them a moment. Then she turned back to him. "We need to talk."

Derrick shrugged. "So talk."

"In private."

No!" Amber suddenly yelled. She pushed in close to Derrick. He grabbed her hands and held them down.

"Whatever you have to say to me can surely be said in front of others."

Cassandra took several deep breaths and then turned away. "The paths of one's future are always clouded. It would be best if I spoke only to you. Speaking in front of the others… changes things. Foretelling the future is always more accurate if few know of what is to come." She turned back to him. "I'm not your enemy. I'm here to help."

Derrick finally nodded. "Give them your sword and we'll talk."

Cassandra looked startled for a moment… and then did as he requested. She handed it to Masahiro-sensei with a bow. Derrick motioned them all to go ashore as they'd originally planned. "I'll join you shortly."

Amber shook her head. "I'm goin' nowhere."

"Amber… please. It'll be fine." He pulled her to him and kissed her with a smile. "You worry too much."

Finally she allowed herself to be drawn away and down the gangway. She kept looking back at him… obviously unhappy that he was sending her away.

Derrick turned to Cassandra. "What's this about?"

"You really don't know? I told Eleanor what I saw in your future. She never told you?"

"No."

"Yet you know… I think."

Derrick sighed and leaned his elbows on the rail as he stared at the others making their way along the dock. "I see things… but not the future… not really."

"But you expected me." She stepped to his side, softly laying a hand on his arm.

"I expected someone. I knew a decision loomed before me."

"I'm here to guide you. I can see great things for you… but you must let me help."

Derrick looked at her. "You're free to remain. We'll stay here a few days and then sail east… India I thought."

Cassandra laughed. "Yes… India. I knew that. Do you want to know whom you will meet there?"

Derrick shook his head. "I don't want to know the future. I only want to enjoy the time I have. No one should know the day of their death."

"But what you do today will decide whether you live or die."

Derrick straightened and slapped his hands on the rail. "Then I will make the decision on that day. I will not live my life trying to achieve what someone else sees for me in some vision. Now I wish to join my friends. We're going to dinner." He gestured toward the gangway.

Cassandra bowed her head. "As you wish. I may join you later… or come aboard later once I have my things."

"As you wish."

She smiled. "My sword?"

"Masahiro has it with him."

"Then I'll accompany you to dinner." Cassandra silkily slipped one arm into his and stepped lightly along with him, her long legs keeping pace with his.

-----

Over dinner at an outdoor cafe not far from the marina, the immortals laughed and talked of mundane things.

Derrick leaned thoughtfully back in his chair; one arm was curled about Amber's shoulders as he played with her hair. Across the table, Cassandra joined in conversation, occasionally looking over at him and smiling. About her he could sense an aura so white it was almost blinding. In that aura there was no danger… no deception… nothing but her need to help him. That need seemed almost overpowering to him. He wondered how he could help her… give her what she so desperately needed… and not become lost in that need.

"I saw where Ayers Rock is in the area," Michelle was saying. "I've always wanted to see it."

Amber laughed. "Me too." She turned toward Derrick with a teasing smile. "Do you suppose we could go? Like the Grand Canyon?" She winked and he noted one of her hands had dropped between his legs. He pressed them together around her hand, serene in her intimate touch.

"We'll see," he said without commitment. He had planned to spend several days here. They needed to re-supply and he wanted to replace ropes and fix sails before their long voyage across the Indian Ocean. He was even considering pulling the yacht from the water to check her hull. He'd have plenty to keep him busy. "Maybe you and the others could go."

In Amber's eyes he saw an unasked question. "Later," he murmured softly and kissed her hair, still keeping her hand trapped between his legs. "All of you should take some time to see this part of the world. When we leave in a few days, we'll be at sea for some time."

He listened to them chatting about plans as if they were truly what they presented themselves to be… just tourists, and nothing more. Cassandra just smiled.

After they'd paid the check, the psychic left them. "I'll be along in the morning. I still have to collect my things." She waved and walked sedately down the street… her hips swinging in her stride in a most becoming manner.

"Now that is a woman," Caspar whispered. He playfully grabbed himself and nudged Derrick's side as he whistled after her. She looked over her shoulder at them and smiled mysteriously. "Maybe Burke should find a new roommate," Caspar added hoarsely.

"Perhaps," Derrick replied as they turned toward the wharf. His arm was still slung over Amber's shoulder and they were bumping hips as they walked. "At any rate… better let her make the first move."

Masahiro grunted. "I can always sleep on deck. I have always liked the sea. It is why I was in the Japanese Imperial Navy once upon a time."

"World War II?" Caspar asked. When Masahiro nodded, Caspar shook his head. "Man… if I'd met you then… I'd have challenged your ass."

"A few did," the Japanese master chuckled.

"What happened?"

Masahiro met Caspar Wingate's eyes and smiled. "They died." He pivoted and walked ahead of them.

"Good thing he's on our side," Caspar muttered before he, Michelle and David, and Burke began singing some drunken sea shanty for the hell of it. They locked arms and weaved back and forth across the pier.

"I don't think Cassandra should join us," Amber whispered to him.

"Why not?"

"I don't like the way she looks at ya."

"Jealous?" he teased and tickled her side.

She pushed his hand roughly away. "I'm serious. There is something superior and very predatory about her."

Derrick shrugged. They'd reached the marina by this point. "She's very old Amber."

"She acts like she's in charge."

"She's not."

Amber pulled free and stopped him. Her hands were on his chest. "She wants something."

Derrick nodded. "I know. She wants to help me."

"How do ya know her?"

Derrick gently stroked the side of her face. "It's a long story."

"We have time."

He pulled her into an embrace. "It might take all night."

She kissed him lightly and laughed. "Then give me the short version."

Joyfully, Derrick lifted her up and tossed her over one shoulder. "Then we best hurry… as I want time for other activities," he laughed as he then raced toward their yacht and up the gangway. Amber laughed and beat her fists on his back. Her blows bounced off… like ineffective pebbles tossed at boulders.

Once in their cabin, Derrick tossed her onto the bunk and leaped atop her… kissing her urgently while his hands fumbled with her clothes. Her hands pulled urgently at his clothes as if they were impediments to their need to be together. He heard cloth shred and tear… and buttons bounce on the wooden floor. Then he was consumed by her… the smell of her… the touch of her. All existence focused on her need for him.

Later, she lay curled in his arms, he traced his fingers across her skin in patterns of movement that had no meaning… but that seemed somehow right… seemed to make her more his.

"So," she said dreamily, her voice husky, her hands beginning to move over him. "Tell me about Cassandra."

"I was ten when I met her. She saw my future, although she only told Ellie about it. Still… I understood that she saw something for me."

"This future?"

Derrick shrugged, his fingers still moving over her. "She thinks I can end the game."

"She told Ellie that?"

He shook his head. "I'm not certain. I knew that while she was no threat to me… she was a threat to Ellie. I could see her killing Ellie."

Amber rose on one elbow and leaned over him. "Why?"

"That's the long story." Derrick hesitated. He had to keep Methos' identity a secret. He'd promised him that he'd never tell anyone. Finally he found a way in truth bereft of details. "Cassandra knew Adam long before he ever met Ellie… long before she was ever born. They were lovers. It ended badly. When Cassandra realized that Ellie and Adam were together… she wanted to hurt him. She wanted to kill Ellie."

"But she didn't."

Derrick shook his head. "Because I asked her not to. I needed Ellie, and she knew that. Without Ellie… the future Cassandra had glimpsed evaporated. And she wanted that future. Years later, when that Watcher group kidnapped immortals like you and Michelle and David… they also kidnapped Cassandra and Adam."

"And?"

"And somewhere in the dreams… they made their peace with each other."

"So ya really think she's here to help ya?" Amber leaned down and let her tongue move over his chest. She bit one nipple playfully. He hissed in pleasure as she climbed onto him. He closed his eyes and luxuriated in the way she covered him, touched him, and caressed him… the way her mouth moved over him and the way she nipped at him… inflaming him.

Filled with need again, he flipped her over and entered her… loving the way her hips rose to him as he thrust deeply into her. Derrick felt that he could know her a thousand millennia… and never get enough of her.

-----

The boat rocked gently and Amber could see light beginning to fade into the eastern sky. Needing to pee, she climbed over a still-sleeping Derrick, pulled on some discarded shorts and one of Derrick's T-shirts as she padded in her bare feet to the head. She always laughed to herself at that name for the facilities. She wondered how it had come to be.

Washing her face, she ran fingers through her blonde hair, noting how bleached it had become lately. It was nearly white instead of amber gold. Finding a spare hair band, she drew it up into a ponytail as she headed to the deck for a few moments of fresh air and quiet before the others awakened and the activities of the day surrounded her. It was like the old days, her quiet moments at dawn… the days when she'd been alone. "Ya were wrong, Connor," she whispered to herself. "Immortals can share their lives with other immortals. It's possible… I know it now."

On deck, she was startled by the heady presence of Cassandra. The psychic stood leaning on the port rail and staring at the shore. She looked over at Amber and smiled. "We need to talk," Cassandra said.

Amber swallowed nervously and stepped to her side. "Aye… we need to talk."

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