Chapter Forty-Seven
Glasgow to Italy:

Along the route from Glasgow to the Chunnel, Methos and Robert barely spoke. Robert kept abreast of news accounts of the catastrophe via the car radio and his PPC. If occasionally his eyes widened and then closed, Methos realized he was anticipating being with Gina again. It looked to the ancient immortal as if things might be all right between those two after all. Their love for one another was genuine, but they'd rushed into a situation they had not completely understood.

Methos chuckled. He supposed he and Eleanor had done that as well. They hadn't honestly understood what would happen… but at least they'd already dealt with many of the issues the unity bond made apparent… especially jealousy. He smiled, recalling Eleanor's response when during one of their occasional journeys they'd met Suzanne Sinclair so long ago. He'd ended up marrying Suzanne… the last of his wives before Alexa. There had been a moment's hurt in Eleanor's eyes; a wan smile and then she'd laughed as if nothing was wrong. As he recalled, she'd known what would happen between him and the lovely Suzanne even before he had. Eleanor had smiled and left, leaving him in Australia and moving back to Paris for the first time since Phillip had taken her away from there after she'd first tried to kill Darius.

He felt again and again a reassuring nod from her now that she was fine, the children were safe, but she was terribly busy. He didn't push. He knew what he needed… that his family was safe for the moment. Now he had to concentrate on getting to them as swiftly as possible.

He and Robert took turns driving straight through the length of Great Britain and luckily had made good time. Once into the Chunnel and then disgorged in France, Robert had called ahead to have his private jet fueled and ready for them when they arrived. It was dark by the time they took off.

"We'll make really good time now," Robert assured Methos. "this flight really doesn't take long. Gina and I fly from home to Rome frequently. I'm considering learning to fly a more long-range plane so that we can get back and forth to our estate in the Caribbean without having to deal with public transport. Really! I'm surprised you don't have your own plane."

Methos chuckled. After this… he might very well look into it. He'd just never really bothered with learning to fly a plane before. Perhaps it was time after all.

When they took off, Robert radioed ahead to Amalfi Field to be certain that they were expected and that Gina and Amanda were there. He indicated he'd need a fast re-fueling.

"From Rome I can make Athens by morning," he assured Methos. "Then, it's just a matter of your friend's charter service."

"Are you certain they'll let us into the area?"

"According to what I read on the news, Athens, though coastal, was essentially spared except for areas around the docks. They're opening the airports for regional assistance. Even if we get sent to a small airport for charter services, we'll be fine. Does your friend know to reserve us a chopper?"

Methos nodded. He'd messaged Phillip via his PPC. He hadn't heard back… but Phillip was fine. He was certain that if he wasn't, Eleanor would have told him. Something was wrong, but she seemed to be dealing with it and helping the local populace. Whatever had happened was something she was burying for the moment until they were together. If he'd pushed her, he had a feeling she'd have focused on a face or a name. but as long as he knew she and the children were safe… he wouldn't push. she'd let him know when she could. He'd made certain his intent to come immediately was known, and he'd felt her relief at that. They were adults… immortals with long lives, most of them, and they could take care of themselves. He'd learned that long ago.

He grinned. It was something MacLeod still worried about… his wanting to take care of all of them and feeling that somehow he was responsible for each of them. His raising as a clam leader had clearly formed much of whom he was. It wasn't that Methos disagreed with it… it was just something he didn't feel responsible for. After all… for most of his life he'd answered only to himself. Watching out for others, caring for others had come later. And even then, he'd understood that in the end… each immortal was responsible for his own life and the way he lived it. While he hoped that most would be saved from the imperative of the game, he understood that it might not be so.

The game still hung over all of them. Until each immortal chose not to participate… those that had chosen not to understood that they still had to protect themselves and fight for their lives. And there was still the worry that one day… they might not have a choice. Methos no longer believed in the game… he wasn't certain he'd ever quite believed it… but he'd accepted it as something he did to survive. His survival had always been paramount in his mind. He still believed it… but he also believed that the survival of the children was important… his two and Grace's unborn child.

He pulled his wallet out and removed a small photograph of the four of them. He laughed. Eleanor always managed to turn her head as the camera lens snapped… even in that instant booth that they'd had this one done in. He ran his thumb lightly over the children's faces as something changing like the wind. The picture was several years old. They took them occasionally, but he never carried a current one, just in case.

"I'm certain they're fine," Robert said cheerily.

"Yes, they are," Methos replied with a sigh and slipped the photo back into his wallet.

"Gina and I had never adopted children before. It just didn't seem right. What made you and Eleanor decide to?"

Methos smiled. "The time was right," he finally said with a shrug. He did not elaborate on the truth of the children's birth… though Robert and Gina might guess it once they were on the island and saw them and Grace. Step by step… he thought, … step by step.

He pulled out his PPC and checked to see if MacLeod had finally contacted him. He hadn't. Duncan MacLeod was another immortal Methos would have to leave to his own devices. The Highlander was evidently on a mission… and even if it was a mission that Methos found fool-hardy, he did understand it. If MacLeod had promised or initiated a pregnancy for Kate… he likely felt he had to see things through. If so, he'd be in touch when he could.

On the matter of the artifacts, Methos found that he was anxious to pour over them, see them for himself, and examine them tactilely. Eleanor had admitted she'd gathered them without understanding why… but maybe now that they had them in hand again… not just the images of them… something would finally make sense to either of them. He hoped so! He truly did. He wondered just what had finally broken loose… what memory had suddenly made MacLeod understand where to look for them… and in the middle of what was evidently a more pressing search.

He settled back in the darkness of the plane's cabin and closed his eyes. It had been a long day.

-----

An hour later, Robert was turning for a descent and radioing his arrival to Amalfi Field. Methos blinked his eyes, surprised that he'd actually slept.

"You needed it," Robert laughed. "I don't think you really slept last night and you've hardly slept all day."

"I need to get there," Methos said, wiping his hands over his face.

"Well step two down. We're coming in for a landing now.."

Methos nodded. He watched Robert's expert handling of the plane and made a note to himself that maybe he could learn to do this. It had never seemed important before… but now… maybe it was. He felt the rush as the plane began its descent and the sudden sensation of free-flight as it landed and Robert began to brake. It was exciting!

Shortly later, Robert had taxied across the tarmac to the fuel station and the two immortals had alighted and headed for the terminal. Gina met them half-way and threw herself into Robert's arms. The two clenched one another and kissed passionately.

So far so good, mused Methos. He continued on toward the terminal, allowing the couple some privacy. Amanda was waiting for him.

"I've checked on the artifacts. I have the routing number and information if there's a problem with them." She smiled, but there was a sadness about her that Methos now thought that he understood. "I take it you didn't find Kate or Alistair?"

Methos shook his head. "MacLeod was going to help them have a child wasn't he?"

Amanda bit her lip and he could the tears sparkling in her eyes. The floodlights were reflected in them. She shrugged. "I guess I didn't understand how badly he wanted this as well. But honestly… I don't know if I could have gone through with it. I still don't."

Methos kissed her forehead. "Not all will be. I wouldn't worry. MacLeod can take care of himself."

"But I should be there with him," Amanda insisted. "I'm not going to Niebos with you." She handed Methos the old laptop computer and the books that had once belonged to Darius as well as the shipping information she had on the artifacts. "I have to find MacLeod. I love him Methos. I want to stand by him as he goes through this. I have to let him know I'm not jealous… that I trust him… that I want him… and I'll love any child of his… even by another woman."

"I think you've made a grand leap, Amanda. You've moved beyond what you want to what he wants."

"I want what's best… for all of us. The children of immortals are important. The more there are… the better the chance that we as a race can survive."

She waited for Gina and Robert to arrive, clearly relieved that the immortal couple was happy and attentive to one another, and then she bid her farewells. She walked resolutely to her red sportscar, climbed in and vanished into the night with a roar of the engine.

Methos had a feeling that Amanda was finally growing up some. He thought he'd miss the irrepressible scamp… but he found he rather liked the responsible woman she'd become in recent years. Finally putting someone else ahead of herself was indeed something to be happy about.

"How long until we're fueled and ready to go," he asked Robert.

"About half an hour. I have to file a flight plan and grab a bite to eat. I'm starved." Again he looked at Gina, still in his embrace and smiled as he kissed her again.

Methos nodded and remained in the Italian night, staring up at the stars and breathing in the warm night air. "I'm coming," he whispered to the night. "I'm coming."

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Niebos:

It was midnight before Phillip reluctantly returned to the villa. He'd been hard at work overseeing rescue and recovery efforts among his people. Thankfully, the tsunami siren had been sounded in time. It was tied to the NGS earthquake monitoring station and for the most part, his people had responded. Only three were missing, although the hospital was bustling with patients with various injuries. Some weren't serious, but the hospital was safer for them right now while there was still a chance of aftershocks. There'd been six today… each progressively smaller. The onrushing water came ashore with the same awe-inspiring rush… but the wave was not as high as the first one, nor did it reach inland as far.

He bid goodnight to Carl who'd assisted him before heading to his study. He needed to check on things in the outer world. He found Denis and Denara sitting on the divan in the dark… crying.

"Here now, you two," he said genially. "What's the matter?" he stepped toward them and eased himself onto the divan between them… feeling each of the small ones curl up next to him.

"Chou," Denara said and buried her face in his side. Denis began sobbing again.

Phillip understood without being told that Chou had been lost to the tsunami somehow. He stroked the hair of both small ones and said hopefully. "He may yet wash ashore. We may yet get him back."

"But something could happen while he's dead," sobbed Denis.

Phillip said nothing more. He glanced at his computer and sighed. He was needed by others. The correspondence and research could wait. After some time, the small ones slept and Phillip, too, felt the weariness of the day overtake him.

-----

Greg checked in on Grace and John, resting in their room. The couple was curled up on their bed, John behind Grace, holding her. It had been touch and go for a while, but as he stared at the peacefully sleeping face of Grace Chandel, Greg was relieved.

He'd arrived at the villa shortly after getting the message and had instructed Denara to take Marianna inside while he gently examined Grace. "You haven't dilated Grace… I think this is false labor. I want you to try to relax and stay off of your feet. John… stay with her."

Grace had grabbed his hand as well… and so he had stayed, situating himself so that he held her as well. Over the course of the afternoon, her pains had lessened in speed and intensity, even as the crashing waves had lessened. Finally feeling that the danger might have passed, and with Eleanor's return to the villa with the boys, he'd excused himself to get back to the hospital. He knew the nursing staff needed a doctor around. While the retired village doctor could handle most of the injuries, Greg still felt that he was needed there. He'd left, taking Kenny back with him.

The boyman had seemed somber as they'd walked back, and Greg only knew that he'd evidently been with the other boys when Chou had been lost. Greg hadn't waited for additional information, but had felt the need to get back to the hospital once Eleanor was at the villa and Grace and her child were out of danger.

Kenny couldn't speak, he couldn't write, he couldn't even make anyone truly understand what he'd seen and why he'd been there. Nor did he seem to want to. He just seemed resigned to wherever the adults wanted him to be.

"You did well Kenny. Whatever your motives for following the others up to the temple ruins… you did well." From the corner of his eye, Greg noticed lights trailing up the serpentine path. Many of the villagers had started up the path earlier in the day, once their families were safe from harm. The old religion was still strong here. Evidently many feared that their lack of attention to the old gods had stirred them up. Others had gone to the whitewashed Orthodox church once the water receded… and some had done both. To Greg… it was somehow comforting to see mortals turn to the paths their ancestors had trod. To him… it seemed proof of the eternal journey of mankind toward some unknown future.

He threw himself into checking patients once he reached the hospital… and let Kenny tag along. Maybe if they stopped being quite so suspicious of the boyman… he'd see what they were about here. He'd met J. D. and he'd seen Grace. So any secrets they'd feared for him to learn were no longer secrets. What they had to do now was teach him another way… a way that did not involve the game.

Greg Powers realized that he was committed to this course… even as John was committed to helping Carl. Is it because some part of him resides in me? Some memory? Some knowledge? Greg didn't know. He'd never truly sensed anything except the feel of a quickening within the dream. But the image of slicing off Kenny's head while the boy was restrained and unable to defend himself… even if it hadn't been real… remained with him.

"Here," he found himself saying as he helped the boy wrap a sprain under his direction. "You do it like this." Patiently he showed the proper technique and then let Kenny do it himself. The boy grinned winningly at him. Caution, he thought. That's Kenny's way of worming his way in to your confidence. He'd heard all about Kenny and his exploits from MacLeod and the others. But he had to try. He finally was beginning to understand John's desire to work with Carl. We're connected in some way.

Only when he'd double-checked all the patients and sent Kenny off to his room to sleep, did Greg turn in. He stretched out on the couch in his office and slept.

-----

Her mind was still swirling. Although tired and knowing she needed rest above all else, Grace still pondered as she stared at the darkness of their room, her memory of the DNA graphic. The elusive triple helix at the base ofJ. D. and Marianna's DNA, coupled with what had happened today, pressed on her. She'd always liked research and finding the answers, and there was something intriguing and familiar about the way those strands had looked in the graphic model.

Despite John's calming effect and his buoying her during her contractions, it wasn't until Greg had arrived and remained with the two of them, curled up on the surface of the terrace, his head and hands pressed against her in conjunction with John's that she'd felt complete and able to relax. She'd needed them both.

She had a vague memory of Alisaunne curling up next to Eleanor in much the same way when Eleanor had carried J. D. in the early stages. During Marianna's development, Phillip had remained close to Eleanor, as if fearful of letting her out his sight… especially in the final month.

Perhaps the role of the third… the catalyst that allowed the conception of a child between two immortals was far more necessary than they had thought. Without the catalyst's continual presence… the toll on the parents might be too great.

Grace wished she knew more about Alisaunne. After her child was born, Grace needed to go to Paris. Alisaunne had not been the catalyst for J. D., but she'd been able to help. Why? Did it have something to do with Darius or with the ancient immortal Havron, whose Quickening she had inherited? Other immortals could make contributions and help in an emergency. Eleanor's presence when Grace's false labor had begun had been very helpful… buoying her until John and Greg arrived, but she'd promised Methos not to let Eleanor get too involved.

"Go to sleep." John's soft-spoken voice sounded in her ear. He kissed it and his hands moved slightly as he held her.

"How did you know I was awake," she laughed.

"You weren't snoring," came his reply.

Grace so wanted to roll over and face him. "I don't snore!" she protested as she snuggled in his arms.

He snorted and made a buzz-saw sound interspersed with gasps and more snorts. "As if I were deaf. But I love you anyway."

"You're just giving me a hard time."

John laughed. "Maybe… but I know you… and I know how when something intrigues you… you focus on it instead of going to sleep. Whatever it is can wait. Go to sleep!"

Grace stopped protesting. She did need sleep. She had research to do starting tomorrow. She had to stay off of her feet for a few days… but no one had said she couldn't use her computer.

-----

Three mortals dead… one immortal lost… and scores injured. Eleanor lay between her sleeping children as she considered the toll of the day… and how relatively lucky they'd been. Things could have been much worse.

She'd been unwilling to let either child out of her sight this night. She wanted them with her. She wanted to continually reassure herself that they were safe. J. D. moaned and shuddered in his sleep… evidently reliving the nightmare of his day. Eleanor held him close and stroked his hair. He calmed… at least for now. His broken arm with its cast was held out from him.

Greg had mentioned that J. D. was healing quickly… more quickly than a mortal, though not as quickly as an immortal. Had it been a mistake to give her blood to him? But Grace had been fearful he'd reject mortal blood. Eleanor made a mental note to have Grace take additional samples on a regular basis.

Eleanor had always been more hands on. The research side of medicine had never interested her as much as actually helping someone in pain. Even before she'd become immortal… she'd been that way. She'd had some innate sense about healing… but it had taken decades for her to learn all that she needed. After that, she'd tried to learn all she could as the centuries passed. And still she felt inadequate. Others who really focused on healing knew so much more than she did. Greg had been to medical school numerous times… Grace had focused for centuries on research… even Methos with his out-dated doctoring skills sometimes knew more than she did. She had learned from Darius how to watch for a person's pains and how to ease that. It wasn't magic… it was just observation… even he had said so… but sometimes it seemed almost second nature, like something from the depths of her psyche… old memory?

Unable to sleep… but unwilling to chance awakening the children by getting up and strolling through the house as she sometimes did, Eleanor continued to lie awake. She needed to sleep… she'd had little last night, but sleep wouldn't come. Eventually she saw the gray light of dawn creeping in to her room and color begin to return to the world.

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