Just before she turned down the street for the first place the realtor had on today's agenda, her cell phone pierced the air with a sequence of shrill musical tones. She found that odd since so few had the number. Hesitantly, Samantha answered, "Dr. Samantha Adams."
"Sam, it's Chris. I need to talk to you about that text you were looking at for the British Museum." A warm female voice with a slight British accent answered back.
"Chris, I have not yet finished it. What exactly do you need to ask me?" Samantha asked flatly. She had been hoping to prolong any business other than settling down for at least a few days. Of course, she knew somehow that she would not get that luxury.
"Well, we have recently received loose documents from two separate locations that seem to make reference to that text. I was wondering if you have had the chance to settle in enough for me to ship them to you as I realize you coming here would be out of the question."
"You are damn bloody straight it would! I am on my way to look at a property as we speak. So, no, I have yet to come up with a place of residence. However, I do have friends in town. I can get you one of their addresses. You can ship them there. Would that work for you?" Samantha barely noticed she was coming off a little pissy. Chris did not take it personally. She knew Samantha well enough to know anything could make her act rather rude.
"Fine. Call me as soon as you can. From what we have figured out, it seems as though they refer to some kind of immortal beings and how one of them is the key to some great divine prophecy. Whatever is being referred to, we believe that the prophecy is about due." Chris knew of Immortals. She was one herself and had been for about a hundred and forty years. She was also aware of Samantha's recent abduction attempts. Samantha was her teacher.
"And you think it may have something to do with my problems? I'll get you that address tonight, Chris. Sorry for being so bitchy. I am just sick of always having something come up and interrupt any attempt I make at having some peace. I can't even get a few days off." Samantha pulled onto a well kept gravel driveway. She sighed. She was doing it again.
"It's alright, Sam. I understand. I didn't want to bother you, but when I heard what they thought the documents were about I thought you should know. I then cleared them so you can have them until you figure the whole puzzle out." Samantha could hear Chris' smile of patience.
"Have I always been this bitchy?"
"Yes." Chris answered simply without any time for thought.
"Why don't you deliver the documents personally via my jet? I don't want to trust them with curriers. Just call the pilot and give him my codes. Tell him to call me if there's a problem." Samantha felt it was the least she could do.
"I would love to! I'll see you tonight then?" Chris sounded exulted. She had not been to the States for quite some time. Not to mention she wanted to meet Methos, though she didn't know he was Methos. All Chris knew was that Samantha had gone off to find an old friend so she could put some past farther behind her; that and she wanted to see about taking a position at Seacover University.
"Yeah. I'll pick you up in Seattle tonight if you can't land in Seacover. Call and let me know when you will land . . ."
"I'll rent a car and drive. I don't want to be a pain before I even officially get to Seacover. I'll meet up with you somewhere in town. I am sure it won't be hard to track you down. I figure you may be exotic there."
"Not as much as you think. I'll see you tonight then. There's a bar called Joe's. Meet me there. Good day, Christiana."
"Good day, Samantha, until tonight." Samantha waited until she knew Chris had hung up then ended the call. She tossed the phone on top of the folder the dean had given her. With a sigh, she shut off the range rover and stepped out. She had arrived at the house a minute or so before she finished speaking with Chris. The realtor stood waiting for her at the front door.
"Miss Adams?" The balding, elderly gentleman asked.
"Doctor actually but yes. I believe we talked yesterday afternoon after Mr. Jenson got confused with my specifications. Mr. Crawford, correct?" Samantha extended her hand. The man took it with a firm yet shaky grip.
"Yes, Ma'am. I believe this place will fit them all. The main floor has living, bath, dining, kitchen, den, and two guest rooms. The second floor has three bed, a bath and a recreational room. The third floor has a large library and an office as well as the master bedroom. The front lawn as you see is large, and the back is at least four times as large. There is also a basement and back deck on the first floor and a balcony on the third floor. As you requested there is several acres of forest, mainly behind. I hope that's alright?" He took a breath and looked for her reply.
"I am surprised that you found one to fit so well so quickly." Samantha looked around appreciatively. "This will do quite nicely, Mr. Crawford."
"Well, this place has been up on market for a long time. The sellers will be happy to hear we have finally sold. Most people don't want to live way out here or they didn't want to pay too much. I brought the paper work so we wouldn't have to drive clear back to town to finalize this, well except for filing that is, which I can take care of the moment I get back." Mr. Crawford gestured with his clipboard.
"Very well. Shall we step inside then?" Samantha raised her hand to indicate the door. The man nodded and they stepped inside. The rooms were all slightly furnished with just the bare essentials. Samantha stopped to look around as Mr. Crawford found a surface to spread the papers so they could go over them and she could sign.
"When you are ready, Dr. Adams, I have the papers ready for you with all of your preferences, I believe." Samantha glanced at him then moved to read over the papers, which she did quickly yet proficiently.
"Do you have a pen?" Samantha held out her hand without looking up. The pen landed there and she signed. "I do believe that covers it save for payment which is right here." She pulled a large zipped envelope out of her inside coat pocket. The money-belt she had earlier did not go with her outfit she felt. Mr. Crawford watched as she double-checked the amount, after counting it out, so he could see it was all there. Then she zipped the envelope and handed him the money. She placed the envelope back into her coat. "I believe that covers everything, Mr. Crawford. The deed, if you would?" She held out her hand and he gladly handed over a large folder after he put the payment into a similar envelope.
"Well, here are the keys. I will leave you to yourself and go file this. Good day, Dr. Adams." Mr. Crawford smiled warmly at her then seemed to rush from the house.
"He seemed a little too anxious to sell and get out of here. I wonder . . ." Samantha looked around. She would have to go shopping. Chris would love to help and she was certain Methos wouldn't. Though, he would love sitting back and bossing people around. With a groan, she locked the door and left. She barely noticed the strange breeze that hit her as she walked toward her car. When she looked around and saw nothing, she shrugged and started the range rover. However, she had a funny feeling something was off. She shook her head and headed for town.
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"Find anything yet, Joe?" Methos asked for what Joe felt was the hundredth time.
"No, dammit. I'll tell you the second I do. Now, why don't you be useful and shut up." Joe glared at him before returning his gaze to his computer. Methos suddenly stood.
"Gotta go, Joe. Call me the second you find out anything. I don't care if it is important or not." With that, he was out the door and gone. Joe watched after him confused. He didn't understand why he had run off like that. A knock at his office door brought him out of his thoughts.
"Hey, Mac. What can I do for you?" Joe smiled at his Immortal.
"Well, I just stopped by to see what everyone was up to. Why'd Methos take off like that?" MacLeod sat down across from his Watcher as Joe shrugged and typed at his keyboard.
"Don't know. He was driving me nuts so I can't say I am not glad for the sudden peace." Joe's eyes narrowed as he noticed a bulletin.
"Problem?" Duncan sat forward with his elbows on his knees.
"Archaeologists have recovered documents pertaining to a prophecy about immortal beings or a specific one. These documents are to be seized if found. The British Museum has possession of them but they have been signed out so a doctor of philology may decipher their exact meaning. Also in this doctor's possession is a large bound text that could be about the same thing. The Watcher's Council is to be advised the moment a Watcher becomes aware of the location of said documents and text."
"Hmmm. Perhaps Methos may know who the doctor could be." Duncan said.
"Yeah, I should probably call him." Joe rolled his eyes as he grabbed for the phone.