Disclaimer: Highlander belongs to Davis/Panzer. They are being borrowed and returned hopefully in about the same shape they were taken in. Jeff, Emmy, and just about everyone else, belong to me. You can use them if you like, just return them please.
Chapter 5
Rick had to admit that the whole thing had gone more smoothly than expected. At least, that was what he thought until he looked behind him. There was an unmarked black van following them. Either someone had figured out what was going on, or it had been a setup. Rick cursed under his breath and accelerated. When he was next to Emmy, he motioned behind them. Though it was hard to tell in the dark, with their helmets on, Rick was sure he saw her nod. He also noticed that she was slowing down. He was not certain what her plan was, but he was sure it was going to be interesting.
He accelerated again and tapped on the window of the car, motioning behind. Jeff glanced in the rearview mirror, nodded, and took off, speeding down the almost empty street. The driver of the black van, now only a few feet behind Emmy, started trying to swerve around her. She stayed in front of the van and matched its acceleration. Rick noticed just in time that she was signaling for him to get out of there. He sped up, following Jeff. Rick did not see what happened. He only heard the crash as the van hit something and tires squealed. Rick did not look back. Emmy had done whatever she had done to get him and Jeff out of there, and he had to make certain it was not wasted on foolish sentiment.
The rest of the drive to the Andersons' house was a swift one. Driving twenty miles over the speed limit will do that. Thankfully, in Florida, cops usually have better things to do at night than worry about speeders, so long as they do not crash. As they pulled their respective vehicles to a stop in front of the house, Rick made one more check, just to make sure that there were no more unwanted surprises. He was not going to let the Andersons stay here tonight anyway, just in case. A hotel was their best bet. A nice expensive one on the coast would be perfect. The big pink one Rick had always wanted to stay at, but never had a reason to visit. At least someone else could enjoy luxury on his ill-gotten gains.
Jeff, carrying a clinging Casey, was by his side. "Any other surprise visitors we need to worry about?" he asked in a whisper. He also looked around, as they cautiously and quickly moved to the house.
"Nope, I think our friends, weren't expecting a bold move like Emmy's. She's got guts, I'll give her that."
Jeff grunted. He looked worried. Rick did feel bad. Jeff really seemed to like Emmy. He had admitted on the phone earlier that evening that they had been out to eat several times. He probably wanted to date her, but he would not. That would break even his extremely flexible Watcher's code. They could help, even befriend Immortals, but they could not have a romantic relationship with them. If they did, they had to leave the Watchers, and Jeff was not keen on that idea yet. He liked his other job too much to give it up for a woman he did not really know, even one as beautiful as Emerald.
Jeff rang the doorbell and they waited nervously on the step. Casey was hanging on tightly to him. The door opened about thirty seconds later, a very nervous Donna peeking out at them before she swung it wide. "Jeff, thank God!"
Casey suddenly came to life, almost jumping from Jeff's arms. "Mommy!"
"Oh, baby, you're okay!" Donna gasped, sweeping her daughter up in her arms, and holding her to her chest. "Oh, my baby!"
"Donna, is everything alright?" came a man's voice from inside the house.
"Daddy!" Casey cried, jumping from her mother's arms and running into the house. They could hear her through the walls. "Daddy, Daddy, Uncle Jeff rescued me!"
"He did!"
Jeff smiled at Donna, "We should get going. It's late, and I think Casey needs some sleep."
Donna hugged him. "Thank you, Jeff." She looked over to Rick standing next to him. "Thank you both."
"Mrs. Anderson," Rick began, "I think you and your whole family should stay at a hotel tonight. We were followed part of the way here; we aren't sure if it was by the same people who kidnapped your daughter or by someone else. Our other associate took care of the tail, but I don't think it's safe for you to stay here tonight." Rick reached into his pocket and took out his American Express card. "Here, use this. Stay anywhere in the city."
Donna stared at him. "But really Mr. Cloud, we couldn't possibly, you've done so much for us already."
He stared back at her, gently serious. "The job's not done right if Casey gets kidnapped again. Please, Mrs. Anderson. Do it for her."
"Alright, Mr. Cloud, alright." She took the card from Rick, and gave Jeff a deep look. "I'll just go get my husband and Casey."
The two men nodded in response. They would follow the family to the hotel, just to make sure that they got there safely.
