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 11
Rick stared at the phone, trying desperately to decide if he wanted to make this call. He had not spoken to Joe in years. Probably since he graduated from NYU and moved down to Florida. Jeff and Rick's slew of bad girlfriends had filled the void in his life for so long, he had let thoughts of his old friend slip far from his mind. Now, for some reason, he wanted desperately to hear the old man's voice, and see how he was doing. What was happening to him? He had decided, when he moved down here, that he was totally cutting himself from his old life. That was why he had not called Joe, but Emerald was changing his mind, apparently about a lot of things.
Rick picked up the receiver and sank down into his office chair. He dialed the number for Le Blues Bar in Paris. The phone rang twice, and then a French voice came on the line, "Hello."
"Is Joe there?"
"Joe, oui,"
There was a little bit of rustling, and then the old familiar voice came on the line. "Hello?"
"Hey Joe, how are you?" he asked, around the knot in his throat.
"Richie?" Joe's voice went up an octave in surprise.
"It's Rick now, remember?"
"Sorry man. It's hard to remember. You don't call that often." Joe's tone was gentle, with a note of teasing.
It made Rick smile painfully and close his eyes for a second. "I know, it's just... hard."
"How are you doing? What have you been up to? The last time you called, you had just graduated with honors from NYU's Business sector. Don't tell me you went and got a Master's."
Rick laughed, "Nah, I moved to Florida. I own my own bike repair shop, and I'm a private detective, oh and my best friend is my Watcher, and he knows you, I guess."
"What's his name?" Joe asked.
"Jeff Read."
"Jeff! No kidding. Well, the boy is from Florida. Miami, I think he said. Did you know he flew all the way to meet me in Paris in the middle of his senior year of high school? Got a heart of gold, that one."
Rick could imagine Joe standing behind the counter, with a sweet smile on his face. He blinked at the sudden water in his eyes. "You're telling me. The kid is a regular Peter Parker. Thinks he can save the world; wants to, too. Did you know he's gotten me into more trouble through our private investigating than I get myself into on my own, even with being immortal?"
Joe laughed, "Ah, man. I wish I could see you, but I don't fly well anymore."
"Yeah, I'd send a picture, but it's just not a good idea."
"Rick, do you think you'll ever tell Duncan the truth?" There was sadness in Joe's voice this time.
Rick sighed. "I don't know Joe. That's sort of what I called about. I just want to know, have you ever heard of Emerald de la Vega?"
"Emerald de la Vega? Why are you asking about her?" Joe asked. He sounded surprised.
"Because she's here, Joe, in Florida. She's becoming a main focus of my life. Jeff told me she was trained by Amanda. Can you tell me if they're close?"
Joe sighed. "Oh, they're close alright. And very similar, too. Emerald just gave up being a thief a little sooner than Amanda. The two of them could run circles around anyone when they were together. Amanda was to Emerald what Rebecca was to her. The two of them still talk quite often."
"Have you ever met her?" Rick asked, though he was sure he already knew the answer.
"Me? No. Emerald's been out of the game the last fifty years. She got married to some General and pretty much stopped talking to anyone. He had a hard time with the Immortal thing; so she asked everyone to just kind of stay away. He passed away three or four months ago. That's probably why she's down in your neck of the woods; change of scenery. Also, from what I've heard around here, Amanda and Emerald have spoken probably twenty times on the phone in the last little bit since her husband passed. It appears that the only thing keeping them separate was the General."
Rick grunted into the phone. "My life is about to get way more complicated than I ever wanted it to be."
"You could just tell her to leave."
"No, I can't. Jeff loves her. He's told her about Watchers. She's become a part of our detective team. No, Joe. I'm afraid she's here to stay, whether I like it or not."
Joe's tone abruptly became light. "Hey, Amanda's here. Call me later, will you?"
Rick laughed. "Oh, the irony. Okay Joe, I'll talk to you later."
"Bye."
Rick hung up the phone. He had called Joe after four years to see how things were going, and what should happen but Amanda should arrive. It was just his luck.
Amanda walked up to the bar, her face determined.
"Amanda, it's been ages! Where have you been hiding yourself?" Joe wheeled himself over to her.
Amanda flinched a little. It had been hard for Duncan and Amanda, when Joe had started using his wheelchair. It was as though they had suddenly realized he was dying. He did not use it all of the time, just on 'bad days' as he called them. "I know, Joe. I'm sorry. Life just seems to get in the way sometimes."
"What can I do for you today? It's a little early for a drink, but I'll buy you one anyway, if you want it."
Amanda shook her head. "No, I just need to know something. I asked Donovin about it this morning, and he couldn't tell me; so I thought I'd come to you."
"What's on your mind?" Joe asked.
"Joe, have you ever heard of an Immortal by the name of Rick Cloud?" she asked.
Joe did not flinch. "Rick Cloud?" He shook his head. "Doesn't sound familiar. Why?"
"It's Emmy. I guess she's made friends with him. I just don't want her to get hurt. I mean, David just passed away. She's vulnerable right now."
"Amanda, Emmy is six hundred years old. I'm pretty sure she can take care of herself."
"Duncan said the same thing, but I can't help myself. I worry about her. Emmy's the only best friend I have left. I don't want to lose her, too."
Joe took Amanda's hand. "Believe me, I'm sure Emmy's safe."
"I know, Joe. It's just... I can't help but worry. She's like my sister," Amanda said painfully, giving Joe a pleading look.
"So, why couldn't Donovin tell you anything about this Rick guy?" Joe asked, still patting Amanda's hand.
Amanda sighed, frustration appearing. "Apparently there's this new rule in the Watchers that Servants can't look at other Servants' Immortals. If they want to know about them, they have to call. Donovin says that Jeff Read is his Watcher, and that he is one of the most stand-up guys in the business. So, if this Rick is being watched by him, he's a great guy too."
"There you go, then. I can second Donovin's opinion of Jeff. I met him once. He's the reason I'm considered a hero among the Watchers instead of a criminal." Joe smiled warmly. "She's okay, Amanda. She's been around a long time. I doubt fifty years of married bliss has damaged her good sense."
Amanda nodded. "Thanks, Joe. You've always been the best at making me feel better."
Joe smiled, "How about you bring Mac over on Friday. We're doing a big Blues concert. I'm going to be playing and singing. It'll be nice to have you guys here again. You liven up the place."
"We'll be here. We've stayed away way too long." Amanda kissed Joe on the cheek, said goodbye, and headed for the door.
"What a woman," Joe said to himself as he watched her walk out.
