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 18
Rick's phone rang early the next morning. He picked it up and spoke groggily, "Hello?"
A too-cheerful voice chirped, "Good, you're awake! I was afraid I'd wake you up."
"Jeff, you did wake me up, now what is it you want?" Rick replied sourly.
"Your help, actually. I'm in jail," Jeff replied.
"You're what?" Rick said, shooting up in bed, wide awake.
"I'm in jail. Apparently, people frown on you breaking into their houses."
"You broke into someone's house?"
"Yes, and I saved a cat, so it wasn't all bad."
"Jeff, tell me it's April fool's day, and you're joking."
"I wish I could, big man, but uh, no. I'm really in jail. Good news is I'm getting released fairly soon, but I will need a ride home. If you think you can manage it."
Rick sighed and ran his free hand over his face, "Tell me this had to do with work."
"Mine or ours?"
"Yours."
"Oh, yeah. Well, kind of. Look can you just get down here, and I'll explain everything."
"Fine, but it better one heck of a story, or I'm putting you right back in that cell." Rick pressed end, wishing that he could slam down his cell. Just ending the conversation did not provide the same satisfaction.
He rolled out of bed and started getting ready to pick up his friend at the county jail.
Jeff paced back and forth in his cell, wondering when Rick would arrive. He did not have bail, court, or anything else, which was nice, but sitting in a jail cell all night was not his idea of a good time either.
At last, Rick came waltzing in looking like the disapproving... younger brother. It was hard to look like the disapproving father when you died as young as Rick.
Jeff grinned at him with relief. "You, sir, are a sight for sore eyes."
"And you are a pain in the ass," replied Rick testily. He looked at the guard. "What's his bail?"
"Doesn't have any. They just wanted him held until someone was willing to take him home today. Didn't think it'd be his little brother," replied the guard.
"Yeah, well, he's the black sheep, someone has to be the voice of reason." Rick's irritation was still very clear. He hated that everyone thought he was some snot-nosed teenage brat. Okay, so he had been, once. That had been years ago. Now he was a mature business man, with a lot of money behind him.
The guard grunted and let Jeff out of his cell. "Next time, if the key doesn't fit the lock, check the building number."
"Of course officer. I'll remember that," Jeff said earnestly. He looked like he was fighting an impulse to salute.
The guard gave him a half-hearted glare. "And go home earlier; the streets aren't safe that time of night, anyway."
Jeff simply nodded this time, then turned to Rick. "Ready?"
"Sure, let's get you home, so Mom can rip your ear off," Rick said, as he put his hands on Jeff's shoulders and steered him out to freedom.
"Sounds fun," Jeff replied, swallowing.
The two left the police station and hurried to Rick's car. Once they were inside, Rick didn't even give Jeff time to breathe. "Explain," he demanded forcefully.
"I got in late and went to the wrong building complex. My key didn't work, so being tired and overly stressed, I decided to force the lock. Only it wasn't my house and once I'd gotten the door open, I was almost shot by an eighty-year old man."
Rick just stared at him. "I thought you were supposed to spend the night studying for the GRE."
"I was, but then I got bored. So I decided to go and do a little bit of detective work to find out if this guy who they think is doing the killings in Pine Manor is actually an Immortal. So I went down to that part of town to get a picture of him. Only it was pretty late at night before I was able to get a good look at him and take his picture without him noticing. By then, I just wanted to get out of that place. Do you have any idea how terrifying Pine Manor is after dark?"
Rick's gaze flicked over him worriedly. "Yes I do. That is why you do not go down there chasing after Immortals; at least not unless I'm with you. It wouldn't hurt you to start practicing some martial arts with me."
"But you were out with Emmy. There was no way I was ruining that. It was way too good to be true. By the way, how did that go?" Jeff asked eagerly.
"Later, finish your story."
"Not much more to say. I came home from my late night stake-out tired, paranoid, and a little out of it. I ended up going to the wrong building. Anyway, the police put me and the old man in jail for the night to teach us a lesson about disturbing the peace. It was a learning experience."
"Well, now that you've been punished for your crime, I'll drop you off at home, and then you can finish your research on Mister Pine Manor. Though, I really doubt it's an Immortal. Not many Immortals would live in Pine Manor. They're more egotistical than that."
"I agree. I'm going to look into some other avenues on my end. I'll start by making some calls and seeing if there's been any activity within the Watchers. I still have to check out the leads I'm given; no matter how off-base they may be."
"Oh, the police could be right. He might be the killer. I just don't think that he's an Immortal. Normal people kill with blades as well."
Jeff sighed. "I know, but if it's not an Immortal, that means I can't get involved any deeper in it."
"You live to get into trouble don't you?" Rick asked, his smile somewhat melancholy.
"Yes, it's one of my specialties, along with wooing women and eating ice-cream," Jeff said affectionately.
Rick rolled his eyes and started the engine, pulling the car out into the street. "I have a feeling it's going to be a long day."
"Hey, come on, I'm not that bad," Jeff said, a picture of innocence.
"Yes, you are. You just can't see it yet because you haven't grown up," Rick shot back.
"And I don't intend to."
"I've been wrong about you, Jeff."
Jeff raised his eyebrows. "Oh, what do you mean?"
"You're not Peter Parker, you're Peter Pan."
Jeff laughed. "Yes, being chased by the one-handed pirate Hook. I am the leader of the Lost Boys. Flying around Neverland making friends with the fairies, the mermaids, and the Indians; all to stop a crew of bloodthirsty pirates."
Rick smiled. "All the while, you're leading a crocodile to find the delicious pirate scallywag."
"Second star to the right and straight on until morning."
