Summary: Methos takes a challenge on Christmas Eve, leaving Karlin wondering if she'll see him again.

Rated: G

Disclaimer: Don't own it. If I did, Highlander would still be going and Methos would be mine.

Author's Note: I wasn't going to add another chapter to this story. However since I wrote this for the Holiday special completion on the Highlander Forum, I thought I would. It was written with the idea that it follows on from "Just What the Doctor Ordered", thus it became chapter 2.

I'll be home for Christmas

Joe came out of the kitchen carrying a plate of cookies in one hand, his walking stick in the other. He put the cookies on the coffee table and walked over to his goddaughter who was looking out the window.

The Christmas tree was decorated in the corner and the lights twinkled on it, presents were wrapped and under its branches ready for Christmas day.

"He'll make it sweetheart, he promised," he told her softly.

Karlin looked back, her arms crossed against her chest; she managed a smile, half hearted as it was. "I hope so Uncle Joe."

"Come on kiddo, he hasn't let you down yet has he," he said confidently and stood with her at the window slipping his arm around her waist.

She rested her head against his shoulder and asked herself for the hundredth time why did Methos have to tell her he was immortal? Why didn't he just keep her ignorant of it all? Why did it have to be Christmas Eve that he received a challenge, why couldn't for one night they forget about the Game? "What if he doesn't come back, Uncle Joe?"

"He will sweetheart. He promised you and he hasn't broken a promise yet, has he?"

"No."

"Come on, let's have some hot chocolate and cookies," Joe urged.

Karlin nodded. "I'll get the hot chocolate for you."

"Thanks sweetheart, I couldn't carry both out."

"No problem, Uncle Joe," she said lightly and headed into the kitchen.

Joe looked at the window; the snow was falling heavier now. "You better come back Methos," he whispered. "Don't leave her alone."

Turning away from the window, he walked back over to the lounge and sat down, resting his walking stick next to the arm.

Karlin carried the two mugs of hot chocolate in and handed one to Joe. "Does Methos know you asked Duncan to look out for him?" she inquired and sat across from him.

"He probably does now," Joe remarked. "He can lecture me later, but I did it for you more than him."

Smiling, Karlin sipped her drink. "I think he knows that Uncle Joe." She reached over and took a cookie, chuckling a little.

Joe smiled. "What, sweetheart?"

"Methos found mum's receipt for the cookies," she revealed, running a finger over the Christmas tree shaped cookie. "We spent all morning cooking them."

"I didn't know Methos could cook."

She chuckled. "He's a terrible cook, Uncle Joe. I don't know how he's managed to survive all these years. I mixed the cookie dough and rolled it out, he cut them out."

Joe picked up a cookie and couldn't help but laugh. The Santa Claus cookie had a sword in his hand. "Let me guess; he added to them."

She smiled. "He did. Decorating them was fun."

Seeing her blush, Joe shook his head. "I don't think I need to know any more."

Karlin sighed softly and lent back in the chair, sipping her drink and nibbling on the cookie. After a while, she spoke again. "Uncle Joe, do you think mum and dad would have liked Methos?"

"I think they would have loved him, honey," he said. "They certainly would have laughed over how the two of you got together."

She giggled. "He certainly made an impact didn't he?"

"Well I know Mac will never bet him to do anything again."

The two of them chuckled softly and reflected quietly as they finished their drink.

It was nearly midnight when Methos pulled his 4x4 into the drive, thankful the snow had eased off and the streets had been cleared. He turned off the engine and sat there for a moment, the back of his head hurt where MacLeod had smacked him with the hilt of his sword. Bloody Boy Scout had taken the challenge for him; he'd regained consciousness when it was all over. It was most likely revenge for the time he'd shot MacLeod in the back.

Sighing, Methos got out of the 4x4 after locking it; he trudged inside, remembering to stamp the snow off his shoes before he entered the house.

Joe was leaning on his walking stick in the doorway to the living room. "About time you got home," he said quietly.

The immortal took off his gloves and then shrugged out of his coat, being careful of his sword, hanging up the coat and putting the sword in the umbrella stand. "Well I would have been home sooner if MacLeod hadn't interfered," he grumbled. "He knocked me out; I have a lump on the back of my head the size of a soccer ball. Thanks very much for sending him after me, by the way."

"I didn't do it for you, old man. I did it for Karlin." Joe told him. "Did you even think what she would have gone through if you'd lost?"

"Yes," Methos snapped. "I did." He ran his fingers through his hair, damp from the snow. "I haven't felt this way since Alexa, Joe. I don't want to lose her any more than I want her to lose me."

Joe knew that. "Then stop being an idiot and get in there, she's waiting for you." He stepped out of the way. "Go on, I'll set the alarm. Go and be with her."

Methos hesitated and then walked past the watcher into the living room; the lights were turned off except for the Christmas lights. Karlin was curled up on the sofa asleep.

He knelt down and lent over, his lips brushed over hers. She woke and managed to sit up and throw her arms around him at the same time. He held her close, running his fingers though her hair. "I'm all right, I promise."

She nuzzled against his chest. "I was worried."

"I know, I'm sorry, but you had nothing to worry about," he assured. "That bloody oversized Boy Scout knocked me out and took the challenge himself."

Karlin was in a way not really surprised by Duncan's actions. "Is he all right?"

"He's fine." Methos kissed the top of her head. He scooped her up into his arms as he stood. "So tell me Mrs. Pierson, are there any cookies left?"

She chuckled softly. "There are, Mr. Pierson."

"Wonderful, we'll have some in the morning," he stated and started for the main bedroom. "Merry Christmas, Karlin."

"Merry Christmas, Methos," she whispered as he carried her into their room.

In the living room, Joe stood by the picture window, a Santa cookie in his hand and smiled. "Merry Christmas everyone," he bid and headed off to bed.