Author's Note: If you even still care about this story, I have no excuse for its extreme tardiness. I just couldn't come up with the plot for these last parts, but I'm on it now.
Things changed drastically after Methos' first death. Duncan decided not to teach Methos sword skills himself. He cautiously handed the task over to Connor, knowing that he was too involved to be a good teacher.
Connor had approved, even though he wasn't thrilled to be the young man's teacher.
Duncan and Joe were both nervous about Methos' first lessons, worried that Connor's techniques would be to much for the skittish infant immortal and knowing that Methos' very survival depended on how well he took to the lessons.
Methos, however, was nothing but excited at the prospect. Since his awakening as an immortal, he had been more confident, more willing to try new things. He was not discouraged by Connor's tough lessons and minimal praise. Methos had experienced hard task masters before and was nothing if not determined.
Duncan was convinced, as was Connor and Joe, that Kronos was behind Methos' murder, though there was no proof. Frighteningly though, there had been no other attacks, no other word from the other immortal.
Training wasn't the only thing that had changed. Methos now slept in Duncan's room, the two men acting like newlyweds. Duncan would corner Methos after training, when Methos' body was still slick with sweat. He would pull Methos back down on the mats, spread his lover out beneath him and drive his lover crazy, wanting to see Methos arch and writhe.
Methos would corner Duncan in the older man's office, kneeling between Duncan's spread thighs as Duncan sat in his office chair, wanting to hear the other man's deep groans of pleasure, Duncan pleas for release. They splashed about in the bath, making a mess that Mrs. Carmichael chided them over with a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye.
And at night, they lay down together, wrapped around each other whether in sleep or engaged in other activities. Methos learned to give and receive pleasure in that bed, learned what it felt like to surrender completely to his lover, what it felt like to have Duncan so deep inside the cries of their passion sounded down the hallways, what it felt like to have Duncan completely surround him, to have another show the same trust in him.
Connor grumbled and Joe chuckled as the two blushed and fumbled with each other, and cuddled on the couch in the library.
Three months into training, Duncan decided that Methos, that they all deserved a night out. He had bought tickets to the theater. The Highland warrior felt confident that with two immortals and Joe with his pistol would be fully able to protect their protégé.
It had been ten years since Methos had been in a coach, not since that fateful night and though he was anxious about the experience, he was also excited. He felt like he had been reborn, given a second chance at life and love and he didn't want to waste it being afraid of every little thing.
It had also been ten years since he had been to town or the theater. The play had been wonderful, a comedy and the players excellent. It wasn't until they were leaving that the three immortals felt another of their kind.
Duncan wasted no time, insisting that Connor and Joe keep Methos in the theater until he returned, despite Methos' adamant request that they simply avoid the confrontation and return home.
Methos was terrified at the idea of losing Duncan. It hadn't been until that moment that Methos had realized that being an immortal meant not only facing death himself, but watching Duncan and his other loved ones face it as well, whether through a challenge or simply through the passage of time.
It was an uncomfortable realization, particularly as it was clear that Duncan was not in the habit of avoiding confrontation.
Joe seemed to sense Methos' feelings and stood close, attempting to reassure the younger man with a hand to Methos' arm.
Duncan strode out of the theater, not surprised in the least when he realized the sensation was emanating from a figure down a dark, deserted alleyway. What he was not expecting however, was for the figure to be a woman.
She was beautiful, tall, dark with striking eyes that seemed to sear into his soul. He approached her cautiously, not reaching for his sword.
"I didn't come for a fight," he said.
"Good. Neither did I." Her voice was clear and powerful.
Duncan relaxed minutely at her words, walking closer to the unknown woman.
"I came to deliver a message."
She moved rapidly then, catching him off guard as he realized too late that he was within striking distance.
But she hadn't drawn a sword, instead striking out with only a needle clasped in her hand, scratching Duncan's arm with it. The woman disappeared before Duncan collapsed unconscious to the ground.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
It had been ten minutes and Methos refused to wait another second.
"Kill me then! I'm going to find him!" He shouted.
"Fine," Connor growled. "We will all go." He looked to Joe for confirmation and received a nod.
Duncan wasn't difficult to find, his buzz still strong, but Connor knew that something was wrong when he saw his kinsman lying on the cobbled street.
Methos, of course, ran immediately to his fallen lover, leaving Connor to scan the area for any threats. There were none.
Duncan was breathing, but didn't respond when Methos called his name, slapped his cheek. Nothing any of the three of them did, managed to rouse the slumbering Scotsman.
Finally, there was nothing to do but return home. Methos with tears in his eyes, lifted Duncan's torso while Connor took the man's legs. The return home was much more somber, with Duncan propped against Methos' side.
Back the estate, the three tried even more things to wake Duncan: hot water, cold water, poking him with pins, even killing the other immortal. Duncan revived as usual, but the immortal still slept.
They were at a loss as to what to do. Joe and Methos had spent hours in the library pouring over every book they could think of but found nothing of use.
A week later, at their wits end, Connor decided to go to Kronos himself, attack first while the other man was unaware. It wasn't his best plan…
After Connor left, Methos snuck out of the estate himself. When he was a boy he had heard stories, stories of a woman who lived in the woods, who cast spells. A witch. It was said that her spells carried a steep price, but right then, Methos would give anything to see Duncan awake again, smile again, laugh.
When Joe had fallen asleep in his reading chair, Methos snuck out and saddled a pale horse that Duncan had given to him. Her hideout wouldn't be easy to find, but if he remembered correctly…
It was nearly dark when he found the cave, hidden from casual observers with boulders and hanging branches. Cautiously, Methos started down the dark tunnel, barely able to see to be able to put one foot in front of the other, but able to see light up ahead.
Willing his voice not to shake with fear, Methos called out, "Hello? Is anyone here? I need your help!"
He was not expecting the buzz of another immortal to hit him halfway down the tunnel.