A/N: Sorry, another getting characters from A-to-B chapter. :) Thanks to all my reviewers (yay, Maxwell-Lives is back!) and I'm still looking for a new beta reader. :) All reviews are loved & worshipped... I'm currently working on chapters 17 and 18 so they should go up soon...

Question: Am I managing to blend the 2 different worlds well enough? :) Apparently my characterisation's good (yippee!) but am I managing to create a believable world from 2 very different ones? Also, I've had requests for old Immortals to return. Assuming Richie, Amanda and Connor are out of the picture, are there any requests? :)

Chapter 16

The story at least had been easy to come up with, "We've been discussing the things we discovered yesterday, and deciding how best to proceed." It wasn't technically a lie, he knew Duo wouldn't agree to that, but the older woman would hopefully read it in precisely the way they wanted her to.

What they'd discovered had been more awkward to figure out. Eventually they'd decided that Adam's Benjim Keturi identity would have to be sacrificed for the man to remain free, and he'd had the dubious honour of calling his old friend to discuss the matter. He sighed, rubbing his forehead. Methos had not been happy having to give up his latest degree, but luckily the older Immortal's self protective instincts had risen to the surface and he'd just asked for enough time to get out of the country and put his belongings into storage.

Duo had been even less pleased with the decision. The very idea of letting someone who could destroy the fragile peace he'd worked so hard for go free was anathema to him. Yes, 'Benjim Keturi' would be guilty of the terrorist actions, and the man wouldn't be able to use the identity for years in the future, but that didn't actually mean that his friend would suffer any consequences. The braided man was still ranting as he paced around the room.

"Don't you get it, pal? I just spent most of my life trying to get peace for the colonies from the oppression of the Alliance and then OZ and Romefeller. Then I ended up fighting for Earth as well when Zechs fricking Marquise and White Fang decided to try and blow the joint up. Then when Dekim bloody Barton decided to take on everyone and their dog I supported ESUN and the Preventers. How the fuck am I meant to be happy that a man who's trying to start yet another conflict is going to suffer zero consequences?" The pilot spun, his braid whipping around him and Duncan almost lent back at the fierceness in the violet eyes. "Dammit, Mac, you have to know that if Adam teaches me to use a sword I will end up taking his head if he threatens this peace." He paused, and the amethyst eyes darkened, "How can I trust that you really are working for Preventer? You've had centuries of manipulating your past, how do I know that you've not got some hidden agenda?"

Spreading his hands out, he forced himself to relax, making himself as non-threatening as he could. "Duo, I've never lied to you. I am honestly working for Preventer and I fully support ESUN and it's ideals. I know your computer skills - feel free to go digging if you want proof. I know you're angry at Adam - I am as well, but taking his head is not the way to deal with it." He spoke calmly, ignoring the little voice in his head that pointed out that taking the heads of those on different sides of a conflict had always worked for him in the past. He sighed, deciding that honesty continued to be the best policy with his partner. "I have no idea how to resolve this, but all I can ask is that you give it time and give me a chance to talk him round. Please."

Duo growled, his fists clenching and unclenching, "I'm not promising anything, Mac. But I'll try. Because you asked. Unless he does something that actively threatens ESUN, and then all bets are off."

The Scot nodded, closing his eyes, even as his heart tightened. He wasn't sure who would win in a fight between the oldest Immortal and Shinigami. "If he does that, then I won't stop you."

"Fine. Then I'll tolerate him for now." With a twist, the pilot threw himself into his chair again, and he watched as the boy pushed his anger down, the relaxed figure of his partner emerging from the taunt and angry man.

They continued talking about logistics and precisely what to tell Nula to give Methos enough time to get out of the country, Duo easily slipping into the shuttleport database on his laptop to confirm 'Benjim Adams' was booked on the next flight out to Egypt that afternoon. While his partner seemed to be surprised that the other Immortal could leave so quickly and easily, he was well aware that his friend never did or went anywhere without at least two or preferably three escape plans.

However, once the distraction of figuring out what they'd officially been doing that morning had been dealt with, Duncan noticed that the younger man was becoming almost withdrawn, occasionally looking down at the case by his feet where the two swords were packed neatly. To be honest, he was still confused about how he felt himself about his friend's gift.

The very idea of a mortal taking part in the Game brought up memories of Horton and his Hunters. He'd been devastated when Darius had died, and the loss of the elder Immortal's Quickening had been a blow that had taken a long time for him to get over. Now he was encouraging Duo to defend himself against Immortals and possibly take heads, which would lead to more energy, more lives, being lost to the ether. Could he really allow that on his conscious? But there wasn't any other way. He equally couldn't countenance Duo dying due to not defending himself. It wasn't like the Gundam pilot would be going head hunting, he wouldn't even be able to sense other Immortals.

The braided man looked up abruptly, his violet eyes conflicted. "Mac, how do you do it?"

He blinked, the unexpected question throwing him for a moment. "Do what?"

"Live every day looking over your shoulder. Lose the people you live when you'll live forever. Kill people just to survive," the usually loud American was quiet, his eyes flicking back towards the case, "I've killed thousands in war, assassinated those who stood in the way of completing my missions, but never murdered anyone."

His partner's soft words made him sit bolt upright in his seat. "It's not murder." He held his hand up as Duo's mouth opened to speak, "Let me speak. I've very rarely gone out my way to take a head," Richie... Sean... He felt his jaw clench as the names echoed in his mind. Ahriman. "Nearly all the heads I have taken have been the result of people challenging me. The others were my own challenges when," he grimaced, knowing he'd been the judge, jury and executioner that Methos had accused him of, "I decided that they needed to die."

"That's murder."

"Not to Immortals." He sighed, knowing how strange his kind's own laws sounded to a mortal. Tessa, Anne, Ennea, Tiga... All women he'd loved and told about his Immortality. None had truely understood the rules by which he lived by, and, eventually, would likely die by. Even the other mortals he'd told hadn't honestly realised the extent by which Immortals lived their lives by laws that violated those of normal humans. Lying to hide his past and true nature, forging documents and identities, killing others of his kind, all were perfectly normal to him now. He hated that. "Killing another Immortal is, as Adam said, all part of the Game. And regardless of whether we want to or not, I'm in it."

"You don't have to go and kill people though! Fair enough, you act in self defense if another Immortal attacks you, but you don't have to take their head! And to actively go and challenge people in order to kill them is... is..." Duo turned away in disgust.

Duncan nodded, trying to find the words to explain. If the braided man couldn't accept his past, his actions, then when, if, Methos ever told the boy his own background, there was no way that he'd be able to accept the Horseman. "The Game is a war," he said slowly, gathering his thoughts as he spoke. "A war between Immortals. We fight because we must, to survive. If I am challenged, and spare the life of my attacker, I can guarantee they will come for me again and again until I lose my head." He waited for the pilot to look back round at him, "I don't challenge others lightly, Duo. Only when they threaten the lives of those I care about, mortal or Immortal. Or when they have done something that can't be punished by mundane means due to their Immortality, such as murdering a mortal. I refuse to sit back and let those I care about die or allow someone to carry on killing mortals when I can stop them." The violet eyes remained steadily on him for long moments before his partner bowed his head slightly in acceptance and he let out a breath he'd not realised he'd been holding.

The braided man took a deep breath, closing his eyes before letting it out in a rush. "And I'm now involved in this whether I like it or not, aren't I?"

The pilot looked almost vulnerable as he spoke quietly, and the Immortal was reminded just how young the man was. Only seventeen, his partner was two years younger than Richie when he'd suffered his first death. He'd almost forgotten that when he looked into the unusually coloured eyes that belonged on a veteran of two wars. He'd seen similar expressions on young men fresh from almost every war he'd fought in, and he'd met Immortals who had died as teenagers, even children, with that young-old look that said more loudly than words that the owner had seen more than any child should.

"I'm sorry." He couldn't say anything else, wishing he could take the slender boy in his arms and comfort him, but he doubted that Duo would appreciate it. Or the mortal would enjoy it far too much. "If there was any other way, I'd tell you." He blinked suddenly as something occurred to him. There was a way. It would mean losing someone he considered a friend, but if that was what the pilot wanted, then that was what was best. "Unless... Unless you go and live on the colonies. There's little chance that an Immortal that could sense you would live there with the truce, and even if they did, they wouldn't challenge you. If you ever died violently and became Immortal, then you'd need a teacher, but you could avoid the fighting until then. Preventer could probably find you a role up there."

For a second he saw his partner's eyes flare with interest, and then the pilot shook his head, the familiar grin finally settled back on the youngster's face. "Hey, if I'll need to train eventually, I may as well do it now, and if Adam's my best chance for survival, then I might as well take advantage of his offer. I might be known for running and hiding, but it sounds like there's no point in running from this. And anyway, staying on the colonies is boring. I saw enough of L2 growing up."

He doubted that Duo was telling him the whole truth - the colonies weren't that boring to live on and it was quite possible that the braided boy could live his entire life without setting off his latent Immortality. He just hoped that his partner wasn't planning on killing himself in order to do so any time soon. He didn't comment however, just relieved that his new friend would be remaining on Earth and that he was willing to be trained by Methos.

He smiled back, glad that the mood was lightening, even if it was still slightly tense. "So, I believe this restaurant has a quite respectable lunch menu, How about we go and sample it?"

"Sure," the Deathscythe pilot bent down to grab the case containing his new weapons, standing and waiting for him to slip his coat on. He settled the katana comfortably into place as he pulled the door open, gesturing for Duo to precede him out the room before shutting the it quietly and following the other man down the corridor.

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He was glad he'd eaten a full meal once they returned to the office that afternoon.

Nula stood up as they entered, approaching them before they reached their desks and smiling brightly at him while shooting a slight scowl towards Duo. He wasn't quite sure what the woman had against the ex-pilot, other than the fact that he was a Gundam pilot and had participated in the war, but the outright rudeness towards the other man was starting to irritate him. "Good afternoon, Duncan. I hear you had some success yesterday?"

He nodded, sensing an opportunity for his partner to rise in the other agent's estimation. "Actually, it was Duo that had the success," he turned to the braided man, gesturing for him to continue even as Panther raised a slender dark eyebrow.

Duo glanced at him, his expression telling him he was well aware of his hope, and that he just as aware that it would probably fail miserably. "I talked to one of our suspects, a Mr Benjim Keturi, and he admitted that he was part of the organisation that we are currently investigating."

"I hope that you didn't get that confession under torture," the woman replied archly, and Duncan found himself scowling inwardly at the agent's attitude, forcing himself to maintain a pleasant expression and a smile.

The pilot frowned, obviously as keen on Nula as she was on him. "I don't know what you've heard about me, but torture is not something that I generally practice."

She shrugged, "Your reputation precedes you, Duo Maxwell, I believe your speciality was infiltration and assassination. Torture isn't that far from that."

The rest of the office was silent now, watching the discussion and he hoped like hell that one of the other agents would raise this little prejudice of Agent Panther with their superiors. He felt his hands clenching and only the knowledge that Duo wouldn't thank him for interfering kept his mouth closed.

"Actually, it's a very different skill set, different tools and all that," the flippant reply was tossed off with a dark grin. "It also tends to tip people off to the fact that you're on to them."

A few sniggers were muffled in the background and Nula looked sharply around the office, setting people scurrying back to their work. "So, where is he? I assume you didn't arrest him."

Duo matched her dark brown stare with a piercing violet one. "Given that neither I or Duncan have the authority for that, you'd be correct."

Realising that his partner was unwilling to lie about Methos's whereabouts, Duncan stepped in smoothly, smiling warmly at the woman even as his stomach roiled. "I believe he's most likely either at the Université de Paris where he's a postgraduate student in modern history or at his apartment. We will obviously be passing those details onto the relevant department as soon as we can get to our desks." He couldn't help the pointedness that slipped into his voice as he looked over to where the empty tables stood.

Nula's own mouth twitched in an answering smile, the dark face lighting up. He was once again grateful for the fact that many women found him attractive, it made life so much easier at times - even when he was well aware that only his upbringing and politeness prevented him from answering rudeness with insults. He had to admit the Preventer was physically attractive, and if she didn't have such an ugly personality then he'd have been tempted to spend more time with her while he was in Paris. He winced inwardly at the thought, guiltily remembering that he'd arranged a date with Dree when he returned to the headquarters in Brussels. It wasn't like they'd ever agreed to be exclusive, but generally he did try to only see one woman at a time. Even Amanda had been tactful and not chased him when she knew he was involved with another.

And then there was that kiss with Methos...

He shoved the thoughts to the back of his mind as the woman moved aside enough for him to get past, although he felt her brushing up against him as he went. Sitting down in his chair and booting up the computer, Duo copied his actions moments later, although the tightness around the pilot's mouth showed that Nula's words had had an effect on him. Quickly bringing up the files on their case, he waited for his partner's short nod confirming that the plane to Egypt had left and that 'Keturi' was on it, before sending the relevant emails to the law enforcement section of Preventer and to Intelligence to update them on their findings.

Sometimes having an expert computer hacker on your side helps, he thought as he covertly watched the braided man typing away furiously, covering up and removing all traces of the contact with the shuttleport computer. He knew the pilot was also digging into the communications backups, erasing all trace of their frantic discussion during the chase the day before. Luckily it had been on a closed line and not on an open broadcast, but even those were recorded on at least two systems for security and auditing. He just hoped that Ice wouldn't notice Duo's forays into the backups - explaining the real situation, including Immortality, to the cold and logical Wing pilot was not something he planned to do any time soon.

He shook his head, focusing on the screen in front of him as he sent emails off to the Commander and then to finance, confirming that they would be returning to Brussels the next day. The plane tickets were open returns, but the daily hotel reservations would need to be cancelled. Once that was done it was down to writing his report - and to a large extent Duo's, the pilot deferring to his obvious skills at bending the truth and pointing out that it was bad enough that he'd be putting his name to a false report without having to write it. To be honest, he'd got the feeling that his partner loathed writing reports and suspected that he'd take any chance to get someone else to do it. It wasn't as if the bare facts from their meeting with Methos wouldn't be there, it'd just be that the vast majority of the chase, ensuing combat and their discussion would be ignored.

He'd just started to find himself having fun with the creativity of writing said report when a cup of coffee appeared at his elbow. Looking up, he found Nula smiling at him as she held out a couple of packets of sugar and a few miniature cartons of milk. Her long legs stretched out under her knee-length suit skirt as she perched on the edge of his desk and Just what he wanted.

"I thought you could do with a drink."

The dark haired woman was only just erring on the side of polite professionalism and he sighed, deciding that enough was enough. "Ms. Ashrit, I'm afraid you've been labouring under a misunderstanding. I am currently dating Ms. Dree Winner and as attractive as you are, I'm afraid..." he tailed off as her face contorted into first surprise, then irritation, finally settling on righteous indignationn.

""How dare you imply that I'd, that I wanted to, that I..."

He listened to the splutters for a few moments, allowing himself a small smile as she turned and stalked away to her own desk. As he'd suspected, the mention of his involvement with Dree and his outright rejection had switched on the righteous indignation that women seemed to be able to wrap themselves in at a moment's notice. Then there was the fact they were in the office and she was likely to have thought of the professional impropriety of trying to seduce a male colleague. He'd feel guilty if he wasn't sure that she had been trying to do exactly that.

He didn't miss the glare that Duo shot him from behind his monitor either - the steely violet eyes telling him that his partner was still feeling jealous about him and Dree. He'd need to have another talk with the other agent - if he was going to get jealous every time he was dating someone, it could really cause problems in their small team.

Nula left him alone after that and the Deathscythe pilot withdrew back behind his screen with a final glance, allowing him to finish most of the report.

At the end of the day, he stood to sweep all his paperwork back in his bag, watching with amusement as his partner abruptly followed his lead. Once they were all packed, the desks empty again except for the undrunk cup of coffee, he made his way to Panther's desk, pasting what he hoped was a friendly smile on his lips. "It's been a pleasure working with you, Ms. Ashrit."

The dark head lifted to coolly glance up at him before her eyes went calmly back to her monitor. "And you, Mr. MacLeod, Mr. Maxwell. I hope you have a pleasant journey back to Brussels." Her smile didn't touch her eyes as she continued to look down the report she was reading, obviously dismissing them. Shrugging to himself, he turned to follow his eager partner out the room.

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It hadn't taken long for him to pack his luggage the next morning, especially as he didn't have to try and hide his sword case from his partner any longer, although he still felt uneasy with the weapon tucked away in its box rather than as a comfortable weight by his side. Duo's own new case was also in the pile of suitcases on the trolley, and he noticed the amethyst eyes occasionally darting to it before glancing around warily.

"It's OK, Duo, there's no one here," he murmured reassuringly, although he was also finding himself scanning the crowds. There was a limit on the range of the buzz, and the idea that the infiltration expert had somehow suppressed his quickening, pre-Immortal or not, even subconsciously, was a scary thought once you considered the implications for Immortals in general.

The smaller man scowled and pushed the trolley closer to the check-in desk, tossing his braid over his shoulder causing the man behind them to dodge the chestnut whip. "Did I look worried? 'Cause I'm not worried. Oh, no, just the fact that something could happen every time I go outside doesn't make me worried at all."

He held back an amused grin as they moved forward again and Duo started to lift the bags onto the conveyor belt. Yes, the young mortal would get on perfectly with Methos with that kind of sarcasm. Assuming they didn't kill each other.

Once they'd explained which bags contained weaponry and the seals that the shuttleport security had attached to them were checked, he felt bereft as he watched the cases slip out of view. At least the cases didn't state what weaponry they carried other than warnings about gunpowder, and the fact that the sword cases contained antiques and should be handled with care. There was little doubt that at least one Immortal would work in a port somewhere and a sword in a case was generally a give away for an Immortal travelling. Well, except for the military types who seemed to enjoy sword fighting - the sport had had a renaissance in the AC era, which made it slightly easier to slip the weapons through without alerting suspicion.

They decided to head through to the boarding area immediately, the long-haired man fingering his braid in a way that made Duncan suspect that there were a few weapons hidden in the strands that the scanners wouldn't pick up. Since they'd left the hotel that morning, the boy had lost some of his cheeky relaxed stance, replacing it with a wary caution that he hoped the pilot would lose after a while - that kind of paranoia was not a good way to live for eternity.

He needn't have worried, as soon as they entered through the security gates his partner obviously deemed the area secure with a glance and a bright grin lit up his face. "So, you want me to grab you something from the burger stall?"

Shaking his head in the negative, he watched as Duo darted off towards the food court, his braid bouncing behind him. Heading over to a news stand he picked up a Brussels paper, he cursed under his breath as he flipped it open to see the front page news. Damn. Another murder had apparently taken place while they'd been in Paris. Tossing some money to the stallholder, he skimmed the article as he headed back to the seats, barely noticing the uncomfortable hardness of the chair as he sat down.

When the braided man returned, he had already opened his laptop and was deep into the news reports, his lips thinning with every word. Silently, he pushed the paper over to his partner once the pile of food had been unceremoniously dumped onto the table.

It didn't take long for the pilot to put two and two together and look up angrily. "These decapitator murders... They're Immortals killing each other, aren't they?"

The Scot nodded grimly. replying in an equally hushed tone. "The Watchers usually tidy up after those of us who don't care enough to get rid of the bodies, but there aren't that many Watchers and some get missed. I suspect they'll send a team to Brussels as soon as possible, if they're not already there, but until whoever it is leaving bodies around is..." he paused, knowing his own eyes were hardening, "removed, then there's a risk that Immortality could be discovered. Plus, while I'll admit I've taken out a few challengers, the spree going on at the moment suggests a head hunter. Which could pose a risk to you."

Duo nodded, understanding dawning in his darkening eyes. "I want to help take him out."

"You can't." There was no way that he'd let a mortal, even a pre-Immortal as skilled and talented as Duo Maxwell, get involved in Immortal business any sooner than needed. The chestnut eyebrows raised sharply and the braided head snapped up, the purple eyes flaring. Before whatever his partner was about to hiss out could erupt he held up a hand. "You can't help me with this, Duo. Remember the rules. You can't interfere."

The hooded eyes still gleamed as the boyish lips quirked upwards in an almost evil smile, "Ah, but no one ever said I couldn't help find the bastard."

"Now boarding, flight X3214S to Brussels." The announcement rang out, interrupting them and echoing in the cavernous terminal.

"That's us," he said, starting to repack his carry on and hoping that the pilot would take the hint to end the conversation for now, although he had little doubt that the younger man would bring the topic up again. Preferably in a nice private environment. He couldn't prevent a small smile touching his mouth though, Duo was right that he could help track the Immortal down. For a moment he felt a twinge of guilt at the thought of using a mortal to help him, but it wasn't like his partner was any less involved in Immortal business than Joe had been, and that hadn't stopped him asking the old Watcher for assistance.

The violet-eyed boy followed his actions, shrugging his backpack with a grin on as they headed towards the shuttle entrance. "So, what happens to one of you if your plane is blown up?"

Duncan groaned.