Chapter 25

A/N: Over a hundred reviews! Thank you! :D Aurora: You have a PM with a nice little teaser in as a thank you for your amazing review. :D 'e': Quatre wouldn't sense anything from Duncan, he's too 'normal', and he's used to Duo's little quirk of Shinigami too... I've never gone in for Q being a full-on psychic... A slight empath, but... However Methos... You'll have to wait and see. :P Zuzanny: Causing chaos. As usual. :P

As always - please feed the writer. Reviews are better than food, and nice long ones make me grin. A lot. And want to write - Aurora's are an excellent example and I think I've re-read it 5 or 6 times (and sent her a teaser in return... :P)

A few hours later, Duncan found himself standing outside the Preventer HQ at 8am with an extremely irritable Methos, waiting for Wufei to arrive.

He suspected the irritation was partly from the fact that the oldest man had had to put on still extremely damp clothes that morning, which he had tried to warn him about to be fair. That hadn't prevented the other Immortal from commandeering his car keys until he agreed to drive him back to his house to get changed. Although he had to admit his friend cleaned up very nicely in a light brown suit with an open necked pale blue shirt - something to do with keeping up appearances as a doctor he'd been told sharply when he'd asked. He himself was dressed in his Preventer uniform. Even the reality of an injured partner didn't stop work from existing.

The other reason was due to the loud beeping that his phone had erupted with at 3am. He'd switched on the bedside lamp to see Methos sitting up, dagger already up in a defensive position, body in that strange and familiar combination of relaxed tenseness. He'd raised an eyebrow at the paranoid Immortal and picked up his phone, waving it in the other man's direction before checking his messages.

"Duo's out of surgery and stable," he couldn't help the relief that coursed through him as he read, "Visiting hours are at 8.30am tomorrow, this, morning, and I'm welcome to come and help prevent him from driving all the staff insane." Looking up, he'd ignored the glare that was being bestowed on him, "I'm sure Duo would like to see you too."

"And I'm sure I'd like to be catching up on my sleep, MacLeod." The dagger was slid back under the pillow as the other Immortal settled down again.

When the beeping recommenced moments later, the glare returned with a vengeance, although the effect was somewhat lessened by the fact that half of Methos's face was buried in the bedding..

"Wufei says he'll meet us there at 8.15."

"He'll meet you there at 8.15. I'm going home. To bed." The unsaid words 'and to pack' were audible from long association with the older man.

"You saved Duo's life yesterday, he'll want to thank you."

The voice now muffled by the blankets held more than a hint of annoyance. "I should have just let the whelp die - then Chang would be under the impression Seften was nothing more than the mortal murderer and I could be in Nevada enjoying my life again. But, no, he's my student, it's expected that I save the idiot. Now, good night, Highlander." The swathe of blankets rolled over, firmly ending the conversation.

Nevada? Oh, never mind. He'd gone to back to sleep, after switching his phone to silent, with a small smile on his lips. He's your student now?

A few minutes later, just before it seemed that Methos's limited patience was about to expire, he was relieved when a car, Wufei visible at the wheel, screeched past them into the underground carpark. Apparently all ex-Gundam pilots had a habit of treating their cars, which for some reason hadn't evolved much in half a millennia, like substitutes for highly advanced giant machines of war.

Dragon looked alert and refreshed as he came out of the carpark into the sunlight, and he suspected the mortal had also done his morning katas before he left. He'd been too busy dealing with his house guest's demands, the one for a full English breakfast had been firmly turned down, to have time to do any of his normal exercise.

"Good morning, Duncan. Adam." The words were coolly polite, although the spark of curiosity was still clear in the dark eyes as they began to walk with him towards the entrance, Methos lagging behind carrying the case containing Duo's swords, now fully cleaned. "Sally phoned me this morning - Maxwell's awake and causing chaos already, so I suggest we go in and restrain him before decide to they throw him out." His mask of indifference faltered for a moment before reforming. "I did think of a few questions last night regarding... things."

"Great."

Ignoring the mutter from behind him, he looked over at the mortal and smiled in what he hoped was a reassuring way. "Which I'll be happy to answer once we've stopped the doctors from murdering Duo themselves."

"I wish."

The Chinese boy's lips quirked up, "I look forward to it Duncan."

They fell silent as they presenting their cards to the door controls before he directed the oldest Immortal to reception to sign in and get a temporary badge. There was something truely ironic about one of the terrorists that Preventer was hunting calmly signing the pro-offered data pad before attaching a official guest pass to his jacket and he couldn't resist a smile that was returned by a scowl.

Taking the lift up to the second floor, Wufei led them past the receptionist who obviously recognised him as Water's partner and towards the office that he recognised as Sally's. The pilot knocked on the door once, waiting for the tired female voice to reply before pushing the door open.

Before the doctor could say anything else, the young mortal was glaring at his partner who obviously hadn't gone back home, or to sleep, since she'd arrived. "Sally Po, why are you still here?"

Tired green eyes lifted from the paperwork she'd been filling out, "Good morning to you too, Wufei. Did you really expect me to leave the nurses to Duo?"

"I expect you to take care of yourself," Wufei said, surprisingly tenderly given his irritated stance. "I'll deal with Maxwell, you will go to home and go to bed."

Sally smiled, obviously used to her partner's commands, before looking past the other mortal to where he was standing with Methos. "I will shortly. I just need to talk to Cloud first. And Mr Unas as he's here. If you wouldn't mind having a seat?"

Chang moved out of the way, perching himself on a corner of the desk to make room in the cramped space for them both to take the two spare seats in the office.

"Now. Firstly, I have to thank you for your quick action, Mr. Unas. Mr. Maxwell has authorised me to share his medical situation with you, and I can confirm that you diagnosed the injury correctly. Your quick action, and that of my colleagues, no doubt saved Mr. Maxwell's life. He's asked to see you, and I'm glad that Mr. MacLeod passed my message on."

Methos's smooth voice from next to him told him that the 'professional upstanding humble citizen' mask was clearly in place. "I had to act. Anyone with any ounce of humanity would have. I'm just glad that Mr. Maxwell will recover."

"Thank you again." The woman stood, holding out her hand. "If you could wait outside while I discuss a few more things with Mr. MacLeod and Mr. Chang and then you can see Mr. Maxwell after they have been in."

He was probably the only person who knew Methos well enough to know that the slight tightening of the man's jaw indicated irritation as he shook Water's hand. "Of course, Doctor Po. Thank you." The green-gold eye glanced towards him in warning and then the door was closing behind him.

"So, Cloud, Dragon," the woman's voice was all business now, "I assume you've reported this attack to the police?"

Damn. They'd been a little too busy to think of dealing with the police, and he couldn't exactly explain to Des why he need the Watchers to forge a report as to why Duo was involved in an Immortal Challenge. Of course Sally would want to attach her own report to that of the authorities and he couldn't even pretend they'd reported the attack as Preventer had their own access to the police systems. Not to mention that his partner's dislike of lying meant they'd have to come up with something to explain the gaping wound.

"Not yet," he replied calmly, "We were too concerned about Duo."

The ex-soldier's lips narrowed, "You know better than that, Duncan, and you too Wufei. I'll have reception contact them and meet us here. They'll need Duo's statement anyway."

Swearing inwardly, he just hoped they had enough time to brief the braided pilot before the police arrived. Forcing a smile on his face he tried to look relieved. "Thank you, Sally." When the doctor turned to her phone though, he couldn't help exchanging a concerned look with Chang. This could get extremely complicated.

"Thank you." Placing the phone down, Water turned back towards them as they schooled their features back to neutrality. "They'll be here in an hour. Now, would either of you like to explain what exactly happened for Night to end up with multiple lacerations, a concussion and a serious stomach wound?"

At Dragon's deferring nod, he ordered his thoughts with the recollections of the previous night. "Myself, Maxwell and Chang were out socialising," a caramel eyebrow raised, "Maxwell was lagging behind and he was attacked by an unknown assailant. He attempted to defend himself, but was stabbed in his side. While we were attempting to help Duo, the assailant managed to escape. Mr. Unas was passing by and assisted. We brought Duo straight here." That just about covered everything while missing out everything actually important.

He had a suspicion that his colleague knew that there were holes in his story you could walk a Gundam though.

"Socialising?"

"Maxwell decided to show MacLeod some of the nightlife in Brussels and somehow I found myself dragged along," Dragon said dryly.

Sally's other eyebrow rose, "And two Preventers couldn't stop a man with a dagger from stabbing another Preventer who, from the harness he was wearing had access to his own weapons?"

She had a good point to be honest - they were all fully trained agents, two of which were ex-Gundam pilots, and although Water wasn't aware, he was a thousand year old Immortal with more combat experience than half of the organisation.

He was saved from trying to form a response by the mortal boy. "I believe Maxwell was taken by surprise in the heavy rain. He attempted to defend himself but was stabbed before we could get to him. The assailant disappeared into the cover of the darkness before we could chase him."

Grateful for Chang's ability to absorb the story and expand on it, without adding any further holes, he nodded in support of the statement even as Sally pursed her lips. "I see. Did you at least get a description of the attacker? And where are the weapons that Night had access to? I was aware he usually carries daggers and a garrote, but these would be short swords."

The intercomm beeped into life before either of them could answer, "Doctor Po, Night is asking for his laptop again."

"I'll be right out," the mortal sighed, running her hands through her hair, the fingers getting caught in the knots. The lines of stress in her face were obvious as her gaze flicked between him and Dragon "I expect you to submit a full report to the police when they arrive - and fill me in later on the remaining details. Now, I'll take you to Night," a tired smile touched her lips, "Even a private room and a serious injury aren't stopping him terrorising the staff."

Slipping of the desk, Wufei moved to stand in front of his partner. "And then I want you to go home and sleep. You're no use to Preventer if you're exhausted. I'll let Une know you are taking a today as sick leave. You are not running the entirety of the Preventer hospital yourself and Syxe is quite capable of taking over while you rest, not to mention I am well aware of how this section operates by now." It was hard to miss the worry and affection beneath the firm words and the unyielding stance.

The tired smile twisted wryly at the boy's words. "You're right. As usual."

He felt mildly embarrassed, the interplay between the two mortal clearly suggesting intimacy, and coughed politely, the two of them almost visibly springing apart at the sound. "Could we see Duo now, Sally?"

A slightly red cheeked Water led the way out of the office, past where Methos was sitting in reception and through to the ward section of the floor. As they reached the private rooms, she turned back to them. "I'd ask you not to say or do anything that would cause stress to the patient, but given this is Night..." her voice trailed off as she opened the door. "Maxwell, do not even think about getting out of that bed."

Looking over the doctor's shoulder, he wasn't entirely surprised to see Duo sitting on the edge of the bed, wires trailing all over him, a drip and transfusion bag plugged into his upper arm and a look of concentration on his face. Not for the first time since his partner's somewhat unusual pre-Immortal status had been revealed, he wondered if it gave him any extra healing abilities or if it was just something that all Gundam pilots had. Although given what he'd been told about Ice setting his own leg, he suspected the former - the five mortals all seemed to shrug off injuries with surprising ease.

"But Sally..." There was a hint of a whine in the voice as purple eyes turned towards the door, before they widened happily. "Duncan! Have you come to get me out of this hell hole that Sally calls a hospital?"

"I've already told you, Duo. You're staying in this room, in this bed, for the next few days at least. And you're lucky it's not a week," the doctor's voice was firm as she advanced on the bed. The Deathscythe pilot sheepishly slipped back onto the bed under her gaze. "If you pilots didn't heal so quickly..." Turning to the doorway, Water smiled, "As I said, I'd tell you not to excite the patient and that you'd have to leave if he gets stressed, however given this is Night, I have a feeling that's a waste of time."

"Huh."

"I could, however say that his access to his laptop will depend on his ability to stay in bed and behave."

"Sally!"

He couldn't help but chuckle at the indignant look on the boy's face. "I'll make sure he stays in bed, Sally. Now, how about you let Chang walk you to your car and go and get that rest." Moving out of the way so that the woman could get through, he placed a hand on her shoulder as she passed. "And, Sally, thank you again."

Moving into the room he pulled up one of the plastic chairs, studying his partner's still pale face, "So, how do you feel?"

"Like I've been hit in the gut by Wing," Duo replied, leaning back against the stack of pillows, "Sally told me that I'm lucky to be alive," he paused, "I am, y'know, alive, aren't I?"

"You're not a ghost if that's what you're worried about, Maxwell," Methos said dryly, the other man slipping round the door frame and closing the door behind him. "As to any other status, you feel the same as always to me."

Of course Methos wouldn't even know if his student was Immortal or not. Stupid Highlander, he berated himself before turning to reassure the pilot that he was still mortal, catching his friend's slight relaxation out of the corner of his eye. "Generally you'd have a nasty headache from Adam and I coming into range if you were anything else."

"What do you remember?" the oldest man pulled up the other chair next to the bed. It was just typical of the man to want to get to the important, in his mind, information first.

Duo frowned in thought, "That's right, I was fighting that guy, I guess he was Immortal?" the Scot nodded, "and he stabbed me. Then you were there. What the hell were you doing there? And then I remember not wanting 'Fei to phone the police, and Mac picking me up, and then you saying something, calling yourself Methos or something, is that your..."

The other Immortal's eyes flashed dangerously, "Don't go there, whelp."

"But that's what Mac was gonna call you, in Paris, isn't it?" The violet eyes were curious with more than a hint of stubbornness, "If that's your name then why don't you use it?"

"Because it's not a safe name to use, and that's enough, Maxwell. We have more important things to discuss than what nom de plume I'm using this century. Like the fact that the police will be here shortly so we can give a report of the incident." At his surprised look, Methos rolled his eyes, "I overheard the receptionist, MacLeod."

Turning back to his partner, with a vague hope of distracting him from the older Immortal's name, he quickly recounted what he and Dragon had told Sally. "I think there's enough truth in there that anything else you can claim amnesia for if you want," he finished, "you did suffer concussion after all."

Duo nodded, "I can work with that, thanks Mac. Now is someone going to explain what the hell was going on last night? Why was 'Fei at a club for Immortals? And what were you doing following me?" The last was directed accusingly at his teacher.

Before Methos had a chance to answer, the door opened to admit Wufei, who edged in as though he was expecting a bomb to explode. The Chinese pilot barely had a chance to perch on the edge of the bed before the other mortal continued his rant, redirecting it to the newcomer.

"You could've just told me you were going somewhere with Mac, 'Fei. I thought you trusted me for God's sake! I suppose Mac told you," he snapped his mouth shut abruptly, "Well, yeah. What gives?"

Dragon crossed his arms, leaning back against the end of the bed, a faint look of amusement on his face. "How you remained silent under OZ examination I do not know, Maxwell. But," the amusement faded to coolness, "Duncan MacLeod has explained a few basics about his... condition. Although I'm not certain exactly how that impacts on you, given your wound still required surgery and you are in no shape to leave that bed."

His partner's chestnut eyebrows had risen as the Shenlong pilot spoke until they were almost in his bangs. "Um..."

"MacLeod had Chang slash his arm open," Methos said with a small smirk, "he's never got the hang of small scale demonstrations. If I recall correctly you had Tessa shoot you to prove it, Richie saw you take a head..."

For a moment he debated snapping at his friend, but decided it against it - it'd never worked in the past and there were more important things to do than start an argument. Swallowing his retort, he met his partner's vivid eyes. "I explained the basics to Wufei, enough for him to understand what happened."

"So, he knows you and, er, Adam are...?" Duo was watching Chang carefully and he knew that the ex-pilot would be analysing every movement and reaction.

"Immortal. Yes." Dragon replied calmly, "And that what happened last night was a challenge in something called the Game. That doesn't explain why you were involved, or why Adam was following you."

The braided boy leant back again, his eyes fixing on the ceiling, "Apparently the first time I die, I'll become Immortal. So, it didn't really matter about getting me here fast, well, 'cept that apparently seventeen year old Immortals don't tend to fare so well. As to why that bastard attacked me, it's 'cause Immortals can sense other Immortals and I have the brilliant luck of being probably the only mortal that some Immortals can sense. Something to do with Shinigami." Violet eyes flicked back to meet black, "And Adam kinda was volunteered to be my teacher so that I don't die permanently.

"Talking of which," the pilot added, turning to his teacher, "did you bring my swords? Sally wouldn't even let me put a dagger under my pillow."

Lifting the case onto the bed, Methos flipped the lid open to reveal the twin swords, passing them carefully to his student who propped them up against the wall, slightly behind the bed. Some tension that hadn't been visible seemed to flow out of the mortal. Obviously his close brush with death, permanent death, had affected the self-styled God of Death more than he'd let show.

"So, now I can actually defend myself again, is one of you going to tell me why you were in a club that I'm guessing catered to Immortals? And what 'Fei was doing there given you only told him 'bout them after I was attacked? You know I hate secrets, Mac!"

It was clear that his partner wasn't going to drop the issue and he sighed, "Duality is a dueling club for both mortals and Immortals," he wasn't surprised when Chang nodded to himself, "the man you fought, Seften, Wufei fought him in the public area and won. I suspect he was waiting for me to leave the club so he could take me on, and sensed you instead."

"Damn it," Duo cursed, "You beat him?"

"On a technicality, Maxwell," Dragon admitted, "He drew blood and we were only dueling. But, yes, I won and he was removed from the club."

"Only to find me. Great. Thanks so much 'Fei." His wry grin took the sting out of the words, "That doesn't tell me what you were doing in a dueling club with Mac though."

"Fine. It appears there was an immortal."

"Immortal. Capital 'I'," Duo interrupted the other mortal with a grin.

"Fine, Immortal, active on L5 several years ago and I thought that the killing here on Earth was possibly linked to the deaths on L5. Given the use of a bladed weapon in both cases it seemed logical to visit a secretive club that catered to elite fighters to try and find out more." Chang shrugged, "MacLeod had an invitation to Duality and requested one for me also."

Methos rolled his eyes to the ceiling, "Bloody noble Highlander. You didn't think that any of the Immortals in that building would try for your head after you left?" The long-suffering tone was in full force. "Honestly, I'm amazed only one was lurking around outside."

"Actually, there were two," his partner pointed out, "Which leads on to why the hell you were following me. And how," he added as an afterthought, "as I'm not exactly bad when it comes to stealth."

The other man scowled, "I may not like teaching you, but told MacLeod I would and I'm not having you die on me if I can help it. So if you don't want to be followed, then don't wander around at night. As to how, well, I've had several lifetimes of experience."

Duncan suspected there was actually a tracking device in either the swords or the harness, but there wasn't any need to tell the mortal that. Duo's skills in stealth and subterfuge were superior to almost anyone he'd met before, which included Methos, and he doubted that even the ancient Immortal would have found him so easily without resorting to modern technology.

Before the pilot could retort, there was a quiet knock on the door before it opened to admit two police officers into the increasingly cramped room.

"Good morning," the taller one got straight to the point as the other began unpacking a tablet laptop, "I'm Sergeant Quinn, my colleague is PC Hitu and I believe that you'd like to report an incident that occurred last night. I assume you're Mr Maxwell?" The last was directed towards the braided boy.

Gesturing at his bandaging, Duo grinned, "Yeah. I'm the guy with the stab wound, Duo Maxwell at your service."

"Alright, Mr. Maxwell, if I can have a few minutes with you and any witnesses?" The sergeant looked around the small room doubtfully, "Although it might be easier if PC Hitu takes the witnesses to another room if all of you are giving statements."

"Given most of our statements will be identical, I hardly think that's necessary," Methos said, the familiar arrogant expression slipping back onto his face.

Quinn didn't look impressed. "And you would be?"

"Adam Unas," the Immortal remained seated even as he offered his hand, "I helped bring Mr. Maxwell in."

Ignoring the hand, the sergeant turned to look at the other occupants of the room. "We'll need a statement from you then, Mr. Unas. And who would you other gentlemen be?"

"Duncan MacLeod, Duo's partner in Preventer."

"Chang Wufei, Preventer agent."

Nodding sharply, Quinn held his hand out for his colleague to place the tablet in it. "Well, if Mr. Unas and Mr. MacLeod could go with PC Hitu, and I'll stay with Mr. Maxwell and Mr. Chang."

Exchanging a glance with Methos, he reluctantly stood. There wasn't really any argument they could give for staying - and he had to admit the small room was rather cramped with a hospital bed, various equipment and five grown men standing around it.

The other Immortal shrugged gracefully, vacating the chair and moving to the door and he stood to follow his friend as the Sergeant took over one of the seats. With a last worried look towards the two youngsters, he left the room, Methos and the constable following them.