Chapter Thirty

Back at the hotel, a police officer was questioning Duncan and Beth.

"You claim you both were in your room having a fight for the last two hours and haven't left until now?" Officer Cooper confirmed what they told him.

Holding tightly to Beth's hand Duncan answered, "That's right."

Officer Cooper requested, "Then if you would accompany me to your room and show me how this fight took place I will right up the report as such."

Duncan replied, "I don't mind at all."

Going back to the elevator all three went up the room while Duncan planned what to do next. Cooper had the key to the locked door and opened it.

Looking around he ushered them in then shut the door and locked it. Turning back, he stared at them in all seriousness.

Cooper said, "The battle and quickening you had here was a careless move on your part."

Duncan moved in front of Beth asking, "Are you a Watcher?"

He said, "Of course I'm a Watcher. You've no idea the can of worms that's been opened because you killed Brock here."

Beth spoke up, "They tried to kill us! What would you expect? Pardon me but could we please take this to a more private place?"

Duncan said with patience, "Sarcasm won't help us Beth."

Taking out his notebook and flipping it open Cooper asked, "Wait a minute, what immortal was here besides Brock?"

"Lora Govern that's who" said Beth, "As if you didn't know."

"Where's her body?" He demanded.

"In the bedroom," Duncan told him gesturing in the direction of the other room.

Cooper went quickly to the bedroom and pulling back the sheet let out a curse. He called out, "I must say you two really know how to muck things up."

"Well what are you going to do?" asked Duncan taking out his sword.

"I'm going to contain the situation and get you two out of here as soon as possible," informed Cooper coming back into the front room he picked up the phone and dialed.

Duncan looked uncertain and asked, "Just like that? No threats or promises to kill us?"

"I'm not one of Egan's men," said Cooper as he looked Duncan straight in the face. "I'm still a true Watcher but I must warn you that I can't stop the other's that come after you."

"Your help in this situation will be enough. Thank you," said Beth holding out her hand.

Cooper hesitated then shook it saying, "I'm happy to help you because I know how important MacLeod is."

Beth kept her smile on Cooper who was looking at Duncan until he put his sword away.

Cooper said into the phone, "Right now I need some people here to clean up a mess."

He listened for a moment then hung up. Turning to Duncan he said, "You should take a taxi to the train station or airport. However way you were going to depart and do it now."

Looking for a comb to fix her still damp hair Beth said, "So much for a stop-over in London."

He asked Duncan, "I need to know your destination if you don't mind."

Beth started to answer but Duncan interrupted and said, "Ireland. There's a nice vacation place in Ireland I wanted to show her."

As they waited by the door, Cooper locked up and escorted them down the hall. Duncan decided that he and Beth should go to the airport and fly to Glasgow. Taking her hand, he pulled her close to whisper in her ear as they walked. She nodded her agreement.

On the first floor once more, they picked up their luggage in the lobby and went out front entrance to hail a taxi.

Cooper did as he promised by clearing them in the report and soon they were on their way to the airport.

New York

As Frank and Deahna McFadden relaxed in the back of the taxi, they were creeping their way through traffic. Their destination was the John F. Kennedy Airport.

They talked about the play they had enjoyed the day before.

"Yes Frank I thought the performances were adequate but the music was the best I've heard coming from that play."

"As strange as it sounds sometimes I feel like the phantom myself," said Frank.

"But...how?" asked Deahna looking puzzled. "You don't appear horrible."

"Ah, think about it darling," answered Frank. "Why was everybody afraid of Erik? Why did they want to kill him?"

Deahna answered, "Because he killed people." She looked serious and added, "Because he was hideous to look at because..."

"Because he was different," said Frank quietly.

He continued, "As we are different. When people do not understand something they fear it. They want to destroy it. That is why the phantom hid below the Paris Opera House. That is why we hide what we are. If the world knew about Immortals..." His voice trailed off.

Deahna nodded her head in agreement and said, "If we can survive and get past the gathering. The world may still find out about us."

The airport finally came into view and now came the arduous task of getting onto the plane.

While they both stood in line for their tickets Frank turned to Deahna, "There are two Watchers following us." He whispered.

She nodded but did not glance around. "Those pesky Watchers when will they learn." She whispered back. "It's as if our personal watcher wasn't enough."

After checking their luggage, they boarded their flight. This time McFadden was wondering where MacLeod was and if he made it to Scotland.

As if reading his mind Deahna touched his hand that brought his thoughts back to her, she urged him, "When we get to Glasgow you must find MacLeod before it's too late."

Frank told her, "Don't worry I'm sure we'll find him."

"You should have warned him when he was at our house." His wife mentioned for the tenth time.

He countered with, "How could I warn him of something I was not sure of."

She said, "But you suspected strongly enough to ask him about Elizabeth Windsor and to bring her to the gathering."

Their discussion continued over the Atlantic but ended before they landed in Glasgow.

The drive through London was hectic and Beth was feeling sick. She blamed it on the effects of the quickening telling Duncan, "I've never felt this strange."

He asked her, "Do you want to stop and get something to eat?"

She answered, "I think so. Maybe that will help." Then leaning back, she closed her eyes.

Duncan made the request, "Driver please stop at any restaurant near the airport."

The driver answered, "I was told not to stop."

Duncan insisted, "I understand that but she is sick and wants to eat before we board the plane."

The driver called on his radio to okay the request. The reply came back a moment later. "Request denied."

"Sorry but she will have to hang-on and eat on the plane," answered their driver firmly.

"All right then I will wait!" Snapped Beth but then regretting her response and said quietly, "I'm sorry."

Moaning softly she held her stomach feeling her insides twisted up in knots.

Duncan pulled her to him to lay her across his lap and held her tight whispering, "I'm going to take care of you."

She whispered back, "I know," hiding her face on his shoulder.

The driver continued a mile farther before she cried out again in more pain. "Duncan, I'm afraid." Unable to hold back her tears any longer she wept while he tried to soothe her.

Duncan held on tighter as Beth stiffened and groaned her discomfort, arching her back and then curling up again. He thought urgently, "I wish I knew what was wrong."

The driver looked in the rear view mirror and felt awkward that she was feeling so bad they him ordered not to stop. It was a half an hour before they arrived at the airport.

The pain had subsided some when they left the taxi behind but she was still feeling so strange. Duncan did his best to get their tickets and as they waited at the terminal for departure, he asked Beth what she wanted to eat.

She said, "Anything, some fruit will be fine."

Duncan could not find fresh fruit at the snack stand. He brought her back some juice and canned fruit. She looked at it then opened the can to eat methodically. She listened to him as he talked about the sights in Scotland.

Trying to distract her, he asked, "Do you want to see a festival while were there? I think there will be one in two weeks."

She shrugged her shoulders replying, "I haven't been to a festival in eighty years."

Sitting closer and putting his arm around her shoulders he asked her, "What are your favorite events?"

Thinking a moment she reminisced, "I can close my eyes and hear the music playing. I loved the dances and so much food that covered tables." Then she said, "I hope we can go. I want so much to be a normal couple."

"That would be wonderful," said Duncan. He then remained quiet but still watching her.

She discarded the empty containers and moved closer to him. She held his hand as they waited. "I love you." She told him quietly.

"I love you too." He replied softly.

The Watcher observing them a short distance away took notes and felt puzzled by their behavior. Cooper told him to be careful because MacLeod was on alert.

Duncan glanced at his watch and saw they should board soon. Telling Beth it was time; he stood up and picked up their carryon bags. As she stood up, she felt weak and sat back down.

When Duncan noticed she was not behind him, he looked back and saw her sitting there with fear in her eyes.

Going over to her he asked, "What's the matter now?" sitting back down next to her.

"Duncan I feel drained and when I stood up I almost blacked out," said Beth feeling worse by the minute.

He told her, "Stay here and I'll get a wheelchair." Then leaving the bags there, he went quickly and requested one.

The Watcher was most curious as to why an Immortal would appear sick. He went to a telephone to report this right away.

Cooper answered the phone call relayed to him and hearing the Watcher's report along with the account from the driver. He decided to immediately send a notice to Egan.

Duncan returned with the wheelchair and helped Beth onto the plane as carefully as possible. He stashed the bags in the overhead compartment and belted her in place. Putting his seat belt on Duncan took her hand and smiled to reassure her. Beth smiled weakly back at him.

"She looks so pale." Duncan noted but kept it to himself.

Beth could not believe how weak she felt and she just wanted to sleep. After takeoff, she did just that. The flight attendant helped put her seat back and brought a blanket and pillow. Even though it was an hour and a half flight, she slept soundly the whole way.

.