Chapter Two

Glasgow, Scotland

Beth quickly walked past McFadden's room and down the stairs.

Once outside she turned eastand continued at a fast pace dodging traffic. Her thoughts and her mind were set turning inward with a calm resolve.

From the window above Frank saw her leaving. "She's running," he said to his wife.

Deahna asked, "What are you going to do?"

Giving a sigh of annoyance he answered, "I'm going to follow her and hope she doesn't walk the whole way across Scotland."

She told him, "You used to do that."

"That was a few hundred years ago dear," he said. "Now will you help me?" Hastily grabbing his clothes up in a small bag, he ran out the door and down the hall. Soon he followed her just far enough back to remain disguised.

When he was almost through dressing, Duncan felt someone coming towards his room. He went to the door before the knock sounded.

"Who is it?" He asked while pulling the shirt over his head.

"It's me Deahna. Duncan let me in," she asked politely.

He opened the door and saw she was alone. He asked her, "Where are Frank and Beth?"

"She left without a word to us so Frank is following her." Deahna told him. Seeing his look of surprise she said, "Of course you didn't know."

Letting her in, Duncan started packing the rest of the clothes. He remarked, "She told me she was going to tell Frank about her dream."

"She wakes up screaming and clearly in a frantic state and you just let her go?" asked Deahna.

"What was I supposed to do?" he asked her back while he continued packing as quickly as possible.

Taking his arm, she faced him saying, "Well now Beth is out there scared and looking for the quick way out."

"Why do you think she's terrified?" He questioned and looked at her with set eyes.

"Because she doesn't know what's at stake!" Deahna cried, "Don't you see? This isn't just coincidence that your child will be born at the time of this Gathering."

Then Duncan said aloud what he had been thinking ever since he heard the news. "Why do you think no child has ever survived in all the previous thousand year trials?" he questioned.

Deahna shook her head not sure of what he would say.

Duncan revealed, "Because it's not meant to be." The ache in his heart matched his voice, "I wish to be mortal again and have lots of children but maybe it's not meant to happen."

Deahna shook her head again and her eyes pleaded with him, "You're wrong Duncan. This had been set in motion since the beginning of. . ."

The ringing of the phone broke up the rest of what she was going to say.

Duncan answered the phone saying a quick, "Hello?"

"Hi Mac I'm glad I found you," said Joe.

"Dawson!" He exclaimed, "I thought you weren't going to call me."

"Well, I got settled in and thought I would call and see how you and Beth were doing." He asked, "Where are you traveling to next?"

Duncan let out a long breath, "Honestly I don't know because Beth has disappeared again."

Joe gave a small grunt, "You couldn't tie her down?" Then he said, "Remember she's been taking care of herself for two hundred years before meeting you."

"Not this time Joe," he said with worry. "She's in trouble and with the Gathering only a few months away she might be in grave danger." He privately revealed.

"Now you have me worried." He questioned, "So what's wrong with her?"

Duncan answered, "Without a quickening she's going to die."

"What?" Joe said into the phone forgetting for a moment the precarious position he was in.

Deahna snatched at the phone telling him, "Don't say anymore!"

Duncan turned his back to her and said, "Joe, Beth is preg..."

Before he could say anymore, Deahna furiously pulled the cord from the wall.

"What in hell was that for?" he demanded dropping the dead phone onto the table.

With alarm written on her face she explained, "You can't tell him because if any immortal finds out they will kill her!"

With confidence Duncan said, "I would trust Joe Dawson with my life!"

She revealed what she had tried to keep secret, "Joe has been captured by Egan and Amy might be a hostage as well. Think," she asked him, "How else could he call you directly?"

Duncan realized she was right. If Egan had Joe by now, then he could know everything. The weight all these burdens seem to settle on him at once. He agonized over his next course of action.

"Any more secrets Deahna?" asked Duncan sounding so tired. "When does it end?"

Being truthful she said, "I admit to keeping secrets but it keeps our watcher's double agent status hidden. He gives us information and in return we know what he reports about us."

Exasperated Duncan said, "I've heard enough. I'm going after her right now."

He reached down to pack the remainder of their belongings. The luggage would slow him down but he did not want to leave anything behind.

Deahna watched him wondering what he would do when he found her.

"I'm coming with you," she announced, "Frank was going to leave signs along the way for me to follow. She is in a panic state so we do not know what she will do. We're hoping she will travel towards Glenshee because that where all immortals will be drawn to."

He informed Deahna, "But so far she hasn't heard the call."

Watcher Compound

As Joe hung up the phone, he looked to Egan and said, "It was disconnected at their end." He sighed and asked, "Did you hear enough?"

Egan was deep in thought and just nodded. He signaled the guard to take Joe back to his room. He heard MacLeod say the gathering was only a few months away.

Joe had one request, "Can I see Amy now?"

"Soon Joe, you can see her soon." Egan replied as the guard pulled the wheelchair out of the room and shut the door.

Egan went back to his Watcher logs. Muttering to himself, "Someone was in the room with MacLeod. What did he mean by that last part? She would die without a quickening."

Fingering through the most recent entries he saw one name stand out. He tapped his fingers on the desk for a few moments while he thought about the new mystery.

"Kendal!" He yelled loud enough for the Guard Elite to hear him through the door.

The man entered the room and stood at attention.

Egan commanded, "Get me Mark Kalpak any way possible."

]]]][[[[

Methos spent the afternoon in the courtyard outside enjoying the brief sunshine as he read one of his old journals.

Joshua came outside to sit at a table near Methos. He began to set up the chessboard and asked him, "Ready for a rematch?"

Methos shrugged and put down the journal. Joshua rarely has time for a game and he collected more information this way.

Sitting at the table with Joshua, Methos purposely picked black so allowing Joshua first move.

Joshua opened with pawn to king 4 and asked him, "How are your studies going? Are you going to finish the Chronicles?"

Methos countered with a pawn to king 4 and replied, "I'm sure you know the answer to that."

Joshua then moved the pawn to king, bishop 4 and said faintly, "You are a duality. You were Adam Pierson a watcher and once trusted historian. But you are Methos an ancient Immortal."

Methos moved his pawn x pawn smiling to himself he remarked, "I've had practice."

Joshua moved his bishop-to-bishop 4 stating, "I know how your mind works. I've studied your chronicles for years and I can guess your true motives."

Methos was feeling suddenly defensive as he moved his bishop to king 2. He took a long deep breath and waited for Joshua to continue wondering where this was leading.

Joshua paused to study the man in front of him before moving his knight to king, bishop 3, saying "I read about your involvement with Kronos a few years ago and how you were able to manipulate him. I think you've been doing the same thing with Egan Lasco."

Joshua's voice grew quieter as he continued, "I know you have always acted honorably towards the watchers in all things and I want you to trust me."

Methos casually moved his bishop to rook 5, "Check," he declared watching him with an understanding look on his face.

Joshua looked down quickly and moved his pawn to kings, knight 3 and his eyes went back to Methos waiting for an answer to his plea.

Methos thought back to what he told MacLeod. The Watchers have to turn around. I cannot stand by and let them be ruined.

He moved his pawn x pawn and considered his options. He gave a barely discernible shake of his head.

Joshua sighed and performed the castle maneuver, "I'm not asking for your head just a sharing of information."

Methos answered by moving his pawn x pawn then replied, "And Check."

Joshua answered with king to rook 1, he whispered, "Methos the best way to stop this from happening is to help each other."

Methos moved his knight to kings, rook 3 and asked, "Tell me first why Egan is set to destroy Immortals?"

Joshua shook his head and glanced around before answering, "Egan has some bizarre reason," he whispered. "I think he began to dislike immortals after the whole Ahriman incident."

Joshua moved his pawn to queen 4 and continued sharing, "I've also heard now that Amy is pregnant. Eagan is planning to use this information against Joe Dawson to control him."

Methos thoughtfully moved his queen to kings 2 and said nothing as he wondered what to do next. If he could dissuade Egan from exploiting his kind to a mission of importance…it could work.

With interest lost in the game Joshua moved his bishop x knight and asked again, "Tell me what are your plans?"

Methos remained focused on the board in front of him and slowly moved his pawn x bishop before replying, "My plans include getting the Watchers back to where they were. They don't include you."

Joshua moved his knight to king 5 and said, "Then you are going to need me because you cannot believe the power Egan has amassed and the money involved."

Methos countered with his bishop-to-bishop 3, stating, "Don't lie to me Joshua he gained power and money through killing immortals."

"You can't stop him alone." Joshua reasoned with him and then moved his queen to rook 5.

Methos moved his rook to bishop 1 asking, "Would you risk it all for immortals?"

Joshua stood up and slowly laid his king down. He made this promise, "In a heartbeat I would."

Looking Joshua in the eye Methos stood up and faced him saying quietly, "No treachery and I'll consider including you in my plans."

Reaching out to shake Joshua's hand, Methos commented, "Thank you for the game. Perhaps next time you'll win."

With a serious expression Joshua replied, "I already have."

The sun was going behind the clouds as he packed up the chessboard. Methos went back to reading the journal.

Both men aware of the danger they were in and carefully maintained the look of innocence.

Cruise Ship in the Indian Ocean

Amanda stood on the deck of the cruise ship smelling the salt air. It would be several weeks before she would arrive near Scotland but she had the time.

Ever since the vision, she was at peace. She even decided not to kill Vumali. It would not accomplish anything useful besides her sights were now on Duncan MacLeod.

"Amanda," Constance called out coming over to stand next to her friend.

Taking her arm impulsively, Constance began pleading, "Come downstairs and dance. The guys are asking for you." She said attempting to lead her, "You are missing all the fun."

Standing firm, Amanda smiled briefly then replied, "Maybe later." Pulling her arm free, she saw Constance frown.

"What's wrong? You're no fun anymore." Constance said in a pout. "Ever since you got lost and came back it's like you're a different person before me."

With a deathly tone, Amanda said, "I am different dear one."

Abruptly changing her mood, she explained Constance, "I brought you along because I wanted you to have fun for me." Moreover, to keep an eye on you her thoughts finished in silence.

Constance gave her a questioning look but said, "All right but I always have more fun with you there."

Amanda hugged her quickly then turned her around in the direction of the stairs propelling her forward, "I promise I'll come down soon."

Constance laughed and said, "You better or I'll send all the guys to come and get you." She looked back at Amanda as she went below.

Amanda watched her friend go and sighed with uncertainty clouding her mind. Constance acted more like a sister then a good friend. She knew many personal things too so why would she betray her.

When she had made it back to town and showed up on Constance's doorstep, you could have knocked her over with a slight breeze. With foreboding in her heart, Amanda decided to let events unfold.

Watcher Compound

That evening Methos took Joe his dinner tray. He shut the door with the guard outside and set the tray down before untying him.

Rubbing his wrists Joe asked, "So what's going on? Everyone is on eggshells."

Methos replied quietly, "I don't know exactly how to put this but the rules for Watchers have changed dramatically."

Taking out a small radio from his pocket and turning it on, he fixed the tray before Joe indicating that he should eat.

Joe ate slowly while Methos told him what Egan had revealed about the alterations in watcher policy. "Egan changed the no interference rule to partial allowance if the watcher deemed it necessary."

"That leaves a rather broad interpretation," said Joe.

"There is a lot more going on that I can say in one sitting." Methos confided, "His long term goal is to take over everything even the Watcher Chapters in all countries."

"That's a big pie to take a bite of and not choke on." Joe replied as he relished his meal. He missed the simple pleasures of eating unassisted and going to the bathroom alone or being able to walk with his legs.

Quietly Methos told him, "Don't say anything Joe, but Amy is with child."

Seeing Joe's reaction he held up his hand and commanded, "Not a word Joe because you want to keep this information tucked away so Egan can't use it against you."

Controlling his anger before replying, "Now why would I say anything? I just want you to kill the bastard."

"Killing Egan is not on myTo Do list." Methos stated, "It's up to you and the other watchers to put him on trial."

Joe suggested, "If you can get close to his inner circle…" Leaning forward he whispered, "I will keep playing his game and when it's time..." He bunched his fist as if to strike, "Take away the support."

Thinking quickly Methos agreed adding, "If I can get the immortals away that have joined up, he might become venerable."

Joe nodded and said, "There has to be a way and we'll find it."

"One more thing," Methos added, "Amanda is still alive."

"What?" Joe exclaimed, "When was she killed?"

Methos answered, "A few weeks ago it was reported back that she had been defeated and the body burned beyond recognition. Now her watcher just called in to say she was back."

"You're just now telling me?" Nevertheless Joe was relieved, "I couldn't stand it if anything happened to her."

Methos replied, "You and I both my friend." Patting Joe he said, "she is one of a kind."

The guard opened the door to check on them and seeing the food gone he came in to retie Joe's arms in the restraints.

Methos tried to tell him, "He doesn't need those. He's not going anywhere."

"Until I get instructions from Egan himself I'm not taking orders from you," insisted the guard.

Methos shrugged and looked at Joe saying, "Well I tried."

Joe asked, "Can you leave the radio?"

Methos nodded replying, "Sure Joe. If there is anything else you can tell me next time."

Alone again, he lay there and thought about Egan and the hold he had over the watchers. How he used fear, money and perceived power. He pondered what would be the best way to topple Egan and his little watcher empire.

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