Chapter Fifteen

Watcher Compound

During the past two days, Joe Dawson repeatedly read the papers Amy had smuggled to him. He hardly left his room in the wheelchair only to go up and down the halls to keep up appearances.

"Outside New York City, A special ops force retired a mob family that wanted to take over the watcher organization." He read on about the assets hidden inside stock dividends taken from immortals and then killed. The copies of the original documents with forged signatures would be enough to bury Egan Lasco for good.

"Now all I need is a fax machine and time to send this to Watcher authorities." Joe said quietly.

The knowledge of a special ops force intrigued him immensely. The most damning document was the order to carry out the attack on Maconochie.

Later that afternoon Methos came to see Joe. He said with feelings of trepidation, "I have bad news and good news my friend."

Joe asked, "Egan Lasco is dying?"

"I wish it were that simple but no." He sat opposite Joe and tried to say the news as gently as possible. "It just came by report that Amanda Montrose has been officially killed and the credit given to a Carl Robinson."

Joe Dawson took the news with denial, "I don't believe it. Carl Robinson was a friend to MacLeod and he wouldn't callously kill Amanda."

Methos agreed and wanted to believe Joe. He speculated, "That may have been true years ago, but we don't know his motivation to take the contract and go after Amanda after it was rescinded."

"I still can't even think of her as gone and I won't." Joe said with finality, "Now tell me the good news."

Methos leaned forward as if telling him a secret. "I have enough authority now to put you to work for me."

Joe asked, "What could I possible do for you? Serve drinks?"

"Nothing like that," Methos replied, "You are a natural leader and I have some kids joining that need some experience from a seasoned watcher."

Joe looked at Methos with a cold stare. He asked, "So how long has it been? A month ago I was firewood and a hostage now I'm useful to Egan?"

Methos stood up and clapped Joe on the back. He said, "Yes you're valuable to me, Joe. This is what I need."

Opening the door, he started pushing Joe's chair out until Joe took over. As the two men made their way to the elevator, Methos sketched out the situation, "I have two groups that are ready for orientation. One room there is several new watchers that have joined and have their tattoo. I just want you to field questions and read through these new regulations." He showed Joe the booklet.

He continued talking, "I'm going to be in the room down the hall with the new immortals that have joined because I have to go through new contracts and rules for this Gathering."

They arrived at the elevator and Methos handed the guard permission papers for Joe Dawson to leave the 3rd floor.

The guard allowed them to enter the elevator and when the door closed, it proceeded down to the basement where the conference rooms were located. When the door opened, Joe saw there had been recent construction to the old building.

Joe stopped outside the first door and knew what was expected. He reached out to Methos and said, "Give me the book I know what you want."

"Thanks Joe," he said handing the book over. "This should take a couple of hours than we break for supper around 6pm. So keep 'em busy until the food arrives."

Joe Dawson paused a moment and reached out to Methos, "Thanks man," he said shaking his hand, "I was going stir crazy up there. I want you to know I'm grateful."

"Don't sweat it," Methos said, "I'll introduce you."

Opening the door and walking in, Methos called out, "All stand." He paused as Joe wheeled his chair inside. "I want you to welcome Mr. Joe Dawson who has graciously agreed to come here and answer all your questions."

Everyone in the room stood up and applauded until Joe turned red from the attention. As Methos went to leave, he told him, "You really know how to play it up big."

Methos saluted just before he closed the door saying, "You'll do fine."

Going down the hall to a smaller room, Methos sensed all the immortals inside. He knew he could not control them but he hoped to persuade them to his side.

Opening the door briskly, Methos began his orientation with, "Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen. Today we have contracts and methods of payment should you decide to sign up." He indicated to the watcher nearby, "Pass those out please."

Steven walked around to the tables giving a standard contract to each immortal as Methos explained, "First page is generic for all of you. Just the personal information goes here. On the second page is where the watchers agree to payment of expenses if you attend the gathering as their group." The sound of turning pages and the murmur of voices interrupted him so Methos paused letting everyone catch up.

"Now" he continued, "On the third page you will list assets you have and are willing to turn over to us if you don't succeed." This brought loud voices of disagreement. "But," he insisted louder, "On the forth page is assets you will gain if you do succeed. Attend this Gathering, the good side wins, the mortals are saved and we all have a happy ending."

The immortals studied the forth page the longest and seemed delighted with the prospect of riches and power.

"Everyone back to page one and start filling out your contract and when you're finished, go to Steven's table to be notarized. After that it will be time to eat while I brief you on what to expect at the Gathering."

At that moment, the door opened. "Deahna, so nice to see you," Methos said, "Come and sit down here we'll get you a contract."

She whispered to him, "What's going on here?"

"You'll see," he whispered back, "Just read this and fill it out."

Methos walked around the room feeling quite pleased with his progress. "This is going so well and everyone is on board." Turning his attention to the pages he wrote synopsis of the Gathering he thought to himself, "This just might work."

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Joe Dawson sat in front of the small group of twenty new watchers and seeing their eager faces, it reminded him back to his first meeting after getting his tattoo.

Clearing his throat he said, "Welcome everyone. I hope your time as a watcher will be as exciting and eventful as mine was."

Opening the book, he read, "A Watcher will conduct observations on Immortals for historic reasons only. A Watcher must never become involved." Joe paused for a moment and smiled over that line. Flipping through some more pages, he asked, "Has everyone read through your manual?"

All the heads nodded and murmured "Yes."

He closed the book and stated, "Does anyone have any questions for me?"

A girl in the front row raised her hand. Joe nodded to her and said, "This isn't first grade, when you have a question, just speak up."

She replied, "Could you tell us about your first time?"

Joe looked surprised and asked, "Uh, my first what?"

The man beside her said, "You know, your first time in the field, what was that like?"

"Well, I'll tell you I was scared." Joe's mind went back in time.

"I was almost finished with my tour of Vietnam, that's when I lost my legs and I thought my life was over."

"But the Watcher organization gave me another chance. The first time in the field with an immortal assignment was incredible. It's one thing to be in a war with gunfire all around you between moments of boredom, but when you see a sword combat then a quickening it is something else entirely."

He began his narration with a mixture of storyteller and field report,

"I had been following Roy Ferrer for several weeks just documenting his actions and acquaintances, when his behavior changed. He became secretive and he was harder to watch. One evening it seemed he would never come outside his house when he appeared around midnight. It gave me a start because I had begun to doze off. He got into his car, so a minute later I started my engine and followed him with my headlamps off. After driving many miles to the next town, he turned off into an outlet. The area looked deserted and I stayed back a little ways.

That's when a man approached him on foot and they were talking for a few minutes." He paused for emphasis, "It only takes a second to set an immortal off and if you look away, you'll miss the spark that ignites a fight. Well, I didn't look away and I saw swords come out and the fight begin."

All the new watchers were on the edge of their seat when Joe stopped talking. Jude Furling asked, "What happened?"

Joe shrugged his shoulders saying, "My guy won, took his opponents' head then it was like a lightning storm and fireworks combined but without the rain."

An awe of silence went around the room and then erupted in a tirade of questions one after the other.

"What did he do next?"

Joe said, "He went home."

"How long before his next battle?"

Joe answered, "The next one he lost about three years later."

"How many fights have you seen?"

Joe replied, "Too many."

The door opened and the carts started arriving with food and Joe called for their attention. "Listen up, all of you will not be going into the field at first, but if you work hard, you may get a chance. For now enjoy your supper."

A few watchers were vying for the chance to bring Joe Dawson his meal and to sit at his table and hear more stories.

Joe wheeled his chair to a table and motioned for Jude to bring him a plate.

Methos poked his head into the room long enough to see all was going well with Joe. He smiled seeing the old man talking so animated with the young watchers. Thinking of a further treat, he told a guard. "After the plates are cleared bring Joe his guitar."

The guard did as he was instructed, retrieving Joe's beloved guitar from lock-up. Going into the room as the new watchers settled back into their chairs after the break-time, he handed it over. Joe looked up with surprise and mixed feelings.

The guard answered his quiet question with, "Methos made sure it was rescued from the fire."

Murmuring thanks, Joe cradled it like a woman in his arms. Stroking the strings and listening for a tune, he said, "Let's get this party going."

Then he began to play with delight.

"I'm going to spend all my money
Going to go home late
Try one of everthing the put on my plate
I'm going to flash my pearly grin all over this town
Whisper to my baby when the lights go down
I'm going to lay down and shimmy
Stand up and shout show all these women
What loves all about
I'm going to sing when I'm happy
Moan when I'm blue
Then I'll do it all over, do it all over for you.

The room was lively with music as all the watchers were clapping with the beat. People came down from other floors to the room to watch. A group pushed in through the door until it was full. Everyone clapped and moved together for the next hour.

It was one of the last moments of magic many would experience until long after…the gathering.

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