Happy Holidays, silentflux! (4/5)
Title: Don't Rock the Boat (4/5)
Author: Tessa Rae/tes_fic aka A. Barnacle
Written for: Andrea/silentflux
Characters: Duncan MacLeod, Methos, Amanda, Joe Dawson, Gina & Robert deValicourt, OFC x 2 plus cheese wire.
Pairings: Duncan/Methos
Rating: NC-17 (slash slash slash slash)
Word Count: 27 000 words
Warnings: Ahoy! Motion sickness ahead.
Author's Notes: This fic tried to live up to silentflux's requests of happy endings, hurt/comfort, first times (kiss, sex, dancing, traveling, etc), historical, adventure, foodplay, I have a fond appreciation for restraints in bed or not. *o-kay*
Summary: After two years away Duncan returns to Paris, relaxed, stress-free and feeling good about life. Then Gina deValicourt visits, and he learns that two of his friends have vanished and another is playing amateur detective, for the cost of free beer. Before Duncan can turn around and take a breath, he ends up all at sea in a boatload of trouble, drowning in pleasure, drama, diamonds and mystery.
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
*
Two hours later, Duncan checked the address Joe had given him against the large red brick apartment building in front of him. Opposite the building was a walk that led down to the Seine and in the distance was the Statue of Liberty. It was a nice area, a few expensive cars parked at the curb, and Duncan turned down a side road, parking his car up the street, away from the building. Walking the few hundred yards would give him a chance to assess the area and make sure there were no Immortals nearby.
The weather was turning colder, the last hurrah of autumn finally over as winter approached with all the speed of a hungry wolf. As a rule, he didn't normally like to stay in Paris over winter, but this year he was thinking of making an exception to that rule. It depended, of course, on whether he had anyone willing to spend the winter with him. He was hoping to convince one cantankerous old bastard that boat life could be fun - even in winter.
But first he had to find Methos. Then he would decide what to do. For all he knew, the one night they had spent on board ship could be just that; a holiday fling while out at sea. Methos had said that there were no laws in International waters. Duncan didn't know if sex fell under Methos' definition of 'no laws'. Methos said a lot of things, usually as misdirection for the truth, and Duncan needed to work out if he wanted more than a ship's fling, or if it was best to just ignore the situation and carry on as usual. "I can't remember life being this complicated in Scotland," he muttered as he walked the pavement toward the building's main entrance.
The address Joe had given him stated that Darwen lived on the 8th floor, with river views. He walked up the steps, and caught the door as two ladies exited, sending them a beaming smile, making them laugh and then using that advantage to slip into the building. The elevators were in the main foyer, with fire exit stairs to the left. He took the elevator.
The 8th floor was the top level, and Duncan left the elevator and made his way to apartment fourteen. He reached the door and raised his hand to knock, and paused, sensing a pre-Immortal tingle on the periphery of his senses. He hesitated a moment longer, understanding now why Coben was teaching Darwen the sword, why the two women were spending so much time together. Joe suspected they were lovers, whereas they could be just teacher and student. He knocked, thinking briefly of Richie, and the pain and joy teaching had brought.
The door was opened by the same blonde young lady Duncan had seen in the photographs, and he sent her a non-threatening smile. "Hello," he said. "I am looking for Rosie Coben."
Julia Darwen's eyes narrowed as she looked him up and down. "She's not here."
"Oh," Duncan said, pretending disappointment. "Do you know when she'll be back?"
"She's due anytime-" Julia stopped. "Who are you? And how did you get past the door security?"
"Ah," Duncan sent her another smile. "Let's just say your friend Rosie has someone I want back - with his head intact." He raised both brows, watching intently for her reaction. Julia's eyes widened and then she was slamming the door.
Duncan caught the door and pushed into the apartment, closing it behind him. He guessed Julia would be contacting building security, or if he was really unlucky, the police. He walked down the hallway that led to the main living area and on either side were rooms, which he ignored, following Julia's faint pre-Immortal buzz. The main living area was large, with huge glass doors framing a balcony and offering spectacular river views. Standing right in front of the open doors was Julia, and she was holding a sword. It looked to a 15th century straight blade, and Duncan raised his hands, offering no arguments. "I'm not here to fight you, Julia," he said, calmly. "I just want to talk to Rosie and get my friend back."
"I don't know what you are talking about," Julia stated as she held the tip of the sword up and took a step toward him. Her arm was steady, her eyes cold and direct.
Duncan kept his hands raised, assessing her stance and apparent lack of nervousness. The most dangerous opponents were the unpredictable, desperate ones, and he wondered how far the weapons training had advanced. "You and Rosie have been drugging Immortals, and then your teacher has been taking their heads. That is against the rules."
"Rules," Julia scoffed. "There are no rules when you want to live and not be hunted. I've seen how she's been hunted, heard how she's been treated in the past by other Immortals. Male, chauvinistic Immortals. No way am I letting that happen to me. Or to Rosie again."
"What's happened in the past I can't control," Duncan said, trying to pacify her. "But I can help with the future. What you are doing now has to stop."
"And if we don't?" Julia asked, raising her chin defiantly.
"Then I will stop you both."
"Try it," Julia snarled and swung with her sword.
Duncan sidestepped and took out his katana. She was no match for him skill wise, and he really didn't want to kill her. "This is not the way-"
"Shut up and fight!"
"You're not even Immortal," he stressed.
Julia laughed as she lashed out, forcing him backward toward the kitchen table. Duncan bumped into the table and turned, seeing that it was strewn with numerous chemical solutions, vials of liquid, a few burners, a box of syringes and a dozen packets of tablets. This was where they manufactured their drugs, and Duncan caught a glimpse of even more equipment and stock in the kitchen.
"If I kill you I'll take your head," Julia taunted. "If you kill me then I will be Immortal. Either way you can't win."
"Think again," Duncan said, blocking her stroke easily and then twisting his blade to disarm her. Her sword fell to the floor and Duncan shoved her backward. She bumped into the wall and sneered at him in anger. He flashed her a winning grin and picked up her weapon, testing its balance before sending her another sterner look. "There is more to being Immortal than killing," he lectured. "As your teacher, Rosie should be instructing you about what it means to be immortal, about your responsibilities and about the rules involved. Along with better foot work."
"She does," Julia spat as she inched her way along the wall to the stand with the table between them. "And she's not my teacher. She's my partner in all things. We have no secrets. When I have learned enough and she has taken out most of the competition, she has promised to kill me and make me immortal."
So Joe's right after all, Duncan mused, they were more than friends. "There is more to life then wanting to die," he said. "You should be enjoying your mortality, not planning the death of innocent people."
"Huh! No one is innocent. Especially not an Immortal." Julia reached for the burner and turned it on, lighting the flame and using it as a weapon. "You are all blood guilty."
"Be careful with that," Duncan warned, taking a step back.
"Why?" she snickered. "Don't tell me you're afraid to die? Well, I'm not." She picked up a bottle of solution and threw it at him. Duncan side-stepped and the bottle hit the far wall, shattering. She picked up another bottle and threw it, hurling it and the burner at him. "Burn, you bastard-" she yelled.
The room exploded in flames as the burned ignited the spilt chemicals, and Duncan dived for the hallway leading to the front door. He turned and saw Julia escape to the balcony. She slowly got to her feet, dazed, and then a second explosion took out the wall and glass doors, totally destroying the balcony area.
"Damn," Duncan breathed and made a dash for the front door. The fire alarms were deafening, the sprinklers making everything wet, and Duncan ran to the fire escape stairs. Numerous people were exiting the building and it took him a good five minutes to navigate the chaos and escape. He made his way to the front of the building, looking up at the top floor, seeing the devastation. The whole front right corner of the building was gone. In the background were sirens, and he ignored them, walking toward the debris, searching for Julia. There was no way she could have survived such a blast, or fall, and he knew that given time she would revive. That was now the immediate danger, and it was his responsibility as an Immortal to make sure she was protected from the authorities.
Another explosion rocked the area and he ducked as more debris fell. Bricks, wood, a fridge and glass showered the area and Duncan retreated. Around him, people were yelling, while others used their phones to take pictures; the road resembling a disaster area. More parts of the building fell, more glass, hitting the road with a thunderous sound, and then abruptly, blue lightning sparks shot up from the rubble.
Duncan back-peddled even more as the blue fingers of light reached out. It was Quickening energy, very weak, but he still knew what it meant. Julia had achieved her wish and died only to lose her head in the aftermath of destruction. There was another splutter of blue energy and then the spark died, dissipating completely.
Duncan shook his head and then straightened as he was engulfed in a stronger, jarring Immortal buzz. He turned seeking the direction, being pulled down the street, seeing a white SUV at the edge of banked up traffic. Rosie Coben . . . and Duncan hurried toward her. The driver's door opened and a woman with long dark hair was staring at him in shock, grief and hatred.
"What have you done," she screamed as he drew closer, her eyes dark with rage. "What have you done!" she repeated.
"No," Duncan called, imploring her to listen as he pushed past the last few pedestrians. He approached the car, not in the mood for more dramatics as he saw Methos slumped in the front passenger seat. The older Immortal looked unconscious or dead, but he still had his head and Duncan wanted to keep it that way. "Rosie-" he called again as he drew level with the SUV and watched as she reached inside and lifted a syringe. She glared at him, tears marring her cheeks as she bared her teeth. "Wait," he said, holding his hands up and offering no challenge. "We need to talk . . . to work this out."
"What's to work out," she half shouted. "You've already set the rules. Kill or be killed."
"I didn't kill Julia," Duncan said, begging her to listen. "It was an accident."
"I will destroy you," Coben hissed. "For this, I will turn the world upside down to make sure everything you love dies." She uncapped the syringe and jabbed the needle into Methos' shoulder.
"No-" Duncan gasped, rushing forward. He hit the hood of the car, watching in horror as she injected the contents of the syringe into the unresponsive Methos.
"A life for a life," Coben spat and then threw the empty syringe at Duncan.
"You won't get away with this," he snarled, moving to reach her door as she started the car. The engine roared to life.
"You want a war . . . I will give you a war, Duncan MacLeod." She shoved the car into reverse and slammed her foot on the accelerator, crashing into the cars behind. She then went forward, her rage evident as she used the SUV to bash her way out of the traffic.
Duncan dived for safety as she tried to run him over. He rolled to his feet and gave chase as she drove up onto the pavement, reversing backward, barely missing pedestrians as she escaped the gridlock. When she hit open road and she swung the SUV around and sped off.
Swearing, and limping, Duncan stopped at the corner and stared after her. He then went back and picked up the discarded syringe, seeing police head in his direction.
He beat a hasty retreat, heading toward his parked car that was outside the immediate danger area. Now he knew Methos' life was forfeit.
Ignoring the chaos behind him as emergency services arrived, Duncan climbed behind the wheel of his car, his expression thunderous as he took out his cell and dialed Dawson's number.
"Any news?" Joe asked as he answered.
"You were right," Duncan said, his tone clipped. "Coben did bring Methos to Paris. Unfortunately, Julia Darwen's met a nasty accident, which Coben witnessed. She's now taken Methos for revenge."
"Jeez," Joe sighed. "Was that the explosion they just broadcast as a newsflash?"
"Tell me you know where Coben might be going?" Duncan asked.
"I'll have to do some more digging."
"We don't have the time," Duncan said, impatient and angry.
"I'm not a miracle worker," Joe said just as strongly. "The Watchers aren't super beings. I need time."
"Dammit, Joe-"
"I'm with you on this . . . and I may have one piece of news. Unrelated."
"What?" Duncan demanded as he threw the syringe on the passenger seat and started the car.
"I've found out what they've been buying. It's Conium maculatum. A native of Europe and highly poisonous. It hits the peripheral nervous system, knocking out the senses first before killing the body an inch at a time. And nothing stops it."
"Conium?" Duncan said, vaguely knowing the name. He pulled out into the traffic, doing a U-turn and driving away from the destruction behind.
"Also known as hemlock."
"That's illegal."
"I know, but somehow they got their hands on a whole bunch of the stuff," Joe said. "I've talked with Amanda and she tells me that Robert deValicourt is worsening. It is entirely possible that this thing could kill an Immortal permanently."
"There has to be a cure," Duncan said, glancing at the syringe next to him, remembering how Coben had injected Methos. The dose she gave him could easily be stronger than the ingested tablets. Stronger and more lethal. "Some mention of it in the files."
"Nope. Although . . . there is a reference to hemlock and Socrates as a footnote in Constantine's file."
Duncan frowned. "Marcus?"
"Thought maybe you could ask him about it."
"Yeah," Duncan said. "I will. Meantime, if you hear anything-"
"I will," Joe assured. "I'm at Shakespeare and Co. and will call you if I learn anything new."
"Thanks. I'm heading over to the deValicourt's." Duncan hung up and then pulled off the road to park as he dialed Marcus' number. He waited to be connected, then spoke to the Estate's director, and was asked to wait some more. Eventually Marcus came on the line.
"I hope you have better news this time," Marcus Constantine said.
"Some," Duncan said evasively. "I've discovered what drug our hunter is using to bring down an Immortal. Hemlock. I'm told you might know something about that drug."
Marcus snorted in amusement. "Your powers of finding insignificant details attached to old memories never ceases to amaze me. One day you will have to tell me the truth about how you do it."
"Yeah," Duncan acknowledged. "It's important, Marcus, or I wouldn't ask. She's already killed one friend and I have another two in danger."
Marcus sighed. "I'm sorry about Cochrane. There was nothing I could do."
Duncan closed his eyes and leaned on the steering wheel. So far he had not really thought past catching Warren's killer, but eventually he would have to deal with Warren's death. "Yeah," he said. "Thanks. Hemlock?" he reminded.
Marcus gave another chuckle. "I came across it while working in Rome for Emperor Magnus Maximus. I was asked to oversee the trial of Socrates," he said. "It was a long time ago, you understand, but I recall that Socrates was condemned to death for impiety. He was given a choice, and he asked to drink a solution of hemlock. It was a common poison used for condemned prisoners. Why I remember this, is because he was one of us, and he told me that after his death to either, cut off his head and kill him properly, or to knife him repeatedly. Said he didn't want to be buried alive."
Duncan waited as Marcus paused, his voice full of enjoyment at the memory. "You're telling me Socrates was one of us?" Duncan asked incredulously.
"Still is, as far as I know," Marcus said. "I was intrigued by his self-belief, so I lost his corpse after death, and then repeatedly stabbed him as requested. He revived. Later he told me that only repeated death can burn off the effect of hemlock poisoning. Something to do with the body's release of hormone and our own healing Quickening."
"Socrates is alive?" Duncan repeated, not believing this.
"Yes," Marcus said, laughing. "Last I heard he was working as a political journalist for the New York Times."
Duncan sat with his mouth open. "Thanks, Marcus. I owe you one."
"One day you must tell me how you manage to learn all your tidbits of information."
"One day I will," Duncan said and ended the call. "Well I'll be . . ." he muttered as he dialed Amanda's number. She answered almost immediately.
"Please tell me you have good news," she said. "I'm going insane sitting here waiting."
"Some," Duncan said, pulling out into traffic again. "Tell Gina that you have to kill Robert repeatedly. The revival process burns off the poison. It's the only way."
"Hmm," Amanda said. "Won't this be fun."
"Just do it," he said, then hung up. If it worked then he would have to repeat the process on Methos. A task he was strangely looking forward to. But first he had to find Coben.
*
Robert was 'arranged' on the bed in the master bedroom. His eyes were closed, his color grey, his hair brushed neatly, his clothing pristine as he lay with his hands folded across his chest. He looked like a corpse. Duncan grimaced as he entered the master bedroom, noting the subdued atmosphere as Gina sat regally by the bed. Amanda sat on the other side of the bed holding a stopwatch.
"Duncan-" Gina stood and rushed toward him. "Are you sure this is necessary?"
"It is the only way."
"The drug?" Gina asked, grabbing his hands, her eyes searching his face.
"Hemlock."
"Hemlock?" Gina drew back and frowned as Amanda came and stood at her side. "That causes death through paralysis. Robert is not mortal. He should be healing."
Duncan shrugged, not wanting to dispute the fact. None of them really knew that much about how immortal healing worked; only that it did, and that true death was defined by a beheading. The idea of being buried alive for centuries was abhorrent, and under similar circumstances Duncan would have done the same as Marcus had done for a fellow Immortal. "From what I understand about this drug, it is insidious and it can only be burnt off by repeated sessions of immortal healing."
"The Quickening energies," Amanda said, glancing at the bed as the corpse drew in a shuddering breath and then coughed. She checked the stopwatch. "He took twenty-one minutes that time to revive," she said to Gina. "It's getting faster. So do you want to tell him the bad news, or shall I?"
"I'll do it," Gina said. "It is an improvement." She went to the bed and sat on the edge, reaching out to take Robert's hand. She kissed him on the forehead. "My love?"
Duncan looked at Amanda. "An improvement?" he asked dubiously, then glanced around, wondering where all the servants were.
Amanda wrinkled her nose. "It took him thirty-three minutes to revive the first time. Gina panicked. It was all I could do to stop her taking out her sword and coming after you." Amanda took a breath and looked up under her lashes. "The older I get the quicker I revive, but of course that depends on how I died. It's not a state I practice."
"Me neither," Duncan agreed. "This is our only lead. Coben's injected Methos as well," he said softly, so as to not disturb Gina and Robert.
"No," Amanda reached out. "Do we know where she is?" she asked, worried. "Has Joe come up with anything?"
"Not yet."
"Duncan . . ."
"I know," he said, soothing her, reading her distress easily. It mirrored his own. He didn't want to consider his life - all their lives - without Methos. Could not even allow himself to entertain the idea and give in to the fear at the edge of his mind. If he lost it now, he'd lose Methos forever. "Coben never gave him a chance to fight back."
Amanda paced away, looking around the room before turning back to MacLeod. "If we go together and split up we'll cover more ground. I have a few contacts, we may be able to track her through the drug. Joe must have some idea who her supplier was."
"No," Duncan said, shaking his head. "Coben knows who you are. I'll not offer her more targets."
"Methos' life isn't an option-"
Duncan reached out and drew her close, seeing her tears, sharing her anxiety. "Don't worry. I will bring him safely out of this." He kissed her hair. "I promise." He looked over at the bed and saw Robert was partially sitting up, his face still pale, his eyes locked on Gina as he covered her hands holding the knife. Then with a quick stab, Gina pushed the knife in. Robert grunted, his eyes losing focus as pain marred his face. A moment later he slumped forward. Gina caught him and held him, then slowly laid him flat.
Duncan winced. He let Amanda go as Gina stood and turned to face them. She was angry, and Duncan knew the real arguments were just about to start. Beside him, Amanda re-started the stopwatch.
"I cannot allow this Immortal to live," Gina stated, her tone fiery. "Not after what she has done."
"Coben won't get away with this," Duncan assured.
Gina shook her head, unappeased. "And your Adam?" she asked. "Has this cowardly hunter killed him too?"
"Coben has him," Duncan confirmed. "She's injected him with the same drug. I'm just waiting on some information."
"Then I will get my sword and we will go after this Coben together. I have had enough of her games," Gina said.
Duncan opened his mouth to stop her, but Gina was out of the room before he could say a word. He turned to Amanda, beseeching her to intervene.
"Don't look at me like that," Amanda said, unimpressed. "I agree with Gina."
"Chasing around all over Paris is not the answer-" Duncan started, then stopped as his cell rang. He prayed it was positive news. "Joe?" he answered, recognizing the caller ID.
"I've pulled up all the information I can find on Coben," Joe replied. "She's one rich woman, with properties all around Paris. But which one she will go to, I don't know. That's the best I can do at short notice."
Duncan clutched at the information, willing to go with anything that allowed him to start searching. "How many properties are we talking about?" If he hurried he might get lucky and find Coben at the first address.
"Five that are listed."
Duncan's brows went up. Rosie Coben certainly had money, and it would make his search more difficult. "Five?" he said in disbelief. Then he remembered what Joe had told him earlier about Coben and Darwen. "Didn't you say Coben was teaching Darwen the sword?" he asked. "Where was she taking her for those lessons?" It was a long shot, but . . .
"I'll check," Joe said, the sound of him using the keyboard echoing in the background. "They went to . . . get this; the Loneliness Castle."
"The Chateau de la Solitude?" Duncan repeated, knowing the area. It was large estate, not far outside Paris. Tourists liked to visit the estate because of the 'haunted' rumors surrounding the old derelict chateau. It was said that the chateau was abandoned after fighting broke out and the family was murdered on the steps of the chateau during the early 14th century. Later a second residence was built near the ruins. Today, the destroyed chateau housed nothing but birds. "She owns that property?"
"Yeah," Joe confirmed, with heavy emphasis. "The data base says she 'acquired' the property after a dispute 200 years ago. Since then she's had the gardens restored and opens it for tourists five days a week. There is a caretaker in residence."
Duncan didn't even want to think about the possibility of Coben using tourists as hostages. His only grace was that it was dark outside and he was hoping all the tourists had gone home, and that he would catch Coben off-guard and alone - with Methos. "That's where she'll go then," he decided.
"What if you're wrong?" Joe asked, his worry clear in his voice. "There are four other places."
"I can't be wrong," Duncan said, not allowing any doubt to infect his tone. "I'll call you when I get there."
"Okay. Just watch your head, buddy, and . . . well . . . find the old bastard for me."
Duncan nodded, saying nothing more, closing the phone. He turned and stopped, finding both Gina and Amanda watching him. "I have to go . . ." he trailed off. He didn't want to argue, didn't have the time. He wanted, needed, to get out there as quickly as possible if he hoped for any chance to find Methos.
"Then we are coming," Gina said, resting the tip of her sword on the carpet between her feet.
Duncan shook his head. He knew Gina was not a woman he ever wanted to cross, and he doubted Robert need worry about his wife's ability, or her passion to win, but he would not willingly put her in danger. "No," he said firmly. "I need you here to watch Robert and make sure he burns off the poison." He shifted his gaze to Amanda. "Both of you need to stay just in case Coben comes here. She has this address, remember?"
Amanda wrinkled her nose, her eyes studying MacLeod, weighing him up before she looked over at Gina. "We'll stay."
Gina's eyes hardened for a moment, then she met Amanda's gaze and reluctantly nodded. "Alright, Duncan," Gina said. "But I want to know the instant you find Adam."
"Fine," he said and exited the room. He had to get across the city, which would take time. He just prayed Coben's plans were delayed due to traffic and the fact sightseers might still be lingering in the area of the chateaus. It was a small hope, but it was all he had to cling to.
Behind, in the master bedroom, Amanda glanced at Gina and raised a brow. "Chateau de la Solitude?"
*
The estate was massive, Duncan noticed as he drove down the side street. A six foot iron fence enclosed the estate and he stopped outside the main gates, seeing they were still open. The sign he passed stated that the 'Gardens, Manor House and Chateau de la Solitude' would be closed after 6 pm. He parked the car in the empty parking area and checked his watch. It was now after 8 pm, twelve hours since Methos had been taken and he had flown in from Naples.
Duncan got out of his car and scanned the area, feeling no hint of Immortal presence. He took his sword from the car and walked toward the manor house, noting that it was all in darkness. He skirted the house, staying in the shadows, not seeing any evidence that anyone was in residence.
Maybe he had it all wrong? Self-doubt was not something he suffered from, and he pushed the uncertainty away, walking down one of the paths to the caretakers' cottage. A light was on and he moved closer, not feeling any telltale Immortal buzz. He paused outside the front window and saw movement beyond. A mortal.
Duncan turned away from the cottage, walking around a weather beaten and half demolished garden house. It looked to be 14thth century stone work and he glanced over it, heading further toward the center of the property. Ahead was another old ruin. A chateau that had seen better days. The empty windows stared out into the darkness like malevolent eyes, the roof completely gone, the front door hanging open as a creeper clung to the outside stone like a living infection. This was the chateau that was rumored to be haunted and Duncan walked up the front steps, letting his senses guide him. Inside the main door the floor was littered with rubble and he paused, looking around and then on the edge of his senses he felt the first flush of Immortal presence.
With relief he turned and headed out of the house, following the path around to the side, and was rewarded with the stronger feel of an Immortal signature. The presence shifted, intensifying and he prayed it was Methos he was feeling. He increased his pace, stepping over fallen stone work, getting to the back of the building and seeing a light coming from inside the servant's entrance. He took out his katana and entered.
The light was from a fire burning in a deep pit in the center of the floor, and the flames threw odd shadows over the ruins and partial roof. Before him was Coben, and in the chair in front of her was Methos. Duncan turned the katana blade in his hand, drawing the light as he assessed the situation, walking closer, watching how Coben sent him a strained smile.
"You are smarter than the others," she said. "I will give you that. I was not expecting you until tomorrow."
"Let him go and then we can talk," Duncan said, dropping his sword point as he stopped ten feet away and met her gaze. Her eyes were very dark, her hair less than neat as she stood at Methos' shoulder, her hands cupping his throat. Duncan frowned, his eyes dropping down to Methos. The older Immortal was conscious, if looking a little dazed and irritated. He was tied to the chair, immobilized expertly, and Duncan knew there would be no chance of Methos wriggling free at any stage. He ran his eyes up Methos' frame looking for other signs of obvious injury and saw nothing. It was not until he got back to Methos' face that Duncan noted how Methos dropped his gaze to the side. Duncan followed, squinting as he looked more closely at Coben's hands. Then he saw it. She was holding a cheese wire around Methos' throat.
Coben snickered. "I see you have finally discovered my advantage."
Duncan lifted his eyes, disliking this type of game. Regardless of what he did, Methos' life was governed by Coben's reflexes. If he made one wrong move she would garrote him, and then if the wire was sharp enough, behead him. Even as he watched he saw her fingers flex, and a faint line of blood appeared around Methos' throat near his left ear. It beaded on his skin, then slowly ran down Methos' throat. "He is not part of this. Your quarrel is with me," Duncan said, incensed.
"He is important to you and therefore a major part of our negotiations."
Negotiations. Duncan clung to the suggestion, needing time to talk her around. It gave him some hope. "Then relax the wire so we can talk." He waited, but she said nothing. Slowly he crouched down and placed his sword on the floor, then stood and showed her his hands. "I'm not here to fight you. I know about the drug. About the hemlock. I know you think you don't have a choice, but you do."
She scoffed. "The only choice I am interested in is yours," she said. "Tell me . . . would give your head to save his?"
"Yes," Duncan said without hesitation. He saw Methos roll his eyes and he ignored him. "I am sorry for what has happened to you in the past. But what you are doing now is wrong."
"You killed Julia," Coben cut in, her anger returning. "That wrong needs to be corrected."
"What happened to Julia was an accident. Killing someone I care about won't bring her back. It won't make you feel any better." Duncan said. He watched as Methos sucked in a breath and stretched his chin up as Coben's grip on the cheese wire increased. More beads of blood formed, then ran down Methos' pale throat. "You behead him and I swear, you won't leave this place alive," Duncan hissed as he raised his hand in warning.
"You may win," Coben sneered, "but this one will still be dead and you will have to live with that failure!"
"No-" Duncan roared as she tightened the wire more. Methos gasped and struggled, his eyes going wide; and Duncan leaped forward. Then, from nowhere, a new Immortal buzz fractured the air and Duncan glanced up, seeing Gina rush from a doorway behind with a fierce cry. She was on Coben in a heartbeat, and Gina used the hilt of her sword to crack Coben across the back of the head. Coben went down like a lead weight, dragging Methos and his chair down also.
Duncan made a dive for Methos, hearing the older Immortal gasp as the cheese wire was pulled tight. Blood poured from Methos' throat and Duncan panicked, clamping hands around Methos' damaged neck. The wire had bitten in deeply, severing to the bone, and Duncan managed to get one of Coben's hands free even as Coben pushed to her knees and shook her head. Then Gina was again there, this time kicking Coben across the midriff, toppling her away from Methos.
"You bitch," Gina shouted as she leveled her sword at the fallen Coben. "How dare you try to kill someone I love!"
Duncan only spared Gina a passing thought as he unwound the bloody wire from Methos neck. The cut was deep, going through one of Methos' carotid arteries and the surrounding muscle.
"Bloody . . . marvelous," Methos said, his voice barely a croaked whisper. "I've been . . . injury free . . . for 2 years . . ."
"Shh," Duncan said, untying Methos from the chair and then lifting him into his lap as Duncan kept one hand firmly pressed over the deep gash. The wound was fatal, and Duncan prayed that if he kept the pressure on then the injury would heal with little or no scarring. "I've got you," he said, more to comfort himself than the man in his arms who was fading fast. "I won't let go." He held on tight, feeling Methos' weigh increase, knowing the precise moment he died. That he was Immortal, and would come back, didn't help Duncan in that instant and he blinked away tears of relief, fear and rage. He tore his gaze from the man held protectively in his arms to see where Gina was.
Gina was standing, sword held ready as she waited for Coben to climb to her feet and retrieve a sword. "Since you find it so easy to kill; come and kill me," Gina challenged. "Fight someone with a sword who can fight back. Who is not afraid of you."
"You should know better," Coben spat, annoyed, as she gestured toward Duncan MacLeod. "They are the enemy. Those ones. The arrogant bastards who think they own everything. They are the ones we need to kill in order to live."
"You are the only arrogant one I see here," Gina returned.
"You don't understand," Coben said, her frustration showing through.
"I understand well enough. You come into my life," Gina accused, livid, "threaten my family - threaten my Robert! And now expect me to turn on two friends? Fight me or die where you stand like the coward you are!" Gina attacked, going after Coben with the viciousness of a woman protecting her young. She gave Coben no quarter, backing her into a corner, forcing mistakes, slicing through her defenses until Coben dropped to her knees in defeat.
"Gina-" Duncan called, more in worry for what Coben's Quickening might do to Gina, than stopping the inevitable. "She is a sick woman."
"Then I do the world a favor," Gina said and swung, beheading Coben in one stroke.
Duncan closed his eyes and looked away, pulling Methos in closer as the Quickening energies gathered. The power of Coben's 900 years blasted around the inside of the derelict chateau, lashing Duncan with its fury and insanity. Sparks burned along the edges of his own Quickening energies as the man in his arms abruptly arched back to life. Duncan stared down into Methos sightless wide eyes, feeling the burst of his returning Quickening, the power of it contained within the bubble surrounding them, locking them together in safety as a storm raged around them, shredding the ruined chateau.
"Mac-"
Duncan lifted Methos, gathering him even closer, holding him as Methos reached out and wrapped wet, bloody fingers in his shirt.
"Are you insane?" Methos said, his voice weak. "You've trapped me in the middle of another Quickening?"
Duncan wanted to laugh; the relief of having Methos accuse him of something that was beyond his control was enough to stabilize his universe. "Not me this time," he said, pressing his face into Methos' damp hair. "Gina took Coben's head."
"Oh," Methos said, lifting his face and wincing. "But we're still in the middle of a Quickening. That's comforting."
Duncan smiled. Then his eyes dropped down to Methos' throat and he saw the angry red scar. "You almost died," he said without thinking.
"I feel like death," Methos said, then stopped and gave a short pain-filled grunt of laughter. "No pun intended."
Duncan was about to comment when the wall opposite fell inward. The Quickening hurricane surrounding Gina had reached a pinnacle as lightning smashed into the ground around them, the trees beyond the ruins dancing in madness as winds lashed them. Then just as it seemed to get worse, thunder overhead drowned out the Quickening noise and the energies all retracted to target Gina. She screamed; her arms out flung as she convulsed and then the energy was gone as if it never existed, and Gina dropped to her knees.
"That was better than the opera you like," Methos murmured as he shifted and tried to sit on his own.
Duncan let him go and went over to Gina. She was panting for breath, exhausted, as pale as a ghost, as she battled to stand. "Bad?" he asked, knowing how those types of Quickenings felt.
"Don't vex me, Duncan," Gina snapped, "or I'll take your head."
It was a weak threat and Duncan's brows climbed, he backed off, letting her retrieve her sword and work through the effects alone. Instead, he went back to Methos, seeing how he was still dazed and not his normal self. It had to the hemlock. He glanced again at Gina, knowing they would have to leave. The storm clouds overhead might explain some of the lightning, but soon police, or even curious neighbors and the caretaker, would come to investigate the commotion.
Crouching down before the older Immortal, Duncan bit his lower lip and then took out the pocket knife Methos had given him that morning in Naples. He flicked open the blade and looked up, seeing Methos stare at him in bewilderment.
"You got suicidal tendencies I should know about?" Methos asked.
"Hemlock," Duncan said by way of explanation. Methos just blinked and then looked around as if he expected the answer to walk out of the darkness. "Coben injected you with hemlock," Duncan went on.
"Ah," Methos said, his eyes going back to the knife. "I'm a big boy, I'll work it out. No need for more violence."
"Afraid it has to be done."
"Macleod, no-" he got no further as Duncan stabbed him in the heart.
Duncan pulled the blade free, seeing Methos stunned expression. He caught him as Methos pitched forward, and Duncan gently placed a kiss on his forehead. "Two deaths down . . . only a couple more to go," he murmured as he stood and lifted Methos' weight, carrying him in a fireman's lift. Duncan turned and looked at Gina. "We have to go," he said, seeing her nod.
"What about the body?" Gina asked as she picked up Coben's discarded sword.
"Leave it," Duncan said. He imagined Joe would have sent a Watcher. "It will just be another mystery for the police to solve." He turned and walked away, picking his way carefully through the remains of what was once an elegant, if derelict, chateau.
*
GO to Part 5
Author: Tessa Rae/tes_fic aka A. Barnacle
Written for: Andrea/silentflux
Characters: Duncan MacLeod, Methos, Amanda, Joe Dawson, Gina & Robert deValicourt, OFC x 2 plus cheese wire.
Pairings: Duncan/Methos
Rating: NC-17 (slash slash slash slash)
Word Count: 27 000 words
Warnings: Ahoy! Motion sickness ahead.
Author's Notes: This fic tried to live up to silentflux's requests of happy endings, hurt/comfort, first times (kiss, sex, dancing, traveling, etc), historical, adventure, foodplay, I have a fond appreciation for restraints in bed or not. *o-kay*
Summary: After two years away Duncan returns to Paris, relaxed, stress-free and feeling good about life. Then Gina deValicourt visits, and he learns that two of his friends have vanished and another is playing amateur detective, for the cost of free beer. Before Duncan can turn around and take a breath, he ends up all at sea in a boatload of trouble, drowning in pleasure, drama, diamonds and mystery.
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
*
Two hours later, Duncan checked the address Joe had given him against the large red brick apartment building in front of him. Opposite the building was a walk that led down to the Seine and in the distance was the Statue of Liberty. It was a nice area, a few expensive cars parked at the curb, and Duncan turned down a side road, parking his car up the street, away from the building. Walking the few hundred yards would give him a chance to assess the area and make sure there were no Immortals nearby.
The weather was turning colder, the last hurrah of autumn finally over as winter approached with all the speed of a hungry wolf. As a rule, he didn't normally like to stay in Paris over winter, but this year he was thinking of making an exception to that rule. It depended, of course, on whether he had anyone willing to spend the winter with him. He was hoping to convince one cantankerous old bastard that boat life could be fun - even in winter.
But first he had to find Methos. Then he would decide what to do. For all he knew, the one night they had spent on board ship could be just that; a holiday fling while out at sea. Methos had said that there were no laws in International waters. Duncan didn't know if sex fell under Methos' definition of 'no laws'. Methos said a lot of things, usually as misdirection for the truth, and Duncan needed to work out if he wanted more than a ship's fling, or if it was best to just ignore the situation and carry on as usual. "I can't remember life being this complicated in Scotland," he muttered as he walked the pavement toward the building's main entrance.
The address Joe had given him stated that Darwen lived on the 8th floor, with river views. He walked up the steps, and caught the door as two ladies exited, sending them a beaming smile, making them laugh and then using that advantage to slip into the building. The elevators were in the main foyer, with fire exit stairs to the left. He took the elevator.
The 8th floor was the top level, and Duncan left the elevator and made his way to apartment fourteen. He reached the door and raised his hand to knock, and paused, sensing a pre-Immortal tingle on the periphery of his senses. He hesitated a moment longer, understanding now why Coben was teaching Darwen the sword, why the two women were spending so much time together. Joe suspected they were lovers, whereas they could be just teacher and student. He knocked, thinking briefly of Richie, and the pain and joy teaching had brought.
The door was opened by the same blonde young lady Duncan had seen in the photographs, and he sent her a non-threatening smile. "Hello," he said. "I am looking for Rosie Coben."
Julia Darwen's eyes narrowed as she looked him up and down. "She's not here."
"Oh," Duncan said, pretending disappointment. "Do you know when she'll be back?"
"She's due anytime-" Julia stopped. "Who are you? And how did you get past the door security?"
"Ah," Duncan sent her another smile. "Let's just say your friend Rosie has someone I want back - with his head intact." He raised both brows, watching intently for her reaction. Julia's eyes widened and then she was slamming the door.
Duncan caught the door and pushed into the apartment, closing it behind him. He guessed Julia would be contacting building security, or if he was really unlucky, the police. He walked down the hallway that led to the main living area and on either side were rooms, which he ignored, following Julia's faint pre-Immortal buzz. The main living area was large, with huge glass doors framing a balcony and offering spectacular river views. Standing right in front of the open doors was Julia, and she was holding a sword. It looked to a 15th century straight blade, and Duncan raised his hands, offering no arguments. "I'm not here to fight you, Julia," he said, calmly. "I just want to talk to Rosie and get my friend back."
"I don't know what you are talking about," Julia stated as she held the tip of the sword up and took a step toward him. Her arm was steady, her eyes cold and direct.
Duncan kept his hands raised, assessing her stance and apparent lack of nervousness. The most dangerous opponents were the unpredictable, desperate ones, and he wondered how far the weapons training had advanced. "You and Rosie have been drugging Immortals, and then your teacher has been taking their heads. That is against the rules."
"Rules," Julia scoffed. "There are no rules when you want to live and not be hunted. I've seen how she's been hunted, heard how she's been treated in the past by other Immortals. Male, chauvinistic Immortals. No way am I letting that happen to me. Or to Rosie again."
"What's happened in the past I can't control," Duncan said, trying to pacify her. "But I can help with the future. What you are doing now has to stop."
"And if we don't?" Julia asked, raising her chin defiantly.
"Then I will stop you both."
"Try it," Julia snarled and swung with her sword.
Duncan sidestepped and took out his katana. She was no match for him skill wise, and he really didn't want to kill her. "This is not the way-"
"Shut up and fight!"
"You're not even Immortal," he stressed.
Julia laughed as she lashed out, forcing him backward toward the kitchen table. Duncan bumped into the table and turned, seeing that it was strewn with numerous chemical solutions, vials of liquid, a few burners, a box of syringes and a dozen packets of tablets. This was where they manufactured their drugs, and Duncan caught a glimpse of even more equipment and stock in the kitchen.
"If I kill you I'll take your head," Julia taunted. "If you kill me then I will be Immortal. Either way you can't win."
"Think again," Duncan said, blocking her stroke easily and then twisting his blade to disarm her. Her sword fell to the floor and Duncan shoved her backward. She bumped into the wall and sneered at him in anger. He flashed her a winning grin and picked up her weapon, testing its balance before sending her another sterner look. "There is more to being Immortal than killing," he lectured. "As your teacher, Rosie should be instructing you about what it means to be immortal, about your responsibilities and about the rules involved. Along with better foot work."
"She does," Julia spat as she inched her way along the wall to the stand with the table between them. "And she's not my teacher. She's my partner in all things. We have no secrets. When I have learned enough and she has taken out most of the competition, she has promised to kill me and make me immortal."
So Joe's right after all, Duncan mused, they were more than friends. "There is more to life then wanting to die," he said. "You should be enjoying your mortality, not planning the death of innocent people."
"Huh! No one is innocent. Especially not an Immortal." Julia reached for the burner and turned it on, lighting the flame and using it as a weapon. "You are all blood guilty."
"Be careful with that," Duncan warned, taking a step back.
"Why?" she snickered. "Don't tell me you're afraid to die? Well, I'm not." She picked up a bottle of solution and threw it at him. Duncan side-stepped and the bottle hit the far wall, shattering. She picked up another bottle and threw it, hurling it and the burner at him. "Burn, you bastard-" she yelled.
The room exploded in flames as the burned ignited the spilt chemicals, and Duncan dived for the hallway leading to the front door. He turned and saw Julia escape to the balcony. She slowly got to her feet, dazed, and then a second explosion took out the wall and glass doors, totally destroying the balcony area.
"Damn," Duncan breathed and made a dash for the front door. The fire alarms were deafening, the sprinklers making everything wet, and Duncan ran to the fire escape stairs. Numerous people were exiting the building and it took him a good five minutes to navigate the chaos and escape. He made his way to the front of the building, looking up at the top floor, seeing the devastation. The whole front right corner of the building was gone. In the background were sirens, and he ignored them, walking toward the debris, searching for Julia. There was no way she could have survived such a blast, or fall, and he knew that given time she would revive. That was now the immediate danger, and it was his responsibility as an Immortal to make sure she was protected from the authorities.
Another explosion rocked the area and he ducked as more debris fell. Bricks, wood, a fridge and glass showered the area and Duncan retreated. Around him, people were yelling, while others used their phones to take pictures; the road resembling a disaster area. More parts of the building fell, more glass, hitting the road with a thunderous sound, and then abruptly, blue lightning sparks shot up from the rubble.
Duncan back-peddled even more as the blue fingers of light reached out. It was Quickening energy, very weak, but he still knew what it meant. Julia had achieved her wish and died only to lose her head in the aftermath of destruction. There was another splutter of blue energy and then the spark died, dissipating completely.
Duncan shook his head and then straightened as he was engulfed in a stronger, jarring Immortal buzz. He turned seeking the direction, being pulled down the street, seeing a white SUV at the edge of banked up traffic. Rosie Coben . . . and Duncan hurried toward her. The driver's door opened and a woman with long dark hair was staring at him in shock, grief and hatred.
"What have you done," she screamed as he drew closer, her eyes dark with rage. "What have you done!" she repeated.
"No," Duncan called, imploring her to listen as he pushed past the last few pedestrians. He approached the car, not in the mood for more dramatics as he saw Methos slumped in the front passenger seat. The older Immortal looked unconscious or dead, but he still had his head and Duncan wanted to keep it that way. "Rosie-" he called again as he drew level with the SUV and watched as she reached inside and lifted a syringe. She glared at him, tears marring her cheeks as she bared her teeth. "Wait," he said, holding his hands up and offering no challenge. "We need to talk . . . to work this out."
"What's to work out," she half shouted. "You've already set the rules. Kill or be killed."
"I didn't kill Julia," Duncan said, begging her to listen. "It was an accident."
"I will destroy you," Coben hissed. "For this, I will turn the world upside down to make sure everything you love dies." She uncapped the syringe and jabbed the needle into Methos' shoulder.
"No-" Duncan gasped, rushing forward. He hit the hood of the car, watching in horror as she injected the contents of the syringe into the unresponsive Methos.
"A life for a life," Coben spat and then threw the empty syringe at Duncan.
"You won't get away with this," he snarled, moving to reach her door as she started the car. The engine roared to life.
"You want a war . . . I will give you a war, Duncan MacLeod." She shoved the car into reverse and slammed her foot on the accelerator, crashing into the cars behind. She then went forward, her rage evident as she used the SUV to bash her way out of the traffic.
Duncan dived for safety as she tried to run him over. He rolled to his feet and gave chase as she drove up onto the pavement, reversing backward, barely missing pedestrians as she escaped the gridlock. When she hit open road and she swung the SUV around and sped off.
Swearing, and limping, Duncan stopped at the corner and stared after her. He then went back and picked up the discarded syringe, seeing police head in his direction.
He beat a hasty retreat, heading toward his parked car that was outside the immediate danger area. Now he knew Methos' life was forfeit.
Ignoring the chaos behind him as emergency services arrived, Duncan climbed behind the wheel of his car, his expression thunderous as he took out his cell and dialed Dawson's number.
"Any news?" Joe asked as he answered.
"You were right," Duncan said, his tone clipped. "Coben did bring Methos to Paris. Unfortunately, Julia Darwen's met a nasty accident, which Coben witnessed. She's now taken Methos for revenge."
"Jeez," Joe sighed. "Was that the explosion they just broadcast as a newsflash?"
"Tell me you know where Coben might be going?" Duncan asked.
"I'll have to do some more digging."
"We don't have the time," Duncan said, impatient and angry.
"I'm not a miracle worker," Joe said just as strongly. "The Watchers aren't super beings. I need time."
"Dammit, Joe-"
"I'm with you on this . . . and I may have one piece of news. Unrelated."
"What?" Duncan demanded as he threw the syringe on the passenger seat and started the car.
"I've found out what they've been buying. It's Conium maculatum. A native of Europe and highly poisonous. It hits the peripheral nervous system, knocking out the senses first before killing the body an inch at a time. And nothing stops it."
"Conium?" Duncan said, vaguely knowing the name. He pulled out into the traffic, doing a U-turn and driving away from the destruction behind.
"Also known as hemlock."
"That's illegal."
"I know, but somehow they got their hands on a whole bunch of the stuff," Joe said. "I've talked with Amanda and she tells me that Robert deValicourt is worsening. It is entirely possible that this thing could kill an Immortal permanently."
"There has to be a cure," Duncan said, glancing at the syringe next to him, remembering how Coben had injected Methos. The dose she gave him could easily be stronger than the ingested tablets. Stronger and more lethal. "Some mention of it in the files."
"Nope. Although . . . there is a reference to hemlock and Socrates as a footnote in Constantine's file."
Duncan frowned. "Marcus?"
"Thought maybe you could ask him about it."
"Yeah," Duncan said. "I will. Meantime, if you hear anything-"
"I will," Joe assured. "I'm at Shakespeare and Co. and will call you if I learn anything new."
"Thanks. I'm heading over to the deValicourt's." Duncan hung up and then pulled off the road to park as he dialed Marcus' number. He waited to be connected, then spoke to the Estate's director, and was asked to wait some more. Eventually Marcus came on the line.
"I hope you have better news this time," Marcus Constantine said.
"Some," Duncan said evasively. "I've discovered what drug our hunter is using to bring down an Immortal. Hemlock. I'm told you might know something about that drug."
Marcus snorted in amusement. "Your powers of finding insignificant details attached to old memories never ceases to amaze me. One day you will have to tell me the truth about how you do it."
"Yeah," Duncan acknowledged. "It's important, Marcus, or I wouldn't ask. She's already killed one friend and I have another two in danger."
Marcus sighed. "I'm sorry about Cochrane. There was nothing I could do."
Duncan closed his eyes and leaned on the steering wheel. So far he had not really thought past catching Warren's killer, but eventually he would have to deal with Warren's death. "Yeah," he said. "Thanks. Hemlock?" he reminded.
Marcus gave another chuckle. "I came across it while working in Rome for Emperor Magnus Maximus. I was asked to oversee the trial of Socrates," he said. "It was a long time ago, you understand, but I recall that Socrates was condemned to death for impiety. He was given a choice, and he asked to drink a solution of hemlock. It was a common poison used for condemned prisoners. Why I remember this, is because he was one of us, and he told me that after his death to either, cut off his head and kill him properly, or to knife him repeatedly. Said he didn't want to be buried alive."
Duncan waited as Marcus paused, his voice full of enjoyment at the memory. "You're telling me Socrates was one of us?" Duncan asked incredulously.
"Still is, as far as I know," Marcus said. "I was intrigued by his self-belief, so I lost his corpse after death, and then repeatedly stabbed him as requested. He revived. Later he told me that only repeated death can burn off the effect of hemlock poisoning. Something to do with the body's release of hormone and our own healing Quickening."
"Socrates is alive?" Duncan repeated, not believing this.
"Yes," Marcus said, laughing. "Last I heard he was working as a political journalist for the New York Times."
Duncan sat with his mouth open. "Thanks, Marcus. I owe you one."
"One day you must tell me how you manage to learn all your tidbits of information."
"One day I will," Duncan said and ended the call. "Well I'll be . . ." he muttered as he dialed Amanda's number. She answered almost immediately.
"Please tell me you have good news," she said. "I'm going insane sitting here waiting."
"Some," Duncan said, pulling out into traffic again. "Tell Gina that you have to kill Robert repeatedly. The revival process burns off the poison. It's the only way."
"Hmm," Amanda said. "Won't this be fun."
"Just do it," he said, then hung up. If it worked then he would have to repeat the process on Methos. A task he was strangely looking forward to. But first he had to find Coben.
*
Robert was 'arranged' on the bed in the master bedroom. His eyes were closed, his color grey, his hair brushed neatly, his clothing pristine as he lay with his hands folded across his chest. He looked like a corpse. Duncan grimaced as he entered the master bedroom, noting the subdued atmosphere as Gina sat regally by the bed. Amanda sat on the other side of the bed holding a stopwatch.
"Duncan-" Gina stood and rushed toward him. "Are you sure this is necessary?"
"It is the only way."
"The drug?" Gina asked, grabbing his hands, her eyes searching his face.
"Hemlock."
"Hemlock?" Gina drew back and frowned as Amanda came and stood at her side. "That causes death through paralysis. Robert is not mortal. He should be healing."
Duncan shrugged, not wanting to dispute the fact. None of them really knew that much about how immortal healing worked; only that it did, and that true death was defined by a beheading. The idea of being buried alive for centuries was abhorrent, and under similar circumstances Duncan would have done the same as Marcus had done for a fellow Immortal. "From what I understand about this drug, it is insidious and it can only be burnt off by repeated sessions of immortal healing."
"The Quickening energies," Amanda said, glancing at the bed as the corpse drew in a shuddering breath and then coughed. She checked the stopwatch. "He took twenty-one minutes that time to revive," she said to Gina. "It's getting faster. So do you want to tell him the bad news, or shall I?"
"I'll do it," Gina said. "It is an improvement." She went to the bed and sat on the edge, reaching out to take Robert's hand. She kissed him on the forehead. "My love?"
Duncan looked at Amanda. "An improvement?" he asked dubiously, then glanced around, wondering where all the servants were.
Amanda wrinkled her nose. "It took him thirty-three minutes to revive the first time. Gina panicked. It was all I could do to stop her taking out her sword and coming after you." Amanda took a breath and looked up under her lashes. "The older I get the quicker I revive, but of course that depends on how I died. It's not a state I practice."
"Me neither," Duncan agreed. "This is our only lead. Coben's injected Methos as well," he said softly, so as to not disturb Gina and Robert.
"No," Amanda reached out. "Do we know where she is?" she asked, worried. "Has Joe come up with anything?"
"Not yet."
"Duncan . . ."
"I know," he said, soothing her, reading her distress easily. It mirrored his own. He didn't want to consider his life - all their lives - without Methos. Could not even allow himself to entertain the idea and give in to the fear at the edge of his mind. If he lost it now, he'd lose Methos forever. "Coben never gave him a chance to fight back."
Amanda paced away, looking around the room before turning back to MacLeod. "If we go together and split up we'll cover more ground. I have a few contacts, we may be able to track her through the drug. Joe must have some idea who her supplier was."
"No," Duncan said, shaking his head. "Coben knows who you are. I'll not offer her more targets."
"Methos' life isn't an option-"
Duncan reached out and drew her close, seeing her tears, sharing her anxiety. "Don't worry. I will bring him safely out of this." He kissed her hair. "I promise." He looked over at the bed and saw Robert was partially sitting up, his face still pale, his eyes locked on Gina as he covered her hands holding the knife. Then with a quick stab, Gina pushed the knife in. Robert grunted, his eyes losing focus as pain marred his face. A moment later he slumped forward. Gina caught him and held him, then slowly laid him flat.
Duncan winced. He let Amanda go as Gina stood and turned to face them. She was angry, and Duncan knew the real arguments were just about to start. Beside him, Amanda re-started the stopwatch.
"I cannot allow this Immortal to live," Gina stated, her tone fiery. "Not after what she has done."
"Coben won't get away with this," Duncan assured.
Gina shook her head, unappeased. "And your Adam?" she asked. "Has this cowardly hunter killed him too?"
"Coben has him," Duncan confirmed. "She's injected him with the same drug. I'm just waiting on some information."
"Then I will get my sword and we will go after this Coben together. I have had enough of her games," Gina said.
Duncan opened his mouth to stop her, but Gina was out of the room before he could say a word. He turned to Amanda, beseeching her to intervene.
"Don't look at me like that," Amanda said, unimpressed. "I agree with Gina."
"Chasing around all over Paris is not the answer-" Duncan started, then stopped as his cell rang. He prayed it was positive news. "Joe?" he answered, recognizing the caller ID.
"I've pulled up all the information I can find on Coben," Joe replied. "She's one rich woman, with properties all around Paris. But which one she will go to, I don't know. That's the best I can do at short notice."
Duncan clutched at the information, willing to go with anything that allowed him to start searching. "How many properties are we talking about?" If he hurried he might get lucky and find Coben at the first address.
"Five that are listed."
Duncan's brows went up. Rosie Coben certainly had money, and it would make his search more difficult. "Five?" he said in disbelief. Then he remembered what Joe had told him earlier about Coben and Darwen. "Didn't you say Coben was teaching Darwen the sword?" he asked. "Where was she taking her for those lessons?" It was a long shot, but . . .
"I'll check," Joe said, the sound of him using the keyboard echoing in the background. "They went to . . . get this; the Loneliness Castle."
"The Chateau de la Solitude?" Duncan repeated, knowing the area. It was large estate, not far outside Paris. Tourists liked to visit the estate because of the 'haunted' rumors surrounding the old derelict chateau. It was said that the chateau was abandoned after fighting broke out and the family was murdered on the steps of the chateau during the early 14th century. Later a second residence was built near the ruins. Today, the destroyed chateau housed nothing but birds. "She owns that property?"
"Yeah," Joe confirmed, with heavy emphasis. "The data base says she 'acquired' the property after a dispute 200 years ago. Since then she's had the gardens restored and opens it for tourists five days a week. There is a caretaker in residence."
Duncan didn't even want to think about the possibility of Coben using tourists as hostages. His only grace was that it was dark outside and he was hoping all the tourists had gone home, and that he would catch Coben off-guard and alone - with Methos. "That's where she'll go then," he decided.
"What if you're wrong?" Joe asked, his worry clear in his voice. "There are four other places."
"I can't be wrong," Duncan said, not allowing any doubt to infect his tone. "I'll call you when I get there."
"Okay. Just watch your head, buddy, and . . . well . . . find the old bastard for me."
Duncan nodded, saying nothing more, closing the phone. He turned and stopped, finding both Gina and Amanda watching him. "I have to go . . ." he trailed off. He didn't want to argue, didn't have the time. He wanted, needed, to get out there as quickly as possible if he hoped for any chance to find Methos.
"Then we are coming," Gina said, resting the tip of her sword on the carpet between her feet.
Duncan shook his head. He knew Gina was not a woman he ever wanted to cross, and he doubted Robert need worry about his wife's ability, or her passion to win, but he would not willingly put her in danger. "No," he said firmly. "I need you here to watch Robert and make sure he burns off the poison." He shifted his gaze to Amanda. "Both of you need to stay just in case Coben comes here. She has this address, remember?"
Amanda wrinkled her nose, her eyes studying MacLeod, weighing him up before she looked over at Gina. "We'll stay."
Gina's eyes hardened for a moment, then she met Amanda's gaze and reluctantly nodded. "Alright, Duncan," Gina said. "But I want to know the instant you find Adam."
"Fine," he said and exited the room. He had to get across the city, which would take time. He just prayed Coben's plans were delayed due to traffic and the fact sightseers might still be lingering in the area of the chateaus. It was a small hope, but it was all he had to cling to.
Behind, in the master bedroom, Amanda glanced at Gina and raised a brow. "Chateau de la Solitude?"
*
The estate was massive, Duncan noticed as he drove down the side street. A six foot iron fence enclosed the estate and he stopped outside the main gates, seeing they were still open. The sign he passed stated that the 'Gardens, Manor House and Chateau de la Solitude' would be closed after 6 pm. He parked the car in the empty parking area and checked his watch. It was now after 8 pm, twelve hours since Methos had been taken and he had flown in from Naples.
Duncan got out of his car and scanned the area, feeling no hint of Immortal presence. He took his sword from the car and walked toward the manor house, noting that it was all in darkness. He skirted the house, staying in the shadows, not seeing any evidence that anyone was in residence.
Maybe he had it all wrong? Self-doubt was not something he suffered from, and he pushed the uncertainty away, walking down one of the paths to the caretakers' cottage. A light was on and he moved closer, not feeling any telltale Immortal buzz. He paused outside the front window and saw movement beyond. A mortal.
Duncan turned away from the cottage, walking around a weather beaten and half demolished garden house. It looked to be 14thth century stone work and he glanced over it, heading further toward the center of the property. Ahead was another old ruin. A chateau that had seen better days. The empty windows stared out into the darkness like malevolent eyes, the roof completely gone, the front door hanging open as a creeper clung to the outside stone like a living infection. This was the chateau that was rumored to be haunted and Duncan walked up the front steps, letting his senses guide him. Inside the main door the floor was littered with rubble and he paused, looking around and then on the edge of his senses he felt the first flush of Immortal presence.
With relief he turned and headed out of the house, following the path around to the side, and was rewarded with the stronger feel of an Immortal signature. The presence shifted, intensifying and he prayed it was Methos he was feeling. He increased his pace, stepping over fallen stone work, getting to the back of the building and seeing a light coming from inside the servant's entrance. He took out his katana and entered.
The light was from a fire burning in a deep pit in the center of the floor, and the flames threw odd shadows over the ruins and partial roof. Before him was Coben, and in the chair in front of her was Methos. Duncan turned the katana blade in his hand, drawing the light as he assessed the situation, walking closer, watching how Coben sent him a strained smile.
"You are smarter than the others," she said. "I will give you that. I was not expecting you until tomorrow."
"Let him go and then we can talk," Duncan said, dropping his sword point as he stopped ten feet away and met her gaze. Her eyes were very dark, her hair less than neat as she stood at Methos' shoulder, her hands cupping his throat. Duncan frowned, his eyes dropping down to Methos. The older Immortal was conscious, if looking a little dazed and irritated. He was tied to the chair, immobilized expertly, and Duncan knew there would be no chance of Methos wriggling free at any stage. He ran his eyes up Methos' frame looking for other signs of obvious injury and saw nothing. It was not until he got back to Methos' face that Duncan noted how Methos dropped his gaze to the side. Duncan followed, squinting as he looked more closely at Coben's hands. Then he saw it. She was holding a cheese wire around Methos' throat.
Coben snickered. "I see you have finally discovered my advantage."
Duncan lifted his eyes, disliking this type of game. Regardless of what he did, Methos' life was governed by Coben's reflexes. If he made one wrong move she would garrote him, and then if the wire was sharp enough, behead him. Even as he watched he saw her fingers flex, and a faint line of blood appeared around Methos' throat near his left ear. It beaded on his skin, then slowly ran down Methos' throat. "He is not part of this. Your quarrel is with me," Duncan said, incensed.
"He is important to you and therefore a major part of our negotiations."
Negotiations. Duncan clung to the suggestion, needing time to talk her around. It gave him some hope. "Then relax the wire so we can talk." He waited, but she said nothing. Slowly he crouched down and placed his sword on the floor, then stood and showed her his hands. "I'm not here to fight you. I know about the drug. About the hemlock. I know you think you don't have a choice, but you do."
She scoffed. "The only choice I am interested in is yours," she said. "Tell me . . . would give your head to save his?"
"Yes," Duncan said without hesitation. He saw Methos roll his eyes and he ignored him. "I am sorry for what has happened to you in the past. But what you are doing now is wrong."
"You killed Julia," Coben cut in, her anger returning. "That wrong needs to be corrected."
"What happened to Julia was an accident. Killing someone I care about won't bring her back. It won't make you feel any better." Duncan said. He watched as Methos sucked in a breath and stretched his chin up as Coben's grip on the cheese wire increased. More beads of blood formed, then ran down Methos' pale throat. "You behead him and I swear, you won't leave this place alive," Duncan hissed as he raised his hand in warning.
"You may win," Coben sneered, "but this one will still be dead and you will have to live with that failure!"
"No-" Duncan roared as she tightened the wire more. Methos gasped and struggled, his eyes going wide; and Duncan leaped forward. Then, from nowhere, a new Immortal buzz fractured the air and Duncan glanced up, seeing Gina rush from a doorway behind with a fierce cry. She was on Coben in a heartbeat, and Gina used the hilt of her sword to crack Coben across the back of the head. Coben went down like a lead weight, dragging Methos and his chair down also.
Duncan made a dive for Methos, hearing the older Immortal gasp as the cheese wire was pulled tight. Blood poured from Methos' throat and Duncan panicked, clamping hands around Methos' damaged neck. The wire had bitten in deeply, severing to the bone, and Duncan managed to get one of Coben's hands free even as Coben pushed to her knees and shook her head. Then Gina was again there, this time kicking Coben across the midriff, toppling her away from Methos.
"You bitch," Gina shouted as she leveled her sword at the fallen Coben. "How dare you try to kill someone I love!"
Duncan only spared Gina a passing thought as he unwound the bloody wire from Methos neck. The cut was deep, going through one of Methos' carotid arteries and the surrounding muscle.
"Bloody . . . marvelous," Methos said, his voice barely a croaked whisper. "I've been . . . injury free . . . for 2 years . . ."
"Shh," Duncan said, untying Methos from the chair and then lifting him into his lap as Duncan kept one hand firmly pressed over the deep gash. The wound was fatal, and Duncan prayed that if he kept the pressure on then the injury would heal with little or no scarring. "I've got you," he said, more to comfort himself than the man in his arms who was fading fast. "I won't let go." He held on tight, feeling Methos' weigh increase, knowing the precise moment he died. That he was Immortal, and would come back, didn't help Duncan in that instant and he blinked away tears of relief, fear and rage. He tore his gaze from the man held protectively in his arms to see where Gina was.
Gina was standing, sword held ready as she waited for Coben to climb to her feet and retrieve a sword. "Since you find it so easy to kill; come and kill me," Gina challenged. "Fight someone with a sword who can fight back. Who is not afraid of you."
"You should know better," Coben spat, annoyed, as she gestured toward Duncan MacLeod. "They are the enemy. Those ones. The arrogant bastards who think they own everything. They are the ones we need to kill in order to live."
"You are the only arrogant one I see here," Gina returned.
"You don't understand," Coben said, her frustration showing through.
"I understand well enough. You come into my life," Gina accused, livid, "threaten my family - threaten my Robert! And now expect me to turn on two friends? Fight me or die where you stand like the coward you are!" Gina attacked, going after Coben with the viciousness of a woman protecting her young. She gave Coben no quarter, backing her into a corner, forcing mistakes, slicing through her defenses until Coben dropped to her knees in defeat.
"Gina-" Duncan called, more in worry for what Coben's Quickening might do to Gina, than stopping the inevitable. "She is a sick woman."
"Then I do the world a favor," Gina said and swung, beheading Coben in one stroke.
Duncan closed his eyes and looked away, pulling Methos in closer as the Quickening energies gathered. The power of Coben's 900 years blasted around the inside of the derelict chateau, lashing Duncan with its fury and insanity. Sparks burned along the edges of his own Quickening energies as the man in his arms abruptly arched back to life. Duncan stared down into Methos sightless wide eyes, feeling the burst of his returning Quickening, the power of it contained within the bubble surrounding them, locking them together in safety as a storm raged around them, shredding the ruined chateau.
"Mac-"
Duncan lifted Methos, gathering him even closer, holding him as Methos reached out and wrapped wet, bloody fingers in his shirt.
"Are you insane?" Methos said, his voice weak. "You've trapped me in the middle of another Quickening?"
Duncan wanted to laugh; the relief of having Methos accuse him of something that was beyond his control was enough to stabilize his universe. "Not me this time," he said, pressing his face into Methos' damp hair. "Gina took Coben's head."
"Oh," Methos said, lifting his face and wincing. "But we're still in the middle of a Quickening. That's comforting."
Duncan smiled. Then his eyes dropped down to Methos' throat and he saw the angry red scar. "You almost died," he said without thinking.
"I feel like death," Methos said, then stopped and gave a short pain-filled grunt of laughter. "No pun intended."
Duncan was about to comment when the wall opposite fell inward. The Quickening hurricane surrounding Gina had reached a pinnacle as lightning smashed into the ground around them, the trees beyond the ruins dancing in madness as winds lashed them. Then just as it seemed to get worse, thunder overhead drowned out the Quickening noise and the energies all retracted to target Gina. She screamed; her arms out flung as she convulsed and then the energy was gone as if it never existed, and Gina dropped to her knees.
"That was better than the opera you like," Methos murmured as he shifted and tried to sit on his own.
Duncan let him go and went over to Gina. She was panting for breath, exhausted, as pale as a ghost, as she battled to stand. "Bad?" he asked, knowing how those types of Quickenings felt.
"Don't vex me, Duncan," Gina snapped, "or I'll take your head."
It was a weak threat and Duncan's brows climbed, he backed off, letting her retrieve her sword and work through the effects alone. Instead, he went back to Methos, seeing how he was still dazed and not his normal self. It had to the hemlock. He glanced again at Gina, knowing they would have to leave. The storm clouds overhead might explain some of the lightning, but soon police, or even curious neighbors and the caretaker, would come to investigate the commotion.
Crouching down before the older Immortal, Duncan bit his lower lip and then took out the pocket knife Methos had given him that morning in Naples. He flicked open the blade and looked up, seeing Methos stare at him in bewilderment.
"You got suicidal tendencies I should know about?" Methos asked.
"Hemlock," Duncan said by way of explanation. Methos just blinked and then looked around as if he expected the answer to walk out of the darkness. "Coben injected you with hemlock," Duncan went on.
"Ah," Methos said, his eyes going back to the knife. "I'm a big boy, I'll work it out. No need for more violence."
"Afraid it has to be done."
"Macleod, no-" he got no further as Duncan stabbed him in the heart.
Duncan pulled the blade free, seeing Methos stunned expression. He caught him as Methos pitched forward, and Duncan gently placed a kiss on his forehead. "Two deaths down . . . only a couple more to go," he murmured as he stood and lifted Methos' weight, carrying him in a fireman's lift. Duncan turned and looked at Gina. "We have to go," he said, seeing her nod.
"What about the body?" Gina asked as she picked up Coben's discarded sword.
"Leave it," Duncan said. He imagined Joe would have sent a Watcher. "It will just be another mystery for the police to solve." He turned and walked away, picking his way carefully through the remains of what was once an elegant, if derelict, chateau.
*
GO to Part 5