'I Remember You Not Fondly' (19/20)
Look, I'm posting a story part in the daylight! This is what I did for lunch :)
Rating: R for violence & non-consensual sex.
Notes: A story in the Bloodties series, set in the Star Trek future/time line, but no ST characters, just the 'Mirror, Mirror' concept.
Characters: Methos, Duncan MacLeod, MirrorMethos, Kronos, Silas, Lucien LaCroix, Original Characters
Summary: When Methos' past becomes part of the present, the consequences could be deadly for those close to him.
If you're new to the series, you can find an overview here.
_____________________
I Remember You Not Fondly ~ Part Nineteen
Duncan entered the darkened medical cubicle, only the soft sounds of whirring machinery and the nearly subliminal hum of the ship’s engines to be heard. Triona had always told him that each ship had its own sound, as distinctive as a fingerprint. But he’d never been able to discern that difference. Recalling that now made him close his eyes for a moment, remembering happier times.
Once upon a time, Triona had been the mystery woman that Methos had brought to Seacouver in the latter years of the twentieth century. As the decades passed, she’d become Duncan’s friend, his student, Methos' wife, and the mother of his beloved godchild, Lucia. Like Amanda, Joe, and Methos, she had become part of the tapestry of his life. They'd shared times of both joy and sorrow; the end of civilization, and its rebirth. What had happened on the planet below had left him numb with shock; shock that had been swiftly followed by the fire of rage. As he’d looked down at that other Methos, dead on the floor after Triona’s rescue, Duncan had wanted to do nothing more than to take his head. But he lived because it had been the only way to bring their Methos back. Still, it was hard to accept the injustice of it all. That he could commit such evil and not have to pay a price; it rankled at him.
He moved closer. LaCroix’s profile was stark in the dim light, leaning over the bed as if on guard. Then the ancient Roman vampire turned, acknowledging the Highlander with a nod. “She sleeps,” he said softly. “Finally.” The sadness in his voice was palpable. The mental and physical bonds of the vampire's family were strong ones, but those ties brought shared pain as well as comfort.
“Has Methos been back?” Duncan asked. “I thought he’d be here.” He was concerned about Methos. The oldest Immortal had said he needed some time alone, so Duncan had left him in the observation lounge, looking out at the stars. But there had been an icy sharpness to Methos’ mood that had disquieted him. Even after nearly four centuries of friendship, Methos could be an enigma to Duncan, and he honestly didn’t know how his friend was going to deal with what had happened.
LaCroix shook his head. “As did I. She sleeps now, but Methos should be here when she wakes.”
“Computer, locate Benjamin Adams.”
The ubiquitous female computer voice replied to Duncan’s query. “Dr. Benjamin Adams is in conference room 10A.”
“That’s just down the corridor. I’ll go get him,” Duncan said.
@________________________________@
What Duncan found, he hadn’t expected, and that discovery filled him with grief for his friend, along with a determination that this needed to be stopped now. He knew Methos wanted to punish himself, but this was something that Duncan couldn't allow to happen.
A voice that was familiar, yet that of a stranger, filled the room, What? No pleas for mercy? No begging me to spare you from a fate worse than death? I truly thought you'd be more entertaining. How very disappointing. Methos’ eyes were fixed on the monitor, the look on his face one that chilled Duncan to the bone.
“Stop it!” Duncan demanded, slamming his hand down on the control pad, shutting off the recording. “You can’t think she’d want you to see that!”
Methos exploded out of the chair, furious. “It's none of your business!” he shouted.
“Isn’t it? I disagree." The two men stood nearly nose to nose. "Damnit, I love both of you! And I’ll do whatever's needed to protect you from yourself, Methos! I owe it to the both of you to do what I know Triona would want!”
“Leave!” he hissed.
Duncan took an involuntary step back at the look in Methos’ eyes. It was fey, and bled of hope. Backing off, he let Methos start the recording again before tapping the communicator on his chest. “I need you here now,” he said urgently but quietly.
Within moments, LaCroix arrived, instantly taking in the situation. “What in Hades are you about, Methos?” he roared.
“You of all people should understand!” Methos snarled in reply.
“No, I do not!” LaCroix pinned Methos with his gaze, the sheer weight of seven-thousand plus years between the two of them in a battle of wills. There were few beings Methos would yield to, the Roman vampire being one such.
‘Are you telling me you didn’t watch this?” he demanded. Methos wasn't backing down. If anything, he seemed more determined than ever.
Sighing, he shook his head, placing a hand on Methos' arm. “Only enough to gauge the situation before transporting to the planet to free her. But the knowledge was in his blood, as it will be in hers. Is that not enough?” LaCroix sounded tired and resigned.
Methos looked at him sharply. “You don’t think I deserve to witness what she suffered? That I should just remain blissfully ignorant?” His voice was raw with grief and rage. "Shouldn't I have to pay some price for what happened?"
In the background, the recorded voice continued “Which brings us back to you. Tell me, just what are you willing to do to get him back, my lovely Triona?”
“This is not about you, Methos!” LaCroix’s voice was pitched low, but taut with emotion. “You and I both know you are not ignorant of what transpired. You need no recording to impart that knowledge.”
“Anything.”
“Computer, stop playback,” LaCroix commanded. He leaned over Methos. “This is not about you,” he repeated. “This is about her. How do you think Triona will feel seeing the knowledge of this--” he made a sharp motion at the monitor, “--in your eyes?”
Methos shook his head, shoulders slumping.
LaCroix pressed his advantage. “If you watch this, you allow him to violate her yet one more time. You know that she would not want you to witness what happened.”
“Think, Methos,” Duncan told his friend softly. “He overrode all the security protocols on the ship, but left the security recorders running. What does that say to you?”
“What? Think like myself?” Methos asked acidly.
“Yes,” Duncan replied harshly.
Taking a shuddering breath, Methos buried his face in his hands. “He knew I’d be compelled to watch, so that his memory would always be between us,” he finally admitted, voice cracking. "He wanted to always be a part of what we are."
LaCroix and Duncan shared a relieved look.
“Do not give him that victory,” LaCroix implored. “For Triona’s sake, if not for yourself.”
“I don’t know how to make it right,” Methos whispered dully. He laid his head down on crossed arms.
Resting a cool hand on his neck, LaCroix replied, “We will both make it right, I promise you.”
“You aren’t alone,” Duncan reminded Methos, gathering his friend close as grief finally overtook him, shoulders shaking as he wept. “Never alone.”
Part One ][ Part Two ][ Part Three ][ Part Four ][ Part Five ][ Part Six ][ Part Seven ][ Part Eight ][ Part Nine ][ Part Ten ][ Part Eleven ][ Part Twelve ][ Part Thirteen ][ Part Fourteen ][ Part Fifteen ][ Part Sixteen ][
Part Seventeen ][ Part Eighteen ][ Part Nineteen ][ Part Twenty
Rating: R for violence & non-consensual sex.
Notes: A story in the Bloodties series, set in the Star Trek future/time line, but no ST characters, just the 'Mirror, Mirror' concept.
Characters: Methos, Duncan MacLeod, MirrorMethos, Kronos, Silas, Lucien LaCroix, Original Characters
Summary: When Methos' past becomes part of the present, the consequences could be deadly for those close to him.
If you're new to the series, you can find an overview here.
_____________________
I Remember You Not Fondly ~ Part Nineteen
Duncan entered the darkened medical cubicle, only the soft sounds of whirring machinery and the nearly subliminal hum of the ship’s engines to be heard. Triona had always told him that each ship had its own sound, as distinctive as a fingerprint. But he’d never been able to discern that difference. Recalling that now made him close his eyes for a moment, remembering happier times.
Once upon a time, Triona had been the mystery woman that Methos had brought to Seacouver in the latter years of the twentieth century. As the decades passed, she’d become Duncan’s friend, his student, Methos' wife, and the mother of his beloved godchild, Lucia. Like Amanda, Joe, and Methos, she had become part of the tapestry of his life. They'd shared times of both joy and sorrow; the end of civilization, and its rebirth. What had happened on the planet below had left him numb with shock; shock that had been swiftly followed by the fire of rage. As he’d looked down at that other Methos, dead on the floor after Triona’s rescue, Duncan had wanted to do nothing more than to take his head. But he lived because it had been the only way to bring their Methos back. Still, it was hard to accept the injustice of it all. That he could commit such evil and not have to pay a price; it rankled at him.
He moved closer. LaCroix’s profile was stark in the dim light, leaning over the bed as if on guard. Then the ancient Roman vampire turned, acknowledging the Highlander with a nod. “She sleeps,” he said softly. “Finally.” The sadness in his voice was palpable. The mental and physical bonds of the vampire's family were strong ones, but those ties brought shared pain as well as comfort.
“Has Methos been back?” Duncan asked. “I thought he’d be here.” He was concerned about Methos. The oldest Immortal had said he needed some time alone, so Duncan had left him in the observation lounge, looking out at the stars. But there had been an icy sharpness to Methos’ mood that had disquieted him. Even after nearly four centuries of friendship, Methos could be an enigma to Duncan, and he honestly didn’t know how his friend was going to deal with what had happened.
LaCroix shook his head. “As did I. She sleeps now, but Methos should be here when she wakes.”
“Computer, locate Benjamin Adams.”
The ubiquitous female computer voice replied to Duncan’s query. “Dr. Benjamin Adams is in conference room 10A.”
“That’s just down the corridor. I’ll go get him,” Duncan said.
@________________________________@
What Duncan found, he hadn’t expected, and that discovery filled him with grief for his friend, along with a determination that this needed to be stopped now. He knew Methos wanted to punish himself, but this was something that Duncan couldn't allow to happen.
A voice that was familiar, yet that of a stranger, filled the room, What? No pleas for mercy? No begging me to spare you from a fate worse than death? I truly thought you'd be more entertaining. How very disappointing. Methos’ eyes were fixed on the monitor, the look on his face one that chilled Duncan to the bone.
“Stop it!” Duncan demanded, slamming his hand down on the control pad, shutting off the recording. “You can’t think she’d want you to see that!”
Methos exploded out of the chair, furious. “It's none of your business!” he shouted.
“Isn’t it? I disagree." The two men stood nearly nose to nose. "Damnit, I love both of you! And I’ll do whatever's needed to protect you from yourself, Methos! I owe it to the both of you to do what I know Triona would want!”
“Leave!” he hissed.
Duncan took an involuntary step back at the look in Methos’ eyes. It was fey, and bled of hope. Backing off, he let Methos start the recording again before tapping the communicator on his chest. “I need you here now,” he said urgently but quietly.
Within moments, LaCroix arrived, instantly taking in the situation. “What in Hades are you about, Methos?” he roared.
“You of all people should understand!” Methos snarled in reply.
“No, I do not!” LaCroix pinned Methos with his gaze, the sheer weight of seven-thousand plus years between the two of them in a battle of wills. There were few beings Methos would yield to, the Roman vampire being one such.
‘Are you telling me you didn’t watch this?” he demanded. Methos wasn't backing down. If anything, he seemed more determined than ever.
Sighing, he shook his head, placing a hand on Methos' arm. “Only enough to gauge the situation before transporting to the planet to free her. But the knowledge was in his blood, as it will be in hers. Is that not enough?” LaCroix sounded tired and resigned.
Methos looked at him sharply. “You don’t think I deserve to witness what she suffered? That I should just remain blissfully ignorant?” His voice was raw with grief and rage. "Shouldn't I have to pay some price for what happened?"
In the background, the recorded voice continued “Which brings us back to you. Tell me, just what are you willing to do to get him back, my lovely Triona?”
“This is not about you, Methos!” LaCroix’s voice was pitched low, but taut with emotion. “You and I both know you are not ignorant of what transpired. You need no recording to impart that knowledge.”
“Anything.”
“Computer, stop playback,” LaCroix commanded. He leaned over Methos. “This is not about you,” he repeated. “This is about her. How do you think Triona will feel seeing the knowledge of this--” he made a sharp motion at the monitor, “--in your eyes?”
Methos shook his head, shoulders slumping.
LaCroix pressed his advantage. “If you watch this, you allow him to violate her yet one more time. You know that she would not want you to witness what happened.”
“Think, Methos,” Duncan told his friend softly. “He overrode all the security protocols on the ship, but left the security recorders running. What does that say to you?”
“What? Think like myself?” Methos asked acidly.
“Yes,” Duncan replied harshly.
Taking a shuddering breath, Methos buried his face in his hands. “He knew I’d be compelled to watch, so that his memory would always be between us,” he finally admitted, voice cracking. "He wanted to always be a part of what we are."
LaCroix and Duncan shared a relieved look.
“Do not give him that victory,” LaCroix implored. “For Triona’s sake, if not for yourself.”
“I don’t know how to make it right,” Methos whispered dully. He laid his head down on crossed arms.
Resting a cool hand on his neck, LaCroix replied, “We will both make it right, I promise you.”
“You aren’t alone,” Duncan reminded Methos, gathering his friend close as grief finally overtook him, shoulders shaking as he wept. “Never alone.”
Part One ][ Part Two ][ Part Three ][ Part Four ][ Part Five ][ Part Six ][ Part Seven ][ Part Eight ][ Part Nine ][ Part Ten ][ Part Eleven ][ Part Twelve ][ Part Thirteen ][ Part Fourteen ][ Part Fifteen ][ Part Sixteen ][
Part Seventeen ][ Part Eighteen ][ Part Nineteen ][ Part Twenty