It's the Great Pumpkin, Duncan MacLeod (1/1) - HL/Castle
Because you demanded it! The sequel to Orange you Glad We're Friends?
Title: It's the Great Pumpkin, Duncan MacLeod (1/1)
Author: strangevisitor7
Fandom/Universe: Castle & Highlander.
Beta: ithildyn
Rating: PG
Characters: : Rick Castle, Duncan MacLeod & Methos (Adam Pierson)
Prompt: #75 Shade for crossovers100
Summary: Rick and Methos invite Duncan over for a very special drink.
A/N: The is the sequel to Orange you Glad We're Friends?. You should read that first or this won't make much sense.
It's the Great Pumpkin, Duncan MacLeod
“What are you doing?" Methos watched as Castle placed a blender on his kitchen counter.
"Making Margaritas," Rick replied as he reached for the bottle of tequila on the counter. "What?" he asked when he noticed Methos frowning.
The Immortal shrugged. "Mac's not exactly an umbrella drink kind of guy."
"Oh." Rick set the bottle down. "What do you suggest?"
"Beer."
"I can do beer." He opened the fridge and pointed to several six packs on the bottom shelf. "Imported or domestic?"
Methos rolled his eyes. "Do you even have to ask?" He reached for the import. "Now where is this wondrous poison you mentioned?"
Castle smiled and disappeared into his study. He unlocked his safe and removed a small sealed container. He'd never expected that he'd ever be able to talk Adam into letting him use it, but he liked to be prepared.
He walked back into the kitchen and set the container on the counter. "Don't ask me how to pronounce it. I'm just glad I'm a writer not an actor," he joked.
Methos picked up the bottle and frowned as read the label. "Experimental, highly toxic, avoid skin contact…," Methos paused in his recitation to glare at his friend. "Castle, do I want to even know how you have something this lethal sitting around your apartment."
Rick chuckled. "Nope." He was bouncing on his heels with delight, and in his best Jersey accent said, "Let's just say I know a guy who knows a guy…"
"Guys I'm sure I don't want to know." Methos shook his head with admiration and gingerly set the bottle back down. "Remind me never to borrow money from you."
"Even if I had to break your legs it wouldn't last long."
"No, but it would hurt, and I might be compelled to return the favor." Methos paused and tilted his head toward the door. "Showtime."
Rick looked at the door, sure he hadn't heard a knock. "The early warning system?"
Methos nodded.
Rubbing his hand together with glee, Castle asked, "So what's the plan, Adam?"
Methos gave him a smile that reminded Castle of a lion about to devour an antelope. "Invite him in and offer him a beer. I'll do the rest."
"Ok." Rick headed toward the door.
"Castle!" Methos waved him back. "Don't be anxious. Wait for him to knock and then wait a little longer. Mac expects me to be pissed because he left me in the morgue, so he might be expecting something."
Rick pointed a finger at Methos. "Right, play it cool."
Methos shook his head. "As if you could," he mumbled.
"Oh, almost forgot." Rick raced into another room and came back with a video camera. "Want to make sure I get this on film."
Methos laughed. "I like the way you think."
Rick stored the camera within easy reach on a bookcase. Then the door bell rang and he waited a few moments before calling out a friendly, "Coming!"
He opened the door and took in the tall man in the hallway; his dark hair was pulled neatly back into a pony tail and he was dressed in a cream colored sweater and khaki slacks. Not exactly what he'd expected from a centuries old Scotsman, but then Rick guessed kilts weren't much in fashion in modern day New York City.
"You must be Duncan MacLeod," Rick said as he stepped back to admit the Immortal. "Welcome to my humble abode. I'm Rick Castle." He held out his hand to the Highlander.
Duncan smiled, grasped Castle's hand and gave it two hearty shakes. "Hardly humble," he said as he looked around.
"The trappings of wealth and fame." He gestured for Mac to follow him into the living room.
"It really is a thrill to meet you. I don't know if Adam told you, but I'm a big fan."
"Really," Rick said. "He never mentioned it."
"Don't be impressed, Castle," Methos quipped. His back was to them as he sprawled on the couch an arm draped lazily over the side dangling a beer. Castle got the distinct impression of a fisherman baiting a hook with a shiny lure. "Mac enjoys bagpipe music too."
"Someone's grumpy." Mac laughed. "And what's wrong with bagpipe music?"
Methos snorted without turning around. "Do you need a list?"
"Just ignore him," Castle said gesturing for Mac to take a seat. "Can I get you a beer?"
"Nope-" Mac smiled mischievously "-I got one." In one smooth motion, Duncan plucked the beer from Methos' hand and settled onto the opposite couch.
"Hey, that was mine!"
Methos made as if to stand and Castle placed a hand on his shoulder to push him down. "I’ll get you another one."
Duncan raised the beer in salute to Methos and drank deeply. Castle smirked down at his friend and mouthed, brilliant
Methos bowed his head to his appreciative audience.
Mac finished his swallow and lowered the bottle. His smile of satisfaction wavered.
"Something wrong, Mac?" Methos moved to sit next to the other Immortal.
"I…I…."
Duncan leaned forward; the beer bottle began to slip from his fingers. With an economy of movement, Methos grabbed the bottle from his hand and headed into the kitchen to dispose of the noxious liquid.
Meanwhile, Castle grabbed the video camera and began filming the effects of the poison. The scene in front of him seemed eerily familiar. Then it hit him. Rick remembered watching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with his daughter. The effect of the poison reminded him of that scene in the movie when Violet Beauregard turned into a big blueberry. Except MacLeod was only slightly puffy and bright orange not blue.
Methos returned to the living room to see Mac steadying himself on the couch, his face a mask of confusion.
"Huh. It really does turn you orange," Methos said, clearly impressed.
"Wha…wha…," Mac croaked out and waved one orange hand in front of himself. Clearly he was asking Methos what was going on. "Or…." He swallowed and then, with a loud belch, keeled over and fell off the couch.
Rick continued to film as he knelt down beside the Immortal who was staring at the ceiling with unblinking eyes. "They didn't say anything about the swelling." He studied the body in front of him with clinical detachment.
"And that was hardly instantaneous," Methos said as he came to stand behind Castle.
Rick tentatively reached out to check MacLeod's pulse.
Don't bother," Methos said grabbing his arm. "He's dead and I would suggest not touching his skin."
Rick wiped his hand on his jeans. "Good point." He straightened and smiled at his friend. "How did you know he'd take your beer?"
"Mac is nothing if not predictable. It's something I've come to rely on." Methos smiled. "If you don't mind, I have to draw the line at you filming his resurrection."
Rick looked at the camera in his hand. "Oh right. Guess I've got enough." He flipped the switch powering down the camera and placed it back on the bookshelf.
"I do want a copy."
"Blackmail?"
Methos gave him another of those shit eating grins. "Blackmail is such a dirty word. I prefer insurance."
Castle knew that Duncan would not be happy when he woke up, and he supposed embarrassing pictures of the Highlander all bloaty and looking like a pumpkin could be a great deterrent to revenge.
"So how long?" Castle was watching for any signs of life in the dead man at his feet.
"Depends. Could be five minutes could be five hours."
Castle checked his watch, huffed out a breath indicating that he was already bored watching MacLeod be dead and looked around for something to do. "So, wanna beer?"
Methos chuckled. "Yes, but I'll get my own, thanks." He headed for the kitchen. "And you might want to put your medicine away." Methos snickered as he gestured to the bottle still sitting on the counter.
*******************
Castle sat with Methos on the couch quietly sipping his beer. He glanced down at his watch only to find his friend's hand covering the dial.
"Will you stop looking at your damn watch?"
"It's been twenty minutes," Rick protested his voice pitching into a whine. "How much longer?"
"I already told you, I don't know."
"It's just boring waiting for him to wake up." Castle pouted. This part was definitely not the fun part.
"Geez, what are you, twelve?"
Castle smiled. "That's what Alexis says all the time."
"Well at least there's one intelligent person in this household."
"Gee, she says that too."
"I know she doesn't mean you," Methos quipped and then sighed. "I guess whining works because he's waking up."
"Goody," Castle said as he leaped to his feet to get a closer look at Mac's resurrection. "He's still orange. That can't be good."
Methos looked down at the Immortal. "Well the puffiness has gone away, but he is still sort of pumpkin colored isn't he?"
Then Mac gasped for breath and sat up, startling Rick who stumbled backwards. "Is it always that dramatic?" he asked, regaining his feet.
Methos just laughed.
Mac calmed his breathing and looked around in confusion. "Adam?" he said as he looked up to meet his friend’s eyes. Methos was still laughing at Castle when Mac roared to his feet. "What the hell just happened, Adam?" He pushed the other Immortal back causing him to fall onto the opposite couch.
"Now Mac, it was just a friendly little experiment." Methos threw his hands up. "No need to get all upset. You're fine."
"FINE?" He held up one orange hand and waved it in Methos' face. "Does this look fine to you?"
"I'm sure it will fade," Methos said as he stood forcing Mac to take a step back. "Castle is writing a new book and he needed to confirm the method of his victim's demise."
"So you volunteered me!"
Methos shrugged. "Better you then me."
Duncan shoved him again and this time Methos hit the floor. "Ass. And you," he turned on Castle who had been doing his best impression of furniture until that moment, "you thought poisoning me was a good idea?"
Castle nodded and then immediately changed his mind and shook his head as the Highlander glared at him. He dropped his eyes, suddenly finding the floor very interesting. Rick knew if he continued to stare at the orange tinted Immortal he was going to lose it. "No. No it was a terrible idea." He snickered as he lost that battle. He looked up and just started laughing.
Mac grabbed the front of his shirt. "You think this is funny?"
Castle shrugged and couldn't stop himself from giggling in the angry Immortal's face, which if he stopped to think about it probably wasn't a good idea.
Methos had regained his footing. "Let him go."
"This isn't funny!" He waved an orange colored hand in Methos' direction.
"Yes it is. It's fucking hilarious, Mac." Methos laughed at his friend. "You look like a giant squash on a rampage."
Mac let go of Castle and barked one word, "Mirror!"
Still snickering, Castle pointed him toward the bathroom. As Mac left, Castle and Methos collapsed on the couch in a fit of hysterics. "Grab the camera!" Methos said.
"Hee, this is better than I could have imagined.” Castle turned on the camera and caught the Highlander, still very angry and very orange, on film as he exited the bathroom. He quickly put the camera away before Duncan could realize he was being filmed.
"I look like…. Well I don’t know, but you are both gonna pay for this," Duncan growled.
"Oompa Loompa!" Castle cried. "It was bugging me the whole time he was dead. He looks like an Oompa Loompa." And he cracked himself up all over again. He obviously had Willy Wonka on the brain.
"Yes!" Methos agreed as he continued to chuckle. "Too bad we didn't think to dye his hair green."
Mac ran a hand over his hair almost as if to confirm it was just has he'd left it. "Ok you've had your fun." He stood there hands on hips glaring at the two on the couch. "How do I stop being orange?"
"Haven't a clue, MacLeod." Methos grinned. "Guess our 'ability' doesn't see your new shade as an injury to be healed."
"That's just great!" he snapped. "You didn't check that out before you gave it to me?"
"It's a deadly poison," Castle reminded him, "which is why we gave it to you." He stood and walked over to the irate man. "Look, I really didn't mean any harm and Adam said you'd be a good sport about it."
"Oh he did, did he?" Mac glared at the older Immortal. "This is because I left you in the morgue, isn't it?"
Methos just raised his hands indicating that Mac deserved what he got.
Mac sighed and sat down on the couch. "Fine, you've had your petty revenge; are we done?"
Methos nodded. "Oh, trust me, that was worth it. And in case you're thinking of getting me back, I have pictures."
"Pictures?" Mac gulped.
"I'm sure Joe would love to put them in your chronicle," Methos teased.
"You wouldn't?"
Methos just shrugged. "Let's just say that next time, you don't leave me in the morgue."
He opened and closed his mouth as if to make some comment about how Methos shouldn't get himself in situations that required rescuing from a morgue, but thought better of it and simply nodded.
Crisis averted, Castle thought; it was time to get the rest of his information. "Now that you’re less angry, do you mind answering a few questions?"
"Questions?" Duncan asked. "About what?"
"Did you taste the poison? Was it painless? Could you tell you were turning orange?"
Duncan stared at the writer, incredulity on his face. "You've got to be kidding?"
"Just answer his questions," Methos said. "He won't stop pestering you until you do."
Castle nodded. "Come on, Mac. Answer the questions. Please."
Duncan collapsed back into the couch. "Fine. I didn't taste it, but it felt like I was suffocating once I swallowed the beer and no, I had no idea I was turning orange." He looked over at Castle. "Happy?"
Castle was giddy. "Oh this is great.” He stood and started pacing and gesticulating widely while mumbling to himself.
"What's he doing?" Duncan asked.
"I think he's writing," Methos replied.
Castle stopped. "Any chance I can toss one of you off the balcony?"
"No!" they replied in unison.
"How about…."
"No!" came the two voices again.
"See what I had to put up with, MacLeod?"
"How did he find out you were an Immortal anyway?"
Methos sighed and rolled his eyes. "Not one of my better moments and that's all I'll say."
"Rick?" Mac asked.
Castle smiled. "I'm thinking in this book all the murders should have a color theme. So if you really want to know the story of how I met Adam - "
"Shut up, Castle," Methos warned.
" - you'll let me freeze you."
Mac looked around Rick to catch Methos' eye. "I see what you mean."
"Please," Castle begged. "I think blue and orange would turn you a lovely shade of mud." He couldn't stop himself from chuckling at that thought.
Duncan rubbed his brow trying to ward off the headache he knew was brewing and that Immortals weren't supposed to get; yet, he always did when Methos was involved. He stared at his hand. "Hey, I'm getting lighter." His relief was palpable.
"See," Castle said as he sat down next to him. "No permanent damage."
Duncan scowled at him and Castle wisely moved to the other end of the couch. "So, have you thought about my offer?"
Mac stared at his hand as he watched it turn back to its normal color. "I'm really not interested in being your guinea pig again. Not even to hear one of Adam's most embarrassing moments." He paused as an idea lit up his face.
"I know that look. What are you thinking, MacLeod?" Methos asked.
The Highlander just started laughing. "I was just thinking I hadn't seen Richie in a while."
****************************
And the story continues in part three: Death Becomes him
Title: It's the Great Pumpkin, Duncan MacLeod (1/1)
Author: strangevisitor7
Fandom/Universe: Castle & Highlander.
Beta: ithildyn
Rating: PG
Characters: : Rick Castle, Duncan MacLeod & Methos (Adam Pierson)
Prompt: #75 Shade for crossovers100
Summary: Rick and Methos invite Duncan over for a very special drink.
A/N: The is the sequel to Orange you Glad We're Friends?. You should read that first or this won't make much sense.
It's the Great Pumpkin, Duncan MacLeod
“What are you doing?" Methos watched as Castle placed a blender on his kitchen counter.
"Making Margaritas," Rick replied as he reached for the bottle of tequila on the counter. "What?" he asked when he noticed Methos frowning.
The Immortal shrugged. "Mac's not exactly an umbrella drink kind of guy."
"Oh." Rick set the bottle down. "What do you suggest?"
"Beer."
"I can do beer." He opened the fridge and pointed to several six packs on the bottom shelf. "Imported or domestic?"
Methos rolled his eyes. "Do you even have to ask?" He reached for the import. "Now where is this wondrous poison you mentioned?"
Castle smiled and disappeared into his study. He unlocked his safe and removed a small sealed container. He'd never expected that he'd ever be able to talk Adam into letting him use it, but he liked to be prepared.
He walked back into the kitchen and set the container on the counter. "Don't ask me how to pronounce it. I'm just glad I'm a writer not an actor," he joked.
Methos picked up the bottle and frowned as read the label. "Experimental, highly toxic, avoid skin contact…," Methos paused in his recitation to glare at his friend. "Castle, do I want to even know how you have something this lethal sitting around your apartment."
Rick chuckled. "Nope." He was bouncing on his heels with delight, and in his best Jersey accent said, "Let's just say I know a guy who knows a guy…"
"Guys I'm sure I don't want to know." Methos shook his head with admiration and gingerly set the bottle back down. "Remind me never to borrow money from you."
"Even if I had to break your legs it wouldn't last long."
"No, but it would hurt, and I might be compelled to return the favor." Methos paused and tilted his head toward the door. "Showtime."
Rick looked at the door, sure he hadn't heard a knock. "The early warning system?"
Methos nodded.
Rubbing his hand together with glee, Castle asked, "So what's the plan, Adam?"
Methos gave him a smile that reminded Castle of a lion about to devour an antelope. "Invite him in and offer him a beer. I'll do the rest."
"Ok." Rick headed toward the door.
"Castle!" Methos waved him back. "Don't be anxious. Wait for him to knock and then wait a little longer. Mac expects me to be pissed because he left me in the morgue, so he might be expecting something."
Rick pointed a finger at Methos. "Right, play it cool."
Methos shook his head. "As if you could," he mumbled.
"Oh, almost forgot." Rick raced into another room and came back with a video camera. "Want to make sure I get this on film."
Methos laughed. "I like the way you think."
Rick stored the camera within easy reach on a bookcase. Then the door bell rang and he waited a few moments before calling out a friendly, "Coming!"
He opened the door and took in the tall man in the hallway; his dark hair was pulled neatly back into a pony tail and he was dressed in a cream colored sweater and khaki slacks. Not exactly what he'd expected from a centuries old Scotsman, but then Rick guessed kilts weren't much in fashion in modern day New York City.
"You must be Duncan MacLeod," Rick said as he stepped back to admit the Immortal. "Welcome to my humble abode. I'm Rick Castle." He held out his hand to the Highlander.
Duncan smiled, grasped Castle's hand and gave it two hearty shakes. "Hardly humble," he said as he looked around.
"The trappings of wealth and fame." He gestured for Mac to follow him into the living room.
"It really is a thrill to meet you. I don't know if Adam told you, but I'm a big fan."
"Really," Rick said. "He never mentioned it."
"Don't be impressed, Castle," Methos quipped. His back was to them as he sprawled on the couch an arm draped lazily over the side dangling a beer. Castle got the distinct impression of a fisherman baiting a hook with a shiny lure. "Mac enjoys bagpipe music too."
"Someone's grumpy." Mac laughed. "And what's wrong with bagpipe music?"
Methos snorted without turning around. "Do you need a list?"
"Just ignore him," Castle said gesturing for Mac to take a seat. "Can I get you a beer?"
"Nope-" Mac smiled mischievously "-I got one." In one smooth motion, Duncan plucked the beer from Methos' hand and settled onto the opposite couch.
"Hey, that was mine!"
Methos made as if to stand and Castle placed a hand on his shoulder to push him down. "I’ll get you another one."
Duncan raised the beer in salute to Methos and drank deeply. Castle smirked down at his friend and mouthed, brilliant
Methos bowed his head to his appreciative audience.
Mac finished his swallow and lowered the bottle. His smile of satisfaction wavered.
"Something wrong, Mac?" Methos moved to sit next to the other Immortal.
"I…I…."
Duncan leaned forward; the beer bottle began to slip from his fingers. With an economy of movement, Methos grabbed the bottle from his hand and headed into the kitchen to dispose of the noxious liquid.
Meanwhile, Castle grabbed the video camera and began filming the effects of the poison. The scene in front of him seemed eerily familiar. Then it hit him. Rick remembered watching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with his daughter. The effect of the poison reminded him of that scene in the movie when Violet Beauregard turned into a big blueberry. Except MacLeod was only slightly puffy and bright orange not blue.
Methos returned to the living room to see Mac steadying himself on the couch, his face a mask of confusion.
"Huh. It really does turn you orange," Methos said, clearly impressed.
"Wha…wha…," Mac croaked out and waved one orange hand in front of himself. Clearly he was asking Methos what was going on. "Or…." He swallowed and then, with a loud belch, keeled over and fell off the couch.
Rick continued to film as he knelt down beside the Immortal who was staring at the ceiling with unblinking eyes. "They didn't say anything about the swelling." He studied the body in front of him with clinical detachment.
"And that was hardly instantaneous," Methos said as he came to stand behind Castle.
Rick tentatively reached out to check MacLeod's pulse.
Don't bother," Methos said grabbing his arm. "He's dead and I would suggest not touching his skin."
Rick wiped his hand on his jeans. "Good point." He straightened and smiled at his friend. "How did you know he'd take your beer?"
"Mac is nothing if not predictable. It's something I've come to rely on." Methos smiled. "If you don't mind, I have to draw the line at you filming his resurrection."
Rick looked at the camera in his hand. "Oh right. Guess I've got enough." He flipped the switch powering down the camera and placed it back on the bookshelf.
"I do want a copy."
"Blackmail?"
Methos gave him another of those shit eating grins. "Blackmail is such a dirty word. I prefer insurance."
Castle knew that Duncan would not be happy when he woke up, and he supposed embarrassing pictures of the Highlander all bloaty and looking like a pumpkin could be a great deterrent to revenge.
"So how long?" Castle was watching for any signs of life in the dead man at his feet.
"Depends. Could be five minutes could be five hours."
Castle checked his watch, huffed out a breath indicating that he was already bored watching MacLeod be dead and looked around for something to do. "So, wanna beer?"
Methos chuckled. "Yes, but I'll get my own, thanks." He headed for the kitchen. "And you might want to put your medicine away." Methos snickered as he gestured to the bottle still sitting on the counter.
*******************
Castle sat with Methos on the couch quietly sipping his beer. He glanced down at his watch only to find his friend's hand covering the dial.
"Will you stop looking at your damn watch?"
"It's been twenty minutes," Rick protested his voice pitching into a whine. "How much longer?"
"I already told you, I don't know."
"It's just boring waiting for him to wake up." Castle pouted. This part was definitely not the fun part.
"Geez, what are you, twelve?"
Castle smiled. "That's what Alexis says all the time."
"Well at least there's one intelligent person in this household."
"Gee, she says that too."
"I know she doesn't mean you," Methos quipped and then sighed. "I guess whining works because he's waking up."
"Goody," Castle said as he leaped to his feet to get a closer look at Mac's resurrection. "He's still orange. That can't be good."
Methos looked down at the Immortal. "Well the puffiness has gone away, but he is still sort of pumpkin colored isn't he?"
Then Mac gasped for breath and sat up, startling Rick who stumbled backwards. "Is it always that dramatic?" he asked, regaining his feet.
Methos just laughed.
Mac calmed his breathing and looked around in confusion. "Adam?" he said as he looked up to meet his friend’s eyes. Methos was still laughing at Castle when Mac roared to his feet. "What the hell just happened, Adam?" He pushed the other Immortal back causing him to fall onto the opposite couch.
"Now Mac, it was just a friendly little experiment." Methos threw his hands up. "No need to get all upset. You're fine."
"FINE?" He held up one orange hand and waved it in Methos' face. "Does this look fine to you?"
"I'm sure it will fade," Methos said as he stood forcing Mac to take a step back. "Castle is writing a new book and he needed to confirm the method of his victim's demise."
"So you volunteered me!"
Methos shrugged. "Better you then me."
Duncan shoved him again and this time Methos hit the floor. "Ass. And you," he turned on Castle who had been doing his best impression of furniture until that moment, "you thought poisoning me was a good idea?"
Castle nodded and then immediately changed his mind and shook his head as the Highlander glared at him. He dropped his eyes, suddenly finding the floor very interesting. Rick knew if he continued to stare at the orange tinted Immortal he was going to lose it. "No. No it was a terrible idea." He snickered as he lost that battle. He looked up and just started laughing.
Mac grabbed the front of his shirt. "You think this is funny?"
Castle shrugged and couldn't stop himself from giggling in the angry Immortal's face, which if he stopped to think about it probably wasn't a good idea.
Methos had regained his footing. "Let him go."
"This isn't funny!" He waved an orange colored hand in Methos' direction.
"Yes it is. It's fucking hilarious, Mac." Methos laughed at his friend. "You look like a giant squash on a rampage."
Mac let go of Castle and barked one word, "Mirror!"
Still snickering, Castle pointed him toward the bathroom. As Mac left, Castle and Methos collapsed on the couch in a fit of hysterics. "Grab the camera!" Methos said.
"Hee, this is better than I could have imagined.” Castle turned on the camera and caught the Highlander, still very angry and very orange, on film as he exited the bathroom. He quickly put the camera away before Duncan could realize he was being filmed.
"I look like…. Well I don’t know, but you are both gonna pay for this," Duncan growled.
"Oompa Loompa!" Castle cried. "It was bugging me the whole time he was dead. He looks like an Oompa Loompa." And he cracked himself up all over again. He obviously had Willy Wonka on the brain.
"Yes!" Methos agreed as he continued to chuckle. "Too bad we didn't think to dye his hair green."
Mac ran a hand over his hair almost as if to confirm it was just has he'd left it. "Ok you've had your fun." He stood there hands on hips glaring at the two on the couch. "How do I stop being orange?"
"Haven't a clue, MacLeod." Methos grinned. "Guess our 'ability' doesn't see your new shade as an injury to be healed."
"That's just great!" he snapped. "You didn't check that out before you gave it to me?"
"It's a deadly poison," Castle reminded him, "which is why we gave it to you." He stood and walked over to the irate man. "Look, I really didn't mean any harm and Adam said you'd be a good sport about it."
"Oh he did, did he?" Mac glared at the older Immortal. "This is because I left you in the morgue, isn't it?"
Methos just raised his hands indicating that Mac deserved what he got.
Mac sighed and sat down on the couch. "Fine, you've had your petty revenge; are we done?"
Methos nodded. "Oh, trust me, that was worth it. And in case you're thinking of getting me back, I have pictures."
"Pictures?" Mac gulped.
"I'm sure Joe would love to put them in your chronicle," Methos teased.
"You wouldn't?"
Methos just shrugged. "Let's just say that next time, you don't leave me in the morgue."
He opened and closed his mouth as if to make some comment about how Methos shouldn't get himself in situations that required rescuing from a morgue, but thought better of it and simply nodded.
Crisis averted, Castle thought; it was time to get the rest of his information. "Now that you’re less angry, do you mind answering a few questions?"
"Questions?" Duncan asked. "About what?"
"Did you taste the poison? Was it painless? Could you tell you were turning orange?"
Duncan stared at the writer, incredulity on his face. "You've got to be kidding?"
"Just answer his questions," Methos said. "He won't stop pestering you until you do."
Castle nodded. "Come on, Mac. Answer the questions. Please."
Duncan collapsed back into the couch. "Fine. I didn't taste it, but it felt like I was suffocating once I swallowed the beer and no, I had no idea I was turning orange." He looked over at Castle. "Happy?"
Castle was giddy. "Oh this is great.” He stood and started pacing and gesticulating widely while mumbling to himself.
"What's he doing?" Duncan asked.
"I think he's writing," Methos replied.
Castle stopped. "Any chance I can toss one of you off the balcony?"
"No!" they replied in unison.
"How about…."
"No!" came the two voices again.
"See what I had to put up with, MacLeod?"
"How did he find out you were an Immortal anyway?"
Methos sighed and rolled his eyes. "Not one of my better moments and that's all I'll say."
"Rick?" Mac asked.
Castle smiled. "I'm thinking in this book all the murders should have a color theme. So if you really want to know the story of how I met Adam - "
"Shut up, Castle," Methos warned.
" - you'll let me freeze you."
Mac looked around Rick to catch Methos' eye. "I see what you mean."
"Please," Castle begged. "I think blue and orange would turn you a lovely shade of mud." He couldn't stop himself from chuckling at that thought.
Duncan rubbed his brow trying to ward off the headache he knew was brewing and that Immortals weren't supposed to get; yet, he always did when Methos was involved. He stared at his hand. "Hey, I'm getting lighter." His relief was palpable.
"See," Castle said as he sat down next to him. "No permanent damage."
Duncan scowled at him and Castle wisely moved to the other end of the couch. "So, have you thought about my offer?"
Mac stared at his hand as he watched it turn back to its normal color. "I'm really not interested in being your guinea pig again. Not even to hear one of Adam's most embarrassing moments." He paused as an idea lit up his face.
"I know that look. What are you thinking, MacLeod?" Methos asked.
The Highlander just started laughing. "I was just thinking I hadn't seen Richie in a while."
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And the story continues in part three: Death Becomes him