The Methos Chronicles: Come Together By Mina-Clare Moseley Synopsis: Episode 1 of "The Methos Chronicles". Methos is trying to fit into a comfortable life as a history professor. However, with MacLeod in town it's going to be difficult. Rating: PG-13. Heavy language and violence. Archive: Seventh Dimension and anyone else who wants it. Author's Notes: This is Episode 1 in the 13 episode season. Many thanks to Fre and Susan. For more information on the Methos Chronicles series check out: http://straykitty.com/deargirl/methos/fanfiction/chronicles PLEASE send feedback. Disclaimer: Highlander belongs to Davis-Panzer Entertainment. This is non-profit fan fiction. **** The Ashmolean was a beautiful, ornate museum. It had been standing since the late 17th century. Methos stood outside it's grand doors, leaning against one of the white pillars. Methos' mind flipped to full awareness as the buzz hit him. He looked around, trying to locate MacLeod. The muscular Highlander noticed Methos. He sighed, "Who called you?" "Maybe I'm just here for fine art," Methos said coolly. "What's going on Methos?" MacLeod demanded. He ran a hand through his short brown hair. "It's really not smart to meet an immortal without a sword." Methos said. "Especially when another one is coming after you." "How do you know I don't have a sword?" Methos pulled Duncan's katana from his coat. He handed it to the younger immortal. "Amanda gave it to me. Said you sent it to her in the mail." "How does Amanda know about Kerrigan?" "She's talked to Joe." Methos tightened his jacket around himself. "You haven't taken a head since Kell, have you, Duncan?" MacLeod stayed quiet. "You've lost your taste for blood." "I killed my Clansman. He was more than a teacher to me, Methos." "He was your brother. I know. MacLeod, you've gone through times like this before. You know we have to fight or die." "Why do I have to do the killing?" MacLeod asked. "Why did I get anointed the knight on the white charger? For years I've been saving people left and right. I've been saving them by murdering others!" "Most who were so dangerous, they needed to die." Methos sighed. "Connor provoked you. He was tired. He didn't want to be in the Game again. You didn't kill him. You liberated him." "I haven't battled anyone in months, Methos." Cradling his head in his hands, MacLeod sighed. "I don't think I can." "You can. You have to." Methos stared into MacLeod's deep brown eyes. "If you don't, you'll die." "I can't, Methos. I've lost so many people. It's too much. I just.... I want...." "What did you do to him?" "Kerrigan? I killed his wife. It's not a very complicated story. She was an immortal, she challenged me, I won. He's wanted me dead ever since." Methos shook his head. "Immortal couples is nothing but trouble." He placed a hand on MacLeod's shoulder. "You're too good to let this joker kill you. What? You're just going to give up your life?" "I murdered his wife." Duncan whispered hoarsely. "He has good reason to hate me." "What? Were you supposed to give up your head just so they could live happily ever after?" Methos shook his head. "It was her fault. She came after you." "I just can't do it. I can't kill him." Methos felt his stomach turn. He had invested so much time in MacLeod. He was a good man. He couldn't just die like this. He wouldn't-- couldn't-- allow him to kill himself. He could be the One. "Run, MacLeod." Methos whispered. "What?" "I said run. There's Holy Ground not far from here." "You're not doing what I think you are." Methos' heart flip-flopped. He reached for his sword. "If you can't kill Kerrigan, I will." "Methos--" "MacLeod, dammit. Are you going to make me say it?" "Say what?" "I want to keep to alive. You may be a real pain in the ass, but I like you. And sooner or later you'll get over this. But to do that, you need your head. Now RUN." "I'm not going to let you kill for me." "You don't have much of a bloody choice!" Methos yelled. He clenched his fists. "You KNOW that you don't deserve to die because of what you did to Kerrigan. Yes, you killed his wife. Only because she would have killed you. Now, if you're not going to fight him, I. WILL. I don't make this offer to many people. I was quite happy living a peaceful existence as Benjamin Roberts. But Amanda and Joe won't let me. If I let you die, Amanda will probably kill me." Methos growled. "Now go, or I will kill you and still fight Kerrigan. Either way, I'm making you keep your head." **** Amanda was close by. She had followed Methos from the university. Even after these years apart, even after her doomed relationship with Nick Wolfe, Duncan MacLeod was still first in her heart. He had changed so drastically in the past few years, ever since Richie's death. He had blamed himself for everything, thinking he was the problem with everyone's lives. That's why Amanda left, why she went to New York. She couldn't watch MacLeod keep destroying himself. It had pained her to leave. She always liked to stay close to him. While their relationship was anything but conventional, she did feel a need to be close. Amanda felt the buzz behind her. She whirled around. "MacLeod?" she called out. She looked around, seeing no sign of the Scot. "Benjamin?" She took in a deep breath as she saw the tall Logan Kerrigan. He approached her, his mouth twisted in a grin. "So I finally get to meet the infamous Amanda Montrose." "The pleasure's all yours," she snapped, moving for her sword. Logan raised his hand. "We don't do well in public, Miss Montrose." "Then let's go somewhere private. I'd like to get this over with." Logan approached Amanda, sticking a gun to her belly. "Walk slowly, towards the museum. We're going to go visit MacLeod." **** Methos sat on the front steps of the Ashmolean when he felt the buzz. He looked around. Amanda was walking towards the museum with another immortal. Kerrigan. Standing up, Methos smiled. "Let Amanda go, Logan. She's not part of this." "I don't think we've been introduced." Kerrigan snarled. "I'm MacLeod's stunt double." Pulling out his Ivanhoe, Methos prepared to fight. "So let's do it. Let Amanda go." "Do you really want to do this?" Methos shook his head. "No, I really don't. I want to live a nice quiet life as Benjamin Roberts, not decapitate people.... But apparently fate doesn't want that because he keeps bringing bloody immortals to me! Now let Amanda go and draw your sword!" Kerrigan pushed Amanda to the side, threw his gun to the ground and drew his sword. He flashed a grim smile. "I'll leave you as a message to the Highlander." Their sword clashed together, the echo reverberating in Methos' ears. He hated fighting.... He didn't want to do this. But if it meant MacLeod stayed alive.... He could feel the blood pumping through his veins as he met Kerrigan hit for hit. Methos was a better fighter, but Kerrigan was bigger. He used all of his strength to push Methos to the ground. He lost hold on his sword and it clattered to the ground. Methos shut his eyes, preparing for the final blow. This was it.... This was how it was going to end. A gunshot rang out and Methos heard a started gasp. He opened his eyes. Kerrigan pitched forward, Amanda behind him armed with the gun. She quickly wiped her fingerprints off and threw the gun down. "Grab your sword and let's run, Methos!" **** "Don't you guys realize I left Paris because of shit like this!" Methos ranted. He paced his living room flat, Amanda, Joe and MacLeod on his couch. Duncan stayed quiet. He kept his eyes downcast. "Come on, Mac," Joe said. "From what I hear, Logan Kerrigan is not a tough customer. For you, it would be--" "What? Easy?" Duncan spat. "Is it ever easy to murder someone?" "Amanda, Joe...." Methos sat down in his easy chair, stretching out. "I want a word with Gandhi alone." Watching Joe and Amanda leave, Methos waited until they was out of earshot. "I want to tell you a little story, MacLeod." "I don't want to hear a story." "Humour me, I nearly got killed today." The 5,000 year old cracked his knuckles. "Back in the 15th century, I knew this immortal woman. Rose. She was beautiful, redhead, legs up to the sky. Good friend of mine." "Let me guess, she challenged you and you killed her because it's what we do." Methos shook his head. "Now, you see, Rose had a student-- A daughter actually, Marian. Rose is the Mia Farrow of immortality. Took in children, raised them up. Marian became immortal when she was 18, and Rose took it upon herself to train her. A few months into their training, Marian decided that she doesn't like the idea of only killing when necessary. She attacks Rose, and Mom does what she has to so she can stay alive." "Is there a point, Methos, or do you just want to tell me about your girlfriend?" "The point is, going after immortals blindly is suicide and that we must be prepared to take heads when our lives are in danger. No matter who it is. With the exception of your Dark Quickening, you've only killed when its necessary. At one time you knew the score. We fight or we die. I know you feel all of this guilt over Richie and Connor. Well, MacLeod I'm just going to tell you this one more time-- GET THE FUCK OVER YOURSELF." The phone was ringing in the kitchen. Methos got up to answer it. MacLeod sighed. "So what happened to her?" "To who?" "The leggy redhead. Who got her?" "No one did. She's doing quite well these days, I understand. Not every immortal has a sad ending." He continued towards the kitchen, answering the phone. He sighed, picking up his sword. He went to Joe and Amanda. "Well, I'll see you two later." "Where are you going?" "To fight Kerrigan. Son of a bitch tracked me down." **** Methos shook his head, walking into the warehouse. "Could you be a little more cliche, Logan? The bad guy in the abandoned warehouse has been done." Kerrigan stepped out of the shadows. "I had hoped you would send MacLeod, Mr. Roberts. You do realize how stupid it was to tell me your name." "I've been out of the game for a while. I'll do better next time." "You seem to value your life. Yet you come here in place of MacLeod. Why?" Shrugging, Methos drew his sword. "We've all got friends, Kerrigan. Sometimes it's worth more to put yourself on the line just to keep them alive." "I'm going to kill you, you know." "I'll take the chance." **** "Duncan, he's taken your place!" Amanda pleaded. "He's one of your best friends! How can you let him do this?" "I can't fight. I can't kill." She grabbed his shoulders, pulling him to face her. "None of us are going to let you die, MacLeod. We will fight to keep you alive, even if it kills us. If you don't fight... It will kill us! You might have sent Methos to his death." "Amanda...." "Kerrigan's not worth it. None of these bastards who come after you are worth losing your friends. We fight or we die, that's the one true rule in the Game." **** Methos let out a winded laugh. "You know, we really don't have to do this, Logan." "If MacLeod won't fight, then we do Mr. Roberts." "Then fight me," MacLeod snarled, coming through the door. His katana was clenched tightly in his fist. Kerrigan smiled. "MacLeod! I've been waiting." "Wait's over." Methos stepped aside, keeping his sword at the ready. MacLeod and Kerrigan circled each other. Kerrigan slashed at MacLeod. He jumped back, avoiding the deadly blade. "Looking a little tired," MacLeod snarled. "I'm going to keep going until you're dead." MacLeod stuck his katana deep into Kerrigan's shoulder. Logan howled, covering his wound with his hand. He continued to fight sloppily with his injured arm. MacLeod snarled ferally, stabbing Kerrigan's other shoulder. The pain became too great and he dropped his sword. Shaking his head, MacLeod watched Kerrigan fall to the ground. "I'm sorry." he swept his sword down, cleaning decapitating him. The Quickening took over, lightning crashing, surging through. As the Quickening faded, MacLeod made no move to get off the ground. Methos put a hand on his shoulder. "You had to." "I know...." MacLeod stood up. "We fight or we die, right? I've got too many people who want me to live." **** Methos leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "Are you sure you can't stay in town, MacLeod?" He shook his head. "I need to get away for a while, clear my head. I'll visit soon." Smiling softly, Methos patted MacLeod on the shoulder. "Just don't bring any friends along with you." Amanda smiled softly as MacLeod wrapped his arms around her. "Be careful," she whispered. "And don't send me your sword anymore." "I won't. I'll keep in touch." He kissed her gently. Joe smiled as MacLeod turned to him. "I put Sherman Peabody on your case. He's so inept, you'll lose him by the time you reach the airport." "Thanks Joe." MacLeod shoved his hands in his pockets. "I'll see you guys around." With that, the Highlander walked out the door, leaving his friends behind. **** Methos, Amanda and Joe sat in the living room, solemn looks on their faces. "Do you think he's going to be okay?" Amanda asked. "Mac's a survivor," Methos assured her. "So when are you leaving town?" "I've moved here," Amanda said casually, "I've had a bit of trouble in New York and Paris. I thought England might be a good place to hide out." "Oh no...." Methos got up. "Get out, get out now." "But Methos--" Amanda started. "You guys always bring trouble. Get out." Dawson shook his head. "Haven't you learned yet? You're never going to get rid of us." Methos covered his face with his hands. "Oh God...." Amanda hugged Methos. "We're going to be around forever and ever...." "Just take my head now. Please. It'll be so much easier." **** March 6, 2001 Dear Em, You can never escape your fate. I've learned that now. No matter what, I'm going to have to keep on fighting. When I "came out" to MacLeod, that was the end of my vacation. I don't think anything will stop the immortals from attacking me. I just need to get used to being in the Game again. I envy you, my friend. You've been able to avoid all of this for even longer than I have. I hope you have more success keeping hidden than I did. I just hope I have some more wins coming to me. I don't think I'm ready to go just yet. Take care, ~The Old Man~ ***** He roller-coaster he got early warning He got muddy water he one mojo filter He say "One and one and one is three" Got to be good-looking 'cause he's so hard to see Come together right now over me --"Come Together" (John Lennon/Paul MacCartney) **** Next time on "The Methos Chronicles": Lady Madonna Even after 5,000 years, death is hard. Methos must deal with the loss of someone special to him, while dealing with the grief of a friend.