Lost

Chapter 21

Methos discreetly surveyed the area around him again. He’d been expecting some form of contact from Lacasse ever since Ryan’s birthday, but the few times he’d identified anyone watching him they’d been too far away for contact. He walked along making his way to the bookstore, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings. Entering the store he nodded to his assistant and made his way to his office. Closing the door he automatically made his sweep for bugs or other devices. Finding nothing he sat down at his desk. While waiting for his computer to boot up he again thought about the events of that night.

Dead silence had met his statement about Duncan’s position in Andre’s household, and true to form, Connor was the first to demand answers. He stalked forward, his hand reaching into his coat and pulling his sword. Methos stood and faced him.

“Guys, stop this!” Joe struggled to get out of his chair but watched wide-eyed as a dagger appeared out of nowhere and pointed straight into Connor’s neck before he raised his sword.

“Connor, I would strongly recommend that you take your seat. Anyone watching this from outside the barge would question our type of party games.” Cold hazel eyes bored holes into the Scot’s until he backed up a step. “Good choice. I’m afraid I’ve very little patience lately. But I do have a strong desire to see someone’s entrails fall on the floor…”

Methos took a deep breath and then the dagger disappeared as quickly as it had appeared, its whereabouts a mystery. “Duncan is no longer the man he was, thanks to Lacasse. He couldn’t bear it when I called him by his name.” Pain from that memory burned in the hazel eyes. “We will get him back, but he will require some very specialized care, definitely help from Sean Burns whom I’ve already contacted. But understand this,” his eyes scanned the room, “the damage to Duncan’s mind has already been done. Lacasse doesn’t want him dead he wants him as property, so we have time. And, we need to move carefully to prevent Lacasse’s standing orders from being carried out...”

“I can take care of myself, you asshole! We’ve got to get to Duncan!” Connor was still growling but back in his corner.

“Yes, you can...but what about Anne and Mary? The de Valincourts...they don’t even know they’re in danger! Do you want to face Duncan and tell him that your actions on his behalf caused the death of someone dear to him?”

“Damn you, you bastard!” Connor spun away and faced the opposite wall. The bloody Englishman was right, but by God Connor would never say it.

“Enough, you two!” Amanda had been quiet up till now, but the testosterone level in the room was getting on her nerves. “Adam, I know you have plans...you always have plans. What do we do?”

“Who the hell put him in charge of this!” Connor burst forth from his corner yet again allowing his frustration and worry to get the better of him. “Who the hell are you besides Duncan’s latest bed warmer?”

“Bed warmer? You and Duncan?” Amanda decided she’d obviously stayed away too long. Her eyes narrowed at Methos. She’d known something was in the wind with the two, had expected it to happen eventually if Duncan would only relax enough to act on it...

“Oh, bloody hell...!” Methos spun away, angry at the idiot in the corner and now this...he needed a beer.

Ignoring the weird chuckle in the corner Amanda walked up to Methos who had pulled a beer from the refrigerator and was in the process of downing it without drawing a breath. Methos turned and looked at Amanda, waiting for what, he wasn’t sure. This certainly wasn’t the way he’d envisioned telling her about his relationship with Duncan. In fact, Duncan was the one who should have told her...

“Darling...,” Amanda looked at the enigmatic man in front of her knowing he expected her to blow up. “Well, it’s about time you two figured it out!” Her brown eyes laughed at the narrowing of the hazel eyes, crinkles appearing at his wry smile. She leaned in and kissed Methos on the lips and whispered, “You two are perfect together...”

“What!” Richie had apparently realized that he did have the capability of speech when he saw that Amanda apparently had no problem with Mac and the Old Fucker together. “Amanda, you can’t be serious...!”

“Alright! I’ve had about enough of this bullshit!” Joe grabbed his cane and couldn’t decide who he wanted to hit first, Connor or Richie. “It seems to me we’re forgetting all about the most important thing...Duncan is in trouble!” He turned towards Connor. “You don’t know Adam, I get that...but unless you want to go off on your own and risk everything...and I mean everything...that your kinsman cares about...then it’s on your head!” Joe took a deep breath. “Now you don’t have to believe me, but Adam always has plans in plans and I can’t explain why, but I believe he’s our best chance at getting Duncan free.” Turning back to Methos. “I agree with Amanda...whatever it is, I’m with ya.”

Ignoring the scowl on Connor’s face, Methos looked at Joe, Richie and Amanda. “Yes, I do, in fact, have a plan. But it will take time and all our involvement as well as some extensive resources of my own. Joe...,” he looked at the older mortal, his concern obvious. “What about the Watchers? Your involvement could cause problems...”

“Don’t worry about that...if I have to break away from them, I will. But you said it’ll take time…how much? What will happen to Mac while you get everything lined up?”

“Lacasse has him where he wants him. He intends to keep Mac for the rest of his own life, so that gives us time. Especially if we try to kill as few as possible while protecting everyone that’s being watched.”

Connor jumped in again, anger blazing in his eyes. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid of a little bloodshed! Who cares who gets hurt! We need to get Duncan away from this bastard!”

Methos looked at the enraged Highlander in amusement. Afraid of bloodshed? If he only knew...

“We stand a better chance of success if we can cover all of the targets simultaneously. It also helps to weaken Andre’s forces…we can force him to pull back some of his men. But it will take time to hit him hard enough financially to do this. For Mac’s sake, I’m trying to limit the carnage and the risk to those he loves. Bloody hell, Connor, he knows all the guards by name.” Methos looked at all the faces around him, watched as acceptance softened their features even as grief darkened their eyes. They all cared for Duncan and he was sure they would want to be involved.

“Mac’s my friend...I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t help.” This time it was Joe who looked around, most pointedly at Richie.

“Yeah, I’m in too. What do you have, Adam?” Richie knew he had trouble accepting the Old Fucker in Mac’s life...and if he was honest he would have to admit to jealousy over Mac’s friendship with him. But he couldn’t deny the fact that the Old Fucker knew a lot, five thousand years and all that...

“Alright, alright...,” Connor sighed deeply. “Duncan trusts these three so I’m in. Don’t make the mistake of thinking I trust you at all, Sassenach. Let’s hear this plan of yours...”

Methos finished logging in and started checking his computer. He wouldn’t put it passed Lacasse to have put some type of spyware in place to see what he was up to. That was fine...all of the sensitive work was done on his laptop. For now he had to check his email to see if any responses to certain inquiries had come in.

Several hours later Methos closed out what he’d been working on and left the bookstore. He needed to get back to his flat to make certain arrangements. He walked out automatically scanning for the ever-present tails. He found he was relieved as he was finally approached a couple of blocks from his flat. He recognized one of the men from his last visit to Lacasse.

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Louisa brushed out the long dark hair, playing with the curls as she chatted about inconsequential things. She was trying desperately to get some reaction from the sad dark eyes. At least Monsieur Lacasse hadn’t punished Sarah in the manner of the past...Sarah was still Sarah and not a vegetable...but she was so sad. And Monsieur Lacasse seemed to be happier than ever.

Louisa kept brushing. She’d tried to get Sarah to talk about the man with the interesting eyes, but she’d refused saying he was part of her past life. Well, at least she could try to ease her friend’s sorrow in whatever manner she could. Perhaps they could try riding again... Her thoughts were interrupted as the door opened and Monsieur Lacasse walked in. He was carrying some clothing over his arm. Smiling, he dismissed Louisa and closed the door behind her.

Duncan’s stomach filled with dread. A robed Andre had put the bathing suit on the bed and now waited, seemingly at ease in a wingback chair by the balcony. It was a black one piece and had a nearly ridiculous little panel at the front and back, its purpose painfully obvious to Duncan. Resigning himself to the inevitable, he undressed and put the suit on.

“Look in the mirror, Princess.” Andre surveyed the woman in front of him. The suit fit perfectly. Cut low in the front it emphasized the beautiful mounds of her breasts. Also cut low in the back, the lovely curve of her spine disappeared into the little panel at the back which just barely covered the firm globes of her bottom. Her waist flared out to luscious hips and the front panel modestly hid the reality of what she was.

Duncan turned and looked in the mirror. He saw a female, generous of curve but with odd attributes. Too broad at the shoulders, large square hands, the oh-so-obvious Adam’s apple and long thick legs with ugly knees and large feet. He dropped his eyes and clenched his fists. I’m a complete freak... He barely glanced up as Andre placed a short robe over his shoulders. His hand was engulfed in a large warm hand and he was led from the room.

Andre brought her to the pool house knowing that Sarah had probably never been there. He’d felt in the mood for a swim and wanted his pet with him. He’d been extremely pleased with her behavior after the riding incident and now wanted to relax with his little wife. He ignored the sudden hesitation as they entered. Pulling her forward he placed his arm around Sarah’s waist and led her to one of the chairs ringing the huge pool.

“Andre, please...I can’t...” Terror was closing in on Duncan as Andre pulled the robe from his shoulders; visions of water closing over his face making him cringe and pull back.

“Shhh, darling, I’ve got you...this isn’t bad. I know you like to swim and you needn’t get your face wet...” He proudly eyed the large glass-domed and plant-filled room. “Isn’t it nice in here? And there’s a sauna and Jacuzzi that we could relax in later, if you’d like.” Without further word he picked her up and carried her down the few steps into the pool, grunting slightly as her body stiffened in his arms. As soon as they entered the water Sarah turned to Andre and clung to him like a frightened child clinging to a parent while in the clutches of a horrible nightmare.

Andre looked down at his wife, gasping and clutching painfully at his shoulders. The tense pale face and panicked eyes made her distress obvious...and they were only waist-deep. He paused, a strange feeling of almost sorrow coursing through him. He’d purposely taken away so much that made Duncan MacLeod who he was, but he’d never meant to take this diversion away from her. A sudden warmth around him made him realize just how terrified his pet was. He had to get her out of the pool.

“Shh, baby, it’s alright...we’ll get out.” Andre moved quickly back to the steps realizing that Sarah was going into shock. Stepping out he picked Sarah up and carried her to the sauna. Although he knew of her hatred of small rooms, again thanks to his treatment, he brought Sarah into the room, propping the door open as he entered.

Duncan was aware of his surroundings and again began to struggle.

“No, no...The door’s open, you see?” He moved aside so that she could see out. Sarah closed her eyes, her body relaxed so suddenly that Andre thought she’d fainted. But that was dispelled as she again opened her eyes and her body began to shake.

Duncan’s teeth were chattering slightly as his body trembled. “I’m s-sorry, Daddy...the p-pool...had an ac-accident...”

“Don’t worry, princess. I have the finest filtering equipment so it’s not a problem. Just relax now.” Slight feelings of guilt meandered through his brain, an emotion he hadn’t felt in years. Andre sighed as he stroked the dark hair wondering just when he’d begun to develop a conscience. My, my, Highlander, what you do to me...

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Louisa watched as her employer took Sarah to the pool. What a horrible idea! Does he not understand what this would do to her? She practically growled in anger. It would be up to her to help Sarah get through this. Yes, but for now she could use the time knowing the library was empty. She had been paying attention and knew where he kept his most important papers. A pang of fear coursed through her as she walked into the library as though everything was totally normal. Adam had told her to photograph everything with the little camera he’d given her, but above all else to be careful no one saw her. He’d asked if there were cameras in the rooms, but Louisa knew there weren’t any...her brother had one day bragged about everything his job entailed so Louisa knew about the estate’s security and had told Adam everything.

Oh, he was such a wonderful man! So sweet and caring and he had treated her like such a lady. Louisa was so glad that she had found him in that little bookstore. He had taken her into his office and closed the door. He’d even put on some music to calm her. She had told him all her concerns about their friend, recalling how his eyes had narrowed in his anger and she had felt a rush of fear, but the look had vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Oh, Adam must love Sarah very much! They talked a bit more about what Louisa’s duties were and what Sarah did to pass the day. He seemed amused as she had mentioned the crocheting and gave her the most beautiful smile. That’s when he asked her to photograph the papers saying that it could help set Sarah free. Finally he had suggested some books for Sarah to read and had put them in a shopping bag for her. So, to help her friend hopefully reunite with the man she loved Louisa vowed to help however she could. Even if it meant she was betraying her employer and her brother. I’m sorry, Stefan! But you’re too good at what you do to be unemployed for long. She quickly finished and had just sat down with a book when one of the guards came in to call her.

There was no surprise as she entered the bedroom to find Sarah in tears. Monsieur Lacasse merely said “Take care of her,” before leaving quietly. That in itself was odd for he seemed somewhat subdued. But none of that mattered now. Sarah needed her. She pulled the shaking form into her arms and began stroking the dark hair as she rocked her friend, whispering little endearments to help calm her down. Louisa couldn’t wait to get the camera back to Adam.