Lost

Chapter 29

Duncan woke up sore and tired and with an ache deep in both his belly and his ass. Andre had been angry and Duncan had paid for it. He looked down at his hand as though to verify the events of the day before had been only a dream, but the gleam of the platinum band around his finger in place of the gold and diamond band was very real. He was Methos’ wife! He turned to see the body next to him, saw the large man still deep in his slumber. He and Methos had married, but he wasn’t free. He was still a possession. Instead of being with his husband and consummating their marriage, he’d been raped repeatedly on his wedding night with Andre staring at the wedding band and then thrusting his anger into Duncan’s body. He felt despair and loss at the knowledge that he may never be with Methos again. Why would Methos want him after he’d spent a mortal lifetime as Andre’s whore?

As they had during the night, the tears began to course down his face, sorrow for the love he felt he’d lost flooding through him. With no way to retaliate that wouldn’t cause pain to others he succumbed to his grief in great silent sobs as Andre slept on.

Sometime later Andre rolled over and forced himself to stand. He glanced back at the bed and saw Sarah sleeping restlessly, her body shaking with the tiny hiccups and shuddering gasps that remained from her journey into despair. Her face, though somewhat relaxed in sleep, still showed the ravages of her emotional loss. Andre saw all of this and marveled at the shame he felt and yet he knew, given the same set if circumstances, that he would do it all again. Sarah was his, and she was what he’d made her for as long as he was alive. And he would care for her...even after his death.

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Methos was pissed. It was after three in the afternoon and Joe had never called him. He showered and dressed knowing that Connor was probably there waiting for him. In the back of his mind he knew that Joe just wanted him to rest, but there were too many critical details they had yet to discuss before they moved.

Methos stalked into the bar and scanned the room. No one was waiting in the main room and Methos could feel no sense of Presence as he walked towards the office. What the hell was going on?

Joe looked up as he burst into the office, no surprise on his face as he gestured towards a pot of coffee on his desk. “Hi...want some?”

“Joe, did Connor make it in?” He wasn’t wasting any time on pleasantries.

“Settle down, Adam. Yes, he’s here. Well, actually, he’s gone to the airport to pick up Richie.”

“What’s Ryan doing back so early? And why didn’t you call me when Connor got in?” Methos had calmed somewhat though he was still pissed. He poured himself some coffee.

“Connor was still waiting on word from one of his guys when Rich called to say he’d be in today and to hold the party till he got here. We both figured you could use the time sleeping. Were we wrong?” Joe looked Methos over and decided that no, damnit, they hadn’t been wrong. Methos looked a hell of a lot better than he had last night, though he probably still needed something to eat. God, I sound just like Mac...

Methos stopped for a moment and decided Joe was right. He did need the sleep, especially if they couldn’t move until they were sure all the men were in place. “Yeah, alright, Joe. Happy?”

“Nah, not yet. I’ll be happier when I see you eat something.” Joe laughed more at himself than the look Methos gave him, but he knew he’d won when Methos called out to Mike to order a sandwich.

Methos was eating the last of his chips when he felt a strong surge of Presence. He looked towards the door that opened without a knock. Joe also looked at the door when he saw Methos’ expression. Everyone relaxed as Richie stuck his head in to say hi.

“Well, lookee here, if it ain’t Mr. Richie Rich himself.” Joe laughed as Rich rolled his eyes at being compared to the wealthy child cartoon character.

“Hey, don’t knock it till you’ve tried it!” Smiling he sat down as Connor silently followed him in the door and took a seat.

Methos smiled at Ryan but turned to Connor. “Have all of your men checked in?”

“Yes, they’re already in place just in case the four of us getting together prompts any action from Lacasse.”

“Good. Well, then, there’s no time like the present.” He rubbed his hands together in mock glee and then reached behind the couch he was sitting on and pulled out a roll of paper. It was a diagram of Lacasse’s estate. Between the four men they covered everything they needed to move in and liberate Duncan MacLeod.

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Louisa was worried. Sarah hadn’t spoken all day and seemed to be sinking into one of her “gone” states. She had never regressed like this before. This didn’t usually happen unless she’d received one of her treatments, and she knew that hadn’t happened. But here she was, her arms wrapped tightly around herself as she silently rocked back and forth. By shaking her slightly and getting her attention focused, Louisa had been able to get her showered and dressed. But once she sat for any amount of time, she would begin to rock. Monsieur Lacasse had taken one look at her and stalked away. He said he’d be in his library and was not to be disturbed. Monsieur Lacasse didn’t look very well, either. His face had grown thin and his clothes were starting to hang on his large frame. What was happening to everyone?

She had decided to read to Sarah in the solarium hoping she could elicit some reaction when she was called to the phone. She felt herself tense. There was only one reason for her to be receiving a phone call at the estate. Adam had told her he would give her a thirty minute warning to get out of the house. She was to get Sarah to the bedroom, make sure she was wearing the necklace and then get her brother to drive her home immediately after she was called with the message that there was a family emergency. Calling a guard to watch Sarah, she picked up the extension in the hallway and did receive the message she’d been expecting. Hanging up, she took a deep breath and then spoke with the guards to ask that her brother be sent to her. Then she quietly tapped on the door to the library.

Monsieur Lacasse was engrossed in documents on his desk and only peripherally heard what she was saying. When she suggested that Sarah would be fine with only the guards to watch her, he agreed tiredly and waved her on. She thanked him and left as quietly as she had come in.

She returned to Sarah and gently pulled her hands away from her body. “Come, ma cher, let’s go to the bedroom, alright?” She spoke gently, as though to a child, as she wrapped an arm around Sarah’s waist and led her upstairs.

She had just settled Sarah on the chaise lounge in the corner and double-checked her necklace when her brother tapped on the door.

“Louisa, what’s the problem?” Stefan stepped in and quietly closed the door. Louisa looked at him and smiled. He was the only member of their family who accepted Louisa for who she was and she simply adored him. It killed her to have to lie to him, but she was sure he’d understand in time. He’d often said that he felt very sorry for the Madame and her situation.

“Stefan, its Gerard. My neighbor called...he’s drunk and is yelling for me. I need to go to him but I’m a bit afraid. Will you go with me just in case anything goes wrong? I’ve already spoken with Monsieur Lacasse and have his permission.” She saw the indecision on his face. He took his job very seriously. “I know there aren’t as many guards as there used to be, but this should only take a while. We can come back once Gerard is settled again. Please?”

“We have permission, then?” At Louisa’s strident nod, he finally agreed. Gesturing to Sarah he asked about her. He was deeply concerned over her blank look and rocking.

“She is in one of her states. She’ll be fine until we return, but we must leave now.” Louisa didn’t hesitate to get them out of the estate. It had been twenty minutes since the phone call and she was terrified.