Author: Cadey

Characters: M, J, Amy Thomas, Sydney Fox, Nigel Bailey

Disclaimer: Panzer/Davis own Methos (rarrr), Amy Thomas, and Joe Dawson, as well as the Watchers, Le Blues Bar, Immortality, and a tattoo. Sydney, Nigel, Claudia, relic hunting, and Nigel's computer belongs to that PTB. I can't remember who does own them, but I know that I don't.

Rating: NC-17

Author's Notes: Oooh. This is turning out to be a series. Flashback warning! And a romance warning! Methos/Amy Thomas romance up ahead! *ducks several flying swords, beer bottles, books, Chronicles, bottle caps, and oversized sweaters* Yeah, I'm weird. Don't like it, don't read it. You have been warned. As always, constructive criticism, beta offers, marriage proposals, fireworks, and generous praise are accepted at highlandspacecadet@yahoo.com. Flames will be used to light firecrackers, bombs, and other explosives. :)

Joe knew that something was up with Methos. For one, he had barely touched his beer.

"What's wrong Old Man?"

Methos looked up suddenly, looking every bit of his 5,000 plus years. "Joe, did you know that this is my fifteenth year living in Paris? This is a record. I've rarely stayed in one place for longer than eight years." He scrubbed his hand over his face. "I've got to move soon. There's only so much I can ascribe to good genetic makeup."

Joe felt a lump in his throat. "So where are you going to?"

Methos shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe back to the Northwest. I'm not quite sure yet." Amy slid into the barstool next to him reading an article.

"Adam, Joe," she greeted absently.

"Hello Amy. What are you reading?"

Amy looked up from the article and smiled her thanks at Joe for the glass of wine that appeared in front of her. "National Geographic. It's about a professor who's also a relic hunter. Rather fascinating stuff."

"Who is it?"

"A Dr. Sydney Fox. She's a professor of Ancient History at Trinity College. She was the one that found the hook and flail in a studio in England a few months ago."

"Ah. I was wondering where her name was from."

"Well, apparently, she likes for her finds to end up in museums instead of in the hands of private collectors. The Smithsonian has gotten several contributions from her."

Joe leaned over. "What all has she 'recovered?'"

Amy shook her head. "It looks like a 'Things to Have in the Ancient World' list. Statues, books, artifacts, you name it, she's gotten her hands on it."

Methos peeked over her shoulder. "Does she read ancient languages?"

"No, thank God. She can speak different languages, but she can't read dead ones. Why?"

"Let's just say that I've got a thousand years of history buried. It'd be a good thing for everyone if it never saw the light of day again." Methos' voice had gone oddly quiet.

"Well, I hope that it's not about 10 miles west of Corinth. She's been contracted to verify artifacts from a dig there."

Methos' breath caught. "Too close." He looked at Amy. "I hope that your passport is up to date," he muttered as he pulled out his cell phone and booked a seat to Athens. Amy quickly followed suit.

Once in Athens, Amy watched Methos rent them an SUV. Her opinion of him went up a few notches as she observed the way he charmed the rental agent with fluent Greek. He caught Amy's eye and nodded towards the exit once he had possession of the keys. Amy picked up their bags and his sword case.

//What the hell did you pack? Bricks?//

//Hardly. Just some things that we'll need once we get there.//

//Ah. Be a dear, would you, and bring the car around?//

She felt his amusement. //As you command milady.//

Her eyes automatically scanned the crowds going out and in the airport out of habit. After the Walker incident, she had been very leery about not knowing her surroundings. She smiled slightly. Or maybe the old man was rubbing off on her.

//A bit of both I think. You've lived and learned, but I've had more experience at it.// Her eyes met his as he pulled up in their rental. She stored the bags in back and slid into the passenger seat.

"How very true."

Methos looked at his watch. "It's going to take us a couple of hours to get there. Once we're there, you get us a couple of rooms, and I'll make sure that the Corinth dig hasn't dug up any of what we're looking for." Amy nodded her ascent and opened up her copy of the newest Dean Koontz novel. Methos grumbled about the lack of American music on the radio, but quieted when Amy pulled out a Queen CD from her carryon. Once he was happily immersed in 80's rock, Amy lost herself in the book.

Just outside the town of Corinth, Methos turned the CD off. Amy glanced up and saw the long line of traffic waiting to cross the canal. She marked her place in her book and stretched out the kinks that had accumulated during the trip. Methos noticed her interest in everything around her.

"Never been here before?" She shook her head.

"I've been to Athens, but not this far out of the city." Her eyes looked over the hills. "Somewhere out there is all of your stuff?"

Methos nodded. "Yes. It would be a disaster if someone other than us got their hands on it."

"What all do you have buried out there?"

He sighed and wished the traffic would move. "Amy, has Joe told you about the Four Horsemen?"

"No, but I read about it in MacLeod's Chronicle." A sardonic smile hovered around the edges of his lips.

"I wonder how watered down it was."

"It depends. How watered down is the tale of four Immortals pillaging, raping, and murdering their way across most of the known world for a thousand years?"

"That's just the bare bones of it." His voice was tight.

"Methos." His eyes locked onto hers. It was the first time she had said his true name. "I don't presume to judge people. Especially ones that saved my life. You didn't have to help Joe find me, but you did. People change. You've changed for the better. You're not Death on a horse anymore. You're Methos. That's got to mean something." He smiled at her.

"You're taking this a lot better than what I thought."

Amy shrugged. "The past is the past. I've done things that I'm not proud of now. How can anyone expect you not to have those same regrets? I'm taking a guess here, but we're going to the place where you buried everything that reminded you of being Death, right?"

"You must have read my mind."

Amy smiled. "I can do that too. So what are we dragging out?"

Methos shrugged. "Armor, statues, my journal, everything."

"Can we fit everything in?"

"Don't worry. It may sound like a lot, but the heaviest thing I kept was an alabaster statue about two feet high. I stored them in this cave when I occasionally, and then finally parted company with the Horsemen. The journal is what we mostly need to get."

Amy nodded just as they passed over the canal. "Do you remember how to get there?"

"Of course." He stopped in front of a small bed and breakfast. "See if you can grab a room or two."

"As long as you don't try to drag out everything right now."

"I would prefer to wait until dark. I just need to check around the dig and make sure they haven't discovered the cave."

"Okay." She got out and grabbed their bags, then looked at the sword case.

"Take it." //I put my sword away when I stopped for gas.// Amy nodded and gathered it up as well. She was barely five steps towards the entrance when he took off.

She walked into the middle of a very heated argument between a man and a woman she recognized as Sydney Fox. Her name being called didn't register for a second.

"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't hear you."

"That is quite all right. Those two will keep arguing for another five minutes. Mr. Pierson called, but I could not tell him about the change in your reservation."

"Reservation?"

"Oh yes. He made the reservations yesterday for two rooms. However, my Nicholas accidentally gave away one of your rooms."

"That's okay. We're not going to stay long." Once she was checked in and had been shown their room, she sank down gratefully on the bed.

//One room?// The question flitted through her mind.

//One room. It's not as if we're staying for a week. Besides, I saw Dr. Fox.//

//Did she see you?//

//I'm not quite sure. She seemed to be into a deep argument with someone, but I'm pretty sure that she notices everything that goes on around her.//

//You'd better take a nap. We're going to have a busy night.//

//What about you?//

//I can go without a little sleep.//

//Your new Immortal talent?//

//Smart ass. Don't worry. I'll catch an hour or so in the chair.//

//If you say so. But the bed is big enough for both of us.//

//And have your father find out and force me to marry you with a sword at my neck?//

//Your sense of humor is weird Methos. Sleep wherever you want.//

//I intend to. Sleep well.//

Amy smiled and curled up under the covers, having little trouble dropping off into sleep.

She woke up slowly, feeling the soft mattress give under her weight and hearing the soft breathing of Methos. The fact that he was asleep right next to her in the bed didn't surprise her. The only chair in the room was straight backed and looked very uncomfortable to even sit in.

"Have a good nap?" She looked over at him.

"As a matter of fact, yes, I did. How long have you been asleep?"

He check his watch. "A few hours. It's 7:12 right now."

"Hmm. Shower, dinner, check out, then we do a little relic hunting of our own sound about right?"

"Except for the checking out part, everything is fine."

"We're going to stay the night?"

"Just trust me on this."

"All right. You want to take a shower first?"

Methos shook his head. "Took one earlier. You go ahead. I'll get us something to eat." Amy nodded and grabbed her bag. At the doorway of the bathroom, she stopped and turned around.

"Hey Methos?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks." He smiled.

"You're welcome."

Thirty minutes later, freshly showered, feeling more awake, and dressed in black jeans and a black t-shirt, Amy stepped out of the bathroom to the heavenly scent of their dinner. Methos was similarly attired in black jeans and a black henley sweater and hiking boots.

"So what did you find out at the dig?"

"They haven't found the cave yet. They're getting uncomfortably close though. I also met Dr. Fox today."

"Really? What's she like?"

"Headstrong. Willful. Kind of reminds me of you. And I think I just may have solved a minor dilemma."

"And which dilemma is that?"

"Like I was telling Joe, I've been in Paris for fifteen years. I rarely stay in one place for more than eight. People are starting to notice that I still look the same as when they met me."

"Time to move on?"

"Past time. I just have to plan a little. First, we get my things. Then I can think about moving again." Amy swallowed the last bite of her meal.

"Well? Let's get to this."

Amy was impressed. She would have never found this cave unless she was directly on top of it and even then, she might have passed it by. The entrance to the cave was hidden behind a large boulder that served as a natural shield from the elements and looters. If someone had found the entrance, they would have easily gotten lost from the multitude of paths they could take. Methos immediately started down the left hand opening, then turning to the right, then back left. Amy wondered if they were going around in circles when he announced that they were there. The firelight danced around the cavern, and Amy found that they could probably clean it out in one trip, maybe two.

She looked at Methos, who was staring at the armor fixedly. //Methos?//

That seemed to shake him out of his reverie. //Give me one of the bags and I'll pack up the armor. The journal is over behind the statue. Gather up as much as you can fit into the bag.// She handed him one of the duffle bags they had brought along and moved quietly to get the journal. She handled the mix match of leather, clay, and parchment carefully, since all of it was at least 2,000 years old. There were several leather bags, some fairly heavy, that went into the bag as well. The clothes she found provided a cushion for the clay tablets against the pottery and whatever tossing would be done.

//Done?// he asked.

//Just about,// she answered. //But how are we going to get the statue out?//

//We'll carry it along with the bags. Use the skins for cushioning around the cups.//

//I hear and obey. You get everything?//

//Yes I did.// He lifted his duffle bag.

//Done.// Methos' mouth twitched into a small smile as he knelt down and reached behind the statue to pull out a small circular amulet on a thin silver chain.

//Not quite.// He quickly put it on her and tucked it into her shirt before picking up his duffle bag. //Now we're done.// He wrapped his free arm around the statue, carrying it like a football.

Once back at the bed and breakfast, Amy set her duffle bag down on the bed. She pulled the chain from under her shirt and looked at the amulet. It was a circular bright blue stone about two inches in diameter.

"It's a seal made of lapis lazuli."

"A seal?"

"Look on the bottom." Amy turned it up so she was staring at the bottom. She ran a finger over the bottom, feeling a somewhat familiar design on it. She ran her finger over it again, trying to recognize the design.

"Look at your wrist Amy," he whispered. She looked at her left wrist, at the indigo blue tattoo that every Watcher wore. Her finger traced the mysterious design one more time before her nerveless fingers dropped the seal. "What does it mean?"

Methos traced his finger over her tattoo. "It's the seal of Methos. My name, the only one I can remember."

**2960 BC**

Air forced itself back into deprived lungs as the man lying on the ground came back to life. The five people gathered around him jerked back in surprise and then dropped to their knees, bowing before the god.

Methos hated coming back to life. Coming back in front of witnesses was even worse. They all had the tendency to think that he was a god. He barely knew what he was, but he knew that he was not a god. He had seen the passing of hundreds of summers, yet he could not remember where he had come from, only the name that whispered through his mind after he had taken his first head. He still did not know what possessed him to strike at the neck, only a temptation that he could not stop. The wrath of the gods that had followed gave him impressions and memories that he knew weren't his.

"Get up." The two women and three men looked up at him in shock. "Come on, get up." The slowly got to their feet, keeping their eyes to the ground.

"What do you wish of us, o mighty god?"

Methos sighed. He had been challenged earlier, he didn't need this complicating his life. He was just about to order them away and never speak of this to anyone, when his previous thought came back to haunt him. His life. His life which may end with a swipe of a sword. Would anyone remember Methos? Would anyone remember what he did?

"I am not a god, just a man, but I would wish that you accompany me back to my house."

"We would be happy to, but if our master found us gone..."

Methos nodded. "Did your master bring you to town to be sold?"

"That is what he said, greater one."

"Who is your master?"

"Recil the advisor."

"Take me to him." The five led him to the slave market where he saw Recil. Methos did not like the man, seeing him as greedy and deceitful. The whip in the man's hand did not improve Methos' opinion. Recil was about whip the slaves that had been gone longer than he thought was necessary when he saw Methos. Methos was a good two heads taller than most people, and his pale, angular face was noticed.

"Good day Methos."

"Good day Recil. I understand that you are selling these five slaves."

"Yes. For a good price of five silver pieces."

"I will pay two."

"Four."

"Three and not a piece more."

"You drive a hard bargain, Methos. Four. The little one is a good personal slave."

"Three." Methos' voice was cold and flat.

"Very well. Three pieces." Methos counted out the three silver pieces. The overseer brought over a half dry piece of clay documenting the sale of five slaves. Methos took off the silver chain holding his seal and pressed it into the clay to get a good impression. The overseer handed Methos the clay and Methos nodded at the five slaves gathered around themselves.

"Let's go." They followed along faithfully behind him to his house. He opened the door wearily and motioned them inside. They stood in the center of the room, watching his every move.

"I'm not going to kill you. You have nothing to fear from me. What did Recil have you do?"

The oldest man spoke first. "I am Markather. I was a scribe in Ur when I was forced to sell me and my family into slavery."

"A scribe?" Methos smiled. "Your family?"

"Yes, master." He pointed at the two women. "That is my wife, Ulina, and my youngest daughter, Kayla."

Methos nodded. "And you two?"

The younger one spoke. "We have always been slaves in Recil's house. I am Arkd and he is Nilu."

"I am Methos. I have lived for over 400 summers, never dying permanently, unless my head is separated from my body. There are others in the world like me. They claim that there is a Game among Immortals, that we are fighting for a mystical Prize. I do not believe it. We fight to the death, with no intervention from others. Temples are our neutral ground, they protect and shelter us from others of our kind. I bought you five today because you know that I exist. I will tell you my story before I must fight today. If I fall in battle, you all will be granted your freedom. Markather, you were a scribe. I wish for you to write what I tell."

Markather bowed from the waist. "Of course master."

Methos walked back from his scribing desk with several tablets. Methos once again pressed his seal into each one in the upper right corner. Nilu brought Methos a cup of beer before sitting on the floor with Arkd and Kayla. Methos started his story telling them of not remembering where he came from, or how he came to be, then moving on to taking his first head and the lightning that had come from nowhere on a clear summer day. He told them of his moving from tribe to tribe, since he was usually cast out when it was found of his inability to sire children. How he finally came to be in Eridu as a scribe after learning to read and write. Once he finished his story, Kayla looked shyly up at him.

"Master, you say that if you die in battle today, that you will free us. What should we do with your incredible story?"

"I want people to remember me, Kayla. To remember what I did, so I will not be forgotten. If I die and you should come across another of my kind, tell my story. Ask them to tell you their story as well. Immortals should not be forgotten as they die."

"Master, my father is the only one of us that is able to read and write. If we should ask others for their story, should we not record it without changing it?"

"Then you will all learn to read and write, Kayla. I know that it is not proper for you and your mother to learn, but propriety should not interfere with Immortal business. The sun has passed overhead and I have been challenged. One of you may come with me, but must not be seen."

Nilu, who had said very little, looked up. "I will stand with you master, and pray to the gods that you will not perish."

Methos nodded and wrote five short lines on a small tablet, then pressed his seal into it. He handed the tablet to Markather. "If Nilu comes back and tells you that he has seen my body, then this frees you all. The house and all of my possessions will become yours."

Markather took it with trembling hands. "Thank you master, but you will not fall in battle today."

"It's always good to be safe." Ulina carried his sword to him and uttered a brief prayer to the gods of war that her new master would not die.

**Present Day**

"So they stayed with you?"

Methos nodded. "Until they all died, but they left their children with my legacy. I had given each child my seal to mark the Immortal stories, and one day one came back and told me of seeing slaves now being marked with ink at the slave market. They were afraid of being marked as runaway slaves if they were not marked as being owned by me, so I went out and bought indigo dye, then marked each one with my seal. Each child after that was marked with the seal of Methos after they were taught to read and write and told of Immortals. Some were sent to find other Immortals and gather their stories. I guess you could say that it snowballed from there."

Amy smiled. "We were never told how the Watchers were started. Now I know. Thank you Methos." She turned her head and suddenly realized how close they were sitting to each other.

"You're welcome, Amy. There is one other thing that I wish to give you." He pulled out an amber charm on a leather string. On closer inspection, the charm was a nude woman with her arms held out slightly from her sides, like she was reaching out for a child. "The goddess Inanna," he explained as he tied the leather at her neck.

"It's beautiful."

"So are you." His eyes held hers for brief instant before he looked away. He made as if to get up, but Amy held fast to his arm while her other hand brought his head back up. His eyes met hers again, almost defiantly, daring her to laugh. The walls were back in his eyes, and around his feelings.

The hand holding his arm released its grip, then started stroking up and down his bicep. Amy knew that he was well toned, but was shocked to feel the firmness of his arm. Her other hand dropped from the side of his face to lightly stroke his sensitive neck. His eyes closed from her soft caress just as she leaned forward to press her lips against his. Her breath caught as his hands made a lazy journey up her back to tangle in her hair and bring her back to his lips. One of his hands left her head and traveled down to her hips. One soft tug had her sitting in his lap.

"Amy..." He was hushed by her lips on his.

//I am a grown woman Methos. I know all the reasons why we shouldn't, but I don't want to stop.// He pushed her back just enough to look at her.

//But what about when you wake up in my arms naked? Will you be able to live with your decision then?//

Amy rocked forward. "Does that answer your question Methos? I can live with this." Methos didn't bother answering, he just pulled her down with him to the bed.

"You said something about an answer to your dilemma?" Methos looked down at Amy, who was drawing random patterns on his bare chest. She looked back up at him, with an innocent look on her face, but the effect was spoiled by the naughty grin on her lips.

He pulled her over him, so she was straddling his body. "I suppose I did. When I met Dr. Fox, her assistant, Nigel, came over saying something about the computer finally deciphering some of the writing. I simply asked why a computer had to translate writing, so Nigel explains that Trinity College has to hire out translators since there's no one hired in that capacity there. I asked a few more questions and found out that not only is Trinity looking for an ancient linguist to translate occasionally, but also is looking for a professor to offer courses in ancient language studies."

Amy arched an eyebrow. "So when are you going to start?"

Methos lightly pinched her butt and savored the feeling of her naked body sliding over his. "The fall semester. Which gives me enough time to get a new paper trail started for Adam Pierson and gives you enough time to learn what you need to."

Amy looked down at him. "How did I get into this?"

"Ah my dear Amy, think about it. What better excuse to hang around a college professor than to be a college professor's assistant?"

"A few Watchers have done that before. However, those Immortals didn't know that their assistant's main job was to watch them. Since the Tribunal knows I'm Joe's daughter, that I've been known to associate with you, and that you've saved my life before, I don't think that they'll go for it. It would take some major convincing or blackmail to make the Tribunal let me be your teaching assistant."

"Let me take care of that. But for now, perhaps we should look into something that just came up," he said as he rubbed his hips against hers. Her moan echoed blissfully throughout the room and in his head.

His hands lifted her breasts as he scraped his nails lightly across her nipples. His mouth lazily traveled down her neck, occasionally biting, then laving the stinging skin with his tongue. He nibbled lightly on her collarbone before taking her right nipple into his mouth. His hand roved down her stomach, down to the juncture of her thighs, to find her warm and moist. Her hands locked themselves in his short hair and pulled him closer in a wordless plea for more. His thumb found her clit just as his mouth recaptured hers. He savored her moan and slowly worked his thumb in a circle. Amy pulled away from his lips and trailed a hand down Methos' lean body. His breath hissed out when she wrapped a hand around him.

She kissed his neck and felt him shudder beneath her. She slowly sank down, taking him in an inch at a time. "I didn't want to wait," she whispered in his ear.

"Neither do I," he growled as he took her hips and lifted her up, then let her sink back down his length. She placed her palms on his chest for leverage as she moved up and down his erect shaft. She drove herself down harder each time, trying to get to that *one* spot...

He pulled her down to take her mouth in a bruising kiss just as his hips rushed up to meet hers. He savored her small scream of fulfillment and the feel of her body clenching around him was enough to send him over the edge as well.

Amy woke up the next morning feeling a bit sore, yet completely ravished. A small smile curved her lips. Methos *did* learn a thing or two over five thousand years. She could hear his voice speaking softly into the phone, and when he noticed that she was awake, it grew gradually louder as he came towards her.

"Thanks Andraes. We'll be there in a couple of hours." He hung up the phone and leaned over to give her a brief kiss.

"Who was that?" she asked when he moved from her lips.

"Andraes. Old friend of mine that agreed to fly us into Paris today."

"Ooh. Private jet. I'm impressed." She smiled at winked at him, watching him laugh.

"If you want to be even more impressed you'd better get some clothes on. We've got to be at the airfield in two hours."

Amy stretched and threw back the sheet covering her body. She noticed the way his gaze traveled slowly down her body and watched her walk into the bathroom. The hot water felt heavenly on sore muscles and as much as she longed that she could stay in there for the next day or so, she hurriedly washed up and dried off. After pawing through the small overnight bag she'd packed for a few minutes, she finally emerged from the bathroom in a sensible pair of jeans and a blue sweater. Methos was sprawled into the chair, talking on his cell phone again. He smiled at her, but put a finger to his lips, indicating that she should stay quiet.

"Thanks Joe." He listened for a moment, then smiled. "I think Amanda wouldn't be able to resist the temptation to *purloin* a few of these priceless artifacts for her own use. That's why I asked to use your basement." Methos' eyes met Amy's as he listened to Joe. "Yeah. A friend of mine is taking us back to Paris. Yes, both of us." Methos snorted. "Yes, I do know how to fake airline records. Don't worry 'Dad.' We'll be back around three this afternoon."

Methos hung up the phone. "Well," he started as he stretched comfortably, "Joe's going to let me leave this in his basement for a few days until I can find somewhere else." He stood up. "Are you ready to go?"

Amy nodded and fingered the amber charm absently. He captured her hand and gently kissed it. He turned her hand over and kissed the Watcher tattoo on her wrist.

//I know you're worried, but never fear. I will make sure that you come with me when I move. One way or another.// Amy smiled.

//Awfully sure aren't you?//

//Ah, cara mia, I can manipulate and scheme with the best of them. If it comes down to blackmail, I can do that too. Anything to keep you around.// His eyes were warm as he looked down at her. She pressed her lips against his briefly, then pulled away.

"We should go."

"Yeah we should. Andraes will be waiting." They each grabbed their respective overnight bag, and one of the plain black duffle bags. Amy stored the bags in the back of their SUV around the blanket-wrapped statue and the long sword case. She could see Methos talking with Dr. Fox and a young man, who must be her assistant, Nigel. After exchanging handshakes, Methos finally made his way out to the SUV with his overnight bag hanging over his shoulder. He stored the bags in the back and threw his coat on top of it all.

Joe was waiting by the door that opened up into the alleyway as they pulled up. Amy grabbed a duffle bag and kissed Joe's cheek as she went by into the bar and down into the basement/wine cellar. Methos grabbed the other duffle bag and the statue and nodded to Joe as he took the same path Amy did. Joe shook his head and shut the door.

Amy rushed back up from the basement and back out the side door before Joe had a chance to ask her anything. He turned his attention on Methos, who was sprawling out in his favorite barstool.

"So what happened?"

Methos shrugged. "We got everything that I went for. And a bit more."

Joe raised his eyebrows, a clear indication to continue.

"Do you know where Trinity College is?"

"Not really. Why?"

"Because Trinity is looking for an ancient linguistics translator slash professor."

"Ah. I see."

Methos nodded. His eyes flicked to the door as Amy walked back in. Joe poured him a draft and got Amy a glass of wine. "Anyways. Think you can make a recommendation for Amy to be my primary Watcher?"

Joe blinked once, slowly. "Possibly. I don't know if it will go over with the Tribunal though."

"Then what I'm going to ask next is really going to give them a heart attack. I'm going to be a professor at Trinity College. Dr. Fox told me that if I could fax my references to the dean, that I would probably get the job, no questions asked."

"So far so good. What's the big news?"

"I want Amy to be my only Watcher, as well as my assistant. With the way Dr. Fox finds artifacts, it might only be a matter of time before she hands me something to translate that's about Immortals. And if my assistant already knows about Immortals..."

"Then we don't have to do damage control. It's already right there."

"Precisely."

"About Amy being your sole Watcher, I don't know if that will go over too well with Dr. Zoll and the Tribunal." Methos sighed.

"I don't want to be the bloody Pied Piper. Convince them, blackmail them, do whatever you have to do."

Joe held up a hand. "I'll do my best." A smile curled his lips up. "So when can I see what you brought back?"

Fall hadn't yet reached the outskirts of Hartford, Connecticut, but one could tell that it was on its way. Large groups of students hurried from building to building, trying not to be late for class.

Groups of students clustered together in the classroom for Ancient Languages, gossiping about the rumors circulating about the newest professor. A minute after the class was supposed to start, the door opened. The lithe brunette that walked in merely raised an eyebrow at the silence that descended upon the room when she walked to the podium. She was dressed casually in jeans, sneakers, and a white t-shirt that said 'Age and Treachery will always overcome Youth and Skill.' A few student chuckled at Amy Thomas' shirt. Of course, it wasn't *her* shirt, but she had 'borrowed' it for the day from Methos. The shirt itself was a tongue-in-cheek present from Joe. She still wore the two necklaces that Methos had given her, one under her shirt and one over it. The door opened once again, and every eye was drawn to the man who walked through it. Most of the female eyes rounded, and even a few of the males looked interested.

"Good afternoon, everyone. I am Dr. Adam Pierson, and I will be your slave driver for the next several weeks." Everyone shared a laugh. "My partner in crime is Amy Thomas, who will be your TA and who is handing out the syllabus as we speak. Both of our office hours are on the syllabus, as well as ways you can reach us."

Amy collapsed into a chair across the desk from Methos and closed her eyes for a few blessed minutes.

//You almost look better in that shirt than I do.// Amy smiled and opened her eyes. Methos was leaning against the doorway with a small smirk on his face.

//And here I was thinking that you liked the way I look when I have nothing on.//

He grinned. //I like that too.//

"Ah, Dr. Pierson." Methos turned around to look at the voice that issued the greeting.

"Dr. Fox. I was wondering when we would run into each other again."

"Just Sydney."

"In that case, I'm Adam. Have you met my assistant, Amy Thomas?"

"No, I haven't. Pleased to meet you."

Amy shook the proffered hand. "A pleasure," she murmured. Her eyes traveled to the young man who had just come in.

"And this is my assistant, Nigel Bailey." Amy nodded at the somewhat nervous looking grad student, who waved back.

"Uh Sydney? Dr. Phillips is on the phone..." Sydney nodded and made her goodbyes, followed by Nigel.

There was a knock on the door and Sydney stuck her head back in. "Welcome to Trinity College, Adam." A dazzling smile, then she was gone.

End Joined, Chapter 1