Rated a hard NC17 for m/m touchie feelie, and m/w/m with anal sex.

IN PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

Part 2

By Donna, Abby and Tilla

After the workout at the dojo, Sarah Jo and Duncan bid farewell to Connor and made their way out the door and across town towards the swimming pool. Katherine had invited Kolya over to spend some time over at her place. And since she was taking care of Baby Methos that evening, the Russian dancer happily agreed. He really loved babies and was not going to turn down an opportunity to be around one.

When Katherine had picked up the baby from the penthouse where Methos lived, she told him that Sarah Jo wanted to talk to him about something and would meet him at the pool after the workout. Methos nodded. "All right," he said, as if not curious at all. When

Katherine left, he hurriedly grabbed a towel and rushed over for his swim. He tended to skinny dip, and he wasn't sure he wanted Sarah Jo finding him naked and vulnerable if she had something to *talk* to him about.

The night air felt cool on the Sarah Jo and Duncan's bodies, which where were still damp with sweat. On the way over, he could not resist teasing her about her fear of deep water. After all, she was immortal, and it could not hurt her. "You and Ja-. . ." Duncan stopped as her face clouded. He had just wanted to share something she and Jean-Claude had in common, but seeing that it put her off, he pretended not to understand and said, "Bloody hell, woman, you can't drown!"

"Ah know that!" Sarah Jo grumped. "It's the only thing ah can honestly say scares the willies out of me. It's ok as long as my feet can touch the ground. But ah am bound and determined to get over this!"

The two had arrived at the building where the pool was, and Duncan politely held the door open for her. "Why thank ye kindly," she said sweetly, giving him a kiss on his cheek.

There was a splash from behind the door and the slapping of wet feet. Curious, Duncan pushed past Sarah Jo to see if there was anyone there who may endanger her. Inside, Methos was sprawled in a lawn chair. He was wearing a long towel around his waist, and had somehow managed his boneless recline without showing anything obscene. "I'm unarmed, MacLeod. As you can see." Then he saw Sarah Jo and his eyes narrowed, as if noting her *surprise*. "I thought you said you wanted to talk."

Sarah Jo just shrugged. "Ah'm going to get out of these sweaty clothes first." Before Methos or Duncan could say anything, she ducked into the ladies changing room to do so.

Duncan was stunned. "She set this up?"

"Yes," Methos nodded. "Any idea why?"

Inside the locker room, Sarah Jo began to shake. From what she had heard, the two men had been very close to each other at one time. She hoped that if she stalled long enough they would break down and start talking to each other again. Sighing, Sarah Jo stripped off her workout clothes and put on a skimpy two piece bikini that Dani had picked out for her. She then ducked into the shower to wash the sweat off of her body.

Methos rose and stripped off the towel. "All that bother for nothing," he said as he stood on the side of the pool, preparing to dive in. He noticed Duncan's look and said, "Well, come on, then!"

The Scot slipped to his bum and began pulling off his boots. He didn't know what Sarah Jo had planned, but he wouldn't stand there looking like an idiot!

Sarah Jo poked her head out the door but heard nothing but the sound of Methos diving into the water. She walked over to the shallow end of the pool and eased herself into the warm water and tentatively tried to swim from one side of the shallow end to the other. Methos came up for air and snickered. "Look who's back," he said over his shoulder to Duncan, who was just lowering his trousers. "What shall we do with her?"

Duncan grumbled something about if the two of the were going to swim without suits, Sarah Jo dang well ought to too. Apparently Methos thought that was a good idea and made his way gracefully across the pool towards Sarah Jo who was struggling to try to stay afloat. Despite his protestations to the contrary, Methos was wonderful in the water. He was to her in what seemed like two long dives. Duncan, seeing himself left out, ran halfway down the length of the pool before joining his fellow Immortals in the water. Sarah Jo yelped when she saw them, and tried to get back out of the water.

Duncan pulled her back in and held her while Methos stood in front of her. "Now, what did you want to talk to me about, Missy?"

As she struggled to get away from the two of them she went under the water and came up sputtering. Coughing out the water she looked up at Methos and started to say something but whatever it was turned to an indignant squeal as Duncan untied the back of her bikini top and stripped it off of her.

"Impressive," Methose said blandly, "but if you drown her, we'll have to wait till she comes back to find out what this is all about."

Duncan pouted. "We can always giver her CPR," he said at last.

He was shielded by Sarah Jo's body, but his excitement was evident.

"You two are horrible!" Sarah Jo said as she tried to retrieve her top which was floating away. But when she reached the point where

she could no longer keep her chin above the water she gave up. Deep water terrified her. "And you are both stubborn mules for not even giving each other the time of day!"

Methos grinned. "Another one. What are we going to do with the women of this town? Eh, Duncan? First Lady tries, and not totally unsuccessfully, to repair the all too wide chasm between myself and a certain Major. And then she drags your beguiling and, I think, not all together unwilling bum down here so we can kiss and make up? Is that what you had in mind, Flower?" He stressed the last word so he sounded like Doc.

Sarah Jo splashed him for that remark and then pointedly turned her back of the two of them and started to attempt to do a breast stroke to the other side of the pool which at times looked more like a a dog paddle. Methos looked at Duncan who laughed out loud. "She bloody well thinks she can . . ."

"Go get her tiger!" Methos said. But they both lunged. And considering Sarah Jo's swimming ability - or lack of it - she wasn't difficult to capture.

She struggled briefly and then came up sputtering again, clinging to the nearest body desperately as she got her feet under her again. "Ah do think the two of you should make up!" Sarah Jo managed to gasp in between dunkings.

Methos laughed. "Duncan, were we in a quarrel that I didn't know about?"

The Highlander just shrugged and mumbled something about the two of them had been mutually avoiding each other for sometime now. As the two men started to talk, Sarah Jo eased away from them again, heading back to the shallower water.

"Get her, you clod!" Methos laughed. "We can make up any time! Do you really want to waste a chance like this?"

This time she had actually managed to pull herself out of the pool and was quietly walking towards the locker room, hoping not to be noticed. When she saw the two men coming out of the pool as well, she turned and started to run. They caught up with her just before she reached the dubious safety of the woman's locker room and then carried her kicking and yelling back to the pool.

Both men were strong, and they were both aroused by the *hunt*. "I think she deserves a reward, don't you, Duncan?"

"Please! Let me go!" Sarah Jo begged as they pushed and pulled her to the edge of the deep end. She turned and looked at Duncan a split second before they tossed her in, "You would prefer being with him anyway!" Then the water closed over her head and she thrashed around trying to get back to the surface. Luckily she was right by the side of the pool and was able to grab on to it to avoid going under again.

Methos looked at his friend. "Would you really? Have I corrupted

you entirely?"

Duncan sputtered and, kneeling down to help bring Sarah Jo up, asked, "What ever gave you that bloody idea?"

Sarah Jo let go of her death grip on the side of the pool with one and grabbed Duncan's outstretched arm desperately, a look of sheer panic on her face. "All you ever do is talk about your male friends!" she gasped. "What else am I supposed to think?"

Methos laughed. "It's still new, Sarah Jo. He's actually living it. Take Jean-Claude away," he said, smiling apologetically at Duncan's frown, "and get him interested in a new toy, and he'd be like any kid. What does it matter what sex the toy is?"

"Ah just don't understand any of this!" Sarah Jo sobbed. And then releasing her tight grip on Duncan's supporting arm she kicked herself away from the wall and tried to swim away. She made it about half way across the pool before panic set in again and she started to flounder in the deep water.

Duncan was shocked. He thought what Methos said, although typically demeaning to himself personally, would make Sarah Jo smile. Instead she was endangering herself. Methos didn't hesitate, and seeing her struggle in the water, he dove in and sped through the water to save her. "Silly girl," he crooned as he brought her back, "you may be over a hundred but you are as naive as my newborn son!"

She was clinging to his neck and shaking in fear, but as he eased her to the security of the wall again, she started to relax a little.

"Ah'm sorry," she said miserably to Methos. "Ah made a right mess of this. Ah just wanted to make him happy and ah thought the two of you getting together again would do the trick."

Methos smiled. "Confess, Duncan, it will make her feel better."

Duncan looked uncomfortable. "When I came to the City Methos and I were lovers. But he was interested in the women, too, and no one seemed interested in *me*, so I . . . Jace and I . . ."

"He went off in a snit," Methos said matter of factly. "There was never a fight, I was never angry at him, but he left me." He leaned over and kissed her. "You got the stubborn Scot most of the way, Sarah Jo, and for that I thank you. But don't ever think Duncan has given up women for men. It's just, as I say, new and different."

Sarah Jo nodded, her chin still quivering slightly as Duncan eased into the water beside the two of them. "If you say so," she said quietly. "Ah just don't know what to think anymore."

Methos shook his head. "Let it go, Sarah Jo. Stop thinking about it and just enjoy yourself!"

"Ah would enjoy myself a heck of a lot better iffen my feet were on something solid right about now," she said with a weak grin.

"But that would be cheating," hissed Methos as he thrust her into

Duncan's arms. Duncan was resting firmly against the side, and his embrace was steady. Methos, meanwhile, ran his hands down her body, ridding her of the bikini bottoms.

Sarah Jo's blue-green eyes got big as she was deftly stripped of her one remaining bit of clothing. "Just what are you two up to?" she said with a slight chuckle.

Methos laughed out-right, then put his hand to his navel, just above his erection. "Oh, about here!"

That caused both her and Duncan to break out in loud happy laughter themselves. Duncan could feel the last bit of tension and fear ease from her firm body as she relaxed totally in his arms.

Methos moved forward, between her legs. HIs hands lingered on her bottom. "Nice bum, don't you think, Duncan?"

"Aye, that it . . . is." The Scot barely contained a groan.

"So what's the punishment for meddling in affairs of the heart?"

He looked at Sarah Jo meaningfully as he snuggled into the *saddle*.

The little nurse just giggled as she reached out and pulled Methos even closer, wrapping both her arms and legs around him. "Just don't toss me off the deep end again," she said breathlessly as she felt herself being firmly pressed between the two men. And despite the fact she couldn't touch the bottom of the pool, she now felt very secure indeed.

Duncan was grinning over her shoulder and Methos, kissing her deeply with one eye on the Scot, contained a laugh as they gradually

moved further toward the deeper end.

They made their way to the corner of the pool and Duncan backed into it, using one arm to hold on to the edge while the other held Sarah Jo firmly to him. He nuzzled her neck and shoulder as the kiss Methos was giving her became deeper and deeper.

Methos entered her suddenly, and it was an odd experience under water. Sarah Jo moved back and up, gasping. At the same time Duncan's hand came around to caress her breasts as he snuggled her neck.

Whimpering slightly from the brief moment of pain she always felt every time she was with a man, she opened herself even more to him. Methos reached up with one hand and gently caressed the side of Duncan's face as his tongue continued to explore the inside of Sarah Jo’s sweet mouth.

Then he moved his lips to her ear. "Do you want us both, pet?

Or one at a time?"

"Both," she groaned, feeling Duncan's hardness pressing up against her back.

Methos caught Duncan's eye. No need for lubricant here! With his large hands still on her bottom, Methos maneuvered Sarah Jo up and onto Duncan. Then one hand went to caress his male lover's sac while Duncan's hand came around to brush Sarah Jo's nub and Methos' groin. Water splashed everywhere, but a good time was had by all!

By the time all three of them had come to a gasping climax, Sarah Jo was about half drowned but she no longer cared. She cried out in pleasure as the wonderful feeling of pleasure exploded within her and the two men quickly followed her over the edge.

Methos floated off to refresh himself while Duncan held Sarah Jo in his arms. "I don't know if I got a chance to prove myself," he said

softly, but I do enjoy women as well as men."

She nodded her head and sighed contentedly, accepting what he said as the truth for now.

Later, Sarah Jo retrieved the pieces of her swimsuit and announced she was going home. When the two men made like they would follow her, she told them in no uncertain terms that she was a big girl and didn’t need them to escort her the short distance to her house. She went into the locker room, changed into some clean clothes she had brought with her and then blew them both a kiss as she walked out the door.

Methos and Duncan watched her leave and then the Highlander turned to the ancient immortal and said heatedly. "Ye're wrong, Methos. Not about everything, but about me and Jace"

"Am I? Wouldn't be the first time." There was a flash of pain and bitterness on the face, and then he sighed. "How am I wrong this time?"

"It's not just the 'newness' of it, like ye told Sarah-Jo." He looked away for a minute, trying to gather his thoughts. "There's more than that."

"True love is it?"

"I don't know. Maybe. I thought what you and I had was 'true love', too, but when I followed you here, it didn't seem like it."

He leaned back against the wall and slid down to the floor. He didn't care if it gave the old man an advantage at this point; Methos always had the advantage over him anyway - mentally, if not physically.

"So you want me to tell Sarah Jo, a woman who is extremely insecure in her sexuality, that you, a man noted for his libido over the centuries, have given up women because you are passionately in love with a male Vampire? Have you no tact?" The words were full of bitterness that went beyond his usual depreciating tone.

"No, damn it, that's *not* what I want you to tell her! Tell her

I'm confused. It's nothing more or less than the truth, is it? Tell her anything you damn well please, but not that Jace is nothing more than a new toy I've found to amuse myself with and that any woman here is the same."

"I didn't say Jace was a new toy you besotted Scot! I said your love of men was a new thing. And it was my own bloody damn fault, wasn't it? How was I to know you'd take the new found knowledge and freedom and go off with someone else?"

"And if ye'd had more than a few minutes a week to spare for either of *us*, do ye think we'd have turned to each other when we had you? Hell, old man, I didn't even *like* him when we lived in that other place. Remember? I thought he was pretty much the devil incarnate. You're the one who said 'look under the surface, Mac' so I did."

"I thought Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod would want a woman warming the sheets once in awhile! I can't be exclusive with you Duncan. If that is what you want, I'm sorry. But I enjoyed our time together! I just thought you could understand." He waved a hand. "Everyone I love is here. Everyone you love is here! What of Amanda? Of other lovers? It has to be one at a time, Duncan? Since when are we monogamous?"

"I've always been monogamous, Methos. When I was with Tessa, Amanda was no more than a friend. When I was with *you*, there wasn't anybody else. It's just the way I am. If I'm in a relationship, I'm in a relationship. Not throwing myself at everything that bloody moves." He tried to get it under control. "I've tried to abide by the rules here and I think Jace and I have managed pretty well, this time around." He wrapped his arms around his knees, wanting to *touch* but afraid any move would be the wrong one.

"Yes, you have. But to Sarah Jo" he said the name loudly as if to remind him that they were talking about the mixed up girl and not themselves, "you are so smitten with Jean-Claude that she doesn't have a chance. She doesn't understand, Duncan. She's spent over 90 years in a convent. Now, you do remember that closed-minded view of the world, don't you?" MacLeod was missing the signs. Methos was hurt. Deeply hurt that Duncan hadn't been able to give him the freedom to have relationships with his woman lovers as well as one with him.

Duncan drew a deep breath. "Yes. It's pretty much the same closed-minded view I grew up with, isn't it?"

"Exactly. She sees you with a man, and thinks you prefer them.

And then, when she tries to flirt - something she is not good at, by the way; that stuff comes with practice - you talk about what a great bunch of fellas you're living with. Not exactly a confidence booster."

"It's the only thing I *know* to talk about with her, Methos. I wanted to point out some things she had in common with Jace and Asher – not compare her to them." He paused, then added, "Any more than I could compare Jace to *you*."

Methos paused, flinching at the last line. "Well, she's mighty touchy. Thinks she is competing with them, and she isn't up to the task. She wants to be found attractive. But she doesn't understand how you can like them - a convent, Duncan. Keep that in your mind."

Duncan sighed. "How, Methos? I can keep it in mind, but what do I do about it?" He looked up at the other man. "Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobe. You're my only hope."

Methos laughed. "You want me to give you advice in wooing a female. My God, I have corrupted you! Duncan, before you and I, you never had trouble getting women into your bed. Variety is the spice of life, Luke. When I showed you what could be had with another man, I little thought you would stop enjoying the pleasures of women. It was to expand your horizon, not to limit them in a different way. Which is why," he stumbled a bit, "I miss you beside me. We may not have had every night together, but the nights we had were special in their own way. I just can't give up the other people who are important to me. And you shouldn't give them up, either. Don't give up Jean-Claude. But don't forget old lovers like Amanda and don't stop finding new people to love." He paused. "You found my Little Lady interesting, didn't you?"

"Yes," the Highlander admitted. "I find her interesting, to say the least." He grinned suddenly. "I never said I was giving up *women*, Methos. I didn't want to give you up, either."

"So, you don't blame me for wanting a spare night with her?" He grinned. "I didn't know it would drive you away, Duncan. But perhaps I should've. All I want is for you to enjoy what life has to offer. Myself included," his grin widened.

Duncan stood, reaching out to brush his fingers across the smooth skin. "Meaning?" he asked with a smile that was almost shy.

"Meaning, flirt with Sarah Jo and make her feel sexy, but don't give up men, either."

He chuckled. "Ach, Methos. I had no intention of *that*, but I was *hoping* you might have something a little more immediate in mind."

"As it so happens, I do. But only if you promise not to try out my secrets on Jean-Claude. He'll know where you got them, anyway," he teased.