Cymbeline Part 1
by Sun Star
This is for Kelly, the inspiration for Kelly the Watcher. Merry Chirstmas, hon. Comments are always welcome, flames will be used to fuel the creative fires. If you want to archive this, e-mail me.
December 21
I hate Christmas. No, wait let me rephrase that. I hate being alone on Christmas. I hate being on the other side of the country from my family during the holidays. Glad she's not in Paris this year. Ellie's chronicles said that's where she's been since she was discovered. I hate this living vicariously through Angelina, even if has only been six months. Sometimes I hate this job. Kelly looked up from her journal. The subject of her observation was sitting at a table with four of her friends, talking and laughing. She sighed.Joe took Kelly's empty glass and put it under the bar. "How's life, Kelly?"
"Not bad Joe. Holidays are a little depressing but you know how it is." She looked over her shoulder at Asher again.
"Yep, I sure do. Working Christmas?"
"Depends on her. I hope it's quiet. Maybe I'll be able to go home this year. You?"
"Same. Maybe they'll get together and you can have the night off, Kel." He patted her hand and went back to the other side of the bar.
"Thanks Joe." Kelly went back to her journal. I think there's some unwritten law that says all Immortals must be gorgeous. Well, almost all of them. Angelina's table looks like the cast of a trashy romance novel. If I could meet one guy who's not an Immortal or a Watcher, I would be happy. I wonder what it's like to be immortal. To know you're never going to die unless someone chops off your head. She shook her head at the thought. God, that's morbid. I should probably be filling out my official report. Okay, Lockhart entered Joe's at approximately 7:45 p.m. where she purchased a bourbon on the rocks and sat down with Duncan MacLeod, Amanda, Richie Ryan and an unknown male. Fascinating report. Unknown male, my ass. You're just lucky I like you, Adam Pierson. Any other Watcher would have been on the phone to headquarters five minutes after coming in here to report you were fraternizing with three known Immortals. I really hate this job. Maybe it's time for me to move on. I can't say I'm looking forward to getting this tattoo removed. I wasn't too fond of getting it either. Someone sat down next to her and she automatically closed her journal before looking up. Short strawberry-blond hair, green eyes, nice build. Richie Ryan gave her a brilliant smile.
"I hate to see a beautiful woman sitting alone. Can I buy you a drink?"
She giggled. "Does that line really work?"
"I don't know. Is it working?"
"I guess it does. I'll have a Midori sour." She told Joe. "Kelly Galarneau."
"Richie Ryan."
"Nice to meet you. Joe, this guy safe?" She asked the older man behind the bar jokingly.
"Yeah, he's alright I guess."
"Thanks for that vote of confidence. So how do you know Joe?"
"I, uh, come here a lot. It's a nice place to do some work."
"Oh, what do you do?"
She blurted out the first think that came into her head. She held up her journal. "Write. I'm a writer. What do you do?" She slipped the small book into her purse and changed the subject quickly.
"I'm a student. Why don't you come over and meet my friends?" She hesitated. "Come on. They don't bite. I promise."
She looked at Joe who nodded. "Alright." She followed him to the table where the other Immortals were sitting. He pulled out a chair for her and she sat down.
"Guys, this is Kelly Galarneau. Kelly, this is Duncan, Amanda, As- Angelina and Adam." He introduced each person to her going around the table, hoping she didn't pick up on his near slip with Asher's name. She nodded hi to them.
"Nice to meet you." Duncan smiled at her.
Asher looked at her for a moment. "Do I know you from somewhere? You look familiar."
Kelly shook her head, cursing mentally. "I don't think so. Maybe I just have one of those faces."
"Maybe." She didn't sound convinced but let it go. She leaned into Methos for a moment and he kissed the top of her head. "You want to go?" She asked him softly. He nodded. "I think we're going to head home." She told everyone and stood up.
"I'll see you tomorrow." Amanda said.
"At 11?" Asher slung her bag over her shoulder.
"Yeah."
"What are you guys doing tomorrow?" Duncan asked curiously.
"Christmas shopping." Asher told him and kissed him lightly on the cheek. She looped her arm in Methos's and waved goodbye. "Nice to meet you Kelly."
"Why did you want to leave so suddenly?" Methos asked once they were outside.
"I know her. She's my new Watcher." She told him.
"Your Watcher? Does Richie know?"
She shook her head. "I don't think so."
"Do you think she's, uh-" He gestured trailing off.
"Trouble? Aren't we all? No, it's just curious that she would sit down with a group of known Immortals. I'm probably worrying over nothing." She pulled him along down the street. "Come on. Let's go to your flat. I don't feel like driving."
"Alright." He pulled her back toward him. She broke free and ran ahead of him playfully. Methos laughed a rich, deep sound and raced to catch her. When he caught up with her, he scooped her up and tossed her over his shoulder.
"Adam, what are you doing? Put me down. Put me down right now!" She protested beating her fists against his back. He just laughed harder and carried her to his flat.
Richie held the door open for Kelly. They called good night to Joe and stepped out into the cool night air. The moon was high in the dark sky and they were the last ones to leave the bar.
"Where's your car?" He asked, looking around at the parking lot, empty except for his bike.
"At the body shop. I was in an accident last week and it was almost totaled. I've been taking cabs everywhere."
"Must cost a fortune."
"My employer is covering it."
"Nice boss. Can I give you a lift home?" He nodded toward his bike. She hesitated for a moment. She didn't really want to take a cab at this hour.
Slowly, she nodded. "Sure. Thanks."
"No problem." He helped her get on. "Hold on to me." She told him her address and he sped off.
Richie pulled up in front of the Victorian house Kelly lived in. "You live here?" He asked.
"It was my grandparents house. When they died, they left it to my parents but they didn't want to move across they country. My job was looking for someone to relocate here so I volunteered."
"Nice place." He stiffened as he was helping her off the bike. Kelly recognized the signs of another Immortal nearby as he scanned the area. "Kelly, you need to go inside." He took her arm and led her up the path. "Lock the door and don't come out until I come back. No matter what."
She nodded and went inside, throwing the lock behind her. She watched from the living room window as Richie met another young man in the street, both of them holding swords. After a few moments, they moved out of sight.
She flopped down on the couch and debated making a report. Finally she decided not to worry about it. Neither of them were her assignments and she was probably leaving anyway. After a while she felt the hair on the back of her neck rise and looked out the front window. The lightning was just dying out as a figure appeared. He stepped into the street lamp and she breathed a sigh of relief as she recognized Richie. Kelly raced outside and down the walk.
He was getting on his bike, tucking away his sword. She touched his shoulder and he looked up at her.
"Were you leaving?" She asked him.
He nodded. "I should get going."
"With no explanation? Are you even okay to drive after that?"
Richie looked a little surprised. "Do you-?" He began.
She sighed and rolled up her sleeve, reveling the purple tattoo on her wrist. "I'm a Watcher."
He looked at her warily. "Are you mine?"
She shook her head. "No. Angelina's. That's what I was doing at Joe's." She let her sleeve fall back covering the offending tattoo. "Will you come inside? I promise, no one will ambush you."
He smiled and nodded. She led him back into the house and into the kitchen.
"Coffee?" He nodded and she took two mugs down from the cabinet. She poured him a cup and set it in front of him with cream and sugar. "I didn't work with Horton." She told him. "I've been thinking of leaving."
"Are you?" He said sarcastically.
"Yeah. I'm tired of watching. Tired of living my life through others. I can't even go home for Christmas this year because I have to stay here and watch Angelina."
"Do you have to get the tattoo removed?" he asked.
She smiled. "Unfortunately."
"It's gonna hurt."
"Yeah, I know."
"Do you live here alone?" He wandered around the kitchen, looking at the knick-knacks on the hutch.
"No. I live here with two friends. They're med students and came out here with me so they could do their residency at County General."
"That's nice. You don't have to live all alone or with strangers." He put the mug in the sink. "I should get going."
Kelly nodded. "Sure. It's late."
They walked out to the porch. "Thanks for the ride home."
"You're welcome. I'll, uh, see you around. At Joe's."
"Sure." She nodded and leaned against the post.
He stood for a moment on the step with an uncertain look on his face before leaning down to kiss her gently.
"Night, Kel." He turned and went down the path to his bike.
A car pulled into the driveway as he was pulling away from the curb. Her roommate watched Richie leave as she walked to the door.
"Who was that?" Amy asked.
Kelly smiled. "A guy."
"I could see that. What's his name? Where did you meet him?" She went inside. Kelly followed, shutting the door behind her.
"His name's Richie Ryan."
December 22
The next morning Kelly was cleaning out her closet when the phone rang. "I've got it." She called down the stairs and answered it. "Hello?""Can I speak to Kelly please?" a male voice was on the other end of the line.
"This is."
"Hi, it's Richie. I got your number from Joe."
"Richie, hi. I didn't expect to hear from you today. How are you?"
"Good. I was wondering if you were busy today." He sounded a little nervous.
"Doing some cleaning. Nothing that can't wait. What's up?"
"I'm going downtown to do a little Christmas shopping. Do you want to come with me?"
"Sure."
"Great. I'll be there in a half hour."
"Okay." They hung up and Kelly went to clean up.
A half-hour later, Richie pulled into Kelly's driveway. He rang the doorbell and a moment later the door swung open.
A young woman with long brown hair looked at him. "Can I help you?"
"I'm looking for Kelly."
She smiled. "Oh, you must be Richie. Come on in." She closed the door behind him. "She's upstairs getting dressed. Can I get you something to drink?"
He followed her into the kitchen. "A coke if you have it."
"Sure." She poured the drink and set it in front of him before climbing back onto a barstool behind a sleek laptop. "I'm Kate, by the way." She held out her hand.
He shook it. "Nice to meet you. You're one of the med students?"
Kate nodded. "Second year resident. I'm working on my pediatric rotation at County General."
"Really? I know someone who works there. Anne Lindsey."
"You know Dr. Lindsey? She was my supervisor during my trauma surgery rotation."
Kelly walked into the kitchen. "I thought I heard you guys in here. Hi, Richie."
"Hey."
Kate turned to her friend. "Richie knows Dr. Lindsey."
"Your supervisor? Cool."
Richie stood up. "Ready?"
Kelly nodded. "See you later, Kate."
"Bye hon." Kate waved absently, engrossed in her computer.
Richie held the door open for Kelly and she stepped out into the brisk winter air. She looked at the black Thunderbird sitting in the driveway in surprise. "Where's your bike?"
"I figured that if we were going to be buying stuff, we'd want a car instead. It's Mac's." He held the car door open so she could get in and closed it behind her.
Richie drove them downstairs and they spent the afternoon wandering through the boutiques and shops.
"So where are you from originally?" Richie asked as they peered into a store window decorated for the holidays.
"Massachusetts. Chicopee, it's near Springfield."
"Kate and your other roommate?"
"Amy. She's from near Boston. Kate's from New York."
"So how did you meet?"
"We went to college together back east. They were looking for places to do their residencies at the same time I found out I was going to move out here so they came out here with me."
"You've got great friends." He pulled her into a little jewelry shop. "Help me pick out something for Angelina."
They spent 45 minutes pouring over the display cases before Kelly found something.
"What about these earrings?" She pointed to a pair of filigree sapphire drop earrings.
Richie looked over her shoulder. "Can I see those please?" He asked the clerk. He held them up to the light before nodding. "Perfect. Wrap these up please." He told the clerk, handing him his credit card. Then he turned and gave Kelly a hug. "You have great taste." He signed the credit slip and took the bag.
They left the store and kept walking down the street of stores. "What are you getting your friends?" Richie asked.
"Amy needs a new stethoscope so I ordered one for her. I'm not sure about Kate yet." They passed a small restaurant and Kelly stopped. "Are you hungry?"
"Sure."
"So MacLeod was your teacher?" Kelly sipped her water with lemon.
"Yeah. I broke into an antique store that MacLeod and his girlfriend Tessa owned. I saw Conner fighting with another Immortal. Instead of pressing charges, he and Tessa took me in. I guess Mac knew I was going to be an Immortal."
"Where's Tessa now?"
He sobered. She was murdered. It was a drug addict who wanted money."
"Was that your first Death?" she asked softly.
He nodded. "Mac was crushed. He had just asked Tessa to marry him. They were like parents to me." She touched his hand comfortingly.
Abruptly, he changed moods. "Where do you want to go next?"
"I don't know. Who do you have left to shop for?"
He thought about it for a moment. "Adam's easy. He gets a case of beer. That leaves Joe, Mac and Amanda."
"I need to find something for my parents and my brother. Why don't we go to the mall?"
"Sounds good to me."
Richie pulled into Kelly's driveway. "What happened here?"
Kelly looked at her house, which was aglow with lights. The porch posts were wrapped in garland and white lights and a large wreath lit with twinkling lights was on the door. The bushes were wrapped in lights and the roof was also outlined in lights. "Kate went on her annual decorating binge. The inside will be just as bad." She got out of the car and sighed. "Come in and see what she's done. She's been really busy this year or this would have been done already."
Inside was just as festive as outside. Kate and Amy were arranging a star on top of a fully decorated tree in the corner of the living room.
Garland was draped around the ceiling and more garland was wrapped around the banister of the front stairs.
"Looks like Martha Stewart moved in." Richie muttered to Kelly.
"Ha!" Kate exclaimed from the living room. "Hardly. I just live with two grinches so it's my job to provide the Christmas cheer."
"Richie, that's Amy hidden behind the tree." Kelly pointed out.
Richie waved. "Hi."
"Hi." Amy called from behind the tree. After a moment she emerged from behind the tree. "Nice to meet you."
"Want to come over and wrap presents tomorrow?" Richie asked Kelly.
She thought about it for a moment. "Sure. What time?"
"Around 1? I have to work at Mac's dojo in the morning but I've got the afternoon off."
"Sounds good."
"Great. I'll see you then." He kissed her and walked back to the door. Kelly looked over and saw her roommates watching her. They quickly went back to what they were doing and she followed Richie to the door.
"Richie, wait."
He stopped just outside the door and turned back to her. "Yeah?"
She leaned up and kissed him softly. "Night."
"Night."
That evening, Richie went over to Duncan's. As he walked into the dojo, he found Asher and Methos working out. He was spotting her as she lifted the weights above her chest.
"Ash?"
Asher set down the weights and sat up. "Yeah, Richie?"
"Would you mind if I brought Kelly to your place for Christmas?"
"No. She seems very nice."
"She is. Thanks Ash."
"No problem." She lay back down on the bench and Richie walked to the elevator. "Oh, Richie?"
He turned. "Yeah, Ash."
"You better be more careful around Kelly. You almost slipped on my name twice the other night. Watcher's are too damn observant." She told him.
He nodded. "Okay Ash. Sure."
"I just don't need to have some nosy novice Watcher finding out how old I really am, you know?"
"Yeah, no problem."
"Was that wise?" Methos asked her as she resumed the repetitions.
"Why not? Not all Watchers are like Horton or Shapiro. Look at Joe." She set the weight down again and sat back up.
"I know." He shrugged. "Come on. Let's get cleaned up and go some place."
She nodded. "Sure."
December 23
"What are you doing for the holidays?" Richie tore off a piece of tape and fastened the wrapping paper.
"Nothing, I'm supposed to be watching Asher but Joe said he'd do it since she's usually with MacLeod. Kate and Amy have to work." She ran the scissors along the length of a ribbon, curling it. "What are you doing for Christmas?"
"As- Angelina and Adam are having everyone over to Asher's house in the mountains." He mentally cursed as he slipped again.
"Sounds nice."
"Yeah, it is. Would you like to come with me?"
"No, I wouldn't want to impose."
Richie shook her head. "It's no big deal. I asked Angelina and she said it'd be all right." He added.
Kelly still looked skeptical. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah. Come on, no one should be alone on Christmas."
Finally, she nodded. "Okay. I'll come."
"Great. I'll pick you up tomorrow around 10."
She put her packages back in the bags. "How long does it take to get there?"
Richie helped her carry the bags out to Kate's car. "A couple hours. Adam's going to drive us in his Blazer. Pack warm clothes."
She nodded and he kissed her forehead. "See you tomorrow."
"Bye Kel."
"Bye Richie."
She got into the car and pulled out of his driveway.
After Kelly arrived home and packed, she pulled out her journal.
December 23
Mom called tonight. She said TJ called. He wanted to know how I was doing. Of course the conversation turned to the usual. "Have you met anyone nice? Why not? Am I ever going to have grandchildren?" I thought about telling her about Richie but didn't. Not really sure why I didn't. I'm still not sure why I agreed to go with him for Christmas. I really like him and he seems like he accept that I'm a Watcher but I'm not sure how his friends will feel about having one in their midst. I'm sure Angelina recognized me as her Watcher but Richie said she agreed to him bringing me so maybe she didn't. I don't think Angelina is her real name either. Richie's tripped on her name twice since I met him. Well, if nothing else, the Watcher's taught me to be observant. I didn't tell mom where I was going. Told her I had to work instead. Guess that's partially true. I'm definitely leaving the Watchers as soon as I can find a job. Maybe I'll see if Joe needs a waitress. Or bartender.December 24
Methos pulled into the driveway of a large Victorian house and checked the directions Richie had given him. This was the house he was looking for so he got out and walked up to the front door. Two young women were watching from the large picture window and they disappeared as he came up the steps. Just as he was going to knock, the door swung open and he found himself looking down at a young woman only a little taller than Asher."Hi. Are you looking for Kelly?" She asked as she ushered him inside.
"Uh, yeah. This is where she lives right?" He looked around nervously.
"Yup. Have a seat in the living room. I'll go and get her." She sprang up the stairs to Kelly's bedroom.
Amy was sitting on Kelly's bed watching Kelly apply her lipstick.
"Oh my God, Kel. You didn't tell me Richie has a gorgeous friend." Kate flopped down on the bed next to Amy.
"That's Adam. We work for the same company."
"You work with him?!" Kate exclaimed.
"Different departments. He's in research." Kelly turned from the mirror. "How do I look?"
"Great." Amy told her.
"Very nice." Kate agreed.
"I'll be home on the 28th. If you need me the number at the house is by the kitchen phone." She told them as she lifted her bag onto her shoulder. They walked down the stairs together. Kelly let Methos take her bag and she opened the front door.
"Have fun." They called to her from the stairwell. "Merry Christmas."
She waved as they pulled out of the driveway. "Where's Richie?"
"He got held up at MacLeod's so I told him I'd come get you."
"Do you often hang out with Immortals?" She asked him.
He looked at her sidelong. "What do you mean?"
"Angelina, MacLeod. You're friends with them but you're a Watcher."
"I knew Lina when she was the Courier. Before she became Immortal. Joe introduced me to MacLeod."
"What if Amanda or Richie's Watchers saw you? They'd be on the phone to headquarters so fast."
"What about you? You're seeing Ryan."
"Point taken."
He pulled up in front of the dojo. "This is MacLeod's place." Inside Richie was sweeping up. Duncan was inside the office and Methos went back there. Kelly watched as Richie finished sweeping and put the broom in the corner.
"Hey." He walked over and kissed her.
"Hey yourself. Are you coming with us?" She asked, taking in the old sweatpants and ripped T-shirt he was wearing.
"There's more work here than we thought. Whoever was here last night didn't clean up when they were done. You go ahead with Adam and I'll drive up with Mac."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, we'll be there by this evening. Promise."
Methos came out of the office. "We should get going. There's a storm on the way and I have to run some errands for Lina before we head up. I want to get to the house before it starts."
Kelly turned to Richie. "Are you sure you'll be able to make it if it snows?"
"Yeah, don't worry about us."
"Okay." They kissed again and Kelly followed Methos out of the dojo.
They were more than halfway there when the snow started to come down heavy. Methos was driving slowly. "It's not too much further."
"Are you sure?" The snow was making Kelly a little nervous.
He nodded. The Blazer slipped on the road and Methos quickly got it back under control. Suddenly, he slammed on the breaks causing the vehicle to slide headlong into a large tree that had fallen into the road.
Kelly raised her head slowly, wincing in pain. Something warm ran down her cheek and she reached up to touch her temple. Her fingers came away red. After testing to see if anything was broken, she looked over at Methos who still hadn't moved. She touched his shoulder and called his name and got no response. She undid her seat belt and turned so she could touch the pulse in his neck. When she couldn't find it, she reached out and touched his chest trying to feel any movement. There wasn't any and she let out a strangled sob.
She got out of the Blazer and stood for a moment in the snow, letting the brief dizziness pass as tears ran down her face. She walked around carefully to the other side of the truck and pulled on the door. It wouldn't budge so she went back to her side and climbed in, shutting the door behind her trying not to think about the dead man next to her.
There was a noise next to her and she turned. Methos suddenly took a deep breath and flew upright.
"Adam?" She watched him, her eyes wide. "You're, you're -"
He turned to her. "Immortal."
"How- I mean, you're a Watcher. You can't be Immortal." She exclaimed.
He smiled sadly. "It's the perfect cover."
She hit him in the arm. "Bastard."
"How do you feel?"
"Been better. Sore but I don't think I broke anything. It's just cold." She touched her head again. "And cut."
"Let me see." He peered at the cut in the dying light before digging under his seat for the first aid kit. He pulled out an alcohol pad. "This is going to hurt." She took his offered hand and hissed as he gently but quickly cleaned the cut. "Sorry." When he was done he covered it with a bandage. "There's some blankets in the back." He told her.
She crawled into the back and found two thick wool blankets. Turning on the four-way flashers, he made his way into the back seat of the Blazer. He opened his bag and pulled out another sweater, pulling it on over his clothes. Kelly did the same more slowly.
"Give me your coat." He pulled her close to him under his coat and pulled her coat over them. He pulled the blankets over them and wrapped his arms around her under her ski jacket. "We'll be warmer."
She nodded and awkwardly tucked her head into his shoulder.
"Are you sure you're alright?" He asked her.
"Yeah. Kinda sleepy."
He shook her. "Don't fall asleep. You might have a concussion."
She nodded. "How long have you been Immortal?" She whispered.
"A long time."
"What about Angelina? She's not as new as we think, is she?" Her voice was getting weaker. "That's not her real name either."
"No, she's not. And lots of us don't use our real names. You know that." He shook her again. "Come on, stay awake. Ryan would kill me if something happened to you."
"You'd recover." There was laughter in her quiet voice.
He shook his head. "He'd make sure it was permanent."
Richie paced in front of the window. Behind him, Asher, Amanda and Duncan were setting the table for dinner.
"Where are they? They should have been here hours ago." He asked.
Duncan looked up at his student. "It was snowing when you and I came up here. Maybe they couldn't get all the way here."
"Yeah, the phones went out just after you got here. I'm sure they stopped at the base of the mountain. They'll be here by the morning." Asher added.
"You can go tomorrow morning back down the mountain and see if they're in town." Joe told him. "Now come eat."
Reluctantly, Richie sat down at the table for dinner.
Kelly dozed against Methos. Every fifteen minutes, he woke her in case she did have a concussion. His watch beeped shrilly in the silence and he gently shook her. She sat up a little and yawned.
"Is it time already?"
"Yeah. You should stay awake a little."
She nodded. "What time is it?"
"Close to three. As soon as the sun comes up we could start hiking up the mountain if you want. We're closer to Lina's place than town."
"Okay." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
He looked at her, concern in his green-gold eyes. "Tell me what's wrong."
"I feel like I'm going to throw up."
"You feel like it or you are?"
She thought about it for a moment. "Just feel like it."
He nodded. "Did this just start?"
"No. It's been off and on since the accident."
"You should have told me. Now I know you have a concussion. It's a good thing we kept waking you up."
"How do you know so much medical stuff?"
"I was a doctor once." He peered out the window, trying to see into the darkness of the woods.
Duncan came downstairs and found Richie sitting on the couch staring out into the lightly falling snow.
"Rich, you should go to bed."
"I know, Mac but I just can't sleep. I keep thinking something bad has happened to them."
"If anything has happened, Methos will take care of her until help arrives. You know that."
There was a step on the stairs behind them and they turned. Asher was standing there, wearing one of Methos's T-shirts and a pair of boxers, a fleece blanket wrapped around her shoulders.
"You'll look for them tomorrow morning?" She curled up in an easy chair.
Richie looked over his shoulder at Duncan, who nodded. "Yeah. We'll go at first light."
Part 2
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