Rating: PG
Warnings/Notes: Something of a
sequel to 'One Day', but not not a crossover.
Character(s): Methos, Duncan, OFC
Summary: Duncan begins a new
venture with a little help (a very little help) from a friend.
He's a Pirate
by Ithildin
c. March 2008
San Luis Obispo, California, 2008
“I give you
five, no make that two, years before you’re bored silly and chuck it
all for the big city,” Methos said, leaning against the granite
countertop, a glass of red wine in one hand.
Duncan MacLeod
just shook his head, pouring more wine into Methos’ glass before
refilling his own. “You’d be wrong. Look, Methos, I wanted a change,
new vistas, and this suits me fine.”
Methos
looked around the tasting room of Mac’s new winery and sighed. “Fine,
but if you wanted to play vintner, couldn’t you have picked a winery in
France or maybe Argentina? I’ve always liked Argentina.”
“I like it here.” Duncan was
practically beaming as he patted the gleaming countertop.
“You
could have at least gone to Napa. That’s close to a major city with
nightlife, microbreweries, and great restaurants. But you had to pick
San Luis Obispo of all places!”
“The wine from this region is better
than Napa, and the fact it’s not
near a major metropolitan city is a plus in my book! Central California
is beautiful; it’s warm, the beaches are great, and it has lots of
charm. You’re just a snob, Methos,” Duncan declared.
“Moi?” Methos mouthed dramatically
placing his hands against his chest.
He just snorted, taking a cloth from
his pocket to polish the counter.
“How many times are you going to do
that?” Methos demanded. “That has to be the tenth time in the last
hour.“
“I
want to make a good impression. The woman who owns the winery next to
mine is coming over to welcome me to the neighborhood. I’m making
lunch.”
“Ah.”
“Ah? What is that supposed to mean?”
“Oh, just that it explains all the
fussing. A woman, a pretty one, considering all the effort.”
Duncan sputtered, “That has nothing
to do with it!”
“Uh huh.” Methos sounded unconvinced.
“Are you going to tell me she isn’t pretty?”
Duncan didn’t quite meet the other
man’s eyes. “I haven’t actually met her.”
“But…?” Methos prodded.
“Fine! She photographs really well!
Happy?”
“Ah ha! I knew it!” he crowed.
“You don’t have to stay, you know,”
Duncan informed his friend with a huff.
“Oh, perish the thought! I’m very
eager to meet your photogenic neighbor.” Methos snickered as Duncan
shot him a dirty look.
The
intercom buzzed. “That’ll be her.” Picking up the handset, Duncan
listened for a moment before replying, “Sure, come on down. I’ll open
the gate.” He pressed a button next to the intercom. “See you in a few
minutes.” Putting the handset in its cradle, he turned back to Methos.
“Behave!”
“You know me, Mac. I’m always a
gentleman,” Methos said, his eyes twinkling.
Methos
actually helped Duncan set out the lunch he’d prepared; getting his
hand smacked when he tried to eat one of the shrimp stuffed mushrooms.
But both men’s good humour vanished as the wave of another immortal
presence swept across them.
Turning to Duncan, he shook his head
in disgust. “What is it with you? Can you go nowhere without a
strange Immortal showing up?”
“You would know,” Duncan replied
wryly, “being one yourself.”
Methos glared. “Maybe you two could
start an Immortal Wine of the Month Club,” he said testily.
Anything
Duncan might have said in response was cut off by the large ironbound
oak door opening, letting a wash of noonday sun into the dim interior
of the tasting room. The woman who entered did so warily, removing her
sunglasses as she shut the door behind her.
Duncan stepped forward, extending his
hand. “This is unexpected,” he said, smiling reassuringly.
Taking
his hand, she shook it firmly. “You have no idea,” she replied, but she
wasn’t looking at Duncan. Her attention was fixed on Methos.
Noticing, Duncan quickly added, “This
is a good friend of mine, Matthew Adamson. Matthew, this is---“
Methos
cut him off. “Yes, I know.” He walked forward, taking her hand to kiss
it in a courtly fashion. “It’s been a long time, Charlotte. “ He didn’t
release her hand, and she didn’t seem to mind.
Reaching up, she brushed her lips
across his. “Too long.”
Surprised,
and not a little bit disappointed – Charlotte Sparrow was a very pretty
woman -- Duncan didn’t really know what else to say other than, “So you
know him then?”
Charlotte glanced over at Duncan with
a smile
that was full of secrets. “I do indeed, Mr. MacLeod.” She looked up
into Methos’ eyes. “He’s a pirate.”
The warmth of Methos’ laughter filled
the room
The End
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