When Did Forever Die?
by: Denise Underwood
c. 2001
Part Six
Methos waited for someone to answer the door of Lucien LaCroix’s current
home that was about two hours outside of Toronto. It was late autumn, and
he was beginning to wish that he hadn’t left his coat in the car, the wind
off the lake biting through his turtleneck sweater.
He felt her before he saw her, the pre-Immortal buzz softly pressing
against him like the vibration of a cat’s purr startling him. Fast upon
that realization, a woman who may have been anywhere from her late twenties
to early thirties pulled the door open. Early thirties, he decided in a
corner of his mind. Her eyes had seen too much to be any younger. The rest
of his mind was occupied with taking in the slim body that was outlined by
a form fitting sleeveless dark green dress that was long enough to be
decent, but short enough to carry his thoughts to places that were
definitely not decent.
So this was LaCroix’s latest mortal acquisition, Triona, he remembered from
Lucien’s last email. She wasn’t at all what he had been expecting, being a
pre-Immortal aside, she was so…. His thought wandered away, unfinished, as
he became conscious of the fact she was speaking and that he was once more
looking into her dark green eyes.
“Can I help you?” she asked, for what he realized was the second time.
“How do you do,” he smiled, with what he hoped, was warmth and sincerity,
“I’m looking for Lucien LaCroix.”
He noted the wariness that flickered across her face and how quickly all
emotion was carefully wiped away. He was beginning to realize that Lucien
had chosen her for more than just the physical. Her voice, when she
replied, was cool and collected. “And you would be…?”
“Sorry, Adam Pierson. I’m an old friend of Lucien’s.” She quirked an
eyebrow at his statement, but made no other reaction. “You must be Triona,”
he added. This time she wasn’t able to totally hide the surprise that his
knowing her name elicited.
“You don’t exactly look like the hired help,” he offered by way of
explanation. The appreciative gleam in his eyes as he allowed his gaze to
wander down her body and back up again seemed to momentarily fluster her
unshakable composure.
"If you'll come in, Mr. Pierson." She stepped aside, allowing him to pass,
once more in control.
"Adam," he corrected cheerfully.
Ignoring his correction, she said, "If you'll follow me?"
Nodding, he followed her a short way down the hall. Stopping at a door on
their right she opened it, indicating he enter. He found himself in a
sitting room, the opposite wall one long expanse of windows and French
doors that looked out onto a perfectly manicured lawn.
"Please, make yourself comfortable," she paused, considering, "Adam." If
she noticed him trying to swallow his smile, she ignored it. "I'll tell Mr.
LaCroix you're here." With one last look, she spun on her heel, exiting the
room, shutting the door firmly behind her.
Methos grinned at the closed door, shaking his head ruefully. No, she
wasn't what he'd been expecting at all. Looking around the room, he walked
over to the mantel, picking up one of the framed photos placed there.
Janette and Triona in a very arty, formal pose. LaCroix must have paid some
photographer a bundle for this, he thought in amusement. But even the
formality of the pose couldn't hide the affection evident between the two
women, captured forever by the photographer’s lens.
Another photo, this one of a younger Triona and a teenage girl with blue
eyes and curly brunette hair. The pose this time was casual, the two young
women sitting on a rock, their arms around each other, the ocean and
mountains in the background. Vancouver, he realized, recognizing the
backdrop. He set the picture down, shoving his hands deep into his pockets.
Walking over to the windows, he stared out at the rapidly darkening sky. He
knew why he'd come here, but now Methos wasn't sure if he should stay. This
wasn't Lucien with one of his usual vapid and brainless women; this had all
the appearance of... a family.
The sitting room door opening and Triona’s soft buzz interrupted his
uncertain thoughts. Turning, he watched silently as LaCroix entered, Triona
hanging back behind the vampire. Arching one expressive brow, his lips
bearing the slightest of smiles, LaCroix walked across the room, meeting
Methos half way.
"Adam Pierson, as I live and breath."
"I was in the neighborhood, and thought I'd drop by," he said, grinning.
"To borrow a cup of sugar, no doubt," LaCroix replied dryly.
"Something like that." He looked past the vampire to where Triona stood
silently, then back at LaCroix, who had visibly stiffened at his old
friend's appraisal of the woman. The sudden tension in the room was thick
enough to cut. "Speaking of sugar," Methos said lightly, "a cup of coffee
wouldn't be amiss."
LaCroix didn't immediately answer, fixing his attention on the ancient
Immortal. Triona stepped to LaCroix's side, looking up at him, then at
Methos. "I'll get you some," she offered, looking back at LaCroix for
permission.
"I'd appreciate it," Methos said softly, smiling down at her reassuringly.
This time, he was met by an answering smile.
LaCroix, finally speaking, agreed. "If you wouldn't mind, my dear?"
"No, of course not." Nodding once at the two men, she quickly made her way
from the room. Probably more than relieved to escape the emotionally
charged atmosphere, Methos thought.
"She's lovely, Lucius." Methos nodded his head toward the door Triona had
just shut behind her. “And she even has a personality not like you your
usual at all,” he jibed.
LaCroix just glared balefully at his 'uncle'. "Why are you here, Methos?"
Plopping gracelessly into an overstuffed armchair, Methos just smiled up at
the increasingly annoyed vampire. "I'm glad to see you again too, Lucius.
How is life treating you these days?" For a moment, he thought LaCroix's
eyes were going to turn gold. Ah yes, this was why he'd come here. There
was nothing quite like making Lucius insane.
"Methos!" LaCroix growled.
"Why do you think I'm here? There's still the small matter of your debt, in
case you'd forgotten."
"You can't be serious?" LaCroix loomed over where Methos sat. "After more
than a century, you expect me to believe you have decided to collect your
ridiculous debt now?"
"Not ridiculous, Lucius. You owe me! There was never any time limit set." A
century before, Methos had rescued the vampire from a cult intent on
permanently dispatching him. In the process, the Immortal had lost the
favours of a particularly delightful young lady. LaCroix’s ingratitude for
Methos’ sacrifice had infuriated the Immortal and so a deal had been
struck. In addition to LaCroix owing Methos a life debt, he also owed him a
forfeit: one night with a woman of LaCroix’s.
LaCroix whirled away, obviously incensed. Methos knew that in the end, the
vampire would have no choice but to comply. He was a man of his word, after
all.
Calming himself, LaCroix turned back to Methos. "You can't honestly expect
me to make Triona honour a century old deal on my behalf!"
"Why not? Haven’t you always told me that you will accept nothing but
obedience from what is yours?"
"That isn't the point," he snarled.
"Isn't it?" The ancient Immortal's eyes were as cold and hard as steel,
leaving no doubt that he meant to collect what was his.
Not looking at the man that sat in the chair, he asked, "And what if she
objects? What if she won't obey?"
"Oh, that shouldn't be a problem now, should it?" Methos' cool tone was
totally lacking in warmth or empathy.
"What is that supposed to mean?" LaCroix practically hissed. But his eyes
betrayed the knowledge that he knew exactly what Methos meant.
"A little nudge here, a little whammy there -- she'll do whatever you
want." He smiled thinly. "And more importantly, what I want. She doesn't
even need to remember it afterwards, if it makes you feel better."
"By all the gods, Methos! Have you lost your mind?" The ancient vampire was
no longer able to contain his outrage. "What in Hades has possessed you? If
you think I will countenance this, this...." Methos' laughter interrupted
his tirade. "You think this is amusing?" LaCroix spat out, looking ready to
break his oldest friend’s neck.
"I find this hysterical, Lucius!" Methos was laughing so hard now that he
could barely speak. Taking a deep breath, he continued, "I find *you*
hysterical." He couldn’t remember when he'd last laughed like this.
"Would you care to share the source of your amusement," LaCroix asked with
barely controlled anger.
"Oh, relax!" Methos pushed himself to his feet. "You are so easy! Really,
Lucius, I'd have thought you'd be harder to wind up at your age." He looked
sidelong at the vampire. "You wouldn’t actually be fond of the girl, would
you?" LaCroix didn't answer, instead looking out the windows into the dark.
That was all the answer Methos needed.
"Then all this about collecting on our agreement was merely to 'wind me up'
as you so charmingly put it."
Standing next to LaCroix, Methos chuckled. "Oh no, Lucius, it's not quite
that easy."
He shot Methos a look, but decided to wait for an explanation.
He didn't immediately explain, instead wandering over to the piano and
pressing a few of the ivory keys. Just as the vampire was ready to erupt,
Methos said, "I like her; Triona. I find her to be a perfectly acceptable
payment for your debt. Not only is she quite lovely, but if you were so
upset on her behalf, she must be something. Yes, she'll do nicely." He
perched on the edge of the piano bench. "Very nicely indeed," he said half
to himself.
"But only if she is agreeable," LaCroix said cautiously, still unsure of
Methos' intentions.
"Yes, of course, of course. Only if the girl is agreeable." Methos looked
smug.
"And you're so certain that Triona will succumb to your charms? Really,
Methos, you haven’t changed. Your ego is still large enough for several
men." He shook his head in longsuffering resignation.
He just smiled enigmatically. "You know I always get the girl."
LaCroix's reply was interrupted by Triona's reappearance with the coffee
tray. This time, when Methos smiled at her, her responding smile was
brilliant in its warmth....
***********
-=- Denise = ithildin@ondragonswing.com = http://ondragonswing.com
-=- Vampires, Floth demons.... Do you know what is
-=- really, really evil? Tequila. ~ Cordelia ~ 'Angel'
-=- Dragon's Hoard Fic Archive http://www.ondragonswing.com/vortex
-=- Star Trek:The First Generation http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ST_FirstGen
