Five Thousand and One

by KG

September 5, 1996

"Yes," Adam Pierson, a.k.a. Methos answered. The voice sounded very familiar, and he spent a few moments trying to place it, but he didn't have to try long.

"Methos," cried that same female voice. "This is Amanda. I'm so glad I finally reached you."

"Amanda, is everything alright," Methos asked. Even through the bad connection he thought he detected a slight tremor in her voice.

"I...I don't know how to tell you this," Amanda began.

Methos tensed, not wanting to hear the bad news he sensed was about to come.

Amanda took a deep breath and continued in a rush. "Its Duncan...Richie was a lot more upset about that dark quickening thing than any of us realized. Joe saw them go off together. Richie was the only one who came back."

Methos sorted through the confusing tale that Amanda was trying to tell him.

There seemed to be only one conclusion. "Are you telling me that Duncan is dead," Methos asked, the shock clear in his voice.

"I...I don't know," Amanda said her voice cracking. "Joe tried to follow, but Richie lost him. I think you should come to Seacouver right away."

"I'll be on the next available plane," Methos said through clenched teeth.

"Call me when you get your flight; I'll make sure someone picks you up at the airport," Amanda said.

"I will," Methos answered and hung up.

Amanda hung up the phone at Joe's Bar and burst into hysterical laughter. She was soon joined by Duncan and Richie. Joe, however, looked worried.

"Are you sure we should be doing this," Joe asked.

"Lighten up Joe," Amanda answered. "Methos will have a few bad hours on the plane, but as soon as he realizes that we've brought him here to celebrate his birthday, he'll forget all about it."

"I'm not so sure about that," Joe warned. But it was really too late for second thoughts; Amanda and Duncan's plan had already been set in motion. All he could do now was head to the party store to pick up 100 Over the Hill helium balloons.

Methos walked off his plane at the Seacouver International Airport and headed straight for the taxi stand. As he passed a row of pay phones he thought about stopping to call Amanda to let her know that he had found an earlier flight, but he decided against it. He had plans and he didn't want Amanda's help or interference right now.

The taxi dropped him off in front of an apartment building. He paid his fare with a hundred dollar bill and told the cab driver to keep the change.

Inside, the names on the mail boxes told him the number of the apartment he was looking for. Methos rode up the elevator and strode quickly down the hall. He paused for a moment outside the door to see if he could sense another immortal inside. Nothing. Methos expertly picked the lock, a skill he had learned from Amanda a few months ago, and stepped inside.

Methos glanced around at the shabby furnishings in the small apartment; not exactly his taste. But that wasn't important now. Methos drew his sword, sat down in a chair facing the door, and prepared to wait for Richie.

Richie ran up the last few flights of stairs towards his apartment. Joe would be picking Methos up at the airport any minute now, and taking him to the bar for the party. Richie needed to shower and get dressed, and he didn't have much time left if he wanted to be there for the suprise.