Make Love, Not War

Part 12
rorarora grinned as she appeared in the garden that was Gaia’s home. The Earth Goddess just looked up at her and gestured for the new God to take a seat. Carrying over a jug of water, she poured a glass for each of them.

“How are you feeling Aurora?” Gaia asked softly wanting to know if the young one would be strong enough.

Aurora snarled, “Angry and anguished. My Papa is gone and I need him. I love him and I never even got to meet him. Why did that slut do that to him?”

“She was angry, jealous and obsessed with her search for power. Now are you ready for what you must do?”
cou course, it is what I was born for.” Aurora answered coolly the suggestion that she was incapable stung a little but she ignored the pain knowing she needed to focus on her task.

Aurora turned into her primal form of pure energy, working carefully she sent out her awareness to the mortal world. Carefully she planted the seeds of destruction making the mortals believe the Greek Gods were weak Gods unable to help them. She manipulated them into believing the only Gods wthe the true answers and powers where the Roman Gods. The seeds of destruction worked quickly as thousands of mortals fervently called out to the Roman Gods pledging their lives and spirits.

Gaia smiled sadly, “Return to your home child. We will all be gone from this world in a matter of hours.”

“Goodbye Grandmother,” Aurora said formally seconds before die disappeared from the Earth Mother’s home.

On Olympus the majority of the gods were asleep not having the power to maintain anything but their most basic function. Aurora gave a sad smile, she had known what would happen but she also knew it was the only chance for survival. They would live again if Strife and Methos were strong enough to survive, without them, there was no chance for rebirth. She returned to the House of War where her family was already lying asleep in a massive bed with cream covers. Moving quickly she got into the bed, closing her eyes as the energy followed from her, giving a select few mortals the words needed to summon her and the knowledge of the Rebirth Prophecy.

Seacover Present Time

Joe Dawson watched the scene in front of him with the fascination of someone watching a train crash; he couldn’t look away despite the fact that he knew the outcome. He had seen Duncan Macleod do many brave things in the past but this one was truly amazing. Duncan was actually volunteering for the bachelor auction, Immortal, or not the man was toast.

Methos said seriously, “I see Amanda managed to corner Duncan again, what does she want this time?”

Taking the beer Methos held out for him Joe shrugged, “She’s asked him to in the bachelor auction.”

“The one at the museum? I wonder what she’s planning to liberate from its owners this time.” Methos said with an innocent grin.

“That life is behind me now, I’m just helping out a friend.” Amanda said with a glare at the two men wearing watching smirks.

“Of course you are.” Methos answered amused at her rapid response.

Duncan abouabout to defend her when all three immortals felt the unmistakeable humming in their bodies and the headache that indicated another of their kind was near. Duncan looked at Amanda with a small sigh, the bar was their Sanctuary, and this strange immortal had violated their sacred place. Looking at Methos, he was shocked to see a wide smile on the man’s face.

Duncan asked his friend, “Methos, I take it that you know recognise the presence?”

As he entered the bar Nikias formerly Strife God of Mischief smirked, “If he doesn’t recognise me then something is seriously wrong. It has been too long, Meth.”

“You always say that, love. How long has it been this time?” Methos said tenderly as his eyes raked over the pale from.

Nikias said quickly, “Three hundred years, five months, ten days and seventeen minutes.”

“It felt like longer. Gods it is great to see you beloved.” Methos said smiling as he opened his arms.

Nikias grinned widely literally running into Methos’ arms, running his hands over every part of his lover that he could reach. He hated it when they had to part, he always felt lost without Methos beside him. Even knowing the separation was the only way to keep both of them safe from the hundreds of enemies they had Nikias always wished they didn’t have to part. When Methos placed his hand on Nikias’ chest, the younger Immortal coped thetureture before the pair passionately kissed.

“Now enough of that, love. I have a few more important issues to discuss with you.” Nikias said seriously before his eyes hardened, stepping back from his lover.

Methos groaned recognising the look on Nikias’ face, he was angry. At what Methos had no idea but he knew there was no way of escaping the public showdown, his lover would have his say and nothing would stop him.

Nikias scowled, “I’m in a fucking mood with you, Meth.”

Methos questioned, t dit did I do this time, Nikias?”

“You did not tell me that bitch Cassandra was after you again!” Nikias said ignoring the others watching the argument.

“I was worried she would use you to get even with me.” Methos said honestly even as he reached out for his lover.

Amanda stood her hands on her hips as she said coolly, “Excuse me for interrupting this little lovers spat but my name is Amanda, this is Duncan and the man taking notes over there is Joe. Its nice to meet you, Mr…?”

Nikias arched his eyebrows, “It is nice to meet you, Amanda and Joe. I’ve heard a lot about you Duncan. I’ve got to say, you are even more uptight than I had imagined.”

Only just hiding her smile at Nikias’ words Amanda said, “I believe you haven’t told us your name.”

“My name is Nikias but you can call me Nik.” Nikias said with a smile no one but Methos called him by his full name.

As everyone sat down Duncan asked, “When exactly did you die, Nik?”

“A ce ofe of years after The Trojan War.” Nikias said carefully.

“You were Death then, Methos?” Duncan questioned not understanding why the horsemen would accept an outsider.

Nikias smiled, “He was but my father trained Methos to become Death. Father left me where Meth would find me, giving me a necklace so Methos would know he sent me. I was given to Meth as his sex slave.”

“Your father gave you away to Death to be used as a sex slave!?” Amanda exclaimed in shock, how could someone do that to their child?

Not seeing any problems with what had been a common occurrence Nikias nodded, “Yeah. We spent centuries with the Horsemen, travelling and raiding. Caspian only tried to kill me twice but Meth stopped him. The rest were afraid of what Meth would do if he lost his favourite slave. Over time, we fell in love with each other and decided to leave The Horsemen. We settled down to enjoy our lives. Hell we even had children!”

“So how did you end up having children? Methos doesn’t strike me as a family man.”

Methos smiled, “We were happy together and gradually decided that we wanted to expand our family. Mira was our first child, our little star. She died when she was four after being bitten by an insect. We mourned her but knew that we still wanted children. We decided to take in children who truly needed a home those who were unwanted or abandoned. Most of them are immortals.”

Joe asked amazed, “How many children do you have?”

“Twenty five little monsters.” Nikias said with a fond smile knowing his husband wouldn’t take offence to his words.

Joe ventured, “I’ve never heard Methos speak of you, Nik.”

Nikias shook his head, “It is generally safer for everyone if no one knows about me. Cassandra has sworn blood vengeance because I refused to let her have Methos. She tried to kill me once to get him but I let her go free. I was too soft, I should have killed her.”

“That wouldn’t be right, killing her just because she was infatuated with your lover.”

Nikias snarled, “Duncan, I didn’t come here for a lecture. Methos, do you want to meet our new students?”

“What are their names and how did they die?”

Nikias grinned at his lover’s bored tone, “Justin Pendleton and Richard Haywood. Richard died first, he fell from a cliff and a couple of hours later Justin committed suicide. I stole Richard’s body from the morgue and managed to get a razor into Justin’s cell. I knew what he would do, when he had killed himself I took his body from the prison morgue. I put them in the car and decided to come straight to you, love. Now can we bring them in here then?”

“They’ve been out in the car waiting?” Amanda said in disbelief.

“Its not like they will notice. They haven’t revived from their First Death yet.”

“When did they die?” Duncan asked quickly wondering if they had a pair of soon to wake Immortals on their hands.

Nikias shrugged, “About 15 hours ago but I stabbed them both in the chest with a dagger to make sure they didn’t wake.”

Methos didn’t day anything as he picked up the first teenager who had blonde hair and open blue eyes. From looking at him it was obvious the boy had died in a traumatic manner, Methos’ trained eye could see the man had broken his spine and his neck. It was a quick way to die though it did take a little longer to heal than other methods.

Nikias picked up Justin, gently carrying the man into the back room, thankful that the bar was empty apart from the immortals and watcher. He always hated explaining the facts of life to the newbies, mainly because of all the ridiculous questions they asked.

Settling the pair on the sofa, the lovers smiled at each other, removing the daggers at the same time. They watched with satisfaction as the blue spark healed the pair. Methos sat down on a nearby chair, pulling Nikias into his arms while they waited. He grinned when Duncan and Amanda also sat down while Joe covertly got out his tape recorder, switching it on as quietly as possible.

Justin gasped loudly his eyes opening as he shouted, “Rich!”

Justin frantically looked around trying to find Richard, hoping it was all a dream and Richard was alive and well. He couldn’t cope if he had truly lost Richard, his soulmate. He couldn’t believe how much he had hurt the blonde man, how cruel he had been. It was perfect timing, as when he looked over Richard gasped loudly as his eyes opened.

Looking straight at Justin Richard said, “Justin, don’t cry. I’m okay!”

Justin just nodded at his words, even as he moved closer to Richard who looked at the hand approaching him.

Seeing the blood covering the younger man’s arm Richard gasped in shock, “It’s a lot lower and messier than normal, Jus. What happened?”

“I cut my wrists open, I was upset. Y…You left me, Rich. You died. I…I killed you.”

“You didn’t! I remember going to the bluff. The guns felt cold and reassuring in my hands. I gave one to you and then you accused me of wanting to watch you kill yourself. I could never do that you!”

Justin looked into the blonde's eyes, “I know. I hurt you though, just like I always do. You died Rich, I watched as they took your body away!”

Richard said passionately, “You only hurt me because I pushed you too far. I’m glad that you hurt me back, you’re becoming more confident. Erm…Justin, if I died and you killed yourself how the fuck are we sitting here alive? “Ma “Maybe this is Hell, our punishment for killing Olivia.”

Methos said calmly, “My name is Methos and I need to talk to you about something very important. Justin and Richard you are both Immortal. That doesn’t mean that you can’t die permanently because you can by beheading. You will heal from all the other wounds but there is a downside. The majority of Immortals plays the Game; it is a fight to the death. There is only one way to avoid a challenge and that is holy ground. Immortals can never fight on Holy Ground, it doesn’t matter what religion. Now a fight is always one on one, no one can interfere.”

“What’s your verdict on this Justin? Drugs or alcohol?” Richard asked his partner with a small smile.

Justin said confidently, “Neither. It is a hallucination due to severe emotional stress. It’s a standard response when you can’t handle something, you either have a psychotic break, hallucinate or repress.”

“Well to most we’re already psychotic, not that I care.” Richard said with a laugh.

Duncan frowned on hearing the pair talk understanding the two boys had killed someone and had openly admitted to being insane. Surely, it would be safer for everyone if the pair were ki bef before they could cause any damage? Looking sideways at Methos caused him to reassess that thought, if Methos could change perhaps this pair could as well.

“What would make you believe?” Nikias asked wryly.

Justin said thoughtfully, “One of us dies with the other here to verify it. It wouldn’t work if one of you died and came back to life as you are simply hallucinations.”

“So be it.” Nikias said with a shrug, throwing a dagger so that it landed dead centre in Justin’s heart.

Cradling Justin’s form Richard shouted, “You bastard! Justin, please don’t leave me. I need you, don’t die.”

There was no response as blood stained Justin’s shirt, Richard worked quickly ripping open the top, ignoring the familiar scars as he tried to stop the bleeding becoming horrified when he realised it wasn’t working. Richard watched as the man his arms got pale. Feeling for a pulse Richard froze as he realised there wasn’t one. Justin was dead and that pale bastard had killed him.

Richard gently placed Justin’s form on the chair whispering, “I’ll be there with you soon. I’ll just take care of that bastard first.”

As the blonde moved toward Nikias Amanda said, “Richard, wait. Look at Justin.”

Richard looked at her in confusion, why would she ask him to look upon his dead lover again? Why was she so determined to hurt him? A breathless gasp caused him to turn around to find Justin looking at him in a mix of confusion, amazement, and fear. Richard didn’t think about it as he pulled the brunette into a crushing hug, reassuring himself that his lover was still alive.

“Its okay. I’m not going to leave you again by choice, I promise.” Justin whispered while running his hands through the older man’s hair feeling the shakes wracking the man’s body.

“I swear that if you die, I’ll follow.”

“Together in this life and the next.” Justin said seriously seeing the small nod in the other man’s eyes. He shifted so that he was inside Richard’s arms but could look at all the strangers at the same time.

Methos coughed loudly to get the pair’s attention, “Now you know we are telling the truth there is something important you must know, to the world Richard Haywood and Justin Pendleton are dead. You will have to take on new identities.”

“Okay, can we keep our first names?”

Amanda interrupted, “Only as a middle name, which can only be used when you are alone. It’s too dangerous otherwise. Any thoughts on what your new names will be?”

“Alex Richard Nichols and Daniel Justin Harris.” Richard said speaking for the both of them. Six months ago, they had toyed with the idea of getting new identities in case they needed to run and those names they had agreed on.

Nikias said soothingly, “We will set everything up for you. Methos and I will teach you how to fight along with a few other skills you will need to survive.”

“Thanks.” Richard said carefully seeing no other option but to trust the strangers.

“It is our pleasure. Now how about a drink while we get to know each other? Would you like a beer or tequila?”

“We’ll both have a beer.” Justin said softly.

Joe asked politely, “What would you like Nik?”

“I’ve got something in my bag.” Nikias said with a smirk, lifting out a bottle of whiskey allowing the others to see the name Bowmore and the date 1957.

“What the hell are you doing with a bottle of 38 years old whiskey in your bag?” Duncan exclaimed in shock unable to believe the stranger was so unconcerned about the cost and importance of the bottle.

“It’s a celebration for my reunion with Meth. Don’t you want a drink, Highlander?”

“Of course I want a drink. How much did this little bottle cost you?” Duncan asked staring at the bottle in fascination.

Nikias shrugged, “£1726.25 online at Eton Viners.”

“Is that all?” Amanda said with a small laugh, she approved of someone who enjoyed the finer things in life.

“How about just grabbing seven glasses and we will share the bottle?” Nikias said to Joe as the bartender walked towards the bar.

Joe did as asked placing the glasses on the table in front of Nikias, watching as the pale man filled each glass. Holding his glass up Joe nodded at Methos to perform the toast.

“To love, life, and friendship.” Methos said finally slipping one arm around Nikias’ waist. Everyone took a small sip feeling the drink should be savoured. Nikias looked around the bar and wondered if he should reveal the truth to this mismatched group of allies.

End Part 12