Deceiving the Curse.
by Black Rook
Special thanks to Shatris Lerran for final inspiration and to Matt Garvey for beta-reading!
June, 2008.
Oslo, Norway.
So I guess you liked the trip? Sandra Alister, listed in Watcher files as Cassandra, told to Nikki Rodgers, her 17-years-old step-daughter. They were standing on a balcony in a hotel room in Oslo; it was their last night in Norway, the following day they were flying back to Scotland after a water trip along the fiords. Officially the trip was a present from Sandra to Nikki, a reward for her brilliant graduating from school and entering college. Unofficially For Cassandra, Norway fiords were one of the most favorite places in the world, shes always liked showing them to her beloved students, lovers and children. Like Nikki. And Nikkis present delights were the best reward for Cassandra herself.
In fact, 12 years ago least of all Cassandra was thinking about adopting a mortal child. She was recovering after Bordeaux, coming to terms with everything that had happened. She had failed to kill Kronos (actually, she hadnt had any chance at all), but nevertheless he was dead, because Duncan, Duncan MacLeod had again played the champion, this time without any prophecies. But Methos, Methos was still alive, alive, because Duncan spoke on his behalf. At least Cassandra preferred to think so, that it was Duncans plea that had saved Methos and not her own lack of courage and determination. She was trying to accept all this, when sad news reached her, that her friends Rick and Marta Rodgers (Rick worked in a detective agency, which helped her track Kronos down) had got killed in the highlands. They had no relatives or closer friends, so their daughter, 5-years-old angel called Nikki, was left in Cassandras care. At first she wasnt intending to raise Nikki herself (the girl simply deserved someone better than an unstable Immortal waking up screaming at least once a night) and was trying to find a proper family for her. But it wasnt easy, and couple of months later Cassandra suddenly realized that she couldnt part with Nikki. They managed to help each other in their miseries, and became family.
They lived in a quiet place; no Immortals had crossed their paths and no accidents with cars, ladders or knives had occurred, so Nikki hadnt suspected anything strange about her step-mother yet. And now she was leaving home. Cassandra knew that soon she would have to make the decision, either to tell Nikki the truth, or to disappear from her life forever. She had made that choice hundreds of times in her life, and each time it became more and more difficult. Modern technologies had made the world very small. Today you couldnt just hide your not ageing behind the letters and distant calls, today they had web-cameras and supersonic planes On the other hand, the excuse of cosmetics and plastic surgery allowed Immortals to use the same identity for longer. Nikki was still a kid; she must become an adult person before being forced to deal with an incredible truth or another loss. And so far Cassandra would have that time, 5 or maybe even 10 years. Of course, if she was careful enough with challenges and accidents.
But there are things you cant foresee or avoid, no matter how careful you are. For example, a drugged idiot on a motorbike
He cut into their car on the way to the Oslo airport. And it wasnt Cassandras secret that was in danger, but Nikkis life! Seating in the ambulance, flying to the nearest hospital, Cassandra held Nikkis hand and prayed. She prayed that modern medicine really learned how to work miracles.
The ambulance finally arrived at the hospital entrance and that very moment Cassandra felt an Immortal Presence outside.
Dr. Alan Mathews, listed in secret Watcher files as Methos, rushed to the
hospital entrance and froze half-way, feeling a buzz. There was an Immortal in
the ambulance. Paramedics reported about a badly injured 17-year-old and her
mother without a scratch. Damn it, it might have been better the other way
round They opened the doors of the ambulance and rolled out the stretcher.
Yeah, the girl was definitely mortal and nearly dying. Methos had no time to
study an Immortal woman; he only hurled Please, wait out here, well do
everything possible, and they hurried to the operating-room.
Cassandra remained there, totally lost. Some girl from the hospital registry lead her inside, gave her a large cup of coffee and started telling her something about the best surgeon in Norway and everything being okay, but Cassandra hardly listened. That surgeon was Immortal. Not just an Immortal, but him, she clearly saw his face. And that was entirely impossible, she must have been mistaken. He was just a surgeon and was now struggling for Nikkis life, while she could only pray.
Well done, Alan. Shell survive.
Yeah, Methos wiped his forehead. It was a heavy battle, but now Nikki must
survive. Shell even be okay, if everything was done properly, but that hed
monitor himself. Ill talk to her mother. Immortals, who had enough courage to
adopt mortal children, had his respect a priory.
Ms. Alister, Nikki is out of danger now, we and there he suddenly stopped,
finally recognizing her. Cassandra. His personal Nemesis.
Are you sure?
Yes. I hope well be able to transfer her from the resuscitation unit
tomorrow.
Can I see her?
To any other person he would say no.
Yes. But please be quiet.
Nikki was the only one serious patient during the day, but Methos had no time to contemplate what had happened. And when he finally got home, he simply didnt want to think about it. Fate has her own sense of humor, but hed always known that. And todays meeting certainly was not the strangest one in his life.
A sudden phone call interrupted his philosophic dialog with the microwave.
Alan Mathews speaking.
Hi, Alan, its Joe.
Hi, Joe! Nice to hear you, how are things back there?
More or less, more or less. Look, Im calling to warn you, Cassandra might be
in town.
Yeah, I know. Weve met.
And? asked Joe cautiously.
And nothing, Joe. Her girl was injured in a car crash and arrived during my
shift. Shell survive, but right now Cassandra has other things on her mind than
making scenes.
Sure?
Absolutely. Joe, thanks for caring, and I mean it, but Alan Mathews is
perfectly safe from Cassandra.
Lets hope so
And Joe Please, dont trouble MacLeod with this, ok?
Ok. Just be careful, old man.
Always am.
Cassandra spent most of her time in the hospital, being with Nikki every minute when it was allowed. She really was doing better, and, as anxiety for Nikki backed away a little, another question began to occupy Cassandras mind. She hadnt been wrong, it was him. Alan Mathews, young, gentle, a little bit reserved, but very talented surgeon, was Methos. And that was totally unbelievable. Well, she could believe that he wasnt interested in homicide and power any more, hadnt been for centuries or even millennia, but a doctor? He certainly neednt to work for a living, and medicine wasnt a kind of things one does just for entertainment. So why? She nearly wanted to ask him directly, but, for better or worse, she hadnt met him since the first day, though felt his Presence a couple of times. And What should she do with the fact that he apparently had saved Nikkis life?
It didnt matter much, when he had saved yours, did it? asked some annoying voice in her head.
One day, more than a week after the accident, Cassandra was leaving the hospital later than usual. It had been a really mad day there, because of a big explosion somewhere in the city. Not terrorists, something civilian, but dead and wounded were still dead and wounded. Suddenly she felt the Presence and then saw him, he was standing in one of the dark corners of hospitals courtyard. Leaning on the wall, he was trying to light a cigarette. His hands were trembling and finally he dropped the lighter right to Cassandras feet. She picked it up silently and helped him light up.
Thanks, he muffled, inhaling.
Hard day?
Have seen better.
How is
The score? Life leads 16 to 5, here and for now.
They kept silence for a little.
How is your girl?
Better. Already wants to be discharged.
Good, he nearly smiled.
Methos, I
Cassandra, dont. Dr. Mathews was doing his work, and Sandra Alister might be
grateful to him, if she wants to, but it changes nothing between us.
He was right, of course. What was happening now couldnt change anything that
happened 12 years or 3 millennia ago. But still
Methos, what are you doing here? Trying to prove something to someone?
Me? Oh, no. Just deceiving the Curse.
The Curse? She asked, bewildered.
You spent a lot of time on British lands and nearby; you should be familiar
with Irish folklore. There was one wise guy there, Dark Patrick here he was
interrupted by his bleeper. He read the message, swore under his breath and
rushed back to the hospital, leaving Cassandra even more confused.
Nikki was now strong enough to feel bored, and she still liked tales. So when Cassandra bought Folk tales of worlds nations in the nearest bookstore, officially it was for Nikki. She had deliberately skipped the Irish part while reading the book aloud in the hospital, but later, in a hotel room, she studied it very carefully. And, much to her amazement, she had found the quote Methos had referred to. It was from a tale entitled Dark Patrick and Cromachy of the crows.
And then Dark Patrick addressed to the second prince:
What is your name?
My name is Darmid.
What curse did you deserve?
I shall become a murderer and will not let a knife out of my hands for the
whole life.
Dark Patrick turned to the palpitating queen and said:
Send Darmid to the best medical school immediately! Let him study and become a
doctor! Then his knife will not be the knife of a murderer.
Finally there came the day of Nikkis discharging. Methos came to see them off, although he wasnt quite sure if it was a good idea. But nothing extraordinary happened. He and Cassandra exchanged some medical advice and meaningless words, as Dr. Matthews and Ms. Alister, and then he helped her to settle Nikki in the car. But after that she suddenly turned to him and asked in low voice and Ancient Greek:
Does it help? Medicine against the Curse, I mean?
Yeah, he answered, slightly amazed. Usually does.
She smiled. Damn it, it made her beautiful!
Interesting Ill think about it. She got in the car and took off. He followed
her with his eyes and self-ironic smile on his lips.
Honestly, 10 years ago, when he created Alan Matthews as a convenient identity for medical school, the last thing he was thinking about was impressing Cassandra. Its just Tibet monastery was out of question (mostly because of Joe, and leaving MacLeod without tending for long might have been dangerous); Darius and Rebecca were dead So medicine was the only known way to deal with his demons and ghosts. And they had become extremely nasty after corresponding events. And medicine worked, as usual. Maybe better, than ever, he thought, casting a last glance on the road. After all, Cassandra was the only one Immortal left, whose age was at least comparable with his. If they became able to talk to each other, it would be good. For both of them. And now it seemed possible.
Note:
Dark Patrick and Cromachy of the crows is a real Irish folk tale; I read it in
Russian when I was a kid. Its about three dissolute princes, who once enraged
Cromachy of the crows and he cursed them all. Then Dark Patrick, ignorant, but a
very wise farmer from Donegal, came to the palace and taught the princes how to
deceive their curses. Unfortunately, I didnt manage to find an English version
of the tale in the Web, so the quote above is translated by me from Russian
edition. Note, that, since its a folk tale, it might have a lot of different
versions and translations :).
October 2008
Highlander fanfiction by Black Rook