When Paths Cross

The elevator came to a halt and Rory felt her way out of it with her foot.  Hearing movement in the loft, "Duncan, could you give me a hand here? I can't see where I'm going."

"He's not here right now, can I..." Startled by the strange voice, Rory promptly lost everything she was holding. Standing in front of her was a tall, thin man with dark hair, hazel eyes, and a smile that had her returning it. "I'm sorry I startled you." He said squatting, "Here, let me help you pick this up. I'm Adam Pierson."

Rory, having joined him on the floor, shook the hand held out to her. "I'm Rory Fitzgerald." she laughed, looking at the mess she had created. "I think I've heard Duncan mention your name a time or two. You're with the Watchers."

The surprised look disappeared as quickly as it had appeared but Rory still caught it and began to chuckle once more. Rising, she carried her load over to the table.  Methos joined her, putting down his arm load. "How do you know the Watchers?"

"Oh, I've known about the Watchers for awhile now. You see, I've been friends with a certain couple of immortals now for about 7 years and have gotten to know their watchers rather well. Rachel is a Sweetheart."

Methos quickly ran through the rouster of field watchers and the only Rachel he could come up with was watching Connor. "Connor? Is that how you met Duncan?" Methos asked curiously as he looked over the odd assortment of maps, sword, and other items that belonged in the Renaissance.

"No, I met Duncan several years ago through a colleague of mine in the history department at the university. When I started teaching there, they suggested that I come see Duncan about guest speaking and such." Rory informed him as she also looked over the stuff on the table, but she was doing it to make sure everything was ok. "We've been friends ever since." She smiled as she looked up at him. This time Rory took a better look at the man beside her and decided that she *really* liked what she saw.

"So you found out about the Watchers from Rachel." Methos was still trying to figure out how much she knew. He watched her walk over to the fridge and pull out a soda.

"No, I found out from Joe." Rory laughed at the surprise that this time he was unable to hide. "I was around when Duncan dealt with the Hunters.  I stayed out of his way so he wouldn't worry but I did a little research on my own. After I got to know Joe, he informed me of Rachel. He talked to me about joining the watchers but I turned it down. So he asked asked me to keep the Watcher's secret. The thing was, I didn't need to. Connor already knew about Rachel and the Watchers. The rest as they say is history." Walking over to the couch, Rory sat down and took a drink of her soda. "So when is Duncan due back?"

Methos walked over and sat beside her. "He'll be back in about an hour if you want to wait."

"Thanks, don't mind if I do." Rory continued, "I need to talk to Duncan about a demonstration anyway. So how long have you lived in Paris?"

"About 10 years, as long as I've been with the Watchers actually. How about you? How long have you lived in Seacouver?" Methos asked, curious about this friend of Duncan's that knew so much about Immortals but wasn't a Watcher.

"All my life." Rory replied, sounding a little wistful.

"You say that like it's a bad thing. Do you have any family?"  Methos asked, before she could ask him another question about his life.

"No, no family to speak of. My parents died when I was 8 in a car accident.  My grandmother raised me until she died when I was 18.  It was my senior year in high school and I had no one to go to and since my grandmother had left me her house, and legally I was an adult, social service let me be."

Rory took another drink of her soda. "All I had to do was make sure that I had enough money to survive on. The social security check I got because of my parents was small but they helped. Grandmother's house was free and clear except for the taxes. After I graduated, I was lucky enough to get a scholarship at the university and a job there as well to help out." Rory laughed as memories assulted her.

"I had some real good friends and neighbors who kept an eye on me and I ate a lot of macaroni and cheese and tuna fish." Rory made a face then that made Methos laugh. Rory laughed as well before continuing, "I scrimped and saved every penny I could. I closed up most of the house, went without air conditioning or heat as long as I could and learned how to chop wood pretty good if I do say so." Rory flexed her arm with a grin.

Methos reached over and tested her muscle. He wasn't expecting to find much of one but was surprised to find that her arm was hard but not overly muscled. Looking over her body, Methos realized that she was very tone. "How long did you have to do that?"

"For about 3 years. I had to wait to turn 21 before I could sell the house.  By then, I was in my senior year. I got free room and board by becoming a dorm monitor which allowed me to invest the money from the sale of the house." Finishing off her soda, Rory got up and threw the can away.

Returning to the couch, Methos looked expectantly at her. Rory sighed but continued anyway. "When I graduated, I was offered a job while I worked on my masters there at the university. I took it. With the money I was making, I was able to support myself comfortably. After I got my masters, the university offered a professorship while I worked on getting my doctorate. Rory finished her tale and looked at Methos. "So, now that you know all about me. What about you? Do I get to hear your story?"

Methos opened his mouth but wasn't sure what to say. He liked this woman, who had suffered much through the years but had managed to keep a sharp sense of humor. "Well, as you know, I've been with the Watchers for the past 10 years.  I'm a researcher for the Methos Chronicles but I'm still working on my undergraduate work. Unlike you, I'm taking it nice and slow." Methos grinned.

Methos finished his beer and got up for another one. Rory followed him into the kitchen, looking for something to eat. Methos went back to the couch and watched her as she looked around. Just then he felt the presence of another Immortal and hoped it was Duncan. The elevator started up and Duncan stepped out, "Methos! surely you haven't been sitting there all day drinking my beer."

"Methos!" Rory squeaked and then suddenly started laughing. "I should have known. Especially with the way you kept turning the conversation back to me."  Walking around the counter, she looked at Methos and then at Duncan, who was shocked to see her.

Duncan turned from Rory to Methos, "Methos, I'm sorry. I didn't see her."

"That's okay Duncan. Since she's known about you for so long and you obviously trust her, I guess, I will have to too. At least until she proves otherwise." Methos replied shaking his head, while resting it in his hands.

"Don't worry Methos, who would believe me anyway?" Rory grinned. "Duncan, I was returning your things and I stayed to talk to you about the demonstration we're doing next week."

"Well, I haven't eaten yet. What say you to dinner at Joe's and we can discuss it while we enjoy the music. Of course you can also pump Methos for all kinds of history knowledge. If you can get it out of him." Duncan grinned, relief flowing through his body at having to no longer keep a secret from this dear friend.

Rory continued to smile but this time a chuckle joined it. "I'd love to and you know me, Duncan. I *always* love a challenge. Coming Methos?" Rory looked over her shoulder as she walked toward the elevator with Duncan.

"Yeah, yeah. That's right. Let's make this pick on Methos night." Methos grumbled good naturedly with a smile as he got up and grabbed his coat.  Joining them, he decided that this was going to be the start of a fun and unusual relationship.

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