Chapter 19

When the bar closed for the night, Joe let his help leave since Methos was there to help him. Methos started by sweeping the floors and then putting the chairs up on the tables. Joe worked behind the bar getting things cleaned up and stocked so it would be ready for tomorrow. As soon as they were done, Joe said to Methos, "Let's sit here and talk." He brought a bottle of scotch over with two glasses.

Methos got down the chairs off one table and sat down to wait for Joe to get there. "You mean about my quickening?"

"Yes, you've known for over a month now, but with the problem with O'Rourke and with MacLeod, we haven't had a chance to talk. I want to know what's going on. And I know me well enough to know if we go back to my place or yours we'll end up in bed before you tell me what you know."

"Okay Joe, first off, none of this can go into the chronicles."

"I promise," said Joe. "I just need to know what happened and what it all means."

Before Methos started talking, he pour them each some scotch. They toasted each other and just as he started to take a drink, he put it down and put his hand on his forehead. Joe looked at him with concern and asked, "Are you all right, Methos?" Before Methos could answer him, he fell over sideways. 

It scared Joe half to death. He got his cell phone and called MacLeod, "Where are you, Mac? Can you come over? Something's wrong with Methos. He just passed out here at the bar."

After hanging up the phone, Joe went around and sat in Methos' seat. He started talking to him even though he didn't think he would hear him. "Mac is just right outside of town. He said he should be here in about 10 minutes. Are you cold? I'll go in the back and get you a blanket to keep you warm."

Joe got up and went in the back and got a couple of blankets. He sat down in the chair again and put the one blanket on top of him. Then he folded the other blanket up and put it under his head. The he drank his scotch down. 

When Duncan finally came charging through the door, he could see that Methos was still out. He went over to Methos and checked him over the best he could then said, "I know he's still alive because of his quickening. But it's way off now. Not like it was before. I bet what wrong with him is the cause for him still being unconscious." 

About that time, Methos started moaning. "Who turned the lights out?" He started to sit up and got real dizzy. Duncan helped him up and over to a chair so he could sit down.

Joe turned to Duncan, "I know you are friends with Gregor and he's here in town. Maybe you can put a call in to him and have him check the old man out to make sure he's okay."

Methos got angry and said as he started to get up, "I'm okay and you aren't calling anyone to check me out." When he turned to walk away, he would have fallen if Duncan hadn't caught him. He helped him to sit back down. "Maybe I'm not all right. I need a drink." As he grabbed his scotch to drink it down, he sat it down in a hurry and rushed back to the bathroom.. 

Both Duncan and Joe watched him run and looked at each other with a worried look. Joe said to Duncan, "I didn't think you guys got sick."

Duncan answered, "We get sick, Joe, but I have no idea what's going on with him. Let me go check on him and maybe he'll let me call Gregor." 

He walked over to the men's room and tried to open the door. It was locked, so he called through it. "Methos, are you all right?"

Methos answered, "No, I'm not all right. I think I'm dying. Go ahead and call Gregor. Maybe he can tell me what's wrong or put me out of my misery."

Duncan pulled out his phone as he walked back to Joe, "Joe, he's really sick. He wants me to call Gregor." 

After getting off the phone he turned to Joe, "Are you all right? You look awfully pale."

Joe snapped back with, "Yeah, I'm just fine. My lover is possibly dying but I'm fine. Hunky dory." Joe wiped a hand over his face and blew out a big puff of air. "I'm sorry Mac, I know it's not your fault but I'm scared for him. We just found each other, I don't want to lose him before we've had a chance to be happy together." 

Duncan went and drew both him and Joe a beer. He sat Joe's down in front of him and then went to check on Methos. "Do you think you can come out? I've called Gregor and he'll be here in about 10 minutes. Joe's really worried about you and needs to see that you are at least still living."

After a few minutes, Methos unlocked the door and came out. He looked really pale and slowly walked back in to sit with Joe. He took Joe's hand and said, "Joe, I'm still living, see. Just scared because something like this has never happened to me before. When Gregor gets here, I'll let him check me over to make sure I'm okay." He cupped Joe's face with his other hand, "I love you Joe." Then he leaned in to kiss Joe

Joe leaned his head into Methos' hand and returned the kiss, "I love you too, Methos." They sat there a few minutes then both Methos and Duncan stiffened and looked to the door.

To Chapter 20