Joe and Methos had grown comfortable in each others' company over the past few days and it was with a real pang of regret that the eldest immortal made final preparations to return to Paris. He'd dropped in on Catriona at work that day and had been favourably impressed both with her lecturing style and with the content of the lecture. The topic under discussion had been Caesar's account of the burning of wicker effigies - reportedly containing live sacrifices, and the modern practice, in Britain, of 'celebrating' the end of the 'gunpowder plot' by burning a straw or paper effigy and letting off fireworks - every 5th November - supposedly in commemoration of the trial, sentencing and burning at the stake of Guy Fawkes in the 1600s. The parallels she had drawn between the practices had been interesting and the thought provoking question and answer session had led some of the students to propose a study of similar practices in other cultures. The students had left teh lecture hall having been well primed for the coming semester and Catriona had been pleased with the first foray into a new academic institution.
They had walked together to Duncan's class and had spent a fairly contented hour talking about mostly inconsequential things with the one exception being the arrangements for Catriona's son. A home had been found and they had made arrangements to visit it on the following day.
To all intents and purposes they appeared to be the epitome of a close knit group of friends - yet the atmosphere between the two men was strained. Methos had delayed informing Duncan of his plan to return to Paris until after arranging their visit to Willow Vale, and his pronouncement had been met with stony silence from the Highlander. It almost seemed, to Catriona, as if he was sulking.
The actual departure of Methos, though planned, had been almost as abrupt as his disappearance all those years ago in Paris when Duncan had first met him. On their return from Willow Vale, which they had all agreed was an extremely suitable place for Catriona to place Matthew, Joe had invited everyone to the bar for a farewell drink for Methos, and they had accepted.
After pouring drinks for his 'partners in crime', as he jokingly referred to them, Methos had announced he would be back for Halloween, drunk his own shot of whisky down, grabbed his pack - and on the way out of the door left this parting shot.
"Oh and one more thing, I'd rather not have candles on my birthday cake - OK Joe? Apart from not knowing exactly how old I am - and no I am not going to ask," he said looking at Catriona, "a number in excess of five thousand might prove difficult to extinguish in one breath!"
And with a wicked grin and a wink he turned and left, for all the world like an imp vanishing on a whim. The stunned faces of his friends regarding the space he had so recently occupied. Finally Joe broke the silence.
"I suppose I am to take it that he's discovered that Halloween is his Birthday and that he'd not object to having a celebration?"
"I think you could safely assume that," Catriona said, smiling, "and before you ask he had a 'dream' and asked me for confirmation, and that's all I am at liberty to tell you."
"Well, well. Halloween. It's a great day for anyone to be born,"Duncan mused, "perhaps especially for an immortal."
"Why's that?" Joe asked. "I'd have thought being born on the feast of dead souls would be inauspicious and down right unlucky."
"No, not at all," Duncan replied, "well I suppose looking at some modern Christian interpretations of Halloween as a time for the devil to hold sway then I can see how some might hold that view, but with the older religions - wicca and druidsim amongst them - it is seen as a day of power and of wisdom, when the spirits of our ancestors can aid and intercede for those still on earth. Powerful magic coulD be made On Halloween and I suppose that's one part of the feast that has lingered on in modern 'celebrations'."
A friendly discussion ensued about the differences between ancient and modern customs and even between customs and traditions within the USA and Britain around the feast of All Souls, Samhain or Halloween and the three began to relax. The tension caused by Methos' departure dissipated easily in the continued warmth and friendship they felt from each other's company. Yet Catriona could not help noticing that Duncan's eyes held a glimmer of sorrow any time reference was made to their absent companion. As they were leaving she put her hand on his arm and said.
"He'll be back Duncan, he promised. Talk to him when he returns if you're prepared to listen to what he has to say."
He made no reply as he opened the passenger door of his car for her. She was right about one thing, he thought, he had talked to, or talked at Methos often, but he equally often failed to really listen to the older man. He vowed to take the opportunity to do so on the next occasion they met. So resolved he turned the key in the ignition and drove Catriona home, lost in thoughts on what he might say to his friend when he returned.
The days rolled on uneventfully until the end of September, when it had been arranged for Matthew to arrive. Catriona's Uncle had intended to accompany his great-nephew on the long thirteen hour flight, but he had been laid low with a bout of bronchitis. Two of the nurses from the Scottish home had been hired to accompany him too, but John MacLeod still felt a sense of unease about being unable to go with them. He had fretted endlessly over the details until his own doctor had reprimanded him and told him to relax, he couldn't travel and that was the end of it. Whilst MacLeod knew intellectually that Matthew would be in good hands with the nurses to care for him, he could not help feeling the pang of guilt which assailed his heart.
If the bronchitis had only hit a week earlier he'd have been fine. Despite the doctor's words he continued to fret about the situtation. Two days before Matthew was due to leave for Seacouver, John MacLeod had managed to work himself up into a quiet frenzy, his secretary was at her wits end trying to keep him calm and persuade him to rest. Then came a phone call from the last person either of them expected.
"Russell Nash for Mr MacLeod." The voice at the other end of the line said.
"I'll put you right through Mr Nash," the secretary replied, "I know he'll be pleased to hear from you again."
John MacLeod received the news of Nash's phone call with a spark of interest his secretary was glad to see.
"Mr Nash!" He exclaimed. "How are you this fine day and what can I do for you?"
He was careful to use Connor's sobriquet whilst his secretary was in the room.
"I'm preparing to return to America and wondered if I could call on you before I leave?"
This news caused the laird to sit up straight and become quite animated.
"You're welcome any time Mr Nash, as I told you before. Can I ask you exactly when you plan to return hime?
"Well I'm actually going to visit a cousin of mine in Seacouver before I go home, but I shall be flying out there in two days."
It was as if someone somewhere had re-ordered the universe just to be helpful, John MacLeod thought, seeing a possible solution to the problem of having someone other than the nurses to accompany his great-nephew - he ventured to ask a great favour from the man he had come to think of not only as a friend but as a part of the family.... albeit one he coudl never publicly acknowledge without putting him at great risk.
"I realise that this is really cheeky of me but please, feel free to say no if it's a problem for you." He said. 'I'd like to ask you for some assistance and it seems you may be in just the position to help me."
He hope that Connor would not think him rude for soliciting his help on so short an acquaintance.
"Ask away sir, and if I can possibly be of any help in anyway then I will certainly do so." Conor replied.
Encouraged, MacLeod made his proposal and all but held his breath while he wasted for the reply. It was with a great sense of relief that he heard him say,
"I'd be delighted to help and it will be a great pleasure to see young Matthew again."
"You realise that Catriona will be meeting the flight and that she too will recognise you from the picture, will that be a problem?"
"No I don't think so." Connor replied. "if she was the source of your information and the source of your understandingof the position of immortals then I think I'll have nothing to fear from meeting her. In fact I look forward to it."
Arranging a time for Connor to visit, MacLeod then hung up and put a call through to the home to let them know that his 'cousin' would be meeting the nurses and Matthew at the airport and accompanying them on the flight. Giving a description of Russel Nash to the Matron he thanked her for her help and support over the years and promised that he would still be prepared to act as a patron and give what other aid he could he ended the call and was finally able to relax.
Connor met the nurses and Matthew at the airport as arranged. Matthew's brilliiant smile on seeing him had been reward enough for agreeing to help out by making a minor change to his flight plans and accompanying the boy and his nurses. John MacLeod had arranged for first class accomodation for all of them, which is what Connor would have chosen anyhow, the only change was that they would all be sitting together and that he would take a later flight. Matthew had quickly made himself at home in the large, comfortable seat. MacLeod's main worry had been that Matthew would find it difficult to cope with the take-off and landing and the long periods of inactivity, however, the boy was intrigued by all the preparations and seemed to be calmly accepting of having to be strapped into his seat. As the plane began to speed down the runway to take off Matthew grabbed hold of Connor's hand, but rather than the fear they had all expected to see on his face, there was a look of pure delight accompanied by a joyuous gurgle of sound. Once they were in the air there was the excitement of being above the clouds. Matthew gazed so long at the relentlessly white skyscape that Connor feared he would hurt his eyes, no-one had thought to pack sunglasses for him and he refused to wear the ones Connor took out of his carry-on. Eventually though, Matthew's eyelids began to droop and he feel into a deep sleep - his head lolling against Connor's shoulder.
Much relieved that so far Matthew had not required any of the sedation the doctors had prescribed in case of fits or other problems, the nurses, Emma and Samantha, began to relax and enjoy their flight. It had been arranged that they would have an all expenses paid holiday once Matthew was settled, provided by John MacLeod as a sign of his gratitude. In truth it had been an inducement to encourage them to accept the job of supervising their at times difficult and unpredictable charge, but they had not really needed such a sweetner. Matthew could certainly be a handful at times, but as long as he was free of fits and siezures he was, on the whole, delightful. They were also glad to be able to help in reuniting him with his mother, whom he clearly loved and missed - even if he was unable to verbalise his feelings for her. They were pleased that Matthew and Catriona would be able to see more of each other and they were also excited about visiting the USA. Neither woman had been before and they spent most of the rest of the flight planning what sights they could see in the days they had available to them. Connor happily gave advice on costs and likely travel times from various places for them before he too sucumbed to sleep.
The rest of the flight passed uneventfully. Matthew, clearly thrilled with the whole adventure took advantage of the doting stewardess who brought their meals and drinks, along with various small treats just for him. He consumed them all happily and went straight back to sleep again after each meal. During the meals he woud concentrate on eating as if it was the single most important thing in the world, and hum contendedly as Connor told him all about the new place he was going to see when they landed. Just before they came into land Samantha carefully woke him whilst Emma prepared his medication. After allowing her to pour the stuff down his throat which he clearly hated, he looked expectantly at Samantha.
"Ok sunshine," she chuckled, "here it is." She held out a mint humbug. "There you go, soon get rid of the nasty taste."
A huge grin on his face Matthew cooed and opened his mouth wide so that she could place the sweet on his tongue. He then closed his mouth quickly, as if afraid the sweet would fly away, and sucked on it with obvious relish - whilst watching everything on board being prepared for landing. He was bouncing slightly in his seat but Connor soon got him to sit still by placing one of the child's small hands in his own large calloused one, then he put the headphones on Matthew's head, the radio tuned in to the pilot's radio, so that he could hear the exchanges between the tower and the cockpit. This occupied him satisfactorily until the headphones had to be given back to the cabin crew, then he simply closed his eyes and drew a deep breath before he turned and began staring out of the window as the ground appeared to rush to meet them. As they landed he made a whoop of joy, in much the way that Connor had noticed children on roller-caosters do.
The crew came to supervise the passengers disembarking - and made sure that Connor and his party went first. The pilot came to shake Matthew's hand and gave him a hat with the airline logo on. The officials from immigration came to meet them at the gate and escort them to a small room where Catriona had been asked to wait, and where all the formalities regarding, Matthew's, Samantha's and Emma's entry into the country would be dealt with.
As Connor and the others entered the room, Catriona turned away from the window where she had been nervously looking out, she showed no surprise at seeing Connor - her uncle's email explaining that he would not be coming but that he was sending 'Russell Nash' as his deputy having forewarned her. She smiled a welcome at him and at the nurses who had worked so well with Matthew over the years. Matthew had clung a little nervously to Samantha's hand and Connor's left sleeve as they walked along, but as soon as he saw Catriona he gave a shriek and, loosening his grip, rushed forward with his uneven gait - flapping his arms, for allth world as if he were a bird, and flung himself into the waiting arms of his mother. By the time the boy had calmed enough to allow Catriona to sit him on her lap everyone else was settled. All the paperwork covering Matthew's entry was quickly dealt with. Samantha's and Emma's immigration forms were perusd and stamped. Connor's passport, as that of a US citizen, was barely even glanced at and within fifteen minutes all was complete. Having arranged for the group's baggage to be collected separately, and for customs to come and take a special declaration from them in the lounge, they were also spared having to put Matthew through the melee at baggage reclaim. Samantha and Emma, releived at the fabulous way Matthew had responded to the flight were effusive in their praise of him to Catriona who received their accolades proudly, and so they all headed off towards the city.
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sharonmarais@sam27.demon.co.uk