Methos stood in the bathroom and leaned his head against the tiled wall. He felt shaken to the core at what had transpired. He was also concerned that Catriona now had all of his memories without his experience of coping with the maelstrom of anguish and pain invoked by those memories. He had gaps in his memory, nothing before taking his first head, and a few other areas besides, but what he could remember wasn't all pretty. He at least had some skill in pushing those memories away until they became just about bearable, but it was something that had taken him almost all of his long life to accomplish. Now here was a mortal woman, albeit with uncommon gifts and psychic abilities, who had to learn to cope with his memories too. Despite the fact that he hadn't wished it on her he felt a certain amount of responsibility for that and he was desperately trying to calm his thoughts enough to concentrate on a way of helping her maintain her equilibrium in the face of his excruciating past.
He turned on the cold tap in the washbasin and splashed the water over his face. 'No use fretting in here old man' he admonished , ' better get back out there and start trying to pick up the pieces of this little mess.' He opened the door and walked back into the main area of the loft just in time to take in the scene of Duncan staring at an empty elevator shaft, and no sign of Catriona.
"Where did she go?" he asked.
"Home," said Joe. "I think Duncan made her angry."
"I made her angry!" Duncan shouted. "She made me angry! Why is she being so damned secretive?"
"I don't think getting angry will help anyone right now," Methos said, placatingly." We're all tired. In the morning is a better time to worry about the consequences of tonight's events."
"You're taking this awfully calmly considering what's happened," remarked Duncan. "Aren't you the least bit concerned?"
"Concerned that someone else now has my awful past to deal with?" snapped Methos. " Oh yes Duncan I am very concerned. I am concerned that your cousin may have inadvertently opened a whole can of worms, not for me but for herself. I have just about learned to deal with my demons, and I have lived with them for five thousand years. She on the other hand has had it thrust upon her unwilling and with no frame of reference to help her cope. Of course I am concerned."
"She owes you something though don't you think?" Duncan inquired. "I mean if she really knows all your history don't you think she should fill in those gaps in your memory."
"And don't you think that's my business rather than yours!" Methos spat out. "Gods Mac, sometimes you can be such a pain in the ass. If I decide that my memory needs restoration I'll be the one to seek the answer. Catriona understands that much, why can't you?"
Duncan opened his mouth to add something but at that moment Joe spoke.
" I didn't hear any sound of a car starting. Do you suppose she's OK ?" He had visions of Catriona passed out in the car lot.
"She didn't have a car," said Duncan, " she walked here."
"Mac! You let her leave here at this time of night to walk ..where?" he asked. "Where is she going?"
"The University Campus," Duncan said weakly.
Methos exploded. "You let her walk out of here to travel eight miles through the roughest part of town on foot?" He was incredulous.
"I didn't think."
Duncan was sheepish, and Joe looked worried. Methos grabbed his coat and made for the door.
"Don't wait up," he said as he opened it and rushed down the stairs to the lot.
Starting his car he headed off toward the University keeping a close look out for Catriona along the way.