A story in the Grains of Time Saga. For an introduction to this saga, I recommend reading my mini-guide
Author's Note: Story number four in my “Grains of Time” saga. Whoa, it's growing fast ain't it? Reading the other fics first, is recommended, but feel free to plunge ahead even if you haven't. But it's on your own risk..
1) The events David mentions where he was in a boat shed that blow up happened in the Water Rats episode “I'm Home.”
2) Amanda mentions the Methuselah Stone, which comes from an episode of Highlander: The Series by the same name
My brother gave me a new Sarah McLachlan CD for my recent birthday, and well.. I listen to it way too much, and used plenty of lyrics from it for this fic!
Disclaimer: I didn't get them for my birthday, so Nick & Amanda, Rachel & Frank and a bunch of other characters are not mine. *sigh* I'm keeping my fingers crossed for my next birthday though!
Summary: The secret of Rachel's Immortality could finally be uncovered, but it might very well cost her Frank, and even Nick and Amanda is at risk
*******
It was the kind of moment you relive over and over again, analysing every move, wondering if you could have done something different. Wondering if you could have changed what happened, with a word, with a move, with a hand gesture…. The kind of moment that makes haunts.
Rachel stared from the gun to Wolfgard, and to Frank, judging the distance. If she timed it right, maybe she could..
“Don't do this!”
“Don't worry, he'll wake up again.” Wolfgard held the gun steadily pointed at Frank. “It will hurt of course, but pain is a small price to pay for such a gift.”
Frank kept his eyes on the gun, hearing the desperation in Rachel's voice.
“He's not Immortal! You will kill him!”
Wolfgard didn't seem convinced, and with a sickening feeling Frank realised the man would shoot. He braced himself for the pain, remembering just how much being shot hurt. He kept his eyes on Rachel, wanting it to be the last thing he'd see. The very last thing. There would be no tomorrow for him.
“He will wake up again.”
The gunshot barely made a sound at all, just a small hiss of air barely detectable from the rest of the wind.
And the wind carried Rachel's scream with it as it rushed through the treetops, over the cars and into the busy city of Paris, where it was drowned by the sounds of a living city.
By Camilla Sandman
***** A day earlier *****
I will remember you
Will you remember me?
~~~~~~
A stripe of sunshine cut through the room, courtesy of a small crack between the curtains. On its way, it hit a small prism shaped glass, causing the otherwise white light to spread out in a variety of colours. Spots of red, blue and green moved slowly as the light changed directions.
Amanda watched the play of light with a small smile on her lips, feeling strangely content. Almost like she would after a good heist, a kind of feeling of accomplishment. Just what she had accomplished, she wasn't sure.
She didn't turn around as she sensed the approach, nor when she heard soft footsteps. She stood quietly and waited, until strong arms encircled her waist and turned her around.
“What on Earth are you doing up so early, Amanda?” Nick Wolfe asked, giving her a light brush of a kiss. He'd used her toothpaste again, she noticed. The thought secretly thrilled her.
“You know me, I want to get an early start.”
“Your idea of an early start is noon,” he reminded her, “What gives?”
“Rachel and Frank. You know, their flight arrives in an hour.”
“Right, I forgot.” His face fell slightly, and he let her go, walking over to the couch. “I had hoped we had some news to give them when they got here, not just speculations. I don't know what to say to them.”
“Tell Rachel we're still looking into it. We are, aren't we?”
“Yeah. Our friend Ukoad probably have some answers,” Nick replied, making Amanda wince just at the name. Ukoad, the Hunter who'd had a worrisome intrest in Rachel. Just why was still to be answered.
“Myers pulled some favours for me. I get a chat with our Turkish friend tomorrow.”
“I'm sure he'll be thrilled to see you again,” Amanda observed, dropping down on the couch. Nick just shrugged slightly, before heading towards the door.
“Hey! Where are you going?” she called after him.
“I thought I'd go work out.”
“I know off a great work out,” she told him with a speculative look in her eyes. Crossing her legs, she patted the couch cushion next to her. He hesitated only a second before walking back, and she couldn't withhold a satisfied grin.
Dropping down on the couch beside her, he took hold of her legs and pulled her onto his lap. She opened her mouth to protest, but the protest turned to a moan as he began a slow trail of kisses down her neck, and up again. He hesitated as he reached her mouth, looking into her eyes with an intensity that almost scared her.
Leaning forward, she closed the gap between their lips.
“Amanda? Nick?” Rachel's voice came drifting through the room.
“Damn!” Nick cursed, breaking off the kiss. “I thought you said they didn't arrive for another hour.” He hadn't sensed Rachel enter, probably because his mind was firmly on other matters.
“I guess the plane arrived early,” Amanda sighed
Resting her head against his neck, she found she was rather unwilling to move. Even though she had meant it when she had invited Rachel and Frank to stay, it would have been nice it had been just her and Nick. A little peace and quiet. Just a little though, so she wouldn't get bored.
He gave her a quick kiss as she moved to get up.
“Hold that thought,” she advised, running a finger across his lips before jumping off his lap. He groaned, but followed her down to greet the guests.
******
Ukoad sat in his bed and tried not to cry. He felt slightly numb, which was no wonder with all the painkillers he'd been given. Still, dull pain throbbed through his head and lower part of the body.
This wasn't how it was supposed to have gone. He was supposed to have gotten the disc, maybe spend a fun night with the beautiful Amanda Montrose, and then get the reward he was promised.
They had promised him it would be simple.
He didn't hear the door opening, but turned on instinct anyway and looked straight at the last person he'd expect to see there at that point.
“Wolf..” he got out, before strong hands closed on his throat and cut of his air. His lunges protested at once, begging for air. He tried to get the hands away, but his own hands felt weak. He couldn't breathe, and it hurt so very much. He'd give anything for just one more breath of fresh air, just one more.
His killer kept his grip long after Ukoad had stopped breathing. It was best to be on the safe side. Finally, he let go, taking off the gloves and dropping them on the floor beside the body. Failure could not be tolerated. Too much was at stake. Immortality and the secret behind it. He would unlock it, no matter what.
Some prices were worth paying.
The lifeless eyes of Ukoad watched him go.
So now you're sleeping peaceful
I lie awake and pray
that you'll be strong tomorrow
and we'll see another day
and we will praise it
~~~~~~
David looked like an angel as he slept, a look of peace on his face. Frank regarded him with a small smile on his face. He looked very much like his mother when he slept. Such a sweet kid. And so grown up. The last week had forced David Goldstein to grow at least ten years.
Closing the door quietly, Frank walked downstairs. He and Rachel had gotten upstairs to live in, for now. He hadn't told Rachel yet he'd bought the house next door. He was going to build a home there for her and David.
He hoped they'd live on there long after he was gone. That they'd remember him. Rachel refused to talk about it, but he could feel the grains of time passing through the hourglass. He was getting older. And she wasn't.
The bar was full, filled with loud chatter and laughs. Amanda was seated on a bar stool, chatting with a guy. As soon as she noticed Frank, she waved him over.
“Frank, this is Bert Myers. Bert, this is Frank who I told you about.”
Shaking hands, the two men measured each other. There was something about this man that threw Frank slightly off guard. It took him a while to realise it was his eyes. So cold, almost dead.
“You're a friend of Nick's,” Myers more stated than asked.
“Yeah. You're his boss, I'm told.”
“Yep. I'm just passing through on my way back to the States. I hear you're staying?”
“Play nice, boys,” Amanda smiled, patting both on the shoulder before heading off to where Rachel and Nick were engaged in a quiet conversation. They were discussing David, she had heard his name being mentioned several times when she had passed by their table a few minutes earlier.
She only got halfway before she noticed the two men pressing themselves through the crowd. She instinctively knew it was cops; their manner and looks gave it away.
Nick noticed too. Walking over to her, he gave her “what-have-you-done-now” look. She shrugged, she had behaved herself lately. At least she thought she had.
“Nick Wolfe?” one of the officers asked, pushing a hand through his dark brown hair. He was obviously the leader of the two, Amanda noticed. His posture was confident, while the other guy seemed slightly unsure.
“Yeah.”
“I'm detective Jurgensen of Interpol,” the officer continued, flashing a badge. “We'd like to talk to about the murder of Ukoad Ankan. Is there somewhere we can talk?”
“My office,” Nick suggested. He seemed rather composed, but Amanda could tell the news had surprised him. Something had passed over his eyes, a kind of regret he got every time he heard about a murder. It was what had caused him to become a cop in the first place, she was sure.
She followed into the office, standing in the doorway even though Nick gave her an annoyed look. The two officers didn't seem to mind.
“Ukoad Ankan was killed this morning in the hospital. The guy next door swears he heard the word 'Wolf' uttered around the time of the murder.”
“And you suspect me?” Nick let out what resembled a snort.
“You know how this works,” Jurgensen shot in. Amanda too a long look at him. There was something slightly odd about him up close. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she'd been around long enough not to dismiss the feeling.
“He made a threat against your girlfriend, tried to kill you both..” Jurgensen continued.
“Nick was here all day,” Amanda cut in, “There's plenty of witnesses. Feel free to ask around.”
“We're only doing our job, Miss Montrose,” Jurgensen smiled, and she suddenly realised what bothered her about him. He had the eyes of a gambler, a professional player who was confident he'd win.
Which made her wonder just what the stakes were.
******
Rachel walked over to Frank and Myers, throwing a curious glance towards the backdoor where Nick and Amanda had vanished.
“Interpol,” Frank explained as she approached.
“Any idea what they want?”
“Amanda,” Myers muttered under his breath, but just loud enough for people around to hear.
“Don't worry, I'm sure she'll wriggle her way out of it,” he continued when he noticed a few stares. Frank let out a small chuckle at the comment. Nick had shared a few stories of Amanda's exploits. They were.. Interesting, to say the least.
Rachel felt herself staring at the door, wondering. Surely they couldn't be here for her? Her new identity should protect her. But should and would were entirely two different things.
As the two men from Interpol exited, she felt their eyes on her. It was probably just her imagination, but.. It was almost the kind of look Henry had regarded her with, a kind that said “how-can-I-use-you”.
And she was done being used.
******
The phone ran with a shrilling sound, and Wolfgard answered it with a grunt.
“What??”
“The tests are back. It confirms your thoughts.”
“Thank you.”
Wolfgard hang up with a satisfied grin, pushing away a lock of brown hair from his forehead. Of course, he hadn't expected the results to be otherwise, but it was good to get it confirmed. Ukoad had failed him in getting the disc, but not the blood samples. That had earned him a quick death rather than a slow.
There was just one more test to perform. He threw a glance over at The Sanctuary, pondering. Nick Wolfe and Amanda Montrose were in his way. He could just kill them.. But on the other hand, Immortals were useful for his research.
He would have to think it over. Rash decisions were never good decisions.
Getting into the waiting car, he smiled slightly.
******
The bar had grown more quiet, as people were quietly taking off into the night.
“He was our only lead,” Nick told Rachel with a sigh, “Now he's dead. And the blood samples Dr. Jones had gathered via Henry.. Well, we tried finding out where the blood samples went, but no luck.”
“Blood samples..” Rachel stared down at her bottle of beer, suddenly feeling no urge to drink it. “From me?”
Nick suddenly looked uncomfortable, glancing over to where Amanda was standing chatting with Myers and Frank.. He seemed to have an inner argument, opening his mouth several times to speak, without getting a word out.
“Nick?”
“One of them was from you, yeah.” He paused, again looking at Amanda. Finally, he seemed to agree with himself.
“The other was from Frank.” There. He'd said it.
Rachel wanted to feel shock, to feel surprised, but she didn't. Instead she felt something hard in her throat, preventing her from swallowing.
“It doesn't have to mean anything,” Nick quickly added.
“Henry thought I'd been given Immortality and that I could pass it on. You think.. I got it..” She couldn't make herself finish the sentence.
“I don't know.”
They sat in silence for a while. Taking a deep breath, Rachel forced her thoughts onto a new trail of thought. Nick was right. It didn't need to mean anything.
“But you know it does,” that little voice in her whispered. The signs were there. Frank had no kids. And there was the sense she got sometimes when she was around him. A feeling of something severed. That could mean something had been there.
No. Don't go there. Don't think about it.
“So how are things between you and Amanda?” she asked the first thing that fell into her head. Nick chuckled softly, and she noticed he suddenly seemed to beam somewhat.
“More wonderful and difficult than anything else in my life,” he answered earnestly. “I'll go see if I can tear her away from the boys.” He smiled at her as he got up, and she watched him walk over to Amanda. A few seconds later, Frank walked over to her.
“Any way I can convince you it's bedtime?” he asked, winking.
He was happy. Here, with her and David. He hadn't asked her for anything, just stayed by her side through it all, offering comfort when she needed it. He had argued with her, made a pain in the ass of himself, but he had stayed. She hadn't promied him anything, and he'd stayed neverteless.
“Yeah,” she replied, and practically dragged him out of the room.
In the arms of the angel
Fly away from here
~~~~~~
David awoke suddenly with a terrified gasp. His father had been there again, with blood all over, staring at him silently. He was dead. Truly dead, for unlike the angels he didn't come back. Biting his lip, David dried his tears. He was going to be brave. Dad would have been proud.
It was quiet around him, but he could hear faint music from downstairs. Glancing over the other bed he saw his mother asleep, her breathing slow and steady. Walking over there, he studied her for a while, stroking her hair. Her real colour was back, and it felt soft under his fingers.
He straightened her blanket before heading downstairs. The music was still playing.
Gliding into Nick's arms, Amanda let out a small sigh. Resting her head against his shoulder, she pushed all other thoughts away. His hands rested on her hips, tracing slow circles, as they slowly moved to the rhythm.
In the corner of her eyes she suddenly noticed David looking at them. He was adorable, looking very small and very grown up at the same time. Losing your parents would do that to you. And getting one of them back in a way you could not really understand. She gave him a smile and a wink, and he returned it with just a hint of hesitation.
David watched them for a while, till the song ended and Amanda walked over to him. Her blonde hair shone in the weak light as she picked him up and swung him around.
His mum still slept when David carefully tiptoed back into his room some time later. She had been so tired and worried lately, he wished he could take it all away. Crawling up in her bed, he rested his head against her shoulder.
She shouldn't have to worry. She was an angel. He would be a good boy, so she wouldn't have to worry. So she wouldn't leave.
He lay on top of the covers and held her hand until he fell into a light, troubled sleep.
******
Rolling over in bed, Nick searched for the warm body that should be there, but opened his eyes in surprise when he found no one. Amanda's side of the bed was empty. Throwing on some clothes, he went in search and found her by his computer. She didn't even look up as he entered the room, but she did hear him.
“Good morning!” she declared happily
“Good morning,” he answered dryly, “Amanda, what's with you these days? You've gotten up before me twice in two days!”
“Shocking, isn't it?”
“What are you doing?”
“Digging up some stuff on our friend in Interpol.” Nick gave her a look. “What, it doesn't strike you as odd that they investigate this murder without any apparent reason. This is not an Interpol case.”
“So what did you dig up?”
“Something he left out!” Amanda declared with a hint of triumph in her voice, “He's last name is Jurgensen..”
“I know that,” Nick interrupted, somewhat annoyed.
“Yes, but his first name is Wolfgard.” She waited in vain for the look of surprise on Nick's face.
“I know,” he simply said, “And he hasn't worked for the Interpol for ten years. Myers has been tracking him for a year.”
“I guess Myers weren't just passing through,” she remarked.
“No. I'm meeting him for breakfast later. Our friend Wolfgard hasn't done anything illegal as far as he knew.”
Amanda looked thoughtful. “If Ukoad was a Hunter, it's probable Wolfgard is as well, you know.”
“Yeah. And that's trouble.”
“Exactly.”
*******
Wolfgard waited patiently outside the Sanctuary, watching as the sky went from light grey to light blue. He had always liked mornings, there was something comforting in knowing mornings would always be there. A new start. He let out a small smile as he saw Nick come walking out of the bar. And Amanda right in tow.
She didn't like mornings much, Wolfgard knew from his Watcher days, but obviosly Nick had managed to wake her up.
“Stay with them and make sure they don't return for a while,” Wolfgard instructed his companion. He waited until the two Immortals were well out of sight until emerging from the car. It was time to bait the trap.
*******
The sun had climbed over the horizon and begun its long trek over the sky as Rachel descended the stars. She would have prefered to sleep longer, but.. Memories were good at keeping you awake.
“Morning,” Frank grinned up at Rachel as she entered the bar. She just groaned, looking tired, as if she hadn't slept much.
“Coffee?” he offered. She practically yanked the mug out of his hand and took a big sip.
“I hate jetlag,” she remarked, looking around. Her head was strangely quiet. That meant no Immortals in the vicinity. ”Have you seen Nick or Amanda today?”
“No, but you know those two. They've probably walled themselves in.”
“I can't sense them. They're not in the house.”
“So they went out,” Frank didn't sound very worried, “Is David still asleep?”
“Yeah.” She took another sip, feeling more like herself as the caffeine kicked in.
They both looked up as Wolfgard walked in. And though her senses still was somewhat asleep, Rachel immediately knew something was wrong.
“Miss.. Rachel Waters, was it? And Frank Holloway, yes? I'm afraid I have some bad news.”
******
Part Two
