After the Fire: Part 5:
Early the next evening
The barge
The mood in the barge the next day was somber. The police had searched the entire barge for fingerprints and clues, not knowing their only clue was being hidden by Bray. Elysse was in critical but stable condition. Cat felt so bad about what happened between her and Mary that she and Bray had made up. Cat wasn't going to let another good friend down, and the two had secretly devised a plan to rescue Lane. Everyone had tossed and turned all night, because they were worried about Lane and finally fell asleep out of sheer exhaustion. They knew it could very easily turn into another Megs incident, the only difference was, Lane was mortal and would always be.
"Did Mary ever come back last night?" Joe asked as he made set the table for an early dinner.
Cat shook her head. "No, and I'm worried about her. After she blew up at me, she took off and I haven't seen her since. And it's not like she isn't responsible and doesn't call us to let us know where she is."
"Great, now Lane and Mary are missing." Methos said.
"Where could she be?" Richie asked as he set the table for dinner.
Bray, who had stayed up all night pacing the floor knew. Mary had snuck in not too long after everyone had tried to go to sleep and grabbed a few things. She whispered to Bray where she would be and who she would be with, and begged her not to tell anyone. Bray, realizing Mary had fallen for the Watcher smiled and hugged her goodbye, promising her secret would be safe. "I'm sure she's fine, maybe she came in late and left early. I think she had said something about Watcher business at one point yesterday."
"You're probably right." Joe said. "She did mention Watcher business, and she'll probably be gone most of the day. If we don't hear back from her later, then we'll have the police start looking for her as well."
"So what is everyone going to do tonight?" Methos asked as he poured himself and Cat a glass of Champagne. "Anyone have any special plans?"
"Cat and I decided to go to the hospital to see Elysse."
"I'll go with you." Richie said as he hugged her. "I don't think the two of you should go anywhere without one of us."
"Richard Ryan, I am old and strong enough to take care of myself!" Bray said as she punched him in the arm. "I don't need you running around behind me everywhere I go."
"No, but he does have a point." Joe said. "Whoever took Lane took her for a reason, and it may have something to do with you being an Immortal."
"I know I'd feel safer if Cat was with one of us." Methos said.
"Ok, now that's enough! Bray and I are not children, we can take care of ourselves. We'll take our swords with us, and we'll be fine. Besides, Elysse might feel like she's being ambushed if we all show up asking her questions. Let me and Bray go, and the rest of you can go later."
Everyone agreed and got ready for their plans that day and Bray and Cat were the only two left at the barge by 7 o'clock. Methos and Richie were going to the police station to see if there were any new leads and Joe was going to meet an old Watcher friend. Cat and Bray were going over a few minor details trying to perfect their plan, but one minor detail that kept bothering Cat was that Mary knew about the note. "Do you think she'll tell anyone?"
Bray shook her head and smiled. "If you promise to keep a secret, I'll tell you one. Promise?" Cat nodded. "I know where Mary is."
"Where?!"
"Do you remember that guy she met yesterday while we were shopping? Well, he's a Watcher, mine I think, but anyway, our Little Mary has grown up."
"Megan Bray Kelly, what are you talking about?"
"After she stormed off last night she went for a walk. They were suppose to meet to talk about Watcher stuff, and they went for a walk together. He invited her to stay at his hotel with her, and she came back to get a few things after everyone went to sleep."
"You mean our *Little* Mary spent the night with a guy? The same guy she met only yesterday?" Bray nodded. "You know, Anne's going to kill me for this. All of her Godmothers are going to kill me for this. Let's not even think what her dad's going to say! Letting her daughter spend the night with a guy she just met."
"No they won't. Anne will probably be glad Marys' fallen in love. It's about time too. Not only is it her first boyfriend, but it's her first crush too. She was so nervous last night."
Just then, Cat and Bray heard the door rattling and grabbed their swords. Bray went to the door while Cat stood behind her. "Who is it?" Bray asked.
"Great, like if they're kidnappers they'd answer that question!" Cat joked.
"It's me Bray." Mary said. "I left my key last night."
Bray opened the door to find Mary with a wide smile on her positively glowing face. "Honey, I'm home." She said as she walked into the brage where the Immortals were greeting her with swords.
"Mary Lindsey, would you mind explaining where you were and who you were doing? I mean what you were doing? I mean..." Cat stumbled.
Mary looked at Bray. "I figured if the two of you made up you'd tell her. And for your information, nothing happened." She said trying to keep a straight face. It didn't work. She busted out laughing and collapsed on the couch. "Is this what it feels like to be in love?"
Bray and Cat looked at each other, ran to the couch, jumped down on either side of her and said "Yes!" at the same time, causing all three to start laughing.
"Details." Cat said. "We want details. Well, about him anyway."
"Well, his name is Chance Portmore, he's an American from Pennsylvania with an Irish background. He's 27 years old, and he's a Watcher."
"So when's the wedding?" Bray asked with a devilish grin.
Mary blushed again. "It feels so weird being in love. All these years I've avoided it, and then when I'm not even looking for it, it hit's me hard."
"Does he feel the same way?" Cat asked.
"I think so." Mary ran her fingers though her hair. "The only problem is, our assignments. I'll be getting a new one soon, and he has his. Most likely they'll be people on opposite ends of the universe."
"He's my Watcher isn't he?" Bray asked and Mary nodded. "Then why don't you request to be Richies'?"
"Because I'm too involved. I'd never be able to watch any of you guys. Megs and I were lucky when we got Cat and Chris. The only reason I haven't been thrown out of the Watchers is because of the War."
"Well, worry about that when the time comes. Right now, just enjoy being in love." Bray said looking at her watch. "Cat, look at what time it is. If we're going to do those last minute things, we better go."
"I wish you guys weren't doing this. It's not safe." Mary said worried.
"No, but we have to. I'd give my head to save Lane. Please don't tell the others. We're just going to meet with them and find out the demands. We'll come right home, and no one will have to know."
"Mary," Cat started. "You have to promise us you won't tell anyone. Please, Mary."
"But what if something happens? Methos and Richie would never forgive me. I would never forgive myself."
"Nothing is going to happen to us, we promise." Cat said.
"I don't like it, but I'll do it." Mary said as she frowned. She knew her head was on the line if anything happened to the two girls.