Memories out of Ashes: Part 2:
Pompeii 79 AD

Darius paced the room of the small hut waiting for Elista to return. Ever since that night when she had lost her husband, Darius had treated her as if she was his own. It wasn't allowed in her culture, but it was a favor he was honored to keep. They were not in love, nor would they ever be, but he felt responsible for her.

"Darius, I'm home from the market place." He heard her call as he felt the tiny sensation announcing her arrival.

"I was beginning to worry." He said as she entered their sleeping quarters. "I have some unpleasant news, I've been called back to Rome for a meeting, with your father. I should only be gone a few days a week at most and I want you..."

"Stop worrying about me Darius. I'll stay close to home and be prepared for anything that may arise. I'll be fine."

Darius looked hesitant. Darius was amazed that Manduz never realized that she had the same fate as they. He had known it for sometime, and felt it his duty to prepare her ahead of time. It wasn't like she didn't know about Immortality, Manduz had told her what he was. She took the news with tears saying she would have lost her head if it could've saved her husband, and the way the first few months of her mourning, Daruis felt the same way.

"Are you sure?" she nodded. Darius picked up his bag and kissed her on the cheek. "If anything arises that you can't handle, go to the village temple. It's Holy Ground and you'll be safe there. Understand?"

"Yes Darius, now go." She said as she playfully shoved him out the door. "I promise you, I'll be fine."

****
Watchers US Headquarters 1997

Adam shut one of his journals from Elista's time trying not to act suspicious. Everyone knew he was a researcher for the Methos Chronicles, but only Joe, MacLeod, Richie, and Amanda knew his true identity. He looked over at Joe and watched the expressions on his face change from amazement to confusion and back. Something was up and Joe wasn't saying what it is.

"Joe, what have you found. I've read most of Darius' Chronicles and I never found anything that interesting."

Joe looked up at Methos and debated how to tell him that the design on Alexa's earrings was probably copied by Elista herself. *But when? There's no other mention of her after Darius left.* he thought to himself. "Nothing. Just something I never knew about Daruis."

"What is it? Let me see?" he said playfully taking the Chronicle from Joe. He looked over the entries from the time of Manduz' death and his smile faded as he read Elista's fate. "She's Immortal?"

"There's no other mention of her in Darius' Chronicles or in the Watcher's database."

"But Joe, we both know that Watcher's make mistakes. Damn it Joe, she could still be alive! We have to find out more about her. There has to be information on how she died."

****
Pompeii 79 AD

Darius returned to Pompeii as soon as he had heard the news. He returned to find the city buried in ash from the volcano eruption. He searched high and low for Elista's buzz, knowing that if she'd been in the city at the time, he would feel her. There was no way she could have survived the damage, but he couldn't sense her anywhere.

For days Darius searched the village as well as neighboring villages. No one had seen her since before the eruption. Finally loosing all hope, he ended the search and held a memorial in her honor.

****
Seacouver A few days later

Adam spent the next few days searching the databases and Chronicles of Immortals that were around Pompeii at that time. None fit the description of Elista and all were dead by now. At night he was reminded of the battle that led them to believe Manduz was dead and wondered how she would react if she knew he was still alive. If she was still alive.

"Joe." He said as he walked into Mac's dojo one afternoon. MacLeod and Joe were talking in the office and grew silent as he approached.

"Methos I was just coming to look for you." Duncan said as Methos entered the office.

"What's up MacLeod?"

"Let's go upstairs. You may need a beer for this." Joe said as he stood up and walked towards the lift.

Methos and MacLeod followed him and as soon as they entered the loft, Duncan headed toward the fridge and grabbed a few beers. Tossing them to his friends, he sat down on the couch and frowned. "We think we may have a lead on Elista."

Methos looked up from his beer and smiled. "How did you find her?"

"I'm not quite sure if it's her." Joe said as he took a seat across from where Methos was sitting. "I found a Chronicle of a priest at that time. A few days after a volcano eruption, a newly Immortal showed up at his temple seeking sanctuary. There's no name given or how long she was there, but it's at least a lead."

"Joe, you've seen the design. Elista is alive. Or at least she was when those earrings were made. The question is, where and when were they made."

"I told you before, I got them for Alexa when I followed Mac when he went back to Glenfinnan. They were at a gift shop Rachel told me about."

MacLeod recognized the look on his friends face and frowned. "You're not thinking of going to Glenfinnan are you? If you run into Rachel she may give you something other than the MacLeod sword."

"I have to. Now you guys can either go with me or stay here. It's up to you, but I'm leaving as soon as I can get a flight out of here."