When Methos Met Gabriel
This is the second of my When Methos Met... ficlets. You can read the first here if you feel brave. :)
When Methos Met Gabriel
Van Helsing entered the church and started toward the confessional. He preferred to get absolution as quickly as possible after slaying a monster, but he was far from Rome, in the New World, so he made do with the nearest church. As he took a few steps inside, he suddenly felt a strange pressing on his skull. Disorientated, he placed his hand to his head and staggered to a pew. The strange pressure continued and so he looked around for someone to help. Near the front of the pews, a man was sat, staring at him openly, yet not moving to help. When Gabriel looked into the man’s eyes, the strange pressure stopped.
Confused, and thinking that the man might have some answers, he went toward him.
“Hello Gabriel.”
Oh great, thought Van Helsing, another stranger who knows my name, just what I needed.
“If you have come for my head then you’ll be disappointed. I’m not going to step off holy ground.”
“Why would I take your head?”
“Well, you know, the last time we parted wasn’t exactly amicable, and there can be only one.”
“One what? Who are you? How do you know me?”
Methos started and looked at Gabriel closely. There was no lie in his face, he really did not remember. How strange, he thought, Immortals can’t usually suffer from amnesia. I wonder what made him choose to forget everything? He did not allow any of this concern to cross his face, which remained resolutely blank.
“I can tell you everything you need to know. The name I go by now is Doctor Benjamin Adams. I know you well Gabriel, but you knew me by another name.” Methos looked around, checking they were alone, before continuing in a whisper, “My true name is Methos.”
The name sparked a memory in Gabriel’s mind, a memory of battle long ago, of swords and sand and blood. And of four men.
“When I look at you I can remember four horsemen, death on horseback.”
“Yep, that’s me.” Methos replied grimly. Van Helsing looked at him with a mixture of uncertainty and mistrust. This man was promising him answers, but hadn’t Dracula done the same? And now this man was confessing to being one of the Horsemen.
“Then you’ll excuse me sir, but I think I’ll be on my way.”
“Fair enough, it’s your head.”
That stopped Gabriel in his tracks. He sighed and turned back to the man calling himself Doctor Adams.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, that without your memory every Immortal around is going to be coming for your head.”
“Immortal?”
“That’s what we are. Immortal. We cannot die, not from ordinary diseases or wounds. But we can be killed by beheading. There are many more of us and we fight each other in what is known as the Game.”
“Why?”
“Because there can be only one.”
“One Immortal? We have to fight until there’s only one left?” Gabriel asked. Methos nodded. “Well I won’t fight, I’ve seen enough death.” Van Helsing said vehemently. Methos sighed before saying,
“You won’t have a choice. That feeling you had when you saw me, that is how we know each other. Immortals will find you and they will challenge you. The only place they will not fight you is on holy ground. Not even the most evil of us will break that rule.”
“Is that what you are? The most evil of us?” A wry smile played at the corner of Methos’ mouth.
“No my friend. I have done some terrible things, but there are far worse than me. Far worse, and trust me when I say you do not want to be around them without a sword.”
“Then I shall be fine. I always carry a sword and I am well practised in battle. Besides which, I reside in Vatican City unless I am sent on a mission. If that is all you have to tell me, then I will take my leave.”
“Wait! What happened to you Gabriel? Your memory? Can you remember nothing of your past?”
“A few snatches here and there. Nothing coherent. My masters in Rome call it a punishment from God for past transgressions.” Van Helsing began walking back to the door.
“Don’t you want to find out what happened to you?” Methos called after him. Van Helsing did not slow in his pace as he replied,
“No,” he said with an ironic smile, “some things are better left forgotten.” With that he left Methos alone in the church.
The End?