This began as a revenge story, as ashamed as I am to admit it. My friend Mac writes Highlander fan-fic and she introduced Adriane into her story with her consent. Consequently her character Katherine ran off with Methos leaving Adriane (an old flame of his) dumped coldly at the roadside *grin*. So I wrote this.

Rated NC-17 due to graphic sexual content, it's entirely plotless and is just for fun. Methos et al belong to Rysher, Panzer/Davis who have more money and lawyers than us. Please don't sue as we're broke and are receiving no gain, other than unashamed victory over Mac.

Many thanks to Missa, Kelly, Stone and Mac for beta-reading this, I appreciate it gals!!

Please direct any comments to the author (Tori Grantham) or Adriane. However, we'd just like to state that we have flame reistant mailboxes. Oh and if anyone can tell me the author of the poem used at the bottom (words used without authorisation) I'd be very grateful. Ta!

An Evenings Entertainment © 1998

Chateau de Valincourt, France; Present Day

Adriane watched Methos furtively, staring at him from under her lashes. The grace of his movements fascinated her; the long, slender length of his fingers and the leanness of his body barely concealed by the overly large jumper he wore. Besides her Stone sighed, jabbing her in the ribs with her elbow.
“Stop it!” She hissed, under her breath. Adriane glanced at her friend, smiling unabashed.
“What?” She asked, her face a picture of innocence.
“You know perfectly well what, now cut it out!” Returning the grin her friend threw at her, she shook her head resignedly. Couldn’t they just jump on each other and get it over with?
“Do you think he’s noticed?” Adriane asked, somewhat anxiously. Stone slowly looked up, startled to find Methos turn away suddenly as their gazes met.
“I’d say!” She laughed at the stricken expression on her friend’s face. Extrovert and confident to the outsider she was among the honoured minority who knew just how insecure Adriane really was ... especially when it came to people who meant a lot to her. As Methos apparently did. “He was looking at you, Adriane. Will you just relax?” She admonished quietly.
“How can I when thoughts of whipped cream, strawberries and chocolate fondant keeping running through my head everytime I look in his direction?” Stone turned, shocked to see a wicked grin cross her oldest friend’s lips.
“I think you need a cold shower.”
“Mmmm, I know.” Adriane replied. “Can you get me a cold beer instead?” She asked, handing over her glass.
“Sure.” Hauling herself up she wandered away to the bar, shaking her head as she walked. Unbelievable.

Adriane jumped as a hand covered her own, startling her out of her reverie. Looking up her mouth went dry as she realised it was Methos, watching in delight at the play of his leg muscles visible through the fabric of his jeans flexing and rippling as he seated himself next to her.
“Can I ask you a personal question?” He asked, his voice soft. Keeping her eyes down, she refused to look at him, distantly aware that she was shaking.
“Sure.” She shrugged, keeping her tone light. “But I reserve the right to refuse to answer it.”
“That’s a little unfair, don’t you think?” He pouted, and so beautifully too she noticed absently, her gaze drawn to his expressive mouth.
“I don’t know you, Methos.” She pointed out. “We’ve spent a grand total of barely a month in each others company.” And what a month it was, she thought to herself.
“Just how well does someone have to know you before they can ask personal questions?” He asked, leaning forward to whisper softly in her ear. She swallowed unsteadily as she felt his breath gently brush the sensitive skin of her neck, closing her eyes briefly as shivers ran down her spine. Regaining control she turned to meet his gaze calmly, her tone cool.
“What do you want Methos?” He sat back, reaching for his beer and took a sip before answering.
“A simple yes or no answer, are you attracted to me?” She blushed, bringing a delighted smile to his lips. That was the last response that he’d expected from her.
“Methos!” She exclaimed, hurriedly searching the room to see if anyone was listening. “Would it bother you if I was?” She asked defiantly, lowering her voice slightly.
“That wasn’t an answer. You can ask your question when you’ve answered mine.” She glanced at him, annoyed to see a satisfied smirk on his lips. Alcohol and the dredges of her courage that she managed to gather made her reply.
“Yes.” She paused, not looking to see his expression, an amused smile working it’s way across her face. “But don’t worry, you’re not that irresistible. I’m sure I can keep my hands to myself.” She paused again. “Does that bother you?” She asked once more.
“Yes.” He said it quietly, the words she’d been afraid to hear. Nodding she sat, her body preternaturally still.
“I see. I’m sorry, I’ll try and stay out of your way.” Pushing herself up, she made to move away only to find herself restrained. Startled, she felt herself pulled back down into the chair, his hand holding hers to the arm of her chair and his thumb lightly brushing the top of her hand. Goosebumps rose at his touch and she collapsed back, struggling for control.
“I meant, it bothers me that you don’t find me irresistible.” He told her, a trace of bitter amusement in his voice. “We were good together once, Adriane. There’s no reason we shouldn’t be again.” She closed her eyes against his words, before glancing slyly at their group of friends across the room. Stone was sitting with Duncan, engrossed in conversation but with one eye and an amused grin on her face at the two of them finally talking. Katherine was over by the pool table with Gina and Robert, paying little or no attention to them ... for the moment.
“What about her?” Adriane nodded towards Katherine, a wry grin springing to her lips. She liked the other Immortal woman, she really did. But she had something she wanted, and not even friendship was going to stand in her way. “She’s a very good reason, Methos. I’m not really in the mood to fight off your current lover, no matter how ‘good’ we were together once upon a time.”
“I’ll talk to her, she’ll understand.” He shrugged.
“She’s in love with you, no she won’t.” Adriane retaliated sarcastically.
“So we don’t tell her.” She stared at him in mock disbelief, her eyebrows raised.
“Be serious!” He shrugged again.
“Okay, so we disappear. Drop off the face of the earth for a while. By the time we come back everything will be forgotten.”
“You’d dump your friendship with MacLeod, for sex?” She laughed, incredulous. “I don’t think he’d appreciate that.”
“MacLeod thinks too much ... and so do you.”
“Oh, that’s rich, especially coming from you.” She stopped as his fingers idly swirled a random pattern on the back of her hand, slow and languorously.
“Shut up, and feel.” He told her quietly, his eyes carefully watching her to gauge her emotions. An involuntary gasp escaped him as she turned to meet his gaze, her eyes dark with desire and her face flushed delicately, his own desire racing to the surface in response.

Katherine glanced around the room, her face darkening as she saw her lover, talking to Adriane in a secluded corner of the room. She just didn’t trust that woman around Adam. She seemed nice enough, amusing and friendly. Just a little too friendly around him.
“Katherine?” Gina’s sharply accented voice broke into her thoughts. “Katherine? It’s your shot.”

“So?”
“So?” Adriane turned, confused to stare up at him.
“So what happens now?” She shrugged.
“The way I see it we have two choices. We wait till your relationship with Katherine fizzles out, or we go our separate ways and never see each other again.” She hoped to all the Gods that he had a better idea.
“Or, we can go upstairs and make love until we’re satiated and to hell with everyone else.” He told her savagely, his eyes burning into hers. She fought down the blush that she could feel threatening to rise once more, struggling against the foolish fears that swept through her at his words.
“What?” Concerned he leaned closer, searching her face, her eyes avoiding his gaze nervously.
“Methos, we’re here for a two week holiday. I don’t think we can get away with sneaking along corridors in the middle of the night for long, do you?” She asked, sarcastically.
“No, but it’ll be fun to try.” In spite of herself she laughed.
“You’re crazy.” She told him, smiling.
“Only for you.” He answered fiercely. “Only for you.”

Adriane woke suddenly, the insistent presence of another Immortal sweeping through her. Sleepily she reached for her sword, then stopped remembering where she was. Probably just someone going to the loo. Turning over, she pulled the pillow into a more comfortable position, wrapping her arms around it and settled down to sleep once more.
Only to leap out of bed as her door opened. Pulling hurriedly at her sword, she tugged it out from under the mattress whipping round to meet the intruder. Methos recoiled as her sword stopped an inch from his neck, swearing under his breath.
“Methos!” She exclaimed. “What ... I could’ve killed you!” Moving away as he silently drew closer, inexorably backing her into the wall as she stammered. Hitting the wall with a muffled thump, she blinked in consternation, her eyes flitting around the room. They both stilled, hushing hysterical giggles as her sword fell from nerveless fingers to ring out loudly with a sharp clang. Reaching out he gently raised her chin to stare deeply into her golden eyes.
“Ariadne ... be quiet.” The use of her real name shocked her, she had become too used to being Adriane she realised with a start. Methos swore at himself for being so stupid as her face drained of all colour. “I’m sorry, Adriane. I didn’t mean - ” She pushed away the gentle caress on her face, moving to stand by the large bay window to stare blankly at the unchanging landscape. Sighing, he gazed after her, his shoulders slumping at the misery she was projecting. She had crossed her arms over her chest, folding in upon herself and closing him out. Walking quietly he crossed the room to stand behind her, his hands hesitating as he reached for her. I may be a bastard ... but I’m not an insensitive bastard, he thought. Abruptly Adriane turned, throwing herself in his arms.
‘I’m sorry. I don’t ... I.” She stopped, unsure. Methos carefully cradled her head, gently stroking her hair reassuringly.
“We don’t have to do this.” He said. Not yet anyway, he amended silently. “We can take this slowly.” Adriane breathed deeply, tasting the smell of his skin.
“I don’t think I can stay in this room with you a moment longer unless you kiss me. But ...” She trailed off, uncertainly.
“But you’re afraid? Of me? Katherine?” She nodded shyly, and his heart swelled at the sight of her.
“I’m afraid.” She swallowed hard, desperately gathering her courage. “I’m afraid that I’ll disappoint you, disgust you. I’m not pretty.” He stopped her, laying a finger against her generous lower lip, understanding flooding through him battling with the anger surging up from deep within.
“You look beautiful to me.” He told her, his voice low with emotion. “I won’t hurt you. I promise.” His face was solemn as she gazed up at him, her own features alight with wonder. And for the first time in her life she felt beautiful. Reaching up, a mysterious smile on her lips, she gently ran one fingertip from his scalp, down along his Roman nose to his chin.
“Thankyou.” She whispered. “Thankyou.” He smiled down at her, losing himself in her eyes as he slowly drew her closer, his hands sliding up her arms to rest on her shoulders. Brushing her lips lightly with his own, he paused savouring the moment. He felt her small hands explore their way up his chest through the cotton thickness of his shirt, sucking in an involuntary breath as they teasingly traced his stomach muscles. Climbing, she fastened her grip around his neck, pulling him with surprising strength back down to meet her kiss. He nibbled lightly at her lower lip, teasing her as he gently grasped it with his teeth, tugging slightly. She moaned, a deep-throated purr that sent shivers down his spine and he instinctively deepened the kiss. Growling in the back of his throat he sighed as she opened to him, their tongues meeting shyly before moving back to explore. She tasted faintly of beer and of the toothpaste she had used earlier that evening, and he revelled in the feel of her mouth against his. Feeling her hands rise to bury themselves in his hair he bent slightly, moving his own hands down to span her waist briefly before enclosing her in the circle of his arms and lifting her to meet his greater height. Her head fell back of it’s own voliltion as he swept his mouth along her jawline, kissing hot fire down the long, cream column of her neck to the hollow base. Smiling against her skin, he breathed deeply of the vanilla scent she used, listening to the soft sighs as he licked and nipped his way back to her mouth. Setting her back on her feet, his gaze went to the volumous t-shirt and boxer shorts she was wearing. Noting it, Adriane smiled wickedly.
“Oh, no you don’t. I want to even the pot a little first.” She reached for the top button of his shirt, carefully undoing it before moving to the next and the next, until they were all undone. Pushing the shirt slowly off his chest and down his arms, she gently pressed the fabric against his skin, creating friction. Methos blinked as tiny shivers spread from his arms, running up his spine, and a moan broke his lips. Still smiling Adriane leaned upward to capture those lips, standing on tiptoes, swallowing the sound as she proceeded to explore. Travelling down his neck she paid particular attention to the point where his neck joined his shoulders, following the curve of his collarbone and the delightful hollows left there. His chest gleamed in the scant light, the muscles startlingly defined. Her hands drifted down, brushing at his tight arse and then scratching lightly back up his spinal cord with her nails. She nibbled her way down his chest, her tongue discovering a nipple. Suckling gently she circled it repeatedly with the tip of her tongue, and then scraped suddenly with her teeth, laughing as he bucked under the sensation.
“Adriane!” His hands wound themselves in her long, wild hair as she moved further down, teasing. Easing the fly of his jeans down she crouched, pushing them down his lean thighs. He steadied himself with a hand on her shoulder as she helped him step out of them, his arousal glaringly obvious. Deliberately, she kissed her way around his stomach, purposefully ignoring the one area he desperately wanted her to touch, only to lightly sweep the tip of her tongue along the length of his penis and place a brief kiss on the head impishly. Rising slightly, she kissed her way along the ridges of his pecs, and down the line of his stomach. He arched back under her ministrations, thrusting his hips but, smiling she moved away. Desolate at the loss of her touch, he touched his lips with his tongue to moisten them, his mouth suddenly dry as she swept her own t-shirt off and stood a little uncertainly in front of him. She had the lean body of an acrobat, muscles clearly visible in the dim light beneath the creamy smoothness of her skin. Normally she radiated strength and confidence, now she stood shyly, unsure of herself. The scars that covered her back extended part way across her abdomen, over her shoulders and across one pert breast. She stood before him, trusting him, dressed only in boxer shorts that were not unlike his own. Offering herself to him. And he accepted the unspoken invitation readily.
Stepping forward he pulled her to him, burying his face in her hair as once again he inhaled deeply of her unique scent. He sighed, feeling her hands reach round him to slide slowly up his back, savouring the silk-like texture of his skin. Claiming her mouth with his own he gently walked her back towards the bed, but the distance proved to far and, changing his mind, he swept her into his arms. Her eyes opened, a startled look on her face that made her seem years younger and his arms tightened involuntary in infinite tenderness. Carrying her slowly to the bed, his pace unhurried, he carefully lowered her onto the covers, stretching his length down next to her, his eyes never leaving her gaze. She shivered at the passion she saw in his gaze, the pupils so large that almost no colour was left and she tenderly reached out to caress his face. Reciprocating, he gently pushed the hair back from her elfin features, tucking the strands behind her tiny ears. Pulling her close, he lowered his mouth to hers once more, drinking in the moment and feeling that he never wanted to let go. He kissed his way down her body, paying particular attention to her breasts. The first time she felt his lips, trailing the path of a particularly ugly scar she stilled, panicking. He murmured to her, lightly stroking her arms and hair until she calmed, trembling from the desire building within her. Arching up in to his mouth, she moaned as she felt him tease her senseless. His fingers dipped briefly below the waistband of her shorts, giving her time to protest before pulling them down. Raising her hips to help him, she lay quietly. Glancing up at her he smiled. She was watching him, her golden eyes large, the brief flicker of a smile hovering on her lips. Reaching, he gently circled one ankle, his thumb and forefinger touching and lightly pressed his lips to the small hollow behind the bone. Trailing up her leg, he left no part untouched, laughing softly as she giggled uncontrollably at the ticklish sensation of his lips brushing her sensitive skin. Her hands twined themselves in his hair, her body arching as she gasped in pleasure, urging him upwards. Obliging, he placed one soft kiss in the mound of curls at the centre of her body before moving up to meet her lips for a demanding kiss. Pulling him close, she threw a leg over his hip and enfolded herself around him. Trembling, Methos separated himself, sushing her moans of protest and stood to remove his own shorts, returning to her embrace quickly. Spreading her legs, he knelt between them, his gaze fastened on hers. Nodding in assent at the silent question she gasped as she felt him enter her, wrapping her legs around him as she buried her face in his shoulder. His hands came up to grasp hers, holding them at the side of her head as he struggled to regain control, a choked gasp breaking his lips.
“Methos?” She opened her eyes, her breath stolen at the sight that met her. Beautiful under any circumstances, aroused and wanton he was luminous. He swallowed, his adam’s apple bobbing, and met her gaze. He framed her face with one hand, leaning in to capture her lips with his own as he gently began to move. Her head fell back as the pleasure built, moans of delight filling the air as neither held back. Pulling her up, he settled her into his lap and enfolded her in his embrace. Adriane smiled at the sight of him. His head was thrown back, the lines in his throat taunt with tension. A deeply sensuous lover, something she was ashamed to admit that she’d forgotten. Breathing heavily, she reached down to grasp his backside, pulling him closer as they fell back onto the mattress. Heat and tension blossomed uncontrollably and Methos began to tremble with the power of it. Adriane gave a startled cry as she felt Methos’ lips suckle her, her back arching as she lightly scraped at his back with her fingernails, smiling triumphantly as she evoked the same reactions in him. Shuddering, he buried his face in her hair as his focus narrowed to just this one woman, her body moving beneath him, with him, in a rythmn older than both of them. Feeling him peak, Adriane let go and cried out as raw sensation overtook everything, nipping at his shoulder to muffle the sound. Together they ascended, the pleasure becoming overwhelming and frantic as they slide over the edge into satiation.
Trembling, and reluctant to separate they lay, bodies entwined just kissing and caressing each other. Eventually Methos withdrew, pulling Adriane close as he drew the duvet over them to keep the chill night air away. Settling her head on his chest she threw one leg over him once more, wriggling until she was comfortable. Ignoring Methos’ laugh as she eventually stilled, snuggling against his warm body in contentment. Lightly stroking her hair with one hand, he lay basking in the unusual feeling of happiness. Feeling her move, he glanced down to see her looking back up at him with questioning eyes. Smiling tenderly he reached down to gently kiss the tip of her nose.
“Go to sleep, Ari. I’ll still be here when you wake up.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”

The End ...

“.. And the sunlight clasped the Earth
And the moonbeams kissed the sea.
What are all these kissings worth
if thou kiss not me?”