Methos parks his SUV in front of Joe's bar, exits and locks his car. Then slowly walks to the door, he's pleased when he doesn't feel an Immortal buzz as he opens the door. "Must be a slow afternoon." He murmurs to himself as he blinks do adjust his eyes to the darker interior. He sees Zoe as he walks to the bar but no sign of Joe, so he turns his head to look around wondering where he might be.Methos asks Mike where is Joe and he nods towards the office door with his head as he gets him a beer. Methos sits on a bar stool for a moment, but then as a second thought, decides to go to Zoe table. He wouldn't want her to think he's avoiding her or something.Zoe: Hello, Adam. Pull up a chair.
Zoe says with a smile as the man approached her table.Methos: Hello, Zoe. How are you?Methos asks as he does what she had suggested.Zoe: I'm doing pretty good.
Zoe replies with a smile.Zoe: How about you?
Methos: I'm fine, thank you.Methos answers with a smirk, amused as always when someone asks him about his health.Methos: I hear Joe is in the office?Zoe: Yeah. He's working his books... or something.
Zoe says with an indifferent shrug.Zoe: Where's Nikki?
Zoe adds after a moment of thought.Methos checks his watch, by the time he guesses Nikki is still back at her place.Methos: Probably working at the ranch.Zoe: And you didn't go with? Lately you two have been attached at the hip!
Zoe teases.Methos shrugs as he picks his glass to take a sip of beer.Methos: I've got my own work to think about, as unbelievable as it may sound.Methos smirks before he drinks some beer.Zoe: And what is it, exactly that you do?
Zoe asks curious, having not seen him actually "work" at anything.Methos: I'm a... History researcher.Methos answers with a smile while he thinks that ironically he's telling the truth.Methos: I work for a private Institute.Zoe: Aah... I take it, this doesn't include any form of regular working hours?
Zoe asks, figuring that'd be about the only way he could spend the time he does in the bar.Methos: No, and it's just the way I like it, I've never been a 9 to 5 guy anyway.Methos makes a face at that, as he puts the glass back on the table.Methos: As long as you get the work done, you can work at whatever hour you choose.Zoe: And nothing wrong with that.
Zoe says with a smile.Methos: No, besides you get more productive when you don't have anyone there to distract you.Methos points out, like he'd have to go anywhere and didn't work mostly at home.Zoe: True.
Zoe agrees and takes a swallow of her tea.Methos hesitates for a while, on whether he should tell her or not, but he decides he doesn't have anything to lose. They aren't particularly close anyway, in case she gets angry with him. So he looks inside his pockets to see if he still has that printer article he got on the internet.Methos: Speaking of research, I wonder if you're ever going to tell Joe about this.Methos asks as he unfolds the paper and puts it in front of her.Zoe glances at the piece of paper and knows instantly what it was from. It was of her and Athinai leaving a club, after Athinai's birthday party two years ago. The caption, clearly read "Athinai Weston, hotel heiress and her friend, Zoe Kellogg, heiress of Kellogg's cereal company." Zoe looks up to Adam, and feels her face pale.Zoe: Does Joe know?
Zoe asks.Methos: No, I didn't tell him anything.Methos shakes in head as he says no.Methos: I was expecting you'd tell him after marriage though.Zoe sighs relieved.Zoe: I had planned on it, but...
Zoe pauses, not quite sure how to explain.Methos: You don't know how to tell him that now?Methos tries to guess.Zoe: I'm not sure I want to... at least... not while... not while I'm.. still alive.
Zoe says, her voice getting softer with each word, until the last two words were barely audible.Methos: Don't you think he'll be hurt if he finds out after?Methos asks, knowing Joe, he thinks Joe will be pretty hurt she didn't trust him enough to tell him that while she was alive.Zoe: I don't... I don't know. Maybe. It's not that I don't trust him, 'cause I do. Explicitly, and I haven't lied to him either. It's just... I.. I've had bad experiences when people found out, about the money. I don't think Joe is the type to change because of the money either but... I love the way things are between us now. I don't want it to change. Can.. Can you understand that?
Zoe asks.Methos: Yes, I understand. And no, Joe doesn't care about the money or he would have made me pay my tab at the bar long ago.Methos confesses with a soft chuckle.Zoe: I plan on telling Joe.. well, I plan on leaving him a letter with my Final Will and Testament. Then, he'll also inherit most of my material wealth.
Zoe says softly, hoping that Adam would think this would be enough.Methos: Maybe if you explain why you didn't tell him he'll take it better.Methos nods in agreement, somehow he doubts it's going to make that big a difference, he's expecting Joe to take Zoe's death pretty bad.Zoe: That I intend to.
Zoe nods.Methos: I'm glad you're not mad at me for doing a research on you, but you sounded too good to be true. Joe is not a millionaire but some people just take want they can get. Obviously not your case so I decided to not say anything.Methos explains, ending it with a shrug as he gets his beer glass again.Zoe: No, not at all. Luckily for me, money has never been an issue.
Zoe replies, managing a smile.Methos: Money is so overrated.Methos shakes his head with a sigh.Methos: No one stops to think why so many rich people are unhappy.Zoe: I, at least, am happy now.
Zoe says with a bigger smile.Methos: Good. I'm glad. So is he.Methos nods in the direction of Joe's office.Zoe: Hmm... speaking of... could I by chance ask a favor of you?
Zoe asks cautiously.Methos: Yeah I know, don't tell him anything. Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. I didn't even tell Nikki.Methos says looking down at his almost empty glass, and thinking he should get another one.Zoe: Oh, Nikki knows. I told her before the wedding. That wasn't the favor, though you not telling him would be greatly appreciated.
Zoe says.Methos: She does? She didn't tell me anything either.Methos raises an eyebrow smiling amused.Methos: So what is it?Zoe: I asked Nikki to keep it a secret, specifically from anyone in whom might bring it up to Joe. And the favor, is my attorney is arriving in Seacouver tomorrow and would like to meet with me, within the next few days to finalize my Will. But, obviously, I don't want Joe to know. I need help, getting away from Joe, for just a few hours. I can't use a doctor appointment as an excuse, as he knows when they are, and he comes with me too them.
Zoe explains.Methos: So what do you want me to do?Methos asks with a puzzled frown, he still didn't understand what was the favor she was trying to ask.Zoe: That's just it... I don't know. I was kind of hoping you might have an idea, on how I could get away from Joe, or how he could be distracted.
Zoe says with a shrug.Methos looks down trying to think of something, then he smirks when he sees his Watcher tattoo, that would be the perfect thing to do.Methos: Just call me when you want to meet your attorney and I'll get Joe away for a couple of hours, no problem. Better call me a few hours before since I'll have to do a few calls.Zoe: I can probably give a good day notice. Once my attorney gets in, we'll finalize the day. As soon as I know, I'll call.
Zoe says with a very relieved smile.Methos looks inside his pockets for a pen, luckily he's carrying one today, he quickly grabs a paper napkin and writes it down, he's sure she doesn't have it yet.Methos: Call me at this number, I'm always available here.Zoe takes the napkin and looks it over.Zoe: Thanks, I'll get it programed into my phone right away.
Methos: Alright.Methos nods, then he asks with a smile.Methos: So want a refill?Zoe: That'd be lovely, thanks.
To be continued