Meeting of Two Worlds.

For one stunned moment Meagan did not move, staring at the open bedroom door where an armed and dangerous ~~ and very naked ~~ Galahad had run out. Then the shouting broke into her thoughts, and she tugged the coverlet about her as she hurried after her knightly lover. She came to screeching halt to see the tableau before her. “Och, Goddess save us all!” she prayed.

There were three very wary Scotland Yard officers in a standoff with the knights who had their weapons drawn. One officer had the misfortune of having Lancelot slammed face up against the wall, and was attempting to cuff him, but the drawn swords and axes made him freeze while his fellow officers had weapons drawn as well, and were at a loss as to whom would be most dangerous and therefore would have to be shot first. Lancelot’s eyes were narrowed with deadly intent, his hands fisted and his whole body tensed and ready for any opening that would let him kill the man who held him.

Meagan pushed forward. “What is the meaning of this?”

“Dr. Fraser?”

“I am,” she coldly replied. “What right have ye tae be barging into mae house?” When she was angry the Scottish brogue became thick.

“A neighbor saw some strange men lurking about your home, and called us. We found nothing outside, but we did find an opened window and these men within.”

“Oh aye,” she sneered, motioning to Galahad. “Men often break intae mae hoose naked. Let him go,” she ordered the one holding Lancelot. “They’re mae guests, an’ this mon is mae lover. There was nae lurking aboot mae hoose. Possibly mae neighbor was lurking, an’ trying tae see why I hae male friends over.”

No one moved yet. Finally Bors diffused the situation. “What the bloody hell did she say?”

The first snort of laughter came from one of the officers, but was quickly choked back. Gawain, Galahad and Dagonet chuckled, but their menacing stances did not lessen. Meagan rolled her eyes. Taking a few deep breaths she controlled her accent. “There. Was. No. Lurking. Let. Him. Go.” Each word was said slowly and carefully.

The sound of footsteps coming up the stone walkway got their attention. A man in a suit appeared. “Dr. Fraser?” His gaze swept over the officers and knights. “Having a party?”

“And who are you?” she demanded, now all patience lost.

“Constable Stafford,” he replied, pulling out a wallet with identification and badge. “I know you spoke to officers earlier today at the dig, but I have a few more questions for you.” His eyes then landed on Galahad, and one graying brow arched at the man’s nakedness.

Meagan sighed. “Verra well. Tell your men tae let my friends go.” She put a hand on Galahad’s shoulder. “You may want tae put some clothes on.”

It was slow, but Lancelot was released, and Arthur shook his head so the now freed knight would not kill the officer. The knights sheathed weapons, and Galahad mumbled angrily as he went back to the bedroom to dress. Meagan sighed heavily, and motioned to the front living room. It was not a large room, but it was enough for the Constable to sit in a padded chair, and she on the sofa. The officers stood near the constable, and the knights stood near her, though Arthur sat on one side of her. Galahad entered, and took the empty spot on her other side.

The constable, a man in his fifties, opened a small notebook and glanced at it quickly before peering up at them. He seemed to ignore the dangerous stances of the knights. “You told some officers that you were at Hadrian’s Wall for an archaeological dig. Is that correct?”

“Yes.”

“And that on the night of Samhain you were performing a Wiccan celebration at the Wall and therefore do not know what happened to your students and partner?” One brow arched curiously.

“True.” She motioned to the men about her. “They were with me.”

The man glanced at the notes. “Ah, yes, so I see here.” He glanced up once more. “Have you heard from your students or partner?”

“No,” she frowned. She didn’t think dead people would contact her. Then again, she had seven dead men with her now, and had had great sex with one of them!

“Your partner is Mark Anderson?”

“Yes.” She was trying to keep her patience. They knew all this. It was public knowledge that Mark and she were partners. They’d been so for ten years now.

“I don’t quite understand the need for these men to dress in period costumes and be present at the dig.”

She sighed. “I hired them to celebrate Samhain. No others in my group were pagan, and I had suspicions that Rome’s garrison at the Wall was the home of Sarmatian knights. Men forced to do duty to Rome here in Britain. Sometimes re-creation is the best form of ‘seeing’ things to better understand them.”

“Fascinating,” he nodded. “But are these men friends, or did you hire them?”

“Both,” she replied. A flush bloomed upon her cheeks. “One I am intimate with.” Her hand fell on Galahad’s thigh just above the knee.

Galahad’s chin lifted. “Do you doubt her word?”

“I am a detective,” he replied. “It’s my job to doubt everyone.” He stood. “Well, Doctor, you’ll be happy to know that no foul play was found at the site, and no bodies found. They are somewhere, and we will find them.”

The way he said it made the knights stiffen. Meagan stood up stiffly. “I hope you do. Without my team or my partner I can’t continue the dig. And chances are the funding will stop and the project closed down.” Shaking her head she fisted her hands. “There’s too much there to learn to let that happen!”

The detective watched her intently, nodded, and then waved his men out. They all left, and Meagan collapsed back onto the sofa. “Och, it’s all over. They’re gone, and the dig will be shut down.”

“And us?” Lancelot demanded. “What happens to us?”

Arthur stood. “We cannot remain in this world. We do not belong here.” His green gaze fell on Galahad. “None of us do.”

Galahad rose slowly. “And yet we are here. If I can remain I will. Go back if you must, Arthur, but I have had enough of Romans and fighting Woads.”

“Your duty is fifteen years…”

“The Gods curse my ‘duty’!” he shouted. “I did my duty, and I died and continue to do it. No more. If a way is found to return to our World I will see you off, but I will not cross the veil.”

“You are a fool,” Arthur hissed. “All simply to bed a woman. One who may have let you share her bed, but earlier may have let me do so first.”

“Take that back,” Galahad whispered dangerously.

Meagan got between them. “This is not the time for behaving like idiots!” Rubbing a hand over her brow she groaned softly. “Nice to see the whole ‘mine’ attitude was deeply bred into men forever ago.” Turning to Arthur she glowered. “For a righteous man you can be a real ass.” She marched out of the room.

Galahad glared at Arthur one last time, and then went after her. The other knights left slowly, one at a time, and Lancelot remained. “This jealousy of yours, Arthur, makes you a fool. You call the woman a whore in front of the man who loves her. Did she ask you to her bed?”

Arthur turned away. “Leave it, Lancelot.”

Lancelot hurriedly moved in front of his best friend. “Did you ask her to some dark and private corner to lift her skirts?”

Arthur’s lips thinned. “Do not push this matter, Lancelot.”

“Neither,” Lancelot shot back. “You nearly kissed her. That was all. And she pulled away. Her heart, obviously, belongs to Galahad. Continue with this jealousy, Arthur, and you will push this to a battle, and one of you will die.” He held Arthur’s gaze for a few seconds more, and then left the commander alone.