A More Permanent Hell

Title: At The Edge Of Our Hope
Author: ithildin
Written for: merriman
Characters: Methos, Stacker Pentecost, Mako Mori, Amanda, Hercules Hansen, Raleigh Becket.
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: No Highlander character death, but there is crossover character death.

Notes: I wrote Pacific Rim—go figure! It was totally not planned, the idea for the story popping into my head as I read my recipient's request post. Gen, crossover w/Pacific Rim, thanks to my beta and research assistant, ninjababe, for her invaluable help. This story follows the events of the film, with added background from the graphic novel via the Pacific Rim Wiki. Written for the Highlander Shortcuts Holiday Fic Exchange.

Summary: This wasn't the Apocalypse Methos signed up for.


At The Edge Of Our Hope


( RUST, IT CRAWLED UP NEARLY EVERY METAL SURFACE OF HONG KONG'S SHATTERDOME. You could smell it, mixed with the stink of the ocean's rot; decay, desperation, humanity's final curtain, waiting to fall. )


The Story On AO3

It's finally finished! Thanks to everyone who has stuck with me till the end, and special thanks to those that have taken the time to comment. It's my cheese! I started this before IM II had even come out, and that, along with the subsequent movies, Thor, and Captain America, have shaped the story. This story is set between the two Iron Man movies, and the sequel will take place during IM II. Maybe I'll get it written before The Avengers comes out - or not. Hope you enjoy this last part, and thanks again!

Rating: PG15
Chapter Notes: Nick wasn't happy that he got bumped from the story, so he got back in; though I'm sure he wasn't expecting what that would mean.
Character(s): Methos, Tony Stark, Ezra Standish, Duncan MacLeod, Amanda, Joe Dawson, Pepper Potts, James Rhodes, Nick Fury, Phil Coulson, Charlotte Sparrow, Natalie Rushman, Other Original Characters.
Summary: Friendship takes work; being friends with Tony Stark requires danger pay. When Tony said ‘I am Iron Man’, he affected the lives of those closest to him – they just never dreamed how much. Like a pebble tossed in a pond, the ripples eventually touch all in their path.

My Fic Announce Journal here: ithildin_wood

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Chapter Fifteen

Payment Due In Full

"Jacob found him under one of the lifeboats," Pepper explained as they raced down the steps to the next deck. "They moved him to the medical bay, and Matthew says he's a doctor." ( There was a note of question in the last. )



][ Part One ][ Part Two ][ Part Three ][ Part Four ][ Part Five ][ Part Six ][ Part Seven ][ Part Eight ][ Part Nine ][ Part Ten ][ Part Eleven ][ Part Twelve ][ Part Thirteen ][ Part Fourteen ][ Part Fifteen ][

Errr, it grew by part. This got really long, and there's still stuff that needs to happen! But almost :) I'm really fond of this part, so I hope you enjoy it. The majority of the Charlotte POV section was written nearly three years ago, and only needed a few slight modifications to fit into what was written later.

Rating: PG15
Chapter Notes: The moment we've all been waiting for. And if you haven't, well, sorry [g]
Character(s): Methos, Tony Stark, Ezra Standish, Duncan MacLeod, Amanda, Joe Dawson, Pepper Potts, James Rhodes, Nick Fury, Charlotte Sparrow, Natalie Rushman, Other Original Characters.
Summary: Friendship takes work; being friends with Tony Stark requires danger pay. When Tony said ‘I am Iron Man’, he affected the lives of those closest to him – they just never dreamed how much. Like a pebble tossed in a pond, the ripples eventually touch all in their path.

My Fic Announce Journal here: ithildin_wood

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Chapter Fourteen

If Today Was Your Last Day

Pepper stood next to Methos, both of them watching Tony and Charlotte on the dance floor. Glancing over at Methos, she said, "If you'd known Tony before, before Afghanistan…." ( Stopping, she shook her head, sighing, then continued, )



][ Part One ][ Part Two ][ Part Three ][ Part Four ][ Part Five ][ Part Six ][ Part Seven ][ Part Eight ][ Part Nine ][ Part Ten ][ Part Eleven ][ Part Twelve ][ Part Thirteen ][ Part Fourteen ][ Part Fifteen ][

Errr, it grew by part. This got really long, and there's still stuff that needs to happen! But almost :) I'm really fond of this part, so I hope you enjoy it. The majority of the Charlotte POV section was written nearly three years ago, and only needed a few slight modifications to fit into what was written later.

Rating: PG15
Chapter Notes: The moment we've all been waiting for. And if you haven't, well, sorry [g]
Character(s): Methos, Tony Stark, Ezra Standish, Duncan MacLeod, Amanda, Joe Dawson, Pepper Potts, James Rhodes, Nick Fury, Charlotte Sparrow, Natalie Rushman, Other Original Characters.
Summary: Friendship takes work; being friends with Tony Stark requires danger pay. When Tony said ‘I am Iron Man’, he affected the lives of those closest to him – they just never dreamed how much. Like a pebble tossed in a pond, the ripples eventually touch all in their path.

My Fic Announce Journal here: ithildin_wood

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Chapter Fourteen

If Today Was Your Last Day

Pepper stood next to Methos, both of them watching Tony and Charlotte on the dance floor. Glancing over at Methos, she said, "If you'd known Tony before, before Afghanistan…." ( Stopping, she shook her head, sighing, then continued, )



][ Part One ][ Part Two ][ Part Three ][ Part Four ][ Part Five ][ Part Six ][ Part Seven ][ Part Eight ][ Part Nine ][ Part Ten ][ Part Eleven ][ Part Twelve ][ Part Thirteen ][ Part Fourteen ][ Part Fifteen ][

Rating: PG15
Chapter Notes: The moment we've all been waiting for. And if you haven't, well, sorry [g]
Character(s): Methos, Tony Stark, Ezra Standish, Duncan MacLeod, Amanda, Joe Dawson, Pepper Potts, James Rhodes, Nick Fury, Charlotte Sparrow, Natalie Rushman, Other Original Characters.
Summary: Friendship takes work; being friends with Tony Stark requires danger pay. When Tony said ‘I am Iron Man’, he affected the lives of those closest to him – they just never dreamed how much. Like a pebble tossed in a pond, the ripples eventually touch all in their path.

My Fic Announce Journal here: ithildin_wood

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Chapter Thirteen

Shoot Me Now

Charlotte grasped Ezra's arm as they walked down the causeway towards Tony's yacht, burying her face into his shoulder. He heard a muffled, "Just shoot me now," mixed with a groan. ( Behind them, Amanda's animated chatter floated on the ocean breeze, interspersed with occasional comments from Methos and Jacob Tanimura, who walked with her. Charlotte had leapt at Amanda joining them; his cousin seeming to think there would be safety in numbers. )


][ Part One ][ Part Two ][ Part Three ][ Part Four ][ Part Five ][ Part Six ][ Part Seven ][ Part Eight ][ Part Nine ][ Part Ten ][ Part Eleven ][ Part Twelve ][ Part Thirteen ][ Part Fourteen ][ Part Fifteen ][

Rating: PG15
Chapter Notes: Amanda won. Was there ever any doubt? So please welcome our favourite thief to the story.
Character(s): Methos, Tony Stark, Ezra Standish, Duncan MacLeod, Amanda, Joe Dawson, Pepper Potts, James Rhodes, Nick Fury, Charlotte Sparrow, Natalie Rushman, Other Original Characters.
Summary: Friendship takes work; being friends with Tony Stark requires danger pay. When Tony said ‘I am Iron Man’, he affected the lives of those closest to him – they just never dreamed how much. Like a pebble tossed in a pond, the ripples eventually touch all in their path.

My Fic Announce Journal here: ithildin_wood

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Chapter Twelve

A Life Complete

( Methos reached out his hand, laying it on Charlotte's shoulder comfortingly. He knew Istvaeone's death was still a fresh wound on her psyche. )


][ Part One ][ Part Two ][ Part Three ][ Part Four ][ Part Five ][ Part Six ][ Part Seven ][ Part Eight ][ Part Nine ][ Part Ten ][ Part Eleven ][ Part Twelve ][ Part Thirteen ][ Part Fourteen ][ Part Fifteen ][

Rating: PG15
Chapter Notes: Amanda won. Was there ever any doubt? So please welcome our favourite thief to the story.
Character(s): Methos, Tony Stark, Ezra Standish, Duncan MacLeod, Amanda, Joe Dawson, Pepper Potts, James Rhodes, Nick Fury, Charlotte Sparrow, Natalie Rushman, Other Original Characters.
Summary: Friendship takes work; being friends with Tony Stark requires danger pay. When Tony said ‘I am Iron Man’, he affected the lives of those closest to him – they just never dreamed how much. Like a pebble tossed in a pond, the ripples eventually touch all in their path.

My Fic Announce Journal here: ithildin_wood

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Chapter Twelve

A Life Complete

( Methos reached out his hand, laying it on Charlotte's shoulder comfortingly. He knew Istvaeone's death was still a fresh wound on her psyche. )


][ Part One ][ Part Two ][ Part Three ][ Part Four ][ Part Five ][ Part Six ][ Part Seven ][ Part Eight ][ Part Nine ][ Part Ten ][ Part Eleven ][ Part Twelve ][

I know I keep saying that Methos and Tony meeting is coming soon, but it keeps getting pushed back as bright shinies come along, begging for a bit of the story. I think I might be avoiding the actual meeting because it's something so many who've read and commented have said they're looking forward to, and I think I'm afraid anything I might write will be a let down. What's this got to do with Amanda? Well, she's a big ol' bright shiny, and she walked into the story last night. Because that's what Amanda does. Now I'm trying to decide if she gets to stay and play, or if I'm mean, and kick her to the curb.

Title: Transformative Variations
Author: ithildyn
Rating: PG15
Notes: The sequel to Practical Applications, a story in the Echoes the Sea series. Thanks to strangevisitor7 and ninjababe for the beta!
Character(s): Methos, Tony Stark, Ezra Standish, Duncan MacLeod, Pepper Potts, Nick Fury, Amanda, James Rhodes, Phil Coulson, Charlotte Sparrow, Other Original Characters.
Summary: Friendship takes work; being friends with Tony Stark requires danger pay. When Tony said ‘I am Iron Man’, he affected the lives of those closest to him – they just never dreamed how much. Like a pebble tossed in a pond, the ripples eventually touch all in their path.

Added Note: Very teensy spoiler for IM II - the story is set between the two movies.



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Chapter One

Train Wreck

This day was not going to end well; of that, she was certain. And the worst of it was that it was all her own damn fault. Well done, Charlotte, she told herself scathingly. ( Spying Ezra at the end of the bar, she worked her way further into the dim confines of Standish & Black, the saloon and restaurant she owned with her former ward. It may have been her fault, but Charlotte had a pretty good idea of just who had started the fire. )


][ Part One ][ Part Two ][ Part Three ][ Part Four ][ Part Five ][ Part Six ][ Part Seven ][ Part Eight ][ Part Nine ][ Part Ten ][ Part Eleven ][ Part Twelve ][ Part Thirteen ][ Part Fourteen ][ Part Fifteen ][

We're watching S1 of Leverage and I only just now realized Sophie's last name is 'Devereaux'. Hmmmm....