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Disclaimer: The concept and traditional characters of Highlander belong to Panzer/Davis. I have just borrowed them and brought them to play with characters of my own devising. They will be returned unharmed, but perhaps not unchanged, by this story; I know I was merely by writing it.
This is the third in the Protégé Series. Like all Highlander stories, it has fantasy violence and adult situations. People, mortal and Immortal, have been known to die in these stories. People have also been known to fall in love, make love, eat, sleep, drink beer and sprawl. In other words, life happens. Good things happen and sometimes bad. And, sometimes, a sacrifice is necessary for there to be redemption.
Sacrifice and Redemption
By TheGreyOwl
Three weeks had passed since their release from Velar's mountain fortress. The physical wounds had, of course, healed long ago and the passage of time had softened the emotional impact of the gruesome tortures. Megan had achieved a measure of satisfaction when she'd killed the Keeper of the dungeon. Amanda, however, still seethed with her unquenched anger toward the Immortal behind their harrowing experience.
There had been no trace of the elusive hellspawn. Even the considerable international resources of the Watchers had found no trace. Once again, Velar had vanished like a ghost.
"I don't care if it takes two hundred years, I will find that snake and cut off his head!" Amanda muttered as she slammed the handset of the telephone on its cradle. "Once again, dead ends. This holding company leads to that holding company, which in turn connects to that international conglomerate. Bah! Somewhere, Velar is crouched like a spider in his web, laughing at us."
"Amanda, calm down. He'll turn up eventually. I, for one, refuse to let Velar or the search for Velar dominate my life any more." Megan said. "From now on, I'm going to live my life normally. In fact, I'm going shopping!"
"Oh, Megan, I'm not in the mood to go shopping,"
"Fine, then I will go without you." Matching her actions to her words, Megan swept up her long duster-style coat and, after a last wave to Amanda, walked out the door.
As Megan moved through the shopping mall looking at the store windows, she felt that telltale tingle that came only from the presence of another Immortal. While she felt relatively safe in the crowded mall, she still looked around to see who it could be. No one seemed to be paying any extra attention to her. She moved into one of the boutiques and then positioned herself so she could see if anyone began to watch the front of the store. Nothing. I know I didn't imagine it, even if the contact had been so fleeting. Imagination or not, it was time to head back to the dojo.
Megan left the store and moved along the store walkways. She still felt the faintest brush of contact from another Immortal, but its tenuous nature made her feel it was somewhere on the furthest reaches of her perceptions. She had no idea of the range involved. She knew when Amanda was within an few hundred feet; Amanda's friend Duncan MacLeod had a very strong 'buzz' and Megan could sense him at over 300 yards, which was a good thing since it gave her plenty of time to get a grip on herself whenever he showed up. Talk about your school girl crushes! He sure makes me feel weak in the knees whenever he looks at me with those fabulous eyes. Oh, how I envy Amanda! Still fantasizing about the handsome Scot, Megan took the walkway over to the multi-story parking garage to retrieve the rental car.
The 'buzz' became much stronger as she entered the parking structure. She seemed to sense the other Immortal was just out of sight near her rental car. Great! The damn car is staked out. She quietly unsheathed her rapier as she approached her car.
"Oh, please, don't hurt me!" A small, pitiful voice came from the shadows, an audible tremor of fear shaking in the voice. As Megan neared, she could see a young boy with the appearance of his very early teens. He had shaggy blond hair, dirty clothes and face, and seemed quite defenseless. His shoulders were slumped over and he seemed to be almost shrinking back in fear. "I'm no threat to you, Miss. I felt you coming and was afraid. Others like you have chased me, always with a sword, but I've run away. Please say you won't hurt me." The lad made a sound like a stifled sob.
Megan examined the boy as he spoke, a certainty settling in her heart. "Hello, Kenny. You can stop the bull. I know all about you."
A cold feral light seemed to glow in the Immortal boy's eyes as he straightened up, seeming to grow another three inches in height. "So, you're not as young as you look, either. I've never seen you before, though. Who are you and how do you know about me?" He drew his sword from its hiding place as he spoke. This was no lost little boy.
"My name is Megan Carson, and I am a good friend of Amanda. She's told me all about the little boy she found in England back in the 12th century. Of course, Duncan's told me what a rotten, conniving, lying little shit you turned out to be. Tell me, Kenny. Did you really think Amanda would turn to you with forgiveness had you succeeded in killing Duncan MacLeod?"
"So you know the eternal Boy Scout as well as the thief. No matter." He looked Megan up and down and leered. "You know, I'd much rather screw you than kill you. Oh, well." Kenny swung his sword at Megan.
"Don't fret, little man. You won't get to do either." Megan parried his blade and then went on the offensive. The clash of their blades rang in the confines of the mall garage. Megan slowly backed Kenny towards a wall when the sound of approaching voices made them break off the encounter. Megan stood in a defensive stance as she allowed Kenny to slip by and escape.
"Another time, Bitch!" Kenny shouted as he slipped into the shadows and vanished.
Megan quickly got into her car and locked the doors, her hands shaking in the post-adrenaline letdown.
Amanda took one look at her young friend's face and knew something had happened. She rushed over and guided Megan to the sofa, where they both sat. "Okay, what happened?"
"I was just attacked by an old friend of yours. Did you know Kenny was in town?"
"Kenny! Are you sure?"
"Oh, yes. We had quite a conversation. He was just like you'd described him. He tried the 'helpless little boy' routine on me. To be honest, if you hadn't warned me about him and his tricks, he might have gotten me. When I recognized him and called him by name, his real persona emerged. He was cold, heartless and quite offensive. In other words, a real prick."
"Did you kill him?"
"No, we were interrupted before it got to that. I had him on the defensive, though and almost backed him to a wall." Megan paused and then added, "I just had a thought about the way he acts. Do you suppose he is still a virgin? I mean, with his little boy looks, I can't imagine any woman taking him to bed, even a prostitute. Maybe that's his problem...800 years of backed-up testosterone."
Amanda's peals of laughter greeted Duncan as he exited the elevator. "What's so funny?"
Amanda explained the situation, and Duncan said, "Kenny's here? We're looking for Velar and we get the Worm. Amanda, I have had enough of precious Kenny. The next time I see him, I will kill him."
Amanda looked from Duncan to Megan and back. "I want you both to know I agree completely. I know the little boy I found is long gone. He has no claim on me. The next time any of us crosses blades with Kenny, take his head."
Joe Dawson looked up as the door to his bar opened, While it was still early for his regular customers, he wasn't completely surprised to see the approaching figure. He reached into a cooler and grabbed a long-necked bottle, placing it on the bar in front of the Immortal.
Methos picked up the beer and chugged down half the contents. "Aahh, that's good!"
"Not that I mind, but what are you doing here this early in the day?"
"Having a beer and checking out a rumor."
"Rumor? What rumor?"
Before Methos could answer, however, the door to the bar opened again and four men entered. As they approached the bar, the split into two groups and spread out long the bar. One moved next to Methos, nodded, and then turned his attention to Joe. At that moment, Methos smashed his bottle into the man's throat while kicking the stool into another man. Methos drew his sword and advanced on the third man. The fourth found himself staring at the business end of a sawed-off shotgun, but still went for his concealed pistol. The blast from the shotgun lifted the man off his feet and back several feet.
"Your choice...live or die." Methos said as she advanced on the last man. "Who sent you after Joe Dawson?" With his sword point against the man's neck, he continued. "Speak now or die."
"We was just told to grab him and take him someplace near the docks. Don't know who, wasn't my department."
"But you do know where, right?"
"Yeah, the old Matson warehouse."
As Methos glanced over to Joe, the man batted Methos sword aside and lunged at the Immortal. His attention had been so focused on the sword, he'd never noticed the stiletto in Methos' other hand until it was jutting out of his chest, moving to the faltering beat of his bisected heart.
Methos wiped the blade clean then checked on the first two intruders. His beer bottle had crushed the first one's larynx, causing his to suffocate after the swelling had closed his throat. The second had apparently hit his head on the bar's brass rail, knocking him out cold. "I don't suppose you'd let me...naw, never mind." Methos searched the man and found some plastic cable ties, the same kind the police used as handcuffs in crowd situations. Methos quickly bound the man's hands and feet.
"Joe, call the others and tell them to meet us at Matson's. Seems the rumors about this attack were true."
Duncan, Amanda, and Megan arrived moments after Methos and Joe. The Matson complex had once been huge, but as the shipping business had fallen off, they had sold off the vast warehouses one by one until only this one remained. It was old and dilapidated, with faded gray paint in the exterior walls and broken windows gaping snaggle-toothed at the world. The bitter wind from the ocean whistled through the broken windows, swirling loose papers about.
Joe Dawson was angry as he watched his friends move toward the warehouse, Duncan and Methos moving to the rear of the building to gain entry through the back while Amanda and Megan used the front. "Stay in the car, Joe. You're a mortal, Joe. You'll be safe here, Joe. Horseshit, MacLeod, you haven't heard the end of this." Joe grumbled as he watched Amanda and Megan slip inside the warehouse. "I can see it now. Some poor wino is going to wake up and find himself face-to-face with those two and their swords. Probably scare him sober!"
The glow of the street lamps came through the broken windows and the moonlight came down through the shattered skylights. There was enough light to see the maze of abandoned shipping containers, crates, and boxes with inky shadows between the rows.
"What is that awful smell?" Megan whispered, fanning away the acrid ammonia reek.
"Rat piss. Now you know how I knew there were no rats back at the dungeon." Amanda replied as she moved quietly into the warehouse. They slipped from one shadow to another, always moving closer to the small light burning in the center of the maze. As they reached the edge, the two women split up so they could converge from two directions. As they started to move in, Duncan and Methos also charged the light.
There was no one there.
"It's a trap!" Methos shouted and the foursome began working their way towards the main doors, expecting to be attacked at every moment. It was with a great relief that they exited the building to find no one waiting in ambush.
"What a waste of time! Lousy mercenary lied to me! Well, there's still one left at the bar so I'll get some answers yet!" Methos muttered as they reached the car. That was when they all realized the real nature of the trap...the car was empty. Dawson was gone.
It was a somber, angry group that gathered at Duncan's loft. The thug left at the bar was gone, freed by persons unknown before the night bartender had come to open the place for business. With his disappearance, they had lost their best chance of finding Dawson.
They each blamed themselves for Joe's abduction and they each were afraid for their sometimes-difficult mortal friend. No one had any illusions about who was behind the attack at the bar or the warehouse feint; it was obviously in response to their search for Velar. After the way Amanda and Megan had been treated by Velar's people, they feared Joe would not survive.
The ringing of the telephone caused everyone's heart to beat a little faster. Duncan handed the receiver to Amanda, saying, "It's for you." After saying hello, Amanda didn't speak as she listened to the caller. She finally said, "Okay, 15 minutes" then she hung up the phone.
"That was Kenny. He says he has news about Joe, but he will only talk to me. I'm to meet him in the alley behind he dojo in a few minutes."
"You can't be serious!" Duncan exploded. "Remember the last time when he handcuffed you to the steam pipe while he tried to take my head? You can't possibly trust the little creep."
"I don't trust him, but can we afford not to hear him out? He may actually know something that can lead us to Joe. I will not take any chances; Kenny knows I will kill him without hesitation now."
While no one liked the idea, no one could argue with Amanda's logic. No risk was too great if it could lead them to Dawson.
Amanda stepped out of the dojo into the alley. The cold wind whistled down the narrow roadway, blowing scraps of paper trash along. She pulled her coat close around her, wishing for summer.
"Close the door, Amanda. We don't need the light for this."
Amanda let the door close. "Okay, Kenny. What do you have to say?"
"I was there. I had followed that new girl when she came here, and then I followed all of you when you raced over to that old warehouse. A few minutes after you all pulled your commando raid on the empty building, three men swarmed the car and pulled Dawson from it. They injected him with something, then threw him into a panel van."
"And then what, Kenny? You must have something more or you wouldn't have called me."
"That's true, Amanda, I do have something more. You see, I know where they took Dawson. That piece of information will cost you."
"What do you want, Kenny?"
"What I want and what I'll settle for are two different things, Amanda. What I want is you. I know I will never have you, so I will settle for just one kiss...a real kiss. Damn it, I'm over 800 years old and I have never been with a woman. I've been in love with you all my life, and you never see me as anything other than a kid." He sputtered to a stop as Amanda began to chuckle. "What are you laughing at?" he demanded, angrily.
"Forgive me, Kenny, but Megan thought your problem was just that, so it just struck me as funny. You are right that I never saw you as anything but a child up until that last time we met. When you had me shackled to that pipe and then went to kill Duncan, I knew the child I loved was gone. No, you will never have me the way you want. I might kiss you if that will make you tell me where Joe is, but how will I know it isn't a trick to let my guard down? I don't trust you any more, Kenny."
"I know you don't, Amanda, and I want to make it up to you. Look, they took Dawson to a warehouse two blocks down from the old Matson place. Brown's Moving and Storage, it said on the sign. You go save Dawson. I'll collect that kiss some other time." Kenny started down the alley.
"Kenny, wait." Amanda walked over to the perpetual boy. She took his chin in her hand and raised his face up. She could see the tears in his eyes. I'll be damned, he does love me. She bent her head and pressed her lips to his. As Kenny responded to the kiss, Amanda slid her tongue into his mouth while her hand caressed the back of his head. Kenny brushed a hand gently across her face and then broke away, running down the alley into the night, sobbing.
Brown's Moving and Storage was a modern warehouse with steel louvered doors on the loading bays. Amanda took the lead. With her experience as a second-story artist, Amanda led the group to the top of the warehouse using grappling hooks and ropes to gain access. Once on the roof, they looked for some means of ingress to the facility. The building was too modern for skylights, but there was an access door. "That's probably alarmed" Amanda cautioned the group, "Duncan, you and Methos lower me down to this window and I will cut my way in through the glass. No one alarms a window on this level when there is no obvious access."
True to her word, Amanda cut the glass and opened the window. One by one, the group followed her through the window and into the facility. Easing open the door to the office they'd entered, they listened for any sounds to give them a clue as where Joe might be held. Pointing down the hallway, Amanda led the way slowly, swords at the ready. Duncan caught up with her at the door to the stairs, and moved into the lead. He moved down the stairs like a phantom, without a sound to give away his presence to the guard sitting at the next landing. Duncan took no chances; the whistle of his katana was the last sound the guard heard.
The group joined Duncan, stepping around the spreading pool of blood. A glance through the small pane of glass in the door revealed another guard facing the door about 20 feet down the hallway. Armed with an automatic weapon, he was too far away to just rush and there was no way to bypass him.
"I have an idea," Megan said. She quickly pulled her clothes off. Holding a throwing knife along the inside of her arm, she burst through the hallway door, running at the guard. Her trick worked. The guard, surprised into inaction by the sight of the nude woman running at him, stood there as Megan got close enough to stab him in the heart with the knife. She caught his weapon as he fell, letting him fall unhindered.
"Nice trick," Duncan said as he handed her back her clothes. Megan blushed deeply as she realized she was standing there naked in front of the man she'd fantasized about so many times. Methos didn't say anything; he just patted Megan's fanny as he passed. Amanda gave her a quick hug, and then she too moved down the hallway. Quickly dressing, Megan followed. At each doorway, Duncan would stop to listen, then he would move on to the next. Finally, he stopped at one and signaled the others that they had found their destination. He raised one foot and kicked the door open with all his might.
The door frame exploded in a shower of wood slivers as the door burst inwards. Methos dove through the doorway, rolled to his feet and neatly sliced a mercenary in half with his sword. Megan took another one with her throwing knife, catching him in the right eye. Amanda was too close to her antagonist to use her sword so she kneed his groin, and then stabbed him as he fell. Duncan scissor kicked a mercenary then crushed his throat with a percussive blow. In less that 30 seconds, the Immortals had killed the guarding force.
Joe lay sedated on the cot in the corner. His canes were missing, but he couldn't have used them anyway. Duncan picked up his friend and Watcher. Methos took the lead as they began their withdrawal from the building, but they encountered no further resistance. They had killed all the guards on their way in.
A joyous celebration was in full swing at Duncan's. Once Joe had come to enough to confirm that he was okay, the group begun to really party.
"I can't believe that Kenny told you where Joe was. What could he have gained by doing so?" Duncan pondered aloud. Looking at Amanda's almost bemused expression, he said, "Okay, Amanda. What was the deal?"
"I don't know what you're talking about, Duncan. Perhaps you have misjudged poor Kenny all this time."
"Yeah, right, and pigs can fly. That little con artist always has an angle. There is something you're not telling, Amanda." At her glare, Duncan held up his hands, "All right, all right. I'll let the matter drop."
"Bright boy," Methos said as he walked across the room. "This will come as no surprise to anyone here, but Brown's Moving and Storage is owned by the same holding company as the fortress in the Ozarks. I would say friend Velar has been heard from again."
While the three men discussed ways to find Velar, Megan drew Amanda side. "What's wrong, Amanda?"
Sighing deeply, Amanda explained about her deal with Kenny. "You were so right, Megs. That poor bastard is in love with me. All he wanted was a kiss in exchange for the information about Joe. In fact, he gave me the information without a deal being struck." Megan watched the play of emotions cross Amanda's face. "I kissed him. I kissed him the way a woman should kiss a man. He broke off the kiss and ran into the shadows crying like his heart was breaking. Oh, Megan, what have we done to that boy?"
"Now hold on, Amanda. That 'boy' is over 800 years old. He's tried to kill everyone you love. Don't you fall for this new act of his. You'll just regret it when you see he's used you again."
"You may be right, but he sure came through for us tonight. If he was here now, I'd kiss him again in gratitude for Joe's life."
Looking across the room at the older mortal laughing and joking with the two Immortals, Megan shook her head. "You know, Amanda, I probably would, too. Let's get back to the others."
As they approached the group, Joe spotted Megan and said, "Hey Megan. What's this new technique you have for approaching armed bad guys? I hear it's a real eye-opener."
Megan blushed crimson as the group roared with laughter. While she was slightly embarrassed, Megan knew she was completely accepted by this wonderful group of people. "Well, I just figured he'd be so blinded by my pristine beauty he'd never recover. And, by golly, it worked!"
Methos quipped, "You're so skinny he probably thought you were a runaway street kid and he was afraid he'd catch something."
Megan jumped on Methos and began punching at his hands, which he'd wrapped protectively around his head. Amanda reached in and began to tickle Methos. "Hey, no fair!" he said while laughing at the sensations Amanda's fingers caused.
"He's ticklish!" Amanda shrieked, as she waged war on Methos. Megan soon moved over by Joe, however, as Amanda and Methos began rolling around on the carpet trying to tickle each other as the others watched.
"Hey, watch the hands!"
"Oops, Sorry! Hey, you watch your hands, too!"
"Why Methos, I never would have suspected!"
Amid all the laughter at the antics of Methos and Amanda, Megan could see the weariness settle on Joe's face. The mortal had had a really bad day. She led him into the spare room and pushed him down onto the bed. "You need to rest, Joe. These silly folks will party all night if we let them." She sat down on the bed along side of Joe and placed her hand along his grizzled cheek. "I'm glad you're safe, Joe. Get some sleep." She leaned forward and kissed his forehead, then she left the room after turning out the light.
Joe was momentarily confused by his whereabouts when he awoke. It had been a very long time since he'd awakened in an unfamiliar bedroom. The events of the previous 24-hours flashed through his mind and he remembered where he was...Duncan's spare room, where he'd been put to bed by Megan. Shaking his head at the memory of the young woman's goodnight kiss, Joe rose from the bed and entered the main loft area.
The remnants of the impromptu party were everywhere. Beer bottles littered every horizontal surface, along with delivery boxes from the pizza. The door to Duncan's room was still closed. As he rounded the couch, he became aware of Megan.
She was asleep on the couch. Her T-shirt had risen up exposing one perfect pink-tipped breast. Her pubic mound was discernible through the skimpy bikini panties he had on. My God, she's beautiful and, since she was an Immortal, she always would be. Joe couldn't believe what the others had told him about Megan...how she'd shucked her clothes in order to distract the guard long enough to get close enough to kill him. I'd have loved to see that. I'll bet she's even prettier naked. Easy, Dawson. It's been a long time. Hell, it's been forever since you've seen one this young this way. Like since high school. His eyes moved up to Megan's face and he found himself looking into her open eyes.
Dawson blushed and started to stammer an apology. "Joe, don't be silly. I'm not offended. I just hope you enjoyed what you could see." She stretched her arms over her head, causing even more of her chest to show, then she stood and walked over to Joe. "It's okay, Joe. I don't mind if you look." She leaned over and lightly kissed him. "Well, I'm for a shower and then I'll get dressed." Dawson watched as she walked over to the spare room's door, pulling her T-shirt off as she went. At the door, she turned, giving Joe a good view then went through the door and out of sight.
Shaking his head, Dawson began to make coffee and then realized he'd never checked on the club last night. He moved to the phone and called his night bartender. They talked for a few minutes about the night before, then Joe promised he'd be in about 3 to get things ready for the evening.
"Who was on the phone?"
Joe looked up, startled by the voice. He hadn't heard anyone come in and yet here stood Duncan and Amanda. "I was just checking in with Nick, my night bartender. Last night was pretty quiet, he said. Seems like the usual crowd, although there were a couple of strange characters that came in late and started asking a lot of questions. He said they looked like soldiers - short hair, erect posture, that unmistakable stamp of military bearing. He said they were very curious about Duncan MacLeod and who his friends were and where they hung out."
"Well, I guess that means sooner or later they will show up here and I'll answer their questions myself," said Duncan, grimly.
Megan Carson, you slut! What was I thinking about...coming on to Joe that way. He may be physically older than any man I've ever really gotten to know, but there's something there. When I woke up and found him looking at me, it got me so hot! Megan stood in the shower and let the stinging spray of hot water beat down on her body. She took the soap and lathered up, then rinsed in cold water. Well, I know one thing. I owe him a big apology.
After showering, Megan dressed in a pleated skirt and sweater set and then joined the others. She noticed Joe avoided looking at her as they ate brunch. Finally the meal ended, and as Amanda started clearing away the dishes, Megan asked Joe to go for a walk with her. Amanda's eyebrows shot up in a curious look, especially when Megan pleaded with Joe to come with her. Duncan restrained Amanda's curiosity as Joe rose and slowly followed Megan to the elevator. Duncan called out "Don't go far. Remember, someone is after us all."
Megan waited until they reached the ground floor and led Joe over to one of the benches that lined the dojo walls. Once they were seated, she began. "Joe, I want to apologize for the way I acted this morning. I don't know why it happened. I certainly didn't mean to tease you."
"Don't worry about it, child. You made this old man's morning. I probably should apologize to you for staring at you first. You are a beautiful girl with a perfect body. It's been a very long time since I've seen someone who looks like you do outside of a movie or magazine. It may have been a cheap thrill, but it was a thrill nonetheless."
Megan blushed as she recalled the way he was looking at her when she awoke. Duncan and Methos had seen more of her the night before, but this morning with Joe had been more...intimate... than she had ever experienced. She could see Joe's approval of her body and the almost naked desire she'd seen in his eyes. Her reaction had been to see if she could stokes those flames and she'd seen his eyes rivet to her crotch as she'd stretched. It had been a heady experience...one she was slightly ashamed of now. "Joe, I really am sorry if my actions this morning caused you any embarrassment. Forgive me?"
"Sure, no problem. Anything you ask is yours, kiddo."
Megan leaned forward and gave Joe a chaste kiss on the cheek, took him by the hand, and led him back to the elevator.
Methos rejoined the group after evening fell. "There was nothing in the news about the bodies at the moving company, so either no one has found them or they all been swept up. I tend to support the second concept; Velar tends to be very tidy about bodies. Must be something he learned after White Chapel." As he spoke, Methos finished garnishing the platter. "E voila, dinner is served."
The quintet sat around the table and held hands for a moment in a silent grace of thanksgiving, then Duncan poured the wine. Since they were eating by candlelight, it took them a moment to realize the power had been cut to the building. It was only when Duncan noticed the exit light over the stair door was out that they knew something was happening.
Joe snuffed the candles as the Immortals spread out around the room in preparation for the assault they knew was coming. "Joe, get down on the floor behind the bar. That's solid English oak and its 400 years old. It should give you some protection if there is shooting." Joe quickly moved over to the bar and ducked down. As he lay on his stomach. Megan knelt by his head. "Be safe, Joe" was all she said and then she was back by the wall, sword at ready.
They didn't have long to wait. The shattering of glass as two small objects sailed into the room announced the beginning. "Cover your eyes" Duncan shouted just before the flash-bang grenades went off. The lead elements of the assault crashed through the windows on ziplines, only to be met by Methos and his sword. None survived. At the same time, others battered down the door from the stairs and met an enraged Duncan MacLeod. They didn't survive either. Two more rappelled down the elevator from the roof housing to be met by Amanda. She knocked the first unconscious with her sword hilt, and then ran the other one through. "End of round one," Methos quipped. "Looks like the score is home team 6, visitors zero."
A crash from the bedroom announced a change in strategy for round two. Megan started for the door when the grenades in the other room detonated, blowing the door and the walls into the loft area. "Let's get out of here" Amanda shouted over the roar of the fire and crashing of the walls. "Where's Megan?" Joe shouted, as Methos began to drag Joe from the loft. Duncan swept the young woman up in his arms and leapt into the stairwell as the roof of the loft area crashed down. Methos and Amanda cleared the way, killing anything that moved, as they fought their way to the streets.
The group burst into the streets with the dojo in flames behind them. Once again, though, there was no one waiting in the streets. The final confrontation had not yet been joined.
Megan had regained consciousness by the time the fire engines and police arrived. Methos had already hidden the swords in a place readily accessible, but away from official notice. Duncan was trying to explain to the police what had happened ... not the truth but something acceptable ... knowing that sooner or later they would have to explain the bodies of the dead mercenaries.
By the time the fire was extinguished, the building was a total loss. Amanda could see the anger in the way Duncan's jaw clenched and unclenched. Everything he and Charlie had built was gone. Duncan didn't care about the possessions; he mourned the vanished memories. Memories of Charlie...memories of Richie. She knew that Duncan would devote whatever it took to find Velar now. It had been just one more threat before, even after the attack on Amanda, Megan, and Joe. Now, it had been made very personal.
The Fire Chief came over to Duncan and said he was sorry, but there was nothing more they could do. They'd been through the debris field but had been unable to pinpoint the cause of the explosions reported by the neighbors. "The Arson Investigator will want to speak with you, Mr. MacLeod, after you're done with the police."
At that moment, the lead police detective walked over. "Your name sure rang some bells at headquarters, Mr. MacLeod. I will need you and your friends to come downtown and make your statements."
It was a very tired group that entered the lobby of the Crown Plaza Hotel. The desk clerk's nose wrinkled at the smoky odor that came from the group. The lack of baggage also made them suspect. When the tall pony-tailed man asked for their best suites, the clerk condescendingly wondered how they expected to pay for the rooms. Duncan had enough, so he leaned close to the officious clerk and said, "Look, buddy. My house just burned down around us. We're tired. We're dirty. We're hungry. We want two suites with a minimum of four bedrooms and at least four showers. We want thick, fluffy towels and warm robes. We want room service to deliver a breakfast buffet for five to the suites in one hour. What I don't want is any more crap from you. If you sneer down your lip at me one more time, I will stuff your fat head into one of those little pigeonholes behind you, then my friends and I will take our business elsewhere."
The Concierge, attracted by the rising anger evident in MacLeod's voice, smoothly stepped in. "Perhaps I may be of assistance. Johnson, notify Room Service about the breakfast buffet for five in one hour. Have it sent to the Pacific Suite. Allow me to show you the suites personally."
As they approached the doors, the Concierge told them the two suites occupied the entire floor. "I'm sure you will find the Pacific and Sierra Suites will meet your needs, Mr. MacLeod. I'm sorry my clerk was so rude to you; the situation will be dealt with immediately."
"Thank you. One more thing. We would like to avoid being disturbed by anyone. Oh, you can tell the police where we are if they come looking, but no one else."
After the Concierge had left, the group divided up and headed for the four showers. Amanda decided to scrub Duncan's back so everyone had a shot at getting clean at the same time. Soon, they all gathered in the Pacific Suite's living room, wrapped in the full-length robes provided by the hotel, just as Room Service finished delivering the extensive breakfast buffet. One by one, though, they succumbed to the combination of the long night, the fight, the hot shower, and the heavy breakfast. Amanda and Duncan were asleep on one sofa, her head on his chest. Methos was sprawled in an overstuffed armchair, his head back. Megan was on the other sofa, curled in the protective circle of Joe's arms.
The discrete ringing of the telephone at his elbow woke Duncan.
"Mr. MacLeod, I am sorry to disturb you. This is Mr. Davies, the Concierge. It seems some people were here asking questions about you and your party. I had left strict instructions not to disclose your presence, but ...well, they asked Johnson, the clerk that was so rude to you and I had reprimanded. According to one of the other clerks, Johnson told them everything. I have, of course, fired the man. I thought you should know."
"I understand, Mr. Davies. Sometimes you just can't find good help. You can do a favor now that you've called. My friends and I will be in the need of some clothing right away. Could you have someone round us up something. I'm afraid we will need everything from the skin out. The ladies will want something fashionable."
"Certainly, Mr. MacLeod. I will have someone there immediately. May I suggest we have the ladies' selections delivered to the Sierra Suite, while the men's come to the Pacific? It would be more...conventional."
After agreeing, Duncan hung up the telephone and looked at his slumbering friends. Amanda was still snuggled tightly against him. Methos was, as always, sprawled in the chair with his head thrown back, snoring moderately due to the angle of his head. Megan was curled up against Joe, who had his arms around her in his sleep. Of all of them, the night had been the hardest on Joe.
Immortals had the ability to bounce right back, but mortals suffered from exhaustion and stress far longer. Looking at his friend made Duncan realize that Joe was not getting any younger, and that saddened him. They had been through a lot together, both good and bad. Joe had stood by him during the Dark Quickening, keeping him from killing Richie at the risk of his own life. He had saved Joe from the Watchers when they wanted to kill him for violating his oath. Joe had become the first really close mortal friend Duncan had had since Tessa. He knew he would do anything to protect this mortal from harm. Looking at the way Joe was holding Megan, Duncan suspected Joe was harboring feelings for the young woman that he may not even be aware of.
A short time later, the group emerged from the hotel dressed in new clothes. Fortunately, the crisp fall weather easily explained the need for coats, although the clothiers had found it odd that four of the group had wanted long coats like the old western dusters. After a quick cab ride over to the remains of the dojo, the Immortals were once again armed with their swords, retrieved by Methos from their hiding place.
The smell of smoke still hung heavily in the air. There was very little left of the dojo, The brick exterior walls had survived, but the interior was completely gutted. The Arson Investigator called Duncan aside and explained what they were doing. While they spoke, Methos pulled the rest of the group off and said, "Has anyone else noticed that there are no bodies in the rubble? I know we killed a lot of folks last night, and the bloody building was collapsing around our ears as we got out of there, so where are the bodies?"
The others looked stunned as the impact of Methos words struck them. "That means, someone went through this place and removed all trace of the bodies during the night, doesn't it?" Megan asked.
"No, because if there had been any bodies in there while the cops and fire laddies were here last night, we'd all be in jail right now. No, it means those bodies were pulled out before the fire department got here. While we were fighting our way out and ducking debris, our nemesis has cleaning up the mess. What kind of motivation to you give a bunch of mercenaries to make them retrieve their dead from a burning, collapsing building?"
Even Duncan had no explanation when they told him of their conclusions. After adjourning to Joe's bar, they all sipped their favorite beverage as they discussed what to do next. The four Immortals all went still as the unmistakable feeling of another Immortal washed over them. The door to the bar opened and in walked Conner MacLeod. "I figured I'd find you here, Duncan. What happened to your place? Did you let Amanda try to cook again?" he asked as Amanda gave him a hug, followed by a playful punch on the shoulder at his disparagement.
Duncan explained the course of events, starting with the raid on his island cabin and ending with the fire at the dojo. "Velar and I once crossed paths, but it was under very public circumstances. We need to take this fight to him rather than wait for them to choose the next battle. Letting them choose time and place is a sure way for us to lose." Conner advised. "You know, I have an idea. I'll be back." Without further explanation, Conner left.
The group was discussing Conner's mysterious behavior when the telephone rang. The bartender brought the instrument over to the table, handing it to Amanda. "Hello?"
"Amanda, it's me, Kenny. Look, I'm in trouble and I need your help. I know I have no right to ask, but could you please meet me where we met last? Please don't tell the others. You know how they all feel about me."
Amanda silently cursed herself for her soft heart as she agreed. Hanging up the phone, she turned to the group and announced she had some errands to run and that she'd be back shortly. No one wanted her to go, citing the danger in being separated, but Amanda was adamant about it. She agreed to return back within an hour and the rest of the group promised to leave word at the bar if they had to leave before she returned.
The area seemed deserted as Amanda moved down the street approaching the ruins of the dojo. The arson squad was gone and was the horde of curious on-lookers. As she neared the alley, she was startled by a terrified wail.
"Amanda, help me!"
She rushed forward in time to see two large men force Kenny into a panel van. She was blocked by fallen rubble from the dojo, so she ran from the alley and around the front, trying to reach the other end of the alley. Automatic weapons fire from the roof across the street forced her to duck down behind the parked cars, and she cursed as the van shot from the other end of the alley. It paused long enough to pick up two men and then it raced away. Amanda rose from her sheltered spot and started running after the van.
The vintage Thunderbird convertible pulled along side. "Need a ride?" Amanda jumped into the car, shouting for Duncan to "follow that van".
"Kenny's in that van. He was just grabbed by two thugs."
Duncan looked at her and said, slowly, "And that's bad because..."
"This is no time for jokes. Don't forget Joe Dawson is safe with us because Kenny told us where to find him. We owe Kenny, damn it. Now step on it!"
They followed the van out of Seacover, hanging back so far that Amanda worried they would lose the van. Finally it turned into what looked like an abandoned complex of some kind. Duncan coasted up to the fence and read the faded sign 'Seacover Army Site, Nike Battery B'.
"Hey, I know what this is." Megan said. "I did a paper on these places in High School. Back in the 60's, the Army had sites like this all over the country. They were filled with Nike missiles and were supposed to defend the US from attack by the Russians. Anyway, we signed a treaty dealing with eliminating missiles to shoot down ballistic missiles and so they closed these places." As they drove into the complex, it was easy to see that the base had been stripped of anything of value. The only things left were items to large to remove, such as the huge concrete blockhouses. The van had turned into one of them and disappeared.
Duncan tried to make Amanda wait, but she jumped from the T-bird while it was still moving and ran into the blockhouse. She's on her own for now. We've got work to do. Duncan, Methos, and Megan spread out and began their search for Velar's hired forces. They had to be around somewhere, and the Immortals intended to eliminate them from the playing field. Joe Dawson stood guard over the car with a British machine pistol.
Amanda had raced into the cavernous blockhouse blind. She found the van next to an open door that led to a stairwell that led downwards. She slowly moved down the stairs using every trick she knew to be silent. She reached the bottom and found another door standing open...and through that door was a large open area. In the center of that area stood a muscular man with a swarthy complexion. He was holding Kenny by the throat, and appeared to be waiting for Amanda. Velar was finally in the open.
"At last. Amanda, thank you for joining us. I knew Kenny would be the key to isolating you. My people overheard his call to you setting up your rendezvous. Since you left my fortress so precipitously before we had the chance to meet face to face, I thought I would avail myself of the chance to have you come to me." He drew a Roman short sword from his coat, and tossed Kenny aside as he advanced toward Amanda. Kenny screamed "No" and threw himself at the former centurion. Velar swung his sword and Kenny's head rolled from his shoulders.
Amanda was stunned with the sudden nature of Kenny's death. As the last flickers of the Quickening settled around him, Velar resumed his purposeful advance toward Amanda. "Your turn, my dear. Actually, I have nothing really against you, per se. I'm just after the elusive Duncan MacLeod."
"Well, you found him" came the voice from behind Velar. He turned and found him facing the young Scot, who was approaching with his katana in hand.
"Who the devil are you?" Velar demanded. "You're not MacLeod."
"I am Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod. I was born in the Highlands of Scotland in 1592."
"Actually, Duncan, He's after me." Conner MacLeod stepped out of the doorway Amanda had used. We've unfinished business from long ago. But it is your choice, Velar. You have offended my great-nephew by harming his friends and you just killed that poor little wretch Kenny for no other reason than it amused you, which offends me. Who will it be? Me or Duncan?"
Duncan spoke up, "Oh, and don't go looking for your paid troopers. We've already taken good care of them." Duncan nodded in the direction of Methos as the old Immortal entered into the chamber.
"You!" Velar said, stunned at the sudden presence of the oldest Immortal. "I was sure I'd killed you long ago."
"Oh, you tried, Velar, you tried. Your men didn't completely follow your orders. They crucified me upside down on the Appian Way, but decided cutting my head off would just make my death too quick. So they left me there as they left the rest of Spartacus' followers. So, count me in. You can fight me if you dare."
Velar gestured with his sword toward Conner. "I thought the name Duncan MacLeod was just a clumsy attempt at a name change. No matter, it's you I want." With a lightning fast strike, Velar swung his sword at Conner, but it rang off the raised katana. The battle had been joined. The two men were fairly evenly matched. Velar's physical strength was greater than Conner's, but Conner's reach was longer. Neither appeared to be gaining any advantage in the battle as the moved around the alleyway. After about ten minutes, they had each taken minor wounds. A slice here, a cut there. Conner seemed to be letting his guard down on his right, and Velar moved in. The next time Conner's blade dropped, Velar thrust home, running his sword deep into Conner's chest. Conner, however, pushed himself forward onto the blade, trapping it within his own flesh, then he swung his katana.
For a moment, no one moved. Velar stood looking at Conner, his head slowly sliding from his neck and then the body collapsed into the dirt. Duncan rushed over to his relative and mentor. He gently pulled the blade from Conner's ribcage, eased Conner down to the ground and then stood back, watching over him as he died and was reborn amid the tremendous power of Velar's Quickening.
Megan walked over to Amanda, who was kneeling in the dirt holding Kenny's body. Looking up with tear filled eyes, Amanda whispered, "He loved me, you know. He tried to save me and died because of me. Poor lost little Kenny. Always wanting what was forever outside his reach. Redeemed at the end through an act of love."
Megan pulled the sobbing woman into her arms and told her, "It's okay to grieve for the lost child, Amanda. Kenny won't suffer any more. We will bury him privately. He'd earned that much." Methos came and gently took Kenny's remains from Amanda.
Joe stood at the stairwell door, wondering how he would ever get this into the journals. Who would believe that Amanda would weep over Kenny or that Kenny would sacrifice himself for love of Amanda? Although to Joe, the loss of Kenny was a small price to pay for the end of Velar. The MacLeods had come together again. How had Conner found them way out here in this abandoned military base? And Megan...what could he say about the young Immortal that would not give away his own feelings. You old fool Joe thought, shaking his head as he walked back to the car. She's much too young and you're much too old...especially for love. But then, all's fair in love and war
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