March 1997, New York City
‘No! No! Don't......!' She tried getting off the bed. He shoved her back down. She felt her sword enter her chest as she looked up into the face of the man she had invited in.
‘Mi Amor,' he said. Before she died she saw him smile as he raised his sword to take her head......
...... "NO!" The woman sat up in bed drenched in sweat. Just a dream, it was just a dream. Looking around the bedroom she realized she was in her apartment. It was 11:00 clock, Thursday. She opened the french doors, letting the streetlights filter in. She turned quickly as she sensed an immortal. Picking up her sword she turned towards the door. As the intruder entered her bedroom she took her fighting stance. Taking him by surprise, she lunged at him, the hilt of her sword connecting immediately with his chest. Seeing him fall she raised her sword for the lethal blow.
"It's me! Put down the sword. It's me Matthew!"
Recognizing the voice, she lowered her sword, although she did not loosen her grip on it. "Matthew, I'm sorry. I had the sa...," she lowered her head.
As he rose to his feet, blood dripped from his wound onto the floor. He put his arms around her, stroking her hair. "It's ok, everything is al lright." He tried to soothe her, but knew that everything was not allright. It would not be until she confronted that never-ending nightmare head on.
Pulling away, she paced the room. Her nightshirt clinging to her. Her brown eyes were large and wild. "It is not allright, Matthew! I almost took your head! This has to stop! You can't stay here anymore. I won't allow it!" she screamed.
"You won't allow it?" he said softly, his voice low and the southern drawl more apparent.
Matthew reached for her pulling her into his arms.
"You cannot tell me what to do. I will stay as long as you need me." He released her and headed towards the bathroom. She heard the water running and sagged on the bed. No. He was going to have to leave. She would deal with this on her own. He came out and motioned to the bathroom.
"Your bath is ready, my lady," he bowed. Running her bath was becoming a habit.
"Thank you Matthew. But I *am* serious. You have to leave."
Once inside the bathroom she closed the door. Matthew noticed she had taken her sword with her. Grimacing, he wondered why she wouldn't tell him about this dream that for more than a year caused her to wake up in a sweat. It had something to do with Paris, he knew that much.
He shook his head, remembering the woman she was before the dreams began. Smiling he thought of the woman who had almost taken his head over five years ago.
1992 GEORGIA
Matthew McCormick walked toward The Underground. The Underground looked like it was more for tourists. He shrugged. I am a tourist, he thought. The last time he was in Georgia was over 100 years ago.
The days were hot and the nights were not much better. He briefly looked up at the sky and smiled. The stars shone brilliantly against the moon. As he was about to cross the empty street he felt the buzz, alerting him to the presence of another immortal. He glanced around, but could not see anyone. All of a sudden he felt the tip of the sword at his neck.
"Are you hunting?"
Matthew smiled. A woman. Her voice had a breathy, deep sound. He figured she was about 5'5 by the angle of her sword at his neck.
"Not today. Are you?" He felt the sword leave his back. He turned around and looked into her eyes. Beautiful, big brown eyes. Eyes, he would soon find out, that would as soon kill you as look at you. She wore red lipstick, the rest of her makeup was minimal. She knew the affect she was having on him. How many times had she used it to her advantage? Too many to count. In her young immortal life, she knew that when it came to women, men were like puppies.
"Matthew McCormick. At your service." He bowed. She smiled and he melted.
"Maria Rios." Maria started to walk away, but he stopped her, holding on to her wrist.
"I thought you weren't out hunting", she said amused .
"Not for heads. But for company. How about joining me for dinner?"
Matthew frowned. Five years ago. Seems like a lifetime ago. After that evening they dated and married a few months later. He, unfortunately, had made the mistake of wanting to hunt Carl Robinson.
Matthew related what had happened all those years ago. Carl had killed his father-in-law and brother-in-law. She tried telling him that it was in the past. But he insisted on avenging his dead wife's family. So in 1994 they followed up on some leads. As a Special Agent it had been easy getting information. At first she had gone with him. After a year she decided to stay put. She would not put up with his obsession of Carl.
His affair with the clerk at the police station had been brief, two nights of mediocre love making. He told her of the affair. The following week he received divorce papers. Having lost her, he continued his search more determined than ever.
They remained friends, but he did not see her until 1996, when she called him from Paris and invited him to visit. When he finally got there, he couldn't sense her. Opening the door he had quietly stepped in. He found her nude body, half covered by a sheet, her own sword protruding from her chest. Pulling it out he quickly carried her out of the cottage. When she came to she refused to tell him what had happened. One day while he was out, he found her gone. She left a note saying she was going to New York, to give her time. He tried finding out what happened. No one had seen or heard anything.
He continued his search for Robinson and when he finally found him he couldn't take his head. All for nothing! Eventually, he tracked her down in New York. She accepted his friendship and he dealt with her nightmares.
Maria came out of the bathroom, interrupting his thoughts. She felt much better. Her hair came to just below her shoulders in curls. It amazed him how she quickly put the nightmare out of mind and reverted to her usual self.
"Hey Matt? How about some food? Chinese? From Chinatown?"
"Well, get dressed and *we* are out of here." He was glad to hear she was hungry.
"I'll wait here. I'm not in the mood to be around crowds."
"You're not going to disappear on me again, are you?" he frowned.
"No, Matt. I promise," she said raising her hand. "I'm a big girl, Matt. Don't worry so much."
She kissed him on the cheek and sent him on his way. Matthew turned back to look at her before he closed the door. It would take him about an hour to get there and back. She would be safe. Once downstairs he looked up one more time and saw her standing at the window. She blew him a kiss. She'll be safe. Besides it was the nightmares she was fighting not an immortal.
That was the last he saw of her.
April 1997, Seacouver
Richie unlocked the doors to the dojo. It was only 3:00. He stopped. Whew! What was that smell? It smelled like something died in.....
"Hello? Is anyone here?" Richie took out his sword from the duffel bag he carried, though he could not feel an immortal. He turned on the lights. Right in the middle of the dojo he saw someone tied to a chair, a sword's tip protruding from his back. Richie flinched and headed towards the chair. Untiing the hands he noticed it was a woman.
She had been tied up and the sword plunged into her chest. Dead a while, he surmised. That's where the smell was coming from, all that blood. Taking a towel from his bag he put it around the sword that was in her and pulled it out. He lifted her head. By the looks of it she had been beaten pretty badly. Her eyes were swollen shut and her lips were bruised. He looked around, feeling the faint buzz of an immortal. Looking down he realized it was coming from her. Good! No need to get the cops involved. He untied her arms and legs and settled her on the floor. This would take a few minutes. He headed towards the showers and set to cleaning her sword. It was a beauty. The hilt looked to be antique gold. Five stones graced the handled. Four amethysts and a diamond. The blade was as long as his own.
Her presence was stronger as he headed back out. He bent over and saw the bruises on her face were almost gone.
"Who...are..you?" Staring at the well built red-head before her, she winced at the pain of the hole in her chest closing. Her head was throbbing.
"Ryan, Richie Ryan."
He helped her up. She wobbled, holding on to his arm.
Her eyes took him in. I'm still alive. Why didn't he take my head?
Richie felt uncomfortable at her stare."Umm...what are you doing here?" he said, wishing she would stop staring at him.
"I don't know....Look can I clean up. I can't go out looking like this?" she said gesturing to her dress, which was covered in blood "How far are we from Park Avenue? I need to get back home."
"Park Avenue, as in New York?" Richie just stared her. She thinks she's in New York. Oh oh! Trouble.
"Yes, New York, as in the Big Apple." She took the sword from his hand. Noticing it was clean she smiled and thanked him.
"Lady, you are about a couple of thousand miles off." All of a sudden he wanted her gone. He didn't need any trouble, especially with Mac not here.
"Where exactly am I then?"
"Seacouver. Charlie DeSalvo's dojo to be exact." Richie backed away as he saw her raise her sword.
"What am I doing here? The last thing I remember Matt was getting us dinner...," she said mostly to herself. Matt! Oh, no! "Do you have a phone I can use? I need to call my husb...Matt."
Richie motioned to the office. Five seconds later she appeared. She was upset.
"Is there something wrong?"
"My number has been disconnected." Disconnected. Where was Matthew? She eyed Richie again, this time she pointed her sword at him suspiciously. She took a step toward him. He'd had enough sense to get his sword. He now lifted it and prepared for an attack.
Another step taken, then another. She was preparing to make her move.
"Look, lady. I have nothing to do with this. I just flew in from Paris to find you here dead. If I wanted your head I would have taken it while you were tied up."
She saw the veins in his head pulsing. The brunette could tell he had been prepared for an attack. She was barely audible when she spoke. "I'm sorry. I'm just not thinking clearly. What day is it today?" she said lowering the blade.
"It's Saturday," he said not lowering his sword.
"Saturday!? I've been dead for two days?"
It was obvious she had no idea what had happened. Being dead for two days in a strange place and finding out your phone was cut off would make him a little jumpy. Richie lowered his weapon and spoke. "The place was locked up and the alarm was on. No one could have gotten in here without setting it off.....Look why don't I take you upstairs and you can get cleaned up. Then we can try and figure out what happened."
He took her by the hand and led her to the lift. Too exhausted she conceded. Upstairs she quickly looked at the surroundings. The place was full of antiques. To the right, there was an antique wood table. On the left there was a sofa with a big, square coffee table. Everything was in good taste.
Richie left her there while he ran the shower. Some place! This kid must have inherited a bundle or else....a thief! Great!. How do I always seem to find the winners? she thought.
"Uhh...lady, the shower is running." He still didn't know her name.
Why is it men are always running the shower for me? Maybe because you are either drenched in sweat or blood, she laughed to herself. "I'm sorry. Maria. Maria Rios. Do you think you could find something for me to wear? I don't think I can leave with this dress on."
Richie nodded. She sure recovered fast!
She went into the bathroom and stepped into the shower. As she felt the hot water against her skin, she tensed. Seacouver! What am I doing here? She washed the blood out of her hair and watched it swirl down the drain. If an immortal did this, why didn't he take my head. Why leave me here to be found? Maybe he knew there was another immortal here. One who *would* take my head. But why not just challenge me? Maybe it wasn't an immortal. She shook her head trying to think clearly. Stepping out of the shower she dried herself. Wrapping the towel around herself she walked toward the living room and saw Richie searching in a drawer.
"Find anything?" Hopefully he *entertained* often and had some woman's clothes still here.
"Everything's too big. Here's a t-shirt in the meantime."
Turning around he smiled. She was pretty. Her hair was dark and curly. Her eyes were back to normal. They were large, brown, with a hint of mischief. Her skin was a light, creamy olive. Legs were toned as were her arms. The lips that had been bruised just a few minutes ago had healed. They were full lips, the kind that models paid to have.
"Can I have the shirt or are you just going to stare at me all day?"
Richie blushed and tossed her the shirt. Slipping it over her head she let the towel drop to the floor.
"I'm not planning on staying here. Buy these things for me? I have to get back to New York. I'll pay you as soon as I get there."
She handed him the list. "Sure, I...I just have to clean downstairs first." She sure was pushy."This is some list, lady." This was going to clear his account.
"The name's Maria. Use it. Besides women never travel light," she smirked.
Richie shrugged and headed downstairs.
Maria touched the tip of the sword, drawing blood from her finger. The wound closed immediately. To be killed by her sword once again. It suddenly hit her. Could it be.... No! It couldn't be. Or could it? Did he find out where she was? Was he taunting her? She shook her head. No. It's been a year. Calm down. But where was Matthew? She reached for the phone and called the doorman of her building. Sam might have some answers.
"Sam? Hi, it's Miss Rios."
"Senorita Rios. Como estas?" Sam exaggerated the roll in the r's. He had been in the US for 30 years, spoke perfect English. Yet whenever he met someone who spoke Spanish that was what he spoke in.
"Estoy bien, gracias. Sam can you tell me if anyone has been asking about me in the last couple of days?"
"Not in the last two days, no. But on Tuesday there was someone here who did. I was not on duty that day, but David mentioned that your lawyer was here to cancel your lease on your behalf. I was very surprised. You never said anything. I thought you loved it here."
"I do. Have you seen Senor McCormick?" Her heart raced, hoping he had seen him.
"The last time I saw him was on Thursday, senorita. He said he was going to get dinner. I never saw him return. Is everything ok, senorita?"
"Yes, yes. Do me favor, please? If you see Matthew can you tell him that I am in Seacouver? He can contact me at...uhhh...Charlie DeSalvo's dojo. Also when David gets there have him call me." David could give her a description of her *lawyer.*
"David is on vacation. But if I see the senor I will give him the message. You take care of yourself."
She hung up the phone. Someone had canceled her lease. Who? The why was obvious. The person wanted her here in Seacouver. Sensing an immortal she picked up her sword. The lift opened. Richie. Good. She took the bag from him. Looking inside she said, "Good job, Richie. You've done this before?" She didn't wait for his reply.
He sat down. He had stopped by Joe's to see if he could get some information on her. Joe wasn't there. Watching her move to the bathroom with sword in tow, he frowned. Did she still think he was responsible for her situation? She seemed to have cleared her head. Mac would be here soon. His plane should have landed 15 minutes ago. It would take him another 20 mintues to get here. He would hand this problem over to him. It *was* his expertise after all.
"So, Richie. What do you do that you can afford all this stuff?"
He watched her move towards him. The black jeans and scoop neck sweater did her justice. The short sleeves showed off her sinewy arms. She had put her hair in a french twist letting curls frame her face. "It's not mine. Belongs to Mac. He owns the dojo downstairs too."
"Mac? Is he immortal too?"
Richie nodded.
She put on the leather ankle boots. Her face only had a hint of makeup. "I need to ask you another favor. I need a place to stay." she said nonchalantly.
"I thought you were going back to New York, Park Avenue wasn't it?" This worried him. Why was she staying? Mac, where are you?
She shrugged. "I called the doorman from my building. Someone pretending to be my lawyer canceled my lease. Whoever he was, apparently wants me to be in Seacouver. I don't plan on leaving until I find out why. I told him I could be reached here."
"Mac will be here soon. He'll come up with a plan," he said confidently.
"I don't *need* a *plan*. I need a place to stay," she said raising her voice.
She knew she was being rude, but she didn't need a plan, not yet.
"Look, I was the one who found *you* dead, in *Mac's* dojo. What if somehow he is involved in this? He needs to know."
He was getting angry. Help someone out and they turn out to be ungrateful.
"I'm sorry. I appreciate you helping me and not taking my head. I just don't see how this Mac person could be involved. But I'll wait for him, just for you."
She sat down next to him. It would do no good to be on his bad side. He was the only one she knew in this town. They were each lost in their own thoughts when the phone rang. Richie got up and answered it.
"Hey, Mac. Where are you? Look we have a problem.... No. Nothing like that. Well...sort of. She's immortal. When will you get here? Tomorrow!... Yep, it that's serious.....I did. You think he'll help? Yea right. Tomorrow."
"He won't be here tonight. So what do we do now?"
"We're going to Joe's."
He handed her the leather jacket he had bought for her and headed towards the lift.
"Who is Joe? Another immortal?"
"No. Joe's a.....well...sort of friend. He might be able to help us out. He knows a lot about our kind."
"I don't see how. Unless..." she paused unsure if she should continue.
"Unless what?"
"Unless he's a Watcher," she said matter of factly.
Richie turned to look at her. She knew about the Watchers! He smiled. It's not such a secret organization is it Joe?
"Well? Is he?"
"Sure is. Mac's Watcher. And...he's always willing to help a pretty lady."
JOE'S
Adam Pierson sat at the bar, beer in hand. He was discussing with Joe for the hundreth time his travels around ancient Greece.
"Look Joe, it was pretty much the same as today." he smirked. He liked goading the watcher.
"Come on, Adam. How can you say that?"
"Joe, it's like this......" Adam stopped midsentence and slowly turned his head toward the door. Joe knew that meant an immortal was coming. But who? Ahhh! Richie. Joe noticed Adam did not take his eyes away from the door. Another immortal?
He saw a woman in her late twenties, early thirties dressed all in black standing behind Richie. He also saw how she grabbed his arm when she had sensed Adam. Richie whispered something into her ear and she seemed to relax. They walked over to the bar.
"Hi Joe, Adam. This is Maria Rios. She's....umm...new in town." He gestured to the men.
Adam looked at her. Nice, very nice.
"Maria...Joe Dawson and Adam Pierson."
She nodded to Adam, and extended her hand to the Watcher with the salt and pepper hair, and beard to match. His eyes were kind, yet very observant. He was sizing her up.
"Hello, it's nice to meet you."
"Is it?" Adam said, he was going to have fun with this one. She turned to face Adam.
"Well, not you. Joe actually." She smiled and turned her back on him to look at Joe. "Richie tells me you're a softy when it comes to helping ladies in distress."
Joe frowned at Richie. Great. Another immortal in need.
"I don't how I can be of help. I just own the bar," he said seriously. Adam laughed and stopped when Joe silenced him with his eyes.
"From what I hear," she whispered, leaning into the bar, " you like to *watch* certain *types* of people and record their lives."
"Richie....did you..."
She waved her hand at Joe and sat down on the stool. "Relax. I've known for years about the Watchers, Joe. Just never met one up close. I figured you would all be deformed somehow. Living vicariously through us. You're quite handsome, Joe. You can watch me anytime. And don't worry your secret is safe. I just need some information," she said teasingly.
"I can't interfere. If you're looking for some immortal, you are on your own." He hated being so abrasive, especially to a woman, but there was no way he would put himself or anyone else in danger again.
He started to walk behind the bar when she grabbed his arm. Adam stood up to release her grip on the Watcher, but Richie motioned for him to sit down.
"Joe, I don't need to find an immortal," she said softly, " I need to find out what happened to me. I was dumped at the dojo, with my sword in my chest. Richie found me. My lease has been canceled and my phone disconnected. All I want to know is what my Watcher saw? That's all the information I want. Only you can help me with this." Her eyes looked into his and she released his arm.
Joe looked at the woman before him. Gone was the playful smile he had a witnessed a few minutes ago. It was replaced with determination.
Joe sighed. Great. As if I'm not already in the hot seat. "I'll see what I can do. Can't make any promises." Joe walked into his office and came back ten minutes later.
"I sent a message to your Watcher. He'll be calling back in about an hour."
"Thanks Joe."
She was going to ask Richie something when Adam spoke.
"Could it be man trouble? I've been around a while. I know practically all there is to know about women. Tell you what, run away with me and I'll make you forget all about it," Adam teased.
"Adam, is that your name? If I were having man trouble, you would be the last person I would go to for help. You've been around..... what ........ mmmmmm?........5000 years?" She let her words sink in before she continued "Methos, Methos, " she whispered, "when will you ever learn. Women will always be a mystery to men. Besides, I don't see women falling all over you. I guess they know better." She winked.
Adam and Joe looked over at Richie.
Richie grinned. He was beginning to like this. Maria was full of surprises. "Don't look at me. I didn't say a thing."
The men looked over at Maria. She gave them an innocent look and sat down at a nearby table. The men followed suit.
"How do you know who I am?" Adam knew it was no use denying he was really Methos.
"I have my sources. I know a lot of things," she paused, biting her lower lip, "except what happened two days ago."
Joe enjoyed the way she handled Methos. The only other woman who did that was Amanda. How old was she anyway? He'd find out soon enough. The four of them traded witty remarks, laughing at themselves and each other. Methos could not stop staring at her mouth. What would it be like to kiss it, to.....His thoughts were interrupted, when Mike motioned to Joe that he had a phone call.
"This might be it." The laughter stopped. Maria had been having fun, almost forgetting why she was really here. He was gone for five minutes and returned to the table.
"Joe? What have you got?" Richie asked.
"We don't have the whole story. It seems someone left your apartment on Thursday. A man. Tall, brown hair, two day growth on his face."
"That's Matthew....Matthew McCormick. He was with me that night. He went out to get dinner."
"You *know* McCormick?" Joe questioned.
"He's my ex-husband. Joe, you must know I was married to him. He decided to be my guardian when I went back to New York."
"I don't know the histories of every immortal, you know....just the interesting ones?"
"Oh, poo. Are you saying I'm not interesting," she eyed him mischievously, "Well, we'll have to change that won't we?" She laughed when she saw him redden.
"Uh..can we back to what the subject at hand. Maria, why do you need a guardian? Richie asked.
"I don't. Something happened a while ago that....well, let's just say it's fresh in my mind. He stayed around to make sure I was ok." Turning to Joe she asked, "Was his Watcher there?"
She was worried, thought Adam. About what? McCormick himself or that McCormick was the one who dumped her at Mac's.
"Yeah. His Watcher followed him to Chinatown and lost him there. Your Watcher said he saw you at the window. A minute later the lights went out. He figured you had gone back to bed. He waited about an hour. He saw someone enter the building. Your lights went back on and then off again. He figured that McCormick had come back. So he left to get dinner. An hour later at 3:00 a.m. he returned, but nothing happened so he reported what he saw and left."
"That's it? How did I wind up here?"
"He's going to look up your chronicles for the past three weeks. He was just assigned to you a week ago. He didn't know you were gone. He's catching the next plane out. He'll be here by morning."
Morning? That was ages away! I'm not going to be a sitting duck.
Richie took her hand"It'll be fine. Mac will be here tomorrow."
"What is *Mac* going to do!? If Joe doesn't know what's going on, how is he going to help?" Lowering her voice she said, "I'm sorry. Someone killed me and dumped me here. Canceled my lease. Matthew is nowhere to be found. He could be dead for all I know. And all you keep talking about is *Mac.*"
Methos knew this was just an act. She was scared, but didn't want to show it. On impulse he took her other hand. She didn't snatch it away like he expected her to. "Richie and I will watch over you 'til Mac gets in. We'll figure something out. If someone is after your head they won't get a chance to...."
Maria snatched her hands away from both men. Her eyes flared looking from one to the other. "I don't need any *man* fighting for me!! I can do that myself. What I need to know is who? Why didn't they just challenge me? There's more to it than wanting my head. We don't even know if it is an immortal!" she hissed.
"We didn't mean it that way. You can't win a fight if you're angry. We're trying to help," Richie said annoyed.
"I know. I'm sorry. Look can we get out of here." She stood up and both men followed her out.
They looked at each other, then at Joe. She couldn't be left alone. Whatever was going on she needed someone near. The three men had the same thought: Hunters.
After hearing Mac's message that his plane might be delayed once again, Richie and Methos played cards. After an hour, Maria wanted to spar. Richie was the first to comply. This could be fun. All three went downstairs. Methos sat on a bench waiting to see how good she was. Richie and Maria faced each other. As Mac had taught him, he bowed before the *fight* began. She wasted no time. In mid-bow, she sliced her sword across his back, shedding first blood and tearing his shirt. Richie recovered and took the defense. It had been less than 30 seconds and blood had already been shed. Methos smiled. This one was full of surprises. He charged and she blocked. The sound of metal hitting metal echoing throughout the dojo.
Maria lunged at Richie and missed when he feigned to the right. Turning, Richie's blade made a deep cut in her arm. He saw the blood start seeping. He paused unsure if he should proceed. Once again, she took the opening, rushing at him. Bringing her sword up she ripped his shirt open, exposing his chest and midriff. Just as quickly she brought it down and plunged it into his abdomen. Richie looked at her, saw the grin on her face as she extracted her sword, then passed out.
"Not bad, not bad at all," said Methos. Maria wrinkled up her nose at him.
Methos carried Richie to the lift and placed him on the bed. Handing him her sword, Methos cleaned it with care. She had fought fiercely and within five minutes her opponent lay dead.
Maria took off Richie's shirt, what remained of it. Methos watched her as she gently washed the blood off Richie's chest. She touched the lethal wound she had inflicted and watched it close.
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