She turned him on his side and cleaned off the dried blood off his back. Richie suddenly opened his eyes, the shock of awakening still surprising him. He looked at the woman who had killed him. He tried to be angry at her, but couldn't be.
She smiled and kissed him on the cheek.
"You're good, Richie. Maybe we can do it again tomorrow," she said trying not to laugh.
No way, he said to himself. Methos and Richie decided to play cards. Maria put a t-shirt she found in the armoire and went to bed.
Methos was amazed. She seemed so calm after all that had happened. Even after the *fight*. Most would be revved up, even though it was just practice. Not her. Cool and collected. He smiled. He'd find a way to unnerve her.
They watched as she slept. Soon they fell asleep to the rhthym of the rain that had started to fall.
At 3:00 a.m. they woke with a start.
"Nooo! Don't. Pleeasse!" Maria screamed as the sword lowered taking her head. Her quickening left her body. ‘It's not real, it's not real,' she screamed inside her head.
Methos and Richie were at her side in an instant.
"Maria, Maria. It's ok. We're here." Richie shook her until her eyes finally focused. Her arms went around him holding on tightly to the young immortal.
"The quickening. He took my quickening." She sobbed, burying her head in Richie's neck.
"It was just a dream. There's a thunderstorm going on." Richie whispered.
Lightening struck again and she jumped.
Adam gave her some water. Nightmares of being beheaded. The worst kind an immortal could have. Richie held her until the crying stopped.
"Go back to sleep. Joe will be here early morning, " commanded Methos. He had seen her lips trembling. The lips he longed to claim with his own.
"Richie, would you mind.... holding me until I fall asleep." Richie nodded. Methos watched them crawl under the covers and scowled.
In the morning Methos went downstairs to call Joe. He let Richie and Maria sleep. The day was full of promise; the sun was shining. Last night's episode long forgotten. After they figured out what was going on, he was going to take her out to dinner. Her attack on Richie had been fierce. She had been determined to take him down and she had. A woman like that would more than likely be fierce and determined in other areas as well.
Richie shifted. Why did his arm feel heavy? Opening his eyes he looked down. Maria. He had fallen asleep with his arm around her. She was lying on her side, her head on his chest, her arm on his lower abdomen. Great! If she moved that hand just a bit lower she'd be in for a surprise. He slowly tried to move her arm without waking her. She opened her eyes.
"I'm sorry," she said as she sat up. Richie rubbed his arm.
"It's ok. I guess Methos went to call Joe." He noticed Methos wasn't around.
"What time is it? Has Mac called?"
"It's 10:00 in the morning. I....." he was interrupted as Methos' voice came on over the intercom.
"Hey sleepyheads they're both on their way," he said.
"That's our cue. You can take a shower here. I'll take one downstairs and meet you there."
Maria agreed. "Richie?....Thanks for last night."
Richie nodded and went downstairs. She headed towards the bathroom and felt a sense of relief. Joe would have more information and Mac...Mac would....what? Who cares. If Joe had the information about what happened that night, and who did it, she would take care of the rest.
After her shower she looked in the bag with the clothes Richie had bought yesterday. She chose the blue jeans and the white, long sleeved top that fit snugly. Putting her shoulder length hair in a pony tail, she grabbed her sword and headed downstairs.
"They'll be here soon," Richie said when he saw her. She filled out that shirt really well.
Methos walked toward her and stopped when he saw her pointing the sword at him. Methos' turn, Richie laughed.
"How about a little practice, old man?" She charged. He retreated.
"You've got to be kidding," Methos said, his accent heavier than last night.
"Come on, Methos. I need to relieve some tension before they get here. Now how about it."
The sword came up and sliced through the air. Methos grabbed a sword from the wall.
"I can think of better ways to release tension," he whispered.
Maria blushed, taken aback but continued her attack.
So, the lady can blush. He'd remember that for future reference. Methos advanced, trying to back her up against a wall. She fought back fiercely, her sword breaking through his jeans and the flesh of his thigh. He took the offense. In an unexpected move, he caught her arm as she was about to strike, and twisted it around her back, catching the other arm as well. Their backs were to Richie. He lowered his head, detecting the faint smell of jasmine. He put his face near hers, so that his lips were next to her ear. Maria tried not to shake as she felt his body against hers.
"Are you sure you want to continue?" he murmured.
His breath was warm against her skin. It had been so long since she had......She tried to release herself from his grip and the thought, but he held on tight.
"You know, I might just do to you what you did to Richie yesterday. Although, I think you might prove to be better viewing material."
The reference to Richie's shirt, made her blush even more.
Richie cleared his throat.
"Guys, Dawson's here."
Releasing her, Methos looked at her. Her face still red. His hand came up to her temple to brush away a stray curl, then touched her lower lip. Maria looked at him, trying not to show the effect he was having on her.
Richie cleared his throat again. Turning, they walked over to Joe who was standing near the entrance of the dojo amused at what he had seen. He approached with some books in hand.
Maria spoke first, her voice cracking a bit. "What did you find out Joe?" She could still feel Methos' breath on her neck and she shivered.
Before he could answer the three immortals looked over his shoulder. Joe knew it had to be Duncan. Great! Just great!
"Guess Mac is here," the Watcher said, "Why don't you guys wait in the office and I'll fill him in."
Methos wondered why Joe wanted them out of site. The three immortals headed toward the office.
"Joe." Duncan nodded at his friend as he entered the dojo. He saw the three immortals heading to his office. He also noticed that Richie and Methos were on either side of the woman who had been killed in his dojo. A bit protective, he thought amused.
"Hey guys, what kind of greeting is this?" he teased.
The three turned around at the same time. Maria and Duncan locked eyes.
Methos started to lead her toward Mac but was met with resistance. Richie continued toward Mac. Maria looked at Methos.
" Methos, what is going on?" she whispered.
"Huh? MacLeod is here. Maybe he knows what this is all about" he said confused.
"Why Methos? Why the set up?" She looked towards where Duncan stood and their eyes met again.
"I don't know what you're talking about. That's Mac. We were waiting for him. Let's go," he said pointing to the Highlander.
Her eyes narrowed. "I know who he is."
Duncan didn't know why the woman and Methos hadn't approached. He started to walk towards them when he suddenly realized who she was.
"Maria? Is that you? What are you doing here?" Duncan smiled and dropped his bag. Duncan had not seen her since 1982.....
He and Tessa were living in Paris. He had sensed an immortal and saw her walking over to the table where they were. Introductions were made and Tessa invited her to join them. It had been a pleasant afternoon. Tessa and Maria had gotten along extremely well. He never told Tessa that she was immortal or that they had once been involved.....
Maria! It had been a long time. He walked towards them.
He stopped when he saw her kick Methos behind the knee. It caught him by surprise. Methos grunted and fell to the floor. Grabbing his hair she brought her sword to his neck.
"Don't come any closer, Duncan or I *will* take his head. I can't believe this! This was all a setup wasn't it! Why didn't you just challenge me *Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod*. Have you lost your honor? Why all the dramatics?" she sneered.
"I don't know what you are talking about. I wouldn't challenge you." Duncan recognized that look in her eyes. It was anger, and he knew all to well that when she was angry she was destructive. Still, he started to approach again. Maria drew blood from Methos' neck.
"I'll kill him Duncan. I'm sure you don't want me to take his quickening."
"Maria, I'm not your enemy. It's just me, Duncan. I've known you since you were a child. I would never hurt you."
Maria laughed, a laugh that chilled them all especially Methos as he felt the blade dig deeper. "You wouldn't? Funny. That's not what I remember. I want all of you to back up against the wall."
"Maria, Mac is here to help you." Richie said backing away.
"All of you set me up. I can't believe I fell for this. I'm getting soft in my old age. It's against the rules. One on one remember?" She turned to Joe. "And you Joe, I thought you couldn't interfere." They all heard the disgust in her voice. "Did you have so little confidence in *your* immortal that you used my sword against me so he could finish what he started.....Back up, now!"
When the men had reached the wall Maria told Methos to stand, the blade still at his neck. They both walked towards the door. Removing her sword from his neck she plunged it in his back. He fell with a thud. She looked at the men against the wall, pointing her sword at Duncan.
"I'll be back for you Duncan. On my terms."
Before she could make it through the door, she fell as two bullets entered her back.
Go to CHAPTER 3
Return To Library
Go Back Home
Get your own Free Home Page