"Highlander" and its associated names and characters are the trademarks and property of Davis/Panzer Productions Inc. All rights reserved. All characters mentioned in "After the Night" except for Ceirdwyn and Duncan, are the property of Monica Veasey as well as the storyline.

Ceirdwyn sat, gazing out of the airplane window. She had to leave Paris--had to adjust once again to the loss of a beloved husband. It wasn't the first time she'd seen a mate die before her eyes in violence. She only hoped it would be the last!

Stephen was shot and killed along with herself by street punks for a few dollars! What a waste. Stephen had many more good years of life--a life together with her. Well, at least she had killed the killer! Still, it wasn't enough. It never was. She would have to live with it again. How many more times would she be able to give a part of her soul away and still have enough of herself left to survive? she wondered.

Ceirdwyn leaned back in her seat and let her mind drift away to another time, another place, another lover. She didn't want to think about the last time she lost a husband to violence, but she was unable to stop the thoughts which began to drift into her consciousness.

It was 1898, Ceirdwyn was living as Katherine McKean with her husband, Sebastian in Buloxi Mississippi. She and Sebastian had been married for six years now and Ceirdwyn was wondering how to tell him she was an immortal. She had been meaning to tell him long before now, but for some reason never did. Now, after six years of marriage, while he had aged a tiny bit, she had not. Soon, she knew he would begin to wonder. Yes, tonight after the closing of the riverboat, she would finally tell him.

Ceirdwyn and Sebastian ran a large riverboat called, The Mississippi Queen, which financially, was doing quite well. The riverboat provided good food, drinks of all kinds, and considerable gambling. Every night it was filled with the sounds of people talking, laughing and money being won and lost. Never one to sit at home and 'play house', Ceirdwyn helped run the riverboat.

The night was going well with many customers enjoying the gambling, southern cuisine and drinks the Queen offered. At 3:00 am, as hostess, Ceirdwyn shuffled out the last of the riverboat's many patrons.

"Katherine, called Sebastian, heading up the stairway to the office, "I think we did quite well tonight."

"Yes, I believe we did, Sebastian," she called, following him up. "I'll leave Robert to lock up. I need to discuss something with you before we go home." Ceirdwyn decided that it would be best to tell Sebastian here rather than at home. That way, if things didn't go as she had planned, she could always walk the long way home to think things over.

After counting out the night's profits, Sebastian began putting the money away in the safe. Ceirdwyn came over, leaned down and put her arms around him, hugging him close. "You know, Kat, with tonight's profits I think we can finally afford to take that long honeymoon you wanted. We can take a couple of month's off and go to London, Rome, Paris."

Sebastian stood up and pulled his wife into his arms. "How does that sound?"

"That sounds wonderful, Sebastian," she said quietly, "but first I really need to tell you something."

"What is it Kat? You sound serious?" he asked as she slowly pulled away from him.

"Sebastian, I. . . What was that?" Suddenly Ceirdwyn's warrior nature took over as she heard a noise coming from downstairs.

"I didn't hear anything, Katherine. Besides, it's probably just Robert locking up. Now, what did you want to tell me?"

"No. It isn't Robert. Stay here until I get back," she said heading for the doorway.

Sebastian caught her arm. "Wait! There is no way I'm going to let my wife investigate a strange noise. You wait here."

"Sebastian, I can take care of myself!" she said, slightly irritated at being told to 'wait'.

"I know that Katherine, but please. Will you wait here for just a few minutes, please?"

Not wanting to upset Sebastian, especially with what she had to tell him, she decided to let him go check it out. "All right," she said, "go ahead, but be careful!"

It wasn't long after Sebastian walked out of the office that Ceirdwyn felt it---the buzz of another immortal! "Sebastian, wait!" she called, rushing out after him. Ceirdwyn stopped at the top of the stairs looking down at a scene that chilled her soul! Sebastian was being held with a sword to his neck by an old immortal 'friend'.

"Matthew." Ceirdwyn's cold steely voice echoed down the stairway.

"Hello, Ceirdwyn, my sweet!" the tall immortal answered.

Sebastian looked at his wife standing at the top of the stairs in her beautiful sky blue hostess gown, her hair piled high on her head, looking every inch a queen--except for the sword she held tightly by her side! "Katherine???" he whispered.

Ceirdwyn quickly sized up the situation--Matthew wouldn't immediately kill Sebastian. He knew Matthew was the only thing standing in her way of taking his head! No, he wouldn't risk his shield...not yet.

Ceirdwyn could also see what had happened to her guard, Robert. He was laying face down to her left, by the front entrance. Whether he was dead or merely unconscious, she didn't know. Time to find that out later. Right now she had an old "friend" to deal with.

"Release him, Matthew," she said, keeping her voice calm. "He's not part of this."

"Ceirdwyn my love! Whey don't you come down here where we can talk? I think I'll just hang onto this trophy for a bit if you don't mind." He smiled warmly, but Ceirdwyn knew that smile only too well--the way his blue eyes sparkled, that wide grin. She had seen him smile like that before and knew it to be deceptive, as was he.

"I can hear you just fine from here," Ceirdwyn responded. "What do you want?"

Sebastian had been very quiet and still throughout the exchanges between this stranger and his wife, Katherine, who this man kept referring to as someone called, "Kidwin". Obviously his wife had left out certain parts of her past during their six year marriage! However, with a sword to his throat, there wasn't much he could do right now. Time for discussions later.

"As much as I enjoy gazing upon your beautiful visage, Ceirdwyn, I must insist that you come closer. And just to make sure I don't have to repeat myself--" with that said, Matthew brought the sword close to Sebastian's neck, causing a small cut right above his adam's apple.

Sebastian grimaced but didn't yell out. He didn't want to alarm Katherine and instinctively knew this man would deem that a weakness--and that would be deadly!

Ceirdwyn saw the slight movement of the blade and saw her husband grimace with pain. She clinched her teeth but saying nothing she slowly descended the stairway--fire in her eyes. He would pay dearly for that! she thought to herself. When she reached the bottom of the stairs she stopped, her sword still tight in her right hand.

"Ah, that's better. Now, walk slowly over to that table please," he said indicating a table to his left.

Ceirdwyn wondered as to why he hadn't ordered her to drop her sword. Perhaps he knew she would never give up her sword. Or maybe he wanted her to try something just so he could have the pleasure of killing her husband! Should she try something? she wondered. She knew that any second Matthew could end Sebastian's life with no more than a small movement of his sword. No, she couldn't afford to wait.

Ceirdwyn was facing Matthew about four feet away. She carefully calculated the distance to him, her sword's reach, her arm's length--yes, she could do it. She devised a plan all without moving her eyes or even blinking.

Slowly she took one large step toward Matthew, at the same time beginning to turn to her right, appearing to move to the table indicated by him. With her long, full gown, Matthew couldn't be sure how large her step was towards him. She was hoping he would assume she was taking a smaller step and not see her as a threat. If he did, she would lose Sebastian in a second!

As she took this step, she lowered her head slightly, symbolizing defeat and hoping to make Matthew lower his guard--just a little. It would be all she would need! When Ceirdwyn made that first step she quickly brought her sword up, knocking Matthew's sword away from Sebastian's throat. Sebastian reacted as she hoped he would by dropping to the floor and rolling to her right and out of harms way.

Ceirdwyn's sword was in both of her hands now, and she was fighting mad! Matthew never lost his grip on his sword and was ready for her, backing up two steps toward the front entrance.

"No more than I expected, my sweet!" he purred, his sword slamming against hers!

"Why did you come back?!" she screamed, her sword catching his and pushing it to the ground to her right.

Matthew quickly twisted around, his back to Ceirdwyn and smashing his left elbow into her chin, knocking her to the ground.

As she was falling, she brought her sword around and sliced into the backs of his knees.

"Damn!" he shouted as he fell forward onto the floor. All of this took only moments as Sebastian came running to his wife's side.

Ceirdwyn never took her eyes off Matthew, but Sebastian blocked her view for a few seconds in his efforts to assist her. "Move!" she screamed at him, pushing him away with her left hand. Ceirdwyn knew it was much too dangerous for her to lose sight of Matthew for even an instant! But is was already too late as Matthew pulled a small pistol from his vest, turned and aimed directly at Ceirdwyn! Sebastian turned at just that moment, noticed what Matthew was doing and shouting, "No!" he jumped in front of his wife just as the bullet came racing out of the barrel!

The bullet pierced Sebastian in the chest and he fell forward onto Matthew, gravely injured.

"Noooo!" screamed Ceirdwyn. Before she could reach them both, Matthew had pushed Sebastian off of him and pulled his sword up to meet the challenge of Ceirdwyn. He was already feeling the healing in his legs. In a few more moments he would be able to stand.

The challenge he expected never came as Ceirdwyn ignored him and instead rushed to where Sebastian lay, kneeling by his side. She noticed the blood spreading slowly from his wound onto his white shirt and this cut into her heart, as if she herself were the one injured.

With her sword in her left hand she kept one eye on Matthew and gently stroked Sebastian's chest, trying to discern the extent of his injury. Even though she didn't want to admit it, she knew his was a fatal wound.

Ceirdwyn slowly turned her cold steely eyes to Matthew, who was already starting to rise, "You will pay for this," she calmly told him as she got to her feet.

"You had better see to your husband, Ceirdwyn. He may still live," said Matthew, trying to buy time until his legs were healed enough to flee. He knew he was no match for Ceirdwyn at this time!

Ceirdwyn stood perfectly still. She was not going to let Matthew escape her justice this time! She took one step toward Matthew when Sebastian groaned.

Ceirdwyn glanced at her husband. This was the opening Matthew had been waiting for as he stood up, his legs now healed and headed toward the front door of the riverboat. "Maybe next time, my dear," he called to her as he ran away.

Ceirdwyn started to run after him when she heard Sebastian groan a second time and weakly call her name. "Katherine," he called, coughing.

She looked toward the opened door, then back to Sebastian, weighing her need for revenge against the love she held for her husband. Quickly she ran to Sebastian, kneeling beside him and taking his head onto her lap.

"Sebastian, my love. Hold on, I'll get a physician," she softly said, the warrior in her gone now and replaced by the loving wife.

"No, there's no time."

Ceirdwyn took his hand in hers, "Don't say that, please, Sebastian!"

"Katherine, I love you..." he said as his voice weakened with every syllable.

"No, Sebastian! Don't leave me, please!"

And suddenly he was gone. The life drained out of his body--everything he was, was now gone forever.

Ceirdwyn's scream pierced the cool night air as Matthew turned back to the Mississippi Queen and smiled.

****************** "Would you care for another drink?" asked the Flight Attendant.

"Oh, yes, please," replied Ceirdwyn, as she was startled back into the present. As she sipped on her second drink she remembered that after Sebastian died was when she vowed never to get seriously involved with a mortal without telling them who and what she was! She felt guilty for years after that incident thinking that if she had only told Sebastian she was immortal, he wouldn't have jumped in front of that bullet meant for her. But then again, Sebastian was not the kind of man who would stand by and let his wife get shot--immortal or not!

She searched vigorously for Matthew for more than 20 years after Sebastian's funeral and off and on through the years until she met Steven.

Ceirdwyn fell in love with Steven as soon as she set eyes on him! She felt it was fate. Living as long as Ceirdwyn had, she knew there were more things in heaven and earth than could be explain logically. Fate was one of them.

Steven had simply bumped into her on a street in Paris, knocking packages from her arms. He stopped to help pick them up and when their eyes met, Ceirdwyn was in love. She learned later that it had happened the same way for Steven.

Steven had such sweetness in his eyes, she remembered. Ceirdwyn began to softly sob when she realized she would never again look into those beautiful eyes.

"Stop it Ceirdwyn!" she chided herself. "He's gone and there's nothing you can do to bring him back."

She remembered after she told Steven what she was and about her search for Matthew how he had simply said, "Hasn't it been long enough, Ceirdwyn? It's time to let go," and she had. She had given up trying to find Matthew right then, for Steven. For 15 years she had not attempted to find him. But now Steven was gone and so was her promise!

Yes! This is what she would live for--revenge! No, she thought, not revenge, but justice. As her plane landed in New York, Ceirdwyn quickly booked a flight to Buloxi Mississippi. This is where she would begin her search for Matthew. Ceirdwyn had a good friend who lived there and would help her in her search.

Ceirdwyn called Ada Wallace from the airport to let her know to expect her. Ada, as she was known now, was a close friend of Ceirdwyn's from way back. In fact, Ada was the best female immortal friend Ceirdwyn had. And she was a great computer whiz to boot!

Yes, Ceirdwyn thought, Ada would know where to find Matthew--or at least HOW to find him. And it would be good to see her again as well.

Ceirdwyn was met at the airport by Ada who drove her to her apartment in town. Ada was 6' with broad shoulders, long legs and short blond hair. She had been Ceirdwyn's friend for over 400 years. Ada now worked as a computer programmer for a large company based in Buloxi. The last time they had seen each other was at Sebastian's funeral. Ada had been living in New Orleans at the time and came up to be with her friend. She had tried to stop Ceirdwyn from going after Matthew--for even though Ada looked like a warrior (and had been at one time in her long life), she had stayed out of the game for many years and preferred peace to fighting. Although peaceful, she was no fool as she still carried a sword and was well practiced.

They arrived at Ada's small apartment and after she brought two glasses of wine from the kitchen, they both sat down on the sofa.

"So, Ceirdwyn, what's up?

Ceirdwyn took a long sip of her white wine and sighed. "After Steven's death I had to get away from Paris. I needed to heal the wounds left by his passing. I needed a friend to be with."

"Right. The last time a husband of yours died, you went headhunting. Since I know that Steven wasn't killed by one of us--who are you hunting for this time?" Having lived a long time, Ada was a bit cynical and she also knew Ceirdwyn quite well.

"Well, you don't beat around the bush, do you Ada?"

"No, and neither do you. Now, who are you looking for and how can I help?"

"Matthew," Ceirdwyn stated simply. It was all she needed to say.

Ada's eyes widened. "Matthew?" Why him? I thought you had decided to forget about him."

"I did--for awhile. After Steven died, the promise I made to him to leave Matthew be, was over. I need justice for Sebastian, Ada. I've waited over 100 years to see it done and I won't wait any longer. Can you help me find him?" Ceirdwyn took another drink of her wine. After all this time the mere thought of Matthew was still enough to get her fires of anger burning again.

"Maybe. It might take some time to track him down. And he may even be dead already."

"No. He's not dead. I would know," Ceirdwyn stated flatly, through clenched teeth.

Ada said nothing for a few moments. " I'd have to run several computer searches and we still might not be able to come up with anything."

"I have complete faith in your abilities, Ada. I know you will find something and there are several things we can use to find him."

"Such as?"

"Wherever Matthew is, he will be surrounded by wealth and women--two of his most favorite things in this world. And also, he loves to gamble. I can't see him giving that up," Ceirdwyn said finishing her drink.

Ada poured Ceirdwyn and herself more wine from the bottle she had thought to bring in along with the glasses. She and Ceirdwyn always drank at least one bottle of wine whenever they got together.

"Ok, those are things we can work with. Do you have any idea what names he could be using?"

"I know of a few."

"Even with that data, we could run through millions of names!"

Ceirdwyn smiled, "Maybe, but I'm sure there can't be that many who were around when headless bodies starting showing up."

"Hmmm, good idea," replied Ada. "And it wouldn't hurt to sharpen your skills before you meet him again, Ceirdwyn. I assume you have stayed in practice even though you were happily married?"

"Always," answered Ceirdwyn.

"Good. Then tomorrow morning I will begin the computer search and in the afternoon we will have our practice sessions. It will be good to have a competent opponent for a change. Especially if she is your old teacher!"

Ceirdwyn smiled, "You always were a good student! Tomorrow we begin!" she said as she downed the last of her wine. **************************

The next morning Ada left Ceirdwyn at her apartment while she went into her office to begin the search for Matthew. She felt Ceirdwyn would be bored just sitting around waiting for the computer to do its job, so Ada suggested that Ceirdwyn take a walk around town until they could meet for lunch. Ceirdwyn agreed, not one to sit idly by and just watch.

After Ada left, Ceirdwyn decided to take a walk down to the docks, just to get out of the house and kill some time before lunch. She dressed in dark blue slacks, white silk blouse and threw on a long sweater over which she slung her purse and headed out the door.

After walking several blocks, Ceirdwyn became lost in thoughts of Steven--of how she had always tried to protect him from harm and how on that one night she had failed. She was walking with her head down and arms folded across her chest when suddenly a man ran by her, grabbing her purse strap and knocking her down in the process.

Remembering what had happened the last time she was confronted with thieves, she hesitated for only a second thinking she should let it go--that Steven's life wasn't worth risking for her purse. Then she remembered that Steven was dead. This made her extremely angry all over again and she quickly jumped to her feet in pursuit of the thief who had taken a turn into an alleyway.

Ceirdwyn followed him down the alley until both found themselves at a dead end. Trapped like a rat! Ceirdwyn thought and smiled.

However, the man had other plans for her, as he pulled out a large knife and began waving it at her. "Don't you know better 'en to chase a man down an alley, lady?" he asked. He wasn't intending to kill her, just scare her off so he could get away. It had worked plenty of times in the past.

"I'll be damned if I let anyone else take from me again!" shouted Ceirdwyn, her eyes blazing with anger's fire.

The man had never seen such hatred in a woman's eyes before and instinctively took a step backwards. Then he remembered he was the one armed, and this lady wasn't . She also wasn't very big so he figured he would just cut her a little bit to scare her off. "Look lady, I don't want to hurt ya, so just step aside whilst I leave."

"Not a chance." Ceirdwyn stood her ground. "It was scum like you who took away the thing I cherished the most in this life. You'll take nothing else from me today," she said as she moved slowly in closer to the man.

He was sure the sight of the knife would have scared her off by now. He had scared plenty of people in the past just by waving it in their face. This woman was different. "Have it yer way, lady!" he said as she slashed out with the knife cutting Ceirdwyn lightly across her right arm.

Ceirdwyn screamed. But it was not a scream of fear that the man heard. It was one of rage as Ceirdwyn pulled her sword from under her sweater, knocking the knife from the man's hand. Stunned, the man dropped her purse and backed up, away from this crazy woman! Where had that sword come from? What was she doing?!

Ceirdwyn felt her warrior's blood flowing through her veins now, her heart pumping wildly-- she was back in the past, fighting the Romans! She slashed at the man's left arm, his right shoulder! He kept backing away from her until he could no longer retreat as he slammed into a brick wall.

"Stop it lady! Please!" he screamed in terror. He had never come up against such a warrior before!

Ceirdwyn kept slashing at him, though the wounds were not deep. She wanted him to feel pain--the pain she had felt and was still feeling. She slashed at his right thigh, then his left calf. The man went down on his knees, covering his head with his bloody arms. "Mercy!" he cried.

At the sound of that word, Ceirdwyn suddenly stopped. She stood there shaking uncontrollably. She looked down at the pitiful human being who was cowering before her. "Get up!" she ordered.

He looked at her, afraid to move.

"Get up!" she yelled again.

The man slowly got to his feet, his hands held up in surrender.

Ceirdwyn brought her sword's point under his chin and pressed lightly. ""You are never to accost anyone again. Is that understood?" she stated in clear, strong tones.

"Yee--es," the man stammered.

"Because if you ever do this again, I will hunt you down and slice you to ribbons! And there will be no mercy on that day. Now, get out of here---run!"

The man obeyed by running as fast as his shaking legs would carry him, out of the alley.

Ceirdwyn felt across her shoulder where she was cut and found the wound already healed. She picked up her purse, tucked her sword back under her sweater and slowly began her walk back to Ada's apartment to change. Somehow this incident had been a sort of cleansing experience for her. She felt better. She had wanted to kill the man more than anything, but had not. Somewhere deep inside her, she realized something about herself today. She was not a killer. But she would still have justice!

Ceirdwyn went back to Ada's apartment showered and changed into a light blue silk blouse and black slacks, decided to forgo the sweater, grabbed her purse and headed back out the door. She decided not to go back down to the docks. She had enough of those sights for one day and decided instead to head straight for the restaurant Ada has chosen for their lunch. After hailing a taxicab, she leaned back and relaxed for the short ride.

The restaurant was large, brightly lit and cheery--just want she needed. The hostess guided her to a table by the window to the back where it overlooked a large meadow which ran down to the gulf of Mexico. Ceirdwyn decided on a glass of white wine while she waited on Ada. After receiving her glass of wine, she became lost in the view. The day was bright and sunny with seagulls darting here and there, children playing, people walking, talking, living.

Ceirdwyn didn't notice how much time had passed until she felt the familiar buzz of another immortal. She quickly scanned the restaurant and noticed Ada being led to her table.

"Hi. How has your day been going so far?" she asked, taking her seat. "I'll have a white wine also and order in a few minutes," she told the hostess.

"Fine. Just taking in the sights," replied Ceirdwyn. She didn't feel like going all through her adventure with Ada just yet. "So, what have you found out so far?"

"Well, nothing much really," replied Ada.

"Your wine," interrupted their waitress, putting the glass along with a paper napkin underneath it on the table.

"Thank you. I think we will order now. Bring us two specials with strawberry shortcake for dessert." Ada decided that she was hungry and didn't care to wait any longer to order.

"Right. Two chicken fried steak plates," the waitress replied, writing it down on her pad as she turned and left.

Ceirdwyn wrinkled her nose at Ada's selection.

"I saw that," said Ada. "Ceirdwyn I do believe you have become a food snob, living in Paris as long as you have! You'll like this, I promise. And besides, the fat and grease won't kill us will it?" she laughed.

Ceirdwyn laughed with her. "No, I guess it won't at that." Ada's laughter was infectious and just what Ceirdwyn needed. "Now, tell me what you found out about Matthew's whereabouts."

"Like I said before, nothing much. But I am narrowing down the places where he could be. All I need to do is keep on with what I'm doing. I'm afraid this will take longer than I at first anticipated."

This was not what Ceirdwyn wanted to hear. She wanted Matthew now! Wanted to see him dead. How could she be patient when she had waited so long already?

"I know, I know," said Ada, "you want Matthew now. I understand that, Ceirdwyn, but what else can we do? We can't go house to house in every home in America, can we?"

"If I thought we'd find him that way, I would do just that!" she said. "Ada, I'm so miserable I can't stand it! And there's nothing I can do about it!"

"Ceirdwyn, why don't you travel? Maybe that will help. Get out of this rinky dink town. I know how rough it is for you to just sit and wait."

"No, that won't help," she replied, sipping her wine. Nothing helps, Ada--not traveling, not drinking, not anything!"

Ada felt for her friend. She felt so helpless not being able to ease her pain. "I'll try and hurry up the process, Ceirdwyn, but in the meantime you have to get hold of yourself--keep yourself busy with something."

Ceirdwyn sighed. Her mind was racing, trying to think of something she could occupy her time with while Ada searched for Matthew. "Well, I suppose I could go antique shopping. Duncan taught me what to look for in a good antique. Not that I didn't know about some things, like Celtic jewelry. Do they have any good antique shops around here, Ada?" she asked, interested for once in something besides Matthew.

Ada's face brightened. "Yes! You can find all sorts of antiques in the south. And at great prices too! Why don't you do that, Ceirdwyn? After lunch I'll go back to the office and hurry up that research data and I'll give you a list of antique places where you can find lots of great antiques."

Something about Ada's joy struck a dissonant note within Ceirdwyn. What it was, she couldn't put her finger on, but for the first time since she arrived in Buloxi, Ceirdwyn felt like Ada was hiding something from her.

"Ok, Ada that sounds like a good idea. I'll go shopping. Maybe it will make me feel a little better anyway."

Ada smiled and seemed relieved at the same time, Ceirdwyn noticed.

After they finished lunch and Ada headed back towards her office, Ceirdwyn visited two shops that Ada has suggested. "That should be enough," thought Ceirdwyn. She wasn't interested in shopping, but wanted Ada to think so as she headed for Ada's office.

When she arrived, she was informed that Ada had been in earlier that morning but only for a few minutes. Ceirdwyn explained to the receptionist that she was a visiting friend and Ada had left some instructions to antique shops for her on her desk. Would she mind if she looked for the list?

"I'll look for you," replied the receptionist, getting up from her desk at the front of the office. Her phone rang and as she went to answer it, she pointed and said, "Ada's office is down the hall, second room on the left. Apparently not too concerned about security, Ceirdwyn thought as she headed for Ada's office.

When she got to it, she discovered a small office with desk, chair, filing cabinet and not much else. It was windowless and cluttered. Maybe I can find out what Ada is hiding, she thought. Being almost 2000 years old, one tends to develop a keen sense of intuition and Ceirdwyn's intuition was always correct.

Ceirdwyn flipped through Ada's appointment calendar, noticing nothing much there. She then went through her desk drawer and discovered a letter in an envelope addressed to Ada. It was unsealed and the writing was familiar. There was no name on the return address, just a listing in New Orleans. It read:

"My cherie, Alexandria, (one of Ada's aliases) I cannot wait until I hold you in my arms again, my sweet. I am coming your way next weekend. Do not make any plans as I intend to keep you busy all week long, my lovely. Yours in time, Matthew.

"Matthew!" Ceirdwyn was stunned. The writing was his! The wording was his! She looked at the date on the letter--last week. So he is in town now. Ada knew! The warrior blood in Ceirdwyn began to rise again. She and Matthew... Ceirdwyn couldn't finish the thought. It was all too horrible to believe! Her best friend and her sworn enemy! Ada better have a damn good excuse for this. But hard as Ceirdwyn tried, she could not believe that Ada could say anything that would explain this letter, this relationship.

Just then, someone appeared to the door of Ada's office. Ceirdwyn, being so upset, for the first time in her life did not feel the immortal's presence. Expecting the receptionist, she began, "I found the list..."

Standing there with her hands on both sides of the door was Ada. She saw Ceirdwyn's face and then the letter.

"Oh, my god."

"Ceirdwyn" began Ada, "let me explain. This isn't exactly what you're thinking."

Ceirdwyn looked at the letter in her hand, then at Ada. "How could you? How could you have a relationship with him?!"

"Can we talk about this someplace else? Say...a church?" Ada was trying to keep her voice down as several people were passing her in the hallway with curious looks.

"Holy ground, Ada? What's the matter? You don't trust your old friend?" Asked Ceirdwyn, a sarcastic tone to her voice.

"There is a church two blocks from here, to the left. Please let me explain."

Ceirdwyn said nothing, but remained standing and glaring at Ada. She felt like she had been kicked in the stomach.

"Please," begged Ada, "I'll go first, then you follow, okay?" Ada backed out and away from the door to her office and continued on out of the building on her way to holy ground and a confrontation with her best friend.

Ceirdwyn's emotions were overwhelming and she was having a hard time trying to contain them. The man she had hated for over 100 years was here--so close. And her best friend had known this all along. She felt like whipping out her sword and swatting any and everything in her path! Instead she decided she had to hear what Ada had to say. She made her way out of the office and down the street to where Ada was waiting for her.

The immortal warrior, Ceirdwyn stood before the red brick building with it's pretty stained glass windows and thought back to the many times she had sought refuge in such a place. The times others had sought refuge from her in these places. Too many times, she thought.

She walked into the shadows of the church, standing still to let her eyes adjust to the sudden dimness from the bright outside light. She spotted Ada in a pew to the right, about halfway down toward the alter. She knew Ada "felt" her presence, but she never looked up.

Ceirdwyn quietly slid into the seat beside Ada. "Explain," she said flatly, not looking at her.

After a few moments of silence, Ada began her story. "It was right after Sebastian's funeral, after I went home to New Orleans. I never suspected Matthew was the man I knew as Jeffrey Talbot.

Turning to look at Ada now, Ceirdwyn said, "You mean you knew Matthew back then? How? Why didn't you tell me? I described Matthew to you and you never mentioned you knew another immortal fitting his description. Why Ada?"

"Because" she said simple, "I was in love with him. When he went to see you that time, I thought Jeffrey--Matthew, was in New York on business. He told me he would be gone for two months. I never had any reason to believe that Matthew and Jeffrey were the same person.

"When did you realize that they were the same man?"

Ada hesitated, "About two years after you left New Orleans looking for him. He told me then that he was the Matthew you were looking for, but..."

"You knew this in 1900! Why didn't you tell me then?" Ceirdwyn couldn't believe her friend had lied to her all those many years before and kept that secret until today. "You protected him because he was a lover of yours? Is that why?"

"No! Matthew was not just a lover, Ceirdwyn. He was my husband! And he still is."

Ceirdwyn jumped up from her seat. Standing in the aisle she looked down at Ada, not believing what she was hearing. "No. It can't be."

Just then, Ceirdwyn and Ada both felt the presence of another immortal. Looking at the entranceway, Ceirdwyn saw him first. It was Matthew!

"Ah, but it is, my sweet. Alexandria, Ada, as you call her and I are and have been married for almost a hundred years now. True, we don't live together anymore, but we are still married." Matthew stood there smiling, tall and handsome as ever with his dark hair and flashing blue eyes. He had a mustache now, Ceirdwyn noticed. Other than that, he was the same man she had sworn to kill.

"Matthew and I were living together until 12 years ago, Ceirdwyn," said Ada quickly getting to her feet to stand beside Ceirdwyn.

"You followed me," said Ada, a glare in her eyes. "I told you I would handle this so no one would get hurt!"

"Yes, my sweet wife, I did follow you. I wanted a chance to see Ceirdwyn again. How convenient we are on holy ground now, eh Ceirdwyn?"

"That can be remedied, Matthew. Set a time and place. I've waited for this for too long!"

"Ah, not so fast, mon cheri. Now why would you care to end my most beautiful life? That nasty incident in Buloxi? That was an accident. I never intended to kill anyone. Your husband just got in my way. It was unfortunate."

"Unfortunate for you, Matthew. If it hadn't been for Sebastian's stopping that bullet, I wouldn't be here today! You intended to kill me and then take my head!"

"Ceirdwyn, no. Matthew would not do such a thing. He explained everything after you left that time. He said he wanted to make amends with you for accidently killing your friend, the immortal.

"Is that what he told you, Ada? That it was an accident?"

"Yes, and I believe him."

"Are you that naive Ada? I taught you better than that! Matthew has been lying to you ever since he first met you! You want to know what really happened that day when he killed my friend and his teacher?"

Matthew stood still, smiling. He knew Alexandria would never believe Ceirdwyn over him. She had protected him and lied to Ceirdwyn all these years. She would stand by him again.

"His name was Edmond, Ada," began Ceirdwyn, remembering that time so long ago, yet still so fresh in her memory, "and he was a great man, a truly good soul. He was my good friend for many years. We taught young immortals together when we found them. Matthew was one of our students. We found him after he had been hanged for stealing money from travelers. We cut him down, took him in and for over a year he lived with us, under our care and protection.

Edmond and I were well off at that time with many expensive items in our home--silver candlesticks, silver flatware, jewelry--things like that. One day after I was out shopping, I came home to find Edmond's headless body in our parlor. Matthew was gone and so were our valuables. Not only that but I noticed a sword wound in Edmond's back. It had not healed so I knew it was inflicted just before he lost his head. Edmond would never turn his back on an enemy, he was too smart for that. But he considered Matthew a friend as did I at the time. Matthew had stabbed him in the back then when he was down had cut his head off before Edmond could react. It was the only way Matthew could have taken him. That's why he came to me at the riverboat--to steal from me, shoot me and take my head. He knew he could never take me in a fair fight either. Matthew is nothing but a cowardly thief, Ada. He always was and always will be."

Ada looked at Matthew, trying to digest all that Ceirdwyn had said. Somehow, as much as she didn't want to believe it, she knew it was true. "Is this true Matthew?" she asked him, hoping he would have some explanation for all this.

"What does it matter if it is, Alexandria? What has that to do with us now?"

So that was it, thought Ada. It was all true and he didn't even bother to make up a good story. Ada began shaking her head. She knew Ceirdwyn was not a liar. She remembered all the times Matthew had been out of town, the reasons he gave which were just too convenient. The money he always seemed to have even though she didn't know where he had gotten it. She suspected he was seeing other women, but now it all seemed to fit together. All the excuses she made for him over the years came back to haunt her. Yes, she loved him, but she no longer trusted him. How long would it be until he came for her head one night?

"Why did you come back this time, Matthew?" asked Ceirdwyn. "Did you run out of money again?"

"You did, didn't you?" asked Ada. "That's why you always come back. Not because you love me, but because you need money!"

"Ada, are you going to believe Ceirdwyn or me, your husband? Be sensible!"

Ada looked at Ceirdwyn, "I'm sorry, Ceirdwyn," tears beginning to well up in her eyes. " I betrayed your trust in me for a man not worthy of trust. Maybe one day I can repair the damage I did to our friendship. Maybe one day you can forgive me for lying to you." Ada walked up the aisle towards Matthew. As she started to walk past him, he grabbed her arm. She jerked it away.

"I never want to see you again, Matthew!" She looked back at Ceirdwyn. "But after today, I don't think I'll need to worry about you again."

"Alexandria...?"

"Do what you have to do Ceirdwyn," she said as she turned and walked out of the church.

Matthew watched as Ada walked out the door of the church, then looked back at Ceirdwyn who was advancing towards him. He put his hands up, "Ceirdwyn, this is holy ground. You can't touch me here remember?"

"I can wait."

Matthew laughed, a laugh that said, you're kidding. "Fine," he said, taking a seat in a pew.

Ceirdwyn walked to where Matthew was seated and sat down directly behind him. After almost 2000 years of living, one tends to learn patience. Ceirdwyn knew she could out wait Matthew if things came to that, but it wouldn't. She knew he would bolt sooner or later.

After about 20 minutes, Matthew began to squirm in his seat, as Ceirdwyn knew he would. She smiled...and waited.

Suddenly he jumped up into the aisle. Ceirdwyn did the same. He walked down to the alter. Ceirdwyn followed. He walked over to the left side of the church, slowly. So did Ceirdwyn. She stayed close behind him. She didn't intend for him to get away this time!

Suddenly Matthew bolted through the side door of the church which opened into a wide alley. Ceirdwyn was right behind him and watched as he headed towards the street. She quickly followed him down the sidewalk, dodging people left and right, causing curious stares. She didn't care, she would follow him to hell if that's what it took!

Matthew kept glancing behind him, keeping his sights on Ceirdwyn, hoping to lose her in the crowd. So far, his efforts had proven fruitless. She was still right behind him!

Knowing he couldn't keep this up forever, Matthew jumped out into the street, barely managing to miss being hit by several cars, up onto the opposite sidewalk and down another alleyway. Ceirdwyn followed, but was not as quick to get through the traffic, slamming into one car and barely managing to dodge another.

She ran in the direction she had seen Matthew go. "Damn!" she cursed. She had lost him! "No! No! Not again!" she screamed. When she realized she was drawing attention to herself, she stopped yelling. She had no idea where he might have gone, but knew he probably wouldn't spend much more time in the city. Where to now, she wondered. Nothing much to do except head back to Ada's place and pack up her things. She would hire a private detective. Maybe that would help. What other choice did she have?

She walked back to Ada's apartment, cursing herself all the way for losing Matthew. She knew she would search for him all her life, if that's what it took. This time no one would talk her out of tracking him down!

When Ceirdwyn entered Ada's apartment, she went directly to her bedroom and began packing. She would stay in a hotel now until she could get another lead on where Matthew might have gone. After what she had been through with Ada, she knew she couldn't stay here.

Ada came in just as Ceirdwyn was finishing packing. "Ceirdwyn," she began.

Ceirdwyn just looked at her, saying nothing and pushed her way out of the bedroom into the living area.

"Ceirdwyn, wait! I know where you can find Matthew."

Ceirdwyn stopped and turned around facing Ada. "Why would you tell me this?"

"To make up for what I did in betraying your trust in me."

"You know I will kill him."

"Yes."

Ceirdwyn wondered, could she trust Ada now? Was she betraying her again? Was this a trap? She looked into Ada's eyes. No, she decided, this was not a trap. Ada was telling her the truth.

"Where is he?"

"He has a small cabin just outside the city. I can take you there."

"Let's go."

The sun was setting as Ceirdwyn and Ada pulled up a few hundred yards from the cabin. It was surrounded by trees and dense brush. Obviously Matthew didn't keep the place up very well, thought Ceirdwyn.

As if reading her thoughts, Ada replied, "He only keeps this for emergencies. Like getting out of town fast. He keeps supplies here and weapons. Let me go in first, please, Ceirdwyn. There is something I need to take care of before I hand him over to you."

Since Ceirdwyn had trusted Ada this far, she decided to trust her all the way. Four hundred years of friendship did not end easily.

Ceirdwyn nodded as Ada got out of the car and proceeded to the cabin.

After watching Ada go in, Ceirdwyn noticed a car to the side of the cabin. Matthew was indeed here! After waiting for what seemed like hours but was in fact just 10 minutes, Ceirdwyn heard a gunshot.

She leaped out of the car, sword in hand and rushed into the cabin to find Matthew on the floor, dead and Ada standing next to him with a gun in her hand.

"What happened?" asked Ceirdwyn, angry that Ada had done what she had been waiting to do for years.

"I've evened the odds, my friend. He was planning on shooting you first, then taking your head. When he comes to, he will have to face you in a fair fight now. I will wait for you in the car."

Ceirdwyn stood there stunned at what Ada had done! After all, this was her husband!

"Ceirdwyn," called Ada from the doorway. "We're even now. Four hundred years ago you saved my life. Tonight I saved yours." Ada turned and left.

It only took a few minutes for Matthew to wake up from the sleep of immortal death. When he did, he was not surprised to find Ceirdwyn waiting for him, sword in hand.

"Why didn't you just take my head while I was dead?" he asked.

"I don't work the way you do, Matthew. I want you in a fair fight. I'm no murderer. Now, get up, get you sword and defend yourself!"

"What if I don't defend myself," he said, jumping to his feet, staggering a bit until his wound had fully healed.

"Then I will kill you where you stand," she stated. "I have challenged you. If you choose not to defend yourself, then so be it!" She took a mock swing at his head.

Matthew ducked away and brought his sword out from under his jacket. The cabin being too small for a sword fight forced Matthew and Ceirdwyn out into the grounds surrounding it.

Ceirdwyn swung again at Matthew's head, this time it was for real! He ducked it again, bringing his sword clashing against hers. She advanced, swinging her sword and catching his right arm with the tip of her blade, bringing first blood.

Matthew fought back fiercely. Apparently he had learned a bit about fighting since she had last seen him. No matter, she had improved too! "I'll take your head tonight, Ceirdwyn!" he smiled.

Matthew's sword swung at her face, she ducked, bringing her sword up across his stomach, drawing more blood. "You'll try," she countered.

Taking his sword in both hands he came down hard, trying to knock her sword from her hands. This brought her sword down to the ground. Matthew, planning on using the same technique he had years before, started to spin around to bring his elbow into Ceirdwyn's face again, but he was too late. For as quickly as her sword hit the ground, and Matthew started his maneuver, Ceirdwyn pulled her sword free, spinning the opposite way, ducking and bringing her sword up just as Matthew did his.

Giving a Celtic war cry, Ceirdwyn's sword swung hard and straight into Matthew's neck! "Not this time Matthew!" she said as she watched his body fall to the ground.

Ceirdwyn stood straight as the immortal mist rose from Matthew's body and made it's way into hers. Slowly at first, then faster and faster the power came until it exploded into lighting and strength, slamming into her body with the force of a storm, lighting up the sky! She stood with her sword held high in the air until the Quickening subsided and she fell to her knees, exhausted.

As she sat on the ground, breathing hard, she felt Ada's presence behind her. She turned and looked up at her friend of over four hundred years. Ada held her hand out to her. Ceirdwyn took it and stood.

"May I keep his sword?" Ada asked. "He was something special to me at one time."

"Yes. I have no need of it. I have what I came for, Ada. And I thank you for what you did for me tonight. I will never forget that. But our friendship will take some time to heal. I hope you understand?"

Ada nodded. She knew that her betrayal of Ceirdwyn's trust would take many years to repair. But she also knew that if she and Ceirdwyn lived long enough, their friendship would be stronger for what they had been though, together on this day.