Disclaimer: see part 6 Other Info: see part 6
part 9
Buzzing.
Connor walked to the front door and held it open, standing back as Nixia marched by in a huff. He heard her mouth going, mumbling under her breath, hands flailing about. She threw a rag bundle at the anthropologist, then removed the sweater and tossed that at him as well. The men stared at her retreating bare back.
One stared more intently than the others. *I didn't see THAT tattoo before.*
Their trance was broken by the slammed door.
Methos exited the kitchen area, handing each of them a cold bottle of beer. "That bad?" His answer was obvious in the sour looks on three faces.
Jim took a deep breath. "We had a few...uh.... revelations..."
"Worst part of the evening was her temper." Simon commented as he removed his long coat, hanging it on the rack next to the door.
Taking a sip of his own beer, Methos smiled and cast a glance towards the bedroom door. "Then I'd say you made out well enough. Last time she had a bad day... Well, let's just say the Acropolis never looked the same afterwards..."
Blair nearly spit out his entire mouthful of beer. "You mean she... Really?"
"No." Connor started, hiding his smile. "Just a bit of Immortal humor."
Shaking his head, Blair noticed Jim suddenly stop laughing and focus on something. "What is it? Nixia okay?"
"Fine, Chief." Jim said, grabbing the telephone book and handing it off to Sandburg. "But she keeps mumbling about food, and her stomach is rumbling."
"Angry AND hungry. That means one thing." Connor started as Methos turned and added his voice. "Chinese."
They ordered the food, settling in to wait for Nix, who was still in a bit of a snit when she returned to the group. The men were talkative over their meal, exchanging stories and giving her time to cool off.
She couldn't believe the turn of events for the night. Sure, she'd gotten the information she wanted from Bernie, and Nix knew Bernie's mouth was worth every penny she'd paid him to start the rumors of her relationship with a certain young man. But the whole ordeal after the gallery had left her mind whirling. Jim. Simon. Her. She was so uncertain of things, uncertain of how the future would pan out. Nix's mind reeled with questions and for the first time in centuries, she was nervous.
*No,* she corrected herself. *I'm not nervous. I'm terrified. I no longer have control.* Her thoughts completed, Nix sighed heavily.
"Okay, Dakota." Simon started. "What are you planning next?"
Jim and Blair smiled at each other. Leave it to Banks to know the right thing to say and the right time to say it. The look of confusion immediately disappeared from Nixia's face and was replaced with confidence and purpose.
In the hour that followed, the group let Nix lay out a plan of appearances for the "loving couple." They would be shadowed by the other four men.
"I'm invoking club rules, gentlemen." Nix said, finding all eyes on her. "If it should come to it - No one interferes. I face him - one on one."
Blair chanced a glanced at Simon, who was nodding while studying his shoe intently.
"Are we all in agreement?"
There were solemn nods from everyone. Everyone, that was, but Jim, and Nixia pinned him with a solid, violet stare. It took a moment or two, but he had to concede.
Of course he didn't want to do it. Ellison couldn't get comfortable with the idea of NOT protecting her. After all, he was the Sentinel of the city, and Nikya Dakota was now a part of the city. But one look into her eyes, and Jim had to let go of the control. He recognized the resolve found there. He'd seen it often enough in the military. Hell, he'd seen it often enough in his own mirror. There would be NO discussion. Once he'd given the nod, something in her eyes seemed to soften and return to balance.
"Done, then." A hand went to the back of her neck, rubbing the ache that had settled in earlier. "Captain Banks, I'll see you first thing in the morning." With a small sigh and nod of respect, she added. "In your office, of course. Now, with your permission, I'm kicking you out."
The others stood, grabbing jackets as courteously but as fast as they could. Blair stole a private moment to give Nix a hug and a few words of encouragement in an attempt to help her relax. "Anything I can do for you?"
She smiled and patted his back. "Thanks, Blair. But I have a lot of processing to do..."
*Don't we all...*
~~~~~
Processing, she did.
Sleep, she didn't.
*ONE more time...* she mentally disciplined herself. Adjusting the wireless head phones, Nik hit the play button on the stereo's remote and began the exercises anew as the CD spun out the first powerful chord. Every note, word, and movement was a long-practiced combination. The music swelled, her muscles stretched, and the sword arced gracefully through the air. As the workout progressed, the emotions did as well, finding their outlet in her voice and blade.
He watched the moonlight accenting her body and sword. *Which is the more dangerous weapon?* he thought, a smirk finding it's way to his lips. How many times had he seen her just this way? Working through the pain, and fear, and frustration. He knew the routine almost as well as Nik did. He'd seen it enough, in all their years as friends. Sometimes more intensely executed than other times, but Methos knew that was her way of dealing with life. Unfortunately, life didn't seem to have a routine for dealing with Nixia. Everything in her world had been a surprise to her, and maybe he envied her that. The experiences had left her with a gift for thinking on the fly. Still, she always came back to that routine as her own personal way of processing. The same moves, nearly always the same type of music - after all, they say all music derives it's form from chant. *And I think I can verify that claim.* Casting a glance back to the silver highlighted body padding about in the staging area, he smiled and shook his head. Pieces of memories flitted through his mind reminding him of just how many ages Nix had "processed" through. From bare skin, to bear skins, to spandex - she moved along well through the years. Many of their kind weren't as adaptable, and many of their kind weren't around any more.
Hitting the button on the side of his watch, the face glowed blue and revealed the horrible time of 4:30 AM! "Wench. That screeching is enough to peel the paint off these walls." Methos watched her for 15 minutes more, seeing her reserve finally dwindle and fatigue claim her. Watching as she sank to her knees on the practice mats, her sobs mixed roughly with the words she refused to stop singing.
Turning around and heading back into his room, Methos pulled out the small locket and opened it, revealing the faded picture. His throat went dry as he stared into the eyes of a young woman and heard Nix's voice repeating in his head. He took a deep breath and answered her. "I don't know, Nix. Who DOES want to live forever when love must die?"
~~~~~
"Come in." It was pointless to say it, since Ellison and Sandburg were already on their way IN. *They never wait...* and he smiled at the thought of his friends. "What can I do for you two?"
When Jim didn't answer immediately, just crossed to the windows and stared out, Simon knew it was time for a talk. A BIG talk. Unfortunately, he didn't have a lot of time right then. Dakota was supposed to be in soon and he couldn't skip the lunch meeting with Chief Warren. He knew his friends weren't happy with him. It wasn't something he'd planned, wasn't something he'd wanted, but there never seemed to be a "right time" to explain things. With a sigh, Simon poured himself some coffee, then stood and filled Sandburg's mug, ending up standing behind Jim. He filled the mug on the window sill, then set the carafe back where it belonged. "To paraphrase Dakota, I was wondering when we'd have this talk..."
"Simon," the young man said shrugging around in the chair. "Jim and I - we talked about this last night and we feel we have the right to some answers. First -" he said, forcing himself to swallow. "Did you assign Dakota to the case because you knew she and the killer were both Immortals?"
"I had suspicions, but I was hoping to God that they were JUST suspicions. As for assigning Dakota? Coincidence. Fate. Destiny. Whatever it was, she was next on the roster. I had hoped she'd get no where with the investigation, that our perp would get tired and move on so she wouldn't find him. And if she DID - she'd know how to take care of him."
Blue eyes flashed surprise. "So you knew THEN that Nikya's an Immortal?"
He nodded ever so slightly.
"But she didn't know you then..." Seeing the large hand held up, he stopped.
"I honestly thought she did. She - uh - she told you about the buzzing thing.." Simon said, watching Blair nod. "It gets rather commonplace after you've been around a person - or persons - for a while, but I got it when I first saw her. I had to assign her to Taggart - I just didn't have the time to work with her. If I had, we probably wouldn't be having this conversation this late."
Wiping the sweat from his upper lip, Blair looked down at his hands. "But WE buzz too."
Simon's hand immediately grabbed for the headache making its way up the muscles in the back of his neck. "I can't say for certain that you do or you don't. I've been around you for too long and I certainly don't have the buzz that Nikya does. She's very old and very strong that way. I don't know why she picked up on you two and not me. Although, I admit that I DO get an eerie feeling when you two are near ME." Seeing Blair's eyes pop open with surprise, the captain smiled. "Strange, but I can remember it showing up just about the same time as you, Sandburg." The anthropologist's eyes got wider still. "That would be the about same time Jim's Sentinel abilities resurfaced..."
"Oh." Blair said quietly before the statement registered fully. "OH! Cool!" Mr. Academic swallowed that bit of information in one gulp. After arriving home, the Sentinel and Shaman had discussed the "buzzing," as well as many other things. Blair didn't think he was Immortal - even if he had died once or twice. *Golden overdose - maybe, I WAS on life support. The drowning? Technically, that would be twice.* the thought elicited a thick shiver from his body. Somewhere in the midst of their talk, Blair had jokingly mentioned his role as Shaman to Jim. Perhaps his supernatural connection had registered the Immortals and sent its own signal. Given the captain's statement, the kid wondered. Had his Shaman powers been evident to Simon THAT far back? A giddy feeling took over his stomach, making it flip-flop a bit. He'd have to tell Jim at lunch. JIM! Filing the information away for later, he looked up at Simon and started a second barrage of questions. "You said you were only suspicious that the victims were all killed by an Immortal. Why just suspicions?"
"Contrary to popular belief, we don't all know each other. It's not a sociable kinda club. You have to be wary of other players." He looked over at Jim still standing in front of the windows. "I was awaiting confirmation that the four victims were all in the Game as well. A few phone calls confirmed victims 1 and 4, Cassandra and Elise. Considering last night's events, I'd say that's confirmed. And we have a suspect as well." Talking to Sandburg was clearing his conscience, but it wasn't relieving the heaviness in his chest. Simon needed to hear Jim's take on things. "What else?" Still no movement from Jim. Taking a seat on the corner of his desk, Simon took up his cigar and motioned for his friend to continue. "I know you. There's more..."
A quick glance to his partner's broad back, and Blair moved on. "Uh, yeah. There's like millions of things." His leg was starting to bounce, his hands fidgeted, and he leaned forward in the chair gathering his thoughts. "Why did you assign US then not tell us anything?"
Setting his elbows on the desk, Simon clasped his hands in front of his face and shook his head. "Look you two. It's not easy from where I sit. I have duties and responsibilities..."
"I know about responsibilities." the Sentinel said, never turning from the windows.
He could only nod. Staring over at the anthropologist, Simon held out an empty hand, silently pleading for help. All he got was a shrug and silence. *Of all the times for Sandburg to be out of encyclopedic information...* He watched Jim stare out the window and take a deep, slow breath as if he had all the time in the world to wait and be mad. "Damn it. It's not like I sent you on a suicide mission. I thought if anyone would be able to give Dakota the back-up she needed, it would be you. The combination of an Immortal, a Sentinel, and a Shaman..." Simon watched Jim and Blair exchange surprised looks. "Don't look so amazed, Sandburg. I may kid you about things, but I have a real respect for your role in the cosmos. I haven't lived THIS long without a healthy appreciation for the supernatural. Although I'm still skeptical about your ghosts..."
Eager eyes looked up. "How long HAVE you lived?"
"Not long enough." Simon smiled slightly. "And I think, sometimes, too long." Settling back in the leather chair, he sighed long and heavy. "Aside from Daryl, you two are the only family I have. I want you to know I would never have assigned you to this case if I didn't think you were safe." He met Jim's stern eyes. "I promise you this. He will not hurt another person - ever. If Dakota doesn't succeed in getting our Samurai, I will."
There was silence.
"Hey, Chief." Jim started to say, his eyes never leaving his captain's face. "I'm working on sugar deprivation. You wanna get me something from the vending machine?" The objection was cut off with a solid blue stare. "What's that saying you have about the faithful sidekick?"
"You mean about knowing when to disappear?" Blair asked with some surprise.
Jim nodded, crossing the room to open the door for his partner. Before the kid could leave, though, he set a hand on Blair's shoulder. "Don't be too hard on the vending machine."
A last look at Simon, who just smirked at the exchange, and the young man headed across the bullpen, mumbling as he went. "Don't be too hard on the vending machine." He mimicked in a Sentinel-only whisper. "Don't send any terrorists my way, then. Disappear... huh! I hope I DO get some wicked Shaman powers. I'll show you disappear THEN!"
Jim just shook his head and shut the door. "I'm." he repeated several times, scratching the back of his head before finally getting the sentence out. "I'm a lot hurt that you didn't trust us with your secret, Simon. We trusted you with ours."
Just what he needed -a talk about feelings. "I know. I can't begin to tell you how many times I've thought about telling you. But it's complicated. There is a real FEAR I have."
Ellison understood that. How long had he agonized over Sandburg's dissertation? What was he gonna do when MORE people found out about his abilities? His father had turned him against himself, then turned Stephen against him. He'd almost lost the confidence of his captain. And Lee Brackett was just TOO close to home. If it weren't for Incacha's spiritual presence and Blair's constant reassurance that the Sentinel abilities were a gift, Jim felt certain he wouldn't be a functioning member of the human race. Fear. Sandburg had said most of his decisions were fear-based. What if Simon's were as well? "I understand fear."
"Do you?" Locking gazes with the detective, Simon felt his smugness subside. This man was his friend, through some very hard times and a lot of very good times. Thinking back on their friendship, Simon realized that Jim DID understand fear. Fear for himself and his family and his friends. "We're too alike. You know?" Watching Ellison sit, Simon took the spot by the windows, staring out at the city. "We both lost our wives because we were so into our jobs and so afraid for them that we could only push them away. Both a couple of hard-asses that had to have some KID push his way into our world to finally understand we're capable of something other than warrior behavior. And we both can't stand the thought of predators in our territory." There was a smile on his face as he turned to face Jim. "I was afraid that by telling you and Sandburg, it would make you targets. And the last thing I want to do is jeopardize two very innocent and very good souls. Not to mention two very good friends. I meant what I said about you being family."
"You know we count you the same way." Jim said plainly, feelings not being his strong suit.
Simon took a deep breath, his chest feeling much less constricted. "I think Sandburg's Shaman powers are working overtime. I just had a meaningful talk with you about feelings. I am DEFINITELY under some sorta spell..."
For the first time during that conversation, Jim smiled with amusement. "Either that or one of his cold remedies..."
There was a slight tingling at the base of their skulls.
The men looked at each other, speaking at once. "Nix."
Out of curiosity, Simon set a hand on his friend's shoulder and asked him what the Immortal's presence felt like with Sentinel abilities. "Mostly uncomfortable. Kind of a tightness in my scalp that makes me want to puncture my head. It goes away after a while, but it isn't pleasant for the most part."
"The buzzing's that bad for you?" Simon asked with some surprise.
"Buzzing?" Jim said with amusement. "I thought you were just talking about her presence in general."
Enjoying the laughter, Simon and Jim watched the door open as Nikya Dakota entered.
"Am I intruding?" She asked rather innocently, surprised when the two men broke out in fits of laughter once again. Turning to find Blair beside her, she held up her hands in useless wonder. "I missed something?"
"Too much sugar..." The anthropologist replied, taking a bite of the candy bar and heading for his desk.
~~~~~ ~ not much later ~
"Paperwork?" she whined, quickly covering her yawn with a hand.
"Come come, now, Detective Dakota." Simon said with a wave of his hand and a twinkle to his eye. "You didn't really think I would let you skate on this detail, did you? You may have a major commitment to this case, but you need to carry your share of the load here. Besides, what if our Samurai were to find out that you weren't being assigned any other casework? He'd know for certain we were up to something. Think of it as part of your cover..." His smile broadened with the last comment and he stood, walking around the left side of his desk. "I've been waiting for JUST the right person to help me with this task..."
Dakota watched as the captain settled one hand on top of a stack of file folders. As he explained her duty of transferring the old data to the computer and printing out fresh copies on the acid-free paper the city now required, Nik could feel the headache pressing against the back of her eyes until she wanted to remove the violet orbs from their sockets.
"Uh, Detective?" and Simon snapped his fingers in front of her face. He almost stopped at the sight of her humorless face. Then she sighed - a little TOO desperately. "I don't care if it kills you, Dakota." and they locked gazes. "So long as you have MY cooperation, I should think I would have yours."
Pointing a finger to him, she pursed her lips to stifle her own comment and nodded quickly. "Is that all, Captain?"
"There's one more thing."
Seeing him sheepishly glance out his window towards the far corner of the bullpen, Nix knew the official requests were over. "Whatever I can do, sir."
"Just don't let this incident influence you down the line - say many, MANY years from now..." Simon listened to her laughter as she left his office and headed for her desk. *That didn't sound good.*
~~~~~
*ONE nice thing about that buzzing...* Nix thought absently. *Better than an garage door opener any day.* She'd just cleared the top step when Connor opened the studio door and handed her a glass of wine. Throwing her stuff on the couch, Nix noted Methos making dinner and Connor setting the table. There were four place settings. "So, you and Connor are IN for the evening?"
They just nodded and went about finishing dinner. "Blair will be here in a few minutes - I'm gonna toddle off and change." Again the two men just nodded and let the woman go on.
When she returned from her room, Methos asked how her day had been. As she described her fifth excruciating day of transferring records, Nikya noted the oddities of her friends. They let her talk, nodding at the necessary times, but remained conspicuously silent the entire time. *Something is VERY wrong here.* Before she could investigate further, she felt the buzzing and headed for the door. She turned her head quickly at the sound of metal behind her. What she saw made her do a double take. Both Connor and Methos had pulled their blades and were moving towards the door and her.
They stopped at the nasty violet stare and upheld hand. "You're gonna tell me what's going on as soon as I let Sandburg in..."
"Connor will get the door." Meeth said solemnly. "You will step away." His hand motioned her back a few feet. His stare kept her there.
Drawing up his sword to a defensive position, Methos nodded to Connor who opened the door. To the Immortal's surprise, Ellison stood off to one side, gun held firmly in his hands. There was a collective sigh as the two men inside the apartment motioned for the two men outside to enter.
"Okay." Nik began and headed for the sideboard, pouring herself a good shot of brandy. "Someone better start explaining things. NOW."
The cool threat to her voice forced the four men to start talking all at once. She put her hands over her ears and closed her eyes. "La la la la lah. I'm not getting a word of it..." Nik threw her hands into the air, the motion stopping all the chatter. Pointing to Jim, she spoke. "Who or what were you aiming for?"
"Anything that moved the wrong way." Jim replied and holstered his firearm. "I was reading three VERY fast heartbeats as I came up the steps. Then I heard Meeth's comment. I wasn't sure WHAT to expect." He looked at the swords in the two men's hands. "What were THEY expecting?"
"Trouble, obviously." The oldest Immortal replied, a quick smile to his eyes as he spied Blair shutting the studio door behind him.
Jim looked over to Nix who just shrugged. "I admit Sandburg's a magnet for that kinda stuff, but even THAT greeting was a bit much. Something happen?" Even though he spoke in jest, the Sentinel had already begun to scan the area and its occupants for any serious problems. When he found everything in order, he said a silent prayer and lifted his eyes to meet Nix's.
"I don't know, but I'm beginning to wonder what Frick and Frack are so jumpy about..." Her stern gaze turned to her oldest friends, causing the two men to gaze around innocently. "WHAT has you two so on edge?" When they didn't make a move to speak, Nix stepped up to Connor and smiled deceptively.
The Scot didn't like that look in her eyes. "C'mon, Nix. We were just being cautious..." His hands went up in a helpless gesture as he smiled back at her.
"Connor," Nik said quietly, her hand coming up behind him. "I love you like a brother, and I expect you and Meeth want to protect me, but if something has come up with the case and you're hiding it - so help me, I'll run you BOTH in for obstruction. And I don't think either of you want to be fingerprinted..."
Blair laughed at the threat, wondering just exactly what would happen should a set of hundred-year old prints come back on either man. He chucked his partner on the back and stepped into the kitchen. "What's good tonight?"
Jim smiled and followed his partner's lead. *Let HER deal with this...* He saw the discomfort on MacLeod's face, the defenseless stance and raised hands. *Where'd his sword go? That's weird.*
Seeing that neither Blair nor Jim were going to interfere, Meeth held out an envelope for Nixia. "This arrived sometime this afternoon. Connor and I were out. It was taped to the door when we returned."
She recognized the handwriting immediately, as well as the skewed emotions spelled out on the paper. "So it begins." Nik took a deep breath and handed the letter to Jim, even though her eyes never left Blair.
The bodily threats to his partner were so vividly described that Jim found his hands tightening on the parchment and threatening to rip it to shreds. Taking a couple deep breaths, he heard the familiar voice anchoring him and calling him back from the emotional edge.
"S'okay, man. It's really okay right now." Blair said calmly. "Take it easy Jim. It's just a letter. It follows the pattern we wanted to establish. It's cool. Really." He was rewarded with a smile and firm hand on his shoulder as Jim handed the letter to Methos. "I think we're okay." Blair said to the three Immortals, then looked straight at his friend. "How about dinner?" He asked with a smile.
Ellison looked over at Dakota who just shrugged. "You know you're welcome."
"I don't know." Jim said quietly, then sniffed the air. It smelled edible. "Who cooked?"
Methos raised his hand.
Throwing a smile at Methos, Jim removed his jacket and headed for the china closet. "That's acceptable. I've had Connor's cooking and it's passable, but from what you've told me, I'm not so sure about Nixia's."
The throw pillow hist Methos when Jim ducked.
~~~~~
Blair peered over his glasses towards the frustrated woman a desk or so away. She'd been there for a few hours, punching keys and cursing in several languages. Pouring a cup of coffee, the young man walked up behind her, gently setting a hand on her shoulder. "You sound like you need a break."
Taking the mug, Nik sat back and smiled as she motioned for him to take the seat next to her. "And what do you mean I SOUND like I need a break?"
He saw her relax at his smile. "You stopped cursing in other languages about an hour ago. I figure that means you're too tired to keep searching the mental reserves for new phrases."
Combing a hand into her hair, Dakota pushed her mouth up into a smile and nodded. Her interest suddenly peaked as she took a sip of the coffee. It was fixed exactly as she liked it - vanilla creamer and one sugar. "What else have you observed about me?" She didn't even hide her amusement at his mock- innocent face. "Anthropologists observe. YOU are an anthropologist. Therefore, you observe. And since you never cease with the questions when we're together, I figure you must be observing me. So? Give."
"Well," he began. "Over the past two weeks of this assignment, you've managed to call upon every god and goddess in - at last count - six cultures. Beseeching them to give you anything from patience, to vengeance, to wisdom and strength, and somewhere in there I think you asked for farm animals, but I'll have to check my translation." The two laughed, drawing a couple smiles from their fellow officers.
"There were a couple farm animals thrown in there... So. Any conclusions drawn?" A twinkle made its way to his eyes, surely sent there by the brilliant smile on his face.
"I've concluded that tonight you need a relaxing dinner in..."
"And you COOK?"
The amazement on his face made her smile. "Do you know NOTHING about me after two weeks? I'm hurt. Really, I am. That wounds me. I spend all this time watching you, and you barely notice me... I'm thinking this relationship of ours is in trouble..." As he spoke, he took her hand and helped her out of her chair and into her coat, then headed over to his desk. Grabbing his own jacket and his keys, he left a quick note for his partner then escorted her to the elevator. The questions issued forth from his mouth of their own accord. "So, I know you prefer a good steak, but how about stuffed grape leaves? You MUST have had them at some time in your life..."
Simon watched the elevator doors close, heaved a sigh, and stared at the mounds of files left on Dakota's desk. "She's never gonna forgive me for this assignment."
~~~~~