A new beginning part 2 of The Aaron Series

By Jim Guy jimguy46@hotmail.com

Disclaimer: Highlander relationship Characters belong to Davis-Panzer Productions, Rysher, and or Gaumont. The story belongs to me as well as the characters Aaron Moss, Susan Moss, Jo Colcord, Juan Pablo Moss, Karen Colcord and John Colcord and other characters.

Rewrite and additions 3/31/04

New Mexico 1998

The man sat on his horse watching one hundred head of cattle as they grazed on the wild grass. This was the last group that was being moved from their winter home to the twenty thousand acres ranch. Three thousand head had been moved earlier, but this group was the stubborn ones. They had strayed into back canyons and had to be rounded up by men on horseback.

Aaron Moss reflected on his life over the years. He was a Vietnam Veteran immortal who had been killed the first time in 1969. Returning to college he had studied geology and now he was a rancher, geologist, gold miner and husband to a beautiful immortal named Susan. Aaron watched as one of his vaqueros approached.

The cowboy, who was six foot two inches tall and deeply tanned, was wearing a wide brimmed hat, red bandana which was covering his nose and mouth, tan shirt, dusty blue jeans, chaps, and beat up cowboy boots. His ensemble also included a pistol belt with a western style Colt .45 revolver. In the boot of his saddle was a .30-.30 caliber model 94 Winchester rifle and a cavalry saber. Juan Pablo Moss halted in front of his father who was wearing a grin a mile wide.

“Juan, you look like you just rode out of the 1870’s.”

“Dad, you know I am comfortable like this. I also left three dead wolves along the way, thanks to my rifle.”

“You always have been a good shot but remember to clean your weapons when we get home, then report to the dojo for a workout. It’s been a month since we worked out.”

“I know, I need to work the stiffness in my shoulders from chasing those knucklehead cows on the way home. When do we leave to the re-enactment? I want to be sure my uniform is clean and pressed. I want to make a good impression on the rest of the unit.”

“Don’t worry Juan, you will. You have been looking forward to this day for eight years. You’re first re-enactment as a soldier. Your mother is looking forward to it also.”

“I know she is dad. This year the Moss family will ride together. Those sword lessons you have been giving me for the past five years will pay off.”

Aaron looked at the Cavalry swords hanging on both of their saddles. He had been training Juan Pablo for eight years in sword fighting so he would be prepared for his first re-enactment when he turned twenty-one. Juan Pablo was the adopted son of Aaron’s old friend Pablo and Susan’s uncle. When Pablo and his wife were killed, Aaron and Susan adopted Juan. Aaron and Susan had both been adopted so it was only natural for them to take the boy in. Family is family.

Juan had become fascinated with the re-enactors and taking up sword fighting would prepare Juan Pablo in later years. Juan Pablo was a preemie but neither Aaron or Susan had mentioned anything about immortals. There was another plus. Aaron’s former commander in Vietnam, his teacher and best friend, besides Susan was going to visit. John, his lovely immortal wife, Jo and preemie adopted daughter Karen were also re- enactors and they had all been involved for some time. Juan Pablo did not know they were coming from their home in Wyoming.

A few hours later, Aaron and Juan rode up to the sprawling ranch house that Aaron had built. Over the years, Aaron had acquired the land around John’s homestead. The mountain home was now a retreat for the immortals. Aaron had built a two-story ranch house with five thousand square feet on each floor complete with a dojo on each floor.

As they rode up a figure appeared on the porch dressed in the uniform of a Confederate Cavalry Sergeant complete with saber and a Navy colt and waited.

Juan looked at the soldier. “Mom you look great. No one would ever guess that you were a woman. I mean you look like a man, I mean . . .”

Aaron laughed. “Son I think you had better stop right there before you bury yourself any further.” The frown on Susan’s face turned to a grin. “If I can fool you, then hopefully I can fool the other re-enactors. Do you think I will pass inspection?”

Aaron dismounted and walked around Susan. “I think a more thorough inspection is needed. Juan, please take care of the horses. Your mother and I have some things to discuss.”

As Juan took the horses away, he rolled his eyes skyward. “Parents.”

Aaron turned to Susan. “Is everything ready?”

“Yes, they arrived about an hour ago and the surprise gift will knock Juan’s socks off.”

By the time Juan had unsaddled the horse and curried them it was dusk. Trudging back to the house; he took off his boots and chaps as he entered. The living room was dark so he flipped on the light to find nothing. Today was his birthday and he really thought there would be a party or something. Grudgingly he turned towards his room to change and then went to the dojo, as he remembered he had a work out to attend to if his parents had finished the “inspection”.

He walked to the weight room to start the first part of the workout when he sensed someone behind him. Turning around he faced his parents and John and Jo.

“Surprise!” Juan blushed.

The adults moved aside as a young woman came into the room. Karen strode in carrying a Cavalry Sword in her open hands. “Happy Birthday, Juan.” She presented him the sword and a kiss on the lips. Karen was twenty years old, stood five feet seven inches tall had below the shoulder red hair and a very nice build.

Juan blushed even more. It was one thing to kiss a girl but another to do so in front of his parents and hers seemed wrong. Juan and Karen had been friends ever since they had both been adopted and their parents visited each other frequently. The youngsters had become very close and Juan dreamed of the day when he was old enough to ask Karen to be his wife.

After the kiss, Karen pulled back and wrinkled her nose. “I declare sir.” She put on her best Southern drawl. “Did you take a shower? You smell like a cow. How long is it since you had a bath?”

Juan looked stunned. “I don’t know what you mean. I have been gone for three months and I bathed in the creek every Saturday whether I needed it or not.”

“Juan, today is Saturday. Phew, I think you slept with the cows.”

“Young man.” Juan looked behind him to see the source of the man’s voice. “How dare you court my daughter without taking a shower first?” John’s hand rested on Juan’s shoulder. “I recommend that you take a shower immediately or my darling daughter will run you through with that Yankee pig sticker.” John grinned as he tried to imitate his daughter’s drawl and failed miserably.

“Sir, yes sir!” Juan saluted the Confederate Cavalry Major.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Aaron drove his family motor home into Gettysburg. The horse trailer behind the motor home carried three well-trained American quarter horses. Following in the next motor home was John and his family. John’s motor home also towed a horse trailer with three horses. Although Cavalry units were not used in the major battle at Gettysburg, the original battle started when a Confederate Cavalry unit had stopped for horseshoes and was discovered by a Yankee Cavalry unit. The immortals would only be involved in the initial re-enactment of the first day and then they would become spectators.

John and Aaron maneuvered their motor homes to a camping area, parked and set out for the re-enactment headquarters. Juan and Karen set up the camp while the ladies went to visit with friends they had met over the years at these gatherings.

When the kids were finished setting up camp and settling the horses, they did what everyone did; they visited the souvenir tents. Re-enactors provided their own uniforms, weapons and other items and the best place to acquire them, unless they made them was from re-enactment souvenir tents. There were plenty of tents scattered around the various campgrounds and the kids drooled over all the items for sale.

Karen and Juan had scoured three booths when they noticed an older man following them. Juan stopped to admire a knife while Karen moved along to look at unit flags. A man slithered up to Karen. “Hey sweetie,” Why don’t you and I go some place quiet and have some fun.” He had a definite French accent.

“I don’t think so.” She continued to move around the table. The man followed her.

“Come on, Mon Cherie, you know you want to get to know me better. Where is that American hospitality I have heard about?”

She faced him defiantly. “American hospitality doesn’t extend to rude boorish Frenchmen.”

Anger flared in the man and he reached Karen’s arm but another hand stopped him.

“My fiancée say told you to leave her alone.”

The man pulled his hand back as Juan released it and he turned to face the person who had interfered. He faced a man who looked much older than his twenty-one years. Both men where about the same height and build but the man was about ten years older than Juan.

“Go away pup and leave her to a real man.” The Frenchman pulled out a switchblade knife and lunged at Juan. Juan dogged the thrust and karate chopped the man’s arm and then flipped him to the ground.

Several men in the tent rushed to Juan’s side after having watched the entire encounter. The men’s presence sent the Frenchman scurrying on hands and knees to get away. As he pulled himself up by a four by four wooden support beam, Juan picked up the knife and flicked it into the beam an inch from the man’s hand. The man grabbed the knife and ran.

A man in a Blue Uniform walked up. “You are Aaron Moss’s son aren’t you? I saw you last year at a re-enactment last year in Arizona. You did good just now, kid. Tell your dad that Father Mike said hello.”

Juan saw the Chaplain insignia on the man’s collar. “Are you Mike Stiles?”

“That I am. Your dad and I served in Vietnam together. That was before I became a priest. Is John Colcord here also?”

“Yes, Father. We are staying in campground four.”

Juan gave Father Mike the directions and then escorted Karen back to camp. The adults were setting up a barbecue when the two arrived some forty-five minutes later. Father Mike was already there and having a beer. Juan knew that the Padre had already relayed what happened.

A soiree was planned that same night hosted by the California and Minnesota reenactor organizations. Everyone was in his or her finest Civil War period costumes. The women were fashionably dressed in the gowns and were escorted by their escorts dressed in the Civil War dress uniforms, complete with sidearms and swords. Union and Confederate mixed together as they were all here for one purpose, to honor those men who had died at this famous battleground.

Aaron, John and Juan escorted their womenfolk into the soiree as proper gentlemen. They danced to the music of the 60’s, the 1860s. Waltzes where played by a complete orchestra which could have been transported from the time period, as even the instruments appeared to have come from the Civil War time.

After several waltzes, the women were out of breath and a break was called. Juan and Karen walked out onto the veranda and then into the garden. As they walked and talked, they realized a stalker, a drunken stalker at that was following them. Juan turned to face the stalker and saw the Frenchman.

The man grumbled as he unsheathed his sword. “Hey pup, I knew I would find you again. You are wearing a sword, let’s see if you can use it.”

In an instant, Juan’s sword was out as Karen ran for help. “Look, you’re drunk. I let this afternoon pass. These blades are battle ready but not real.”

The man sneered as he launched an attack at Juan. “Maybe yours is battle ready, but mine is real.”

Juan countered his protagonist’s every move and the man never came close to striking Juan. Juan watched the man’s eyes in order to defend himself, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw that help had arrived. With the flip of his wrist, Juan disarmed the man, whose sword landed at John’s feet. Juan’s own sword was at the man’s neck.

“You are fortunate that my sword is not real or you would be dead.”

John picked up the sword and examined it. “This man’s sword is razor sharp. He attacked a fellow reenactor with a live weapon. Who is responsible for this man?”

A colonel from the First Minnesota came forward and examined the blade. “This man came to us from an affiliate in France. He has attacked this young man twice. He will not be allowed to participate in this or any other reenactment. The First Minnesota will not allow that kind of cowardly act among its members,” he motioned to several of his fellows. “Escort this man out of here and notify all units.”

The colonel then walked up to the man. “If we see you again, Monsieur De’Tessan, we will call the authorities. I presume that you are here on a passport, if you get my drift. Now get him out of my sight.” The Colonel turned to Juan, “I am Colonel Swan and I apologize for the incident.”

“No need Colonel, that man was solely responsible for his own actions. I have a great respect for the First Minnesota of today and of those at Gettysburg. We are here to honor those men, after all.”

“If you ever wish to wear the Union Blue of the First Minnesota, let me know. We need men of your caliber.”

Colonel Swan looked at the crowd and spied John and Aaron and saluted them. “Aaron, John are my eyes deceiving me? Haven’t seen you since Nam.”

Aaron took Swan’s hand. “Merle, you just met my son Juan. I never got the chance to say goodbye and thank you for getting me out of the A Shau Valley in your chopper when I got hit. How about a drink?”

Swan grinned. “A man after my own heart.”

It was early morning when the Moss' and the Colcords rode to their assigned starting point. Juan and Karen rode point with their parents riding behind, four abreast. Several spectators were finding their seats in the grandstands while the Union troops gathered at their appointed positions.

As the six Confederates rode along waving to the Union troops, a shot rang out and Juan tumbled from his horse. Karen turned her horse and started to dismount when a second shot hit her in the back, killing her. The immortals quickly dismounted and searched for the assailant when they saw a group of Union soldiers fighting with a single individual with a rifle who was trying to reload. He stopped trying when the butt end of a rifle cracked against his skull, knocking him out. A man approached and the collar insignia indicated he was a doctor.

He shook his head. “I am afraid there is nothing I can do for them. They are dead.”

Aaron held back his tears while the mothers wept. “We will take them home.” John quietly picked up Karen as John lifted Juan to his horse. The four immortals rushed to their horses, mounted and rode to their encampment. The bodies were laid out on a bed in one of the campers and as the women stayed with the bodies, the men loaded the horses, got into the driver’s seat and drove away. Each motor home carried a CB and a radiotelephone.

Twenty miles outside of Gettysburg, the motor homes pulled over t a rest stop. The bodies were in Aaron’s motor home and the women had stripped off the bloody clothing and washed the bodies of their children. As the immortals gathered in the cab of Aaron’s vehicle, they heard a groan and an expulsion of air. They felt the weak buzz of two new immortals and went to see their children. The mothers hugged their kids as the fathers looked on. After awhile, Aaron and John explained what all had happened.

Aaron looked at his father and shook his head. “You knew this would happen and didn’t tell us?”

“Son, it had to happen in its own time. Normally an immortal takes a newbie under their wing to train. Who best to teach you two but us, your parents who have been training you all along?”

“Is this the reason you have been training me for five years?”

“In part. You were always interested in the re-enacments so it was a perfect way to train you properly. Now we only have to tweak your training and prepare you to defend yourself. The way you handled yourself at the soiree means that we have already done a fairly decent job. You have to learn how to take a head also.”

Juan looked at the four adults and Karen. He slowly got up and went to the closet where he retrieved the sword he was given for his birthday. He felt the weight and checked the blade. “This weapon is real, dad. You want me to kill people with this?”

“No, I don’t want you to kill people, but I do want you to defend yourself. The taking of a head is our way of having the spoils go to the victor. Besides, we want you alive.”

Karen walked to a mirror then turned to the two women. “The three of us look to be about the same age. Is this the reason? Am I always going to look young?”

Jo and Susan walked over to the mirror and the three looked at them selves. Jo took Karen’s hand. “We are forever young, as long as you keep your head.”

“Cool.”

John looked at his father. “Dad, how old are you and John? You look twenty-five.”

“I am fifty-two and John is over one hundred. You know what will happen, Juan if you ask your mother and Jo their ages,” Aaron said with a grin. The grin disappeared as Susan smacked him on the arm.

With a devious smile, Susan looked at the young man. “How old do I look Juan? Be careful how you answer. I am still your mother.”

“Twenty one or twenty two.”

“I am four years younger than your father and Jo and I are the same age.”

“Wow, my friends all said that I had a hot mother. Now I know why.”

“Juan you say the sweetest things. Will you teach your father?”

“My wife is a hot momma.” Aaron promptly got a swift kick to the shin.

Karen looked at herself in the mirror. “Mom, do we really have to train after all these years?”

“Karen, as your mother you should know that I only have your best interests at heart.”

“I have heard that before.”

John had thus far kept out of the conversation. “Kids, in a couple of weeks we will resign from the re-enactors and they will not think it odd after what happened. Besides I will bet there were watchers there as well as all the witnesses.”

John turned to John. “What are watchers?”

Jo took Juan’s arm. “Snoops. Mortals who know about us and watch but do not interfere. They chronicle all of our activities.”

Juan shook his head. “This is all unreal dad, but if you and mom have lived with this, so can I. John, do I have your permission to marry Karen?

“Sure, in about one hundred years. You are both too young to marry. It wouldn’t matter if you were a normal mortal; you are still too young. Until you are old enough, we will go back to the compound.”

It had been six months of intense training since Juan and Karen had turned, honing their skills to stay alive. Sword and physical training were just part of the skills they needed to learn. They also took college correspondence courses in math, history, geology, animal husbandry and business. Running a large cattle ranch and gold mine took a lot of education.

One day, Juan and Karen were allowed to travel to Santa Fe to visit the museums and art galleries. As they drove to Santa Fe, with Metallica blaring on the tape player in the rebuilt 1940 Willy’s Jeep, they felt the buzz of an immortal passing them in the opposite direction. Juan sped up just to be on the safe side.

Arriving in Santa Fe, the couple toured the museums and then found an artist’s gallery that drew Juan immediately. In the back of the gallery were two Confederate NCO Infantry sabers complete with scabbards. Inspecting them Juan immediately plunked down the two hundred dollars each for the swords and left the gallery with a big grin on his face.

The swords were secured in the jeep along with other items that Karen had purchased. Their own swords were secured under the back seat of the jeep but readily available to the immortals. Shopping completed; the couple headed for home.

An hour later, Juan pulled into a gas station to refuel. He noticed a 1965 blue Mustang in a parking lot of a diner across the street. He started to walk across the street when Karen told him not to as she had a bad feeling.

Fifty miles down the road Juan turned off the highway onto a less traveled road that would take them home. A red 1982 Firebird raced by them and the couple immediately felt the buzz of an immortal. The car was lost to sight in an instant due to the high rate of speed. A half-hour later Juan came over a hill and found the Firebird turned sideways blocking the two lane road. Juan hit the brakes and came to a screeching halt. A man was standing by the Firebird waiting. As Juan and Karen decided what to do, Juan noticed the blue Mustang stop a short distance behind him and block the escape route. Juan felt he had no choice and stepped out of the Jeep and pulled out his sword.

“Karen, take the Jeep and get out of here.”

“Juan, no. There are two of them and one of you.”

“I will be fine, but you have to leave.”

Reluctantly, Karen backed up the Jeep and turned the vehicle around and stopped. A woman stood in the road with her sword drawn. Karen knew that if she left, the woman would attack Juan while he fought the man, as Juan would be defenseless from the quickening. Karen refused to think if he won but only when.

Karen stepped out of the Jeep and took her own sword out of the Jeep.

Juan approached the man. “Who are you? I don’t want any trouble.”

“Too bad as I want your head. I am Salvatore Grecko and my partner and I want the two of you.”

“Who is your partner?”

“My lovely lady, Sabrina Milano. Now enough of the pleasantries.”

The immortal launched his attack and was surprised to find only air where Juan had been. Juan countered the attack with sword stroke for sword stroke, the clanging blades echoed in the cool evening air. In the meantime, Karen had been attacked by Sabrina and was holding her own with the stranger.

On an incline about the battle zone, two figures watched through binoculars as the battles progressed. They were watchers of Salvatore and Sabrina. Neither knew who the new victims were and it wouldn’t matter, as the challengers were very experienced. They watched as one of the male combatants suddenly made two moves. A slice across the stomach of his opponent and then a back slash severed the head. The quickening started almost immediately and since the combatants had been close to the Firebird, the car exploded into a ball of flame.

The female watcher lowered her binoculars. “Who won?”

The man next to her kept watching. “Real hard to tell. The two women are close in heighth, build and hair color. Besides the light isn’t very good since the sun went down. We’ll just have to wait.”

The winners of the battles recovered and then moved toward each other, swords in their hands. When they saw each other, they lowered their swords and hugged. They walked to the Jeep and drove away.

When the immortals left, the watchers moved to the battleground and looked at the heads of the losers. They inspected the burned out Firebird and the Jeep that miraculously was untouched.

The man looked at the three cars. “This is interesting.”

“Why did they take the Mustang? I would have taken the Jeep?”

He pointed out the four exploded tires. “Ever drive on four flat tires?” The rest of the Jeep was untouched.

Susan paced the living room floor. “Where are they?”

“They will be fine my dear, you know how kids are. They never learn how to tell time. See here they come now.” Aaron pointed to the headlights of a vehicle. Then he noticed it was not a Jeep and grabbed his sword and called to John and Jo. Susan grabbed her own sword.

As the Mustang came to a stop, four anxious parents waited with swords ready. The buzz of two immortals was clear. The driver and passenger exited the vehicle with their swords in hand.

Aaron walked off the porch. “Where the hell is the Jeep?”

Juan pointed towards the way they had come. “Glad to see you too. Two immortals jumped us and the Jeep ended up with four flat tires. Since the owner of this car didn’t need it, we took it. We can get the Jeep in the morning.”

Jo hugged Karen. “Who were they?”

“The man was named Salvatore Grecko and his companion was a woman named Sabrina. Do you know them?”

John nodded his head. “I know of Salvatore and I heard that he was teamed up with a woman. The two were known to travel the highways separately and challenge immortals. They liked two to one odds. Guess they met their match with you two.”

Susan looked into the car. “What did you bring back?”

Juan pulled out the two swords he had purchased along with Salvatore’s Celtic sword and Sabrina’s rapier.

Aaron nodded as he admired the Civil war swords. “You can put the loser’s swords in the dojo. The ones you purchased will look nice over a fireplace.”

“You can place them where you want dad. Karen and I got these for you and mom.”

The next day Aaron and Juan drove a truck and the Mustang back to the battleground to retrieve the Jeep. As they arrived the only thing left was the Jeep.

The two immortals looked at each other. “Watcher!” Aaron and Juan said simultaneously.

“As they changed the tires Juan asked, “Why did they leave the Jeep?

“Probably figured you would come after it. Ok that’s it, let’s get out of here.”

They drove away leaving the Mustang by the side of the road after wiping away all fingerprints. They had found rental papers in the glove box. An anonymous call from a cell phone advised the rental company of an abandoned vehicle.

A week later a strange vehicle entered the compound while everyone but Aaron was out riding. Aaron went to meet the driver. He stopped when he saw who it was.

“Mike, what are you doing here? You get lost?”

“You really make it hard to find old son. You on the lamb from the law?”

“Just don’t like neighbors.” Both men grinned and shook hands.

“I have been looking for you since Gettysburg. You all left in such a hurry; I didn’t have a chance to administer the last rites. I finally located you and just happened to be in the neighborhood so I figured I would stop by.”

Aaron laughed. “It isn’t nice for a priest to tell a lie. A Pennsylvanian in the neighborhood of the New Mexico Bad Lands.”

“It is the absolute truth. I was near here a couple of days ago and realized that I was almost on top of you. How are John Susan, Jo and especially holding up.”

“We’re ok, Mike they aren’t gone.”

“I know, they will always be with you in spirit.”

“No, Mike, they aren’t dead.”

“Aaron, I have seen this many times when parents refuse to let go and admit their kids are gone.”

“Come in the house Mike and let’s have a beer.”

“Well, it’s about time. I remember a long time ago when I would have had a been in my hand before I got out of the car.”

“Mike in those days, I think you had a cooler in the car.”

“I think I did too. Do you remember that APC in Nam? The one we modified with a refrigerator?”

“Don’t tell John. I think that is the only thing we ever hid from him, Mike.”

“He knew. I caught him one night snaking out a beer when the rest of us were asleep.”

“Why, that sly SOB. He still hasn’t let on that he knew.”

As the two Vietnam War buddies talked about the past, the warrior turned Priest tried to get Aaron to admit that he was still suffering from PTSD. It appeared to the Priest that Aaron was not dealing with the facts of his son’s death. The sound of approaching feet on the veranda made Mike turn towards the door to see John, Susan and Jo entering. Aaron had not made any indications that he had known they were there.

“Well look what the cat drug in.” John walked over and shook hands with Mike. “It’s good to see you. Are you still a Sky Pilot?”

“Bless you my son, yes I am.” Mike looked at his former commander. Turning to Susan and Jo he gave them a hug. “If I had met ladies like you in my younger days I might not have joined the priesthood.”

“I know you too well, Mike. You always talked of the priesthood when we were in Nam. Now would you please release my wife?”

“Are you jealous?” Susan grinned. “Mike why are you here?”

“I came to offer my condolences.”

“Thanks Mike but it’s ok. They are not gone.”

Mike shook his head. “I have seen this many times. Parents find it hard to let go when their children die. You have to let go. Juan and Karen would want you to.”

“We would want them to what?”

Mike turned around and his mouth dropped open. He quickly recovered and shook hands with Juan and hugged Karen.

Juan caught Mike’s left hand and turned it over.

“What’s this?”

“Just a tattoo I got before I went into the priesthood.”

Aaron looked at the tattoo. “It’s isn’t nice for a priest to lie Mike.”

“What do you mean?”

“You could never lie without that blood vessel on the side of your head sticking out We know you are a watcher.”

“What, how did you know? No one is supposed to know.” Mike’s face showed that he was surprised and dumbfounded.

Aaron released Mike’s wrist. “We have great intelligence, Mike. You are still a priest in good standing are you not?”

Mike nodded his head.

“We wish to make our confessions.”

Mike was startled at this request but took a small stole out of his pocket.

Aaron made the Sign of the Cross. “Bless us Father, for we are sinners. This is our general confession. We are all immortals. We have killed in self defense.”

As Mike finished giving Absolution the immortals could see the question forming on the Priest’s face.

“Mike, you now know our secret and since we told you in Confession, you are bound by the Sacrament of Confession never to divulge that information, even to the Watchers.”

“That was kind of sneaky, Aaron.”

“We have an obligation to protect ourselves and our families.”

“Your secret is safe with me. It would have been safe even without confession, but I can see why you would want the extra assurance. Aaron when did you become immortal?

“Do you remember when I killed that NVA that carried a sword?”

“That was the day after we thought you were killed during that ambush, right?”

“That’s the one. Well, I turned when a VC bayonet killed me. The next day at the firebase I went after the guy with the sword. Without going into details, I took his head. The ammo dump blew up, not because of a motor attack, although that was going on also. It was the quickening that set off the explosions.”

“I never thought about it before. No wonder you haven’t aged in all these years. When did you turn John?”

“During the charge up San Juan Hill.”

“When did Juan and Karen turn?”

Karen closed her eyes as she remembered that terrible day. “We were killed at Gettysburg, this year, not the Civil War. I wonder what happened to that Frenchman who killed us.”

Mike grinned. He was deported after he got out of the hospital after he recovered from a concussion, three broken ribs and a broken right arm. Since there were no bodies the authorities couldn’t charge him with murder, but since he was using live weapons, they could charge him with public endangerment with a firearm. Colonel Swan together with Major Layne of the First Minnesota got him banned from all re-enactments. His passport was also revoked by the French Government. Seems the son of the French Ambassador was one of the soldiers who captured the guy.”

John looked at Mike. “When did you become a watcher and why? That doesn’t really sound like something a priest would do.”

“That was really strange. About five years ago I ran into a guy I knew from Nam. He was a FNG who got killed in a firefight. He took five AK-47 rounds to the chest and he fell on top of me. I was covered with his blood. A few days later I was approached by the Watchers.”

Jo took Mike’s arm as they walked to the dinning room. “Mike, we have lived a long time. We have built this ranch and raised our children. We don’t look for trouble and have gone out of our way to stay away from it. Jo and I took our first heads in 1988 when we were in Assisi. It was them or us. We don’t want to fight, but just because we don’t want to doesn’t mean we can’t or won’t.”

“You know even though I have been a watcher, I never actually talked to an immortal and now I am a friend to six of them. I wonder if we are still friends.”

Jo put her arm around Mike’s shoulders. “Why would you say that?”

“My beer is empty.”

Karen quickly retrieved a beer from the kitchen and handed it to the priest.

“That’s more like it.”

“Mike, we are brothers and you will always be welcome here. You are now our chaplain.”

“That might pacify the Watchers if they ask where I have been. I can tell the truth. I visited a fellow Vietnam Vet who I fought side by side with and one who was my commander.”

Suddenly a rumble came from several stomachs, the loudest from Mike.

“Sounds like it is time to eat. All I have at the moment is cold cuts and beer.” Susan stood up.

“Sounds like a plan, Susan. I have never passed on any meal as long as there was beer involved.” Mike grinned as he stood up.

The Concorde set down in Paris after a short evening flight from the United States and six immortals disembarked. Juan and Karen were excited as they had never been to Europe and their mother’s were excited at the prospect of shopping. Their last trip to Europe did not include France and they wanted to help bolster the French economy.

John had been elected to act as the unofficial tour guide since he had been to Paris a few times albeit the last time had been in 1954. Their private tour would include the Cathedral Notre Dame, the Louve, the Eiffel Tower and of course the Moulin Rouge. The men were already planning to see the Can Can.

Juan and Karen wanted to see everything, the women wanted to shop and the men wanted to watch Parisian girls, just to say they had.

As Susan and Jo prepared to descend upon the unsuspecting shops of Paris, John and Aaron studied the map of the city.

John grinned. “Aaron, you had better hide your bankcard before Susan wipes you out.”

“Way ahead of you LT. Mine is in my boot.” He patted the left Wellington boot that he wore. “That’s the beauty of separate account.”

“Glad to see you have prepared. Mine is going into a secured area now. He slipped his into a hidden pocket in his western boots.

Juan and Karen had left earlier to sightsee and check out the hangouts for young people. Their parents may not look older, but they had the parental mentality that the kids wanted to avoid.

“Well, guys we’re ready to go. Meet you back here at four o’clock.” Jo waved at the men.

“Leave something for the other tourists, ladies.” Aaron checked to make sure his wallet was where it was supposed to be.

“Do we have to?” Susan winked as the ladies sashayed out the door.

John picked up the phone and made a call.

“Sending out a warning to the Gendarmes?”

“No, calling a friend.”

The phone rang three times before it was answered.

“Duncan, this is John. We arrived this morning. Aaron and I are going for a walk. Ok if we stop by for a chat?”

“You let the women go shopping by themselves? Maybe I had better not tell Amanda they are in town. The three of them will wipe out the stores.”

“How true. We’ll see you in about an hour across the Seine.” John hung up the phone.

An hour later Duncan met with John and Aaron at the Cathedral Notre Dame.

“Why here John, why didn’t you come to the barge?”

John grinned. “This is as good a place as any and we wanted to see Notre Dame. Have you told Amanda that we are here?”

“No, I thought to surprise her.”

“That would be a good surprise. Four immortals suddenly show up at once. She would be after heads. I wonder whose head she would want to detach, yours or ours?”

“Hmmm, you do have a point. Guess I should tell her.”

Aaron sat down next to the Highlander. “Duncan, there is something else to discuss. We brought our kids with us.”

“Kids? You mean you guys adopted children? Are they preemies or mortals?”

John looked at Aaron. “Neither. They are immortals. A fanatical Frenchman killed them last year. I think he was from Paris named Francois De’Tessan.”

The Highlander nodded. “I know the name. There was a bit of a scandal about him shooting two Americans during a Gettysburg re-enactment, but no bodies were ever found. The parents had taken them away.” Duncan looked at John and Aaron who had very sober looks on their faces.

Duncan paused. “He appeared in a Bastille Day re-enactment after than in Paris and killed a young woman and her boyfriend as they were walking down the street. He was executed last month by guillotine.”

Aaron’s mouth dropped open. “You still use that here in France?”

Duncan nodded. “He requested it.” Duncan snapped his fingers. “I have an idea. I will tell Amanda that the four of you are here with your kids and we will meet here.” He wrote down the address on a church bulletin. “Eight o’clock.”

Amanda and Duncan were seated at the table when John, Jo, Susan and Aaron arrived.

Amanda jumped up and hugged Jo and Susan and then John and Aaron. “Duncan said you have children? Where are they, surely you didn’t leave them alone in Paris?” asked Amanda.

Jo giggled. “Restroom. They have been taken it upon themselves you drink all the French wine in Paris.”

The immortals felt the buzz of two new immortals. Amanda and Duncan looked around trying to locate the sources.

“Here they are now.” Aaron stood as a young man and young woman approached. “Amanda, Duncan may I present Karen, Jo and John’s daughter and Juan our son.”

“Duncan you didn’t tell me they were adults. You said children.”

Aaron chuckled. “That is our fault, Amanda. We told Duncan that our children were with us and that they were immortals. I presumed Duncan would know they were older children. I apologize.”

Amanda looked at Aaron then the kids. “Apology accepted, if this handsome young man will dance with me tonight.”

“How could I refuse a beautiful lady such as yourself?”

Amanda looked at Juan and then Aaron. “”You taught him well Aaron. Karen, Don’t worry, I won’t try to steal him away. Why don’t you dance with Duncan?”

“Deal.” Karen took Duncan’s arm.

Duncan looked like he was ready to hide.

Formalities taken care of, the eight immortals sat down at the table and proceeded with dinner and renewing friendships. Afterwards the eight immortals painted Paris red, but they all had headaches the next morning.

The next morning Amanda awoke with a start. “Duncan, you have to warn Methos. You know how he is around immortals.”

Duncan wiped the night dirt out of his eyes. “A awrdy dee.”

“What?”

Yawning, he repeated himself. “I already did. Yesterday after I met with Aaron and John. He knows they are friends but he is taking a trip to Bora Bora for awhile.”

“Always ahead of me.” Amanda snuggled up to the Highlander.

Summer 2002

The Blue and white Cessna was flying at two thousand feet when the engine sputtered. The pilot checked his instruments and tried to climb higher. He reached over and shook his passenger’s left shoulder.

Adam Pierson, also known as Methos, the oldest living immortal yawned and looked out of the window. “Tell me that clouds are supposed to be brown.”

The pilot looked grim. “Must be a massive fire somewhere to climb this high and be this thick.”

Methos looked out of the opposite window. “So why did you wake me?”

“The engine sputtered and navigation went dead.” He tapped on the gauges and flipped switches. He picked up the mic and keyed it.

“Albuquerque tower, this is Cessna Zulu Tango 46, Mayday, Mayday.”

“Cessna Zulu Tango 46, this is White Sands Control. You are flying into a restricted airspace. You are ordered to leave.”

“White Sands, my navigation is out, my engine is missing and I am surrounded by a thick brown cloud. Mayday. Mayday.”

“Cessna Zulu Tango 46, look to your left and you will see some mountains. Fly towards them and out of this airspace.”

“White Sands, All I see is more brown cloud. I couldn’t tell if I was turning left ninety degrees or ten degrees.”

“Cessna Zulu Tango 46, you are in the smoke from the Rodeo-Chedaski fire in Arizona. I understand your situation but you must leave this air space or be shot down.”

“Would you shoot down a defenseless civilian aircraft in trouble?”

“Yes.”

Methos looked at Duncan. “Just great. We couldn’t have taken a civilian airliner.”

“Cessna Zulu Tango 46 there is fighter directly behind you. You will follow his instructions or you will be destroyed.”

“Roger, White Sands. Thanks for the assistance.”

Methos tried to look behind them when the buzz of an immortal struck both Methos and the Highlander.

“Cessna Zulu Tango 46, this Swordmaster. I will be coming up on your left side. Acknowledge when you see me.”

Duncan looked to his left. “Roger Swordmaster, I see you now.”

“Good, I will turn ninety degrees. You will follow me. We will stay with you until you have cleared the smoke. Pilot, what is your name?”

“Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod.”

“The Highlander. I remember you. I am breaking through the smoke. Advise when you are clear.”

“Roger Swordmaster, I see clear sky ahead.”

“Roger Highlander. Do you see the mountain peak that looks like a boot at eleven o’clock?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Fly directly towards it for about thirty minutes. When you are able to see what looks like an arrow on the boot, look to your right about two o’clock. There will be a private airstrip. It will be safe to land and make your repairs. There are no real repair facilities but the man you find might be able to help you or maybe let you use a phone.”

“Thanks for the assist, Swordmaster.”

“De nada, Highlander. Welcome to New Mexico. Keep your head. Swordmaster out.”

Duncan and Methos watched as the F-16 flew by. As the pilot waved, Duncan could read the Pilots name on the ship “Swordmaster” and directly behind it, “Rapier” the name of the GAB also known as the guy in back.

Methos watched as the plane flew off. “Now that was interesting. You do know that he could have blasted us out of the sky at any time.”

“Certainly, but I don’t think he wanted to risk taking a quickening at 3000 feet in a fighter. There is the arrow, look for the landing strip.”

Methos watched the as the ground sped by. The plane dropped to 1000 feet. “There to the right.”

“I see it. It’s about three miles away.” The engine sputtered again and stopped.

Methos looked at Duncan. “I hope this thing can glide.”

“Be glad we didn’t take a Lear jet. They glide like a rock. I just hope I can get the engine started.”

“And if you can’t?”

“Then we will glide in and hope we don’t hit anything.”

Methos looked at Duncan dejectedly. “Great, just great.”

Duncan continued to flip the ignition switch and was rewarded as the propeller started spinning. He looked at the altimeter reading, three hundred feet. He looked through the windshield and discovered they were two miles from the tarmac. Just as the wheels touched the landing strip, the engine died again. The little craft raced by the sagebrush as Duncan gently applied the brakes. They came to a stop one thousand yards away from the hanger.

Methos gave a sigh of relief. “We have company.” He pointed to a man who appeared to be in his fifties and wearing coveralls walking from the hanger. The immortals got out of the plane, leaving their swords on board. He leaned over to Duncan. “He almost reminds me of Joe Dawson without the limp.”

Duncan nodded. “He does, doesn’t he?”

The man put out his hand. “Welcome to the C&M ranch, or as we call it, Club Forever. My name is Mike. How can I help you?”

Duncan shook hands with Mike. “Our engine gave up after we flew through that smoke to the north. An Air Force pilot suggested we land here.”

Mike nodded. “That was Swordmaster. He notified his Control Tower to call me and advise me of your situation. Let’s take a look, it is probably a clogged filter. I am afraid that I don’t have one, but one is on the way. I ordered one when I heard of your problem.”

Duncan shook his head. “You did this, just because you knew we were coming?”

Mike laughed. “One of the planes that is hankered here is the same make and model as yours. We used the last one two days ago, so it was resupply time.”

Methos looked around the facilities. “I am curious as to why you call this place Club Forever?”

“The C&M are actually two ranches that are joined together by marriage. The children of the owners are married. Put together the ranch seems to stretch forever.” Mike walked over to the plane and in a few minutes removed the air filter that looked like it was covered in mud. “Yep here is your problem. That fire is a bad one. The smoke is causing a lot of air quality issues.”

Duncan looked at the hanger. “I notice that there is a cross on your hanger. That is quite unusual.”

“Out here we are far away from town. There are many Catholics here in New Mexico and I happen to be a Catholic Priest. This is my parish and a lot of my parishioners fly in on Sunday. The Chapel is on the far side of the hanger. Just off the tarmac is a cemetery, so when I arrived here in 1988, I thought it only appropriate to consecrate the grounds. You are actually standing on Holy Ground."

Duncan and Methos shared a knowing look. They both felt a buzz at the same time as a horse neighed.

Mike pointed to a rider riding along side of the tarmac. “Ah, the boys have arrived.” He stepped back a few feet as the two immortals continued looking around.

Keeping an eye on the rider, Duncan caught sight of another rider on the other side of the tarmac. “There are two of them”

Methos moved so that his back was against Duncan’s. “Two more behind us. One on either side of the hanger.”

The riders came to a stop about eighty yards away and dismounted. Duncan watched the two riders. They were dressed alike with dusty cowboy books jeans covered by chaps, open dusters thrown aside to show their western style holsters and pistols and wide brimmed cowboy hats. They each carried a Winchester lever action rifle and they were pointed towards the ground. One wore a heavy beard and the other was clean shaven.

Duncan glanced over his shoulder. “Shift positions.” The two men made a circle and Duncan was surprised to see the new pair were identical in dress to the pair he had seen. “Can we make it to the plane?”

Mike grinned. “You would not make it five feet if you run.”

Methos looked at Mike. “I thought this was holy ground.”

Mike looked over his shoulder. He pointed to the speck in the air. “We have two more people arriving.”

Methos and Duncan looked at each other, as the four riders had not moved. They watched the aircraft land and recognized it as a P-51 Mustang with a supercharged engine. The aircraft coasted to a stop next to Duncan'’ plane and the two pilots climber out. They still wore their helmets and the visors were down. As the pilots walked toward Mike Duncan realized that the helmets had the names of the pilots emblazoned above the visor. “Swordmaster” and “Rapier”.

“I am Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod. We have no fight with you. We are only here because you told us about this strip.”

“I am Swordmaster and I know you Highlander. You danced with my wife.”

Duncan looked at Methos and shrugged his shoulders. “I have no idea what he is talking about.”

Rapier approached the immortals, wearing a sidearm. Rapier flipped up the visor and grabbed Duncan’s head and kissed him. Duncan’s eyes grew large. He was stunned as Rapier took off the helmet and her shoulder length red hair was exposed.

“Karen Moss? That means Swordmaster is…”

She grinned. “My husband Captain Juan Moss, USAFR. I am First Lieutenant Karen Moss, USAFR.”

Duncan laughed. “I didn’t know you two were in the military. Where are your folks?”

Juan grinned as he pointed to the four riders who walked towards the visitors.

Two of the riders walked up to Duncan and kissed him also. They took off their hats to show their own long hair. “Susan, Jo? That means. . .”

Jo was hanging onto Duncan’s left arm. “John and Aaron our right in front of you. It is no wonder you didn’t recognize them with their beards.”

Duncan shook his head. “The four of you scared the hell out of us. You remind me of when I was riding with the Rangers in 1870. Why the get up?”

Aaron walked up and shook Duncan’s hand. “Who is stupid enough to mess with six crazy immortals?”

Methos nudged Duncan. “Ixnay with the immortalnay.”

Mike laughed out loud. “Adam, I understand pig Latin. I also have known John and Aaron a long time, even before I became a priest. Aaron and I were buddies in Nam and John was our Commander.”

“How did you know my name was Adam?”

“Joe Dawson is a friend of mine. I met him before the land mine.”

Methos shook his head. “Doesn’t Dawson ever keep his mouth shut? Ten to one you are a Watcher also?”

“Yes I am.”

“Who is your assignment? With six immortals I don’t want to be running into five more watchers.”

“Actually I am the watcher for all six of them. I know it is unusual but I became a Watcher without knowing about John and Aaron. I came for a visit after my assignment had been killed. It turns out he challenged young Juan here and lost. I stopped by to see John and Aaron, as I knew that Juan and Karen had been shot during a reenactment. I was there at the time. I talked to Joe when I was invited to become the family Chaplain.” Mike ushered everyone into the hanger. “Anyone want a beer?”

Methos’ head shot up. “I will.”

Mike grinned. “That’s a given. Dawson warned me about you. Don’t worry, no one knows you are here.”

Duncan accepted a beer. “What about the Air Force. We were sent here and I will bet someone was following us.”

Juan handed a beer to Karen. “There was a plane following but they were intercepted by two of my squadron fighters and turned back, before they hit that smoke. I accidentally released some chaff on my pass and blocked any radar from following you. We will put your plane in the hanger. If anyone flies over, we will know about it.”

As Jo finished her beer, she turned to John. “I think our guests would be more comfortable in the house. Mike, why don’t you join us? Duncan, are you two in a hurry?”

Duncan placed his empty beer bottle in the blue container marked recycling. “Not really, but I think I should contact Amanda. She was supposed to meet us in Phoenix later tonight.”

Aaron ushered the immortal guests towards a jeep. You can make the call from the house. I have things set up so that the call cannot be traced.” He grinned. “Juan, will you take my horse? Mike, hop in.”

Duncan looked at Aaron. “I think you are as paranoid as Adam.”

“Not paranoid, just cautious. A few years ago, when I was dealing with PTSD, you would have right about being paranoid. Tell you what, Juan can fly us to Phoenix, pick that beautiful wife of yours and come back for a vacation.”

Duncan and Adam nodded as Adam grinned. “Its not Bora Bora, but it is isolated.”

Juan rode up as the jeep came to a stop. “Did I hear someone say flying to Phoenix? I need to see someone there anyhow about some business. I can fly the Leer jet to Gateway and be there in a couple of hours.”

Duncan had a question on his face. “I thought Sky Harbor was the airport in Phoenix.”

“It is. We could fly into Falcon Field or Scottsdale but those are being used to resupply the slurry bombers fighting the fire. Gateway is the old Air Force Base outside of Mesa. I fly in there a lot and I have my own ground transportation parked in the hanger.”

The immortals jumped as Duncan’s phone rang. He flipped it open. “Hello?”

“Duncan where are you? I need your help.”

“Amanda, I don’t recognize this number where are you?”

“I am on a plane headed for Phoenix. There is one of us on the plane, but I don’t see anyone. He must have gotten on at the last minute. I am using the phone on the plane. You know they don’t allow cell phones to be used on board.”

“Just act nonchalant, Amanda. I am with some friends. How soon before you get to Phoenix?”

“We just left Detroit and should be there in about four hours.”

“Give me your flight number.” He took the pen and paper that John handed him and scribbled the information. “Ok, Amanda, we will meet you there. I love you.”

“I love you too, Duncan. Don’t be late.”

As Duncan put the phone away, he noticed the room was empty except for Methos.

“They went to get changed. They will be back in twenty minutes.”

In fifteen minutes, Duncan watched as the men walked back in wearing clean jeans, shirts and unscuffed boots. They all wear dust free cowboy hats and carried dusters. “Adam said twenty minutes.”

Aaron laughed. “Twenty minutes for the ladies.”

“We heard that.”

Aaron turned to see Jo, Susan and Karen walk in. Like the men they had all showered and dressed in the same style clean clothes. Jo and Susan had their hair done in a single braid. “Under twenty minutes, I am impressed.” He noted that Karen and Juan both wore Air Force Flight suits.

Susan walked up and kissed him. “We’re going to Phoenix and didn’t want to miss the plane.”

Juan piloted the jet towards Gateway. “Ok people, we are almost there. We will be landing in a few minutes.” He looked over at his co-pilot. “Did you call ahead about the cars?”

Karen nodded. “Of course. There will be two Hummers waiting.”

In the passenger area, Methos leaned over to Duncan. “I don’t know MacLeod, trusting our lives to two youngsters. I mean, look at them. They look twenty.”

John glanced over. “Those two maybe young, but they are trained and qualified fighter pilots. They even installed an ejection seat in here, as a matter of fact the one you are sitting in.”

Methos jumped out of his seat and stared at it. Slowly he turned to the rest of his fellow passengers to see the smirks. “Very funny.”

Duncan pulled on his arm. “Adam sit down. Juan and Karen wouldn’t do anything that brash.” He looked at John. “They wouldn’t would they?”

They all felt the wheels touch the tarmac and looked out of the windows. A series of hangers went by as the jet slowed and stopped in front of one. A man stood by two black extended Hummers that sat outside the hanger. He walked over as the immortals stepped down the ramp.

“Juan, I got Karen’s call. Hope this is what you wanted.”

“Thanks Jorge, I need the ship fueled and ready to leave in a couple of hours. We have to pick up a passenger at Sky Harbor.”

“No problemo Amigo.” He tossed two sets of keys to Juan. “The plane will be ready when you need it.”

Juan gave him a thumbs up as he tossed the keys to one of the Hummers in the air between his parents and in-laws. Susan snatched the keys before John or Aaron could react. Mom, would you drive the other? Karen and I are bushed. We have been flying since four o’clock this morning.”

Jo took the keys from Aaron’s hands. She smiled at Duncan. “See how well mannered our children are? They let the mothers drive. Duncan you can ride with John and the kids while I drive. Susan can take Mike, Aaron and Adam.”

Adam looked around carefully.

Susan took his arm. “Oh come on Adam. I will let you ride between Aaron and me. He always rides shotgun.”

“I could sit in back and give you more room.”

“Don’t be silly. How can I flirt with you if you are in the back?” She gave Methos a kiss on the cheek.

Methos turned to Aaron. “I swear I didn’t encourage this.”

Aaron laughed. “Don’t worry, Adam.” He lowered his voice. “Susan just wants to know what the oldest immortal is like.”

Methos flashed a look at Duncan who shook his head.

John put his hand on Methos’ left shoulder. “Adam, I knew who you were when you got off the place. We met about a hundred years ago, in passing.”

Methos looked at John. “Where?”

“San Juan Hill”

“You know I wondered why you looked familiar. You were in Company B, weren’t you?”

John nodded. “You were Company A. That’s where I died. You were known as Benjamin Adams then.”

“How did you know?”

“A Spanish officer led a charge against us. He was about your height, black hair and had a scar across his left eye. He yelled “Methos” and I saw you turn around. We shot them down and continued on. His body was never found. I died five minuets later.”

Methos nodded. “That was Kronos, my brother. He is dead now. Methos is a name I prefer not to be heard.”

“Not to worry, my friend. My family knows of course, but we won’t tell. You are a brother in arms like Aaron and Mike. We fought together in Nam.” He opened the door of the Hummer so Methos and Aaron could get in. “Susan, follow us. Will take a right and go up to the Superstition Freeway and get off at the Sky Harbor exit. There may be a vehicle inspection and no one is allowed to leave a vehicle unattended. Karen and Juan will meet Amanda.”

Juan and Karen waited outside the passenger deplaning area for Amanda. Karen nudged Juan when she caught sight of the shorthaired blonde picking her way through the passengers. Karen waved as Amanda’s buzz was felt. She hugged the woman as she passed the barricade. “Amanda, come with me into the ladies room. Juan will be just outside.” She took the gym bag she was carrying and led Amanda into the restroom.

A few minutes later a woman in jeans and a cowboy walked out in front of a dark-haired woman in a flight suit. The cowgirl walked towards the exit as the two flight suited people followed behind. All three were aware of the buzz of an immortal. A few minutes later the three, carrying Amanda’s luggage walked out of the baggage claim area and entered the two Hummers that rolled up as they left the building.

Duncan sat in the back seat of the Hummer next to Amanda. “That a nice disguise.”

“Karen had it all planed. Good thing we are the same size. Wearing a flight suit is one thing, but dressed as a cowgirl is really out of my league.” She unzipped the flight suit and started pulling it off.

Susan glanced into the rear view mirror and saw Amanda in her bra and thong. She glanced at Karen and Aaron sitting next to her. “Amanda, there is another bag under the seat. I am afraid they are jeans and a shirt along with a pair of boots. Where we are going, your stilettos won’t be very comfortable.” She laughed. “I am glad Mike is in the other vehicle. Can’t have you scandalizing our Priest.”

Amanda shook her head. “You travel with a Priest?”

Aaron grinned. “Doesn’t everyone?”

Jo looked in the driver’s rearview mirror. “John we have picked up a tail. He’s hanging back about a quarter of a mile.”

John looked in the right mirror. “No problem.” He grabbed his cell phone and punched in a number. “Aaron, we have a bogey at six o’clock. We will slow down and run interference. He is just out of range for the buzz. If he feels us, he will only know there is a buzz from this car. Take the Gilbert Road Exit and shoot down to the old Williams Field Road. We will take the Power Road Exit. Now if this immortal follows you, we will jump off at Val Vista and intercept. Get through the gate as soon as possible and alert the guards. We will meet you at the plane so have it ready to go.”

“Don’t worry John. There are six immortals here and you have only three.”

John laughed. “True but with Adam, Jo and myself, I think we have the best three and we have a priest.”

“Roger, that. We just pulled off at Gilbert, Where are you?”

“We have managed to slow him down. We are just passed Mesa Drive, coming up on Stapley. Now we will speed up a bit.”

“Ok, see you in a bit.”

John hung up the phone and looked at Jo. “Speed up but don’t lose him. I want to make sure he doesn’t get off on Gilbert Road.”

Jo nodded as she signaled and pulled into the inside slow lane of the four lane highway. “Good boy, come to momma.” She grinned at John. “They are following just like a puppy.”

Twenty minutes later Jo pulled up to the gate of the old Williams Air Force Base, now known as Gateway Airport. She rolled down the window as the guard walked up.

The Guard checked the gate pass. “Mrs. Colcord, Mrs. Moss told us you guys were being followed.” He looked behind Jo’s car and saw a black sedan parked alongside the road. “I presume the lurker back there is the one following. Security has been alerted and will be here before they can get to the gate.”

Jo looked at the guard’s nametag. “Thanks Merle. Appreciate your help.”

“No problem Ma’am. We’ll see you next time you come to town.”

Jo drove to the hanger and saw the plane ready for take off. Jorge took the Hummer as the Jo, John, Adam and Mike climbed aboard and closed the door. The plane was moving as they all sat down. Mike grabbed a beer out of the cooler on his way to his seat. “Now that was fun.”

Amanda stared him down. “Fun? What kind of a Priest are you?”

“The kind that spent a year in the bush with John and Aaron, before I became a Priest.”

Aaron looked up as Juan walked back from the cockpit. “We have company waiting at the ranch. Pedro called and said a plane with two men landed a short time ago. They looked over the area and may be setting up an ambush.”

Duncan stood up. “Do you have another landing site?”

Juan shook his head. “No, but not to worry. First we are landing on holly ground and second, Pedro called in the troops.”

Methos turned around in his seat. “What do you have, an Army?”

John grinned. “Sort of. Ten of our old unit work for us. They were all down on their luck. None could hold a job for long, busted marriages, booze and nightmares. They all had a tough life when they came home. We found them one by one and now we have a highly trained and loyal strike force.”

Amanda snorted. “A bunch of fat old men playing soldier. Just great.”

Susan walked up to Amanda. “They are all in their fifties, like Mike but they are not fat. They are all cowboys in the true sense of the word. John and Aaron don’t give them any slack. They punch cattle, string wire, brand calves, everything that needs to be done on a working cattle ranch is done by those men.”

Amanda shook her head. Haven’t they wondered about the aging thing?”

John turned to Amanda. “They all saw Aaron die the first time and put it off to a miracle when he came back. They were there when Aaron took his first head during a battle. They know we are immortals and accept it. They have had enough issues to deal with and are grateful that John and Aaron helped them. After years of being put down for being Nam Vets, they have rebuilt their lives. Most have families on the ranch and they watched Karen and Juan grow up. They are family.”

Amanda’s nostrils flared. “How many are Watchers?”

Mike turned to the beautiful blonde. “Only one.”

Amanda stared at Mike. “And you report on what all these immortals do. Another Joe Dawson.”

Mike grinned. “Not exactly. Joe doesn’t have the luxury of the Confessional. I do. I am their confessor and everything I hear in the Confessional is sacrosanct, even from the Watchers.”

“How do you know?”

“I am their Watcher.”

“You?” Amanda stood up and looked at Jo and Susan. “Aren’t you afraid of a Watcher knowing everything about you?”

Mike put his hand on Amanda’s shoulder. “I came to visit some old friends after the death of their children. They confessed to me that they were immortals and invited me to be their Chaplain. John, Aaron and I fought together in Vietnam. Joe convinced the Watcher Council, so now I send detailed reports to Joe.”

“How detailed?”

“Well, I think they got tired of reading how many cows were punched, how many were branded, how many calves were born, et cetera. Now I only report challenges, which have been none since I have been here.”

A light blinked in the cabin and Juan went forward. “We will be landing in ten minutes, but first we will do a fly over.”

Fifteen minutes later, the jet landed and everyone got off. The two visitors waited on the tarmac. One man stepped forward. “I am Don Gallati and I challenge you Highlander.”

A swarthy little man stepped next to Don. “I am Juan Murietta and I come for Amanda.”

John laughed. No one challenges a guest on this ranch without coming through me or Aaron, or both. This is Holy Ground. Before you pull out a gun and shoot us, there are ten rifles pointed at you and they mean business. If you wish to challenge us first, you can meat us in three hours at the corral about three miles from here.”

Gallati looked in the direction that John had indicated. “How do we get there?”

“Walk.”

“How do we know this is really Holy Ground?”

Mike came forward. “I am a priest and I blessed every inch of this ranch, except the corral. I didn’t think it appropriate to bless a corral. Did you not notice the cross on the building behind the hanger or the cemetery?”

Mike walked past the immortals and stopped by a Hummer. A trailer was hitched to the vehicle and John, Juan, Mike and Aaron placed Amanda’s luggage in it before climbing on. The rest got into the Hummer. Karen drove them to the house. As they unladed, Amanda looked back at the hanger. “Why did you agree to meet them in three hours?

“In this heat, without water, they will be badly dehydrated, even for an immortal.”

“That is sneaky, John.”

“Yep.”

Three hours later John, Aaron and Juan rode up to the corral. Juan took the reins and rode off. John noticed that the visitors had discarded their overcoats. Aaron nodded to John that neither man wore a hat and were sweating profusely. John grinned. “I hope you haven’t been too uncomfortable.”

Gallati sneered. “You could have told us there was no water or shade.”

“And ruin the surprise? This is a working ranch and you do not keep water near horses that are being broken. The trough is about a quarter mile up the road.”

“Good, we will go get a drink and then come back.”

John shook his head. Sorry. Once you leave the corral the challenge is over. The choice is yours.”

“Fine. Let’s get it over with.”

Aaron smiled as the visitors looked at each other. “You are that ready to die? Fair enough.”

John and Aaron climbed into the corral, one at a time. They walked close to the center and then stopped, backs together. The challengers circled like a pair of vultures.

Murrietta made the first move as he swung his sword wildly at Aaron. Aaron caught the blade with his own sabre as he noted that Gallati has begun the fight with John. The sound of metal on metal rang through the New Mexico desert. John and Aaron remained back to back, frustrating their attackers.

Aaron took advantage as Murrietta again swung wildly, slicing through his attacker’s abdomen. Murrietta stepped back and waited for Aaron to follow. Surprise showed on the man’s face when he realized his opponent had not moved.

Behind Aaron, John matched Gallati’s moves, stroke for stroke without either man drawing blood. John noticed that Gallati was weakening from the exertion and dehydration. Gallati missteped allowing John to slash his opponent from right shoulder to left abdomen. Blood spurted onto the ground as was quickly absorbed by the parched earth.

Aaron could see that Murrieta was also weakening and knew the time had come. He saw Murrieta look behind Aaron and John as he charged. Murrieta was three feet away with his sword in the air when Aaron yelled.

“Now!”

As one Johan and Aaron dove to their left and rolled to an upright position, leaving their opponents facing each other as they swung the death blows. A nano second of surprise registered on each man’s face as their momentum carried forward the swords, decapitating each man. John and Aaron raised their swords and grabbed each other’s free hand as the tendrils of the double quickening over took them.

From the ridge overlooking the battle scene, eight pairs of eyes watched the battle and double quickening in silence. Methos and Duncan looked at each other as they remembered their own double quickening with Kronos and Silas. They winced as the lightning hit the victors.

Before quiet descended, Jo and Susan mounted their horses and raced to the corral. The smell of blood, manure as well as scorched flesh and cloth permeated the air. The women approached their husbands who lay face down in the muck. They helped the men folk to their feet and picked up the swords. As the rest of the immortals arrived, Methos looked past the corral to see a wagon and two men approaching. The men jumped form the wagon as it stopped. Without a word, the two ex-soldiers picked up the bodies and swords, placing them in the bed of the wagon. Mike walked over and blessed the bodies. With a nod, Mike mounted and led the wagon to the cemetery.

As the group mounted, Methos turned to Duncan. “I have read a lot of reports on challenges and this one is for the record books. While double quickenings are rare, fighting back to back like that and then letting their opponents decapitate themselves is unheard of. It’s almost like they trained that way.”

Juan rode up to Methos. “In a way they have. They have been fighting and training alongside each other for over thirty years. They almost think as one. It’s scary.”

Duncan shook his head. “No what is scary is a double quickening. I never want to go through that again.”

Juan nodded. “Karen and I each took a quickening but there was a little bit of distance between us.”

Duncan mounted. “I remember Jo and Susan did it in Assisi. What is it with the Colcord and Moss clan that makes you fight together that way? It reminds me of my own clan battles.”

Karen rode up. “We are Clan, we are family.”

Duncan looked at her. “Aye, lass that you are.”

The immortals followed the wagon to the cemetery for the burial.