Date: Tue, 8 Nov 1994 06:58:54 -0500 Reply-To: Highlander TV show stories Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: Rene Gibson Organization: ALPHATECH, INC. Subject: Long Lifelines (A HL/FK story) (04/06) * * * Arriving home with Connor, Nick found somewhere safe to store Connor's sword. Sitting down opposite Connor, Nick's frown matched Connor's dark scowl. "Why do Immortals go around fighting each other with swords?" Nick demanded. "Who says we do?" "I do. Why else would you carry around a sword so casually?" Nick noted. "You're obviously used to it." Connor was silent. Nick leaned forward threateningly. "You'll tell me eventually." Seeing the look on Nick's face, a thought suddenly occurred to Connor. "How did you find out my name earlier? Can you read minds?" "Not quite," Nick admitted. "But I can 'encourage' you to tell the truth," he said meaningfully. That convinced Connor. "All right, I'll tell you. But let me do it without any help from you." "Agreed." Nick sat back and waited. Connor seemed not to know where to begin. Taking a deep breath, he started. "There are good Immortals and evil Immortals. We fight each other with swords, because those are best for our purpose." He paused a bit before asking, "Why is it important? What does it matter to you what we do?" "I'm working on a murder investigation--a decapitation. You and your sword provide me with a possible murderer, motive, and weapon. The decapitation was two days ago and there was a swordfight in the same alley last night. Are you the murderer? And were you fighting there last night?" Nick demanded forcefully. "No," Connor said simply. Then, apparently remembering Nick could coerce the answer out of him if he lied, Connor told more. "The man was killed before I got here." Seeing Nick's suspicious look, Connor said, "I rented a car in Buffalo the day after the beheading. You can check." "It's a short drive from here to Buffalo. You could have easily driven there immediately after the beheading and still have had plenty of time to rent another car to drive back," Nick pointed out. "True," admitted Connor. "Maybe I can't prove I wasn't here, but I can tell you who was here. The murderer was an Immortal named Richter. He and I fought last night." "So you were out for revenge." Nick was not pleased. "No. I didn't know the man he killed. Besides, Richter drew his sword first. He would have tried to fight me whether I wanted to or not." Nodding, Nick stood and walked toward the windows. Including the time they had spent at The Raven, they had been discussing-- and arguing--for hours. The sun would be up soon. Turning back toward Connor, Nick saw how tired he looked. "The fight occurred about thirty-six hours ago. How much sleep have you had since then?" Connor shrugged. "Almost none. Between watching the news reports, tailing you, and being caught by Janette, I haven't had much time." "I'll get some blankets and a pillow. You can sleep there on the sofa. I don't want you going anywhere before we finish this conversation." The look on Nick's face indicated he would do whatever was necessary to keep Connor here. Too tired to disagree or fight any possible mental control on Nick's part, Connor nodded quietly. "Were you staying at a hotel?" Nick asked. "I was. I checked out yesterday morning before I started looking for you. Why?" Nick ignored Connor's question. "Where's your stuff?" "In my car, parked near The Raven." "Describe the car." Frowning, Connor said, "It's a dark maroon Corsica with New York plates." Writing down the information, Nick said, "I'll have a friend pick up your stuff and bring it by later." Understanding dawned. Nick was not letting Connor leave until all of this was resolved. "Thanks," Connor said, while wondering how grateful he should really be. After sitting up thinking while Connor fell asleep, Nick decided he needed to get some sleep himself. Giving Connor a mental nudge to be certain he slept for quite a while, Nick went upstairs to sleep for a few hours himself. Later in the day, when Nick woke, Connor was still asleep. Nick worked on his latest painting for a while, then called Natalie. "Nat? This is Nick. Could you do me a big favor?" "Again? I don't know, Nick. This is the second time in two days. It's going to cost you." Nick could hear the smile behind her words. "I know, Nat. I'll tell you the whole story this time." As with most things, he would probably want to tell Nat about Connor soon enough anyway. "Can you get off early today and spend the evening and early part of the night at my place? I have to go to work, but there's someone here who needs watching." "Sure, no problem." Hesitantly, Nick asked for his next favor. "Umm, Nat? Could you stop by The Raven to pick up some stuff for me? I called Janette earlier and she'll have it ready for you." The pause on the other end was a bit longer than normal, but finally Natalie said, "Sure. I guess I'll survive running into Janette again. Anything else you want tell me beforehand?" Now Nick smiled at her curiosity. "Not yet. I'll tell you everything when you get here." He paused a bit before adding, "This is something you're not going to believe." "More fantastic than vampires?" Laughing, Nick said, "Maybe not." "Okay, Nick. I'll be there around sunset. Bye." "Bye." As he hung up the phone, Nick wondered what Nat would think of this story. * * * When Natalie arrived at Nick's place, the man she would be 'baby sitting' was taking a shower. Nick went upstairs with the suitcase she had picked up from Janette and returned shortly. While they waited, Nick and Natalie sat down to talk. After briefly relating to Nat his previous and current encounters with this man Connor, Nick warned Nat to watch Connor carefully. Apparently, Nick was not quite finished telling her everything, because he stopped midsentence when he heard Connor. As Connor came down the stairs, Natalie noticed he was watching her nervously, cautiously. When she looked over at Nick, she saw him regarding Connor with curiosity and she wondered what Nick was thinking. When Connor approached them, Nick said, "Nat, this is Connor MacLeod, the old friend I mentioned earlier. Connor, this is Natalie Lambert." Connor smiled a bit and held out his hand to shake Natalie's. Taking his hand, Natalie smiled back. To Connor, Nick said, "Nat's a GOOD friend of mine." Abruptly, Connor paled and froze. Staring at Natalie silently, he slowly withdrew his hand from hers. He looked over at Nick, who had an intimidating look on his face, but said nothing. What was the problem, Natalie wondered. What had Nick said to upset Connor so? That she was a good friend of Nick's? Why had he emphasized the word "good" that way? Then she remembered Connor knew Nick was a vampire. Did Connor think she was a vampire too? Natalie quickly covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. Now she understood what Nick had been thinking when he had watched Connor come down the stairs. If he thought she was a vampire, maybe he would be better behaved when she was alone with him. They could always correct the assumption later if they decided Connor was not the threat he initially appeared to be. "I have to go to work now," Nick said. "Nat is here to keep you company while I'm gone." Glaring at Connor meaningfully, Nick said, "You WILL behave." With a quick glance at Natalie, then back to Nick, Connor nodded quietly. After Nick had gone for work, Natalie suddenly remembered she had missed dinner. "Connor? Have you eaten yet?" Shaking his head, Connor said, "No. Not today. I slept most of the day." Natalie nodded. Trying to look a little threatening, but trying not to overdo it, Natalie asked, "Would you try to get away if I took you out for dinner?" She raised an eyebrow at him that was both questioning and a bit ominous. Connor got the message. "No," he said sincerely. "I won't try anything." Natalie managed to keeping her relief from showing. "Good. Let's go." As they headed for the door, she asked, "Do you have a preference?" "No. I only got here a couple days ago. I don't know many restaurants. Anything is fine." Nodding, Natalie decided on a nice Chinese restaurant and hoped the wait would not be too long. This isn't so bad, Natalie thought. We have a nice dinner, go back to Nick's place, watch a few video tapes, no problem. I wonder why Nick was so worried. Suddenly, Natalie noticed Connor watching her curiously. "What's wrong?" she asked. Glancing briefly at the other patrons first, he leaned closer to her. "Janette said something about vampires not eating bagels," he said quietly. "I thought she was talking about all food." Now it was time to worry. She had a few moments to stall while she finished chewing. What could she tell him? What would he believe? Swallowing, she said, "Um, well... You see, having to work with mortals as I do, I've had to learn to do some things they do to avoid discovery." Would he buy it? Connor nodded. "It seems there's a lot I don't know about vampires. Or a lot of what I know is wrong." "Like what?" Natalie asked curiously. Being over four hundred years old, she wondered if Connor knew some interesting legends. "Mirrors. I just remembered I saw Nick in the car mirror while I was watching him. Now that I think about it, I shouldn't have been able to see him, at least not according to the myths I remember." He frowned thoughtfully. "Of course at the time, I didn't know he was a vampire." She smiled at him pleasantly. "I'm sure Nick will explain that and other things later." Returning her smile, Connor sat back in his seat again and resumed eating. After dinner, Natalie and Connor decided to take a stroll. They turned to walk through a quiet alley. Since this was not a bad part of the city, Natalie was not worried. When they were halfway down the alley, however, Connor froze. Fearing he had discovered her vampire deception, she tried to frantically think of ways to keep him here until she could summon Nick. But she noticed Connor had a far-off look in his eyes and was not moving. Suddenly, they heard a noise behind them and turned around. A man stepped into the alley. Walking toward them, he drew a sword from his coat. "Richter," Connor said. Richter grinned. "It's good to see you again, MacLeod." Looking Natalie over, he said, "I see you're a fast worker. Got yourself a woman already." Frowning, Connor said, "She's not mine." Raising an eyebrow disbelievingly, Richter said, "No? Well, we'll see if you'll defend her anyway." When Richter started advancing toward Natalie, Connor put himself between them, but made no other move. Richter was surprised. "Where's your sword, MacLeod?" When Connor said nothing, Richter smiled a very nasty smile. "You don't have one, do you? Did you get caught by the cops the other night?" When Connor still refused to reply, Richter said, "Oh, well. I'm sure it'll still be an interesting fight--for as long as it lasts!" Richter quickly jumped forward to attack. Connor grabbed Natalie and quickly pulled her out of the way. "Stay here," he said, pushing her against a wall behind some boxes. He grabbed a three foot piece of 2x4 nearby and ran forward to meet Richter. Cautiously, Natalie peered from behind the boxes and watched the fight. Connor was having trouble fighting off Richter with just the 2x4. He needed something more solid. Looking around, Natalie spotted a section of metal pipe nearby. She grabbed the pipe and watched for an opportunity to give it to Connor, but the opportunity never arose. Facing away from her, Richter soon had Connor pinned to the ground and raised his sword for the killing blow. Deciding she had to do something, Natalie emerged from her hiding place. Just in time, she ran up behind Richter and hit him with the pipe, causing him to drop the sword. Quickly whirling around, he grabbed the pipe out of Natalie's hands before she had time to react. Now he threatened her with it. "No!" Hearing Connor's yell, Natalie glanced behind Richter and saw Connor holding the sword. As Richter turned menacingly, Connor swiftly beheaded him. Staring at the headless body in shock, Natalie moved away from it. Looking up, she noticed Connor slowly backing away from her. Suddenly, her anger surfaced. "What the hell is going on here?" she demanded and started toward him. Connor stopped abruptly. "No! Don't come any closer. It's not safe." His pleading tone made Natalie pause. But what would Nick say if she let Connor get away? Just as she decided to start forward again, she noticed something odd out of the corner of her eye and turned to look. "What the...?" Lightning? On the body? Looking back to Connor, she saw the look of resignation his face. What was he resigned to? She found out soon enough. Lightning leaped from the body and hit Connor full force. As he screamed in agony, the sword he was still holding dropped from seemingly nerveless fingers. Unable to move, he simply stood there, eyes closed against the pain, as the lightning danced around and engulfed him. Natalie desperately looked for a way to help him, but failed. Now she understood why he had told her to stay away from him--he had known this was going to happen. But why? Did it happen often? If so, how did he survive? An eternity later, the lightning stopped. Connor dropped to the ground on his knees, obviously exhausted, but very much alive. As Natalie approached him, he looked up at her, startled. She repeated her earlier question. "What the hell is going on here?" When he tiredly shook his head and gave her no answer, her anger resurfaced. "You'd better damn well explain this NOW!" Staggering to his feet, Connor said quietly, "We have to get out of here." Natalie was determined. "No. Not until I get some answers." "Please. We have to leave," Connor said urgently. As she started to protest again, he interrupted her. "You can tell Nick later. He'll understand. I promise. Please. I'll do anything else you want as long as we leave now," he insisted. Picking up the dead man's sword in a way that indicated he had no intention of using it again, he quietly tucked it inside his coat and waited for her decision. Natalie thought about the fact Connor had just intervened on her behalf twice, even though he hardly knew her and thought she was a vampire. Judging the look of fear on his face to be genuine, Natalie decided to trust him. "All right," Natalie said. "Come on. We'll go back to Nick's place." Looking around to make sure no one saw them, they quickly exited the alley. * * * =========================================================================