Date: Mon, 12 Feb 1996 21:19:03 -0500 Reply-To: NSumsion@AOL.COM Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: "Nathan R. Sumsion" Subject: The Value of Friends (6a/10) This story contains some violence and profanity. The Value of Friends part six of ten by Nathan R Sumsion SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA. 1996 Jacob met Jessica at the church where they had rendezvoused, merely one week ago. He found the place more oppressive this time, more empty. He had always found religion to be beneficial to mortals, something to relieve misery and give them hope, but he had never felt comfort in it. Thoughts of religion cast too many questions about his own actions and his own purpose in life. But holy ground was refuge, a place of safety for his kind. It was ironic that one such as he, who could not bring himself to believe in God, could find real safety in a church, where mortals had no such tangible results. "I have to go," Jessica said simply. Jacob was stunned. Lamont was only four days dead. His funeral had been yesterday. There were a few other Immortals he had expected to see there, but there was only Jessica, Gerald and himself. Monica had been there, with her husband. But somehow Jacob had assumed Jessica would stay longer. "Why?" Now he saw the worry lines around her eyes, the wild look of danger in her gaze. He took a step towards her, but she backed away, refusing to be comforted. "Someone is threatening Chris. I need to go to him." Jacob didn't know what to say. Obviously she was right, she owed more to Chris than to himself right now. And even though Chris could normally take care of himself, having had extensive military training, he wasn't up to the task of defending himself against someone of Jessica's caliber. "Do you know who it is?" She shook her head. "He left his name. I don't know him. August." Anger rose in Jacob and he was barely able to contain himself from screaming aloud in the church. "You too?" Jessica started. "What do you mean, 'you too?'" "I didn't want to tell you, since I felt I was already laying so much on you. But someone named August called me the other night. Said he was responsible for taking Stephan Donaldson's head." "Oh no, Jacob. I'm so sorry." "And he said I could expect more surprises from him shortly. What infuriates me is that I have no way of following up on him. I don't even know where he is, much less how to find out. If he is truly after you, take his head for me." Jessica nodded and forced a smile. The smile was faked, obviously, but he appreciated the effort. "I leave first thing tomorrow morning. See you in another ten years." He sat down on one of the pews and watched her leave. If any of them would live another ten years, it would be her. He looked up at the stained-glass mural above the altar and let his mind wander back over the years of his life. The presence of another Immortal startled him from his thoughts. Glancing down at his watch, he realized he'd been sitting for nearly half-an-hour. He turned at the approaching footsteps and then sucked his breath in fury and surprise. "Hello, young one," the Magyar greeted, sitting down on the pew behind him, his leather squeaking as it slid on the wooden bench. "Been a while now." "You!" Jacob whispered harshly, stating it as an accusation. "What the hell brings you back here?" "Why, you of course." The man was casual and relaxed, thoroughly pleased with himself. "We have some unfinished business, you and I." Jacob stood, gripping the back of his pew as he leaned towards the other Immortal. He tried to keep the intimidation from showing in his voice, but he wasn't sure he succeeded. This raven-haired killer exuded power. "You're damn right we've got some unfinished business. Just name the time." "Tsk tsk, Hamilton. Are you really so eager to die? Your teacher was no match for me, what makes you think you'll be any better?" "I'll avenge Ryoshei's death or I'll die trying." Jacob's knuckles were white from gripping the pew. "You'll die," the Magyar said casually, stretching his arms out lazily as he rose. "But I'll give you some time to prepare. Don't worry, I won't be leaving before giving you your chance at vengeance." The Magyar left, strolling easily, as if he hadn't a care in the world. For Jacob's part, he could barely keep his knees from collapsing on him. He had imagined this meeting for the past twenty years, had been planning all the phrases he'd say, all the accusations he'd make. But he hadn't been able to. He was scared. That's all there was to it. Nobody, now or ever, had ever made him feel as weak and helpless as this European monster that had killed his friend and mentor. And now he had his chance to settle things, once and for all. He had failed the last time they had met. He would get his chance to face this killer again. All he had to do was survive it. ******************************* Unfortunately, events didn't improve any as the day wore by. He quickly found out that none of his plastic was valid. As he checked card after card, all of them had been canceled. And not only the cards under Jacob Hamilton, but under two of his aliases as well. His agent called to say that the publishing company was backing out on their offer to print his latest book. They gave no reasons. His checking account was missing thousands of dollars and now showed a negative balance. His insurance was suddenly past due. It was all he could do to keep from screaming and lashing out at anyone around him. And then the police showed up at his door, arrested him, and took him to the station. ******************************* "Look, Russell, I can't talk long," Monica said into her cellular phone. The sun had just set, and her companion was looking at her impatiently. The Immortal was leaving his building and headed towards his car. "Hamilton's life just came crashing down on him," Russell's voice repeated. "He got hauled to jail for molesting a child, for Christ's sake." "Hamilton? That's impossible!" "I know," Russell agreed. "But that didn't stop it from leaking to the press. Even after he clears his name, because no way will something like that ever stick on him, he'll never get rid of the stigma. Whoever is going after him is doing a thorough job of it." "Know who it is?" she asked, ignoring her companion's tugging at her sleeve. "Not positive, but it sounds like August Wilmont. And his description matches the one you gave us of Lamont's killer. If that's true, then Wilmont only went after Lamont to get at Hamilton." "Look, Russell, I've got to go. I'll talk more to you tomorrow. Bye." She hung up and hurried with her fellow Watcher to his car. He was excited, because he knew his Immortal was going to a fight. They hadn't been able to ascertain with whom, but the tap the Watcher had placed on his phone had recorded the meeting site. All they had to do was get there in time to observe everything. SEATTLE, WASHINGTON. 1996. "Joe's Tavern. This is Joe," Dawson answered as he picked up the phone. He shrugged an apology to Duncan and Amanda, as they had been making plans to go out for a quick bite to eat before he was going to play his guitar tonight. Joe's face got serious, and the two Immortals waited patiently while he listened carefully to the voice on the phone. "Thanks," he said as he hung up. "So who was it, Joe?" Amanda asked, putting forth her most charming voice. "Amanda..." Duncan reproved. "No, it's okay, MacLeod. Just verifying an identity. Immortal named Wilmont is going after Jacob Hamilton." MacLeod's expression immediately became guarded, and he looked distinctly uncomfortable. Amanda was quick to notice. "So who's this Hamilton?" "Nobody important," Duncan said, pointedly, glaring at the Watcher. Joe pretended not to notice. "Just some guy Mac had a run-in with... what was it? A hundred years ago? Something about a woman?" Amanda arched her eyebrows quizzically at him. "It's not important," Duncan stressed, annoyed that the other two were ganging up on him. "Now let's go." ******************** End part 6a. Please send any constructive criticism to: NSumsion@aol.com =========================================================================