Title: Three Men and a Key
Category: BTVS/Highlander crossover
Rating: T
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the demented plot. All BTVS characters belong to Joss Whedon, etc. All Highlander characters belong to Davis Panzer Productions, etc.
Author Notes:
1) Sequel to Finding Normal.
2) Richie didn't die.
3) This series is set two years after BTVS series finale. The BTVS part is an alternate universe with minor supporting characters of my own creation (but they're very friendly).
Chapter 1
Richie Ryan checked his watch and cursed to himself. Finding a parking spot took longer than he expected. Great, he thought as he searched for the right building, I'm gonna be late for a class I'm not even taking.
"The sword is one of the oldest types of weapons," Duncan MacLeod began and slowly paced the front of the classroom. As usual, most of his students were fixated by the example he had brought. "A sword has two main parts: the blade and the hilt."
Suddenly Duncan felt another immortal nearby. He wasn't too surprised since he was expecting someone, but he instinctively reached for the sword. Picking it up by its scabbard, he continued with the lecture. "The hilt is comprised of three elements. The pommel at the end is for balancing the weapon, the grip is for holding the weapon, and the guard protects the hand."
When the static in his head peaked, he drew the sword out in one practiced motion.
A collective gasp startled Richie as he entered the classroom. Luckily, the door was at the back of the room, and all the students were staring at Duncan who was holding an unsheathed sword. Richie caught his friend's eye, with a shrug mouthed 'sorry' then took a seat.
"There are two types of blades: single-edged and double-edged," Duncan said. "Can anyone tell me what is the significance of the different edges?"
It had been a long time since he had been in a classroom, but Richie remembered the feeling well. A ripple of nervousness spread through the students most of whom avoided their teacher's gaze with the fervent hope that he wouldn't start asking specific people.
There was always that one person that everyone prayed could and would answer the question thereby sparing them any humiliation. In this case, it was a pretty co-ed with long golden brown hair. She cautiously raised her hand. When Duncan nodded in acknowledgment, she answered, "Double-edged weapons were usually used for thrusting while single-edged weapons were used for cutting."
"Very good," Duncan said. The girl smiled slightly as the rest of the class relaxed.
Richie sat back and watched as Duncan lectured. To his surprise, the brunette answered a fair number of questions. Beauty and brains, he mused. When the class was over and the students started to file out, the girl's eyes drifted to his, and she gave him a small smile as she left.
Richie turned his attention to Duncan who was packing up his stuff. "Sorry I was late. Parking was a nightmare."
"No problem. I just want to put the sword in the car before we go to lunch."
"When you invited me to lunch, this wasn't quite what I expected," Richie said balancing his food-laden tray.
"What were you expecting?" Duncan asked as he led his friend through the crowded cafeteria.
"I figured we'd go to one of those campus hangouts you always hear about or the faculty dining room."
"Too cliché," Duncan replied as he set his tray on one of the last empty tables. "Besides, they make the best burgers on campus here."
"So how's this year's class going?" Richie asked digging into his lunch.
"Well, I just finished grading the first set of term papers. Some were quite good."
"What else do you have in store for them?"
"Another paper, a midterm and a final."
Richie let out a low whistle. "Every once in a while I think about going back to school. Then I remember things like essays and tests."
"You can always audit a class."
"Audit?"
"Basically, it's what you did today. You attend the lectures, but you don't have to do the assignments or take the tests. The class wouldn't count toward a degree, but you could experience college life without the pressure. Who knows? You might even like it."
"I don't know," Richie said with a shake of his head then spotted the brunette from Duncan's class looking for a place to sit. "Still, it'd be a way to meet girls."
Duncan followed his friend's gaze then smiled when he saw who had captured Richie's attention.
Why do I do this to myself, she thought as she scanned the crowded cafeteria. Having lunch here was always a challenge. She began weighing the option of eating her lunch outside when she heard her name.
"Dawn!"
She turned and found one of her teachers motioning to her. He was sitting at a table with another man who was wearing a rather startled expression. She had seen him in her class earlier. She walked over to the table. "Hi, Duncan."
"Would you like to join us?" he asked.
"I don't want to intrude," she replied.
"It's no trouble," Duncan said gesturing to an empty chair. "Please."
"Okay. Thanks."
"I'd like you to meet a friend of mine, Richie Ryan," Duncan introduced. "Richie, this is Dawn Summers, one of my star pupils."
"Not really," she shook her head.
"Yes, really," Duncan insisted. "Your paper was very thorough."
"Thanks," she said her cheeks pinking slightly.
"What was the topic?" Richie asked.
"History of the crossbow," she said stabbing at her salad.
Wow, Richie blinked. "How do you like the class so far?"
"It's been very interesting," Dawn said stealing a quick glance at her teacher.
Duncan laughed. "What else are you taking?"
"Latin, film history, calculus and creative writing," she said reaching for her drink.
"Any big assignments?" Duncan asked.
"The next big assignment is for my creative writing class," Dawn replied. "I have to write a four page description of a public place. I'm trying to find some place with lots of atmosphere, but I don't know the city very well yet."
"Joe's," Richie said immediately.
"Excuse me?" Dawn asked.
"Joe's," Duncan repeated. "It's a blues club a friend of ours owns."
"It has tons of atmosphere," Richie added. "You should come by sometime."
"Maybe I will," Dawn smiled.