Title: Fowl Play
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 Inc., etc.
Author Notes:
1) Sequel to Welcome to My World.
2) 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).
3) Dawn only knows Methos by his Adam Pierson alias.
Summary: Dawn meets Amanda who convinces her to help cook Thanksgiving dinner.
Chapter 1
"Have you ever thought about painting the ceiling? Maybe a mural? Degas or Renoir?" she asked the man who had her pinned to the floor.
"You're thinking about interior design at a time like this?"
"I just figure I might as well have something to look at while I'm spending so much time flat on my back."
He shifted above her. "So what did you do wrong?"
"Zigged when I should have zagged?"
"Dawn," he said in a warning tone.
"Okay, okay," she replied. "I should have lowered my center of gravity and not overbalanced."
"Exactly," he said, "and you could have tried kicking me in the knee before I pinned you. Let's try again."
She groaned as Duncan helped her to her feet. They were at his dojo where Richie was originally going to spar with her. Unfortunately, her boyfriend was running late and couldn't make it in time so his mentor offered to take his place.
"If there is any chance of you getting attacked by vampires, you are going to learn to defend yourself," Duncan lectured.
"Where were you when I was sixteen?" Dawn asked with a small laugh.
They circled slowly then Duncan went on the attack. He feint a move that forced Dawn to spin then managed to wrap his arm around her throat from behind. She took his right wrist with her left hand and pushed his elbow up allowing her to duck out of the hold. She lifted his arm up forcing him to bend over slightly. He countered by grabbing her ankle and pulling up causing her to fall backwards. He went to pin her again, but she caught him off guard with a kick to the stomach that knocked him down.
Dawn scrambled to her feet and watched as Duncan smiled then flipped to his. Oh crap, she thought when he came at her again. He tried to unbalance her by hooking her leg with his. She countered by stepping back with her other leg and leaning forward. She unbalanced him instead, but he grabbed hold of her so they both went down. When he rolled her for the pin, she instinctively brought up her knee causing him to grunt. She winced, "sorry."
"No, it's okay. You did the right thing," he swallowed in discomfort as he pinned her to the mat. He kept her there for another moment when he suddenly sensed another immortal.
Recognizing the signs, she asked, "Richie?"
Before he could respond, a striking woman with closely cropped black hair entered the dojo. She smiled at them. "Am I interrupting something?"
Dawn turned her attention back to the man on top of her and pointed out the obvious. "She's not Richie."
Startled, Duncan quickly got to his feet and helped Dawn to hers before going to the woman. "Amanda, welcome back."
"Good to be back," she said then kissed him passionately.
Wow, Dawn thought as minutes ticked away before they broke off the kiss.
"Dawn, I'd like you to meet an old friend, Amanda," Duncan introduced.
"Montrose," the woman added.
"Dawn Summers," she said shaking the proffered hand.
"Dawn's one of my students," Duncan explained.
"Students?"
"At the university," he clarified.
"Ah."
"Yeah, he was just sparring with me because my boyfriend was going to be late," Dawn explained.
"Boyfriend?"
Before she could reply, Dawn noticed both Duncan's and Amanda's eyes dart around the room and settle on the doors. When she saw who it was, she smiled and sighed, "Richie."
The man in question came in and gave her a chaste kiss on the lips before kissing Amanda on the cheek. "I didn't know you were coming to town. So you've met Dawn?"
"Yes," Amanda replied as Richie put his arm around the young woman's waist.
"Um, Richie and I were going to go out for supper. Would you like to join us?" Dawn asked.
"That would be nice," Amanda said with a sideways glance.
H-BTVS-H-BTVS
"I like her," Amanda said to Duncan as he opened the elevator gate that led to his loft above the dojo.
"I thought you would," he said hanging up their coats.
"She's not what I would've expected though."
"Really?"
"I didn't think Richie would end up with the academic type," she explained as she leaned against the desk. "I always thought he'd go for someone who lived on the edge."
If you only knew, Duncan thought as he poured her a drink then one for himself. "They balance each other."
"I suppose they do," Amanda said as he handed her the glass. "Is it serious?"
"I think so," he admitted.
"Has Richie decided whether or not to tell Dawn about his immortality?" she asked. When Duncan didn't answer right away, she realized the young woman already knew. "What happened?"
Duncan took a sip of scotch before answering. "A few weeks ago, an immortal came after Richie and decided the best way to do that was to kidnap Dawn."
"They usually do," she muttered. "How much did she see?"
"Everything right down to the quickening."
"And she still wants to make a go of the relationship?" When Duncan nodded, Amanda's respect for Dawn grew. Mortal/Immortal relationships were always complicated. She walked to the couch and sat down. "So what are your plans for this week?"
He sat down beside her, and she kicked off her shoes and rested her feet on his lap. "Training with Richie, grading papers, teaching a class and probably a night or two at Joe's. Nothing very exciting. Do you have something in mind?"
"Any thoughts regarding Thanksgiving?"
TBC
Author's Note: A quick poll request from readers. I think I've figured out another way indicate a change of scene or point of view. Which would you prefer: a) a horizontal line straight across the screen or b) something like "H-BTVS-H-BTVS" in the center of the separating line?