A Visitor from another World
Chapter 3
They return to the bar and Adam follows Bo and Kenzi back to their former area which is still occupied by Lauren and Grace who are quietly discussing medical science. Adam shakes off some of the water from his coat before he sits down. He's disappointed that he did not get the chance to talk to Kenzi alone and not pleased that Grace has remained. But at least there is beer. Adam swigs his beer as the women settle back in.
After seeing Bo return with two more humans, the Morrigan decides someone has to draw the line and if Trick won't she will. She walks over and stands in front of Bo. She ignores the humans, but all but Adam looks to her. "More pets? Time to cull the herd honey. Perhaps I can help with that." The Morrigan looks at Kenzi and licks her lips hungrily.
Bo is angry, but restrains herself. But before she responds Adam puts his partially empty beer glass down with a clank. The Morrigan glances once, then twice, and then pales. "She's with me. Actually, they're all with me Evony." He says quietly as he tops off his glass from the pitcher.
The Morrigan puts on her most polite manner. "Why didn't you let me know you were in town?" She asks.
"Doesn't concern you, at least not yet." Adam replies in a disinterested manner. Not receiving the attention she desired, the Morrigan retreats maintaining her dignity for any who may be watching. Kenzi's jaw is on her chest and her eyes are wide. Lauren and Bo are confused.
"You know her?" Bo asks. Adam takes a sip of beer and nods. "Excuse me." Bo says as she heads for the bar looking for Trick.
Finding Trick with Dyson in the inner sanctum Bo recounts what just happened to the senior fae. Dyson is shocked but Trick is concerned rather than surprised. "What do you know of how the dark choose their leaders?" Trick asks. Bo shrugs.
Trick looks to Dyson. Dyson says "I've heard that they move up by assassination. That the assassination must be approved first by some impossibly ancient…. evil…. Do you think…..?"
Bo is even more shocked. Dyson is thinking hard. "Let's just say, I think they've met. He may have sanctioned her ….. promotion. She may think he's here to sanction her successors." Trick speculates.
"My god." Dyson says. "There could be a war among the dark. She may try to kill those that are close to her in power, to strike before they do."
"She may try to take a hostage or something to get him to back off from that. Kenzi could be in danger." Bo observes.
"Kenzi in danger - must be Tuesday." Trick says. "Whatever she may do, it won't be against Kenzi. She probably knows him better than we do. She'll know that won't work. She would just be signing her own death warrant by defying him. I don't know what she'll do among the dark though."
"Who are her rivals?" Bo asks.
"Vex, Tasmin perhaps." Dyson responds.
"You cannot interfere." Trick cautions.
When Bo gets back to where the group is seated Kenzi is busy flirting with her new found hero. "Don't you want to check me to see if the rest is symmetrical?" she asks Adam. He shrugs with a smile as if to say 'perhaps later.'
Bo sits in silence and looks carefully at Adam. He does not seem like someone who would rule the dark fae or do the things which trick has said, yet there is plenty of evidence that he is just that she thinks. She debates the pros and cons of him being a mentor to Kenzi. She has determined that she likes Grace, but she understands that Grace is unlike any other immortal. Bo sits quietly sipping her wine as Kenzi continues to flirt and the others chat pleasantly. Grace nudges Bo. "Are you alright?" she asks. Bo nods, but says nothing.
The conversation continues, but Bo is deep in thought. Suddenly, she says as if she were alone saying aloud what she was thinking "Are you here to sanction Evony's assassination?" Even Bo is surprised that she really said it. Everyone suddenly stops and looks to her.
"No. I'm here to train Kenzi…. If she'll have me." Adam responds.
"How could you rule the dark? I'm unaligned, but I can't stand their attitude toward humans."
Adam responds in a low voice after a long pause. "And the light's attitude is much better? At least the dark are more honest about it." Before Bo can answer Adam rephrases. "Consider what their attitude was a couple of hundred years ago." Bo looks to him in puzzlement. "Check with Trick or Dyson. I think you will find that there attitude has improved. You are seeing one point in time, not the progression. Do not be eager to deal out death in judgment; even I cannot see all the possible ends. She may surprise you."
"What if she thinks you're here for that? Wouldn't she try to strike at those you might select?"
Adam chuckles a bit. "No. She's wiser than that. It is interesting that so often the light are so quick to reach for the sword or assume others would. If she did that what do you think that she would think that I would do?" Adam pauses to look at Bo as she thinks. "Mmmmm?" he says as he nods. "She would think that it would not go well for her or her legacy. She will be curious about Kenzi and Grace, more than she was before about Lauren. She will be concerned that Lauren is with the light and with me at the same time. That will concern her, a great deal. She will play her games trying to figure it out, but she won't move against them."
"What of Vex and Tamsin?" Bo asks.
"What of them?"
"Are they her…. rivals?"
Adam smiles and settles into his seat. "Somewhat. By this point in the conversation, you must be wondering…."
"Wondering what?"
"Why Vex, Tamsin have been brought into contact with you and Kenzi? Do you think their attitude toward humans have changed of late?" Adam says raising an eyebrow and a wry smile.
"You are grooming them to become morrigan?" Bo asks.
"Not necessarily, they are both old. But they are influential. It is more than just the one at the top, one must set the table, and as I said, I'm not here to replace Evony."
"Why would you tell us all this?" Kenzi asks.
Adam shrugs. "Perhaps….. that was just a colossal load of crap." He says with a grin as he takes a swig of beer.
"I don't think it was." Kenzi calmly replies.
"I think you should train Kenzi." Bo says.
Adam smiles. "Still not you decision."
Adam looks to Kenzi and holds up his glass. "What do you observe Kenzi?" he asks.
"You drink a lot of beer." Kenzi responds. Adam looks disappointed.
"You want it to look like you drink a lot of beer." Lauren observes.
Adam tips his glass toward Lauren and smiles.
"He takes small sips and refills before his glass is half empty. It makes it seem like he's had a lot more than he really has."
"Very good." Adam says. "I'm impressed. You confirm what I've heard about you."
"You know me?"
"Only by reputation." Lauren blushes. "Now, why would I want that?"
Kenzi responds "To be underestimated."
Adam nods. "Another lesson to learn, don't care what others think. It is good to be underestimated by others. Pride is a weakness, a luxury we cannot afford. Do you think I care if the fae think of me as a weak human? Not a bit. Those that need to know know. A very few of the dark know who I am, even less of the light."
"Are there others …. Like you involved with the light?" Lauren asks.
"Excellent question." Adam responds.
"Are you going to answer it?" Bo asks.
"I don't think so." Adam responds with a grin. "But it was an excellent question. Have you ever considered leaving the light for the dark?" Bo gasps a bit. Lauren blushes and shakes her head. "Why? You could get a better deal."
"I don't agree with what they do. I'm not like them."
"The dark don't do anything different than the light, except for one thing. Do you know what it is?" Lauren shakes her head. "They don't make any pretense to being more moral."
"As tempting as that is, no."
Adam smiles. "Smart girl. You see them for what they are, but you also know you are not mean enough to be with the dark." Adam lifts his glass to Lauren. "I salute you. Some spend several lifetimes getting that wisdom. Know yourself, know your enemy, and you will never be defeated."
"I'm owned by them." Lauren says sadly.
"Bull."
Bo is startled. Lauren looks like she may cry.
"You have the power to leave any time you like. They can't stand in your way. You hold the cards and you know it. They know it too, in places that they don't want to admit. It isn't them that keeps you here."
Bo looks more confused, Lauren wipes her eyes. Bo starts to speak, but Lauren puts her hand on Bo stopping her.
Kenzi asks "What is it?"
Adam replies in Russian. "She came here because she loved a woman and she remains here because she loves a woman."
Kenzi replies in Russian. "How can she leave?"
Continuing in Russian "She wields the most powerful weapon; knowledge. They need her more than she needs them. If she were to leave, they would have to worry about what she might do with all that information."
"Couldn't they hunt her down and kill her?"
"That would be their first thought. But the wisest among them will know the release of the information may be on a dead man switch. When she doesn't release the information right away, they will figure out that staying away from her is what they need to do." Kenzi nods. "Remember the two lessons you've just learned. That knowledge is power and love can be a cage one chooses to inhabit." Adam says in Russian.
"That's harsh." Kenzi says in English.
"I told you some of the lessons were unpleasant." Adams responds also in English but reverts to Russian. "Still, she has the power to leave and she always has. The fact that she doesn't can be debated as a strength or a weakness."
"What do you think? What would you do?"
Adam shrugs.
"Stumped sage?" Kenzi asks.
"I think it is her decision. What I would do would be based on too many things to predict. Besides, I've got a different perspective on time than Lauren. If you live long enough, so will you."
"What did he say?" Bo asks.
"He's perceptive. But it isn't something for you to worry about." Lauren explains.
"You speak Russian." Adam says.
"Enough." Lauren says.
"Is this a private party or can anyone join?" Tamsin says as she walks to where the group is seated. Bo looks uncomfortable as she thinks about how the Morrigan may view the addition of Tamsin. But Tamsin doesn't wait for an answer and takes a seat. "I don't think I know your new friends Bo."
"This is Grace, and he's Adam." Bo responds. Grace is carefully scrutinizing Tamsin. Adam remains aloof.
"I feel like we've met." Tamsin says to Adam who shrugs. "Who are you?"
"I'm just a guy." Adam responds.
"What did you say to the woman that was just here?"
"I told her that these people are with me." Adam tops off his beer. He lifts the pitcher toward her, but she holds up her glass of whiskey.
"What does that mean?"
"Just that. They are with me." Adam says with a shrug. Tasmin looks at Adam carefully but he's unfazed and says nothing more.
"You aren't with them?"
"Yeah, I'm with them. We're all together."
"Who the Hell are you?"
"Like I said, I'm just a guy. Perhaps, I'm a friend you didn't know you had."
Tasmin pales a little. "I've never seen the Morrigan back off from a human before."
"There is a first time for everything." Adam casually takes a swig of his beer. Bo and Lauren remain nervous.
Tamsin thinks for a long time. "I'm not interested in becoming Morrigan."
"Okay." Adam responds almost as if he had no idea what she meant.
"I'm serious."
"Okay. Can a person get food here?"
"We can get take out burgers across the street." Kenzi explains. "Meaty goodness"
"I'm not interested." Tamsin repeats.
"Yeah, I got that. But do you want food?"
"Not really."
"Do you mind if Kenzi and I, and maybe some of the others do?"
"No, I don't mind at all."
Tasmin moves off. On the way, she pulls Vex off to the side. Trying to not be seen looking they glance back to Adam as they talk.
"Anybody else want some solid food?" Adam asks as he stands up. To his surprise they all start to get up and the whole group follows Kenzi. They troop into a nearly casual place across the street and Adam selects a table giving him a commanding view including the front door.
Grace looks a bit uncomfortable. "I'm unfamiliar with the cuisine." She says as a waitress approaches with a pile of large menus.
I'll take care of you." Kenzi says protectively. "I'll bet you'd like French fries."
"There's nothing French about French fries except the name." Lauren corrects.
"Wine?" Grace asks.
"Across the street hun." The waitress responds. "Can I get you something while you decide? We're having a special on mozzarella sticks."
"Sounds good. And some nachos. Thanks." Adam responds.
"Something to drink?" The waitress asks.
"Coffee for me." Adam responds and the others respond. When it is her choice to select a drink Grace is still looking through the menu confused. "She'll have coffee." Adam says.
"I'm not sure what any of this even is."
"May I suggest that you take Kenzi up on her offer. She's from here. I've found that culinary adventures come from doing what the locals do. Although, if they recommend bear eyeballs you may want to think twice. Nothing on the menu will kill you."
"I place myself in your hands Kenzi." Grace says as she folds her menu.
The waitress returns with the starters and beverages. Grace looks confused as she sees a mug of coffee she doesn't recall ordering placed in front of her. "Ready?" The waitress asks.
Adam glances around and sees the others finalizing their decisions. "I believe so." He responds nodding toward Kenzi.
Catching the waitress' eye and glancing to Grace "We'll start with the French onion soup. Then two cheese burger deluxe."
"How do you want those?"
"Rare."
"The cheese?"
"Pepper Jack."
"What do you want on them?"
"Onion, tomato, pickles. Ketchup on the side. Can we get a bowl of gravy for dipping the fries?" The waitress nods and writes the order into her pad. Kenzi smiles. "You are in for such a treat!" she tells Grace as she pats her hand. "I avoided the French dip. You probably get a lot of that at home." Grace looks confused and glances to Adam who nods yes and Grace copies him. Kenzi grins happy with her selections. Everyone else orders and they begin to pick at the starters. Grace enjoys her mozzarella stick, dipping it in the sauce as the others do. But her trial nacho includes a jalapeno pepper which she doesn't like. Grace tries the coffee but it doesn't help. Lauren leaps into action opening a container of cream for the coffee and handing it to Grace. Grace looks at it and Lauren motions that she should drink it. Grace does and it relieves the heat.
"I've got to be more careful." Grace says.
Vex approaches. As he reaches the table he nods to Adam. "Enjoying your visit?" he says to Adam.
"Well, I've only just arrived. But so far…" Adam responds.
"I'd rather nothing happened to Evony." Vex says quietly, nervous to express himself on the subject in front of the group but worried that it might already be too late.
"Okay." Adam says. Vex retreats as the French onion soup arrives for Grace and Kenzi.
Grace eyes it warily trying to figure out how to attack the cheese covered bowl. Kenzi taps the crock with her spoon to get Grace's attention and then uses it to pull back some of the cheese and dips out some of the soup. Grace nods and follows suit.
"Seems the Morrigan has friends." Bo observes. "I knew she and Vex have a 'thing' but I'm surprised at Tamsin."
"Is that what you took from those two conversations? They were very different."
"Really?"
Adam nods. "Tamsin doesn't care what happens to Evony; she just doesn't want to become Morrigan. Vex doesn't want Evony to be …. removed, two very different things."
The door to the restaurant opens and Adam watches the large man entering as he approaches the take out counter. "That's Bruce right?" Adam asks Bo. Bo looks and nods. "Excuse me a moment." Adam says as he slips away from the table and quickly closes in on Bruce. Bruce is startled by suddenly finding Adam at his side. Adam says something that surprises Bruce even more. Bruce glances to the table, primarily at Kenzi, who is focused on Grace, but also taking in who is in the group. Adam pays for Bruce's take out order and returns as Bruce leaves.
"What was that?" Bo questions.
"Nothing, just introducing myself."
"Is he going to be the next Morrigan?"
Adam chuckles. "Get that idea out of your head. I'm here for Kenzi, that's all."
"No, no, no, you aren't getting off that easy. That's the first fae you have approached."
"Aside from you?"
"Whatever…" Adam chuckles. Bo stares at him. Adam begins eating his fries.
"Well?"
Adam shrugs. "He interests me. People think because he's big that he's dumb. Actually he's very well educated. Despite his appearance, he's quite a gentle soul."
"You got all that from that brief chat?"
"Nope. I knew that before. I was just putting a face with the name."
"What did you tell him?"
"Nothing. I offered to pay for his dinner."
"That's all?"
"I also told him I was here with all of you."
"What are you up to?"
"Just putting a face with a name. Someday, I may want to talk to him again. I hope he enjoys the free dinner. Did you notice his reaction to Kenzi?"
"Well, she punched him in the nuts awhile ago, right before I smacked him with a concrete block."
"Ouch. But I don't think that was the reaction I saw. He was worried for her."
"Really?"
Adam is surprised Bo missed it. "Next time they are near each other, observe closely. I think the big fae has a crush on the little human, but let me know what you sense."
"He's dark fae."
"No kidding? I'm shocked. I never heard that about him." Adam says with mock sincerity. Bo glares at him.
"The next step in a progression?" Bo asks.
"You're learning." Adam answers.
"But not yet."
"Even better. Now, why?"
"Because he cares about a human."
"That's part of the easy bit. Try for the hard part."
Bo thinks carefully. "I'm afraid that I may say something that will get Evony or somebody else killed."
Adam chuckles. "You over estimate your influence. Now, let's see how good you are." Bo thinks but is stumped. "How do the other fae treat him?"
"He stays pretty much by himself. They use him for muscle." Bo says almost as a question.
"But you now know that he's far more. Do you think they respect him?"
"Not beyond his strength."
"Would they follow him? People like Vex?"
"No." Bo says as a revelation.
"Close."
"Not yet." Bo says and Adam smiles and nods.
Bo and Adams quiet talk is interrupted by Kenzi. "Hey teach, you wanted food but you're not eating."
Adam looks to see that Kenzi has finished her soup and is surprised to see she's eaten most of her burger. "I was waiting for you to finish your soup….. Where do you put it?"
"Right here." Kenzi says as she rubs her belly.
"So, do I have the job?"
"Yes."
"Good."
"That's it?"
"What more did you want?"
"I don't know. An 80's training montage?"
"You're funny. By tomorrow this time, you'll be so tired you won't be able to lift a burger." Adam grins as he takes a big bite of his burger and Kenzi gives a worried look to Bo. He lets it sink in as he chews. "I'll be by your place tomorrow at Oh Dark Thirty."
"What? When?" Kenzi asks her eyebrows high on her forehead.
"Grey dawn." Adam explains.
"When?"
"Early, very early." Grace explains.
"Yup." Finishing the last of his fries Adam says. "Well, I've got some implements of… training equipment to obtain." Placing his thumb and forefinger easily around Kenzi's forearm he adds "Yup, gonna fix that." He leaves. Kenzi looks worried.
"What did he mean by 'implements of'?" she asks.
"Implements of torture….." Lauren says. Seeing Kenzi's horrified face she adds "Not literally, probably, probably not literally."
"Probably?! I want to hear defiantly not." Kenzi stammers.
Lauren looks sheepish. "My guess is he's going to be building up your forearms. No gain without pain."
"Wait a minute! Did he stick us with the check?" Kenzi realizes.
"I believe he did. That confirms it, he's evil." Bo observes.
Down the block, Adam enters a sporting goods store. It is his second stop. He already has a heavy dowel and a length of rope. He selects several weights and two wooden baseball bats then heads for the checkout counter. The store is empty of customers and when he reaches the counter he knocks on it to attract whoever is working the nightshift. He's surprised when Bruce comes from the back room where he's been eating dinner.
"You again?" Bruce says.
"Apparently so." Adam responds getting out his wallet.
"Working nights?"
"It's quiet. I can read and study. What are you doing with Kenzi?"
"I've been asked to get her in shape."
"You'd better take good care of her."
"I intend to teach her how to take good care of herself."
Bruce nods in agreement. "Are you going to teach her how to play baseball?"
"No."
Bruce gives Adam a quizzical look. "So what are you going to do with this stuff?"
"Build up her arm strength."
Bruce looks in Adams bag from the hardware store and takes out the dowel and rope. "Really?"
"Really" Adam responds. He takes the dowel and shows Bruce the hole drilled through its midpoint. "Tie the rope through this hole and attach the other end to those weights…" He then uses his hands to wind up the imaginary rope.
Bruce nods in appreciation. "And the baseball bats?"
"Hand – eye coordination."
Bruce reaches over and feels the left side of Adam's raincoat. "And less lethal than a sword."
"That they are."
"I know who you are. I know what you are."
Adam smiles. "Is that a problem?"
"No."
"Good."
"Are you in town for any other reason?"
"No. But I welcomed the chance to meet you."
"Me?"
"Uh huh"
"Why me?"
Adam shrugs. "You're an impressive guy. You aren't what people think. They underestimate you. I don't."
"But not ready."
"You will be. Now, how much do I owe you?"
"Nothing. I've got it covered ….. but let me know how Kenzi is doing."
Adam puts his wallet away. "Thanks. I'll do that."
"One other thing…. Is Kenzi….?"
Adam teases. "Is Kenzi what?"
Bruce smiles "I always knew she was special."
"She didn't. It is still new to her. How much do you know about us?"
"I know some humans have greatly extended lifetimes. I know that at least some of you act as advisors to our elders. There are references here and there in old texts." Bruce shrugs.
"Anything else?"
If you are who I think you are…. You are one of the oldest and most evil."
Adam chuckles. "I've met worse. You would not want to meet them."
"Perhaps not, but if you harm Kenzi….."
"Heh. I'm not sure who'd I'd have to fear the most, you or Dyson. She does inspire loyalty."
"Yes, she does."
"One other thing, very few fae know about us, and it would be best if it stayed that way. We especially would not want Kenzi to be seen as more than what she recently was."
"I understand."
"It also would be best if the Morrigan didn't get the wrong idea….. or the right idea….. about you." Bruce nods and Adam leaves.
The next morning before the sun is more than a lightening of the eastern horizon Adam arrives at Bo' & Kenzi's home. Seeing no sign of life, but sensing the presence of at least one immortal, he sets himself into a comfortable place on the front porch and begins to assemble the dowel, rope, and weights. Before very long there is a quiet knock from the inside of the door and a female voice asks cautiously "Adam?"
Adam responds "Yup." The door opens slightly and Grace peeks out. Adam gets up. Getting a good look at him, Grace opens the door fully and lets him in.
"Where is she?" Adam asks.
"Sound asleep, probably hung over as well. She sleeps late, they both do."
"Uh huh" he says as he heads into the living room. Seeing the kitchen he makes for the stove. Placing a shopping bag on the counter he begins to unpack breakfast foods.
"More for us; how do you like your eggs?" Soon the smell of coffee, eggs, and bacon are wafting throughout the house.
Sometime later, Kenzi appears, half a sleep but following the scent of food a bathrobe wrapped around her. "Is the sun up yet?" she asks with her eyes open only to slits.
"Sun's been up for over an hour. Grace and I have had a leisurely breakfast, which I'm sure you would have enjoyed. I trust you enjoyed your sleep."
Kenzi looks around. "Where's mine?"
Adam looks at Grace and chuckles. Grace looks a bit nervous. "Yours?" Adam asks.
"Yeah, mine."
"Hmmmmm. Well, you and Bo weren't here, so I believe what would have been yours was our second course. Besides, it is time for you to begin your training." Adam gets up and goes over to where he has stashed the training equipment. Kenzi eyes him suspiciously.
"Come here." Adam says holding out the dowel for Kenzi.
"Breakfast." Kenzi says.
"Is over." Adam responds. Kenzi pouts but it has no effect on Adam.
"Want syrup…." Kenzi says and makes puppy dog eyes.
"Tell you what. Lift this weight ten times and I'll make something better."
"Better than syrup?"
"Yeah. Better than syrup."
Kenzi looks at the weight. "It doesn't look heavy." She says not noticing the dowel and rope.
"It's heavy enough. You'll be lifting it with this." Adam says as he holds out the rope. Kenzi walks over and grabs the rope and lifts the weight. "Not like that. With this." He says as he hands her the dowel. Kenzi lifts the dowel over her head which lifts the weight to about her knees. Grace smiles. "No. Hold the dowel straight out in front of you." The weight drops to the floor. "Roll up the rope." Kenzi begins to roll up the rope and quickly tires. By the time the weight is up to the dowel her shoulders ache and her fore arms burn. "Lower it." Kenzi puts her arms down. "No. Keep your arms straight out." She lifts the weight again and starts to let the weight down by letting the dowel slide in her hands. "No. You don't want to wake Bo. Put it down the way you lifted it." Kenzi glares at Adam, but she complies. When the weight reaches the floor he says "Good. Now do ten."
"THAT was one."
Adam shakes his head. "That was just practice." Kenzi glares, grips her teeth and begins to roll up the rope again under Adam's watchful eye. By the time she gets to the end of the fifth she can barely hold her arms straight out. "So why do you like syrup so much?" he asks.
"It's sweet and gooey." Kenzi explains.
"Keep going. Don't think about it. What sort of syrup do you like?"
"Maple." The weight reaches the top for the sixth time.
"Any particular brand?" Adam asks.
"Brand? Whatever I can get I guess." The weight reaches the floor.
"Just keep turning it the same direction. You know some brands have more of a buttery flavor? Some are darker or lighter."
"I usually don't look." Kenzi strains to lift the weight.
"I just want to know so I can get what you like. Do you use a little or a lot?"
"Oh, a lot."
"Do you prefer waffles or pancakes?"
"Pancakes I guess. I've lost count." Kenzi says in a bit of a panic.
"Keep going. I haven't." Adam replies. "Waffles have those dimples. They're good for holding more syrup."
"Really?"
"Yeah. They also hold butter. Do you add butter?"
"We don't get many groceries."
"You should try some butter."
The conversation continues as the weight raises and falls. "Have I reached ten yet?" Kenzi asks.
"Oh yeah, awhile ago."
"Why didn't you stop me?"
"I thought you were showing off." Adam says with a slight grin. Kenzi lowers her arms and rubs her painful forearms. Grace smiles and sips her tea.
Adam whips up some pancake batter and makes Kenzi some breakfast. He fixes her a plate of waffles from a new waffle iron. He spreads some butter on them and some syrup. Kenzi takes her plate and motions for the syrup bottle. Adam hands it over and Kenzi saturates the plate much to Adam's surprise and amusement. But when she tries to pick up the fork, she finds it difficult to close her hand fully and her motions have a bit of a shake due to her exercise. "It will pass." Adam observes. "I guess you really love syrup." Adam adds picking up a half empty bottle. Grace and Adam watch with some amusement as Kenzi struggles to eat her waffles.
"How many?" Kenzi asks.
"Three." Adam replies.
"Not waffles, how many did I do?"
"Fourteen." Adam says with a smile. "You're stronger than I thought. But there is still a long way to go. When you're done eating, we'll find out how skilled you are, or how many bad habits you need to unlearn."
Kenzi finishes her waffles as Adam moves furniture out of the way. As she savors the last of the syrup, Adam gets out the baseball bats. "Catch." He says as he tosses her one. Standing in the center of the living room he motions Kenzi forward. "You may not want to watch Grace."
"I'm fine." Grace says as she collects the plates.
Adam nods, but his eyes are fixed on Kenzi. Kenzi gets a cold feeling in her belly. His eyes aren't like they were before. They see right through her. It's like looking into the eyes of a tiger or other great cat on the hunt. They are cold and analytical. Perhaps more like those of a shark, they are calm, but taking in everything. Kenzi feels fear to her core. Wielding the bat as he would a sword he moves to a ready position. "Show me what you've got." He challenges.
"I'm afraid." Kenzi admits.
"So am I. Let's go."
"You are afraid?" Kenzi asks in shock.
"You're an unknown. I have no idea what you might do." Kenzi smiles and Adam shrugs. "I like my chances though." Kenzi's smile fades. "Come on." Adam commands.
Kenzi is reluctant and unsure of what to do. "Attack me." Adam says. Kenzi stands at the ready but does not attack. Adam smiles "More of a reactor than an actor, interesting…. Or perhaps you need motivation. If you don't stop me, I'll beat Bo to death in her sleep…."
Before Adam can react, Kenzi yells "Killer kitty!" and attacks. Adam is surprised and falls back defending himself by parrying each swing of Kenzi's bat. Most of Kenzi's swings are met with solid hickory, but sometimes he moves just out of reach. In the kitchen, Grace calmly cleans up as the fight rages. Kenzi is grimly determined. Adam notices that there is one constant, Kenzi always remains in a position where she can block him if he tried to go through a door that leads upstairs. She refuses to be drawn away from it. If Adam retreats from the door, Kenzi won't advance. Adam begins to play upon this moving in and out of the area she is defending, testing its limits. One can hear "Battle Without Honor or Humanity" during the fight.
Finally he moves to the far side of the room and watches. Kenzi is exhausted but maintains her position. Adam smiles and nods, "Very good." He says calmly. Kenzi eyes him warily he bat still at the ready. She's not happy. "Relax" says as he relaxes his own stance "I'm not going to hurt Bo. A fight is a lot like a conversation. You told me a lot and I understand you much better." Kenzi remains poised. Adam moves toward the kitchen, Kenzi pivots to continue to face him. "Relax."
"Good morning." Bo says as she approaches, yawning in her kimono. Kenzi blocks her from the kitchen while remaining poised facing Adam.
"Pancakes?" Adam asks moving slightly to see beyond Kenzi.
"Sure." Bo replies trying to get passed Kenzi. "Kenzi? Move?"
"He threatened you." Kenzi explains.
"I needed to motivate her. She has strategic talent, but her tactics need work. She's a good friend. I don't doubt she would have hung in there even if we were using blades." Adam pours himself some coffee.
"Move Kenzi." Bo says. Kenzi moves aside but remains locked on Adam her bat at the ready.
"Kenzi, if I meant to actually attack Bo, why would I have given you a bat?" Adam says teasingly. Kenzi doesn't answer but eyes him warily. "Friends?" Adam asks extending his hand. Kenzi leaves him hanging.
"Kenzi!" Bo exclaims. Kenzi reluctantly takes Adams hand.
"Give me ten more." Adam says handing Kenzi the dowel before going to the stove to make some pancakes for Bo. Kenzi gives him a disgusted look, but she does begin to roll up the rope. Bo watches curiously. Adam whips up some batter. "Keep those skinny little arms out straight." Adam says without even looking.
Bo looks at Kenzi and asks "What is she doing?"
"Building pipe cleaners into pythons." Adam says as he presents Bo with a plate of pancakes and the remaining syrup. Going over to Kenzi he says "Now let's try it one handed." He shows her how to twirl the end of the dowel to catch loops of the rope. "This will build the muscles that maneuver the blade." Kenzi grimaces as she starts the new method. To Bo, Adam adds "She could barely hold her fork when eating her…. Syrup and waffles." Seeing a surprised look on Bo and Grace's faces, Adam looks back to see how Kenzi is doing. But all he sees is the side of a bat and then darkness, followed by the ceiling and three faces looking down at him.
"I thought he'd duck or something." Kenzi says looking concerned.
"Good thing he's one of us Kenzi" Grace says, "or he'd be dead….. still dead."
The world comes more into focus and Adam sits up. "Like I said, I have no idea what you might do. Keep it up, it works." Grace finishes wiping the blood from Adam's head and he gets up. Kenzi looks worried and backs off.
Picking up his bat he says "I've seen how you attack, now let's see how you defend."
Kenzi back off further. "No." Bo says.
"I've got to see what skills she has. More importantly, I need to see what bad habits she may have acquired."
"No." Bo says.
"You may not want to watch, but it needs to happen. I am trying to keep her alive."
"Still, no."
"Why are you putting your friend in danger? The next immortal she meets might be using a sword and actually be trying to take her head."
Kenzi readies herself. "It's okay Bo."
Grace says "Bo, I've been studying your file, but I think there are some things I want to try…. With you…. alone." Bo looks worried for Kenzi. "She'll be alright." Grace takes Bo by the arm and leads her toward the bedroom. "I've got some questions concerning your powers." Bo looks back toward Kenzi. Adam nods reassuringly.
Arriving in the bedroom, Bo begins to undress. Grace waves her off. "I got most of what I need from your file and what I didn't; I'd need a better facility to do."
"Then why?"
"That was something you should not watch." Bo is startled. "Not for the reason you think. Kenzi may be embarrassed." In the background the sound of wood striking wood is heard in rapid succession. But every now and then there is the softer thunk of wood hitting flesh. Bo hears it too and winces. Grace touches Bo's arm. "Would you demonstrate your powers again?" Bo nods.