Chapter seventeen

Abi felt the air drained from her lungs. With a voice barely heard, she managed to say, "If you kill me, you will never find the key, and what the password is."

The creature felt a sting in his hand, so reluctantly let go of her. His eyes were furious. He looked at his palm for a minute. It had a burn mark on it. He immediately put his hand behind his back, not wanting Abi to see it.

Abi fell to the ground. It took her a minute to catch her breath back, and although she saw the creature try to hide his hand, she didn't say a word or gave any sign of it.

Ethaniel let go of the man he was holding, signaling Mooli to watch over him, and rushed over to her. "Abi, are you okay?" he asked, checking her bruised neck.

"I'm fine Ethaniel," she said. She then turned to the demon/Immortal and for a long moment stared at him. She lowered her head looking at her Necklace. It couldn't be the shape of the medallion, or the thing would have never grabbed her by the neck. Could it be that..? She raised her head and an idea was forming in her mind.

"If I give you the key and password, do you promise to let us all go?" she asked.

Ethaniel looked at her, "Have you lost your mind?" he asked her quietly, but she felt his hold on her hand tighten.

Abi looked at him. She wasn't smiling, but he could see in her eyes, she had a plan.

"You have my word on that," said the creature.

She looked at Ethaniel and started talking in Hebrew, their native language, so the creature and his people will not understand.

"Gold," she told Ethaniel, "He can't stand the touch of gold."

Ethaniel looked at her confused. "How,?"

"Never mind how. Remember the small gun you gave me for my birthday a few years ago?"

"You mean the gold one?"

"Yeah."

"Sure I do, but Abi, I'm not sure if it's even working, or if the the gold bullets are real. How can that help us?" he wondered, then it hit him. He knew exactly what she meant.

She saw the understanding on his face. "It's hanging on the wall with the rest of my gun collection." She said.

"I'll have to leave you here, I don't like that idea."

"Just in case, get the key back with you," she continued, ignoring his last remark.

"Abi, I don't like this, maybe we should all head back to the house…"

"What the hell are you talking about?" asked a furious creature. "Stop that, and tell me where the key is."

"Ethaniel, please, just do as I say. I can handle things here until you return." Facing the creature she told him, "My colleague is going back to the house now to get the key. Once he is back I'll give it to you with the password and," she looked at Molli, holding a gun to the two man, "And then I'll let you're people go. I expect you to keep your word and leave us alone."

He didn't trust her. She had something planed. But sure he'll be able to withstand whatever plan she has, the creature said, "Only if one of my man go with him."

Abi thought for a minute. Then knowing how resourceful Ethaniel is, she looked at him winked and turned her head back saying, "Okay with me."

Mooli signaled one of the men to go after Ethaniel. Then he tied the other man to the car door. He sat on the ground still holding the gun pointed at the man.

Macleod looked at the whole scene from where he fell. He was looking forward to fight and kill this man/beast, how can she even consider letting him go. He picked up his sword and moved towards her. The creature looked at him laughing. "Still haven't given up?" he asked.

Macleod put his sword back in its sheath, and stared at him for a minute. He then moved closer to Abi, "Who else knows the password besides you?" he asked.

"No one," she replied.

She saw him move behind her and suddenly, he grabbed her hair and she felt a knife at her throat. "So if I kill her, you will never know the password?"

"You will not hurt her Macleod. It's not in your nature to hurt innocent people," laughed the creature.

Abi felt the knife's tip pressing harder into her throat. "If you kill her, I can always find her grandmother and get it out of her," he said still laughing.

Abi raised her hands trying to release Macleod's grip on her. She glimpsed at her watch. Fifteen minutes had passed. Ethaniel should get back here any minute now.

She surprised Macleod. He didn't feel any sign of fear from her. "Damn," he muttered pushing her away, and letting her go, putting the knife back as he did his sword.

They heard Ethaniel's car arriving. He barely stopped it jumping out. "I got it," they all heard him say as he got closer to them. He was alone.

"Where is my man," asked the creature.

"He wasn't very cooperative," said Ethaniel. "He tried to kill me and get the key for himself. I couldn't allow him to do that."

"You lie. My men will never betray me."

Ethaniel put the key in Abi's palm. He stepped in front of her, "I do not lie," he said looking at the creature.

Abi saw his gun tucked in the back of his jeans. She reached and pulled it out. As soon as Ethaniel felt her grab it he jumped to the side. Seeing the gun, the creature smiled. "You don't give up do you? I thought you realized by now bullets don't really have an affect on me."

"But these are no regular bullets," said Abi smiling and fired the gun.

Portland

Richie and Methos were the first to leave the kitchen, followed by Nick, Julia and Derek. Only one gourd was standing outside with his back to the kitchen door. He was smoking and didn't notice or heard them. In a few seconds, Richie's hands were around his neck and an instant later, he was on the floor dead.

They carried on walking through the dark corridor, untill they reached the end of it, which led to the house's main entrance. There were two guards by the door and one more on the other side near the stairs. They weren't noticed yet.

"We need a distraction," said Richie. He leaned on the wall to his left sliding next to it when suddenly he felt a door know poke at his side. He pressed his ear to the door. No sound came from with in.

"I think we should split up," said Nick. "We will see where this door leads. Can you handle those three?" he asked.

Richie snorted, "Of course" he told Nick with contempt.

Nick didn't respond. He entered the room followed by his two teammates. The room was a big library and they saw it had stairs leading up. They heard some muffled noises from above and decided to check up on them.

+++

Richie dug out a small dagger he had hidden in his belt. He raised it above his head and flipped it across the room. The gourd near the stairs fell down; never knowing what hit him, while both Methos and Richie attacked the other two gourds. In a few seconds they were both speared by two swords, hitting the ground surprise on their faces.

The entrance was clear now, and the two immortals decided to head upstairs.

+++

Jerusalem

Abi fired the gun once. She saw the bullet enter the creature's body. He stood a minute looking at her laughing. Damn, it didn't work. She was sure it would. She fired again and again. Five shots later, the creature began screaming in anger. He felt the sudden burning as the golden bullets started taking the affect.

"Shoot," said Ethaniel.

Abi looked at him puzzled. As far as she knew there were only five gold bullets. Impatient he took the gun from her hands and shot the creature over and over again until the clip was empty.

The creature screamed and yelled in a guttural voice. After a few minutes he finally fell and changed back to human form.

Abi started walking toward him, when Macleod grabbed her hand. "Don't," he said. "The beast maybe dead, but the immortal is still alive."

She and Ethaniel backed up. "Let him do what he must," she whispered in Ethaniel's ear, and he followed her in Mooli's direction. They sat on the ground next to the psychiatrist who was still holding his gun at the man tied to the car. Abi raised her hand and took the gun, smiling at the young man.

"Why doesn't he just take the damn guys head off? What is he waiting for?" asked Mooli.

"He's a man of honor," said Abi.

"And what if he fails?" he pressured, "What if he dies?"

"Then I guess it will be up to us to get rid of him," smiled Abi her palm softly caressing one of his cheeks.

Macleod waited for the man to come back to life. The beast was gone. All he had to fight now, was an immortal like him. After a few minutes, Hans Muller began awaking. As soon as he was able to stand up, Macleod threw a sword in his direction.

It was not a long fight, but a fierce one. Muller fought for his life like an animal, with all his might, but it just wasn't enough. Ten minutes later he was lying down on the ground, his head detached from his body.

"Cover your eyes," said Abi to her friends, as the quickening began. It was blinding and they did as she said. She heard Macleod scream. Suddenly it was all quiet. Abi opened her eyes seeing Macleod on his knees, next to Muller's body. "It's okay now," she said to Mooli and Ethaniel. The two opened their eyes, saw her heading towatd the immortal, and were soon following her lead.

"Are you okay?" she asked leaning down touching his shoulder.

"I'm fine," he replied trying to get up. Abi held out her hand helping him to his feet.

"I guess it's all over now," he said. "You and yours are safe now."

"Yes. I guess so." She looked at her watch. It was nearly 2AM. She felt an urge to see Ben and the children. "Why don't you let Mooli and Ethaniel take you back to the house? You can stay there tonight to recover."

"I'd appreciate that," he said.

"Abi, what are we going to do about him?" asked Molli pointing to the man tied to the car.

"When you get home, check with Interpole and our others sources, if he's wanted anywhere in the world. And we'll just turn him in to them. I on the other hand, am going to check on my hubby and kids. I'll see you in the morning guys." And with that she took off deeper into the woods.

Ethaniel saw Macleod's look as it followed Abi's back. "Somewere on this premises there is an underground safe house. Her husband and kids are there," he explained quietly.

"By the way Ethaniel, what are we going to do with this body?" asked Mooli pointing to the decapitated body.

Ethaniel in turn looked at Macleod. "I never bothered, but I guess we should bury him. Just so you don't need to face any questions."

"Well it is a private burial place, I don't know if Abi would appreciate it," said Ethaniel. "We'll take him to the house and figure out what to do when she's back." And so they did.

+++

Abi and Ben

Abi hurried up to the house's secret entrance. She punched it the six digit code and the door opened quietly.

She went down the stairs that led inside the house. As she entered, she saw her grandparents sleeping in each other's arms on the sofa. She came closer and gently touched her grandmother's forehead. "Hey granny," she said. Hanna woke up immediately. She didn't need to ask. The smile Abi had reasurred her all was okay. It was over. "Why don't you and grandpa go to bed now?" suggested Abi. Hanna nodded and woke Joseph.

Abi headed to the backside where Ben and the children were supposed to be. She entered the big bedroom and was surprised and amused at the sight before her. Ben was sprawled on bed, sleeping, little Sarah sleeping on his chest, his arms around her. Noah was sleeping by their side, his face resting on one of his father's legs.

Abi's smile grew wider. She came closer and first picked up Noah, carrying him to the room next door. Sarah was next. Abi gently released Ben's arms from around the little girl, and lay her next to her brother.

She returned to the room looking at her husband's face. Though sleeping, she could see the tension in his body. She slowly took off her clothes, and slid into bed next to him. Ben felt her warm body slide next to his. He opened his eyes and turned to face her. "Hey," he said. "Is everything okay? It is over?"

"Yes my love," replied Abi smiling at him.

"The children?"

"Safely tucked in their bed next door," she said with a reassuring smile on her face.

Ben got up and quickly took of his own clothes leaving only his boxers on. He slid back into bed, lying on his side. Abi turned, her back to him, and pressed her back to his chest. Ben wrapped his arms tight around his wife, and in less then a minute they were both sound asleep.