Disclaimer: As before, Highlander and any ideas associated with the show do not belong to me. Any character you don't recognize is most likely mine. Enjoy!

Chapter Fourteen

Sarah slammed against the wall hard, then slide to the ground with a groan. Blood trickled from her broken lips - courtesy of Nicholas's backhand. She gingerly stood up and immediately regretted doing so when the man's foot connected with her back. Should have stayed down, she thought as she fell back on her knees in pain.

"What's the matter Sarah?" Nicholas asked above her. "Haven't regained your strength yet?"

Sarah did not say anything, knowing the Immortal was correct. This was the second night she had not fed her body a single drop of blood and it was taking its toll. Her mind went back to the guard she stopped outside the winery and mentally kicked herself for not taking his blood.

Guilt made her stop from sinking her teeth into the man's neck. Knowing that she will be the monster that Richie thought her to be, Sarah quickly released the man and entered the winery. She was just not expecting Nicholas to show up. In the state she was in right now, the Immortal had no problem gaining the upper hand.

Nicholas's voice snapped her out of her reverie. "So how should we do this? The classic stake through the heart technique or a beheading? Personally I prefer the second choice. Had more practice with that, you know."

Sarah pushed herself up and gave a half-hearted attempt at the punch aimed for his face. Her opponent easily blocked her fist and delivered a punch himself on her stomach. Nicholas laughed while she double over in pain.

"If I know any better," the man said lightly. "I'd say you actually want me to kill you."

The vampire looked at Nicholas with a blank face. She never knew it would all come to this. Even though she hated what she had become, Sarah had never given in to despair and continued to strive for the best. But losing the one she loved again because of what she is was something she was not prepared to handle. Maybe subconsciously her body had chosen to let go, to give up on any hope left. The peace that oblivion will bring her sound so soothing right now. With her mind made up, Sarah stopped struggling and received each blow from her opponent without a fight.

Sarah bit back a groan as Nicholas's last kick laid her flat on her back. The Immortal soon appeared in her line of vision, a stake in his right hand. Twirling the piece of wood with his fingers, he roughly pulled her on her feet and slammed her against some crates.

Keeping a forearm across her throat to hold her in place, Nicholas contemplated the stake he was holding.

"You know," he said slowly. "I think I'll take my time in killing you."

He looked at Sarah and placed the tip of the weapon above her heart. "I want to see the fear and pain on your face as I slowly push the stake into your heart."

Sarah wearily closed her eyes and waited. A choked cry escaped her lips as the stake broke through her skin. She felt the Immortal's body tense as if preparing to push the wood in deeper. But suddenly the pressure on her chest was gone. Without Nicholas's arm pinning her against the crates, Sarah's body pitched forward.

The sound of two men struggling with each other reach her ears and Sarah forced her eyes to open.

"Edmund …" Sarah breathed as she saw the older vampire once again fight with Nicholas.

"Argh!" screamed out the frustrated Immortal. He took his sword out and readjusted his hold on the stake as he advanced on Edmund. "If you insist on interfering all the time, then suffer the same fate as hers and die!"

The vampire instinctively reached for his cane, but curse when he remembered that he had left his weapon at home. Edmund jumped back and narrowly avoided the Immortal's sword as it swung down on him. He then raised an arm in time to stop the stake's descend to his chest. His eyes scanned the area for something he can use to defend himself with, but found nothing.

Edmund tightened his hold on Nicholas's wrist and moved to twist the man's arm. The other man screamed in pain and Edmund gave a satisfied grin after hearing the audible snap of his opponent's shoulder joint. However, he had not expected the man to spin around right away and thrust his sword forward in one fluid motion.

The vampire stared in disbelief at the sword embedded in his abdomen. Nicholas pulled his weapon free and forcefully kicked him on the chest.

"Edmund!" Sarah screamed as the guardian crashed into some barrels and stayed down.

With an almost manic glaze in his eyes, Nicholas turned to watch Sarah stand on unsteady legs.

"No more delays!" he yelled out, reversing his hold on the sword. "This ends now!"

"No!"

The shout penetrated through Sarah's clouded mind and a new set of fear coursed through her body. She turned her head and saw Richie running towards her, his eyes however were trained on the other Immortal's movements.

She too then focused her attention on Nicholas and everything suddenly seemed to happen in slow motion. Nicholas lifted the sword and speared it straight at her. She tried to move out of the way, but her battered body will not obey.

"Saaraah!"

Sarah again turned to look at Richie. She saw him dive in front of her and stagger as the sword impaled him on the chest. His body sank to the ground just as Joshua came limping into view.

"Richie, no!" he yelled, vocalizing the words that were trapped in Sarah's throat.

The girl fell on her knees and took the young Immortal's hand in hers. A choked sob finally escaped her lips. "No … Richie … please d-don't leave me again."

"Idiot," came Richie's soft voice. He gazed into Sarah's tear-stained face and between shallow breathes said, "…never leave you … came back, didn't I?" The corners of his lips quirked up. "Don't worry … I'll be alright in a few hours … promise I'll see you then … love you."

"I … I l-love you, t-too," she replied brokenly.

Joshua dropped next to Sarah just as Richie's hand became limp between hers.

"He'll be okay, right?" he asked, his face pale. "After all, he's an Immortal. He'll come back to life later on , right?"

"Not if I take his head."

Sarah and Joshua looked up. Nicholas slowly walked towards them, the stake once again in his possession.

"Love-sick fool," he sneered, referring to the fallen Immortal. "Who'll protect you now, now that daddy-vampire and your poor Romeo are both out of the way."

"You should never underestimate our kind," came a voice behind Nicholas.

The Immortal whirled around and came face to face with Edmund. His head whipped back towards Sarah who was slowly rising to her feet, cold eyes burning with rage. He again focused his attention on Edmund and in desperation threw the stake at the older vampire. He caught the wood in midair, an evil grin touching his lips. Nicholas's eyes widened in fear and he slowly backed away from both vampires.

"I am going to enjoy tearing you limb from limb," Sarah said in a deadly voice, her hand now grasping the man's own sword.

Joshua watched as both vampires bared their fangs. Ignoring the pain from the wounds they had sustained, the two growled low in their throats and as one leaped at the unfortunate Immortal.