Showdown

Methos got in his car and sped off down the street. He hummed lightly as he swerved in and out of traffic, increasing his speed steadily as he did. Finally, he saw what he was searching for walking along the sidewalk. His tires squealed as he turned the corner and he cut her off right as she was walking into the crosswalk. Kiar gave him a harsh glare. Silently Methos motioned for her to get into the car. Kiar looked at Methos with hate for a few more moments before opening the door and getting in. Once her door was closed he sped off down the street.

"What do you want?" demanded Kiar.

"Your head," said Methos. "But I'll settle for your help."

"My help with what?" asked Kiar in a harsh tone.

"I'll explain everything over coffee," said Methos as he drove off down the road at high speed.


Nick was walking alone towards the fountain in the park. He thought it was fortunate that he had been able to replace his sword so easily. He also wondered how he was going to make this up to Amanda. She had been more frustrated with him today than she had ever been with him before. Then he just shook his head and told himself that this was the nature of the Game. Friendships end and rivalries begin. Strangely though, that gave him absolutely no comfort. Suddenly, he felt the Quickening and he looked around.

"Up here," said Amanda. Nick looked up and saw that Amanda was lounging among the angels that were a part of the fountain.

"What are you doing up there?" asked Nick.

"You're not going to fight him, Nick," said Amanda. "You'll lose your head."

"Everyone keeps telling me that I'm not good enough," said Nick. "That I'm too young to take on certain opponents. How am I supposed to get anywhere in the Game if everyone keeps telling me no?"

"With patience and skill," answered Amanda. "You have neither."

"Oh, real good advice coming from you," said Nick.

Amanda leapt down from her perch and drew her sword. "You're not ready for him, Nick," she said. "So therefore you'll have to go through me to get to him."

"I'm not fighting you, Amanda!" shouted Nick. "Stop this foolishness!"

"This isn't foolishness!" Amanda shouted back at him. "Foolishness is trying to take the head of the oldest Immortal in the Game when you have only been an Immortal for less than two years and haven't even taken a head." Amanda swung her sword at Nick, who had to back up lest he get cut across the chest. Nick rushed Amanda and tackled her to the ground. They landed together with him on top of her. After a bit of thrashing, Nick pinned her arms to the ground.

"Amanda, STOP!" Nick shouted in her face. Amanda continued to struggle against his grip. "Amanda, STOP!" Amanda finally stopped struggling and looked him in the eyes.

"I won't let him kill you, Nick!" shouted Amanda. "I love you too much to lose you again."

A look of shock crossed Nick's face and he loosened his grip on her. Amanda took it as an opportunity to knee Nick in the groin and shove him off of her. Amanda then leapt up and moved in on him. Nick saw her advance and kicked her legs out from under her. Amanda fell face-forward and Nick wrapped his arms about her, pinning her arms to her side.

"Enough!" shouted Nick. "There can be only One, Amanda. Nothing you can do will stop that. If it is my time tonight against Methos then so be it."

Tears rolled down Amanda's cheeks. Nick let go of her arms and kissed her deeply on the mouth. A few short seconds later, Amanda began returning his kisses.

Methos and Kiar were both leaning against a tree just outside the clearing, watching. "The young Immortals were always so fun to watch," said Methos.

"I wouldn't call Amanda a young Immortal," said Kiar.

"Younger than us," said Methos.

"Most Immortals are younger than us."

"What's your point?"

"No point, just stating the facts. Can we finish with Amanda's boy-toy soon and get back to real business?

"I suppose," said Methos as he drew his sword. Calmly he walked towards Nick and Amanda as Kiar drew her sword and moved to approach from another direction.

Nick and Amanda had gotten to their feet and were still just holding each other. Methos walked up to them with a serious look on his face. "Are you ready?" he asked Nick.

Nick looked at Amanda for a moment then back to Methos. Silently he nodded his head before moving away from Amanda and back towards the fountain with his sword drawn. Methos looked at Amanda. "He has courage," he said to her. "I promise I'll make it quick for him."

To be continued…