Disclaimer:
Highlander the Series, Highlander the Raven, and their respective characters belong to Rysher Entertainment and whoever else owns the series. I own nothing, save any original characters you may see, my car, and my cats. Please don't sue me; my cats aren't worth that much.
Author's notes:
This story takes place maybe a few months after the end of Highlander the Raven. I would appreciate any helpful and constructive reviews of this piece of writing. Any and all mistakes, pertaining to the characters, timeline, historical accuracy, etc. are mine. Any that you may find I chalk up to artistic license and/or creating an AU.
Comments: Yes, I will agree with the idea of Methos being at the park at the same time as Nick is coincidental, but chalk it up to necessary for plot development and/or the idea that Methos is wily and resourceful. Who is not to say that he does not have some way to track where an Immortal like Nick (who seems predictable in habit) through the Watcher's network.
A Lesson in Living
Chapter Two
Nick gasped for breath, feeling a moment of panic and confusion as consciousness returned to his body. He looked around wildly until he was able to determine that he was back in his apartment, lying on his couch. Immediately, he felt a pounding and buzzing sensation at the base of his skull, letting him know that he was not alone.
He looked towards his kitchen area and saw his semi-rescuer was sitting at the breakfast bar, drinking his beer.
"You really need to suck it up and buy better stuff than this," he said, brandishing a half full bottle of MGD. "This stuff tastes like swill. Bloody Americans," he muttered, rolling his eyes.
"Fuck off and get the fuck out," Nick snarled half rising from the couch.
"Now, is that the way to treat someone who just saved your life?" the stranger asked, smiling blandly, almost as if he was amused by some secret joke.
"I didn't ask for your help buddy. I was just fine on my own. Now get out," Nick ordered.
Methos sighed and sat the bottle down on the counter in front of him. "No. I won't and that's just too damn bad for you. We need to talk so I can begin to square a debt I owe to someone."
"Amanda sent you," he said, realization dawns on him.
"She called me because she is worried about you," the stranger said.
"I can take care of myself. I don't need anymore of her interference in my life," Nick spat out, anger dripping from his words.
"You weren't taking care of yourself this morning," Methos observed dryly. "Colbert would have had your head in a second if I had let you be."
"Nobody asked you to interfere. I could have handled it," Nick said defensively, his arms crossed over his chest, leaning against a kitchen counter.
"And how would you have explained things to witnesses in a city park, in broad daylight, why you just shot someone and then cut off their head? Did you have a good story ready for when some upright citizen called the police on you? How would you have explained it to them? Not to mention that, predicated on the idea that you did not take his head, when Colbert would have revived he would have healed in front of vulnerable witnesses. He would have killed the mortals that saw him. Personally, I don't care too much about the mortals, but I am willing to bet that you have a boy scout persona and that would bother you," Methos finally finished, a half-smirk on his face.
"You don't know a damn thing about me. Now get out!" Nick ordered.
Before Nick could figure out what was going on, Methos lay the razor sharp blade against the newly made Immortal's neck. "So do you want to know how to defend yourself or are you just waiting for some headhunter," Methos asked coldly, circling the other Immortal, letting Nick see how serious he was. "Are you ready to die because I would be more than happy to spare the world of another whiney whelp like yourself."
Nick was visibly sweating. He could feel the metal starting to cut into his skin. As much as he hated the whole Immortal thing and all of its baggage, when forced to admit it, he was not ready to call it quits just yet. "No," he breathed, afraid to move even a micron of an inch.
"Good," Methos said, switching personas, and lowered his sword. "Now you are ready to start learning how to survive, and more importantly, how to live."