The cemetery was cold. Darla had stopped at her mother's grave. She had never visited it. The other three continued down a path that led to a small structure built in cement at the farther end from them. A tall man appeared from inside. He had long hair and an abundant beard covered his face. His eyes were empty. No emotion poured out of them. He was almost a zombie. In his hands, he held his big sword.
"Hello, Victor." Methos said. "It's been a while."
Victor put his weapon up.
"This is holy ground." MacLeod uttered. The sight of the Highlander infuriated the other even more.
"Who's first?" Victor said emotionlessly.
"I am." Appearing from behind, Darla drew nearer, produced a Spanish broadsword, and stood in position. Evidently not recognising his former student, he attacked her. She stepped back to avoid his thrust and sliced his arm. He retreated. She went again, and did another cut in his arm. He dropped his weapon and kneeled.
"I am a worm. I deserve to lose it." He uttered hopelessly. She put the blade by her neck.
"Two things you should remember: one, we don't kill in Holy Ground." Darla whispered nonchalantly in his ear. "And two, never surrender until your head is gone. You told me that." She withdrew her sword. Realisation hit him and a bitter grin posed on his lips. MacLeod took Victor's sword away, and Methos helped the defeated man up.
"What are you doing here?"
"Ramirez is in town." Methos said. He could see the anger in Kurgan growing at the mention of the name. "He's using mortals to behead all the immortals, and become the last one without fighting."
"So?"
"How long will it be before he comes and gets you?"
"I don't know... and I don't care. " Kurgan turned back and headed inside.
"Kurgan!" Joe called firmly.
"Who is this crippled man?"
"If it's not for you, for them or for your kind, you should do it for Helena MacDonald."
"Helena's dead" Victor gasped sadly. Darla was staring at him, learning something new. MacLeod was unaware of who that woman was. Methos was silent, clearly cognizant. "Go away." he muttered.
Joe turned back and left. MacLeod followed him. Only Darla and Methos stayed with Kurgan. She was trying to know what was going on inside the head of her master. Methos looked at Victor for a few seconds then grabbed Darla and made a nod. They had to leave.
"One more thing, Victor." She said. "You were right." Then they left Kurgan on his own.
-----
The Highlands of Scotland, 1978. The bell tinkled at the reception of the MacDonald's lodge. A brown-haired woman in her mid thirties appeared from the kitchen.
"Good morning, sir. Want a room?"
"It would be nice." She took a book and a pen.
"Name?" she asked.
"Adam Pierson."
"Room 4 is fine for you?."
"Sure. Thank you very mu--" he stopped. He could feel a presence nearby. How to settle his way out without fighting was his first thought. A tall man dressed in shirt and trousers appeared at the door. He changed his mind. How to survive was in his mind now. The man walked by him and kissed passionately the woman, then offering his hand to Pierson, who shook it adamantly.
"This is Mr. Adam Pierson, Victor."
"I know... we go way back. Helena MacDonald, my fiancée."
"Nice to meet you. " was the reply. "Want to go outside to discuss the old days?"
The Highlands are considered the last wilderness. With reason. Pierson admired the green. Victor breathed in the air.
"So Methos... Are you here to fight me?"
"Last time we met, you tried to--" he asked, uncertain of whether he was talking to the same person he knew. "Now, you're nice, with fiancée... how many good heads have you taken lately?"
"People change. 300 years is too long a time. I want to settle here until..." Victor stopped. "What are you doing here?"
"I heard Thomas Cavanaugh lost his head in Inverness. So did Warren Cochrane in John O'Groats. Ramirez is said to be responsible."
Victor shrugged, "Kilvara's evil corrupted him. He should have stopped after that."
"He said someone had to stop you, and that since he had failed to protect MacLeod, it was his duty now." Methos added, before taking a deep breath. "Aren't you afraid he comes?"
"Evil or not, he's always been a fearful effete snob."
"Victor!" Helena called, approaching them. "I assume Mr. Pierson is joining us for lunch."
"It'll be a pleasure." Methos replied. She smiled and began her way back.
The minds of the immortals welcomed the sudden buzz with apprehension. A bang was heard and she fell. Victor ran towards her. Another bang and he was down too. Methos had witnessed everything, and hearing a horse coming nearer, turned to glare at the horseman, who beamed at him, rifle in hand. Ramirez.
"Greetings, Methos. Please leave my greetings to Kurgan, and tell him that I shall meet him in London. So long!" Ramirez rode away. Five minutes later, Victor was regaining life. Methos turned away. Helena would not return like they did, and her fiancé needed to mourn her alone.