Disclaimer: I do not own Highlander. Wish I did, then i would have had a TV show about Methos instead of the Raven. OK Joe and Amanda would have been in it too!

I want to thank my Beta reader R.J. Bingham. Please go and read R.J. Bingham's Fan-fictions, they are all well written and very enjoyable.

Chapter three

Sun, Surf and Swords and Welcome to Woolleys Bay!

"Joe Welcome to Woolleys Bay, great to see you, did you have any trouble on the trip up here?" Luke greeted Joe. It had been several years since the two friends had seen each other. Luke Denton had put on a lot of muscle, and seemed much more confident than Joe remembered him to have been.

"What was that and what happened to my Gwen?" Joe stated with surprise.

"OH that's how it always is around here, we are hoping, that maybe you have come here to bring a quieter, sweeter, gentile Gwen, but I doubt even you can tame the wild tigress." John said with a lot of sarcasm.

"Don't give up guys, she was a lot sweeter yesterday, but she did fight a challenge and take another immortals head last night, it got her a little wound up. Gwen had a difficult night. Guys it would be nice if you just did what she asked you to do instead of giving her a hard time OK!" Joe said.

"Great Joe you have no idea how grumpy she gets after she acquires a quickening especially if the immortal wasn't a good guy. John Go change, I have to cook and then get my daily gutting and get tossed off the roof, before dinner. Can you show Joe around the place John?" Luke said in a matter of fact sort of way.

"Daily gutting? What the hell are you talking about Luke?" Joe asked with interest. As he followed Luke who was carrying his luggage in to the master bedroom suit.

"Gwen is very old school when it come to training her students, she feels no pain no gain. She want's me to learn how to control my pain so even if I am half cut open I can pull it together and still look for an advantage to take the other guys head. I bet MacLeod never taught his students like this, I bet no one has taught their students like that in a thousand years. But Joe it's making me tough, and she says if I can master this I can stay alive in most any fight. It's not the guy with the best moves that always wins. It's really the immortal that can outwit the other immortal. I hate it! I do see her point and that does inspire me to get on that roof with her every day, knowing she is going to whoop my ass. With her teaching me I might have a chance of keeping my head for a few years at least. Well John should be back soon; this is the Master suite, Gwen's dressing room and bath are facing the back side of the house, your dressing room and bath are facing the front side of the house." Luke explained.

"I have my own bath and dressing rooms?" Joe said with surprise in his voice.

"Yup, it was designed just for you too, with full handicap capabilities. Connor helped Gwen design it when she built this house; he was always hoping you two would hook up. If you ever wondered Connor MacLeod has been the little birdie in Gwen's ear all these years telling her to ignore everyone else and marry you.

"Connor MacLeod has been trying to get Gwen and me together for the past six years?" Joe asked with surprise.

"Don't get it wrong he is in love with her too. It's just she is in love with you and he picked up on that six years ago during that whole Watcher's turned hunters thing. Wait till you see your den! We call it the club house, its John and my favorite room in the place. We are not supposed to go in there, but we can't stay out because it's way too cool, it's a party room."

"I have a den?" Joe was becoming a bit overwhelmed. "And it's way too cool you say, a party room?"

"Yep, well get settled unpack there's lots of room for your stuff, and John will be in to show you the rest of the house, I have to cook or the mistress will be just a tad bit angry with me, and I don't want that especially when she has a sword in her hand." Luke said nervously.

Luke left Joe alone in the master suite; the room was very large, his dressing room had a top of the line wheel chair, shower chair and basically any equipment he might need so he could perform his personal care needs. In other words it was tripped out. Also he had a walk in closet with two dressers in it and a small desk to sit at to do light work on. There was no door but only a glass wall that bent around hiding the dressing room and bath from clear sight of the bedroom. He went in Gwen's side and it was much the same except it had a large whirlpool tub and steam shower, lighted dressing mirror for her makeup, another walk-in closet and small desk for her light work.

The bed room itself had high ceilings and a huge king size bed. The room was modern but didn't feel too overly female, with a rich pallet of color, mixed with dark rich fabrics. The art in the room was tasteful and most likely real, a Monet, a Van Gogh, and a few sculptures. One Joe recognized as one Tessa had done. Gwen must have bought it when MacLeod closed the shop down after her death or maybe Connor had given it to her, he'd have to ask later. On the wall across from the bed was a large flat screen TV for late night viewing. It could disappear down in to the wall with a push of a button. Very cool indeed. "Johnny Carson here I come." Joe said quietly to himself.

John entered through the master suite's double door and greeted Joe. They hadn't officially met until today, but had chatted on Skype a few times. "Joe I am so glad you're finally here, talk about nervous she's been driving Luke and I up the walls waiting for you to come. Let's start the tour with down stairs and the guest room, which of course you don't have to use. God I am jealous. Well I better shut up before I say something I will regret. You know my Dad is Ga Ga over Gwen, my step mom knows it too. It's ok with her because she knows Gwen would never act on it as long as he's married. So she just accepts Gwen as Dad's best friend next to Duncan. Mary is so cool. I think she's the one who's been telling Dad to help Gwen find a nice Mortal guy and live happily ever after. And you won the lottery here, later when we have time you have to tell me how you two met. Anyway let's go to the guest room, and catch the elevator to the lower level."

"Elevator?" Joe asked

"Yep" replied John, there are stairs on the far end of each side of the building but no one uses them, why would we when we've got an elevator! It goes all five levels, first floor, my floor (basement), sub basement, Dojo and roof. The sub basement isn't a great place just storage and it's were Gwen makes her mead, it's the beer she's got on tap in your den. Great stuff I am told it was father Darius's recipe. She says it's not as good as what she drank back in the day but it's the closest thing she will ever find left in this century."

"Really. I have to see my Den.?" Joe asked.

"Ok but first these are the guest rooms. On the right are four rooms two share one bath each, and the one on the end is bigger and has its own bath. Then here in the middle is what Luke and I call the playroom, there's the couch-pit with the big screen and stereo, football table, pool table, darts, Video game corner with two flat screens. There on the left is a small kitchen diner over there for late night snacks so we don't have to go to the main level, and bother Gwen at night. And just after the kitchenette is a guest suite for visiting Immortals, like my dad. It's tripped out too but a little more like decor you find in the 18th century with a wicked view of the ocean. That suite has a master bath all the extras too. But the best part of the main room is the view out of the sliding glass doors, there's a patio and then there's the beach. Frankly Joe if Gwen would let me I move here after college and teach in the local university and just stay here forever. John said as he smiled and tried to be as good a host as he could.

"Well it's certainly very nice and I agree that view is great." Joe said.

"Hey lets go to the roof now if you like views you'll love the roof, we have parties up there and sometimes eat dinner up there or just sunbath, and Gwen loves to practice with Luke up there so if you see red spots with kitty litter on them just ignore them, they are both immortals so no one really died. Hey maybe I could talk to you about joining up with the watchers it's not like I haven't known about immortals all my life, it might be cool." John said.

Suddenly Luke appeared as if out of nowhere, "Hey guys, did I hear you say you want to be a watcher John? Don't do that it's not really a fun job and you are going to be a college professor, stick with the plan man." Luke encouraged him. "Let me finish the tour with Joe and you go do your chores Ok?"

"OK but when you go in the Den call me Luke." John said as he ran off toward another part of the house.

"Joe please don't encourage John with anything to do with the watchers." Luke asked Joe.

Joe gave Luke a hard look, "he is like you isn't he Luke, really I suspected it for a while, the watchers have been keeping reports on mortals that immortals take in and nurture, and about 95% do become immortals. Plus Gwen already told me."

"Please don't say anything, it's our standing unwritten policy to never inform anyone before their time, you know Gwen only told me so I would keep you safe. Oh not for my benefit, no. She did it for you Joe so I'd jump in front of any flying bullets that came your way to save your ass. I was angry at her for a long time about that. She used me. But now I understand her motives and forgave her. She taught me one important thing by telling me what I was."

"What was that Luke" Joe asked.

"An immortal will do anything to protect the mortals they love and do anything to win the game. Nothings off limits. It's all fair, and the end justifies the means. We each have to live by our own code, and ethics. I have to realize that just because I will not kill an innocent mortal that doesn't mean my opponent has the same moral code as I do. I was in the watchers for ten years, but still I didn't have a clue what immortals were really like until I became one. Let just hope Amy Zoll doesn't find out my secret." Luke said "Ok John said you wanted to see the view from the roof, give me two minutes so I can change in to my practice clothes, I know Gwen's looking forward to our session today."

Joe thought about how much Luke had changed since he joined the ranks of the immortals, he was much more serious now and focused. Luke reappeared dressed in a old tee shirt and old jeans that had old blood stains on them, smiled and said, "why get dressed up for a lesson when I am just going to get stabbed or worst, hey I can show you the dojo on the way up if you want,"

The next stop was the dojo, it sort of looked like the one Mac used to have in Seacouver, mats on the floor, swords on the walls, ¾ sticks, punching bags, weights, but also several workout machines, treadmills, and stationary bikes. It had just about everything the modern immortal needed to keep in shape. It took up most of the whole floor except there were showers and changing rooms and a sauna and whirlpool in the back. Also the walls were filled with swords. Joe had known one of Gwen's MO's was keeping the sword from the immortal she had taken a quickening from. The walls were filled! Many beautiful swords from all over the world and ever kind Joe could imagine.

"Ye Joe it's hard not to notice Gwen's sword collection, they are from the losers, don't try to count them it will only make you crazy." Luke suggested. "I don't ask the women how many quickening she's taken and this collection is all from after 1918, immortals don't talk about stuff like that, just watchers."

Then Joe and Luke went back on the elevator and to the roof. The roof was large and open. There was a small outdoor table and chairs complete with umbrella near the elevator for dinning and a couple of lounge chairs but the rest of the roof was open and empty. Luke explained Gwen liked it this way for practice sessions, so there was lots of room to move around. On the table were a pitcher of ice water and several glasses so Luke offered Joe some and a seat, the view was spectacular! They stayed up there for another ½ hour talking about what's new in the watchers before Gwen joined them dressed in her sweats and carrying one of her favorite swords.

"Hi guys enjoying the view? Sorry Joe since no one went to work today I had to make sure things at the office were ok, but I will go in tomorrow. Victoria, she's my secretary, is in and she's covering things. So Joe what do you think of the house?"

"It's great, but I hear I have a den I haven't seen yet." He smiled

Gwen went over and gave him a kiss and asked. "I have to give Luke his lesson so do you want to stay here or go back down stairs, just one thing you kind of have to stay out of the way so if you stay just sit here and don't move, period."

Well Joe thought this may be interesting so he said "I will sit right here and promise not to move."

"Ok Luke ready to parley? Let start over on the garage to give Joe enough clearance." Gwen commanded.

Luke followed his teacher and after they got in position they bowed to each other and their two swords crossed. Joe was impressed how much Luke had improved from the days that Mac had tried to teach him, he was holding his own with Gwen, but Joe knew she was holding back. They went over several different styles and moves then the attack began in earnest. All was going well until a car pulled up to the house and both the immortal stopped to look at who was in the car. Joe knew from experience this visitor had to be another immortal. Gwen and Luke ran to the edge of the roof to see a man and women, get out of the car and a familiar voice yell up

"I am Connor MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod, Gwen if you want a practice session invite me up on that damn roof, I need some fun. Did Dawson ever get here or are you still taking your frustration out on that poor boy?"

Joe stepped beside Gwen. "I got here just today, did you dump those watchers of yours before you came?"

Connor replied, "They are on vacation, you worry too much, and where is that son of mine, I hope not surfing again?"

Gwen smiled and shouted. "Hi Connor, Hi Mary, just come in the door's open, and sure Connor come right to the roof and bring you sword, I could used a bit of fun too. Luke please do put their bags in their room, I guess you're off the hook for today, I have another dancing partner to play with. Mary just make yourself comfortable. Luke already cooked dinner so you know it will be spectacular."

"Thank you Gwen but I think I'll go to my room and rest, Julia get your head out of that book and get out of the car we're at auntie Gwen's now, go find your brother." Connor wife said.

Connor took the elevator up before Luke could get it down; he shook Luke's hand and went over to hug Gwen, then turned to Joe with a big smile and said, "Welcome to the family."

"Connor what are you doing here?" Gwen asked.

"I thought maybe we could throw you to an engagement party." Connor replied.

"Connor, Joe just got here we haven't even talked about that, Gee Whiz! Joe and I are still feeling things out to see if this whole relationship thing is going to work, right Joe?" Gwen asked.

Joe looked at Gwen with a smile. "Gwen's still talking herself into the idea of being a couple and not being alone, I am giving her enough rope so she can hang herself with it." Joe laughed.

Connor said. "Gwen I always liked this guy, well if you would excuse us Joe I think for your own safety, you better get off the roof. Gwen and I tend to play rough. If you go to your den there's a camera feed where you can watch some of the action if you like. You are one of those guys who likes to watch if I remember right. Don't worry she heals quickly."

"Hey who said you were going to get the upper hand on me, I think I won our last bout, didn't I? Bye Joe and please go easy on the mead it's more potent than it looks." Gwen ran over to Joe and asked for a kiss for good luck, which he happily gave her. Then he got on the elevator to finally see this den everyone was raving about. One thing about living with Gwen is you never knew what was going to happen next.

End chapter 3

Chapter 4 - Sword Fighting Up on the Roof, Or Prince Valiant AKA Joe Dawson.

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