Disclaimer: I do not own Highlander Davis/Panzer does, this story is only written for fun and enjoyment not for profit. Rated M for language and mature situations.

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 13

Methos gives Gwen a Refresher Course - Sword Fighting 101

As the sun rose Gwen quickly went into her bedroom to change, and to get a sword from her collection. She picked a katana, a bit smaller than Connors but still just as sharp and deadly. Joe awakened and asked what was going on, she told him it was ok and to go back to sleep. Gwen lied that she was just having an early practice session with Luke. Kissed him and left the room. Joe didn't buy it for one moment. He still had a hangover the size of Chicago but he found his robe got the wheel chair next to the bed and wheeled himself out into the main room.

Connor and Duncan both were up too they had a bad feeling and met each other in the elevator still slipping on their shoes, dressed in only tee shirts and jeans. Connor checked that Luke and John had never gone to bed and Duncan knew Cassie had been up all night too.

By the time the Clan MacLeod men and Joe all gathered in the main room, the sun was rising, the small group looked toward Joe's den and the door was open, so after exchanging greeting they went to check it out.

Joe spoke first. "What the hell is going on here?"

Luke looked up at Joe, knowing he would not be happy. "Methos and Gwen are on the roof, we kind of had a big reveal about Gwen and Kronos last night. Well they are pissed at each other so they're having a go at each other. I wish I had installed a microphone up there I wish I knew what they were saying."

"Oh that's not hard Luke, just think of every dead language you know and say all the swear words in it. It's been building for a while I was just hoping they could keep from the swords until after the honeymoon. Mac maybe you could stop them. She is about120lbs soaking wet and he's got to be at least 175 plus and six feet to her 5'2" I can't do this at 5 am. Why are they arguing Luke?" Joe frantically said.

"It's my fault; I encourage her to tell Cassandra and Methos about her Kronos." Luke confessed.

"Well aint you one stupid son of a bitch, Gee thanks Luke, with friends like you I don't need enemies. Forget it I am going up there and try to talk some sense into them, all I need is my fiancée and one of my best friends trying to cut each other to ribbons about something that happened 3 or 4 thousands years ago." Joe said in disgust.

"You can't Joe they've already started," Mac stated as every one just looked at the monitor and watched the two oldest immortals still alive swing swords at each other.

"Well I'm not watching this will someone help me put on a pot of coffee? God Damn it sometimes I hate you immortals, not only do I have to worry about her when she leaves the house but now I have to worry when my supposed friends come and visit." Joe said as he rolled his wheel chair to the kitchen.

Connor volunteered to come and help put on the coffee, since he had just fought Gwen last on the roof he figured there wasn't much to watch. "Joe don't worry, she will be alright, they just have a lot of friction to work out between themselves, and Duncan and I sometime are the same way."

"Connor no one on earth has the friction these two have, or the history, and I could see on the monitor they both are angry, can't you go up there and stop them?"Joe pleaded with his friend.

"I doubt it would help Joe, Gwen and Methos just need to have it out, it will be ok" Connor said trying to comfort Joe.

Then the door bell rang and Connor went to answer it, standing there bleeding was Methos, "she used a tree limb to knock me off the bloody roof. There are not many trees around here anyway! How the Bloody hell does she do that! Joe can you give me a towel so I can wipe up some of this blood and get back up to the roof. She's not playing fair, damn her" Methos complained.

Joe just wiped his face with his hands. "Methos go to hell; I'm going to take a shower so I can get dressed." Then Joe wheeled himself back into the master suit past the bleeding immortal with out another word and slammed the door behind him.

Connor brought Methos a towel, and gave him some advice. "I don't like you, but you are going to spend the day getting knocked off the roof if you keep fighting her like you are."

"So Connor how do you fight a power likes hers?" Methos asked.

"There only really one way, and I shouldn't tell you because I really don't like you and she is one of my best friends."Connor kept repeating.

"Oh bloody hell it's not like I'm going to really kill her or anything. Look into my eyes Highlander; no matter what goes down between Gwennie and me you know I will always have feelings for her. Bloody Hell Highlander, after 4000 years I can't stop caring for her just because I am pissed off at her. I hear you feel similarly about her yourself. I made a lot of mistakes with our relationship, but we have to work through things, and I will never be able to do that if she keeps knocking me off the God Damn bloody roof all day. So Please Highlander just tell me what to do?"Methos begged Connor and looked at Duncan.

Duncan nodded his head. "Connor tell Methos, Please, this has to stop."

Connor looked at his kinsman then sighed. "Ok Duncan, the key is to tire Gwen out, the secret to her magic is it wears thin as she grows more tired. That's basically it, she uses a lot of energy to employ the magic, empty those energy reserves and the magic will stop working." Replied Connor. "That is how I do it, but watch your back she likes me and I usually don't get the whole brunt of her magic like you just did. Methos you can thank Duncan not me for the help."

"Fine thank you Duncan, I will tire out the witch, this should be interesting, we haven't fought like this since she was my student and her magic wasn't even a quarter as strong as it is now." Methos said as he got on the elevator and went back to the roof wiping the blood off his face and arms with the towel Connor had given him from the kitchen.

Luke looked at Connor. "Methos is one crazy dude, Gwen is pissed and he's going back up there? I wouldn't do it, I guess I have been tossed off that roof too many times, and that was when she was in a good mood."

"Luke, Duncan is right it's something they have to work out, he was her first teacher and I doubt he can accept the idea of Gwen beating him. I wouldn't like to lose to Duncan either. We are immortals sometimes combat is the only way we can work through an argument, which goes double for a teacher and a former student. Luke someday you'll have a student of your own and you will understand trust me."

"If I live that long." Luke answered.

"Do as Gwen instructs you to and believe me you'll be around for the gathering, look at Cassandra she's 3000 years old, Darius was 2000 years old, Tak Ne lived almost 2400 years he was my teacher, I knew him as Ramirez, Gwen was his 2nd teacher but he said he and I quote, "I learned more from that small witch than anyone else." Rebecca worked with Gwen for a while also and told me their time together was invaluable. They disagreed about a few things but I am sure Gwen's instruction helped Rebecca live for over 3000 years. She took a few other students, not many, most rebelled and left her saying her style of teaching was too brutal, and they all died. I even spent five years as her student working with her, Gwen is tough, but for the immortals who can stick it out with her they have all lived a long time. That's why I asked her to train John when the time comes, if he can last through Gwen techniques, John will be able to survive the game until the gathering." Connor gave Luke a pat on the back.

"I never heard about Ramirez, Cassandra, or Rebecca being students of Gwen's; the watchers never recorded them even knowing each other. Gwen asked me to be her student I never asked her, I guess I should stop complaining." Luke said with a smile.

"Yea that might be a good idea Luke, and just thank her more often. You will find other teachers who know the sword better, we all continue to seek out a new teacher, every now and then, but to have an immortal that's going to teach you how to survive the game, she's the best there is. Gwen likes to not let anyone know who her students were, except her other students, Luke you're part of a great dynasty." Connor commented. "I spent five years with her as my teacher, and got my ass kicked everyday for most of them, ha, ha, ha," Connor laughed "Let's go watch the closed circuit TV and see if Methos is doing any better with my advice."

Luke and Connor walked into the den still talking and laughing about all the things that they had experienced as Gwen's student. Luke never knew Connor had been her student too and felt a new kinship with him. Finally he had someone he could talk to who understood what he was going through. Before Luke had always just put the Highlander up on a pedestal now Luke saw the Highlander was almost his brother.

But back on the roof things were getting bloody, Methos had avoided getting tossed off the roof but Gwen using her telekinesis was certainly hitting him with many objects. Trying to engage her Methos tried to rekindle old memories of when she was just his student so he might be able to get back to sword fighting and stop dodging debris.

"Gwennie remember when I finally got around to teaching you to fight with the sword?" Methos paused to see if anything was flying at him; it wasn't, good, he had finally got her attention so he continued. "I taught you to take deep breaths and maintain a relaxed posture to get the best out of your efforts and make quick decisions in a fight. To always ensure that your body is balanced and properly positioned, to make the most powerful moves as well as parry effectively."

"So Methos is this quick sword fighting 101 review, are you tired of fighting my magic and think my blade is rusty." Gwen laughed.

"Well so far except for a few parries we haven't had much blade action, I wanted to see if you improved in your real sword techniques and not just tossing your sparring partners around with telekinesis, which I see has quite improved over the years. Can you still swing a blade as well as you did back then?" Methos taunted her.

"Continue the lesson my teacher and see." Gwen teased back at him.

"Always keep sufficient distance between your feet and keep track of all the moves made by your opponent. When you parry, the blade should be closer to the body for self defense always protect your neck. The aim while defending should be to constantly look for an opportunity to counter the opponent's attacks. Look for the opening when your opponent neck is unprotected, so you can strike to take their head. Meanwhile remember to take deep breaths and maintain a relaxed posture to get the best out of your efforts and make quick decisions in a fight. Staying calm in a nervous situation can make the difference between living and dying" Methos continued with his review of their old lessons.

"Yes I remember, always ensure that my body is balanced and properly positioned, to make the most powerful moves as well as parry's are carried out effectively. I should always keep sufficient distance between my feet and keep track of all the moves made by my opponent. When I parry, the blade should be closer to the body for self defense. The aim while defending should be to constantly look for an opportunity to counter my opponent's attacks and look for the opportunity to take my opponents head." Gwen recited Methos lessons back to him as if it was yesterday he had taught it to her instead of 4000 years ago.

"But Gwennie never forget a clever fighter will quickly analyze all the weak and strong points of their opponent, make a quick assessment of the surroundings with respect to his aiding and detrimental factors in the initial stage of the fight. The victory is often won during this initials assessment stage. The difference between two fighters is not based on their skill and expertise alone, but on how well they read the other fighter and the surrounding conditions. Always charge and attack with a great deal of confidence but a level-headed approach. Never get excited or carried away, during the course of a fight. The elbows should not be stretched, but bent towards the body. It is the sword which has to be extended in the direction of the opponent and not the arms. In my case my sword is long, and I should maintain a greater distance away from my opponent and as for you Gwennie because your sword has a short blade, you should stay close to your opponent. Accuracy and agility are the most crucial elements of a sword fight and determine the outcome of a battle. Therefore, even if your opponent is more powerful than you, your supple movements and skill can give you a big edge with your sword. If you have made an accurate assessment of your opponent it will give you the advantage in taking his head." The master continued with his demonstration and lecture.

Gwennie replied to the master swordsman. "I must always remember the techniques, styles and moves have to be 'customized' to suit the height, style, and weight of a fighter along with the situation, environment, and the opponent's style. Even when fighting amongst equals, it is not the expertise that wins the head, but it is often the sticking to the basics of the form, that eventually decides the winner and who lives to fight another day. I do remember Methos" Gwennie repeated the lesson back to her old teacher.

"Good I see you haven't forgotten everything I taught you, now en-guard, and show me what styles and moves you have customized to fit yourself due to your short stature and light weight; surely you can still hold your own in a straight out good old fashion sword fight? Or have you become lazy and relied on those mystic powers to do all you're fighting for you?" Methos ridiculed Gwennie.

"I have forgotten anything, fine if that's what you want we will have a straight out good old fashion sword fight. Connor and I practice that often, but watch out Methos, I didn't take over a thousand heads, because I was an easy target, many thought so, many died," Gwen warned her old master. "But remember don't get carried away you are the one who built this house on holy ground."

"If I wanted your head I would have taken it back at the slave market near the Aegean Sea, 4050 years ago. Gwennie you're still just a foolish girl, you never could see the answer even if it was right in front of your nose. Now prepare thyself, En guard!" Methos issued his challenge.

Downstairs in the den the others had just seen what seemed to be a lot of talking, unexpectedly erupt into a fast and furious straight out good old fashion sword fight with all the action one could imagine. Suddenly every one was glued to the closed circuit TV, and the battle on the roof.

Both Methos and Gwen parried and thrust their swords marking blows on each other but there was no stop in the action for nearly a half hour. The group in the Den could hardly believe the intensity of the battle and that it kept up at the rate of a whirlwind, until stunningly it came to a crescendo, when Methos stabbed Gwen in the rib cage, and she quickly faltered, missing her steps. Methos had, had enough of the show, and cut the wires leading to the closed circuit system below, the den TV went black.

"Shows over folks, Methos decided he doesn't want to be watched anymore and he cut the cables." Luke told every one.

"About time, what are we at the Roman Coliseum, sometimes you immortals are ghouls, Luke are you cooking breakfast, or do I have to do it myself!" demanded Joe.

"Hold your horses Joe I'm coming." replied Luke.

Back on the roof Methos dropped his sword and caught Gwennie as she stated to fall to her knees. He lifted Gwennie up and carried her over to a bench that was on the roof, put there so people could sit there and look out over the sea.

"You punctured my right lung with that last lunge and it's filling with blood," she gasped in a daze softly barely able to get the words out.

"Sorry you know how I hate to lose; I cheated again and asked Connor how to drain you of your mystic powers, sorry Gwennie." Methos said as he held her close. "Sleep now my love I wait with you until you revive, you fought well." And Methos gave her a sweet kiss on the lips as Gwennie eyes glassed over and the last breath came out of her body. Methos examined her small body; he had done more damage to her than he fist thought. Methos stopped counting the cut his sword had made, he still marveled at her stamina to withstand pain and act as if only an insect had bitten her when in truth she had been run thru by sharp steel. The years of beating in the brothel had taught her well, pain was a state of mind, one could control until finally your body gave out from shear exhaustion. This was a lesson the student taught the Master; Methos had been a slave too but never as long as Gwennie had and he found this lesson was one that had saved his life more than once.

Amy had been the only one to see how tenderly Methos had held Gwen and looked upon her, she was glad that her father couldn't see the two immortals upon the roof, for anyone could see the caring in the old immortals eyes, and Amy feared that her father was just a pawn in some scheme that Methos had to win Gwen back to him.

"Do these people ever sleep?" Amy said to herself, maybe this gig was less dangerous but it was running her ragged. "I haven't even had time to file a single report and now I seem to be watching Methos as often as Gwen, I have to call the office and get a secretary." Just then her phone rang. "Hello Amy here!"

"Hi honey I just thought I'd ask you if you wanted any breakfast, we're having pancakes, bacon, eggs, and some great coffee. Since your assignment will be on the roof a while longer and I doubt you will be running into either her or Methos anytime soon. We think she died which is why Methos finally cut the cable to the TV, I have to thank him later for doing that, but Gwen should be out for at least 30 or 40 more minutes, so you have a window of opportunity to eat, so if I were you girl I would take it." Chucked Joe.

"Dad, how many immortals do you have in that house right now, and their watchers could show up at any moment!" Amy exclaimed.

"Amy it's not even 6 am and I know Cassandra's watcher likes to sleep late, I don't know who they put on Mac since I quit, but Connor's watcher is still in bed, do you see anyone out there but you? Didn't you call them and tell them you'd be covering the house? Trust me Amy if they know you are here, no one is rushing over here in the middle of nowhere at 6am. Please just come have a cup of coffee and realize just sharing a pancake with immortals doesn't count as interference. Plus I think Cassandra, John and Connor are going back to bed, so that leaves Luke and Mac and me. You already know Luke, I promise Mac doesn't bite, see ya in a couple of minutes." And Joe hung up the phone.

Amy rolled her eyes, well she guessed Joe was right, she was hungry and all alone, so what the hell; Amy walked quietly to the fount door and knocked. Joe opened the door with a big smile and hugged her then she went in to have breakfast, with her dad, her old friend Luke Denton, former watcher and immortal, and Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod. "This should be an interesting day." Amy said to her father as she was introduced to a man who was over 400 year old.

End chapter 13

Chapter 14

Duncan Macleod is Finally Falling in Love Again!