Owen froze momentarily as he stepped away from the school's door and into the parking lot., He felt the buzz. He did not need this right now, especially after the police got off his back the last time he had to fight somebody near school grounds. Another headless body, and despite the fact there was another one near by while he was under surveillance more than likely some hard nose jackass would look at him again. Okay he might have been getting extra paranoid since he'd been actively hunting the woman who killed Himiko. But part of him was still worried that one of them decided to come looking for him instead.

Covering up that freeze with the casual gaze that centuries of practice gave him he glanced around the lot and looked for who it could have been. He spotted her right away. It took a second longer to realize he knew this one. Her usually look he last saw her in was a little different. There was some red streaks in her hair, and she wore longer pants and a scarf now. But she still wore the chain belt, and as an old mortal friend of his once told him years ago, the eyes never change. Breaking out into a big grin he walked over to her, "Serenity, it's been a while."

"Hi Owen," she said friendly enough. But something seemed off as old battle hardened instincts kicked in. She seemed a little more nervous then he thought she should be for some reason. Those old instincts also made him estimate how far away his car, and his sword, where. And more importantly who was still in the parking lot observing the two of them. "How have you been?"

"I've been good," he said trying to feel her out. Then stopped himself from doing that. This was Susan's old student. Yeah she took off with Harris but he couldn't have changed her that much in a couple of years. Maybe keep his guard half way up. "Is everything okay? Nobody did anything did they?"

"No," she looked like she wanted to say something else but stopped. Then she looked to see where everybody else was herself, "Can we talk? In private?"

Half guard went to full guard before she even finished speaking, "Exactly how private we talking here?"

She must have read something on his face because she answered, "I'm not chall... I just need to speak to you, away from anybody listening." Seeing how he happened to look over Serenity's shoulder to see Princess watching them that sounded like great idea.

"Sure thing Ser, There's a quiet spot over there by the park." As they walked to that location Owen looked back and saw Princess start to follow only to be quickly stopped by her father the principal. About time he grew a backbone he thought as he made her go back into the school. Once there were there she sat on a bench and he leaned against a nearby tree. "Alright, what was so important?"

She suddenly looked scared, "They have them."

"They and them who?"

"I don't know who they are," she said. "Scott and myself was visiting Susan and this group of immortals jumped us about a block away from the hospital." Owen felt his stomach tighten. "I don't know who they were. Two of them held swords to Scott and Susan's necks and demanded to know if I knew you. When I said yes they said to get you and come to this address here." handing him a piece of paper she went on. "They claimed they wouldn't kill them, but if you don't show up before tomorrow..." Ser couldn't finish the sentence, she didn't have too. "Owen who are these people?"

"Was one of them a blond woman?", he asked reading the note. He knew the general location it was a couple of hours from here. She looked confused at his response. "Long story," he ended up saying. "I'll explain on the way to get Susan out of there."

"And Scott," Serenity reminded him.

He hesitated a bit, fingering the scar on his neck. Serenity just stared at him."Yeah sure, why not."

After hearing the short version of the story Serenity was quiet for the rest of the trip. Only speaking up when she saw the street written on the paper. Turning on to it they found it soon enough as the sun started to set. Getting out and opening the backdoor he retrieved his sword. "At least it's holy ground. If they're being kept close nothing should have happened."

"Like that worked out so well last time," Serenity said not looking at him. Owen didn't look at her, he knew exactly what she was talking about.

"I haven't forgotten," he said.

"It was you're fault then too." There he looked at her. "That happened because of you. Susan was held hostage then because of you. Susan and Scott are being held now because now because of you."

"The last time was not my fault," he shot back. "That was the result of that damn game Harris set up."

"You were still the center of it!" she shot back. "You were still the reason. And now something you did caused this. Do you even care somebody else could die because of you?!"

"Yes I care!", he exploded. "Do you really think I forgot? Do you honestly think I forgot about Keith? Do you honestly think I never realized why that happened? I have never forgotten that, I can't forget that. Keith's death has haunted me ever since it happened. Ask Susan. Ask Natalya. And you will be asking Susan because we are going to get them back. You can drop me out of your life afterwards and Susan will probably join you there after this, but we're getting them back one way or another."

If Serenity had a response it staid in her head as they felt the buzz. Both of them looked around until they saw a lone Asian man coming toward them. Stopping a few paces from them he studied them for a moment before saying, "I apologize for interrupting."

Taking the lead Owen went "Where are they?"

He turned a bit and looked behind him, past the church, and pointed in a more specific area, "They are over there, still alive. She can check if both of you would like. I won't interfere but I would like to have a few words with you in exchange."

Trying to gauge him in those few moment he was speaking Owen weighed his options. Glancing back at Serenity he went, "Go ahead Ser. I'll be right behind you." She seemed hesitant but eventually went in the direction that was pointed out. She only paused when she got close to this stranger. He just smiled if a friendly way and moved aside to give her a clear path. Hesitating a little longer she hurried off to where they were supposed to be.

Alone with this guy Owen halfway expected him to get more aggressive now that she was gone but he stayed the same. Much like Owen did earlier he apparently sized him up, occasionally glancing at the long sword still in his hand. "I do regret," he started, "that we had to meet under such circumstances. But you have been a particular nasty thorn in my little group's side. Again my apologizes, Owen I believe it was, I'm Jin."

Ignoring the pleasantries Owen demanded, "That group include Victoria?"

Appearing disappointed at this particular turn he said, "And if I say yes?"

"If you're protecting her then we have a problem."

He started walking a bit, keeping the same distance as he circled around him, "While I have not known Victoria long I do get the feeling she is more than capable of taking caring herself. She might even be offended if I tried to do so if I read her correctly."

"You do realize why I'm after her right?", Owen made sure he kept this guy in his sights while also trying to keep an eye on their surroundings. Given that woman's little habit of using mortals as a warm up act he wasn't trusting anything. Then he remember he let Serenity go off on alone and looked back for a moment in the direction she went, making sure he didn't see the worry cross his face.

"I'm aware of the situation," this Jim replied. "While I'm not trying to belittle your feelings in any way you must admit it was a long time ago, and last I heard time is supposed to heal all wounds."

"Yeah well I've been told I have a hard time letting things go," Owen told him. "And some wounds don't heal. Especially ones that deep."

He simply nodded. "I personally have never felt your type of loss," Jin said.

Owen cut in, "Pray you never do."

Jin went on, "I would imagine that sort of hatred would would turn you into some sort beast or demon by now." He ignored that small feeling of laughter in the back of his mind. "Yet you seem almost normal, like that sad , unfortunate event never happened."

"Well as they say nowadays I had a pretty good support system over the years. One of which your group kidnapped."

"I needed your attention," Jin said, not even trying to to look apologetic. "Obviously it worked. So what do you want out of all of this?"

"I want her," Owen said pretty much automatically.

Jin just smiled, "Which 'her' are you referring to?"

Victoria almost came out of his mouth on instinct. But he stopped himself from saying it it. Calming down a bit he answered, "Susan." Jin, whoever this guy was, almost seemed happy with his response. "Oh and the other guy too, Harris," he added. "It would make Serenity unhappy if anything happened to him. For reasons I still don't understand." Jin just gave him a look. Owen absentmindedly fingered his scar again, "He's not my favorite person on the planet."

"I suppose that type of situation is something every person has in common." Jin stopped walking, pretty much blocking the way Serenity went. With a small gesture he stepped aside, "If you survive I hope we won't meet again."

"We will if you're still harboring her," Owen told him as he walked past. Adding, "And keep Janet out of the way when it does." He didn't look back to see his reaction, if any, to that last statement. Owen definitely didn't show any on Jin's last statement.

Hurrying up when the buzz hit him he was relieved to see Susan and Harris was still alive like Jin said. Tied up and gagged on a couple of folding chairs but alive. He spotted their swords, Harris still using that cutlass with the jewel encrusted hilt, sticking into the ground in front of them. Then he spotted Serenity, standing in a defensive position, hand obviously around the handle of her sword but still hadn't drawn it yet. Then he spotted Janet, and tried not to be disappointed in that, and the plain clothed guy from when he finally tracked down and caught the Thief. Slowing down as he came closer he tried to get an idea on what was going on. "Have we said 'let them go' yet because I'd hate to repeat it."

"The girl is not answering my challenge," the guy said, almost disappointed. Owen had met enough people over the centuries to get the idea that wasn't because he was blood hungry, especially since he looked away when his bigger friend took care of the Thief. But he couldn't figure out why. Either way it meant he could avoid another situation like the one that cost Keith his life. On the other hand he knew Susan well enough to see that the looks she was giving her former student was the reason why she wasn't accepting right away.

Owen stepped forward, "Not her fight."

"I can take him," Serenity said, mainly to massage her own bruised ego over the situation.

"Not your fight," Owen said. "Seriously am I speaking Greek? Which would be weird because I never picked up Greek. Italian yes, but I never made the trip to that particular country."

They guy looked over at Janet, who answered his unasked question, "He was like that in class occasionally."

"Just trying to hide the anger over the fact my friend got kidnapped," Janet looked ashamed of herself at least, "again." Serenity mumbled something, he ignored it. "But," Owen looked down to make sure he stepped off holy ground, "if you're looking to challenge some one boyo I'm suddenly in the mood."

He nodded a bit before turning and removing his hat and coat and placed them on a nearby stone bench. Retrieving a small sword and a hand sickle from their hiding spot he turned back toward him. "Ezekiel Fields."

"Owen McAllister," he said before taking up a defensive position. He had seen a more than a few opponents in his life, witness a few challenges between other immortals, and was familiar with all sorts of bladed weapons. But he had to silently admit the farm tool was a first. He fought a couple of duel wielders before so it wasn't completely unknown territory, just a pain in the ass to keep an eye on two weapons at once. Both of them took a few swings to test each others defenses. Mostly Owen wanted to see how fast he was with that sickle, turns out he was pretty quick with it. Ezekiel decided to up the offense and came at him swinging both weapons. Swinging his long sword to block anything that came at him Owen started backing up. Intercepting the sickle with the long sword he kicked Ezekiel away to get some space between them, and a little more breathing room for himself.

Taking a quick moment to watch how the other man moved as he took a step to the side he tried to figure out the the best way to come out of this alive. A dark impulse that came out of nowhere made him glance at Janet. It would be so easy to distract him by going after...While Owen pushed that thought down Ezekiel came at him again catching him off guard. Barely getting his blade up to block the short sword his leg was slashed by the outside edge of the sickle. Moving away left him open to a sword swing that sliced down his back and he went to a knee. Looking back he saw the sickle come at his head he moves but it still impaled his shoulder. Owen cried out in pain as Ezekiel reared back for the killing strike. Dropping his sword Owen grabbed the other man's arm in mid swing in an act of desperation.. Clutching at his sickle wielding arm he slowly forced it up removing the blade from his shoulder.

Struggling to his feet he headbutted Ezekiel a couple of times busting them both open. As both of them stumbled backwards Owen realized he left his long sword between them. Holding his shoulder and willing his immortal abilities to heal his body faster he kept backing up. Them he felt his foot hit something. Susan and Harris's swords, it had to be. He reached back reaching for a handle. A sound similar to a male grunt of protest told him which one once he felt it. He pulled it and brought it forward, it was Harris's cutlass. He grunted in protest again. "I'm not keeping the damn thing," Owen said through his teeth.

He almost started to reach for Susan's rapier as well when Ezekiel came at him. Charging a bit and rolling under a vertical swing of the sickle Owen ran toward his long sword and grabbed it on the fly. Centuries of battle instinct got the cutlass up as he turned around to intercept the short sword. Seeing the opening Owen swung his long sword around. Ezekiel tried to step back but wasn't fast enough as the edge of the blade caught him in the side and sliced open his flesh, but not deep enough to incapacitate him. Not waiting for his immortal abilities to kick in Ezekiel came at him again. Now with two weapons of his own Owen was having a better time of it as he blocked and dodged whatever the other man threw at him. He was still wicked fast with that Sickle though.

The fight went on for several more minutes until Owen was able to cross the other man's arms and with the cutlass forced them to the ground. Immediately letting go and putting both hands on the handle of his long sword Owen had it at his opponent's neck. A dark impulse over took him again, made him look in the eyes of his opponent. He wanted to see the fear in them, wanted to savor it as the other man realized he was about to die. A snarl starting to form on his lips as he stared him right in the eyes. But there was no fear, no trace what that he could detect. The happiness in the other man's eyes broke the dark hold that briefly over took him. Feeling nothing but confused Ezekiel told him, "Thank you."

Brought back to his senses Owen stared at him for a brief moment, "Okay then." With one pull he brought the sword around and beheaded his opponent. Still in shock over the man's final moments Owen wasn't ready as the Quickening hit him. Transfixed as he absorbed the fallen immortal's essence he screamed at the heavens above as it became too much. He dropped to his knees after it was over exhausted on every level possible.

"No you don't," He heard Serenity say. He looked up to see Janet try to run but Serenity got in her way, sword in hand.

"Stop!" he yelled out hoarsely. Serenity looked at him. She wanted vengeance on somebody for this situation, he could see it in her face. He wasn't going to let her go down that path. "Untie Susan," he told her. She wouldn't budge. "And Harris too if you have too. Just do it." She looked back between the two of them before heading toward the Susan and Harris but still kept glancing back at Janet. Getting to his feet wiping the blood off his face as he walked over to his former pupil. Right now she looked as afraid as he'd ever seen her. Stepping to the side to give her a clear path he told her, "That Jin guy's that way, you might be able to catch up."

Serenity, who just untied Susan looked at him feeling totally betrayed, "Owen."

Removing the gag from her mouth Susan said, "Let it drop Ser. She didn't ambush us."

"But she's with them," Serenity protested.

"I made sure they were okay," Janet offered weakly. Serenity started toward here. Susan stopped her right before Owen got in front Janet. All it took was one look from him to get Janet running off toward Jin

"Why are you protecting her?", Serenity demanded.

Susan spoke for him, "It's a complicated story Ser. Owen," she looked over at him as Serenity went ot untie Harris.

"Just remember you said you'll play nice when Natalya's around," he said, figuring that was were she was going. On a few levels he knew Serenity as right, this was because of him. Feeling exactly like he just lost one of his longest confidants he started to walk away.

"Owen," Susan called back out. When he stopped she walked toward him. "I told you I would have you out of my life if I saw you become that person who would betray everything you believed in for revenge. You haven't done that yet, and please don't ever." She hugged him, "I know what's like to have friends kidnapped in an attempt to get at me, so I'm not blaming you for this either." Serenity grunted again as Harris massaged his wrists to get some feelings back into his hands. "But you're going to owe me one hell of a dinner as payback."

Owen smiled despite himself, "I'll see what I can arrange."

"I don't believe this," Serenity mumbled. Susan walked over to her and tried to explain things.

Unfortunately for him Harris walked over and studied him a bit. In a tone only he could hear he said,, "Speaking of being other people I watched you. I saw you're face near the end. You still got a little of Big Evil left in you, don't you?"

Owen stared at him but Harris didn't flinch. Although his hand went to a similar scar on his neck that Owen had put there. "Start another game with me and find out." Harris held up his hands and conceded before placing those hands behind his head and walking toward Susan and Serenity. Owen looked back where Janet ran off too and hoped it wasn't a mistake letting her go back to that group and her mother.