Growing up Keith thought that he had a couple thing figured out about life. A good chunk of your money was going to taken by the Government. Your ideal life was going to be nowhere close to your real life. You get hit by a car chances were good you were going to die. Nothing major, nothing life shattering just simple, everyday facts of life. Then he was hit by a car and fully expected to be seeing the Pearly Gates as soon as he started to feel cold and his eyes start to close. Then he woke up in a body bag. The attendant who was about to close the metal drawer he was in screamed and shit his pants before he fainted. Keith almost joined him but his first instinct was to get out of there. He found a sheet to wrap himself in and tried to sneak out. He wasn't sure how far he went but he did see an exit sign. That's when he felt whatever it was and he froze. He looked around and saw a blond haired woman stare at him. He bolted for the door as she called out to him and he ran for his life.

Sticking to the alleys he tried to figure out what was going on. Why wasn't he dead? Who could he go to? Who would believe him? Shivering in cold night air he wrapped the sheet around him as tight as he could. He froze as he felt that sensation again and grabbed his head trying to get it to stop. Keith looked up and saw a man with dark hair come toward him. "I knew you couldn't have gone far" He started to run but the guy said, "Relax kid relax. Believe it or not I know exactly what you're going through. You think you're supposed to be dead right now and you're not and it's freaking you out. Trust me I've been there." Keith stared at the guy, how in the hell did he know? He watched as he came forward a little bit and knelt down in front of him. "My name's Owen." Keith just started at him. "This is where you tell me your name."

He tried to make a name up but his brain refused to work. So he said, "Keith."

"Nice to meet you Keith." He saw him shiver under the sheet and quickly took off his jacket. Keith jumped back a bit when he handed it out to him. "Put this on before you catch your death of cold. Trust me dying isn't the worst part it's the coming back." Taking the jacket Keith put it on and felt warmer already. "The hospital isn't far we can head back there." The last place he wanted was to head back there. Owen picked up on it and said, "Or I know a church that's pretty close. The Father will give you shelter for the night. Don't worry you'll be safe there."

"How do you know?", he asked.

"Because none of us would dare do anything in a church." Keith quickly figured out that meant there were more of… whatever they were. "I better tell you that thing you're feeling right now, that's me. You felt it earlier at the hospital. That was my friend Susan, she the one who called me to help look for you. Chances are good you might feel it again from somebody else before too long."

"Why are you looking for me?"

"Because there are some of us out there who wouldn't think twice about…," he paused. He looked thoughtful for a moment before saying, "There's some really nasty guys out there and we wanted to find you before they did. I'll explain the rest of it after the shock wears off. All of it is too much to take in at once." Owen took him by the arm and helped him to his feet, "Come on boyo, let's get going."

"What did you call me?"

"Bo…," he looked dismayed for moment as he realized what he said. "Nothing, come on I have a car over here."

He was right the Father at the church did take him in, found him some clothes and pulled out a roll away bad out of his office so he could sleep for the night. Keith overheard the Father and Owen talk but he quickly fell asleep before he could figure out what they were saying. The next day Owen visited him again and kept his word, explaining what they were and going into the Game and the rules they had to live by. Keith listened but he couldn't wrap his head about what he was hearing. Guys were going to come after him and try to chop his head off? He would have been better off staying dead. But Owen assured him he'd do everything to prepare him for this life.

For the past four months Keith tried to pick up the sword fighting techniques but he was having a hard time getting it. Oh he was better now than what he was originally, in fact he was holding his own before Owen found a way to knock the kendo stick out of his hands. Owen was pleased with his improvements but Keith could tell he wasn't ready for his first fight yet. Owen kept training him but he wouldn't explain what a Quickening felt like, all he said he would have to experience that for himself because words couldn't even begin to describe what it felt like. But he became like a (really) older brother to Keith and did just about anything Owen asked of him.

Today however he was questioning that trust as he helped Owen carry a heavy ass couch up a flight of stairs. Normally Keith wouldn't have complained but he saw Owen was breathing heavy from the task and mumbling to himself. Both of them got the same idea and lowered the couch on the stairs to take a quick rest. Panting a bit Keith asked, "Why are we doing this again?"

"Because I'm an idiot," was all he said.

"OK that covers you but what about me?"

"The blood contract," Owen told him.

"I didn't sign any contract."

"You didn't have to," he said. "I pricked your finger while you were crashing on the Father's spare bed. It's all perfectly legal."

"You're kidding right?", Keith asked him. "Please tell me you're kidding."

"Owen stop picking on the newbie," Natalya called out from a couple of flights up.

"You pick on newbies all the time," Owen informed her.

"I'm allowed," she said as she came down the stairs, "I'm mean spirited."

"Excuse me," Ser said as she came up behind them carrying a box. "This the last box Natalya, all we got left is the couch." Keith watched her walk by, trying to pretend he was admiring the link chain belt around her waist but he kept looking and Owen caught him.

"It's a skort, you're not going to see anything," he admonished him. "At least try not to be obvious about it."

"Some of us haven't had three hundred years of practice at it," Keith shot back.

"Most men learn how before they're twenty boyo." Natalya coughed to get their attention. She told them to hurry up with the couch. "Why did the freight elevator have to break down today?"

"It's been down for a couple of weeks, didn't I mention that?", she asked innocently. She ran up the stairs when Owen took a step toward her. "Hurry up now," she called back down when she got a couple of flight up. "You big strong men only have four more flights to go."

"I'm going to kill her," Owen mumbled. "Alright boyo," he said as they reached for the couch again. "Pick it up on three… three." With a small strain they picked it back up. Both Owen and Keith looked up at the distance they had to go.

"Do you think she'd noticed if we 'accidentally' dumped it over the side of the railing?", Keith said as they got moving.

"Don't temp me," Owen grunted. They finally got it in Natalya's new apartment and dropped it. She said it would look better somewhere else the moment they did. Owen shot her a look that made her say they could do it later. Owen sat on the couch to catch his breath and Keith joined him. "What was wrong with your old place again?", he said after a few moments.

"Nothing but the art store I was working at closed down," she answered. "A lot of people and customers stop showing up so it was getting boring. I swear one headless body and everybody get's their underwear in a bunch." Owen opened his mouth, "And no comments from you thank you very much."

"I'm surprised you look so tired Owen," Ser said. "Susan said she always marveled at your endurance." The way she was smiling made Natalya stare at her for a moment then at Owen. Keith watched him smirk for a bit before noticing Natalya. Suddenly he was real interested in seeing where she wanted the couch.

She kept staring at him, "You did not sleep with a nun."

"She wasn't a nun when I met her," Owen quickly said. "And it was a really cold night. Besides how do you think I learned how to…," he trailed off as he glanced at Keith and Ser. Walking over to Natalya he whispered something in her ear.

She immediately went bug eyed and pulled away from him. "We are never doing that again. Damn it I really liked that move too." Owen shrugged and took a box labeled kitchen. "Then again it's no wonder you were at least in my top five when I first meet you."

"You said I was top three," Owen protested.

"After I worked on you," Natalya informed him. "There still some room for improvement."

"Improvement my ass," Owen said as he went into the kitchen.

"If you think you're so good why are the two above you mortal?", Natalya shot back. "Chew on that."

"Slut!", rang out from the kitchen.

Looking angry for a moment Natalya shouted back, "Twenty two times and still not funny!"

Keith looked over at Ser, "Maybe we should go."

"Relax," Natalya told them, "if we were arguing you'd know it. Once that big lug gets back in here you guys can move the couch over by that window over there." Keith looked that the window she was pointed at, way on the other side of the room. He moaned in protest but the girls pretended they didn't hear him. A couple of hours later most of the heavy items were more or less in place. Owen volunteered to grab some food. "Can you go to that Chinese restaurant down town? I've been craving it all day."

"Sure, " Owen said, "You want the usual?" Natalya nodded then asked them what they wanted. Keith said he have whatever they were having.

Ser looked at her watch, "I didn't think it was this late. I got to go get ready for my shift at the hospital. Can I use your phone to call a cab?"

"My motorcycle is right downstairs," Owen said. "I'll give you a lift."

"I don't want to take you out of your way," Ser said.

"It's no problem," Owen assured her. "Besides I don't want you running into any trouble on the way home."

"You're that concern for my welfare?", Ser said as she they headed for the door.

"I'm more worried about mine. Anything happened to you and Susan will kill me," Owen said as he closed the door.

Keith picked up another boxed and was about to ask where Natalya wanted it when he saw how she was looking at him. "So it's just you and me," she said in this sultry voice. She walked up to him with her hands behind her back, "I already got the bedroom set up if you want to help me break it in properly." His heart started to race as he began to sweat. Whispering into his ear she said, "Don't worry I won't tell Owen." Keith actually squeaked right before she started laughing, "Owen would say that me being evil. I'm sorry Keith but after the way you were looking at me that first time I couldn't resist." He felt more relieved than he thought possible because he was sure Owen would kill him if he tried anything.

Trying to get his voice back to normal he said, "So how long have you and Owen been…?"

"Fuck buddies?", she teased.

"Friends," Keith quickly blurted out, "I was going to say friends"

"You make this too easy. And not as long as I would've liked," Natalya said. Looking out the window she continued, "Man I was such a piece of work back then. I don't know what I would be like now if it wasn't for that incident. I don't think I'd even be alive now if it wasn't for him and Susan setting me straight."

"You care a lot about him don't you?"

"Keith I love Owen," she told him plainly. "If he ever lost his head I'd be after the bitch or bastard who did it the moment I found out. I like to think he do the same for me." She looked back out the window, "He told me some of his history with relationships. I'm surprised he opened his heart to me after what happened to him."

"What happened?", Keith asked. "I asked him about it but he keeps changing the subject."

"It's not my place to say," Natalya quickly backtracked, "he wouldn't like me talking about it."

"I know it has something to do with losing his wife," Keith said.

"Wives," She corrected him. "Owen was married twice, once before he became an Immortal and once after. I think losing his second wife hurt him more than losing his first one did."

"Was he away somewhere?", Keith prodded a bit.

"He saw her die," Natalya said softly. "Some immortal bitch killed her and he couldn't get to her in time to stop it." Looking embarrassed she quickly said. "I said too much about it."

"Sorry," Keith said feeling embarrassed too. "So if you guys care so much for each other have you ever tried living together?"

"You ever hear of throwing a softball question?", Natalya said with a laugh. "We did try the living together thing back in the eighties actually. We lasted about eight months before we got on each others nerves so much we couldn't hide it any more. A lot of things went were going against us, outside of my Father hunting Owen down that is. Wouldn't that have been fun to explain if he caught us? But what we got now is good enough. We see each other every couple of years and catch up in various way. Then one of us leaves before we get tired of each other. It's worked out pretty well so far. Of course I've heard of Immortals being married for centuries," she started shaking her head, "I don't see how they do it."

"If you don't mind me asking but what happened?"

"Well mainly it's because we're two totally different people. I like to live the high life while Owen's a little more low key. I'm not the settling down in one place type, I have to move around every so often. Owen he can stand being in one place for years at a time. But the biggest thing was there was this whole 'there can be only one' bullshit hanging over our head. " Staring out into space she said, "I often wondered what would happen if we were the last two. Part of me thinks we just throw down our swords and be happy till the end of time." Losing the look she added, "Another part hopes we at least have a week of mind blowing sex before we finished it."

"Wait... what?"

"Keith we been drilled that there can be only one," Natalya explained. "Besides I don't know what would happen to the last two. There could be an overwhelming drive to kill each other at that point." Keith quickly changed the subject, which Natalya appeared grateful for. He found out they had more in common that he would have thought while they talked.

Owen came back with their order in hand and looked at Natalya saying, "He's still there."

"You're kidding?" She explained what they were talking about for Keith benefit. "Owen found this place in the seventies and took me there a few times. The head cook was this blind ninety year old man who looked he had one foot in the grave. Thirty years later and he still there. I'd swear he's an immortal if it wasn't for the fact there nothing coming from him."

"I've been trying to figure out if it a relative of his or some kind of act. Besides the food the next best thing to actually eating in China." Passing out the food Owen sat on the couch, then gave Keith a quick lesson on how to eat properly with chopstick since he never had eaten that way before. Owen was amazed at how fast he got the hang of it. "If we can figure out how you can take a head with a pair of those you'd be all set."

"Owen stop teasing him," Natalya told him. The three of them started talking about various things. Suddenly Natalya said something in French. Owen got this glint in his eye as he replied in what Keith was pretty sure was Japanese. Natalya leaned in with a smile and spoke back in German. Owen then said something in Spanish and Keith got excited. He knew Spanish and quickly said something to join in. Owen slapped his head into his hand while Natalya tried not to laugh. "That was a nice try Keith."

"Never do that again," Owen told him. Natalya slapped him in the arm.

"What was wrong with my Spanish?", he demanded.

"High school accent," she informed him. "Look Keith let me give you one piece of advice. If you're going to learn another language you have to learn it in that culture. You can't go by a book. You have to go there and walk off the beaten path. You got to say the wrong verb. Try a new food by accident. Take a chance and kiss a total stranger."

"That last one's just you," Owen said as he grabbed the empty food boxes. Natalya slapped him on the leg as he passed. With break time over they went back to work. After a few hours Keith saw one last box on the floor that Owen picked up. "Where does this one go?"

"I got that one," she said. "It's just small stuff any way." She looked into it and saw a smaller bow, "Damn it I was supposed to give this to Susan at the hospital."

"The one a few blocks west from here?", Keith asked. "I passed it on the way from my place I can drop it off for you"

"Thanks Keith," She handed him the box then gave him a quick peak on the cheek. "And thanks for helping me move my stuff in. And you," She turned to Owen and gave him a kiss on the lips, "you I expect to be back here in a few hours fully rested and cleaned up so we can break this in properly."

"I'll be back before you know it," he gave her a quick couple of pats on the butt before letting her go and getting Keith out the door. Studying his mentor Keith was amused at how different he looked when he was around Natalya. Without thinking he commented on it out loud. "Let me put it this way to you Keith, she's one of the best things that happened to me in long time. I don't want to think what I'd be like if it wasn't for her. If she ever died before I did I wouldn't stop until I hunted them down because the person responsible would be living on borrowed time. I told Father Andrews I met up with after we were done. I talk to you later boyo, watch your back," he patted him on the shoulder and headed off in a different direction.

Keith hurried up to make it to the hospital. He didn't mind doing this for Natalya, beside it give him a chance to talk to Serenity if she had the time. When he got there he felt the buzz and tried not to panic. Then he saw Ser talking to some guy wearing eyeliner around his eyes. She didn't look all that happy. He walked into the lobby and overheard. "You really didn't give me a choice either way."

The guy, who was apparently English, replied with, "But I noticed you didn't exactly try to get away. Just how you're not exactly walking away now."

"Is there a problem here?" Keith asked.

With a slight bow he said, "Scott Harris, a pleasure to meet you. And who might you be?"

"A friend of hers," Keith told him.

"Well then a friend of the lovely creature to my left is a friend of mine. But three is company as they say so I think I'll be the one who leaves. I'll see you around my lovely little bird." He bowed again and left the hospital.

"Who was that?" Keith asked Ser.

"Just somebody who knows Susan," she answered. "Nobody particularly important. What's with the box?"

He forgot about it in his hands. "Natalya sent this over for Susan. Do you know where she is?"

"She's in the cafeteria. I'll take you there. We can get a bite to eat too if you want."

"That'd be great," Keith told her. He walked beside her but he didn't see her look back at the doors. Harris was still standing outside. He waved goodbye, Serenity's hand started to rise up and wave in kind but she quickly stopped herself. Giving all her attention to Keith they talked all the way to the cafeteria.