Nobody thinks going to the store is going to change your life. But that's what happened to Serenity. She walked in at the same time the place was being robbed. One of the gunmen was jumpy and shot her as soon as she stepped through the door. Everything after that was one big blur and the last thing she remembered was people standing over her. Then she woke up seeing a blond haired woman hovering over her smiling. "Am I dead?", she asked weakly she tried to ignore this sensation that was making her ill.

"You were," she said. "I'll explain everything in good time. Although I must say though you're a little calmer than most people are once they awaken. I tried to kill the person the first person I saw when I did."

"I don't understand," she said getting up. Taking in a sharp breath she realized where she was, a morgue. "Oh my God what's going on?! What the fuck are you going to do to me?! Shit you were trying to harvest my organs weren't you?!"

"Calm down," she said softly. "I should have known that was coming. Although the organ harvest is a new one on me," she added with a slight chuckle. "By the way my name's Susan. It's nice to meet you Serenity."

"How do you know my name?" Susan didn't say anything as she handed her wallet. "How did you get this?"

"The paramedics handed it to the nurses at the ER when they brought you in." Looking sad she sat next to her. It wasn't possible but Serenity thought she suddenly looked much older, especially in the eyes. "The surgeons tried to save you but you were fading too fast. I'm sorry we couldn't save you."

"But I'm here right now," her brow creased as she was suddenly very confused, "aren't I?", she gave in to a urge to look back at the gurney she was on. For some reason she was positive she was a ghost and was going to see her body laying there behind her. There was nothing there. "I'm alive so why are you sorry?"

"I was hoping you'd be spared from the life you just entered." Susan gave her a hospital gown to wear then guided her to an empty room so she could clean up a bit and get a proper night sleep. She explained what life she just entered in detail that morning. To say Serenity wanted to freak out would have been the understatement of the millennium. But she always prided herself on being a very level headed person so she took everything in stride. Being just out of training to be a nurse Susan was able to pull some strings and get her assigned at the hospital she worked at. It was a good thing too because Serenity ended up learning a lot more from Susan than she ever did at school.

Then there was the other side of her education, such as learning how to use a sword. It was a bit awkward at first but she quickly got the hang of the basics. After that she quickly excelled. So much in fact Susan arrived in their training place one day carrying long leather case. "I've been watching your form. While you're good with a rapier something tells me this would be more your speed." Setting the case down she revealed what was inside. It looked like a katana to her but slight smaller, "It's called a wakizashi, you could say it's the brethren of the katana."

Serenity picked it and tested it. She was impressed at how good it felt in her hands. "I think I can get used to using this."

"Sometimes it's just as important to find the right sword as it is to learn how to use one," Susan told her with a smile. "You're life literally depends on it. Take care of it and it will take care of you." It sounded a little hokey but the woman said she was over twelve hundred years old, so it was possible she knew what she was talking about. Over the next few months Serenity eventually met two people Susan always talked about, Natalya Heidienrich and Owen McAllister. She also ended up "meeting" somebody else she knew, one Scott Harris. That was not a hello she wanted to repeat with anybody, ever. But a much a as she found him irritating she found herself… Serenity quickly tried to forget about him, going so far as striking up a friendship with Owen's student Keith.

Which made today particularly interesting because she was practicing her sword fighting against him today. Susan said something about it the other day, her and Owen were talking and thought it be a good idea for them to practice against somebody else for a change. Just so they wouldn't get used to fighting against a particular style. Apparently it was an easy trap to fall into from the way they talked about it. Although Susan said she'd join them later since she couldn't get away from work as easily as she could Natalya joined them. Keith from the start looked unsure of himself, but as things went better as he became more confident. They both called for a break as Father Andrews came down to the basement. He looked on in wonder past them. They looked where he was, knowing Natalya and Keith decided to practice a bit to. All she could say was "Wow."

They were moving and swinging their kendo sticks so fast and so precisely it almost looked like a dance. Both of the younger immortals realized they were watching two people who were so familiar each other it was like they almost knew what the other one was going to do. "Do you think we'd ever be that good?", Keith leaned in and asked her. All she could do was shrugged because she doubted she could be that good. They backed up momentarily, Natalya waved him on with a big grin as Owen twirled the sword in his hand before they went at each other again. It was amazing to watch and while she wasn't sure about Keith but Serenity was absorbing all she could.

Natalya suddenly went low and way able to trip Owen up. He fell to the ground but quickly turned around to block her next strike. She was able to surprise him again by stabbing down, right at his nuts. The stick missed by an inch but he still scooted back and cried out, "Hey!"

Keeping the kendo stick were it was Natalya smiled sweetly as she tilted her head and gave him an innocent sounding "Oops."

"You're going to get it now brat," Owen rolled backwards and to his feet as he went at her again. Natalya tried going low again. Owen saw it coming and jumped over it. She came back around this time high. Owen saw that coming too and rolled under it. Getting to a knee he quickly swung his stick back.

There a loud crack as Natalya lurched forward holding her ass, "OW!" She turned around and gave him a furious look. If it could she would have incinerated him on the spot.

Most men would have started looking worried, or at least try to apologizes. Instead Owen looked calm as he tilted his head and mocked her with an "Oops" of his own.

"Now you did it," she grunted as she started attacking him with the stick. Owen didn't even try to laugh as he tried to block everything that was coming at him.

Again they fell into an easy rhythm as the other watched. They kept going at each other for several minutes. After awhile the Father commented, "If they keep this up they're going to drop from exhaustion."

"We'll be lucky of their clothes stay on at that point," Keith said. Serenity didn't comment, but from what she heard from Susan and what she'd personally seen. Yeah she wouldn't doubt it either.

When they finally got them to stop they traded partners. Owen paired up with Keith to see what he was able to pick up while Natalya trained with her. She ended the session early so she could watch Keith and Owen. Keith was looking even more confident this time around as he was able to keep up with his teacher. Owen stepped back and rested the kendo stick on his shoulder looking very pleased, "You're finally getting it boyo."

"It was bound to happen eventually," Keith said beaming from ear to ear.

Owen bowed before bring the stick back up to attack position. Keith mimicked the gesture and they went at it again. After a bit Natalya lean in and said, "I noticed you and Keith have been spending time together. Is anything happening there?"

"Nothing's happening in that way," she answered," we're just friends. Besides he's not really my type."

"Really now?", Natalya went. "So what is your type?" She didn't immediately answer. For some reason she started thinking about Harris again. Shaking her head slightly and hoping Natalya didn't notice she said she wasn't sure. "Well you never know. Look at me and Owen. Do you think we thought we were each other's type when we first met?"

"Probably not," she admitted. Then she grinned thinking of something Susan told her. "Of course if Keith every dropped by my place and stripped naked I think I would chop off his head. And I don't mean the one on his shoulders." Realizing that was a shot at her Natalya slapped her on the arm.

"Susan really has to learn to keep her mouth shut," she said. Looking at the clock when the men stopped sparring she said. "Speaking of shouldn't Susan have gotten here by now? Her shift ended almost an hour ago."

"Could be they had an emergency at the hospital," Serenity suggested. She checked her beeper in case she got a page and didn't hear it.

"Could be she had a harder time getting those pig spines than she thought," Owen said

"Pig spines?", Keith asked starting to look a little green.

"Yeah that was my idea," Natalya spoke up. "I suggested it might be a good idea to get you guys used to chopping through a neck."

"Well I did hear that a pig's spin is the closest thing you're going to be able to get to a human," Serenity said, although she was feeling a little queasy as well.

"Did you have you guys have to do that when you where starting out?", Keith asked them.

"It was a different time boyo," Owen explained. "That was the punishment for a capital crime most of the time back then. We were used to seeing it. I'll admit I was a little sick the first time I took a head but it's part of who we are unfortunately."

"I know it's a part I could do without," Natalya commented as the Father came down the stairs holding an envelope.

"Owen I just found this in the church, it's addressed to you." Owen took it with a quizzical look and opened it. That look quickly went to one of annoyance as he read it.

Looking up at Natalya he said, "Harris again. He wants to met up at a cemetery a couple of blocks from here. You guys keep going, I'll go see what he wants."

"I'm going with you," Natalya told him, and from the sound of things she wasn't hearing any arguments about it, "I don't trust him." Owen nodded and they headed up the stairs. As soon as they were alone Serenity and Keith looked at each other.

"Are you staying?", she asked.

"Are you?", he shot back.

"Let's go." Shooting past the Father they quickly went after them. Keeping Owen and Natalya in sight they were able to follow them easily. Although a couple of times one of them got a little too close and had to disappear quickly when the older Immortals felt them. Entering the cemetery they were able to hide as they kept following. Keith was able to find a good spot to spy on them as they approached Scott who was sitting on top of tombstone.

Hopping off he waved a bit before saying, "For somebody who wanted to see me I thought you'd be more punctual."

Looking confused Owen slowly said, "You wanted to talk to me."

Caught off guard Scott went, "Really now? I was wondering how you knew how to contact me." Starting to walk around he looked a bit upset about something. "Apparently the game has been changed behind my back again. Bad form, extremely bad form." Serenity noticed the newcomer coming in the opposite direction before the trio sensed him. He was an older man, wearing a kilt and had his hair in a ponytail. "Have you met your Uncle?", Scott asked Owen. He just stared at the newcomer. It was like looking at an older version of Owen in a way.

"Really Scott," he said as he came closer, "Did you really think I wouldn't find out about you and my half Irish of a bastard nephew?"

"It makes thing more interesting if he knows what's coming, don't you think Malcolm?", Scott responded.

"I know you," Natalya said studying him. Owen looked at her. "It was only for a few moments. My Father spent more time with him than I did."

"Yes I recall that event," Malcolm said. "You spent a good chunk of the evening draping you attention on some young prince or something. You ignored me completely. If you had any class I might have felt offended"

"I think I've had enough 'interesting' for one day," Owen said cutting her off response. "I'm out of here."

"You might want to rethink that," Malcolm told. Looking behind his shoulder he simply said, "Michel." From behind a bush a man with dark hair, wearing a black leather trench coat, clothing and spiked gloves pulled a woman who was bound and gagged into view. He forced her to her knees and drew a sword with a red blade that he held at her neck.

"Susan," Serenity said. Keith stopped her from heading out there. Then he motioned that they should go in another direction. She agreed but still kept an ear on their conversation.

"You shouldn't have involved the Sister!", Scott lost his temper and grabbed Malcolm by the coat.

"Careful Scott, if Michel thinks you're going to harm me then something might happen to her." He let go but both him and Owen was seething at the situation. "So," Malcolm said getting a good look at him, "so you are my nephew. I must say you are the spitting image of my brother. You're probably just like him too," he said disdainfully. He searched Owen, who didn't dare move, and found his long sword. "Interesting," he commented and he studied the sword, especially the handle. "And handle and a half, I do believe they call this the bastard version. How appropriate," he said with a wicked grin

"What the hell do you want?", Owen snapped.

"Just to meet you my boy," he answered, "see what kind of bastard William raised. I just needed the right bait. I wanted this harlot here but you were staying on holy ground all day doing only God knows what. So I went with the next best thing."

"Fine we've met now just let her go," Owen said.

"And let go of my only bargaining chip?" Malcolm said looking shocked. "Do you think I'm mad or something? You are just like your father. Now I see I have to put you in your place. Now before I give Michel the word, and I assure you they are not on holy ground, I suggest you do as I say." Looking smug he said, "Tell me you Mother was an Irish whore." Owen's jaw tightened, but he started to say it.

Getting closer to Susan Serenity could hear, "Talk, talk, talk that's all McAllister dies. And I'm getting bored. Which is bad news for you I'm afraid." Susan closed her eyes as he pulled the sword away and raised it to strike. Both of them ran out of hiding. Keith bowled him over while she grabbed Susan and headed for the cemetery. Michel quickly got up and knocked Keith into them. Keith scrambled to his feet only pausing to look at her, or more accurately her coat. He reached in and grabbed her wakizashi before she could stop him. He got between them and faced him, sword shaking in his hands. Michel looked amused, "Are you challenging me boy?" Keith said nothing but somehow managed to nod his head. "This should be good."

Serenity was able to get Susan back up and guided her to the cemetery. Owen and Natalya rushed over as soon as they could and helped her. Keith and Michel started clashing swords and Owen went to get involved. Serenity got her gag off and Susan shouted, "Owen stop! He challenged him." Owen did stop but he started shaking his head. Natalya held on to him as they watched the fight. Keith waited patiently as he could at the moment, attacking where he could and blocking, a lot. Michel looked like he was playing with him. Finally Keith stepped back causing Michel to lose balance as he swung hard. Keith practically jumped on him swinging the wakizashi as hard as he could. Michel was on the defense suddenly he swung wildly, slashing Keith in the chest. He grabbed his chest as Michel grabbed him by the hair and slammed Keith's face into his knee. He dropped the sword and went to his knees. Michel held on to his head. Getting a sick menacing grin he swung his sword. Owen's knees gave out from under him as Keith's body dropped to the ground and Michel let go of his head.

"Keith!" Natalya shouted.

He grinned at them as he starting absorbing Keith's Quickening. Serenity starting crying, not realizing Harris grabbed her and held on to her. On all fours Owen slowly looked up at Michel after it was over and he stepped forward. Smirking at them he saw the look in Owen's eyes. "Holy ground McAllister," he taunted. Owen got to his feet and charged him. Grabbing Michel around the waist he lifted him off his feet and took him off holy ground before slamming him to the ground, "Oof". Owen started pounding on him as a rage over took him. Michel was finally able to get him off of him and reached for his sword. Serenity remembered too late that his uncle still had his as Michel grabbed his sword and sliced Owen in the leg. He punched him once in the face then kicked him to the ground. Michel held him down and raised his sword ready for a final strike.

"NO!!!", Natalya shouted as Susan tried to hold her back.

Michel stayed in that position for a moment longer than necessary. Glancing up he saw Malcolm make his way toward them. Slowly he turned the sword around until the point was directed at Owen's face. "I'm going to do something I rarely do this one time and let you live for two reasons. One, you're not the McAllister I really want. And two, I wouldn't put it past him to try and take my head while I was recovering from a second Quickening. So consider yourself fortunate." Then he jammed the sword into Owen's chest, right into his heart. Twisting the blade a bit he left it there until Owen died. Grinning at Malcolm he walked away from the situation.

"If you want something done right," Malcolm muttered as he plunged the long sword into the ground and drew the Claymore out of it's hiding place. Before Natalya or Susan could stop him Harris let her go. In the next moment Malcolm stopped in his tracks when Scott held his cutlass at his neck.

"Not like this," was the only thing Scott said. There was a threat in his voice Serenity didn't think could be there. Natalya ran toward Owen prone form the moment she had the chance. She drew her katana and stood in front of him.

"It's not worth the effort," Malcolm said before backing up. He walked away. Scott looked at Susan for a moment before turning away and leaving. Natalya immediately turned to Owen, stroking his cheek and waited for him to come back. Serenity just stood there feeling cold. Keith was dead, and she saw it happen. Her world just turned upside down. She just saw what fate could be in her future and lost a friend in the process. Now she knew what Susan meant when she first met her.