Chapter Three

The trek through Scotland took Connor from beginning to end of the many areas he had once called home. It was almost dark when he turned towards the small city of Jamestown. He just wanted dinner, a bath and warm bed. The tall shrubs brushed his tan colored coat as he walked the small dirt path.

Soon he stopped short with an unmistakable immortal buzz that he felt, and a very peculiar one at that.

He turned slowly around and brought out his sword. Looking at the undergrowth that was thick enough to hide someone, he soon located the source of the feeling and startled by what he saw. The shadow moved forward and stopped five yards away.

He demanded, "Who are you?"

When she gave no reply, he told the woman, "You are a strange immortal." In the fading light, he saw her pull her sword from the harness on her back.

Connor looked doubtful but asked, "You're challenging me?" His smile showed his amusement.

With confidence she answered, "Yes I am." Then she sprang forward and attacked him bringing her sword down upon his head as Connor blocked her assault with a loud metal clang.

He pushed her off and continued to defend. He said between parries and blocks, "This is not a proper challenge."

She struck at him repeatedly driving Connor back until he was up against a small tree. Her voice came out in gasps, "It doesn't matter. Nothing else matters!"

Perceiving she was in trouble, Connor defended without attacking her. Finally, he moved around the tree and trapped her sword against the trunk.

Wrenching her sword free, she raised it again but stopped her attack. Connor had lowered his weapon and stood there open to her blade. He said to her, "Go on and kill me."

She pointed her sword at him saying, "You have to keep fighting me."

"No," he said putting his sword away in the sheath. He then stated, "You seem to need a head so badly can you at least tell me why."

In a bewildered tone, she told him, "Without a quickening I'm going to die soon."

Connor's thoughtful expression told her nothing until he suggested, "I understand your panic but there are others coming you can challenge and win."

"I am done looking and I can't wait any longer!" she insisted.

He could see the anguish on her face and so answered, "You are a fairly good match but not good enough to defeat me. I don't want to take your quickening." He stepped closer to her and said, "I sense an honor in you deeper than you are demonstrating."

The woman put her sword away. Rubbing the tears from her eyes she lamented, "I've already been searching for weeks."

With a show of compassion, Connor told her, "I was hoping to have some dinner right now. Would you care to join me?"

Beth hesitated at his suggestion but she felt swayed by his voice. She was hungry for food and companionship.

With this said he turned around leaving his back open to her. Starting down the dirt path, he whistled a tune.

She followed behind him until he reached back and took her hand pulling her closer and saying, "It's a beautiful night for a walk."

Watcher Compound Conference Room

After the evening meal, Joshua sat in the room alone thinking of possible outcomes the gathering could bring. His attention diverted when Methos came into the room and straight to his table.

Without preamble, he sat down with him and slid a note over. Josh opened it and read, "I have knowledge of a large amount of cash and jewels hidden in a safe deposit box." He saw the numbers written there and his mouth dropped open.

Joshua looked up and asked, "What's the catch? Why are you giving me this information?"

Methos explained, "There are conditions and I'll tell Egan myself."

As he stood up Joshua agreed, "When we send someone for these valuables you can give Egan your request."

Methos leaned back and stretched out his long legs and said, "I'm not waiting until morning. Tell him I need to see him tonight."

Joshua frowned and quietly inquired, "Are you going to tell me your plan?"

"Nope," Methos replied, "You'll find out all in due time."

As quickly as an untrue rumor spreads throughout the tabloids, Joshua returned to the conference room and signaled to Methos. He instructed him, "He was impressed with your show of loyalty and is ready to discuss your request."

"Conditions," Methos corrected with a smile, "And by morning, you will be enlightened."

Arriving outside the private office door, Methos went inside first. The Watcher President glanced up aware of the importance of this immortal above the rest.

"First you must take care of that other inconvenience we're up against." He commanded to Joshua, "You are dismissed," said Egan keeping his eyes forward.

Egan gestured Methos to sit down before the wide desk and said, "You are proving your loyalty to me. Now what are your conditions?"

Carefully Methos stated, "There is someone very important to me and I want the contract on her to be void and no harm will come to her." He put his hands on Egan's desk and stared hard at him saying, "If Amanda Montrose dies, you will regret it."

Reading the note again and the numbers written there, Egan smiled broadly and stood up saying, "My mistake. I thought she was with Duncan Macleod. What you ask is a small matter and I will assure you that her head will remain intact."

Holding out his hand until Methos shook it, he said, "I will send the order immediately." Then he added, "Provided the money and jewels are still there."

Methos answered, "You will find a treasure fit for a queen."

Egan then asked him, "So for the next few months you will train the newest immortals joining our ranks?"

Methos stood up and went to the window that dominated the room. He looked outside and said, "I will never train those that might challenge me, but if I deem them of use, I'll train them for challenges."

Egan stated, "Their true purpose will be made clear but until then, just make them loyal."

Taking a moment to write the order out he said, "Starting tomorrow you will have access to all the immortals that have joined our unit." Handing Methos the personal orders, Egan told him, "See to it."

Methos took the order, read it briefly and said, "I will instruct them with rules of immortals first. Your rules are second."

With that declaration said, Methos walked out and smiled all the way back to the conference room.

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Once behind locked doors, Joshua turned on his computer. He had left it with a hidden virus trap in case someone tried to access files. So far, no one had broken in.

The Watchers were having a little competition from a mob family in New York. They smelled all the money flowing through Watcher hands and wanted to become partners with them.

As Egan requested they went on the offensive by calling the Watcher Special OPS training camp outside New York City.

Egan Lasco took a rag tag bunch of soldier recruits and with the money he stole turned them into an elite force in just one year.

He looked at Egan's orders as he dialed the private number and heard the receiver answered.

"Major," he began, "This is Joshua Gibbons. I need you to do something for me."

The Major asked, "Is this request from Egan Lasco?"

"It is from Egan through me," insisted Joshua putting the signed orders in the machine and pressed send.

Major inquired, "Does it involve some action?"

"Pretty good action," admitted Joshua, "I'm sending you the information now so check the fax and keep it on a need to know for only those involved."

"Will do sir and I will call you after the fact," countered Major.

They both hung up the phone and went to their separate tasks. Major retrieved the fax and smiled the whole way to his private office.

Joshua finally relaxed a little and thought, "If Maconochie thinks he can threaten me and the Watchers then he will have the shortened existence."

.