CH 13

Nancy became obsessed with that man and why he wanted her to record what Kanae did. A couple days after she'd met him in the library, she saw him again walking on campus, headed for the exit.

She followed him. He was wearing a long coat, even though it was summer, she thought was a bit strange. In a notebook, she had written down everything she knew about Kanae, her medical studies and working at the local hospital. She'd even written out her trip to Scotland. She wanted that in case he found her following him. That would give her an excuse of why she was following him, so he could see she was working on information about Kanae.

He only went a couple blocks and walked into an apartment building. He hadn't turned around or looked her way. Good, he didn't know she was behind him.

After he went inside, she just looked in the door and saw him go up the stairs. Once he was out of sight, she went in and watched up the stairs. Seeing his hand on the rail up to the second floor, She saw when he let go. Shortly after, he opened a door, she heard it shut.

Quietly as possible, she went up to the second floor. There were six rooms to each side of the hallway. His room couldn't have been far from the stairs. Each room had a number, but there was none with any names on them. He could be in the room on the left or the right. She frowned, having no idea which it was.

"The one on the left," a voice said from behind her.

Nancy spun to see him standing right behind her. Holding her note pad up, she nervously said, "I wanted to show you what I got, to see if that's what you want."

He grinned at her. "To think you'd follow me home just to tell me that." He then motioned to the door on the left. "Go on in, I'm curious to see what you got." She didn't move so he went to the door and opened it to wave her in.

Nancy went in and said, "I told Gertrude I was coming here to see you."

He chuckled. "Was that before you saw me walking and started following me?"

Nancy froze briefly the said, "Yes."

Grinning, he waggled a finger at her. "You are a terrible liar. Have a seat, I'll be back out in a moment." He then went in his bedroom and shut the door.

Nancy noted a journal book on the table. The cover was blank, nothing written on it to show who's it was. She ached to open it. She was ready to take a peak when he came out.

"Ah, I see you noticed," he said and sat across from her. He moved the book in front of her and left his hand on it. "A word of warning, Nancy. In here you will find a few deeds I copied so you can see the type of things you'll be watching for. Some of it isn't that bad, other entries are rather brutal. Make no mistake, you will never look at Kanae the same ever again if you read this."

"Why?" she asked, becoming nervous.

In a firm tone he said, "Also know these people who record are there to only do just that. They cannot tell anyone about what they saw or interfere with what happens, no matter what. It is vital they only record and that's all. Can you do that?"

Nancy swallowed. With a nervous smile she asked, "Well, it's not like anyone watched serial killers or anything like that, is it?"

"No matter what they do, watching and recording is all that you can do," he stated. "If you find anything in there that you can't handle, close the book get up and leave an never mention this to anyone," he said firmly.

Nancy swallowed her nervousness again. "Then there are descriptions of people getting killed?"

"Records of what happened, yes." he stated. "If you can't handle that, and know you may see the same thing, then walk away."

"Is there anything about Duncan McLeod in here?"

"You'll have to read it to find out," he said firmly.

"I'm a little scared here," she admitted.

"You should be," he replied. "Do you agree that no matter what you read, you won't talk to anyone about it?"

Hearing Kanae might not be what she thought she was, she had to know. Stiffly she nodded. "I swear not a word to anyone. This is recording history, right?"

"Yes of certain people who live much longer than the average person. If the truth ever got out to the public, it would be mass panic."

Nancy looked at the book. "If no one recorded, then these things would be lost. No one would ever know."

"It's not an easy job, but for the history of these people to be recorded, someone has to record it." he said.

Taking a deep breath, Nancy said, "I want to help."

He offered her a smile and took his hand off the book. "Good! I'm going to make some lunch, just sandwiches and chips. Beer or soda?"

"Soda, I don't drink."

"Be back shortly," he said and went into the kitchen.

The book on the table looked a little more ominous now. She opened it to the first page.

Watcher JD ; Meeting between Duncan McLeod and Methos.

I watched Methos packing his car to leave. Duncan's Thunderbird pulled up. He got out and strode over to Methos.

Duncan - "Is it true? You knew Kronos? You rode with him?"

Methos - "I was in my violent adolescent stage. That was long ago. I've grown up since then."

Duncan - "So you admit you were one of the Four Horsemen."

Methos - "Yes, as I said that was a long time ago."

Duncan grabbed Methos and tossed him against his car. - "You murdered innocent people!"

Methos - "What do you want to hear McLeod? That I was a bad boy? YES I killed! And you know what? I didn't kill twenty or a hundred, or a thousand! I killed Tens of thousands! I didn't do it for hate or revenge or glory or to get some misguided Judgment! I did it because I LIKED IT! YES I was one of the Four Horsemen! I was death on horseback!"

Duncan moved back, glaring at Methos. - "We're done. Go."

Methos got in his car and left, so did McLeod.

Nancy stared. This Methos liked killing people? Just saying he did it on horseback indicated this was at least back in the colonial period of the US. She turned the page.

The next record was by Watcher MH

Kaede had warned me something was going to happen here in Brightsea on the sea walk near the port. I saw a woman on a beach, watching the water. Methos came walking along and conversed with her. I didn't hear them, but as they talked, Kaede came up from behind and took something out of the woman's purse. Briefly, I saw it was a gun. She walked to the side and just watched until the woman got up.

Kaede got the woman's attention and showed her the gun. Methos then left to go over to the buildings and slip into an alley. Not long after he left, the woman got her phone out and called someone. Again, I didn't hear but she sounded stressed. She then grabbed her chest and collapsed. Kaede picked the phone up and talked in it briefly, then threw the phone in the water. She also threw the gun in the water.

Kaede then went over to the prone woman and gave CPR until a man came. She yelled for an ambulance. The man made the call then helped her try to revive the woman. When the ambulance came, they loaded the woman up, sheet over her head. She was dead.

Not long after the ambulance four men, two from the marina and two from town converged on Kaede. The men pulled guns, right after they did, all four dropped their guns and grabbed at their throats. They stumble walked to steps down to the water, Kaede followed. I had a strong feeling then all four were immortals. Kaede stayed up on the walkway and looked down on them, then waved as if to say goodbye.

I've seen Quickenings before, but not like this. A lightning storm hit Kaede, and it kept coming with thick, powerful bolts. She screamed and dropped to her knees while she was shuddering under the punishment. When she fell backwards to lay flat, the bolts kept hitting her, making her twitch involuntarily.

Once the lightning storm was over, Methos walked over and squatted down by her. It was a few minutes before she moved. I also noted her clothes were smoking. He helped her up and I saw burn holes in her clothes. She was unstable, Methos helped her walk. I stayed as Duncan McLeod showed up and helped get her in his car.

I went over to the edge of the walkway and looked down. Yes, four headless bodies were on the thin beach at the waterline. She had beheaded all four at once. That was why there was such a huge lightning storm. I was surprised she survived it.

Hearing the man come back, Nancy looked up to see he had a plate with two sandwiches, a bag of chips and holding a glass and a can of beer.

"I hope you didn't expect anything fancy," he said and put everything down.

"Thank you," Nancy said meekly and took her root beer. "Who's Methos?"

"Ah!" he said and sat. "Any reason why you want to know about him?"

"Yes, he's a mad man! He admitting killing thousands of people! Did he finally get caught?"

The man snorted. "That happened in the Bronze age. I'm surprised you didn't ask about the four Horsemen."

"If it was only four, why didn't anyone stop them?" she asked.

He shrugged. "No one could. They were Immortal, stab them with the best copper sword or spear, they just get up and kill you, which made people terrified of them."

Nancy blinked. "But, in this first record, Duncan talked to Methos, who was one of the four horsemen…" after a short pause, she added, "And he was there with Kaede when she killed those other immortals."

He raised an eyebrow at her. "And?"

"Oh right, he's Immortal." It then hit her what she just said. "He's still around?" she asked with a squeak.

He chuckled at her. "He is. That's what Immortal means. He can't die unless someone like Kaede or Duncan takes his head off."

"MY GOD! He could be anywhere!" Nancy cried.

The man shrugged. "Could be. There's a third record in there I put in there for you. If you're going to watch Kanae, you do need to read it."

"But, doesn't that make you scared knowing that … mass murderer is still running around?"

"Not particularly." He picked up a sandwich and said, "Chicken salad, my own recipe. Try it."

"How can you even sleep at night knowing this Methos is out there somewhere?" Nancy asked, staring at him.

"Very well, thank you very much. You do need to read that last record," he said and took a bite of his sandwich.

Nancy turned the page This record was from MH again, and about Kaede and Kanae. She looked up as the man took a drink of his beer. He pointed to the record and said, "This was a very recent entry. You may recognize it."

She did. MH told about following Kaede to the convention center in the early evening in a police car that she parked in the back by the door. He watched her climb up a vertical wall onto the roof. He waited, and noted tomorrow there was a convention here. He then told about a car driving down an alley beside a building and someone jumping from the moving car to grab the wall and climb up to the roof. He waited all night, but neither came out.

The next day, security arrived. He watched through binoculars. Many security went in and a few stayed outside. After that, people began arriving. Everyone was checked for ID before they were allowed in.

Nancy perked up when he told about Kanae coming out with Kaede. They threw the doors open, the security man there lost his head, his body falling away from them. They both got in the police car and left. From the doors being opened wide, it looked like everyone inside was on the floor, blood was everywhere.

Nancy jerked her head up. "The convention center massacre! Kanae was there, with her mother!"

"She was. 70 people were in that building," he agreed. "Everyone in there was chopped into sushi. It was hours before anyone outside the building knew it. If you read the last part, it was a wandering guard outside who saw the dead guard's body and looked in to see what happened."

"Kanae helped kill everyone in there?" Nancy asked with a squeak.

He shrugged. "That's what they do. They get rid of the bad guys. First it was just Kaede. Kanae grew up wanting to help her mother with her 'special' jobs. Now, she's doing it."

"Kanae's an assassin?" Nancy asked weakly. "But, she helps people, she works at the hospital saving lives."

He shrugged. "There's two sides to every coin." He added, "And no one else can know." He took another bite of sandwich.

Nancy stared at nothing. "But Kanae is helpful and friendly, how can she just … she helped kill 70 people!"

"You can't judge," he said firmly. "What I get is they take care of problems the law can't. Aren't you going to eat that? I used pickle relish and chopped onion in it, it's really good." he offered.

Eat after finding out Kanae was responsible for the worst massacre she'd heard of here? "I knida lost my appetite," she offered.

"I can see why," he offered.

Nancy turned her stare to him. "How can you live with knowing these things?"

He shrugged. "I've been doing this for a long time. I'm sure you see there is good and bad out there. Take Duncan, he's the ultimate boy scout. Kaede originally took the special jobs so her and her family wouldn't get deported. Duncan isn't the happiest with her, but as long as she's just getting rid of bad guys, he doesn't interfere. Darius was originally a Roman General who had no problem wiping out anyone who opposed him, yet he spend his last centuries as a Catholic Priest. The thing is, even someone as … evil as he was changed to end up doing good. Even Immortals mostly grow up."

"You think this Methos has?" she asked.

He smiled. "I'm sure of it. I really don't think you need to be afraid of him."

"Let's hope so," she said vacantly. "Umm, I'll watch Kanae. You think she might be Immortal too?"

"We don't know. We only know Kaede is because she backed up against a bomb and blew herself up, then got up and kept killing aliens," he said.

"Wow. Just … wow," Nancy muttered.

"I know it's a lot to take in. I think once you get used to it and realize this work is very important, You'll be OK with it."

Nancy gave a brief nod. "I'll do it."

He offered her a smile. "I think you'll end up being good at it too."

.

Kanae and Randy had a good time in Paris. Randy got to see the barge Duncan had, they took tour boat rides, visited the sights and the place where it was said held the body of Mary Magdalene. Randy got lots of pictures of their travels and a few souvenirs. They had a nice time and plenty of sex. Although it wasn't a true honeymoon, it felt like one.

On the way back, once they cleared the river, Kaede kept the sails down and motored back to Brightsea. The surprise for Randy was on their way back, they met a British warship. It was a small frigate. Kaede jumped over on it and went inside with some officers. When she came back, the ship pulled away. Kaede only told them there was a 'job' for her.

Kanae and Randy had to get back to school. Since they were close to London, they got airline tickets at Heathrow and left from there. Saying goodbye to Kanae's family, Randy got on the plane with his love and they flew back to the US.

Landing at Kennedy airport, they went through customs (each with a bottle of Glen Finnen in their luggage), then had to wait four hours for their connecting flight to the Broome Airport. This trip was not on a big jet airliner, but a small twin propeller engine 'puddle jumper'. Instead of clouds below them, they could see the ground as they flew. They could also see the cockpit. They also got their own luggage out of the plane and walked into the terminal.

The big surprise was Nancy was there with Randy's parents to welcome them back.

"Have a good time?" Pete asked.

"The best!" Randy beamed. "After staying in Glen Finnen, we took a boat ride to Paris. I got all kinds of pictures."

"He filled two memory cards on his camera," Kanae said with a grin. "We even got to spit off the top of the Eiffel Tower."

Randy's mother shook her head. "Paris, huh? So you had a grand vacation?"

"We did," Randy said. "Kanae even got to herd fish!"

"Yeah, after she jumped off the tour boat," Nancy said with a grin.

"She jumped back on," Randy reminded her.

"You jumped ON the boat?" Pete asked Kanae.

"She did," Nancy said with a grin. "She came flying up out of the water, grabbed the rail to spin herself around and landed on her feet."

"I wanted ta land in me seat, but I missed," Kanae said sheepishly.

"She's a little nuts, but I love her anyway," Randy said and gave her a one armed hug.

Nancy announced, "I came to take you back to college, so your parents don't have to drive you."

"Thank ya," Kanae told her. She did notice Nancy's smile looked a little pasted on. Something was up. "Any news?"

"Not really, the place is pretty empty with summer vacation," Nancy said with a shrug.

Walking out to the car, Kanae could tell something was up with Nancy. She had no idea what it was, but Nancy wasn't quite acting like herself.

"Kat and Tom got their own apartment," Pete said, "And Tom is getting his band together. At the moment, they practice in the garage, but at least they are working at being a band."

"Good fer them," Kanae replied, "I was hoping they would do more than just dream bout playin."

"They get any gigs yet?" Randy asked.

"Not yet, but they are getting better. I don't wince as much when they're practicing." his mother said.

"They do make me appreciate being at work a little more," Pete said with a smirk.

Kanae paid attention to how Nancy was behaving as they headed for Randy's parents house. Outwardly, she was more or less normal and friendly. She also seemed a bit reserved. Cautious maybe. And why had she come to take them back? Lacking the happy bounce Nancy usually had, Kanae was hoping someone wasn't bothering her.

Kanae also noted that when she didn't think Kanae noticed, Nancy took long stares at her. She had the feeling Nancy has questions for her.

Since Kat has her own place now, Nancy stayed the night in her room. Kanae made it a point to 'help' Nancy get her bed made up. The door to the room was open, so when they were inside, Kanae used a mind hand to shut it.

Hearing the door shut, Nancy snapped her head to look at it, then stared at Kanae again.

"So, what's up?" Kanae asked.

Nancy swallowed. "I don't know what you mean."

With a sigh, Kanae said, "Come on, ya'd been actin like there's a stick up yer ass. Someone botherin ya?"

"No, I'm fine."

"I know ya, Nancy. Ya ain't fine," Kanae stated. "Not knowin, I'd say someone's got ya scared to say anythin bout it. Ya do know ya kin tell me an I'll take care'o it."

"No, everything's fine, really," Nancy said meekly. "You don't have to do anything. Really."

Kanae tipped her head slightly. "Who is it?"

Nancy shrugged. "No one."

Nancy was becoming more nervous. Kanae shook her head. "That's not right. It's someone. Who?"

With a nervous smile, Nancy said, "It's nothing, really. You don't have to worry about me, OK?"

Nancy wasn't going to admit anything, but there was something bothering her. Kanae nodded and said, "K, ya say it's nothin, then it's nothin." She'd just have to find out what it was another way. Offering Nancy a smile she said, "Just know, if ya got trouble, I'll help ya out."

"I know. Please, don't worry." Nancy begged.

"K, let's git yer bed made." Kanae had a strong suspicion someone was indeed bothering Nancy and Nancy was too scared to say anything. If Kanae found that was the case, then whoever this was, was going to have a serious case of broken bones when she found them.

Kanae kept quiet about suspecting Nancy was being harassed or threatened. If Nancy was looking for help from her, that made sense why she'd come to pick them up. She was sure that Nancy was just to nervous to actually come out and say what it was, possibly fearing repercussions.

Pretending all was well, the next morning Kanae sat with Randy as he told about their trip and showed his pictures to his family. They did have to head back around noon.

Nancy drove her car that had the small rainbow hanging off the rear view mirror, Randy and Kanae sat in the back seat. Thankfully, they didn't run into any traffic accidents on the way.

Kanae had never thought about where Nancy stayed in college. Now she did. Once Nancy dropped them off at their house, Kanae thanked her, then shot up and on rooftops, followed Nancy to the house she was staying at. It was a sorority house and by the rainbows and signs, it was a gay/transgender sorority. That figured.

Watching and listening from outside below a window, Nancy was welcomed back. Kanae listened to them but didn't find anyone there being mean or anything to Nancy. They sounded like good friends. At least whatever it was, Nancy was safe in her sorority house. She also wondered if anyone there knew someone was bothering Nancy.

Kanae went around to the front and knocked on the door. When it opened, it was a woman from the swim team. She beamed Kanae a smile. "Kanae? Wow, please come in!"

"Gotta talk to ya lass, out here," Kanae said quietly.

She came out, eyeing Kanae. "What's up?"

Quietly Kanae asked, "Have ya noticed Nancy's acting a bit odd lately?"

The woman stared at nothing for a moment, then said, "Now that you mention it, she hasn't been herself lately."

Firmly, Kanae said, "I think someone is botherin her. I asked her about it and she became evasive, and acted scared. If ya kin, please spread the word, but don't tell Nancy. She was scared ta say anything bout it. I wanna find out who's messin wit Nancy. All ya gotta do is find out who it is, an I'll take care'o them. I promise. Ya'll nay havta do anything but tell me who it is."

The woman gapped at her. "Is this a hate thing?"

"Doan know, lass. All I know is Nancy refused ta say a word bout it. She'll probably deny anything's wrong. Yer her friends, ya kin be round her an she woan suspect anything. I'm kinda high profile. That's why I want yer help."

The woman nodded. "I know Nancy thinks much of you. When you find out who this is, you're going to turn them in?"

"Nay lass, I'll make'em wish they was never born. I need ya ta to this fer me."

The woman hugged herself. "OK, I'll do what I can. I'm only going to tell those who I know I can trust."

"Thank ya lass." Kanae said and left.

.

Nancy was in her room writing up everything about Kanae's trip to Paris and the fact Kanae thought someone was bothering her in her 'Kanae' journal. There was a knock at the door.

Nancy quickly put that book away and got out a school book. "Come in."

Anne came in and sat on the bed. "Hey Nancy, you had a visitor today."

"I did?" Nancy asked as she turn in her chair.

"Kanae Kikumura came by. She's convinced someone is harassing you, or something like that. She seriously wants to know who it is. By the look on her face, she's not going to complain about them when she finds them. I think she's going to seriously kick their ass. If someone is bothering you, you need to tell me."

Nancy's face crunched up. "It's not that simple. I really can't tell anyone. I'm not being harassed or anything like that. It's … something else."

"What is it?" Anne coaxed.

Nancy dropped her gaze to the floor. "You know how you think you know people, and then find out that what you think you know about them is all wrong? It shatters your expectations of them. I learned something, and it's a real punch in the gut for me."

Anne eyed her. "Nancy, are you attracted to Kanae? Is she maybe trying to come out of the closet?"

Nancy laughed. "No, Kanae's straight as an arrow. Look, it's nothing to worry about. I know Kanae gets a little intense, but she means well."

"You need to explain that to her," Anne stated. "Right now, she's hunting for the one she thinks is harassing you, and she's serious about it. Someone could get badly hurt."

"Or dead," Nancy said absently. Looking up at Anne, she said, "I'll talk to Kanae. I don't want her going nuts on anyone."

Seeing Nancy's lost looking face, Anne asked, "Are you scared of Kanae?"

Nancy shrugged. "A little. If you knew the things I found out this summer, you'd be a bit scared of her too. I mean, she's great to her friends. I also found out she's deadly to her enemies. I really can't say any more than that."

Anne leaned closer. "You saw something?"

"Read it, but that was plenty, believe me," Nancy admitted. "Then again, it makes sense. After all she is Kaede's child."

Anne nodded slowly. "This Kaede is her mother, OK. If it helps any, I don't think Kanae would ever hurt you."

"I know." Nancy said with a weak smile.

"Then stop worrying and let Kanae know what's really bothering you before she does go nuts on someone who's innocent."

"Yeah," Nancy said in a breath.

Anne let Nancy study and went back downstairs. A smirk came to her lips. Kanae would not be so protective of Nancy unless she did feel something for her. It was going to be interesting to see how this turned out.