Preface: This is a side story set during the Season 3 arc of Defenders Chronicles: Highlander. This would also be an essential sequel to the Season 1 episode of Highlander: the Series "Free Fall" where Joan Jett guest starred as an evil Immortal by the name of Felicia Martins, an episode I personally felt had potential for a sequel of some sorts, so here it is. There is rape in a future chapter, and I'll let you know when that chapter comes, and I'll try to keep it down and not go into much detail.
Disclaimer: Defenders of the Earth, Flash Gordon, Ming the Merciless, the Phantom, Mandrake the Magician, Lothar and all characters and properties belong to Stan Lee, Marvel, King Features Entertainment and Hearst Entertainment. Highlander and all characters and properties belong to Rysher Entertainment. As far as Original Characters, the character April Gordon belongs to Marzena, used with permission, and if you wish to use her, feel free to contact her here. Tori Gordon is the only character I own here.
Beginning of a New Life
Chapter One
Two Days Ago
"How long have you been standing here?" Richie asked.
"Just a minute," Tori crossed her arms.
"Oh," Richie groaned.
"Look Richie," Tori glanced at him, "I followed you around times because I didn't want you to make another mistake."
"Another mistake?" Richie scoffed, annoyed. He didn't really need a lecture after Donna had slapped him after he informed her things weren't going to work out.
"You know your history," Tori replied, "I'm not going to bring it up though."
She took a deep breath before saying, "Donna is not right for you. She tried to baby trap you when we both know Immortals can't have children."
"I figured that out over the past 24 hours," Richie replied, "especially with that part that she slapped me."
He took a deep breath before stating, "You're the one who said it's not over till the fat lady sings! At least that's what you told Charlie."
"True," Tori crossed her arms, "but I didn't really mean it."
"Come on, Tor," Richie glanced at her, "stay on the subject!"
"I will," Tori replied, "I'm just trying to keep you from ending up with Donna because I know without a doubt it would not work out between you two!"
"Give me a break," Richie replied, "You're mixed up trying to peg me for someone I'm not. I am not a Hansel from Hansel and Gretel , I'm not a little kid, hell, I'm far from a kid, and I don't need protection from the wicked witch, and if I want to go to that gingerbread house, that will be up to me to decide!"
"What are you saying?!" Tori demanded.
"You don't trust me," Richie replied, frustrated, "You don't trust my instincts, let alone my judgment!"
"Well," Tori replied, "your judgment hasn't had the best track record for being good."
"So what else is new?" Richie retorted.
"Well, pardon me for trying to keep my best friend from getting hurt," Tori replied, "or doing something irrational!"
"Some friend!" Richie exclaimed, "I don't have room for friends like you, Tori!"
"So, you're saying you don't wanna be friends?" Tori asked.
"No, I don't!" Richie answered.
"Well, good!" Tori replied, "Neither do I!"
Seconds later, she pulled Richie into a loving embrace and she kissed him. Reluctantly, Richie accepted the kiss.
Moments later, Tori and Richie broke apart and look at each other in delight.
"Um…" Tori started to say.
"Um, Tori," Richie stammered before he asked, "why didn't you just tell me you have feelings for me?"
Tori looked around for a bit before answering, "I didn't think you shared the same feelings. Do you?"
"Well, um," Richie looked around for a moment before looking back at Tori, "yeah. Oh, what the hell, let's make it official."
With that, Tori and Richie held each other in a loving embrace and shared a passionate kiss.
"Mac said he'll buy us a drink at Joe's," Tori said during the kiss.
"You think we'd warrant a drink?" Richie asked.
"After all we've been through," Tori answered, "I wouldn't mind a drink myself."
Present Day
Richie woke up and saw Tori smiling next to him. He saw the sun shining at her as they were laying next to one another.
"Good morning, love," Tori greeted her lover.
"Good morning," Richie replied.
They snuggled as they were enjoying the morning sun shining on them.
"I enjoy the morning sun here," Tori stated.
"So do I," Richie replied before they shared a kiss. Then he asked, "How did you sleep?"
"I slept good, you?" Tori answered.
"I slept good too."
They shared another kiss, enjoying the morning together.
"You know," Tori stated, "I never thought of myself ending up with a handsome guy like you."
"I always hoped to end up with a beautiful blonde," Richie eyed his girlfriend, "You're brownish blonde, but still beautiful. I think my dreams are coming true."
Tori chuckled at the statement, "Is that right?"
"Yeah," Richie nodded.
Suddenly, they both sensed the Buzz.
"Oh boy," Richie groaned.
"It never ends, does it?" Tori asked.
They quickly got some clothes on before Richie opened the door. It was Duncan.
"Richie, Charlie asked me if…" Duncan started to say before he was cut off upon seeing Tori and Richie. He looked at them in surprise.
"Well," Duncan stated in surprise, "I got my answer."
"Come on, Mac," Richie looked at him, "I told you Tori was going to spend the night with me."
"Yeah," Duncan replied, "but you never told me to what extent."
"He's right, you know," Tori replied.
The three Immortals looked around in awkwardness in a pause of silence.
"Well," Duncan finally spoke up, "you guys should get fully dressed. Charlie is wanting to have breakfast with us at the Waffle House."
"That sounds like a plan!" Tori exclaimed happily.
"I agree," Richie nodded with a grin, "Tell Charlie we'll see him in a few."
"Will do," Duncan replied before he turned around and left, leaving Tori and Richie glancing at each other.
"What do you think?" Richie asked.
"We should get ready," Tori answered, "Maybe Charlie will be be understanding, given what's happened recently."
"I believe so," Richie replied.
They met up with Duncan and Charlie at the Waffle House and had breakfast there while talking.
"I heard that girl tried to baby trap you," Charlie told Richie, "I am very sorry you had to deal with that."
"Thanks," Richie nodded, "I rather not think about it right now."
"She didn't seem like a nice person either," Tori spoke up, "not that it is any of my business."
"Jeremy is not my kid," Richie explained, "I'm essentially sterile and I can't have kids, never could, never will be able to."
"Oh," Charlie replied, "I'm sorry to hear that."
"Long story short," Tori decided to cover for Richie, "she didn't take it well and it didn't end well."
"Exactly," Duncan and Richie said in unison.
"Yikes," Charlie stated, "that chick sounded unhinged in a way. I'm sorry things didn't work out, but it was nice that you were willing to step up when you did. Like I told MacLeod, I wish more guys would do that."
"Thanks, Charlie," Richie replied.
"You'd be surprised on how many women try to baby trap their partners in this day and age," the waitress arrived, "it's insane. Sorry, I couldn't help but to overhear your conversation."
"It's quite all right, ma'am," Duncan replied.
After they took their orders, before looking at each other.
"There is a silver lining out of all this," Richie spoke up.
"Really?" Charlie asked, "What would that be?"
"Tori and I decided on something big last night," Richie announced, "and we are officially a couple now."
"What do you think?" Duncan asked, "I had suspicion when they seemed too close the other night at the bar, and then I saw them this morning, and yeah, it's official."
"Wow," Charlie smiled, "That's really a surprise. You two are finally together. I always had a hunch you'd end up together."
Tori and Richie chuckled in response.
"What can we say, about time?" Tori asked.
She and Richie both chuckled as Duncan nodded and smiled.
"Congratulations to the both of you," Charlie glanced at the new couple.
"Thanks, Charlie," Tori replied.
"Yeah, thanks," Richie added.
-Beginning-of-a-New-Life-
Felicia watched outside from a distance where the Immortals couldn't sense her. She didn't want Duncan or Richie to notice her so soon. Through the binoculars, she saw Duncan sitting in the booth. She then saw Richie sitting next to a young lady she didn't recognize.
"What do you see?" Garax asked. Felicia removed the binoculars and eyed the robot leader.
"I see Duncan MacLeod, the Highlander," Felicia answered, "it is just as Ming the Merciless promised. I also see little Richie, who is not so little now, all grown up, and he's Immortal. Who would have guessed?"
She recalled seeing Tessa's grave when she visited Paris. Felicia knew Tessa wasn't dead, so she couldn't be used as a pawn for her revenge. Richie? Even though he was now Immortal, she could still use him as bait for Duncan, who was her real target for revenge.
She glanced at the girl who was sitting next to Richie, "What about the girl who's sitting next to Richie?"
"The other girl is Tori Gordon," Ming answered as he appeared on screen via Garax's torso, "who is Flash Gordon's niece. She happens to be Immortal too."
"I'm aware of that, Mighty Ming," Felicia replied, "I think I am getting an idea on how I will lure the Highlander to my trap, with Richie Ryan as bait. As for this Tori, she appears to be Richie's girlfriend, and in that case, she can prove useful to my plan, just in case."