Elsewhere…
Back at Max's apartment, the clock on the wall read 9:21 PM. Gabriella lay in Max's bed, her dreams disturbed by a restless mind. She tossed and turned, unable to shake the nagging thought of Max potentially losing his fight that night. Despite her best efforts to remain optimistic, anxiety gnawed at her. Finally, she decided to help herself to some ice cream in the kitchen, hoping the sweet treat would soothe her nerves.
As she stood in the dim light of the kitchen, a glimmer of hope flickered within her. Her gaze fell upon Max's keys resting on the counter, and a wave of conflict washed over her. Should she stay and wait, or should she go? The decision weighed heavily on her, but after a moment of contemplation, she turned on her heel.
"Screw it," she muttered, determination igniting within her. Gabriella snatched the keys and headed outside, her heart racing as she approached Max's blue 1960 Ford Mustang.
Later…
Meanwhile, Bumpa prowled the lake trail, the sound of a small waterfall cascading behind him. His mind was set on one thing: to behead Lilith with her own axe. Unbeknownst to him, Lilith was stealthily creeping up behind him. With a sudden burst of energy, she leaped onto his back, but Bumpa was quick to react. He reached behind him, slamming her down into the water with a resounding splash.
"Get off me!" he bellowed, swinging Lilith's axe into the water. But she was agile, evading his strike and maneuvering behind him. Underwater, she seized a large rock and struck Bumpa between the legs.
His eyes widened in shock, and a scream of agony escaped his lips as he dropped to his knees. Lilith stood, a triumphant smirk on her face, arms raised in mockery as she taunted him with a "What now?" gesture. Enraged, Bumpa swung wildly at her, but each strike missed its mark.
Summoning every ounce of strength, Bumpa finally managed to stand. He swung his axe down with all his might, but Lilith deftly dodged, leaping onto the blade and delivering a brutal flying knee to his face, sending him crashing to the ground.
Meanwhile, in the backyard of the log cabin…
The battle between Max and Brick raged on. Max had found his rhythm, focusing on speed and fluidity, his sword style shifting to tai chi. He moved with a grace that contrasted sharply with Brick's brutish, machete-wielding approach. Brick attempted to fight dirty, aiming a stomp at Max's foot, but Max sidestepped effortlessly, slicing Brick across the chest and forcing him to retreat in pain.
Not giving Brick a moment to recover, Max lunged forward, driving his sword deep into Brick's midsection.
Back at the lake…
Lilith, weary but determined, struggled to retrieve her axe. But Bumpa, fueled by rage, rose once more. He seized her by the head, lifting her off the ground with a menacing grip, intent on ripping her head from her body. Lilith screamed, but in a moment of desperation, she jabbed her fingers into his eye, forcing him to release her. Seizing the opportunity, she grabbed her battle axe and swung it at Bumpa's spleen, sending him crashing to his knees.
Back with Max…
Just when Max thought Brick was finished, the man's sheer willpower kept him conscious. With a desperate lunge, Brick attempted to slice off Max's head, his sword still embedded in his own midsection.
Max began to shout, using every ounce of strength to pull his sword free. In one swift motion, he decapitated Brick, the head rolling away as the body crumpled to the ground.
At that very moment, Lilith raised her axe high and delivered a fatal blow to Bumpa, severing his head from his body.
With the battle against the Boston Brothers concluded, both Max and Lilith dropped to their knees, awaiting the surge of their opponents' quickenings.
Lightning crackled around Max, enveloping him in a brilliant display of energy. The lights inside Brick's cabin flickered violently before shattering, windows exploding outward. Simultaneously, Lilith stood in the lake, the water bubbling around her as she too received her quickening. She screamed, raising her battle axe high, a mix of pain and exhilaration coursing through her as the power surged within her. A nearby tree was struck by lightning, collapsing and igniting in flames.
The echoes of their cries reverberated through the woods, startling deer and other creatures, but the sounds soon faded into silence.
As the energy subsided, Lilith emerged from the water, battered but healing. She gasped for breath when Methos appeared at her side, draping his leather coat over her shoulders.
"Can you walk?" he asked, concern etched across his features.
Lilith smirked, a hint of her usual bravado returning. "What? Gonna give me a piggyback?"
Methos scoffed, a playful glint in his eye. "If I have to…"
With a reluctant chuckle, Lilith climbed onto his back, grateful for the support as they made their way back to her car. The weight of the battle still hung heavily on her, but the warmth of Methos's presence provided a small comfort.
Meanwhile…
Max remained on his knees, still recovering from the intensity of the battle and the rush of his quickening. The porch lights flickered around him, casting an eerie glow as he shielded his eyes from the brightness of headlights approaching. Gabriella's Mustang pulled up, and she stepped out, her expression shifting from concern to relief as she took in the sight of Max and the headless body of Brick.
Seeing that he had triumphed, she rushed over and enveloped him in a tight embrace. "You did it!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement, but Max winced, still feeling the aftereffects of the fight.
"Hey, EASY—EASY!" he strained, trying to catch his breath.
"You just couldn't wait up, huh?" he added, a teasing lilt in his voice.
Gabriella grinned, her eyes sparkling. "I got better… Also, your car needs gas."
Max rolled his eyes, a sigh escaping his lips. He knew full well that Gabriella could have driven her own car, which was still parked at his apartment.
"And more ice cream," she added, a mischievous glint in her eye.
"Huh?" Max raised an eyebrow, confusion etched on his face.
Gabriella's expression turned mock-serious. "I also tinkled a little in your bed."
Max pulled away from the hug, disbelief washing over him. "DA FUCK!?"
"Just kidding! Just kidding!" she laughed, her eyes dancing with mischief.
Max shook his head, a smile breaking through his earlier tension as they shared a laugh. Just then, Methos and Lilith approached, their expressions a mix of exhaustion and triumph.
Lilith looked between Max and Gabriella, a knowing smile on her lips. "So, are they…?"
Methos chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "No, they just have a special bond."
Three Days Later…
The cemetery lay beneath a shroud of somber clouds, the air thick with the weight of unspoken words and lingering memories. Lilith emerged from the funeral, her heart heavy with loss. Each step felt like a reminder of the void left behind, a reminder of the life that had been extinguished too soon. She walked slowly, her mind swirling with thoughts of what had been and what could have been.
As she made her way through the rows of gravestones, a familiar sensation washed over her—a presence nearby, another immortal. Her heart quickened, and when she turned, her face lit up at the sight of Max Macleod, dressed in casual black attire that mirrored her own mood.
"Max," she breathed, relief flooding her as they exchanged a knowing glance.
They found a quiet park bench nestled beneath a sprawling oak tree, its branches swaying gently in the breeze. The weight of their recent battles hung in the air between them, a silent acknowledgment of the struggles they had faced.
"How've you been?" Max asked, breaking the silence that had settled around them.
"Pullin' through," Lilith replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil within. "I'm thinking about relocating jobs soon, but I might just quit altogether."
Max nodded, understanding the unspoken pain behind her words. "Do you… ever keep track of how many people you've lost?"
"The ones close to you, I mean," she clarified, her gaze searching his.
"Always…" he replied, his eyes drifting into the distance as memories flickered through his mind. "Lovers, friends, family… Duncan always used to tell me I would get used to it."
Lilith scoffed lightly, a hint of defiance in her tone. "No offense to the great Duncan Macleod, but—"
"None taken," Max interjected, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "I agree, it's bullshit."
They shared a small chuckle, the tension easing slightly as they found solace in each other's company. "Unless I just decide to be a loner for the remainder of my immortal life until I lose my head or win the prize," he mused, a hint of resignation in his voice.
Lilith nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Yeah, that sounds more right."
But then, the mood shifted as Lilith grew serious, her brow furrowing with concern. "Max, when I fought that orange dude, Bumpa—"
Max cut her off, his expression darkening. "I know. I saw him in Brick's memories. They were working for the Hunters."
"But it doesn't make any sense," Lilith pressed, her voice rising slightly. "Why are Hunters working with immortals?"
"I don't know," Max admitted, frustration creeping into his tone. "I was only able to see bits and pieces of it with my quickening."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "It's so inconsistent. One quickening will give me huge amounts of details—from sitting on the crapper to what they had for breakfast two hundred years ago—while others only show me flashes of random memories."
Lilith nodded in agreement. "I know, right? But the WORST part is when we pick up some of their traits and hobbies. Like one time, I killed a woman who had a FUCKED UP fetish for reverse bondage."
Max's eyes widened in shock as he processed her words. "Please don't go into full detail," he pleaded, already imagining the horrors.
Lilith smirked, a playful glint in her eye. "All I'll say is she DESTROYED over a dozen men's cheeks that night…" She paused, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. "Shamefully, it… it kinda turned me on too."
Max scooted playfully away, his expression a mix of disbelief and amusement. "Oh god, stay with me."
Lilith laughed, playfully bumping her shoulder against his. "Shut up! It wore off last week!"
"Anyways," she continued, her tone shifting back to sincerity, "thanks for helping me avenge Watson. I'd be all sorts of lost if I went looking for them by myself."
"Not a problem," Max replied, his voice warm. "Just doing both my job and my part in playing this stupid game."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a card emblazoned with the Watcher logo, handing it to her. "If you're ever in trouble or need any help, reach out to the Watchers and ask for a woman named Amy Brennan Thomas. I wrote her name on the back in case you forget."
Max stood, preparing to leave. "I gotta get going… Just wanted to catch you real quick and fill you in."
"Thanks… Oh, and Max!" Lilith called out as he turned to walk away.
He paused, looking back at her.
"Gabby gave me her number, so if you're ever up for it, we should spar sometime," she said, a playful smile creeping onto her lips.
Max raised an eyebrow, a hint of intrigue in his expression. "I'll think about it, but I'd rather just hang out. I know some good fun spots around here."
Lilith shrugged, her smile widening. "We can do both."
Max smirked, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. "I'll think about that too, later."
As he turned to leave, Lilith smiled and shook her head as she watched him go.
Despite the gloom of the day, she felt a flicker of hope. She looked up at the overcast sky, taking a deep breath, the cool air filling her lungs. Though the funeral had cast a shadow over her heart, making new allies and connections after the loss of one brought a sense of lightness to her spirit.
Elsewhere…
Faith stepped into an old yet elegant mansion, the air thick with history. The soft strains of a harmonica blues echoed through the halls, guiding her as she ascended the staircase, passing by an array of antiques and relics that whispered tales from the 15th century. The music grew louder as she approached the source, stepping out onto a balcony where a figure sat perched on the stone railing.
The man, dressed in a black trench coat with a buzzcut, played the harmonica with a soulful intensity. As the last note faded, Faith crossed her arms, a frown creasing her brow.
"This new Macleod has friends in high places," she remarked, frustration lacing her voice. "There's not a single crumb we can use to find him."
"I told you we should've sent the others with the Bostons," she added, her tone sharp.
As she awaited a response, she glanced away momentarily, only to turn back and find the balcony empty. A chill ran down her spine, and she instinctively looked around, her heart racing. Suddenly, he appeared behind her, his presence looming like a shadow.
The man's face was now visible, revealing piercing blue eyes that seemed to bore into her very soul, sending a shiver of intimidation through her.
Let's call him "Jacob Kell."
"Is that so?" he said, his voice was smooth yet menacing. He raised a hand, brushing it against her cheek and through her hair for a brief moment, a gesture that felt both intimate and threatening.
"My mistake," he said, his tone almost casual. "I thought the brothers would've been more than enough to bring back the boy's head."
Faith felt a mix of relief and unease as he stepped back, her breath returning to her as she followed him through the hallway.
"So what happens now?" she asked, her voice steady despite the uncertainty swirling within her.
Jacob paused, glancing back at her. "He'll turn up eventually. I've already sent my best men to double the search."
Faith nodded, but a hint of skepticism crept into her voice. "Easier said than done. Every time I inform them of you and our cause, they end up helpless and afraid."
Jacob chuckled, a dark amusement dancing in his eyes. "That's the idea. It makes it all the more easier to sort out the strong from the weak. There will be not an ounce of weakness in my faction when I bring this game to an end."
As they walked, Jacob pushed open two grand double doors, revealing a dining hall where five shadowy figures awaited, their faces obscured in the dim light. The atmosphere was thick with tension, and Faith felt a sense of foreboding settle over her.
To Be Continued…
Next Time: Red-Stone
Watcher Database #3-Brick Boston
Watcher: Brick Boston
Born: 1930
First Death: Killed in his sleep by his own platoon.
First Teacher: Everett Bellian
Cultural Affiliation: Mexican
Recent Base of Operations: Atlanta, GA, USA
Occupation: Mercenary
Roster Status: Deceased
Watcher: David Brasher
I can't help but wish things had turned out differently for him; he was a good man once. It's a shame we lost track of him after he vanished in the early '90s, only to return with that monstrous figure he referred to as his "brother." There are whispers that he was kidnapped by the Hunters and subjected to experiments, which might explain why he seemed stronger than the average Immortal.
But here's the kicker: if that rumor holds any truth, why would Horton, who harbored a bloodthirsty hatred for Immortals, approve of such a thing? It just doesn't add up.
As for his brother, Bumpa, we've debated whether to include him in our records. The revelation that he was an Immortal all along was quite the shock, especially since he didn't have a Watcher. If the Hunters were indeed responsible for creating him, I shudder to think of what other horrors they might be hiding in their labs. All I can say for now is that the worst is yet to come.