Lirazel Milton, a fairly young immortal at 127 years, had barely felt her opponent's presence before she was thrust into the fight of her life. Cassandra lunged at her opponent. Lirazel didn't move fast enough to completely avoid the lunge. Blood started to seep from the wound in her abdomen; it was not the first wound she had received in this fight. She knew it was not going well. Now she wished she had heeded Kiris’ warning to get to holy ground as quickly as possible. This woman was too strong and Lirazel was numb from pain and exhaustion. Blades met over and over again. Lirazel could only deflect the fierce blows; she had no chance to attack. As if weeping over the tragedy about to take place the skies opened up and started to rain hard. Lirazel wiped her rain-filled eyes with the back of her bloody sleeve. Smiling wickedly Cassandra lunged again at her temporarily blinded opponent, this time running her blade through Lirazel's shoulder. With a sob Lirazel lost her sword to the ground and fell to her knees. It was over. Before the blade struck Lirazel closed her eyes and whispered desperately, "Kiris, I'm sorry!" The Quickening became part of just another lightning storm. When it was over Cassandra wiped her blade on her dead opponent's sweater and laughed mockingly. Drunk on the power from the Quickening, she walked unsteadily away.

       Kiris awoke from her dream with a start and sat up straight in bed. "Lirazel?" she whispered, knowing that her friend was dead. She had seen the whole fight in her dream and knew it was real. Rolling over onto her side Kiris buried her face in the pillow and tried to block out the pain. Climbing out of her bed she slipped into her robe and walked into the kitchen to get a drink of water. The water didn't take away the bitter taste in her mouth, but it felt good going down. She rubbed her eyes with her knuckles. Her head felt heavy with fatigue and overwhelming grief. She swallowed several times trying to get rid of the ache in her throat. It was raining hard, but the normally comforting sound held nothing but horror for her now as she realized that it had been raining in her dream. It could only mean one thing: Cassandra was near. Suddenly Kiris realized that she felt very old.

       "Kiris?" a groggy Methos called from his bedroom door. He didn't know what had awakened him, but somehow he knew that Kiris needed him. He found her leaning with her temple against the picture windows. She didn't answer him or look around. He went to her and found that she was staring blankly. When he put his hand on her shoulder she started violently. "Are you all right?" he asked gently.

       Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears. "I lost another one of my students tonight," she said softly in a voice filled with pain.

       "How do you know?" Methos asked in confusion.

       "I know," Kiris said, "I saw it in my dream." She started to shake uncontrollably.

       "I'm sorry," he replied feeling helpless. "Can I do anything for you?"

       She opened her mouth, but no words came out. Her lips started to tremble and tears overflowed down her cheeks. Her eyes were the brightest blue he had ever seen. He gathered her into his arms and held her so tightly she could barely breathe. Her tiny hands gripped the fabric of his robe and her face was buried in his neck as her grief erupted. He rocked her gently cupping the back of her head. He laid he lips against the warm skin of her temple and whispered, "Shh, everything will be all right," over and over again.

       "Tell me about Cassandra," Methos said gently. "You never told me why she's after your students and not just you." They were now stretched out on the couch in the living room. He was still holding her tightly. Her eyes still dripped with tears, but the torrent was over for now.

       "She's just punishing me, but she'll be coming for me now," Kiris murmured and Methos felt a small shiver go through her. He reached up and pulled the afghan off the back of the couch and tucked it around her.

       "Why is she doing this?" Methos asked. "She's always been obsessed with the Horsemen, but she's not a murderer."

       "She wasn't until recently," Kiris replied. "Five years ago when Duncan stopped her from beheading you she began walking dangerously close to the edge of insanity. She came to me and told me about it, but she was so irrational I had a hard time understanding her. I tried to calm her down and talk her out of going after you again, but nothing I said helped. Then I made the mistake of telling her that you had been one of my students. She took that as a betrayal and tried to take my head. I let her live, but she had snapped. She left screaming that she'd make me pay for lying to her all those years. If I had known what she was planning to do nothing could've stopped me from killing her."

       Kiris had explained the day before that after Cassandra had escaped from the Horsemen she had wandered for a few years without knowing about her immortality. But eventually she, Kiris, found her, explained about life as an immortal and had begun training her in swordplay. Cassandra had related tales of the Horsemen and Methos' deeds and Kiris found herself grieving that he had fallen so far. Still Kiris felt that it was important to keep her association with him a secret. She lectured Cassandra on not letting revenge become the focus of her life, but she didn't listen. After a few years she had struck out on her own vowing to destroy the Horsemen.

       "She didn't want to hear that she'd end up ruining her life. She just wanted to avenge her people. 3000 years of anger has finally taken its toll on her mind. She's not who she was before." She sat up and moved to sit facing him. Her head was beginning to clear. "On the bright side, at least I've taken the focus off you," she said with a half-smile.

       "What are you going to do?" Methos asked.

       "I'm going to fight her," Kiris replied simply. "I’ve got to stop her."

       "No!" Methos blurted out in his panic. "What don't you just run?"

       "Run to where?" Kiris asked with irritation. "I should just let her continue her rampage and hope that someone else takes her head eventually? Is that what you want?"

       "Yes," Methos replied.

       "I can't do that," Kiris said firmly.

       "Why not? Why does it have to be you?"

       "Because they are my students, my friends she's killing off. I need to avenge them. And eventually she's going to come after you and Duncan."

       "Duncan can take care of himself and so can I. I'm not your student anymore you don't have to protect me." Methos said fiercely.

       "I know I don't have to protect you anymore. Obviously if you've survived for 5000 years you can defend yourself. But there are those that couldn't and those are the ones that need me."

       "Why does it have to be you?" Methos was on his feet now.

       "Who else, Methos? You? You could never take her head because you still feel too guilty for what you did to her and her people thousands of years ago. Duncan? He couldn't do it, he's been her friend for too long, and she might still be able to manipulate his mind. Amanda? Richie? Cassandra is too old, too strong and too angry. Or maybe you'd prefer that I send Joe after her," Kiris was on her feet now, pacing and talking with her hands. "This is my fight! She's killing my children, Methos! The only children I'll ever have."

       Methos sat down on a chair and didn't look at her. "I just don't want to lose you," he said softly. "I just got you back."

       Kiris stopped in mid stride and stared back at him. Suddenly she wasn't angry anymore. She crossed the room, knelt down in front of him and took his face in her hands.

       "I'm sorry, I don't want to fight with you," she said with sincerity. "I just really need you to understand this because I need you to promise me two things."

       "I'm not going to be able to talk you out of it am I?" he asked sadly.

       Kiris shook her head. Methos closed his eyes in resignation. She put her arms around him and he drew her onto his lap. She leaned against him with her head on his shoulder. He felt her breath on his neck and let his cheek fall against hers.

       "Then what can I do for you?" He asked softly.

       "If I don't come out of this alive…" she started

       "Don't say that…" he interrupted.

       "Methos, listen to me," she said forcefully and put her fingers over his lips. "If I don't come out of this alive you have to promise me that you'll take care of T'Sigh. As you know, she doesn't work and play well with others," she smiled apologetically. "You're the only other person she tolerates. Please promise me that you'll take her."

       "I promise," he said although he was skeptical about T'Sigh's willingness to put up with him.

       "Thank you," she said and put her forehead against his and looked him in the eyes. "The second one is that if she takes my head, I want you to run."

       "What?" He pulled his face away from hers. "You won't run from her, but I should?"

       "Yes," Kiris stated. "Methos, if she takes my head she's going to be incredibly strong. You have to promise me that you'll run. You have to survive."

       "Why?" He asked simply.

       "Please don't question me on this one," Kiris said quietly, "just promise me."

       "I can't," Methos said with uncharacteristic stubbornness. "You can't ask me to just let you go and not try to avenge you."

       Kiris searched his eyes and decided not to press him, yet. She leaned against him again at a loss for words. He tightened his arms around her and sighed. At that moment neither of them wanted to do anything but stay right as they were right then.

       Cassandra's Watcher was exhausted. She never seemed to rest. He had been watching her for nearly a year and the only time she ever slept was when she absolutely couldn't go on. It was as if she was trying to set a record for the most heads taken in the shortest amount of time. He dialed his phone.

       "Joe Dawson please," he said when someone answered.

       "This is Joe Dawson, who's this?"

       "Mark Reilly sir, Cassandra's Watcher," the man said, "I'm just checking in, she's here in town now."

       Joe's heart started to pound. "Where is she now?" he asked anxiously. He needed to call Methos now.

       "Everywhere," he sounded tired, "she's got a room at a dive hotel called The Sea Inn, but she's not there very much. She took another head last night. A young immortal named Lirazel Milton."

       "Her Watcher already called," Joe said. "You sound like you could use some relief. Where are you right now?"

       They talked for a little while longer and then hung up. Joe made some calls and got a substitute Watcher for Mark then he made one more call of a more personal nature.

       "Mac?" he asked.

       "Hey Joe," MacLeod said, "what's up?"

       "Cassandra's in town," Joe said without preamble. "Her Watcher just checked in. She took another head last night. I thought maybe Kiris would like to know."

       "She and Amanda are across town at a warehouse sparring right now," Duncan informed Joe. "I'll let her know when they return." His mind was racing through what Kiris had told them about Cassandra's condition as he hung up.

       "Nice one!" Kiris called breathlessly to Amanda. She deflected another powerful blow by her new friend. Their good-humored sparring was having a dramatically soothing effect on Kiris' rotten mood.

       Amanda spun around to get a better angle and hit T'Sigh hard with her own sword. She was well aware that Kiris was holding back, but it didn't matter, they both needed the distraction of a good workout. Kiris advanced again testing her opponent's agility and found herself envious of Amanda's acrobatic abilities.

       Two hours later the women rested and wiped the perspiration from their faces. As they talked Kiris confided to Amanda about her argument with Methos and her inability to convince him to leave.

       "I understand how you feel," Amanda said sincerely. "My teacher, Rebecca, was killed a few years ago and I really felt like it was my duty to avenge her."

       "Did you get to?"

       "In a way," Amanda said frowning, "MacLeod took the guy's head instead of letting me. I wasn't too happy with him for that, but I realized he really just wanted to protect me. I'm guess I should just be grateful that the guy's dead. I can see Methos' side though; he hasn't seen you in 5000 years and now it's a possibility you could die. He just wants to keep you around." Then she added as a side note, "Can't say that I blame him, I'd like you to stick around too." Amanda smiled at her new friend.

       "I have no intention of dying," Kiris said as she opened the door to bright sunlight. "I'm right where I’ve wanted to be for a very long time."

       "He's in love with you, you know," Amanda said knowingly of Methos as she unlocked the car door.

       The older woman looked at the ground. "I hope so, Amanda, I hope so," she said softly.

       Kiris didn't seem surprised at all by what Duncan had just finished telling her. She knew that Cassandra was close by.

       "Please thank Joe for the information," Kiris said sincerely. "May I ask one other favor?"

       "Sure, what is it?" Duncan asked.

       "Don't tell Methos," she said and didn't look him in the eye.

       "Don't tell me what?" Methos said from behind her. She jumped at his voice. "Don't tell me that Cassandra is in town?" Kiris look ashamed and blushed. She started to say something, but bit her lip instead. Duncan's phone rang. After answering it he handed it to Kiris.

       "Yes?" she said into the receiver. The voice on the other end said something to which Kiris replied, "I understand," and then hung up. Cassandra had specified the time as 11pm and place as a small park on the far side of town where she had killed Lirazel the night before. It was now almost 9:30pm, the park would be closed to the public at 10pm.

       "Who was that?" Duncan asked.

       "Guess," Kiris answered and grabbed her coat to leave. Methos followed. They were just walking out the door when Duncan called to her again. "When are you fighting her?"

       "Soon," she said cryptically, and left.

       There was complete silence in the car on the way back to Methos' flat. He unlocked the door and let her pass through all the while he was eyeing her closely. The tension was palpable.

       "Are you hungry?" she asked and went to the refrigerator.

       He didn't answer, he was still standing in the doorway staring at her.

       "What?" she asked with a furrowed brow.

       "I thought you trusted me," he said with disappointment.

       "I do," Kiris answered uncertainly.

       "Then why would you hide that fact that you've known she was in the city for some time?"

       "I've only known since I dreamed it last night."

       "Why didn't you want me to know?" he asked.

       "I just wanted it to be over before you found out," she stated honestly.

       "Why?"

       "Because it's so much harder on you this way, knowing that I'll be leaving soon to fight for my life."

       "Still protecting me?" He said with irritation. "When are you going to see me as anything more than your student?"

       "I've never seen you as just my student," she said quietly.

       "What do you see me as?" He came to stand right in front of her. She wouldn't look at him.

       "Please don't make me do this now," she whispered desperately. "I have to go soon and I can't be distracted."

       He put his fingers under her chin, but she still wouldn't look at him.

       "Tell me," he said.

       She sighed deeply and turned away from him. "Methos, you know you've always held a place in my heart. I can't explain it and I don't understand it, but it's there. I've never been able to escape it," she replied helplessly and a lump formed in her throat. "There's never been anyone else. You're the only one that I've ever wanted," she managed to get out before it became to difficult to speak. Her heart was pounding and her stomach hurt as she waited for him to say something.

       He didn’t say a word as he walked out of the room. Kiris hung her head and closed her eyes knowing that she’d just ruined everything. She didn’t hear him come back into the room until he was standing in front of her. When she opened her eyes the first thing she saw amazed her. He was holding the braid she had given him as a parting gift all those years ago. Her eyes overflowed with tears as she looked into his eyes for an explanation.

       "I’ve never been able to forget you either," he said plainly. "This was the only thing I had of yours and the only thing I’ve kept for 5000 years besides my journal."

       "I didn't want you to know how I felt because I might die tonight," she said wiping her tears.

       "I’d rather know," he said softly. "But you can’t die because I couldn’t stand losing you now. I need you just as much as you need me."

       Relief flooded her. Slowly he drew her into his arms and she lifted her face to his. Their lips brushed each other's softly. First kiss. Neither could remember how to breathe for long minutes. When they parted she buried her face in his sweater. He ran his lips over her forehead. Both were physically shaken.

       "If you’ve loved me all this time why haven’t you come to find me before?" he asked in a voice husky with emotion.

       "I started and stopped searches many times, but never found you," she said honestly. "And besides I didn’t know if you felt the same and if you didn’t I’d have cut my own head off in a fit of depression and that would be bad form," she continued giddy with relief. He chuckled and kissed her again.

       "What do we do now?" He asked softly when he could speak again. He didn't want to do anything but hold her. She turned her face up to his and he kissed her again softly.

       "I have to go soon," she said weakly. "I need to walk around and clear my head before this happens. At midnight," she lied, knowing that he might follow. At the moment though she was beyond caring about anything but this intoxicating man. They were kissing again in earnest, both feeling like teenagers.

       The buzz of multiple immortals hit them just as the doorbell rang.

       "Maybe they'll just go away," he said against her lips. She giggled. It took all of his strength, but Methos let go of her and walked to the door. He didn't want interruptions; he wanted her to himself until she left. Duncan, Amanda, and Richie stood on the doorstep. Amanda immediately strode past Methos to Kiris and hugged her tightly.

       "We just wanted you to know that we're rooting for you," she said to her new friend. "And this is for when you get back," Amanda continued as she produced a bottle of champagne. Kiris' throat was tight again. "Thank you," was all she could manage. She grabbed her coat and T'Sigh and headed toward the door. "Keep him company until I get back?" she asked.

       Methos stood with his hand on the doorknob. Kiris walked straight up to him and threw her arms around his neck. They kissed for long seconds each trying to convey all of what they were feeling in those few moments. Amanda, Duncan & Richie smiled at each other. Then Kiris was out the door.

       As she walked briskly away Methos called to her, "Kiris, you won’t just disappear will you?"

       She stopped and turned around, gave him her most charming smile and yelled back, "Wild horses couldn't keep me away from you!" Then she turned and ran into the night. She felt light as a feather and younger than she had felt since Atlantis.

       Duncan came up behind Methos and put his hand on his shoulder. "You're not going after her?" He asked.

       "I don't know where she's going," Methos said wistfully, then thoughtfully he continued, "but I can find out." He went to the phone and dialed Watcher headquarters. Before the call went through he asked to no one, "What will I do if she doesn't make it?"

       Kiris hailed a taxi. She had just enough time to get to the park by the designated time. Not that it mattered if she was late, she knew that Cassandra would be waiting already. The driver looked at her funny when she asked to be dropped at a closed park in the middle of the night, but when she handed him an extra $20 he stopped worrying about it. She climbed out already feeling Cassandra's presence. Kiris removed her coat and set it on a nearby bench. The cold penetrated her wool sweater, but she had always preferred cold. She stepped over the train tracks that bordered the park and let her own presence be felt.

       "Are you ready to die, old woman?" Cassandra spat as she came into view.

       Kiris didn't answer; she just stared at her opponent. Cassandra looked terrible. Her large eyes were ringed with dark circles and she looked like she was starving to death. She was practically a skeleton and filthy from head to toe. Kiris had never felt guilt for having left someone alive until now.

       "I hope you've enjoyed your time with Methos," Cassandra taunted her prey.

       Still Kiris said nothing. Slowly she lifted T'Sigh and pointed her straight at Cassandra. It was time and Kiris just wanted to get on with it. Cassandra took the hint and raised her sword as well. Kiris deflected the first lunge with ease and delivered two strong blows in return. As crazy as she looked, Cassandra was remarkably under control in the duel. She thrust at her opponent, but didn’t overextend. Kiris found it hard to find an opening where she could do any damage. Cassandra advanced again.

       Methos jumped at the shrill sound of the telephone ringing. He picked it up, but before he could say a word Joe blurted out, "Just thought you might want to know that Kiris and Cassandra’s fight is under way."

       "What?" Methos nearly shouted into the phone, it was only 11:10p.m.. "Where?" He realized that Kiris had lied about the time and could guess why. He was going to strangle her beautiful little neck.

       "Southside Park," he said and then realized that the phone had been dropped.

       Methos was already headed out the door with his dazed friends at his heels. He would’ve taken off running had Duncan not caught his arm and guided him toward the car. Three of them went in the car and Richie followed on his motorcycle. The park was at least a fifteen minute drive even with the way Duncan drove and Methos spent the entire time drumming his fingers on the seat beside him. His friends watched him warily; they had never seen him so agitated.

       Kiris was having a hard time concentrating. Cassandra was bleeding from a deep wound in her left thigh that Kiris had landed moments before, but it didn’t seem to be phasing her. She lunged at her teacher, but when Kiris stepped to the side to avoid it Cassandra suddenly flicked her wrist and the tip of her sword caught Kiris’ cheek. The sharp sting of the cut brought Kiris to the reality that it had been a long time since she had fought a real duel. She let the pain feed her anger and refocused on what she had to do. She kicked Cassandra hard and drove the toe of her boot into the leg wound she had inflicted. Cassandra shrieked in pain and stumbled backwards. Now there was a definite limp. The younger woman growled like an animal and for the first time Kiris felt fear.

       The car wasn’t even completely stopped when Methos opened the door. They could see the glint of blades in the moonlight. Methos resisted the urge to get too close knowing that the presence of another immortal would disturb the fight. Although there was a substantial difference in height between the women fighting from the distance it was impossible to tell for sure which was Kiris.

       Kiris ducked under her opponent’s blade and sliced her across the abdomen. Cassandra grunted and stumbled forward. Kiris twisted around to face her again. The younger women righted herself and stood breathing hard. There was just a trace of a terrible smile on Cassandra’s lips.

       A whistle blew distracting the attention of the onlookers. The train had appeared out of nowhere and was now blocking their view of the fight. Methos roared in frustration.

       Kiris thought she heard Methos yell and was temporarily distracted. Cassandra took the opportunity to thrust her blade deeply into Kiris’ chest. T’Sigh went flying and landed a few feet from where Kiris went down hard. Her breathing was ragged and she could feel the warm sensation of her own blood oozing from the wound. She was on her knees trying desperately to gather enough breath to stand again. Cassandra stepped up to her teacher and slowly raised her sword for the final blow. Kiris drew a labored breath and shouted with all the might she could muster, "T’SIGH!!" Her sword leaped instantly into her hand. Kiris brought it up with more power than she’d ever had and hit Cassandra’s with such force that Cassandra’s blade split down right down the center and was thrown wide. Momentum carried T’Sigh through the rest of the arc, and she sailed cleanly through Cassandra’s neck.

       The train passed just in time for the onlookers to see a head fall, but they still couldn’t tell whose.

       "KIRIS!!!" Methos shouted and ran full out. Before he was halfway to the women the ground began to quake. The Quickening’s white glow appeared from under the earth and quickly filled the sky. Kiris collapsed to the ground in pain and anticipation and pulled her knees to her chest. A fine mist appeared and gathered around the surviving immortal striking her hard. The other immortals were frozen in place by the force of the current. The thick shroud surrounding Kiris made it impossible for the others to see her. As the Quickening gathered force the earth continued to shake and the roar could be heard for miles. Lightning flew out of the white fog and struck the onlookers sending them crashing to the unstable ground.

       Kiris writhed in pain, but was pinned down by the force of the Quickening. It seemed interminably long and she felt as if she were about to explode. It began to subside after a few minutes and the mist began to lift. Kiris was unconscious opposite Cassandra’s body.

       When the shaking finally stopped and Methos could move again he sprinted over to Kiris’ body and lifted her gently. Duncan was right behind him and stood over Cassandra.

       "Her head’s still attached," Methos said with relief and cradled his badly wounded love.

       "Her’s isn’t," MacLeod said of Cassandra.

       Kiris opened her eyes to see Methos’ face above hers. "Methos," she whispered through the gritted teeth, "I’m dying."

       He smiled at her. "You’ll live."

       "Please get me out of here," she pleaded, reverting to an ancient language that only Methos could understand.

       He picked her up as if she weighed nothing and sprinted to Mac’s car. Her hand was still holding T’Sigh tightly. Sitting in the front seat Methos cradled Kiris’ writhing body. He knew she would be fine, but he still fought the urge to beg her to fight. She was trying to say something to him, but no sound escaped her lips. A wave of pain hit her hard and her eyes dilated. She passed out again. Methos noticed with irritation that Mac hadn’t started the car yet.

       "Methos?" Kiris whispered as she drifted in and out of consciousness. "Please help me," she begged. Her body couldn’t heal itself fast enough and she was dying painfully. Methos looked stricken, but he knew what she wanted him to do. He removed a short dagger from his belt and, before he could talk himself out of it, aimed straight for her heart. Amanda and Duncan watched with wide eyes.

       "Thank you," she mouthed soundlessly to him and her head dropped. The hand gripping T’Sigh relaxed and the sword fell to the floor with a heavy thud.

       "Drive," Methos ordered ferociously and MacLeod sped away.

       Back at the apartment Methos carried Kiris into her bedroom and then left to retrieve her sword. He anticipated quite a process of persuading T’Sigh to come with him, but found her remarkably pliant and it only took a few minutes to get her in the door. He marveled at how beautiful the sword was and was surprised to find no traces of blood on the blade or the hilt. By the time he returned Amanda was carrying out a rather gruesome bundle of clothes from Kiris’ room. Kiris was now dressed in one of his T-shirts and Amanda had wiped much of the blood from her body. Methos propped T’Sigh up by the bed and then left again to change out of his soiled clothing. He returned a few minutes later and found her breathing again. She moaned softly as her body healed itself. A few minutes later her eyelids fluttered open and she found Methos watching her tenderly. Amanda, Duncan and Richie were all standing behind him with champagne glasses.

       "Hi," she said weakly.

       Methos kissed her fiercely and then said in a low growl, "Don’t *ever* make me do that again!"

       "I promise," she said with a weak smile and yawned. "I think I’m the only immortal who doesn’t like the Quickening. It’s exhausting." She sighed and melted farther down into the covers. "Save some champagne for me," she whispered as her eyelids slid shut again and her breathing evened out. He watched her for a few moments and then turned to his friends. Duncan grinned at him foolishly. Amanda was inclined to cry and Richie slapped him on the back. After they left, Methos went back into her room, laid down on top of the covers beside her and fell into a deep sleep knowing that she would be there in the morning.