FicWad

Title: Incarnations of Immortality
Author: TheBear!
Crossover: XF/HL/FK
Pairings: M/S N/N T/V
161,428 words
15-Apr-02

Disclaimer—I don’t own any of it.

=====

Chapter 9

Nick’s Loft

10:20 p.m. Wednesday December 13th

Scully stood in the shower with Mulder, washing the blood off of both of their bodies. Mulder looked like the victim in a slasher film. Scully looked like that scene in Carrie. When she had seen herself in the mirror she had almost fainted. “Can Vampires faint?” she wondered. “They have almost no blood pressure as it is, not to mention…” She broke her own train of thought. ‘They.’ Vampires weren’t a ‘they’ anymore. “We.” She thought. “Better get used to it.”

“I love you, Scully. No matter what. Vampire, werewolf, zombie, whatever. It wouldn’t change the way I feel about you.” Mulder said. “Well, maybe not as a zombie…” he joked

Scully blinked at that for a moment. “What was that, Mulder?” she asked.

“You were getting that ‘I’m a freak’ look.” Mulder was emotionally exhausted by the events of the evening, and his heart was on his sleeve. “Please don’t ever think it matters to me Scully. I love you so much it hurts. I really can’t even fathom existence without you. Especially immortal existence.” His voice dropped to a whisper as every last insecurity he’d ever had ran gibbering through his mind simultaneously, “please don’t leave me. please”

As hard a day as she’d had, she knew it had been no picnic for Mulder either. She was worried about losing him, and she had allowed that feeling to make her mentally push him away. “Enough, Dammit!” she shouted. “I’m a blood-sucking vampire, and you’re a head-hunting immortal. I refuse to allow little things like that to come between us anymore!”

Mulder, at first stunned at her outburst, began laughing hysterically. He wrapped his blood-sucking girlfriend in his arms and laid into her lips with a searing kiss, not coming up for air until he began to feel light headed.

Scully smiled impishly and said, “I don’t need to breathe anymore Mulder.”

Mulder waggled his eyebrows and said, “That could come in very handy,” while pressing his erection into her stomach.

Scully lost her smile for a moment and said, “I’m not sure we should, Mulder. Nick said it could be difficult for me to stop once I started.”

Mulder’s smile grew large, “I’m OK with that,” he said.

Scully rolled her eyes, “I meant drinking from you, Mulder. Apparently I have to bite to… you know.”

“Actually, no. I don’t know. You have to bite me to… what?” Mulder said with a smirk.

“Arggh!” she thought. Mulder could be so exasperating. “To Cum, Mulder. Ok? I meant that I would have trouble stopping drinking from you because I have to bite you to cum.”

“I meant it too, Scully. I’m OK with that. Drain me. Let me be in you as long as possible, be one with you until the last drop.” Mulder said sincerely.

“Mulder!” Scully said, shocked.

“I’ll just come right back, Scully. Remember? I’m immortal.”

“Oh yeah,” Scully said, sheepishly. “I forgot. It’s going to take a while to get used to that.” Then she smiled and levitated up for another kiss. “Oh yeah! This is going to require some serious exploration,” she said.

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

The Raven

11:00 p.m. Wednesday

MacLeod was bored. “Methos, we’ve been sitting here for 2 hours…”

“Hour and a half, tops.” Methos replied

“My point, Methos, is that in the space of that time, we have yet to see your mystery ‘not mortal’ anywhere.” MacLeod said with a smirk.

“Well, perhaps you’ve forgotten, Hmm? Airport, Crushed rib cage? Aren’t you even curious?” Methos shook his head. “In my entire life I have never actually met or seen one. I always thought they were a myth. Hell, I still kind of think that they’re a myth.”

“Don’t you think if there really were such thing you would have seen them before. I mean, you have been around the block a few… thousand… times.” MacLeod said.

“Did you notice anything strange about that young man tonight? Before the obvious, I mean.” Methos said.

“Not really.” MacLeod thought for a moment. “He was awfully pale… I thought it was the sword at his throat. I guess it wasn’t.”

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

The Caddie

Natalie and Tracy were still sitting in Nick’s caddie, waiting for word on Mulder and Scully. They had been discussing the ultimatum regarding Tracy’s future.

“I think I am in love with Vachon.” Tracy said, suddenly; as if the words had been building up and she could no longer contain them. She seemed almost as surprised by it as Natalie was.

“Did you just figure that out, Tracy? The rest of us already knew that.” Natalie said with a chuckle.

Tracy was a little indignant at Natalie’s amusement. “Oh, you mean like you and Nick?” she said; waiting for Natalie’s ‘just friends’ protest.

Natalie smiled at that, knowing what Tracy was probably expecting. “Yes Tracy. Exactly like Nick and I.” she laughed again. “Remember when I told you it was complicated?” Natalie asked, seeing Tracy’s jaw drop.

Tracy still couldn’t speak, she just nodded her head.

“Well, it recently got uncomplicated,” Natalie smiled widely and glanced at the ring she was wearing.

Tracy’s eyes followed Natalie’s glance and she noticed for the first time tonight the ring on Natalie’s finger. “Oh My God!” she squealed. “When… How… Does this mean you’re coming across?”

Natalie’s smile grew impossibly larger. “Yes. Soon!” she breathed, excited and aroused at the thought.

Tracy noticed Natalie’s arousal and giggled a little, “I take it, then, that the dry spell has ended?” she asked.

Natalie blushed furiously, “Oh yeah, Big time!”

Tracy sighed, “Vachon and I haven’t…”

Natalie sobered a bit, “It is dangerous Tracy. Seriously. We didn’t until we had decided that I was definitely coming across. Every time could be the last. You should be aware of that,” Natalie said seriously.

“It would appear that that is inevitable, anyway,” Tracy said.

“How do you feel about that?” Natalie asked.

“I think I was leaning in that direction anyway. I love him. I’m pretty sure he loves me. I want to be with him, and this is the only way to do it.” There was no need to explain who ‘him’ was. “I just think it sucks that the choice has been made for me! I was no threat to The Community!” Tracy said, offended at the thought.

Natalie sympathized. “How would I feel if I had known there was no choice before I chose to do it?” she wondered. She suspected that the answer was ‘pretty pissed off’.

The phone interrupted their introspection. It was Nick. He explained to Natalie for several minutes about the events at the warehouse, and told her that he and Vachon were on the way.

“Ok Nick. We are sitting in the caddie in the back alley.” Natalie said.

“We’ll be there in a couple minutes. I love you Natalie.” Nick said.

Natalie’s radiant smile lit up the interior of the car, “I love you too, Nick,” she replied.

“What happened!?” Tracy asked.

“Dana found Mulder.”

“Oh God, is he alright?” Tracy asked.

“There were about a dozen men, they killed Mulder.” Natalie said, still digesting the fantastic story.

Tracy let out a strangled cry, “Oh no, poor Dana. What did she do?”

“Oh no, Mulder’s ok.” Natalie reassured Tracy.

“What? I thought you said…”

Natalie explained about immortals.

“Mulder’s Immortal?” Tracy was beside herself, “Why didn’t he tell us!?”

“Apparently, he didn’t know. I guess it doesn’t kick in until they die the first time.” Natalie said in wonder. “Hell of a coincidence…” she thought.

“It takes a little bit though, right?” Tracy said, remembering Mulder and Nick’s encounter on the roof. “I bet Dana was beside herself.”

“Uh, yeah. Nick said she kinda lost it for a minute…” Natalie trailer off.

“Lost it how?” Tracy asked.

“Nick didn’t really go into it, but he said he was going to have to clean up, so I don’t think we will be having to worry about the men who took Mulder anymore.” Natalie said.

“Oh,” Tracy whispered, the implication sinking in.

“Yeah,” Natalie replied, pondering the implications as well.

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

The Raven

LaCroix digested the news Nicolas gave him for a moment. “Immortals. How very interesting.”

“Vachon and I are on the way, father,” Nick said. “I had a check done on the apartment. The name of your ‘old’ adversary is Adam Pierson- at least that is what he is using presently.”

“I will call Aristotle and have him see what else he can discover.” LaCroix said. “Why don’t you and your partner approach conventionally, while Natalie and the Spaniard wait in my office,” he suggested.

“As you wish. Would you like to speak with him at all?” Nick asked.

“We shall see.” LaCroix responded, swiveling his chair back to the monitors and watching his two guests. “This may prove to be an entertaining diversion,” he thought to himself.

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

Nick and Vachon landed on either side of the caddie. They smiled at each other as they knocked on the windows, knowing the reaction they were going to get. They were not disappointed.

Natalie and Tracy looked at each other after screaming, annoyed with the antics of their men. “I hate it when he does that,” they said simultaneously.

Nick opened the door on his side of the caddie and swept Natalie out and into his embrace. He kissed her thoroughly and then said, “Forgive me?”

Natalie laughed, “Maybe. Maybe not. I may need more encouragement.”

Nick moved his lips close to Natalie’s ear and softly whispered, “I think I can arrange that.” He then sucked her earlobe into his mouth and gently scraped it with one of his fangs, causing her to shiver with delight.

“Hey you two, get a room!” Tracy said with mock severity as she rose up out of the car.

Vachon grasped her hand and laid a single kiss on her palm. “Querida, you and I must speak before this night is over.”

Tracy shivered a little herself. “How about now?”

“You and I have a couple of immortals to speak to, partner” Nick interrupted.

“Oh. Yeah. Them. Well, lets get to it then, partner,” Tracy said, obviously distracted.

“Nat, you and Vachon should go in and head for LaCroix’s office. We are going to approach them in our ‘official’ capacity. Depending on how far LaCroix wants to play this, we might even see if they could identify our decapitation victim.” Nick said.

Natalie was worried about one issue that had nothing to do with immortals, at least not that kind of immortal, “Uh, Nick- what about…” she said, holding up her left hand and wiggling her ring finger. “What is LaCroix going to say?”

Nick smiled. “I don’t know exactly what he will say, but he knows me. He knows that if I were going to bring you across, I would want you to be mine; forever. I don’t know that he would approve of the institution, but I think he approves of you, especially you coming across. He isn’t going to be surprised, and he isn’t going to be angry. So, don’t worry.”

“Nick! You have had 800 years to get over being intimidated by LaCroix. I get to tell a 2000 year old vampire that I am about to become his granddaughter and daughter-in-law. I’m stealing away his favorite son, and he doesn’t really like me anyway!”

Tracy snickered and said, “So what’s wrong? Sounds like a perfectly normal trailer park wedding to me.”

“Ok, Tracy. You’re not helping here,” Natalie said, exasperated.

“Natalie, don’t worry. LaCroix doesn’t bi…” Nick began.

Tracy and Vachon began laughing as Natalie waggled her finger in Nick’s face, “Don’t you dare!”

“Besides,” Nick added, “he didn’t even mention it last night, did he?”

“Last night I slipped it off and into my pocked as we went into his office,” she answered.

“It will be ok. I promise.” Nick said, laughing himself.

“It had better be…” Natalie warned.

“Come on Natalie. Let’s go in first,” Vachon said. Turning to Tracy he said, “Don’t be all night.”

With that, Natalie and Vachon walked in through the alley exit.

Nick and Tracy walked around to the front.

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

Natalie and Vachon had to walk within 10 feet of Mac and Methos on their way to the office. They pretended to ignore them as they passed, but noticed that conversation stopped as they passed.

MacLeod and Methos’ eyes followed the pair as they went by, and stayed on them all of the way to the office door. They observed them stop, knock and after a moment enter the office. During the brief moment when the door was open enough to see the occupant of the office Methos recognized the Roman General.

Waiting until the door closed, Methos said, “Did you see him MacLeod?”

“Those two?” he asked

“No, well yes, them as well, but I meant the man in the office.” Methos clarified.

“What about him?”

“That was the bloody Roman I told you about.” Methos said.

“Ah. Did you feel what I felt when those…” MacLeod began.

“Yes. One of them any way.” Methos returned his gaze to his young friend. “You didn’t really have anything better to do anyway, did you?”

MacLeod looked sourly at his old friend and sighed heavily. “What are you going to do about the Roman?”

“He looked right at me. Smiling.” Methos said, warily.

“So he smiled at you.” MacLeod chuckled. “Maybe he’s reminiscing.”

“Very funny.” Methos replied.

“Uh oh, what have you done now?” MacLeod asked, noticing two official looking individuals approaching them.

Methos turned toward the front doors and saw a tall, slender blond woman and a medium height medium build blond man approaching them. Both wore matching styled trench coats- hers gray, his black. “No quickening. They look like cops,” he commented.

Nick suppressed a smile when he heard the shorter one’s comments. “Gotta love that vampiricly enhanced auditory acuity,” he thought, remembering seeing Natalie write that in her journal when she was trying to develop a cure for him. “What a long way we have come since then,” he mused.

“Adam Pierson?” Tracy asked. At the blank stare she received, she withdrew her badge and credentials and stated “I’m Detective Vetter. This is Detective Knight. We are with Toronto Metro Homicide. Are you Adam Pierson?”

Methos looked at MacLeod for half a beat and then back at the Detectives. “That’s me. Is there a problem?”

“Would you mind if we went someplace a bit quieter? We would like to ask you a few questions, if you don’t mind,” Nick said.

Methos and MacLeod looked at each other, as if seeking one another’s advice. MacLeod shrugged and Methos nodded. “Certainly, detectives. Lead the way.”

To Methos surprise, the detective led them not out the door, but into a back room which was unoccupied and slightly insulated from the music blaring in the main club. Detective Vetter trailed the group.

Nick gestured to a table and indicated that the two immortals should sit. As they did, he began his questions. “What can you tell me about a swordfight that took place Saturday night behind an office building next to the Victoria Café?”

Methos very briefly showed surprise before schooling his features and saying, “A sword-fight? Surely not in this day and age?”

Nick continued, “Yes, a sword-fight. What can you tell me about it?”

“Nothing, detective. I didn’t even arrive in town until Sunday.” Methos said.

Nick decided that there was really no reason to adhere to rules of evidence, as this interview would never be documented in a report. “I didn’t ask you when you arrived, Mr. Pierson, I asked you what you could tell me about the sword-fight that happened on Saturday night.”

“I told you, Detective. Nothing. I can tell you nothing about a sword-fight on Saturday night.”

Nick pulled out a picture of the victim and laid it out on the table. He could hear Pierson’s heart speed up significantly. He captured that beat and spoke hypnotically, “What is his name?”

Methos was caught in the Mesmer for just long enough to mutter “Scott Santeramo.” Then he caught himself- “He looks almost exactly like someone I used to know,” Methos said. “What the hell was that?!” he thought furiously at himself.

Nick got the feeling that Pierson and Santeramo were friends. He decided to play on that. “I saw him. I got there just in time to watch him die. I saw the man who cut off his head.” When Nick heard Pierson’s heart begin to pound he caught it again and tried to mesmerize him once again, saying, “What was his name? Who killed Scott?”

“Froag. That son of…” Methos once again caught himself spilling the details that he must not share. “What is happening to me?!” he screamed at himself.

Nick sensed Pierson tense, and changed tactics. “Were you aware that your apartment was broken into tonight, Mr. Pierson?”

“What?” Methos asked, disoriented.

“The man who broke in was struck by a car, right on the sidewalk outside your apartment as he exited.” Nick paused for a moment and then, “The men who ran him down then got out and put wrist and ankle restraints on him and loaded him into the trunk.” He cocked his head at Pierson and asked, “Why would they do that, Mr. Pierson?”

“I have no…” Methos began.

“They were waiting for you Mr. Pierson. You were their target.”

“No, I…” he began.

“They took him to a warehouse and gave him to a group of men. He was nearly dead already, and certainly would have bled to death, but they left him in the restraints and took the time to shoot him. Why would they do that?”

“How the hell should I know? I was here all night!” Methos nearly shouted.

Tracy was admiring the way Nick was playing this guy. If this had been a real interrogation, this would have been her time to jump in, “Well, why not?” she thought.

“Mr. Pierson, no one is accusing you of anything. We are trying to solve a murder, and it is apparent that you have information we need.” Tracy said.

“Look I really can’t help you…” Methos began.

“We are willing to overlook the concealed weapons charges against both of you if you will cooperate with us.” Nick said, interrupting him again.

“What?!” Methos said, his train of thought once again derailed.

“Your swords, Mr. Pierson. The ones you have sewn into your coats.” Nick said, smiling.

Methos and MacLeod both swiftly glanced at both detectives’ wrists, and then at each other.

Nick caught the glance and remembered the tattoos that the watchers had sported on their wrists. “No, Mr. Pierson. We aren’t here to watch you. Although I think there is a group of such individuals in a warehouse over on Gateway lane.

Both Methos and MacLeod visibly paled at Nick’s not-so-subtle emphasis on the word ‘watch’. Neither said anything.

“Come now gentlemen.” Tracy said. “Not all of us can afford to sit here forever”

MacLeod spoke for the first time, “Who the hell are you people?”

Nick laughed, “Isn’t that supposed to be our line?” He shook his head, “We are Toronto Homicide detectives, just as we said we were.”

“If you know what you’re talking about, then you have to know that you can’t take this case to court. Let us handle it. Your killer will not cause any further problems.” MacLeod said.

“What is his name?” Nick pressed. “For that matter, what is yours?”

“I am Duncan MacLeod. The man we are looking for is called Phineas Froag, believe it or not. And trust me when I tell you that you cannot handle him alone.”

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

LaCroix laughed at that. He, Vachon and Natalie had been observing and listening to the interrogation.

Natalie wondered aloud if all immortals were resistors.

LaCroix asked, “Why do you say that?”

Natalie was momentarily startled. She hadn’t realized that she had spoken out loud. “Unh, well… I mean Mulder was a resistor too, and now this Pierson seems to be. I just wondered if it was maybe normal for them.”

LaCroix thought for a moment. “Resistors are usually those with very strong minds- a very strong sense of self. I imagine that even if not all immortals are resistors, those who are very old would probably be.”

Vachon asked, “Do you think they get stronger with age?”

“Certainly not on our level at least. After all, this Pierson fellow is as old as I am, or older, and Carter was able to take both of them out quite easily.” LaCroix shook his head. “In any case, I was not thinking of them becoming more powerful with age, but rather that only those with very strong minds could survive as long as this one has. Even among our kind, few are strong enough to last longer than a century or two before dying or going mad.”

LaCroix had been noticing that Natalie had kept Vachon between her and himself since entering. She also refused to meet his gaze, and kept her hands in her lap, out of his sight. Her heart rate increased markedly whenever he spoke or looked at her and her breathing was shallow and rapid. Clearly she was very nervous. Nervous about him. “Natalie. Child, look at me.”

Natalie almost gasped. Her heart was in her throat and she thought, “Oh, God! Here we go.” She gulped and looked into the face of the master vampire.

LaCroix turned to Vachon, “Go out and join our friends. Natalie and I will be along presently.”

Vachon merely nodded and left the office, happy to be out of this discussion.

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

Nick’s Loft

12:30 a.m. Thursday

Scully and Mulder had stayed in the shower, making out, until the water turned cold. Mulder thought the art of making out didn’t receive the respect that it should. The anticipation of what was going to come next had both of them panting, even if Scully didn’t need to breathe.

They gently toweled one another off and Scully said, “Nick said that I could use the guest bedroom.”

“Nick’s a great guy.” Mulder responded. “Where is it?”

“Right this way,” Scully said, grabbing Mulder’s hand and fairly dragging him behind her.

Mulder only held back at all because he really liked the view he got following a naked, excited Scully. He noticed that the wetness between her thighs was red. Concerned, he asked, “Scully? Are you alright?”

They were almost to the bedroom door when she heard his question. Sensing the concern in his voice, she turned around, “I’m fine, Mulder, why?”

“I just noticed that you…” he trailed off, gesturing toward the blood smeared between her thighs.

Scully looked down and was suddenly embarrassed. “Oh, uh… I kinda forgot to mention that…”

“What, Scully? Are you Ok?”

“Yeah, really I’m just fine, Mulder. Uh… Well… It seems that blood is the only body fluid that vampires have,” she continued quietly.

“Oh.” Mulder said. He could see that this embarrassed her. He didn’t mind at all, but had been concerned that she might be injured. “I don’t mind Scully, really! I just thought you might be hurt.” He could see that she was still uncomfortable and decided that actions would speak louder than words.

Scully was momentarily surprised when Mulder swept her up in his arms and carried her through the door. He threw her onto the bed and immediately kneeled between her legs. Throwing one leg over each shoulder he dove into her with his mouth and tongue. Any concern she might have had about Mulder being turned off by her new condition was erased by the waves of pleasure that poured over her.

Mulder was not at all put off by the taste of Scully. Slightly metallic, the blood quickly became his new favorite flavor. The sounds, the little moans and gasps she made, they were all the encouragement he needed. Soon she was crying his name out and when he looked up he saw that she had changed. Her eyes were blood red and her fangs were fully extended. She seemed on the edge of orgasm, but would not tip over.

“Mulder! Oh, Mulder! I need… I need to…” Scully shouted.

Mulder suddenly remembered that she would need to bite him to cum. He stuck his hand toward her, offering his wrist. She grabbed his hand and bit into his wrist, sucking strongly.

The link between the two was re-established and the love and concern they felt for one another rolled into her orgasm. Mulder felt her tip over the edge and felt himself follow her.

After a few swallows she released him, momentarily spent. He was spent as well, and somewhat embarrassed to have cum so prematurely. “Apparently the link works both ways,” he said.

She chuckled at his discomfiture. I’m sure you will be able to make a comeback, Mulder.

Mulder crawled up onto the bed next to her and took her in his arms. “I love you so much, Scully,” he whispered into her ear, kissing the lobe and the area of her neck below it.

Mulder’s lips on her neck were like an instant injection of fire throughout her body. She was suddenly ready for round two in a big way.

Mulder noticed the instant arousal and thought to himself, “Ok, the neck is apparently vampire erogenous zone number one.” he was about to be disappointed that he couldn’t respond as rapidly as he would have liked to, when he noticed that he too was suddenly and overwhelming ready for the second round.

Scully felt Mulder’s raging erection pressing into her side and laughed. “Ahh, the unspoken benefits of immortality, revealed!”

Mulder captured her mouth in a searing kiss and then said, “I think I just figured out what we are going to do with the next century, or ten.”

Scully smiled at him and decided to test his newfound stamina and show off her own apparently infinite ability to hold her breath.

Thirty minutes and three orgasms later, during which Scully had kept him in her mouth the entire time, Mulder decided that he now knew what heaven must be like. His recovery time was measured in seconds, not minutes. “This is definitely worth getting run over and shot!” he said after screaming out Scully’s name for the third time.

Scully had waited long enough. She continued her oral assault until she felt him harden in her throat once again, then she pulled away from him and crawled up his body, dragging every inch of herself across his erect member as she went. She captured his mouth in a searing kiss and then impaled her self on him. She rode slowly at first and then built up speed until she was pounding him down into the mattress like a jackhammer. His hands on her breasts were tentative at first until she guided him with her own hands on his. Soft and sweet would come soon enough. This session was to be strong, hard and fast. Soon he was torturing her nipples, squeezing and pulling, rolling them between his finger and thumb. He screamed out her name until his voice was raw, trying to restrain himself until she reached the point of no return.

Finally she had built up the pleasure in herself until she thought she would go insane with need. Mulder arched his head back, baring his neck, instinctively knowing what she needed. She could resist no longer. She plunged her fangs into his throat and drank the hot rush of blood in huge gulps. Through the link she felt his encouragement and this time she didn’t stop. She felt Mulder release inside of her both physically and through the link. Her own orgasm rolled through them both. She felt his love and adoration pouring out for her in his blood. She felt his need so strongly that it made her cry, even as she drank.

Mulder’s last thoughts as he died were filled with the incredible, absolute love he felt from Scully. Love for him alone. “I am going to really really really enjoy living forever,” he thought as his consciousness faded away.

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

The Raven

1 a.m. Thursday

Nat and LaCroix sat silently in his office for a bit. “I thought we had an understanding, Natalie,” LaCroix said. “Why are you so unnerved by my presence?”

Natalie couldn’t get her vocal cords to cooperate with her, so she just lifted her hands out of her lap and presented her left hand to him, palm down.

LaCroix saw the ring and immediately understood its significance. “Ahh, I see.” he shook his head, “Nicolas is an impetuous child. He knows that marriage ceremonies are not generally practiced among our kind. Yet Nicolas is not one to conform to the mores of our society.” He caught Natalie’s gaze and continued, “Did you think that I would be angry with you, child?”

“No… Yes… I don’t know…” She sighed heavily. “I guess that I was just worried that you might think I was trying to take him away from you.” she said in a descending voice, ending in a whisper. “I’m not, you know.”

LaCroix considered her for a moment. “While the institution of marriage is not commonly accepted in The Community, we do recognize mates when we see them. You must realize Natalie that monogamy has a different meaning among us. The bloodkiss is the height of intimacy among our kind, but it is not seen in the same way as physical sex. Bloodkiss is shared among males and females alike with no thought to gender. You and Nicolas may remain monogamous, sexually, but I will still expect you to share him with me in the bloodkiss. You will find that, sharing the bloodkiss is quite common, especially between master and childé.”

“You’re telling me that I shouldn’t be jealous of Dana.” Natalie responded.

LaCroix nodded his head. “But not only Dana,” LaCroix said. “Nicolas has more than one childé, you know.”

Natalie remained in denial for a moment, “He hasn’t seen Serena in years, and they were hardly close then.” she said.

LaCroix merely smiled and waited.

The thought struck her suddenly. She knew he had brought her back across, but she still thought of Janette as his sister/ex-lover. “I guess I still think of her as your childé.” she said with a sigh.

“As do I child. However, we must both face the fact that she is not. Nicolas is Janette’s master now.” LaCroix said.

“If she will ever forgive him,” Natalie added.

“Oh she will… eventually.”

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

Methos was confused and a little angry. Something about this policeman was getting to him. He knew far too much and seemed able to make him say things he didn’t want to say. In 5000 years he didn’t remember ever encountering someone quite like this. He seemed to have presence like an immortal, but there was no quickening at all, not even what he would expect to feel from a pre-immortal.

Speaking of which, he felt MacLeod nudge him and indicate the approaching figure with his chin. It was the longhaired man that had gone into the office where the roman was. This time he didn’t feel anything at all.

“Excuse us for a moment,” Nick said as he and Tracy stood up and walked several feet away to speak with Vachon.

Mac leaned in close to Methos and whispered, “I don’t feel it; do you?”

“No. It must have been the woman.” Methos whispered back.

Vachon had just told him that LaCroix and Natalie were going to be joining them when he heard the whispered exchange behind him. Unthinkingly he whipped around and returned to the table in the blink of an eye. “What?! What about her, what did you feel?” He exerted every ounce of power he had, enthralling Pierson beyond even his ability to break lose.

The speed and ferocity of the Detective’s approach stunned MacLeod. “He’s just like the guy in the airport,” was the first thought to pop into his head. It wasn’t a quickening, but he could feel the tendrils of power emanating from this creature like a heavy fog of electricity sizzling his skin. He was about to go for his sword when he discovered that the longhaired man was holding him from behind. “Damn, I didn’t even see him move,” he thought. He struggled briefly, but it was as if he was held in place by iron bands. He couldn’t move at all. He heard a whisper in his ear.

“Relax. We have no intention of hurting you.” Vachon said.

“Yeah? Well you have a bloody funny way of showing it.” MacLeod responded.

Suddenly another voice startled them all.

“If we had wanted you harmed, Mr. MacLeod, you would be harmed already.” LaCroix looked at his son, “Nicolas, I think you might have to relax your hold slightly. I do not think that he is able speak at the moment.”

Everyone turned to look at the Man and Woman standing at the entrance to the room they were in. MacLeod felt once again the gentle wash of energy that was the quickening of a pre-immortal; so much quieter and more subtle than the real thing.

Methos shook off the cobwebs of his mind, released when Nicolas turned to look at the newcomers. He was angry. He had been absolutely at this man’s mercy. If Knight had drawn a sword Methos would have been unable to do more than watch as the blade swung at his neck and took his head. “Not a pleasant feeling!” he thought. Then he saw him. He still felt nothing, “Wait a minute, what’s…” he began thinking. Then he saw the woman from earlier and realized that the feeling he had was from her.

“Well… You look different. Cleaner.” LaCroix jibed. “Short hair works for you, I think.”

Methos resigned himself to the encounter. He drew himself upright and looked around somewhat theatrically. “What, no cross? I won’t know how to act,” he quipped.

LaCroix smiled at this man’s bravado. “I suppose something could be arranged if you wish.”

“Quite alright, young man. I think we can do without.”

LaCroix raised a brow at being described as a young man.

Nick became slightly impatient and repeated his question. “What did you mean about her?” he said gesturing at Natalie.

Methos refused to meet Knight’s gaze.

“I don’t need to see your eyes Pierson, it just makes it easier.” Nick said.

MacLeod jumped in, “What do you know about us?”

“We know what the watchers knew.” Nick answered, as he gestured for Vachon to let him go.

“She is like us,” MacLeod said.

“She will be, anyway. Someday,” Methos said.

Tracy asked, “How do you know?”

Nick turned to Natalie, “Mulder didn’t know he was immortal,” He turned back to Pierson and MacLeod, “How can you tell?”

“We can feel each other,” Methos began, still not sure exactly what they knew and didn’t know.

“Yes, the quickening- the lightning I saw after the beheading, but… you can feel that even before the first death?”

“We can feel the potential quickening. It isn’t as strong, and we need to be closer, say 3 or 4 meters, compared to about 30 meters for the real deal,” Methos said.

Natalie was floored by the news. She looked at Nick, “But what about…”

“I don’t know. We will find out soon.” Nick said, walking over to wrap his arms around her.

MacLeod looked at the collection of people around him and voiced the question that was on his mind, and he assumed Methos’ as well, “Look, I don’t mean to be rude, but are you all vampires?”

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

Nick’s Loft

1:30 a.m. Thursday

Mulder and Scully had just finished cleaning up, again, and Mulder was drinking heavily- Gatorade.

Scully was feeling somewhat guilty, “I’m really sorry, Mulder” she said.

Mulder finished a half-gallon container of Fierce Lime and turned to Scully, “I’m not.” He walked over to her and wrapped her in a tight embrace. “I would be more than willing to wake up thirsty every day for the rest of my life in return for what you gave me tonight.”

Scully gave him a smile that lit up the room. “You’re a hopeless romantic, Mulder.” Scully’s smile dimmed as she thought of something. It’s Thursday, Mulder. We’re supposed to fly back to Washington tomorrow.” She had a brief moment of panic. “What are we going to do?”

“I don’t think we should make any decisions immediately, Scully. I’ll call Skinner and arrange time off. We can talk to Nick and see what he thinks. Maybe we will even talk to these immortals, if they turn out ok. We could at least see how things work for them.” Mulder said as he looked down at the woman in his arms.

Scully looked up into Mulder’s eyes and saw concern. Suddenly he looked down at her and a look of wonder crossed his features. “What?” she asked.

“I was just thinking about what you were saying, how we handle Skinner, the FBI, going back; how do we integrate our new situations into our old.” His smile got wider, “Then I remembered how difficult it was, going to work with you every day. I was so in love with you, and so afraid of loosing you. Loosing you to the job, loosing you because I would give myself away and you wouldn’t want me. I was so desperate for you, and so full of fear,”

“Was… and now?” Scully asked.

Mulder’s smile softened an his eyes were so dilated that they were almost entirely black. “And now; you’re standing in my arms, and holding me. And, I know that you love me more than I could have ever thought possible. I’m happy Scully. Deliriously happy, and I am looking forward to being with you, not for twenty or thirty years, like I used to fantasize about, but rather twenty or thirty centuries, or more!”

Scully graced him with another of her thousand-watt smiles and his heart just melted.

“You fantasized about growing old with me?” Scully pulled his head down for a long, lingering kiss. She broke the kiss and hugged herself tight to his chest. “That’s so sweet Mulder!”

He laughed. “Well, that wasn’t the only fantasy I had about you Scully.” He leered at her lecherously.

“Well,” she chuckled, “Tell me the rest later, were going to be late to the Raven as it is.”

“Ah, we mustn’t disappoint your master.” Mulder said dryly.

Scully was immediately worried, “Mulder, please tell me you aren’t jealous of Nick.” Scully searched his face for signs of anger. “I need him to train me and get me used to this life, not to mention the fact that I owe him my life.”

Mulder felt bad about teasing her, “Scully, I was only kidding. I don’t understand this thing with you and Nick, but I know it is important to you. And, I know that you love me, not him.”

Scully felt a little relief, but wasn’t fully reassured. “Mulder, you’re right. You don’t understand, and I need you to understand. Our lives do depend on my standing in the vampire community, unfair as that is. The enforcers would have demanded that you either be brought across, or die. Since the former is impossible, we will need his and LaCroix’s protection to keep the later from happening.”

“How do you know that, Scully?” Mulder asked.

“Let me show you Mulder.” Scully reached up and stroked his neck, seeking permission.

Mulder understood what she wanted. He would never deny her this, “Show me, Scully.”

She lifted up into the air and kissed his neck tenderly. Then she willed the change, dropping her fangs. She slowly sank her teeth into his neck, savoring the rich taste, the cardamom perfume. She knew she was only a day old, but she didn’t see herself ever tiring of this. She poured everything she had learned from Nick into the link. She knew it wasn’t as strong as the twin bloodlink she and her master shared, but she was pretty sure he would get most of it. She finished with images of the Nick of now, to counteract the images of his violent past; and finally ended with her undying love for Mulder and desperate need for him to be in her life.

She pulled away, reluctantly. She watched in fascination as tiny electrical currents played across the wound, closing it almost instantly.

Mulder thought he felt her reluctance, and then a flash of wonder.

She felt surprise, and wondered why she was surprised until she realized that it wasn’t her that was surprised. “Mulder?”

“I can still feel you, Scully. Barely, but it’s there.” He opened his eyes, which, once again, he didn’t remember shutting and looked down with love at the face of his soul mate. He laughed with pure joy at the sight.

Scully realized that she hadn’t retracted her fangs or changed her eyes back and was slightly embarrassed. Then she felt a wave of reassurance and delight from Mulder. “Oh my,” she whispered. she couldn’t sense his actual thoughts, but the emotions seemed to be coming through pretty clearly.

“Are you OK with this, Scully?” Mulder asked, suddenly concerned.

She felt his concern and responded hesitantly, “Are you?”

Mulder understood that her hesitation was for him, not her. She was worried that he would think it an invasion of his privacy because it was caused by her power. “Scully, I am one hundred percent delighted.”

She could feel the truth in his words, the delight in his heart and once again thanked God for the glorious gift that He had seen fit to give her. “I love you Mulder. More and more with each passing moment.”

“Yeah? Feel up to a short flight? Wouldn’t want your master to get anxious.” Mulder said.

This time she could tell that he was teasing. “Hold on tight!” she said, and leapt up into the air.

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

The Raven

2 a.m. Thursday

The last patron left the club, assisted by the bouncer as he could barely stand upright. He was put into a cab and sent on his way.

The only ones left in the club were Miklos, Alma, and the party in the back room.

Everyone had ignored MacLeod’s question. Nick had remembered what Froag said to Mulder when he was about to chop his head off. “That’s what he meant. He said it was small, but he would take it. He could feel Mulder’s pre-immortal quickening.” Turning back to Pierson he asked, “What would have happened if a pre-immortal were beheaded?

“I don’t know, why do you ask?” Methos asked.

Nick paused a moment, unsure of how much to reveal to this virtual stranger.

“Look, I think we’ve been more than helpful here. You come up to us, claiming to be police detectives, drag us back into this room, assault us mentally and physically, and then demand a bunch of answers from us about a subject we don’t normally discuss with anyone, and then you refuse to explain what the hell is going on!”

LaCroix was vastly amused at this man’s outburst. “Come, now. It could be worse. So far no one has been hurt here. And you did come into my club, looking for me. You even went to the trouble of flying in backup from the other side of the continent.” he said, indicating MacLeod.

MacLeod was as annoyed as Methos, “Look, how do you know so much about us? Who the hell are you people?”

“Well it’s obvious, isn’t it? We know your movements because I had Mr. Pierson followed since he appeared in my club the other night. I know where you came from because my agent saw you come off of a direct flight from Seattle Washington, we know you’re immortal because that same man crushed your rib cage earlier this evening, yet you sit here sipping scotch as we speak.” Turning to Pierson he said, “I had you crucified over 1900 years ago. The very fact that you’re here at all is a testament to your immortality. We know about immortals at all, thanks to your Mr. Froag. He attacked Nicolas and an associate of his several nights ago and returned to life twice after being shot several times and thrown off of a building.” LaCroix said. “As for who we are, you’ve already guessed that.”

“This associate is the Mulder that you mentioned?” MacLeod asked Knight, “What makes you think that he is pre-immortal?”

“Was.” Nick said.

“Oh… How did it happen?” MacLeod asked.

“Remember that group of watchers I mentioned?” Nick continued when Pierson and MacLeod nodded their heads, “They thought he was you.” he said, gesturing toward Pierson.

“Why would they think that?” Methos asked, believing he knew the answer already. “Let me guess, they saw him go into my apartment.”

Nick nodded his head. “When he came out, two men ran him down with a car, trussed him and threw him in the trunk. They took him to a warehouse where they discovered he was not immortal and shot him in the heart. Of course, he was nearly dead anyway from the car hitting him.”

“And you saw all of this?” Methos asked. “Why didn’t you stop them?”

“No. I didn’t see any of it. Vachon got there after they took off, and he followed the car.”

Just then Nick felt his daughter approaching, in flight no less! And from the emotion he could feel, he determined that she must be carrying Mulder. “Brash, impetuous childé!” he thought. She is going to wear herself out quickly, and be hungry when she gets here. “Vachon, could you ask Alma to bring us some beverages? and bring several bottles of uncut as well.”

As Mulder and Scully landed outside the door to the club, MacLeod and Methos both stood up, their hands going to their swords in their coats.

“Relax, gentlemen. It is just Mulder.” Nick reassured them.

“How do you know that?” MacLeod asked, not at all reassured.

“He is with my daughter.” Nick said.

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

When she set him down, Mulder was struck by an intense sensation, unlike anything he had ever felt before.

Scully caught part of it through her link and immediately changed. “What the hell ish that?” she lisped out through her fangs.

“I don’t know!” Mulder said. Slowly the feeling became more bearable, until it was like a hum in the back of his mind- he was aware of it, but not distracted by it.

Scully figured out that it must be the quickening that the watcher memories had referred to. “It’s the quickening, Mulder. It tells you when other immortals are near.”

“Early warning radar, huh?” he responded. “Well that’s just about the weirdest thing I’ve ever felt before. Must be Pierson and his partner.” Mulder said.

Scully felt her master reach out to her through the link. “Nick and the others are with them,” she informed Mulder. “He’s mad at me for flying you here. I’m not tired, why would he think that?” she trailed off, her eyes unfocused as she silently communicated with her master.

When her focus returned, Mulder asked, “So, he’s mad at you?”

“He thinks I overexerted myself by bringing you all the way here by air.” Scully said.

“Did you?” Mulder asked, concerned.

“No! I’m not tired at all. In fact I’m not even extremely hungry. He seemed to think I would be.” she said.

“Well, lets go in and face the music. Why do I feel like a teenager that is bringing back his date to her father past curfew?” Mulder asked her.

Scully laughed, but felt not dissimilar at all. Bracing herself she entered the Raven, Mulder in tow.

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

“Your daughter?” Methos asked. Knight didn’t look old enough to have a daughter of sufficient age to be running about by herself. He couldn’t picture vampires having children, “but what do I know?” he thought

“Yes. Her name is Dana Scully.” Nick said just as she and Mulder walked into the room, Alma in tow, carrying a tray of glasses and several bottles. “Dana, Mulder, this is Adam Pierson and Duncan MacLeod.”

Hello’s were exchanged and Methos turned back to Knight wanting to press him to continue the story.

Nick watched as Dana took a glass of the uncut blood and sipped at it. He pressed into the link they had looking for fatigue, hunger, and making sure she was in control around these mortals “Well, non-vampires, anyway” he thought. He found that she was just fine. “Are you sure you really flew yourself and Mulder all the way here?” he asked through the link.

Dana was surprised by the question. “Yes, of course I’m sure! Do you think I am lying?”

“You should be exhausted by such a trip. You’re only a day old, Dana!” he practically shouted at her through the link. “Don’t be in such a hurry to exercise your powers until you and I spend more time together on them.” he rebuked.

“Well, I feel fine. But, I will do as you say.” she responded, somewhat irked.

Methos and MacLeod watched the silent exchange with curiosity. Mulder was catching all Scully’s emotions, as well as some of Nick’s. The others watched in varying degrees of amusement.

Nick realized everyone was watching him. “Well,” he said turning back to Methos and MacLeod, “as I was saying, these watchers had Mulder chained up in the trunk, Vachon had followed them to a warehouse not far from where I live. By chance Dana and I were outside and she saw Vachon. She went to the warehouse and got there in time to see them shoot Mulder.”

MacLeod and Methos noticed that Dana had her head down, observing her hands while Mulder had one arm wrapped around her and his other caressing her arm.

“Anyway,” Nick continued, “When Mulder came back we knew he was like the man we had fought on the rooftop. Your Phineas Froag.”

Mulder choked a bit at the name, “Phineas Froag? What the hell kind of name is that?” he asked.

“South African.” Methos mumbled.

MacLeod still didn’t think things added up, “That doesn’t explain how you knew about watchers, quickening, and the game.”

LaCroix smiled widely and commented, “Actually, as I understand it, my Granddaughter extracted that information,” he said, indicating Dana.

MacLeod asked, “How exactly do you mean that? Your granddaughter; can vampires have children?”

“Nicolas is my Childé. Dana is Nicolas’ Childé, my granddaughter.” LaCroix answered.

“Well, that’s as clear as mud.” MacLeod said.

“Nick made me a vampire.” Scully said. “He’s my maker.”

The two immortals absorbed that information for a moment.

“How did you persuade the hunters to tell you about us?” Methos asked her. “And what did you do with them?”

Scully dropped her head into her hands. She was embarrassed. She was annoyed with herself for being embarrassed. “I viciously killed a dozen men, and I’m embarrassed!” she thought.

LaCroix was proud of his granddaughter’s instincts and abilities, “One day old, and she has both power and control. She may have been made by chance, but she was a worthy addition to his family. Far better than that whelp Serena, whom Nicolas had made through a foolish misunderstanding,” he thought. If Natalie had even half of Dana’s potential, his family would be one of the most potent in The Community. “Yes, Dana,” he said aloud. “Tell us what happened, I have only heard third-hand accounts.”

It may have been said with humor, but she heard the command behind the banter. She looked at Nick and saw resignation on his face. “Go ahead” she heard through her link.

“I… I don’t really… I didn’t really think at the time.” She ran her hands over her face, rubbing her eyes, and then up over her head, through her hair. She decided to approach it clinically, the same way she would describe an autopsy, divorcing her feelings from the horror of the situation. “I had just landed outside the window. I saw Mulder, propped up in a chair. He was severely injured, barely alive. Then one of them, Jimson, shot him in the chest. The one who gave the order, was named Perone… Anyway, I saw them shoot Mulder and I lost it. I went through the window and…” She paused and had to take a deep breath. She felt Mulder’s reassurance through their burgeoning link. She also felt Nick’s compassion and understanding. “I… tore them up, I guess. Perone was the only one I drained. That’s how I knew about immortals, from his memories.”

MacLeod looked at this little slip of a girl before him. She was dwarfed by her lover, in whose arms she was wrapped. He had a hard time picturing her killing a dozen men with her bare hands. “You killed them all? Why didn’t they shoot you?”

Nick was himself torn between paternal pride that his childé was so powerful, and concern over her loss of control. Of course the cause in this case was completely understandable. If Natalie had been attacked so, he knew without a doubt that he would tear through a hundred men if necessary. He responded to MacLeod’s question, “They didn’t have time, Mr. MacLeod. I believe you have seen for yourself the speed at which we can move when necessary.”

LaCroix decided to change the subject, “You called me ‘young man’ Mr. Pierson. May I ask why that particular appellation?”

“Unless the legends are wrong, your kind cannot go out in the daylight. It was daylight when we last met, so I assumed that you were not yet a vampire at that time.” He waited for LaCroix’s confirming nod and continued, “That would make you, what, not quite 2000 years old?”

“Whereas you would be…” LaCroix began.

“Older. Let’s just say I was around a long while before that.”

Mulder asked, “Do we become stronger with age, like vampires?”

“No. The more quickenings we absorb, the stronger we become. Age of itself is meaningless.” Methos explained. “One can develop more skill and experience with age, but it is not automatic. MacLeod could defeat me in a fight because I have only infrequently engaged in combat. In fact, up until the last several years, I had not been in the game for over 2 centuries.”

“How old are you, Mr. MacLeod, if I might ask?” Tracy said, curious.

“I was born in 1591,” he said. “AD.” he added. Then he asked the group, “How much stronger do vampires get as they age?”

LaCroix said, “It depends on the individual, but large differences in age usually indicate large differences in strength and ability. So Nicolas, who is 8 centuries old, is much stronger than Vachon, who is not quite 5. A new fledgling is virtually powerless- quite vulnerable under most circumstances.”

“Mulder, if I might ask, How is it you became involved in this group? If you just tonight realized that you are immortal… how long have you been together?” he asked, indicating his arm around Dana.

“Scully and I work together. We’ve been partners for 7 years.” Mulder answered.

“You’re cops too? Toronto PD has a large vampire contingent, does it?” Methos asked, wryly.

Scully responded, “Actually, Mulder and I are agents of the FBI.”

Mulder added, “We came here for a conference this week.”

“But you’re Nick’s childé? so you knew…” MacLeod began.

“It’s a long story, but the short version is that I have been a vampire for,” she looked at her watch, “almost exactly 24 hours.”

Mulder added, “We only met everybody here this past week.”

“Fickle fate has brought us all together here today,” LaCroix said.

MacLeod looked at Tracy, “How long have you…”

“I’m still mortal, for now,” Tracy answered his unfinished question. “Mortals aren’t allowed to know about Vampires. Those who find out are made to forget. Those who cannot be made to forget either join or die,” she said, this time answering his unspoken question.

He turned to Natalie, “What about you? You’re mortal.”

She answered, “I was planning on coming across very soon. We will have to see what happens when we try,” she said reaching for Nick’s hand.

“Apparently those who have already gone through their first death cannot be brought across.” Nick added.

“How do you know that?” MacLeod asked.

Scully couldn’t blush anymore, but that wasn’t true of Mulder. Nick took one look at him and shouted for Alma, “Alma, could you bring Agent Mulder a glass of Orange Juice? Better make it a double.” He looked at Scully and whispered, “How much did you take?”

If she could have blushed, she would have been scarlet now. “Uh, all of it… I think.”

Mulder stepped in to defend her, “I asked her to. It was the most incredible experience of my life.” he said with a smile.

Natalie looked at the two of them, so obviously in love, and was filled with joyous anticipation for her own transformation, “Either way, we will have forever, Nick.” she said looking into his eyes for acceptance.

Nick looked back into Natalie’s eyes and answered her unspoken plea, “Either way, I will love you forever Natalie.”

“Not to intrude,” MacLeod began, “but you will need to find a mentor to train you, Mulder. You’re in the game now, whether you want to be or not. Unless you plan to spend the next thousand years on holy ground, you will have to fight to survive.”

“Holy ground?” Mulder asked.

MacLeod looked pointedly at Scully, waiting to see if she knew the answer.

“Uh… the memories are almost gone.” She said, discovering it for the first time herself. Concentrating on the fading memories she had taken from Perone, she said, “Immortals do not fight on consecrated ground.” She thought for a moment more and added, “I don’t know why not, but they don’t.” She looked at MacLeod and asked, “Why not?”

Methos answered, “We don’t really know what will happen if that rule is broken, legends say that the last time two immortals fought on holy ground was in the oracle’s cave south of Herculaneum in 79AD. No one knows if it is true, but I have yet to find an immortal that will break that rule, even those who break all of the others.”

LaCroix broke in, “Are you saying that an immortal battle on consecrated earth caused Vesuvius to erupt?!” He demanded.

“No, I’m saying it is a legend among us. That’s all.” Methos answered.

“There are rules to immortality?” Mulder asked, still thinking about Methos earlier statement.

It was MacLeod who answered, “There are a few, and adherence to them is demanded by honor, but there are as many dishonorable individuals among immortals as there are among mortals.” He paused for a moment before offering, “I would be willing to get you started until a mentor can be found, but I’m not certain that I am willing to take on a student right now.” He continued before anyone could question him, “We may need to find someone for Natalie as well, depending.”

Methos saw Mulder about to protest and added, “There are those who hunt the young because they are easy kills. Their quickening is not as strong, but they can get more of them. The good news is that those people are not very skilled, because they don’t have to be. You will need training if you want to survive.”

Tracy was slightly appalled by this attitude, “Is that what you all do? Go around hunting each other?”

“Not at all, Tracy.” MacLeod answered. “As Adam mentioned, he has not been in the game for centuries, preferring to avoid conflict and spend his time studying and doing research. I only fight when challenged, or in rare cases when I feel that an immortal is presenting a threat to my friends or community.” MacLeod chose not to elaborate on that issue. “Many of us have lives we enjoy, we exist within a segment mortal society for a decade or so and then move on before it becomes obvious that we are not aging.”

Tracy was not reassured, “But you said you were looking for this Froag person, and you didn’t sound like you were looking to sit and have a pint with him,” she pressed.

“Scott was my friend. Froag hunted him down all the way from South Africa, just because he wanted his quickening. If someone killed your friend, wouldn’t you want him or her to pay?” When he saw she was going to protest, he added, “Froag is immortal, the courts cannot dispense justice to such as him. Even if he was convicted, all he has to do is commit suicide, and he is out. I imagine it is the same in the vampire community- justice among immortals is handled by immortals.”

Tracy, having participated- indirectly- in vampire justice, could’nt say anything to that.

===== X-FILES ===== FOREVER KNIGHT ===== HIGHLANDER =====

By about 4 a.m. Methos and MacLeod could no longer hide their yawns. LaCroix suggested that they should call it a day.

Mulder looked at MacLeod and Pierson and said, “Scully and I have a couple rooms at the Plaza that we won’t be using. I’ll get our stuff packed up if you two want them. They are paid through Friday.”

“I have a place,” Methos began.

Mulder interrupted, “Yeah, I’ve seen it, remember?”

MacLeod laughed, imagining Methos’ rather spare style. “Let me guess, a bed and a chair?” at Methos’ annoyed look he continued, “I’ll take the Plaza.”

Nick said, “Natalie and I will take Dana back to the loft, you can meet us there, Mulder.”

Mulder wanted to protest, but felt Scully willing him not to, and swallowed it back down. “Ok. I won’t be long,” he said to her, sweeping her up into his arms and planting a deep kiss on her mouth, leaving her anticipating his return.

Vachon grabbed Tracy’s hand and placed a sensual kiss on her palm. “Come home with me?” he whispered to her.

Tracy shivered with anticipation; the feel of his cool lips on her hot palm were like the sensation of fire and ice. “I- I have to go back to the precinct and sign out. I’ll meet you at the church.”

Vachon leaned in close to her ear and said, “Why don’t you see if you can arrange some time off. I think you and I have some things to discuss. Depending on what you decide, you might want to think about taking a vacation.” he growled in her ear.

Tracy turned beet-red and felt a shock of electricity shoot straight out from her center to her extremities. Her fingers, toes and scalp were tingling and she was suddenly sweating. “I’ll be there as soon as I can, Javier,” she whispered back, not trusting her voice. Her decision was already made, and it only remained to be seen if Vachon felt the same for her. If this behavior was any indication, she was pretty confident that he did.

LaCroix watched Vachon and Tracy’s behavior and guessed that The Community would have another addition as early as tonight.