DCH 12
Defenders Chronicles: Highlander
By AmandaDoE
Chapter Twelve: The Watchers
Horton gazed down on the floor of his prison cell. Initially, he escaped from Duncan MacLeod and the authorities, but the IUA personnel outside his old hideout managed to catch him and take him into custody, along with the rest of the surviving Hunters.
He was currently standing trial for his crimes, but a few days ago, Horton managed to make a phone call to one of his fellow Hunters who were in hiding, planning a prison break. Someone had been able to get the skills and other things needed to break him out of prison. Now, it was only a matter of waiting.
Horton perked up as the alarms suddenly started to go off. He stood up from his seat, expecting the help that he called for. It was a good thing that he was being held in an Earth division of one of the IUA prisons because if it had been off-world, it probably would have been difficult, if not impossible, for him to break out.
The doors of his cell vanished and two men arrived. Horton nodded, showing his gratitude for his freedom.
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Jack looked up in shock to see two men free Horton from his cell, and saw the Hunters make a run for it. He hurried over to try to stop them from escaping. One of the Hunters shot Jack in the arm before they started to make a run for it. He hissed in pain, cursing in the process.
"They've escaped!" Jack announced as two agents hurried to his side, "We'll have to inform Miss Gordon about this right away!"
"We'll get to it right away," a female agent replied before asking, "but what about your gunshot?"
Jack glanced at his arm, which was starting to heal, "Don't worry. I'll manage."
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Tori was startled upon hearing the phone ring.
Duncan was dealing with issues regarding the Hunters while Tori was helping Richie and Tessa move things back into the antique store because he asked her to.
Tori picked up the phone, "Hello? Jack, slow down. Oh my god. What?! I'll let MacLeod and the others know. Okay."
She hung up, and then, Tessa walked over to the area.
"What's going on?" she asked with Richie following suit.
"The IUA called," Tori answered, "Jack said to keep an eye out when returning to Seacouver. Horton has escaped."
"Horton escaped?!" Tessa and Richie exclaimed in unison.
"Does Duncan know about this?" Tessa asked.
"I doubt it," Tori shook her head, "Jack called me and said Horton had just escaped. Chances are, MacLeod will run into him real soon."
"Should we warn him?" Richie asked.
"Allow me to do the honors," Tori answered. She dialed a few numbers, "MacLeod? Sorry, I know. I just got a call from the IUA. Horton escaped. I just want you to be careful when you're doing your work, and keep an eye out. Good luck."
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Duncan sighed upon putting his phone back in his pocket. He couldn't believe it. Not only was he dealing with figuring out information regarding the chronicle he recently found, but now, he had to deal with the Hunters again since Horton had escaped from prison.
He walked into a bookstore, hoping to find some information regarding the chronicle. After entering the store, Duncan spotted a man and proceeded to ask, "Oh, I was wondering if you could help me. I have this book..."
He noticed the man was staring at him, "Sorry. Do we know each other?"
An older man arrived at the area, "Uh, maybe I can help."
He looked at the younger man and said, "It's all right, I'll take care of this. Go ahead."
"I'm an antique dealer," Duncan told the elderly man, "I came across this book, but I can't tell much about it."
The man looked at the book, "I'm afraid it's not worth much in this condition."
"Well," Duncan replied, "I'm really just curious."
"Beautiful illustrations," the man noted, "Probably the work of the monks."
"Yeah, perhaps," Duncan replied, "Ever seen it before?"
"No," the man answered before saying, "I might be interested in buying it."
"Really?" Duncan replied, "I thought you said it wasn't worth very much."
"It's for me. I have a weakness for beautiful things."
"I'm sorry. It's not for sale."
"I'd give you a fair price."
"Ah, thanks anyway."
"Look, if you change your mind," the man proceeded to introduce himself, "I'm Joe Dawson."
"Thanks," Duncan replied before he turned to leave the bookstore. On his way out, he noticed the red laser beam shining through the front store window, seen through the sunglasses Tori created for him, "Looks like Tori's invention does come in handy, just like she does."
He then looked behind him saying, "Have a nice day."
Duncan left the store and faced the window. He held the chronicle up so the laser hit the Watcher symbol on the cover, over his shoulder. Turning around, he saw a brief glimpse of someone at someone at a second – story window across the street. Duncan crossed the street, and tried the door but he locked the door.
Moments later, he approached an alleyway as two men were running down the staircase at the back of a building.
"I'll take two," Duncan stated.
"What?" the man asked.
"Aren't you selling the case?" Duncan asked.
"No," the man answered.
"Oh, funny. I could have sworn that you were. My loss, huh?"
"Yeah, no problem."
"No, but you see, there is," Duncan stated, "See, I promised the little lady some laser surveillance gear – you know, so that she could keep an eye on the kids."
The Hunters jumped at him, and pushed him down before they took off toward the street. Duncan followed them, chasing them through the streets and alleys.
He rounded a corner and the first man punched him in the face. They fought before Duncan took him down, and the second man came at him. Duncan knocked that man down several times, but kept coming back for more.
"Stay down," Duncan ordered after knocking the man down again. He started to get back up, "Stay down, please."
The man stood back up, only for Duncan to kick him, and knock him out. Duncan looked around, and saw the briefcase sitting on the ground nearby. He opened it, and looked inside, "Ohh, does this come in pink?"
He looked at the conscious man and asked, "Who are you? Talk to me!"
Joe suddenly arrived at the area, "You'll know soon enough, Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod."
"So you know me," Duncan glanced at him.
"We know all about you," Joe told him.
Moments later, Duncan was walking with Joe, talking about the situation.
"Don't look surprised," Joe proceeded to tell the Highlander, "I probably know more about you than you know about yourself."
"Do you?" Duncan asked.
"I can tell you the time and place you became Immortal," Joe answered, "The name of your first love, but that's not important. What's important is that you care about mortals, and you don't kill for pleasure."
"How about for revenge?"
"For that, I'd have to be your enemy, and I'm not."
"Is that what you said to Darius?"
"Darius," Joe stated, "The great general who became a monk? I hope the Immortal who killed him rots in hell."
"He was killed by a mortal," Duncan pointed out.
"How do you know?" Joe asked.
"Because he was on holy ground," Duncan answered, "No Immortal would ever dare break that rule. If you knew so damned much about us, you'd know that!"
"For as long as your kind's been around," Joe explained, "we've been watching."
"No Immortal have ever discovered you?" Duncan asked.
"Ah, why would they notice another face in the crowd?" Joe proceeded to ask, "I mean, even one as extraordinary as mine?"
"And this?" Duncan asked, holding up Darius' chronicle.
"It's one of our chronicles," Joe answered, "That disappeared five hundred years ago. Somehow, Darius got it. It's, uh, it's part of a record we keep of Immortals."
"So you can hunt us?" Duncan asked.
"No, no," Joe answered, "We observe, we record, but we never interfere."
"And why not?"
"Well," Joe explained, "too much of man's history has been lost. Once you get through all life's crap, the only thing that matters is the truth. We want the truth about Immortals to survive, not a bunch of old wives' tales."
"Great rap, Dawson," Duncan retorted, "You expect me to believe that you've kept quiet about us for all these years?"
"Look," Joe replied, "if we had revealed your secret in more superstitious times, you can imagine the witch hunts."
"I don't have to imagine."
"And today," Joe added, "you'd probably end up on page three of one of those supermarket rags, next to the two headed monkey, and I'd be in a strait jacket."
"You say you refuse to interfere, but you have."
"We would have never hurt Darius," Joe insisted, "He was one of our great hopes."
"And why should I believe you?" Duncan asked.
"You've been around for four hundred years," Joe answered, "You'd feel if I were lying to you. You can always kill me, but between you and me, I hope you don't have to."
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Tori looked on as she was helping Tessa and Richie with moving stuff in the antique store, and protect them in case something were to go down.
"I want you to start with the blinds and the windows," Tessa told Richie.
"How come I got to do this stuff?" Richie asked.
"I guess you're just lucky," Tessa answered, "Go on."
Tori observed as Richie wiped the dust on the blinds, then peeked through them, and saw a man looking back, "Whoa!"
Moments later, the man was gone.
"What?" Tessa asked, confused.
Richie ran outside to see the streets were empty, "There was a guy here just a second ago. Now he's gone."
"That's odd," Tori replied.
The three hurried back inside before the movers arrived moments later.
"That's good," Richie told the movers as they were putting stuff into the building, "That's good. Just like that. Just like that. Hey, be careful with that. These things don't bounce, you know what I'm saying?"
The movers continued moving things inside the shop, and being careful with the stuff along the way.
"Good," Tori added in, "That's good."
"Yeah, thank you," Richie added, "Right through there. Perfect. Thank you very much."
"Where do you want this?" a mover asked about another object.
"What is that?" Richie looked at the object before saying, "Ah, I hate that one. Put that back in the truck."
"Richie!" Tessa and Tori objected in unison.
"Oh, I'm just kidding," Richie insisted before saying, "Well, we're, uh, just about done unloading."
"We'll set up tomorrow," Tessa told them, "It's too late to start now."
"Very good idea," Richie replied, "It's exciting, huh? Being home?"
"Yeah, I suppose," Tessa answered.
"Sure," Tori quickly added.
"What's the problem?" Richie asked.
"I don't have a real problem," Tori answered, "I'm assigned to Duncan MacLeod full time, so."
"I wish we were coming back for another reason," Tessa spoke up.
"Oh, come on," Richie glanced at the two women, "It's not like you're married to a cop, or even a superhero. I mean, there's quite a bit of stress placed on a relationship like yours, Tess. I mean, sure, you could have gone for some normal guy, you know, who comes home at the same time every night, tells you about Mrs. Goodman's bridgework and abscesses, makes you floss three times a day."
He glanced over at Tori, "I couldn't see you going down that route."
Then, he kissed her on the cheek before facing Tessa, "And something tells me that you were also not cut out for that either."
"Yeah," Tessa replied, "What was I cut out for?"
"Yeah," Tori retorted, "let us in on it."
"I don't know," Richie answered, "Maybe something more the Mel Gibson type."
Tessa laughed, "Yeah, right."
"He'll be okay," Richie assured her, "He always is."
He kissed Tessa on the cheek as well. Moments later, Tori noticed a man in a parked car down the street. Tessa noticed the same thing herself.
"Don't turn around," Tessa told Richie. He tried turning, but she tried his face to make him stop. Tori took a deep breath, believing this man was a Hunter.
Richie noticed the man before hurrying to the car, and rear ending the car the man was in. Richie jumped out of the van's drivers seat.
"Richie, what are you doing?!" Tori demanded.
"Come on," Richie told the two women, "Let's go!"
Tori sighed as Tessa drove up the convertible and Richie jumped into the back seat while Tori entered the passenger's seat.
"Let's get out of here," Richie told the women before the three drove away.
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Duncan watched as Joe typed the computer, explaining the information on his computer, "Kurgan. Now from 1453 to 1535, he was in Moscow. Then, he went to the Scottish Highlands."
The information appeared on the computer screen.
Name: Kurgan
Origin: Northern Russia
Immortality: March 20 1452
Encounters:
Stosch Basalok – 1525
Connor MacLeod – 1536
Juan Sanchez Villa Lopez Ramierez – 1601
(almost beheaded)
Aman Fasal – 1640
Sundra Kastagar – 1750
"Spent most of the 17th Century in Italy," Joe added in.
The computer screen revealed some more information:
Subject: Kurgan
Origin: Northern Russia
Immortality: March 20 1452
Quickenings:
Ivan Trosti – 1472
Juan Sanchez Villa Lopez Ramierz – 1601
Flavin Parrochi – 1663
Sundra Kastagar – 1985
Stosch B
"We had lost him until New York," Joe explained, "in 1985. Your kinsman, Connor MacLeod – he did us all a big favor when he got rid of him. Here, look at this. This shot glass...was used by a gun fighter named Okie. He got drunk when he shouldn't have and lost his head."
He picked up an Indian artifact, "Iron Horse was a medicine man for three generations. He was beheaded by a calvary officer during the massacre of his tribe."
"I know," Duncan glanced at an axe he recognized. He remembered the time he fought an immortal and the first time Tessa witnessed a Quickening, "You were there?"
"One of us were nearby," Joe explained, "All these things are from the northwest. We have many more at other locations, but you're why I'm here, MacLeod. I've been tracking you for fifteen years."
"Should I be flattered?" Duncan asked.
"We know there can only be one," Joe answered, "It could be you."
"It should have been Darius."
"Not his fate."
"Fate didn't kill him," Duncan insisted, "You did."
He grabbed Joe's arm, exposing his wrist, "One of his killers had the same tattoo."
"No, that's not possible," Joe replied.
The two men heard the store bell ring, followed by a woman giggling.
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Joe hurried out of the office and saw a man kissing his niece, "A hem! You know, you're lucky her father's the boss."
"Oh, uncle Joe," the woman replied.
"Sorry," the man apologized.
"Dad loves him," Joe's niece said happily.
"So, what brings the triumphant graduate here?" Joe asked.
"Let's not overdo it," his niece answered, "A.B.A doesn't exactly exactly secure my future."
She noticed Duncan arriving on scene, "Hello."
"Hi," Duncan greeted her.
"Ah, Lynn," Joe introduced his niece to Duncan, "this is an old friend of mine, Duncan MacLeod."
"I couldn't help but to overhear," Duncan stated, "Congratulations on your degree."
"Thanks," Lynn replied before facing Joe, "Oh, Dad is throwing me this graduation party, only he forgot to send the invitations."
"Well," Joe answered, "I'll be there."
"Great," Lynn replied, "It's cocktails at five, and can I borrow my fiance for a few hours?"
"I can't," Robert replied.
"Of course you can," Joe insisted.
"I think we have some things that we need to talk about," Robert stated.
"Nothing that can't wait."
"But..."
"You heard the man," Lynn told her fiance.
"Go on," Joe insisted, "Go on, Robert. I can handle the store."
"Come on, let's go," Lynn told her fiance, before eyeing Duncan, "He's slow, but I love him anyway."
"Come on!" Lynn pulled her fiance out of the store, "Come on!"
She managed to pull Robert out of the store.
"I hope I don't find out you had anything to do with Darius' death," Duncan told Joe before leaving himself.
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Richie, Tessa and Tori were parked under the bridge.
"Why did you do that?" Tessa asked Richie.
"Better safe than sorry," Richie answered.
"But you're not sure," Tori replied, "to be fair, neither do I."
"If I'm wrong," Richie assured them, "the insurance will cover it. If I'm right, those just might be the same guys who killed Darius."
"So, now what?" Tori asked.
"I don't know," Tessa answered, "but if they were after us, they're after him."
"Well, then we've got to go warn him," Richie said.
"How?" Tessa asked, "We don't know where he is."
"Oh, man," Richie groaned, "This is great. Just great! I mean, he's there. They're there. We're here. Nobody's anywhere!"
"You ever think about running for Congress?" Tori asked as Tessa drove off to the Bingo Hall. She tried making a phone call, but no such luck.
"What's up?" Richie asked.
"If we're not going anywhere," Tessa answered, "we might as well stay here."
"Tessa, that's ridiculous," Richie protested, "We've got to do something."
"But what?" Tori asked.
"There's nothing we can do but wait and keep trying to get Mac on the phone," Tessa answered.
"You just want to sit here?" Richie asked. Tori shrugged her shoulders.
"We can't go back to the store," Tessa answered, "They may still be there."
"All right, all right," Richie replied, "Waiting is just not my thing."
"So what else is new?" Tori retorted.
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"So, you spoke to one of them," Horton said to Joe as the two men were in the balcony, "That's never happened before."
"Well, I had to," Joe replied, "He thought I was trying to kill him."
"And what did you tell him?" Horton asked.
"That he was wrong," Joe answered.
"When MacLeod left you, he killed one of our men."
"That's impossible. He couldn't have misunderstood."
"He didn't misunderstand, Joe. He didn't care."
"We've been watching MacLeod for centuries," Joe stressed.
"People change."
With that, the two men go back inside the condo.
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Duncan looked at family photos Lynn had; one of them was with Horton, Joe and Lynn, with her wearing her cap and gown, and another was of a younger Lynn in a softball uniform with Horton next to her in coach's jacket and cap.
"It's Duncan, isn't it?" Lynn asked, catching the Highlander's attention. He turned and faced her.
"Yeah," Duncan greeted her, "Hello, Lynn. Um, I was just looking for Joe Dawson."
"I think he's out on the balcony with my dad," Lynn replied, "I'll make sure you don't get lost."
She took his arm to escort him to the party, "Come on."
"No," Duncan tried to object, "it's...uh..."
"Oh, come on," Lynn insisted, "Come on!"
They make it inside Horton's condo just as Joe and Horton have arrived inside.
"Uncle Joe," Lynn glanced at her family, "look who's here."
She noticed Duncan and Horton glaring at one another, "I thought you guys might know each other."
"I'm afraid not," Horton sort of lied before introducing himself, "James Horton. I'm delighted to meet you."
Suddenly, Duncan remembered when he nearly killed him back in Paris while he was rescuing Fitz until the IUA arrived and eventually arrested him.
"James Horton," Horton introduced himself again, "Pleased to meet you."
"Duncan MacLeod," Duncan introduced himself as he shook his hand, "I just got back from Paris."
"Oh, how nice," Horton replied, "What brings you to this part of the world?"
"I was looking for someone," Duncan stated.
"An old friend?"
"No, my old friend died...unexpectedly," Duncan answered as he thought about Darius' death, discovering his body.
"Oh, that's too bad," Horton replied, "these things can happen."
"To anyone," Duncan stated firmly. Lynn and Joe frowned at the exchange.
"Okay," Lynn spoke up, "everybody, let's get real here."
"What do you mean?" Horton asked.
"It's obvious you know each other," Lynn stated.
"You're wrong," Joe lied.
"Why don't we take a walk?" Duncan asked Horton.
"Why don't you go to hell," Horton retorted. Then Duncan lunged at him, but Lynn stopped him from fighting.
"Hey, stop it! Whoa!" Lynn shouted, "Whoa! Leave him alone, please!"
Duncan froze with his hand up, poised to strike.
"Stop it, please," Lynn insisted. Duncan stood down before she faced her father, "Daddy?"
"I'm all right," Horton assured her, "I'm all right, Lynn."
"What the hell was that all about?" Lynn asked Duncan.
"Why don't you ask your father," Duncan suggested as Joe stared at Horton incredulously.
"He won't tell me," Lynn looked at her father briefly.
"Neither will I," Duncan replied before leaving. On the way out, Duncan proceeded to make a phone call, "Tori? It's me. I found Horton. I'll give you the location. I found my apparent watcher too, who happens to be the niece to Horton's daughter. Yeah, exactly."
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Horton was standing on the balcony when there was a knock on the door. Robert entered the condo.
"Mr. Horton?" Robert called out.
"I'm on the balcony," Horton replied, "Come on out."
Robert complied, "How was the party?"
"Fine," Horton answered, "Lynn's sleeping. She was anxious when you didn't come."
"MacLeod put one of our guys in the hospital," Robert stated, "then I lost him."
"Oh, don't worry about it, Robert," Horton replied.
"Maybe he left the city."
"He was here, tonight," Horton insisted, "He's come to destroy us, and he won't stop unless we stop him."
"What if we're wrong?" Robert asked.
"What do you mean wrong?"
"Maybe they're not all bad."
"It doesn't matter if they're good or evil, Robert," Horton insisted, "They're here to dominate us. They will fight for the right to rule us, and one day, that's what they'll do."
"That's not what Joe thinks," Robert interjected.
"Joe...is a hopeless romantic," Horton stated, "MacLeod has killed people."
"Well maybe he had to," Robert argued, "He could have killed me. He didn't. I think...He said it didn't have to be like this."
"This is the way it is."
"For you. Not for me. I'm done with it! Now!"
"What would you like me to do?"
"Nothing. I'll handle it with Joe."
"Maybe you're right. It's good to question," Horton stated, "It's an active sign of intelligence. That's why Lynn is so fond of you."
With that, he rushed at Robert, and pushed him off the balcony to his death. After he was sure Robert was dead, Horton walked back into his condo.
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Tori looked up as it was morning. She got the call from Duncan that he had found Horton, and had gotten the location to where he could possibly be. First, she had to make sure Richie and Tessa were safe before she could make her move to help Duncan. She perked up as she heard Richie snoring in the back seat. It was a miracle that she could sleep in the car, albeit, she was uncomfortable sleeping in the front seat, and it wasn't because of Richie's snoring she could barely slept.
Richie woke up the minute Tessa entered the car.
"Tessa?" Tori perked up.
"There's still no answer," Tessa said.
"That figures," Tori stated.
"I think I dozed off for a minute," Richie stated, "What time is it?"
"Richie?" Tori quipped, "It's morning. I could barely sleep myself, just for the record."
"I've been calling all night," Tessa added, "through the payphone, and my own cellphone. Mac hasn't come home."
Richie groaned before stating, "This has been the crummiest night of my life, except maybe the prom, with Mary Ellen Nowicki. She got wasted on lemon gin, puked all over the ladies' can."
"So, you went to prom?" Tori quipped.
"Yeah," Richie nodded.
"I'm going back to the store," Tessa announced.
"Tess, the store," Richie objected, "they're watching it."
"And Duncan will be looking for us," Tessa interjected, "If he calls, we have to let him know what happened, and besides, I'm tired of being afraid of these guys. I'm not running anymore."
"Oooh," Richie replied, "you sound like my old coach trying to get us fired up before the big game."
"Did it work?" Tessa asked.
"Sometimes," Richie answered, "Mostly, we got our asses kicked."
"You guys do what you need to do," Tori told her friends before leaving the car.
"Where are you going?" Tessa asked.
"Horton has been located," Tori answered, "I'm going over to the location to help out in case the IUA is needed."
"Good luck," Richie replied before Tori took off.
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Duncan arrived at the bookstore, confronting Joe.
"Where's Tessa and Richie?!" Duncan demanded, "where are they?!"
"So, now you're going to kill me too?" Joe asked.
"Where are they?" Duncan asked.
"I really don't know, MacLeod," Joe answered and took a deep breath upon Duncan realizing he was telling the truth, "You know, I believed in you. You killed one of us."
"I didn't kill anyone," Duncan protested.
"You're lying."
"Cut the crap! This is happening right under your nose," Duncan insisted, "You're not stupid – maybe you're just blind."
"Why don't you tell me what I'm supposed to see?" Joe asked.
"How about a softball coach who's running a death squad on the side," Duncan suggested.
"You're talking about James," Joe stated, implying Horton.
"No, I'm talking about Ginga Din," Duncan sarcastically replied before stating, "Don't you get it? Horton killed Darius."
"Darius died in France," Joe protested, clearly in denial, "James was in Germany on business."
"Check his passport," Duncan replied, "He was in Paris trying to take my head, together with the other killers he recruited from your "watchers"."
"If you believe that," Joe questioned, "why trust me? I might be with them?"
"You would have tried to kill me in the alley yesterday," Duncan answered, "I think those two men were watching you, not me. Besides, like you said, I've had a little more experience judging men than you have."
"So, what are you going to do?" Joe asked.
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After informing Lynn of her fiance's death, Horton was waiting for Duncan as he was at the warehouse. Instead, Joe arrived.
"He's not coming, you bastard," Joe told his brother in law, "His friends are safe. You ordered their deaths."
"I happen to be one of MacLeod's friends," Tori said as she walked into the warehouse, "you guys really have the nerve to killing an innocent immortal, and breaking out of jail."
"And you are?" Horton asked.
"I'm Tori Gordon," Tori introduced herself, "and I am also immortal, even though I work for the IUA, but truthfully, I work for MacLeod nowadays."
Joe glanced at the newcomer before noticing the axe nearby, "What the hell is this?! You were going to kill him?! Are you crazy?"
"It's not state of the art," Horton answered, "I agree, but it's effective."
Tori stepped back, and eyed Horton. She found the guy to be a creep, regardless if she was related to Duncan's watcher or not.
"What you are doing is totally wrong," Joe protested, "It betrays everything we stand for."
"I have thought of that," Horton stated.
"So, you don't agree with Horton?" Tori asked Joe.
"I don't," Joe answered, "as a Watcher, it's our job to observe and record, not to interfere."
"You must be Duncan MacLeod's watcher," Tori replied. Joe nodded in response, "Joe Dawson."
"Right."
"I felt like a doctor watching a cancer grow," Horton spoke up.
"But they aren't all evil, James," Joe insisted.
"I'm leaving nothing to chance," Horton prepared to swing the axe at Tori, "and I'll start with the girl, since she is immortal."
Duncan suddenly arrived at the scene before Horton can make a move towards Tori.
"He's here," Horton stated before calling out, and getting out a gun, "Jack! Jack!"
"Sorry," Duncan replied, "They couldn't make it to the party."
He looked at Tori, "And what are you doing here?"
"Helping you, of course," Tori answered, "so sue me."
"He doesn't know what he's doing," Joe insisted.
"Shut up!" Horton shouted before looking at Duncan and Tori, "My brother in law is very well liked in our organization."
He grabbed Joe and put a gun to his head, "When the other Watchers find out you murdered him...unless you'd like to make a deal...your life for his?"
"Risking the life of your own family for your sick cause?" Tori stated, "you are just sick!"
"You'll kill him anyway," Duncan stated.
"Like you killed Robert," Joe spoke up.
"What?" Tori quipped.
"In times of war," Horton stated, "innocents get harmed. I believe the generals called that collateral damage."
"Is that what Robert was?" Lynn demanded as she entered the room, "Collateral damage? Daddy?"
"What are you doing here?" Horton asked his daughter, "Get out."
"No, stay," Tori objected, "stay, and see your father for what he truly is."
"What?" Lynn looked confused, "Who's the girl?"
"Go home!" Horton ordered, "Now! Go home!"
Duncan quickly used Horton's distraction to rush him. Duncan forced Horton to turn the gun on himself.
"Don't! No!" Lynn cried, "Let him go! Please, don't! No!"
Duncan and Horton were struggling with the gun, with the muzzle of the gun pressed against the side of Horton's neck.
"Let him go!" Lynn pleaded, "Please, let him go! Stop it! Stop! No! God, please...No...Oh God, please stop..."
Tori saw the fingers on Duncan's fingers tighten on the trigger, "MacLeod, please don't do this! Think of the daughter over here! Don't hurt him in front of her!"
"Don't," Joe added.
Duncan yanked the gun and tossed it aside, "Another time."
"This will slow you down a bit," Horton stated before grabbing another gun from the table.
"Duncan!" Tori exclaimed in shock.
"MacLeod!" Joe added. Horton shot Duncan a few times. Lynn then grabbed his arm.
"Lynn!" Horton exclaimed at his daughter. Tori managed to help Lynn take down her father before he can do further damage with the Highlander.
Duncan pulled his katana and stabbed Horton with it.
"That wasn't necessary," Tori stated, annoyed.
"It was for Darius," Duncan stated before succumbing to the shot gun wounds.
"Question," Tori looked at Joe.
"Yes?" Joe glanced at her.
"Are you my watcher too?" Tori asked.
"No," Joe shook his head as he answered, "but I have someone else assigned to be your watcher after you became immortal."
Tori nodded as he and Lynn left, and Horton left, and she remained by Duncan's side until the Highlander revived, and they looked to find themselves alone in the warehouse.
"Are you okay?" Tori asked.
"I didn't lose my head," Duncan answered, "that's the important part."
Tori gave a small smile, and gave Duncan a hug, which he accepted. She noticed Duncan was looking at a computer, and didn't take long on it as he returned to her a few minutes later.
"What was on the computer?" Tori asked.
"Nothing," Duncan answered, "the files were all cleared."
"Really now?" Tori quipped.
"Really," Duncan nodded.
-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-
The next day, Duncan and Tori reunited with Tessa and Richie.
"Secret societies," Richie stated as he and Tori walked up behind Tessa and Duncan, who were holding hands, "mortals trying to kill us...I mean, you're never going to know where it's coming from."
"So true," Tori stated, "this life we live is full of surprises."
"Yeah, Tori, Rich," Duncan replied, "thanks for the happy thought."
"They'll be back, won't they?" Tessa asked.
"Maybe," Duncan answered, "but not today."
With that, he shared a kiss with Tessa.
"Something tells me this is just the beginning," Richie stated.
"And that's a total fact," Tori smirked.
Chapters
Tori Gordon, a teenage operative for the Intergalactic Union Agency, transfers to a branch in Washington State, where she becomes involved in a battle between supernatural forces.
While reflecting on personal matters, Tori witnesses a stunning occurrence.
Richie introduces Tori to his friends, Duncan and Tessa, who detail the secret affairs of immortals.
As Tori begins learning more about her true nature, a teacher offers assistance.
Tori informs the Defenders that she plans to help Duncan and his companions.
Tori and Richie continue bonding as the IUA works with Duncan.
Tori is given a new task by her mother Janet.
Duncan and the group encounter Tori's teacher, Amanda. Tori learns that Duncan and Amanda have history.
9: Two Families, One Adventure
The Defenders arrive in Paris, where they unite with Tori's team.
Tori tends to an ailing Richie.
The group gains allies while investigating a new matter.
The search for Horton begins.
An old friend of Tori's reveals a darker side. Janet becomes involved in the current operation.
Duncan is told to be wary of a dark prophesy.
The team is menaced by Annie Devlin, an old associate of Duncan's.
Duncan begins refining Tori's skills.
Richie and Tori continue bonding.
A new woman comes into Richie's life.
Janet takes steps to make Richie an IUA operative.
Tori and her allies confront a number of enemies in the city.
The teams head out for a day of fun.
Rick's capture leads to a compromising situation as LJ and the others attempt a rescue.
Lucy, a dangerous immortal, targets Richie. Tori intervenes.
The IUA investigates when one of the Phantom's acquaintances is victimized by an immortal.
Richie and Tori return to Paris to assist with the mission, which is complicated by police involvement.
Duncan meets a woman who bears a strong resemblance to Tessa.
27: Can't Help Falling In Love
Kern, a vindictive old associate, returns to challenge Duncan.
Duncan attempts to work with the unstable David Keogh.
Charlie prepares to depart.
The group meet a girl named Michelle, who has just discovered her immortal nature.
Tori and Richie attempt to care for a younger boy named Kenny.
Everyone prepares for a holiday.
A mysterious statue creates chaos.
Joe and the team find others in need of their help.
Jedda and Tori have an intimate conversation.
Kalas haunts Richie and the others.
Duncan prepares for battle with Kalas and finds a surprise.
Kalas searches for Methos.
Tori worries as Richie begins taking chances.
Anne arrives.
41: The Exorcism of Richie Ryan
Richie requires assistance in getting back to normal.
The Defenders step in to assist with Kalas, and to help prevent the truth about Duncan's kind from leaking.
Duncan prepares to confront Kalas.
Duncan embarks on a private journey to Scotland. Jedda and Tori spar before an audience.
45: Walking On Shattered Glass
Duncan tries to intervene as Charlie clashes with Cord.
The current situation reminds Tori of a well-known scenario.
Amanda and Richie follow Duncan on a journey in secret, and end up defending themselves from a horde of ice robots.
The friends see Kenny again. Duncan suspects that a certain immortal is pursuing the child.
Seacouver is targeted by an ambitious supernatural woman named Sierra.
Duncan, Tori, and Richie investigate a matter from Duncan's past alongside the police.
The group is challenged by a charismatic new antagonist, Kamir.
The spellcaster Kristin Gilles arrives and pursues Richie. Mandrake offers assistance in thwarting her.
Duncan and his friends attempt to aid a pianist.
Anne and Jack participate in the latest endeavor.
Duncan falls under a dark influence temporarily.
Methos and the others reflect.
The exploits of Flash and his famed allies from Mongo are chronicled. Meanwhile, Zorelda reemerges.
The team members engage in sparring and storytelling during downtime.
The groups attempt to rescue Joe, who has been lured into a trap.
As tensions rise and truths are revealed, the team bands together in their effort to help Joe.
Richie makes a monumental decision.
As Tori and Richie prepare for the big day, opposing forces on Mongo makes plans of their own.
Katarina and Castra attempt to unite with the Defenders before Zorelda makes her move.
Zorelda arrives on Earth.
65: Setting Up The Rescue Mission
The groups outline their rescue effort.
Zorelda begins enacting her plan for Richie.
67: Mongo Showdown — Part One
Methos and Duncan engage in action on Mongo.
68: Mongo Showdown — Part Two
As the battle continues, Tori confronts Zorelda.
The group deals with the repercussions of their adventure and return to Earth.
Duncan's ally, Cassandra, relays a vision.
Tori and Richie encounter a cult. Duncan pursues Clay.
The Ryans foster a mysterious child who bears a resemblance to Tori.
Amanda and Maurice return as a new enigma arises.
Amanda engages in more questionable activity.
The group tries helping a woman who might be stalked by an old acquaintance of Duncan's.
76: All That Glitters Is Not Golden
Richie seeks to assist a childhood friend who's dealing with legal issues.
The Ryans encounter an apparent impostor, who also approaches Hadea.
An adversary known as Kronos targets Tori, seeking to exploit her intellect.
Richie and Duncan move to counter Kronos.
80: The Ransom of Richard Redstone
The Ryans depart for an undercover mission overseas.
The group make new acquaintances while pursuing a lead tied to a mysterious dancing event.
The enigmatic Keane arrives, wreaking havoc on several people's lives.
Duncan deals with a mischievous adversary named Byron. Jedda and Rick prepare for parenthood. Both Katarina and Jedda sense danger ahead.
Ming and Octon turn to a new ally.
Duncan is haunted.
The shape-shifter initiates a confrontation.
Ming shifts his focus to an isolated girl.
The Defenders unite with Tori's friends in an effort to stop Ahriman.
A climactic battle occurs as the Defenders clash with Ming, while Tori and Richie attempt to aid their friends.
90: Aftermath: The World Changes Forever
Everyone is affected by the recent events, which will have lasting repercussions.
Richie copes. Duncan travels overseas.
Joe, Amanda, and Duncan continue to hunt the enemy.
April locates Richie and provides an update on the current situation.
Richie is confronted by the opponent again.
Joe leads the investigation as everyone bands together.
The final clash begins.
Duncan makes a crucial discovery.
The key element to the plan is obtained.
The team proceeds with their endeavor.
100: The Last Stand — Part One
The group discovers that only one person can assist Duncan.
101: The Last Stand — Part Two
The battle reaches a conclusion.
Series finale.
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