DCH 21
Defenders Chronicles: Highlander
By AmandaDoE
Chapter Twenty-One: A Day at the Beach
Richie enjoyed the nice weather as he laid on the beach towel. It had been a couple of days since he and Tori joined the Defenders of the Earth, and after stopping one of Ming's plans the day before, the Defenders decided to take the day off for a beach trip, and the weather was nice enough for the day at the beach.
He looked up, noticing Tori with a surfboard in hand, "Hey, Tori, what's this?"
"It's a surfboard," Tori answered with a smile. "I'm about to hit the waves. Care to watch?"
"Um, sure," Richie sat up as he prepared to watch Tori.
The next thing Richie knew, he saw Tori surfing. He was amazed on how good she was doing in regards to surfing. It was like she had been doing this for years. He was amazed at how good she was at surfing, staring in awe.
Before he knew it, Richie saw Tori finish and walk over to him.
"Well," Tori asked, "what did you think?"
"Tori," Richie answered with a smile, "that was amazing! Why haven't you told me that you could surf?"
"You didn't ask," Tori replied.
"Fair enough."
"Care to go for a swim?" Tori asked, putting down the surfboard.
"Sure," Richie answered. The two hurried over to the edge of the water before swimming. They weren't too far off into the water, but far enough to where the sand wouldn't bother them. They enjoyed themselves in their swim before finishing.
Tori managed to find a boulder to sit on. Richie caught up with her.
"Enjoying the beach?" Richie asked.
"You bet." Tori smiled. "It's so beautiful."
"So, are you." Richie bent down to one of Tori's feet and kissed it. She blushed in reaction. "Don't ask. I just felt like it," he said.
"Eww, that's mushy!"
He and Tori glanced over to see Kshin crossing his arms, looking disgusted. Tori rolled her eyes, annoyed while Richie glared at him. "You really should mind your own business."
"But it is," Kshin retorted.
"Kshin." Mandrake walked over to his ward. "You need to leave them alone."
"Fine." Kshin sighed before he left the area. LJ walked over to where they were this time and grinned.
"Why are you grinning?" Richie asked.
"So, you are now Tori's boyfriend?" LJ asked.
"What?!" Tori and Richie both exclaimed simultaneously.
"LJ..." Lothar said disapprovingly as he walked over to the area.
"Well, pop," LJ replied, "Tori and Richie seem to be a couple based on how they're acting."
"Goodbye, LJ," Richie said, shooing him away.
"Rude," LJ scoffed as he crossed his arms.
"And what if we were together?" Richie couldn't help but to blurt out.
Tori glared at LJ. "Go find some girl to hit on."
"Whatever." LJ rolled his eyes and left the area.
"Sorry about that," Lothar stated.
"And I apologize for Kshin's actions as well," Mandrake added.
"Don't worry about it," Richie replied.
"Yeah," Tori added. "LJ just got a little too curious, and Kshin is just a kid. One day, he'll grow out of it."
Mandrake and Lothar walked away from the area.
Richie looked over at Tori.
"Well," he said, "let's not talk about what just happened from this point on."
"Agreed," Tori said, "it's not really worth talking about."
Richie smiled before kissing her foot again.
-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-
Jedda emerged out of the water. She made her way to the sand and sat on her beach towel. "I think this was a great idea for a little vacation."
"I agree," Rick replied as he walked over next to her.
"Care to join me?" Jedda offered, placing another beach towel next to her.
"Sure," Rick said as he eased down. "Enjoying the trip?"
"Definitely," Jedda answered. "Tori is an excellent surfer."
"She's been doing it for years. It was a hobby of hers when we were growing up."
"That's really cool."
They were holding hands and enjoying each other's company.
"Ewww, more mushy stuff!" Kshin exclaimed, annoyed.
She and Rick looked over at him. "Kshin!" Jedda exclaimed, annoyed.
"Well, it is," Kshin replied.
"Kshin." Mandrake hurried over to where they were. "Are you going to ruin this trip for everyone?!"
"I wasn't trying to," Kshin insisted.
"But it still isn't nice to invade other people's privacy," Mandrake stressed. "If you keep up this behavior, you will end up being punished for a week."
"Sorry," Kshin said before leaving the area.
"Are you two all right?" Mandrake asked.
"Yeah, we're fine," Rick answered. "I'm used to Kshin's antics by now."
"So am I," Jedda admitted, "but it's still kinda rude of him to eavesdrop."
"I agree there."
"I guess I shall leave the couple back to their conversation," Mandrake replied before beginning to leave.
"Couple?!" Rick and Jedda exclaimed in unison.
Mandrake glanced over at the pair.
"There's not much going on between us," Rick insisted.
"Rick is right," Jedda added, "we are just talking and enjoying the day."
"That's how it begins," Mandrake replied, "simple stuff, and it eventually leads to romantic stuff."
Jedda watched in surprise as he left the area. Then Rick looked over at her.
"Don't worry about it," he said. "We are just talking."
"I know," Jedda replied. "I'm not worried."
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Author's Commentary:
For some reason, I don't really like writing Kshin all that much, unless I have to. At least LJ isn't annoying and I can potentially work some things around him. Maybe I can work some things with Kshin as well. Only time will tell.
Tori managed to find a boulder to sit on. Richie caught up with her.
"Enjoying the beach?" Richie asked.
"You bet." Tori smiled. "It's so beautiful."
"So, are you." Richie bent down to one of Tori's feet and kissed it. She blushed in reaction. "Don't ask. I just felt like it," he said.
After James showed a picture of Dean and Emma on the beach from the Blue Lagoon: The Awakening on Tumblr, I was compelled to write a little bit where Richie and Tori are in this scenario. I think it worked out just fine.
"Why are you grinning?" Richie asked.
"So, you are now Tori's boyfriend?" LJ asked.
"What?!" Tori and Richie both exclaimed simultaneously.
It seems that Richie and Tori are more of a will-they, won't-they kind of couple than I thought. The reason I thought the couple was a good-girl-bad-boy trope is the fact that Richie used to be a petty thief before he met Duncan MacLeod. It could still be that kind of trope given that Richie is a wild personality, but he is starting to mellow out as he is one of my favorite characters on Highlander. On the side note, it appears that they might not be able to deny their feelings for one another for too much longer.
"I guess I shall leave the couple back to their conversation," Mandrake replied before preparing to leave.
"Couple?!" Rick and Jedda exclaimed in unison. Mandrake glanced over at the pair.
"There's not much going on between us," Rick insisted.
"Rick is right," Jedda added, "we are just talking and enjoying the day."
"That's how it begins," Mandrake replied, "simple stuff, and it eventually leads to romantic stuff."
Well, unlike Tori and Richie, Rick and Jedda are a straight on will-they, won't-they.
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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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