Title: The Immortal (part 2)
Author: Miss Witch
Email: MissWitch@witchesbrew.zzn.com
Rating: R – language (who knew Buffy and Keegan were such potty mouths) and general Riley bashing
Summary: Buffy’s boss is an Immortal. And she’s not the only one. A Buffy/Highlander crossover
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Not even my car. BtVS belongs to Joss (all hail), Mutant Enemy (grrr argh), Fox, UPN, WB…. whoever. Basically, it belongs to someone who is not me, no matter how much I whine and beg.
Disclaimer 2: As well as not owning the above things, I also do not own the Highlander series. I make no claims to anything but Keegan, who is, in fact, mine. However, I refuse to take responsibility for her actions. She does what she wants, and I have no control over her.
Spoilers: Season 5 Buffy and Season 5/6 of Highlander the Series
Distribution: If you’ve had my permission before, knock yourself out. If you don’t have my permission, you’ve just to ask.
Feedback: Does the word "Duh!" mean anything to you?
Notes: <> means thoughts.

Keegan sensed the other immortal long before they reached her office door. Spinning in her chair, she grabbed the broadsword she’d hidden between the filing cabinets and propped it against her desk within easy reach.

Her visitor didn’t bother knocking on the door, instead barging inside, uninvited.

"This is all your fault!" he shouted, slamming the door behind him. Keegan grinned and steepled her fingers as she rocked back in her chair.

"Good to see you again, Riley" she greeted good-naturedly. "What’s all my fault?"

Riley stood in front of her desk, hands clenched into fists. He was all but quivering in anger.

"You know what I’m talking about" he hissed. <Oh, this is so much fun!> Keegan thought. She raised an eyebrow inquiringly.

"No, I’m afraid I don’t" she said. Riley slammed his hands down on her desk.

"Buffy broke up with me last night!" he fumed. <Yes!!> A smile grew on Keegan’s face.

"Did she? Good for her. I knew the girl had taste, despite the fact she was dating you" she laughed. Riley’s face turned red with anger.

"How could you?" he demanded, leaning down so that his face was inches from hers. Keegan leaned forward, seriously annoyed.

"Let me tell you this," she snarled, "if I did anything, it was to simply open her eyes. Nothing else"

"I’ll make you pay" Riley swore. "I will take your head for this" Keegan laughed.

"Spare me your threats" she told him. "You’ve been immortal for what? Two years?" she asked.

"Five" Riley spat. Keegan raised her eyebrows. She stood slowly, dangerously.

"Five whole years? Very frightening" she said sarcastically as she came out from behind the desk. "It took me 5 minutes to kick your ass, how long do you think it’ll take me to take your head?" Snarling, Riley threw a punch at Keegan. Keegan leaned backward, easily avoiding the blow. While he was off balance, she grabbed him by the shirt and slammed him into the wall.

"Listen up, boy" she sneered, her face only inches from his. "I am over a thousand years old. Do you think someone as inexperienced as you could actually take my head" Keegan released him and walked back to the desk. Using her foot, she flipped the broadsword into the air and caught it neatly by the handle. Keegan pressed the point of the blade against Riley’s neck. "I could’ve taken your head ten times over by now. But you’re not worth my time" Keegan gestured toward the door with the sword. "Now get out" she hissed.

Riley did as he was told and backed out of the room.

"This isn’t over" he swore as he left.

"I’m sure it’s not" Keegan snorted to herself as she rested the sword back in it’s hiding place.

(Le Blues Bar – Paris, France)

Duncan walked into the crowded room and headed straight to the bar, snagging an empty stool.

"Duncan!" the bartender greeting as he hobbled over, leaning on his cane every other step. Joe Dawson had lost both his legs in Vietnam, but he’d adjusted. Not accepted, just adjusted. Duncan studied his friend, his hair and beard a little grayer than the last time they’d met.

"Joe" Duncan smiled as the glass of scotch was placed in front of him. "It’s been awhile" Joe nodded.

"It certainly has" he agreed sagely. Duncan took a sip of the scotch.

"Where is she, Joe?" Joe looked down at the floor.

"It’s been over a year, Duncan" he said softly. "Let her go" Duncan shook his head.

"We both know I can’t" he said. "I sent her away to protect her. The danger’s gone. The least I can do is explain why what happened to Richie happened. I owe both of them that much"

"What makes you think I know where she is?" Joe asked, wiping the counter with a rag. Duncan gave him a look of disbelief.

"Of course you know where she is" Duncan told him. "She’s your friend. You’d make it your business to know where she is and what she’s doing. You’re a Watcher, it’s your job" Joe leaned on the counter and looked Duncan in the eye.

"She started a new life, made friends. She’s moving on. I don’t want you to destroy that for her" Duncan slammed his drink down on the bar and ran his hands through his recently cut hair in frustration.

"What else, Joe?" he demanded. "Is she happy? Has she found a new love? Can you tell me those things?" Joe shrugged.

"We don’t know" he admitted. "She sent her Watcher away" He lifted Duncan’s glass and wiped up the spilled scotch before replenishing the drink. Duncan looked at him in amazement.

"And you let her?" Joe nodded. He leaned close to Duncan and lowered his voice.

"She’s living on a Hellmouth" Joe confided. "She didn’t want him to get killed. She sends in weekly reports of what she does and who she’s battled. I got an email this morning. She killed Derek"

Sipping his drink, Duncan stared over Joe’s shoulder, lost in thought. The fact that she’d defeated Derek wasn’t a surprise to him. She was strong and a smart fighter. Innovative.

"I love her, Joe" he said softly. Joe closed his eyes and rubbed a hand over his beard, torn between loyalties. He knew how much Duncan had loved her, but also how hurt she’d been when sent away. After a few minutes, Joe came to a decision.

"Keegan’s in California. Sunnydale" he said finally. "And if you’re planning on going, I’m calling in your Watcher"

(Meanwhile, back in Sunnydale)

Taking a deep breath, Buffy knocked on Giles’ front door. She’d simply been too

pissed off to talk to anyone after her run in with Riley the night before. She’d been afraid that she would end up taking her anger out on Giles so she’d spent the night at home, taking it out on Dawn.

But now, in the light of day, she was ready to face Giles. Because not only had she had time to calm down, she had time to think about the events leading up to Riley’s appearance. And Buffy was pretty damn sure that Giles had been about to kiss her.

Much to her surprise, Buffy found the idea of kissing Giles exciting. Buffy shivered as she remembered the kiss he’d pressed to her palm. He’d kept his eyes on hers as he did it, as if he was measuring her reaction. <Down girl!> Buffy thought as she felt her heart rate speed up.

Giles opened the door, and Buffy felt her breath catch. He was wearing a pair of faded jeans and a baggy sweater, t-shirt underneath. <I had no idea baggy sweaters could be sexy../../gt; she thought <Sexy?> she asked herself in disbelief. <Definitely sexy../../gt;

Giles smiled and opened the door wider, never issuing an actual invitation. Buffy grinned back and walked into the apartment.

"Buffy…:

"Giles…"

They both began to speak at the same time. Giles gestured for Buffy to go first.

"I broke up with Riley last night" she told him. Giles immediately became concerned.

"Are you ok?" he asked. "Do I need to break out the ice cream or anything?" Buffy laughed and waved away his concern.

"Not unless you’re craving some" she told him. "It was a long time coming" she said of the break up. "I’m ok" Giles smiled.

"You’re sure?" he asked. Buffy nodded. "About last night…" Giles started. "Buffy, I don’t want to think about your death. It’ll be hard enough without having to talk about it before it happens"

"Poor Giles" Buffy said soothingly. "I just don’t want you to be sad, like Keegan" She reached out and took her hand in his. Slowly, she brought it to her lips and kissed his palm as he’d done the night before. Buffy’s eyes never left Giles as she did. She wanted to see every emotion that flickered through them.

<Oh dear lord../../gt; Giles thought. With his free hand, he cupped her face, and before he could talk himself out of it, Giles leaned down and covered her lips with hers.

Buffy released Giles’ hand so that she could wrap her arms around his neck. She kept the kiss as light and undemanding as possible, despite the fireworks going off in her brain.

Giles pulled away slowly, a look of sheer astonishment on his face. His eyes roamed her face in wonder. Gently, he leaned down again, just brushing his lips against hers. Slowly they drew apart.

"Wow" Buffy whispered, her world shaken. She touched her lips. "That was… wow" Giles smiled.

"My sentiments exactly" he replied. He trailed his hands along her cheek. "I never imagined… I mean, I imagined" he admitted, much to Buffy’s amusement. "But I never believed that you could ever feel that way about me"

"You imagined?" she asked. Giles smiled.

"Yes, you would latch onto that statement" he said ruefully. Buffy grabbed him by the front of his sweater.

"You imagined?" she asked again, her voice insistent. "What exactly did you imagine?"

"This"

Giles brought his lips back down on hers. There was nothing soft or gentle about this kiss. It was passionate and demanding. Buffy parted her lips to allow Giles’ tongue inside. As his mouth was ravaging hers, his hands slid from her face, down her arms to her hips.

Buffy’s tongue dueled with his as Giles pulled her body against his. Her arms curled around his neck, tangling her fingers in his hair. She could feel his hard chest against her breasts, as his hands slid from her hips down to her behind.

Giles pulled back from Buffy, his hands still on her rear.

"So, are we clear on what I imagined?" he asked, smiling. Buffy nodded.

"Crystal clear" she assured him. "I was thinking that I could stop by after patrol tonight and you could show me other stuff you imagined doing with me" Giles’ grin grew larger.

"I don’t think that’ll be a problem"

Buffy ushered the last of the members out of the gym and heaved a sigh of relief. Keegan had had some things to take care of and had asked her to close the gym, and of course, Buffy had agreed. It had seemed easy enough at the time. Make everyone leave and lock the doors. And in truth it was. Bull had practically run when she’d approached him to tell him that she was closing the gym.

Buffy moved around the building quickly, shutting off lights and locking doors. Staying to close for Keegan meant a late start to patrol, and an even later start to finding out how active Giles’ imagination was.

Buffy froze in her tracks. <Someone’s here../../gt; she thought, slipping into the shadows. She remembered what Keegan had told her earlier. "Other immortals will come looking for me. It’s not your fight" she’d said. <Not my fight, my ass../../gt; Buffy thought rebelliously, as she eyed the swords hanging on the opposite wall.

Footsteps echoed though out the empty building, coming closer, and Buffy knew she’d lost her opportunity to grab one. She watched and waited as the figure came into view.

It was male. That was obvious right off the top. He was tall and muscular in a lean sort of way, much like Giles. As he entered the gym, he stopped and turned, almost as if he was searching.

"I know someone’s here" he called out. His voice had the barest tinge of an accent, and unless Buffy’s Watcher-tuned ear was way off, this guy had or used to have a British one. "You might as well come out" Buffy remained perfectly still. The man reached into his long overcoat and pulled out a long curved sword.

It took all of Buffy’s self-control not to gasp loudly. <He was an immortal../../gt; she realized. She must of made some sound, because he whirled toward her. <Damn!> He slowly began to move toward her in a way that spoke of martial arts training. Buffy waited until he was close enough and she darted out of the shadows, straight at him.

"What the…" he said as she plowed into him and knocked him to the floor.

Buffy didn’t waste any time trying to fight hand to hand with him. She simply used the momentum to reach the swords on the opposite wall. He was up and ready for her by the time she turned around, sword in hand.

"I have no quarrel with you" he said, stepping into the light. This time Buffy did gasp out loud. It was the man from Keegan’s picture, Duncan. His dark hair had been cut, but it was definitely the same man.

"I won’t let you kill her" Buffy told him, ready to battle. Confused, Duncan lowered his sword.

"Kill who?" he asked.

"Keegan" Buffy spat. "Was there someone else you were planning on killing?" Duncan dropped his sword completely.

"I’m not here to kill Keegan" he said. "I’m here to… well it doesn’t matter why I’m here. Only that it’s not to kill her"

Buffy looked at him disbelievingly.

"She told me you sent her away so you wouldn’t kill her" Buffy said. "You killed your friend" she accused.

"That was a mis…" Duncan stopped mid-sentence, slowly turning to look around the room. The sword came back up.

"Put the sword down, Buffy" Keegan said as she walked into the room, sword in hand. Buffy looked at her in confusion. Keegan smiled gently. "It’s ok" Keegan reassured. Slowly, Buffy lowered the blade. Keegan placed her hand on Buffy’s shoulder. "Go home to Giles" she whispered. "I promise to have my head tomorrow"

With one last look at Duncan, Buffy replaced the sword on the wall and left.

Keegan and Duncan stood in silence for several minutes, just looking at each other.

"You got off easy" Keegan said finally. "She would’ve kicked your ass, and then taken your head" Keegan started walking toward the stairs that led to her apartment.

"She’s not an immortal" Duncan said, following Keegan up the steps. "Never will be"

"Thank God" Keegan said, grimacing. The thought of Buffy having to battle both demons and immortals was horrifying. "That would be hell for her. Buffy’s the Slayer"

Duncan stopped in his tracks.

"The Slayer? But… but she’s so tiny" he said, starting the climb after her.

"Don’t tell her that" Keegan called from the top of the steps. Duncan found her in the middle of the living room, waiting for him. He came toward her until he was within arm’s length.

"I’m sorry" he whispered. Reaching out, he tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I’m sorry for Richie. I’m sorry for sending you away. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to come after you" Keegan turned her face away from him.

"Don’t, Duncan" she said softly. "I can’t do this again" Duncan stepped closer, closing the gap between them without touching. He lowered his head so that his mouth was right next to her ear.

"At least forgive me for Richie" he asked. "Please"

For a second, Keegan thought she had herself under control. Just for a second. Thousand years old or not, the death of a friend still hurt. Duncan’s arms came around her as the first sob escaped her chest. He held her tightly as she let out all the emotion she’d kept pent up inside her.

Keegan had forgotten how perfectly she and Duncan had fit together. She allowed him to hold her close, even after her sobs had subsided.

"Forgive me?" he asked after a few minutes. Keegan nodded against his chest.

"You know I do" she murmured. "Don’t let it go to your head, though. It’s only because you’re still a hottie" Duncan smiled at the slang.

"I’ve missed you" he told her. "Without you around, I’ve been feeling all superior" Keegan snickered as she disengaged herself from his embrace. Duncan caught her hand as she moved away. Keegan stared at their joined hands for a moment, then looked up into his dark brown eyes. In a flash, she was back in his arms, their mouths meeting passionately.

Buffy knocked on Giles’ door, brushing vampire dust from her clothing. The door opened almost immediately.

"I was worried" Giles told her as she walked in. He grabbed her and pulled her close for a long, slow kiss. "Was there much activity?" Giles asked when they broke apart for air. Buffy shook her head, as Giles moved toward the kitchen to make them tea.

"I had a run in with Keegan’s Duncan" Buffy told him, curling up onto the couch. Buffy liked watching him putter in the kitchen.

"Are you alright?" he asked, alarmed. Buffy nodded.

"Evidently, he’s not evil. Just misunderstood" she said. Buffy told about meeting Duncan at the gym as Giles carried the tea tray into the living room.

"And she just sent you on your way?" he asked as he sat the tray down on the table in front of them. He handed her the cup before sitting down next to her. "She didn’t seem worried at all?" Buffy sipped her tea and shook her head.

"She swore she’d have her head tomorrow morning" Buffy said softly. "She said it wasn’t my fight" Giles entwined his fingers with hers.

"Keegan’s correct, you know. It’s not our fight"

"But…" Buffy started. Giles placed a finger on her lips to quiet her.

"Immortals have their own battles. You can’t fight for her. Just as she can’t fight for you" Buffy set her tea on the table, and snuggled into Giles’ arms.

"She’s my friend"

"I know" Giles said, pulling her close. "But Keegan has to fight her own fight" Giles smiled down at Buffy. "Now, I believe I’m supposed to demonstrate the boundaries of my imagination this evening" Buffy grinned.

"Yes, I believe you are" she laughed, just before his mouth covered hers.

Outside of Giles’ apartment, Riley watched the interaction between Watcher and Slayer with growing agitation. He had been following Buffy all afternoon and evening with hopes of talking to her and winning her back. He’d been thwarted at every turn, for every time he thought he’d be able to get her alone, someone or thing had appeared.

Riley had hoped to catch her on her way home from Giles’ apartment. But from the events taking place inside the apartment, that wasn’t going to be any time soon, if at all.

Riley peeked into the apartment again, his blood boiling. Buffy’s top had been removed and one of her hands had slid underneath the waistband of Giles’ pants. Riley’s hands clenched into fists. <That bitch Keegan will pay for this../../gt; he thought viciously as Giles carried Buffy up to the loft. <She will pay../../gt;

Buffy woke with a start, unsure of her surroundings. She relaxed almost instantly, realizing that she was safe in bed with Giles. Looking over at his sleeping form, she smiled. <He looks so peaceful../../gt; she thought, tracing a light finger over his features.

Frowning, Buffy tried to figure out what had woken her. An uneasy feeling settled over her. <Something’s wrong../../gt; she thought. Not sex with Giles. That definitely hadn’t been wrong. Sex with Giles had definitely been of the good. More like of the incredible. Buffy’s frown grew as she realized she was digressing.

Gently, so she didn’t wake Giles, Buffy eased from his grasp and climbed out of bed. Quickly, she begin to pull on her clothes. The feeling of ‘wrongness’ was growing.

"Buffy?" Giles groaned sleepily. Buffy leaned down and kissed his forehead.

"Go back to sleep, Giles" she whispered. Giles grabbed her arm before she could pull away.

"What’s wrong?" he asked.

"I don’t know" Buffy hissed. "All I know is that I have to get over to the gym" The feeling of impending doom grew stronger with every passing second. She pulled away from Giles, causing him to sit up.

"She’ll be fine" he said. Buffy whirled in anger.

"It’s 4 fucking o’clock in the morning" she yelled. "Do you think I’d be leaving your warm bed if I didn’t feel like I had too?" Giles stood and pulled her close.

"I know" he said softly.

"I have to go" she said, caressing his cheek with her hand. "I don’t know what’s wrong, I just know I have to go" Breaking away, Giles grabbed his clothing.

"I’ll drive"

Riley had stood outside the gym for several hours, waiting for the lights to go off. He’d decided to wait an hour more once they had, just to make sure she was asleep. Riley had a very simple plan.

He was going to kill Keegan.

Keegan’s eyes snapped open as the buzzing washed over her senses. She knew that Duncan was awake as well, even though he was perfectly still.

"Any thoughts?" he murmured softly in her ear.

"Riley" she whispered back. "Long story. Don’t ask"

"Wasn’t going too" Duncan said, as they both launched themselves out of bed, grabbing clothing off the floor. Keegan pulled on her jeans and Duncan’s shirt, while Duncan simply wore his pants.

Keegan and Duncan looked at each other. Keegan leaned over and kissed him hard and quick. Then, snatching up their swords, they silently made their way downstairs in their bare feet.

Buffy and Giles stood outside the gym, looking up at the dark building. There were no lights on. No telltale sign that something was wrong or even that anyone is awake.

"It looks quiet enough" Giles said. Buffy nodded, her arms wrapped around herself to ward off the chilly night.

"I suppose" she said reluctantly. "I just can’t shake this feeling of dread"

"Are we waking her?" Giles asked, as he put his arms around her to share his warmth.

"I don’t…"

Whatever Buffy had been planning on saying, it was lost in the echo of rapid gunfire from within the building.

"No!" she shouted, running toward the door. Giles darted after her.

The door was unlocked and she moved swiftly towards the stairs that led to Keegan’s apartment. She skidded to a halt at the sound of a mocking voice in the gym.

"I told you I’d take your head, bitch" Riley’s voice echoed through the empty building. "And look, I’ll get a bonus as well"

Buffy looked into the gym, horrified to find Riley standing over the bullet-ridden bodies of Keegan and Duncan. He had a semi-automatic weapon in one hand, a sword in the other.

"What the hell have you done?" Buffy demanded from the doorway as Riley raised the sword over Keegan. Riley looked over in shock. "You killed them" she said. "Why?" Riley snorted derisively.

"They’re not dead" he said, kicking Duncan in the head. "Not really dead. But they will be," he snarled. "once I take their heads"

"I won’t let you" Buffy said, moving into the room. "I will kill you first" Riley’s eyes lit with a maniacal light.

"I doubt it" He raised the gun toward her. Buffy dived for cover from the hail of bullets. "You prefer that old man over me" he yelled. Buffy covered her ears in an attempt to protect them. She knew that soon or later, Riley’s aim would improve.

Riley was so intent on Buffy, he didn’t notice Giles hiding in the door way. Giles looked around desperately for some way to help Buffy. His eyes lit upon a 5 pound weight. Snatching it up, he flung it like a discus, knocking the gun from Riley’s grasp.

"Now Buffy!" Giles yelled, ducking as Riley turned toward him. Buffy popped up from her hiding place and grabbed a sword off the wall.

"Of course, I prefer Giles to you" she sneered at him, brandishing the sword. "He doesn’t blame others for his own shortcomings" Riley swung the sword at her, and Buffy blocked it easily. She kicked Riley in the stomach, knocking him away from the gun.

Giles moved carefully around the combatants to Duncan and Keegan’s still bodies. Very gently, he checked each of their necks for a pulse. Both were cool to the touch, and he felt nothing beneath their skin. Buffy spared a glance in his direction. Giles shook his head sadly, causing her to fight even more fiercely.

"You can’t kill me, you know" Riley laughed. Buffy’s eyes widened in shock as the cuts she’d given him healed magically with little sparks of electricity.

"You’re immortal" she said in surprise. Riley stopped and laughed. That was his mistake. The memory of Keegan’s fight with Derek came rushing back. Buffy knew she only had a split second. She swung the sword as hard as she could.

Riley’s laugh was cut off abruptly as he head was parted from his body. For one macabre moment, his headless body remained standing as the head dropped to the floor, bouncing once. Then, almost in slow motion, the corpse fell to the floor after it.

Buffy looked up at Giles, who was staring at her. Dropping the sword, she rushed into his arms, horrified at what she’d done.

"It’s ok, Buffy" Giles assured, holding her tightly. "You did what you had to do"

On the floor, Riley’s body began to twitch. Giles and Buffy ducked as lightning shot out of it, lighting up the room. Light fixtures exploded as they were overloaded. It flashed around the room until it reached the bodies of Keegan and Duncan. It engulfed them, causing them to jolt with energy.

Slowly, the energy subsided, and Giles and Buffy emerged from their hiding place. Holding Giles hand, Buffy walked toward the bodies. She stood over them, trying to take in the horror. There was blood everywhere. Riley had simply opened fire on them, shooting them where they had stood.

"What now?" she asked, turning to Giles. She could see he was just as shaken as she was. They had seen many horrors, but never the kind caused by human hate.

"I don’t know, Buffy" Giles said softly. "I don’t know" They continued to stand and stare at their friend.

"Arrgghhh!"

Buffy and Giles jumped as Keegan suddenly cried out in pain. Her body began to convulse, her bullet wounds healing. They disappeared much as Riley’s had. Beside her, Duncan was also spasming in pain.

Slowly, Keegan climbed to her feet, restored. She held out her hand and heaved Duncan up.

"Shit!" Keegan swore, looking around her. "I hate cleaning up blood"

"That was a brand new shirt" Duncan complained, gesturing at the bullet holes in the shirt Keegan wore. Keegan and Duncan grinned at each other.

"You’re… you’re… you’re alive" Buffy stuttered. Keegan turned to her.

"Thanks to you" she said, smiling.

"Guns aren’t part of the Game. Riley was planning on cheating" Duncan said in an offended tone. He frowned down at Riley’s body. "Taking our heads when we couldn’t defend ourselves"

"There’s really not any rules about that" Keegan pointed out logically, earning a glare from Duncan.

"But you’re alive" Buffy said again, throwing herself at Keegan and hugging her hard. Keegan hugged her back, looking over Buffy’s head at Giles. They shared a look.

"Yes, I’m alive"

:: On To Part Three ::