Disclaimer: I don't own Buffy and Co. they are the property of Joss Mutant Enemy and/or the WB. The immortal concept and the immortal watchers are borrowed from Highlander which is the property of Rysher Entertainment. Katherine Goddard and Martin are mine as are any unrecognized characters.
***
The dark blue BMW pulled out of the Sunnydale High parking lot and headed out of the downtown area. The car pulled up to a house on the outskirts of town. The house was a typical split foyer house with a downstairs, a garage, and an upstairs main living area. The untypical part was the fact that every shade in the house was pulled down. The driver pressed a button and the automatic garage door opener activated the garage door. Inside was darker than night. The car came to a stop and a young couple got out. The man was tall, about 6'4, and his companion barely came to his shoulders, 5'5 if anything. The couple had a timeless look about their faces; they could pass for twenty but could be in their late thirties. This was to their advantage because their true age was almost unimaginable, he was over 700 years old and the woman was over 600 years old. They were both immortal but in separate ways. He was immortal because he was a vampire transformed in the late 1200's. She was immortal because she was born that way and after a temporary death in the 1300's she became Immortal. They were lovers and married, had been for 350 years, and because they were both evil to the bone and had found a kinship in this. He because of the demon and her because she was a headhunter and a cheat. She used any way she could to win a fight. However, for all their evilness one thing was different they loved each other.
"Well isn't this town just a roller coaster of fun," sighed the woman sarcastically.
"Come on Kate, this town is just what I need. The Hellmouth is just teeming with evil energy, more than enough to accomplish my goal," the man replied.
"I know Martin, but still, couldn't this thing have been in LA or something, at least there a girl could have a good time?" said Kate as she looked up wishfully.
"Well you know as well as I, that you could have a good time in Siberia if you wanted to," responded Martin as he nuzzled her neck.
"Stop that, It's a little late for a snack," said Kate coyly.
"Party pooper, come on a quick snack and then we can get some sleep," Martin begged using a puppy dog look that Kate couldn't refuse.
"Okay, if you insist," Kate replied.
With that Martin's face slipped into his full vamp mode and he sank his fangs into his lover's neck. He quickly drained her to unconsciousness. Then as she slumped down he picked her up and carried her into their bedroom, like a father carries his child. She would recover in a few minutes but they were both tired. It had been very late for them to get to bed but worth it they had found the Slayer.
Later as night began to fall Kate woke up. She looked across at the sleeping form of her husband and lover. For the thousandth time she could not believe their circumstances. She loved him with all her heart but he could be just so reckless sometimes. I mean yes they thought the Hellmouth could give him power, but gods there was a Slayer in the town. She was the one thing that could take him away from her. Disease and age could not, but a simple stake could. Well she would just have to do something about that she thought evilly. This little Slayer should be strong as a Slayer is, but still she was only human and not likely to be able to fight the way Kate planned to with a sword. A plan was beginning to form in her mind. She would find this Slayer and would wound her enough to be manageable, then let Martin have himself a gourmet meal. Just as she was ready to get up and start to put her plan in action, Martin awoke.
"Where're you going my love?" Martin asked.
"Well a shower and then out to have a bite to eat," Kate said giving him her best I'm not doing anything look.
"Huh huh, I know that look, what are you planning?" Martin asked.
"Nothing, I mean it. You just stay here and I'll go out and pick up some burgers for me and then you can have a nice breakfast when I get back," Kate said innocently.
"So you would not be going out by chance to kill the Slayer," replied Martin.
"Well you know if she and I meet, well..." said Kate.
"Dammit Kate I am not a child, I can take care of myself," said Martin angrily.
"I know that baby but you are still weak, you were nearly killed by that damn witch," Kate replied sternly.
"But still I'm not some fledgling out for his first meal, I am 720 years old," he replied defensively.
"Come on I'll be back later and I'll bring you a tasty morsel," she replied heading for the shower ending the conversation.
***
Jenny was having a crisis. She knew that she needed to do something. She had to break her oath of noninterference to the watchers. She had to let Beth and Buffy know about Katherine Goddard being in Sunnydale. She had been walking back to her class after lunch to grade some computer projects her third period class had just turned in, when she noticed a unusual vehicle pull into the parking lot. While Sunnydale had its share of yuppies and rich kids, they usually did not drive a new $75,000 BMW 840ci. The car also felt wrong somehow, the windows were so dark tinted that she could not see in it and no one left the car. She decided to let things wait and watch the car. She then looked around to she if anyone else was around. She spotted Buffy, Xander and Willow over to the side, having lunch, and a couple of other students milling around.
This really worried her. Immortal's usually could afford expensive cars, so was this an immortal waiting and looking for Buffy. She continued to watch until the bell rang and she looked over to see Buffy, Willow and Xander head to class. She looked back to see the BMW backing out getting ready to leave. Jenny hurried toward the parking lot to get the license number. It had California plates 1CHP265. Jenny turned and walked back to her classroom. While she assigned some busy work to her fourth period intro to computers class, she hacked into the California DMV. She ran the plates and they were registered to a Katherine Webster. The name sounded familiar so she ran the name through the Watcher database. The name hit and a file came up on Katherine Goddard and immortal born in 1370 in England. She scrolled down to read up on her. She almost jumped out of her seat to call Beth immediately, but decided that she would have to wait cause Beth was probably not home yet. She new that Beth needed to know that a headhunter was in town. She looked over the rest of the file, for a such a young one she had already killed nearly 200 immortals that were counted, but she often was not watched so it could be more. Her watchers had a bad habit of turning up dead or missing so she was not a high priority assignment. Also she cheated in fights, if things were not going good she was known to pull a gun and kill the opponent and then remove their head. She also liked to use poison on the blade to help weaken an adversary. This did not bode well for Buffy or Beth. Damn her oath! She had to warn them. Buffy was too important and Beth too good of a friend. She decided to head to the Library and talk to Buffy, then call Beth from there. She walked down the hall to the Library, walked in and saw Beth and Giles talking while Buffy was doing some warmup exercises. Well two birds one stone thought Jenny.
"Good you are both here, Buffy can you and Beth come here a minute?" Jenny asked as she motioned then to sit down at the table farthest from the door can't have any prying ears.
"What's up?" asked Buffy nonchalantly.
"What's wrong Jenny?" asked Beth when she noticed the worried look on Jenny's face.
"We have a problem in the from of an immortal by the name of Katherine Goddard...," Jenny started before Beth interrupted her.
"What? That bitch is in town?" Beth hissed.
"You know her?" Jenny questioned.
"Yes I ran into her back in the Civil War," replied Beth.
"Um back story here, what's the problem? She's an immortal, one of us fights her and kills her. End of story," replied Buffy.
"Well its not that easy she cheats, can you take a bullet and still defeat her in combat?" asked Jenny.
"Plus we have a even bigger problem," Beth started.
+++++ Flashback 1863 Alabama woods nightfall. Beth was sneaking through the woods on a recon mission for the underground highway, trying to find a way around the Confederate camps to get through to the Union camps to the north. She suddenly felt a buzz. She looked around and out in a nearby clearing another woman walked out also looking around. Beth did not know this immortal so she walked forward to introduce herself and prepare for a challenge if need be.
"Hello I am Elisabeth Hunter and you," Beth said cordially.
"Katherine Goddard. Ready to die?" she said and then attacked.
Beth anticipated this and quickly parried the thrust and then made a swift cut to the other woman's stomach area. The blow landed but was partially deflected by the other woman's sword. The two then traded blows for several minutes without inflicting any damage. Finally Katherine made a feint to Beth's neck but at the last minute dropped her attack and sliced open Beth's thigh. Beth cried out in pain but did not let it distract her, she returned the cut with one of her own to Kate's abdomen then followed with a slice across the shoulder. Then Kate's defenses were back up and blocking her attack. Beth then changed tactics and let Kate score some hits to make her over confident. She was bleeding in several places but her tactic was working. Kate was so intent in attacking that she was leaving her self open in places. Beth took advantage of one of these openings to thrust her sword into Kate's chest. Kate looked down and disbelief shone in her eyes. She let out an gasp and the fell to her knees.
"There can only be one," Beth said then started to make the slice to remove the head when from the corner of her eye she saw a blur of movement. She turned slightly the blur solidified into a vampire running full speed at her. He hit her and knocked her a way before attacking her.
"Leave my wife alone," he growled as he circled the armed warrior.
Stunned Beth only was able to defend herself slightly and before long the she was disarmed and the vampire was leaning forward to drain her. She collected her thoughts and just as the fangs ripped into her neck she pulled out a cross from out of her pocket and thrust it against is face. The smell of burning flesh and the shriek was followed by him releasing her. She held the small cross that she carried for luck in front of her to ward off the vampire. He hissed at her but did not renew his attack. She bent down and picked up her sword and then backed away. He followed her with his gaze until finally he turned and returned to his *wife*. Beth knew that she did not stand a chance against both of them so she ran to a nearby church. It was holy ground so safe against the Immortal and the vampire was definitely not invited in.
++++++
"So a vampire and an immortal married?" asked Jenny unbelievably.
"So it appears," replied Beth.
"Well that's so unfair, I mean vampires don't just love do they," Buffy asked looking at Giles who had listened in on the story but remained quite until now.
"Well its not unheard of take Spike and Drusilla, also as a vampire ages more depth of emotions begin to show up. Young vampires are mainly driven by the need to hunt and respond to their master, where as the older ones like the Master start having stronger emotions. They feel the need for more power and to get it they will do anything possible even fall in love," replied Giles.
"Just think a fresh supply of blood without the hassle of hunting and the protection of a very hard to kill companion during the day," interjected Beth.
"What would be in it for the immortal besides a constant hickey," questioned Buffy.
"It works both ways, an immortal can't feel a vampire so if she starts to lose the vampire can drain the winner and then let her take their head or even take it himself and let the Quickening go to her anyway, besides maybe she has a neck fetish," replied Jenny.
"Well then I have a surprise for them, I can feel her and him both," Buffy replied gleefully anticipating her first Quickening and dusting another vamp.
"Yes but you will not fight them," Beth stated.
"HUH"
"You will not, you are not ready. This woman has centuries of experience on you and she cheats, I will take care of her, but if you want to come with me and take care of mister bad tooth be my guest," Beth firmly stated.
"BUT..."
"END OF DISCUSSION," ordered Beth.
"Yes, Buffy take her advice and mine don't go after this woman, you are to important to risk," Giles said.
"Okay but I am still hunting tonight," replied Buffy unwaveringly.
"Okay but I will accompany you," Beth interjected.
***
Buffy was not very happy but she decided that Beth could not be talked out of going on *patrol* with her. Beth's argument that vampires couldn't hurt her made sense, but Buffy liked to patrol alone. The one good thing about it was she had a good excuse to go out. She was going to get *tutored* in history. Technically that was not a lie because Beth loved to tell stories about things that happened in her past and how wrong some of the history books were about what *really* happened at some historical events.
Buffy met Beth at her house. Once Beth decided that she was staying to train Buffy she had purchased a house. It was a two story house that was owned by an elderly former dance instructor who had made the down stairs into a dance studio. This served Beth perfectly because she quickly turned it in to a training area while still having an fully functional living area upstairs.
"Are you ready?" Beth asked as she opened her door to Buffy.
"Yes, are you sure you don't want stay here," Buffy asked again.
"No"
"Okay then here take this," Buffy said as she handed her a stake.
"No you keep it, I don't need it, besides any vampires we find are yours and any immortals mine," answered Beth.
"Are you sure?" Buffy asked. When Beth nodded she continued, "Okay but don't say I didn't try."
"Well where are we going to start at?" asked Beth as she and Buffy walked away from her house .
"Well there is the cemetery, the park, or the Bronze, but personally I like to start at the cemetery and work my way to the Bronze. Besides I'm suppose to met Will and Xand there later," Buffy replied.
"Sounds good to me," said Beth.
They entered the cemetery and preceded to wonder through the area covering the first half with out trouble when Buffy suddenly felt them. As suddenly as she felt them four large male vampires sprung out in front of her and Beth. Buffy took stock of the situation instantly and then yelled get out of here to Beth who backed out of the way but did not leave. The vampires split to attack three converging on Buffy and one going after Beth.
Buffy quickly decided on a course of action. She let a vicious kick fly hitting the male vampire in the middle between the legs. He fell backwards groaning and thus taking him out of the fight for a few seconds. She then ducked under the arms of the other two vampires and did a sweep kick knocking one vampire of its feet. She then staked it into oblivion. Then turned her attention to the other one but a second to late as he grabbed her from behind. He was surprisingly strong and held her immobile as the other now recovered and very pissed vampire let loose a right hook that caught Buffy in the left temple stunning her for a second. Then as suddenly as it happened Buffy recovered but was thrown to the ground. She looked up and saw three things simultaneously. The vampire that had been holding her was fighting an enraged Angel. Two, Beth and the other vampire where fighting and three, that the first vampire suddenly turned to dust. Unknown to him he had fallen on an small old flag left beside an veteran's grave last veterans day which had a wooden tip. A thought flashed through Buffy's mind Old Glory to the rescue again. She jumped back to her feet then turned to help Beth, seeing that Angel had taken care of himself as he staked the last vampire, only to see that Beth did not need any help either.
While Buffy had started to fight the other three, Beth looked on as the other vampire came toward her. She though to her self this is what I get for trying to help. I should have taken that stake when Buffy offered it to me. She started to pull out her sword but the vampire was to fast. He jumped and tried to tackled her. Beth twisted and jumped up then used his forward motion to flip up and over him. She then turned and used a combination punch to the face and kick to the stomach. Though she lacked the Slayer's strength she had been fighting for her life for over nine centuries. She did not let the vampire recover a bit before launching into another combination punch to the kidneys and then the almighty groin shot. The vampire fell back stunned, this gave Beth enough time to pull her sword and quickly decapitate the vampire. He turned to dust before his head hit the ground. She then turned to look at Buffy. Beth noticed that Buffy had taken care of the other two but was looking at her and thus not seeing the one coming up behind her.
"Look out Buffy," Beth said. But she knew that Buffy would not react in time so she threw her sword at the vampire trying to slow it down.
Buffy heard the warning and started to tell her that no need to worry, when Beth suddenly threw the sword at her. Or at least it looked like it. Her own survival instinct took over as she ducked. Then she heard a grunt and turned to see Angel stagger with the sword stuck in his right shoulder. Startled she froze and cried, "ANGEL!"
Angel looked down and then grabbed for the sword as Beth came up and yanked it out then started to pull back to behead him, when Buffy recovered and grabbed her arm making it impossible to move.
Beth turned angrily and asked, "What the Hell are you doing?"
"This is Angel the friend I told you about," Buffy reminded Beth.
"But he's a vampire," Beth said uncomprehendingly.
"Yeah I know but let me tell you a story..." Buffy started.
***
Kate was laying in wait at the park waiting for the Slayer to show up. She knew that Slayers usually do patrols around the area's they live to look for any vampire activities. She had scouted the areas likely to be patrolled. The park was the best place for her to set up the trap, because, dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, to the Slayer she would look like just other runner sitting on the bench resting. Kate had been sitting there a while when she finally saw the Slayer coming but she was not alone there were two people with her. A man and woman. Suddenly she felt the buzz of an immortal ring through her being. *Shit* not now she thought but noticed two things one that the woman was looking directly at her and second she knew her. Oh hell she thought as she jumped up and started to jog away in a unhurried manner trying to maintain the jogger persona. Hoping that the woman would not remember who she was so she could disappear into the night. She had left her sword in the car because she figured not to need it. However, she was not defenseless, she had a silencer equipped pistol tucked into the waistband of her shorts and a small dagger tucked into her running shoes.
Beth felt the buzz just a second before Buffy did and looked up to see who and where it was coming from. The only one she could see was a jogger sitting on a bench a farther down the path. She looked closer trying to see who it was. The runner was in the shadows so she could not be for sure who it was. The odds were though that it was Katherine. She turned to Buffy who was also looking at the woman who now was jogging away from them.
Buffy turned to look at Beth to ask, "Is that Katherine?"
"I believe so," answered Beth.
"Okay then lets get her," Buffy said before taking off after her.
"Wait Buffy, you promised," Beth said trying and failing to grab the Slayer as she passed by her. Gods thought Beth as she ran after Buffy.
Angel for his part looked at the two running women then shook his head and after several seconds tore off after them wondering what the hell was up.
Kate felt the buzz getting stronger and turned her head to look over her shoulder. Yep she must have recognized me she thought as she saw the Slayer and Beth running toward her and further back the man. Oh well, she quickened her pace to try to out distance them but then thought better of it. The Slayer with her enhanced abilities would be able to catch her. So she stopped turned then jerked the pistol out of her waistband and aimed at Beth and fired.
Beth was gaining on Katherine and running beside Buffy when Katherine suddenly stopped and turned to face them. Beth wondered what the heck when she saw a flash of metal. Before it could register as a gun in her mind she felt the searing pain as several bullets hit her. She stumbled forward and then collapsed to the ground and died.
Kate then turned the gun on the Slayer and thought what a waste but can't let her get me or Martin won't stand a chance. She took aim and shot Buffy who also fell to the ground. Then turned an ran into the darkness leaving the one dead immortal and slayer to the screaming man.
Angel was running after the two when their quarry stopped and turned. His vampire enhanced sight let him see the pistol the woman had produced. He started to shout a warning to them when the woman opened fire on them. He saw Beth go down with a bullet to the heart and the head. His cry died in his throat but rose to a soul shattering scream as Buffy was shot.
"BUFFY NO," screamed Angel as he dropped down beside Buffy. He looked down at her. She was shot in the stomach and chest. Blood was everywhere, but Angel did not even notice.
"Angel I.." said Buffy weakly as she passed out in his arms.
"No Buffy please. No come on wake up," Angel pleaded as Buffy relaxed in is arms, death finally taking her. Angel let the tears flow.
He then looked up. He changed into his vampire mode momentarily letting the demon have full control and he welcomed this. He hissed an oath, "I will find you and when I do you're going to die slowly and painfully."
He then started to get up and carry both Beth and Buffy out of the park when he detected a soft heartbeat. It was slow and irregular but as he listened was gaining strength. It seemed to be coming form Beth and just as he looked over at her. She revived raising up and sucking in a gasp of air. Angel stared at her for several second froze in disbelief. He recovered from the shock as Buffy gasped back to life in his arms.
"Buffy..." Angel asked unsure of what was going on as Beth got to her feet and walked over to them.
Beth saw that Angel was holding Buffy and that she had just revived too. She scanned the area feeling no buzz she knew that Katherine was gone but they were in luck cause no one seemed to be around either. She stuck her hand down to Buffy to help her and Angel up.
"Well how are you feeling?" Beth asked.
"Like Principle Snyder's punching bag. And you?" replied Buffy sorely.
"Like I've been shot," responded Beth with amusement seeing Angel's continued stunned look.
"Okay what the hell are you and what did you do to Buffy," demanded Angel finally gathering his wits.
"Angel she didn't do anything to me, and we are Immortals," Buffy replied.
"Immortals?!" questioned Angel.
"Time out folks, before we explain I think we need to get back to my place before someone sees us and starts to ask questions. Oh and Angel dear could you at least look human the blood is enough of a question asking factor," said Beth.
"Huh?" asked Angel not realizing he still had his *game* face showing.
"She means dear, hide the fangs and your wrinkles," Buffy said as she leaned up and lightly kissing him.
"I'm okay" she whispered to him assuring him as he finally calmed down enough and slipped back into his human guise.
The three headed back to Beth's house to change and fill in Angel about what was going on.
***
Kate, as she ran up to the car, pulled out her keys to shut down the alarm. She could not believe her luck. Another immortal in town an enemy and to top it off, she seemed to have been protecting the Slayer. Kate could not figure out for the life of her why. Could the Slayer be a preimmortal? Kate tried to remember if she felt a second buzz. She could not, but she knew that she had killed the girl, so she was either very dead now, or an immortal. Kate hoped for the latter, she *loved* newbies. Any quickening is good but newbies are weak but easiest to acquire. Oh well so much for my plan for getting Martin a gourmet meal. Guess he will have to settle for some takeout she thought as she spotted a young man walking along. She pulled to a stop and then grabbed her purse and pulled out a Taser. She then hid it beside her and pulled back out into the street. She pulled up along beside the young man and then rolled down the window.
"Excuse me can you help me?" she asked seductively.
The young man turned and looked down into the car before answering nervously, "Is anything wrong?"
"Well can you help me? I seem to be lost. I am trying to find a friends house," she cooed at the boy, meeting his eyes.
"Uh I can try," the boy stammered as he was caught up in her beauty like a fly in a spider's web.
"Well I am looking for 321 Sycamore Lane," she said fully knowing where that was. Across town where her and Martin were staying, her number one rule never hunt in your own backyard.
"Wow are you ever lost, that's on the other side of town," the boy exclaimed.
"Well shoot! I must have made a wrong turn somewhere, you don't suppose you would have time to show me where it is," she asked batting her eyes at him.
The boy's mind raced here was a beautiful woman asking him for help. In the back of his mind, warnings of don't get in cars with strangers or trust them, were quickly squashed by the look she was giving him. He answered, "Um well I am going kinda that way, The Bronze is close to there. You..."
"Of course I can drop you off there as soon as I find my friends house," she interrupted him.
"Okay and the name is Xander, Xander Harris" he said as he opened the car door and got in and she pulled back into the street.
"Thank you the name is Kate but your name should be Sucker," Kate answered evilly locking the doors.
What..." the boy started to ask when suddenly he jerked like something had possessed him when the Taser touched his leg. He then slumped back against the seat unconscious.
"Silly boy didn't you mother ever tell you not to talk to strangers," she asked the unconscious boy and then laughing put the Taser back into her purse and tossed it into the backseat. Oh well girl you still have it. This was not the Slayer, but he looked healthy and strong so should be good meal for Martin. Now to get something for herself.
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