Not much of a fan of this type of music, but this is one of the best Highlander videos on Youtube so I thought you might like it

The Watcher Chronicles

Nikki lets herself into Amanda's condo using her key.

[Nikki] Mand? You here?

Nikki calls out even though she doesn't feel the female Immortal. A bit disappointed that she has missed seeing her best friend before she took off for her annual "vacation" to Paris to pay her respects to her teacher, Rebecca's grave, Nikki closes and locks the front door. She kicks off the high heels she has been wearing all day, sets her brief case next to the end of the sofa and goes into the kitchen and checks the refrigerator to see what is available to fix for dinner. With the fridge's contents committed to memory she heads for Amanda's master bathroom. Nikki turns on the water in the big sunken spa/tub, adjusts the temperature then goes into the master bedroom and collects a few aromatic candles. She turns on the stereo in the bedroom and puts in one of the CDs she has left here for times like this when she opts to stay in the city instead of  going back to the ranch. The CD is of Native American flute music. Nikki adjusts the volume so that the music is soft and relaxing and takes the candles into the bathroom and sets them around the marble sides of the tub. She lights them, pours bubble bath into the tub and proceeds to get undressed. She snaps her fingers as she remembers something and heads back down the hall towards the kitchen, wrapping her hair in a towel as she goes. She takes a cucumber out of the fridge and slices two "disks", replaces the remaining cucumber back in the fridge and returns to the bathroom. Nikki shuts off the water and steps into the tub and sits down. Placing the cucumber slices on each eye she lays back in the tub, slides down so she is submerged in the hot water up to her neck and lays her head on the back of the tub and begins to relax.

Duncan turns down left down the street on his way to Amanda's condo. The T-Bird is beginning to smell a bit like the fish he bought to make California rolls for he and Amanda as a surprise.  He pulls up to the condo. He shuts the engine off, grabs the bag and gets out. He thumbs through his keys and finds Amanda's condo key.

Nikki gets so relaxed that she begins to doze off.

Duncan walks up to the door and unlocks it. He opens the door and immediately feels the buzz

Nikki suddenly feels an Immortal buzz. Knowing that Amanda is out of town she quickly becomes alert and looks around the bathroom to see what her options are.

[Nikki] Damn!

Nikki whispers realizing that her sword is in the bedroom. She quickly gets out of the tub...dripping bubbles over the floor and hides behind the bathroom door.

Duncan reaches the bathroom and peers in the open door. He sees the bathtub full of water. "Where is Amanda? He thinks to himself.

Duncan walks through the bathroom door.

Nikki quickly delivers a kick to the intruder's abdomen.

Duncan slumps over and stumbles toward the bathtub. "Ooofff!"

Nikki swiftly delivers a forceful kick to the man's butt.

Duncan drops the grocery bag as he falls face first into the bathtub.

Nikki darts into the bedroom...grabs her sword and returns to the bathroom. She stands over the tub with the tip of her blade positioned so that when the intruder surfaces her blade will be at his throat.

Duncan comes up and sees the sword poised at his throat. He sees a familiar face peering at him.

[Duncan] Nikki??? What are you doing here?

Nikki looks down at her intruder. As the bubbles from the bath fade from his face she begins to recognize the man in her tub and her mouth falls open in surprise.

[Nikki] Duncan? Duncan MacLeod?

Nikki says incredulously.

Duncan realizing he is in no danger, he drops his hands.

Nikki lets her sword drop. It clangs against the marble floor. She holds out her hand to help him out of the tub.

[Nikki] I can't believe it. You're still alive.

Nikki says and realizes how lame that sounds.

Duncan takes her hand. "You had a higher opinion of my skills when we spent the night together."

[Nikki] I....

Nikki starts to say something and suddenly can't think of anything to say.

Duncan steps out of the tub. He reaches for the whole fish on the floor.

[Nikki] What are you doing here?

Nikki asks as she pulls him out of the soapy water. She suddenly realizes that she is stark naked and her cheeks redden as she fumbles for a towel to wrap herself in.

[Duncan] Surprising Amanda with sushi, but I guess that's not an option.

Duncan tosses fish at Nikki. "Nice to see you Nikki."

[Nikki] What?

Nikki says as she wraps a towel around herself.

Nikki ducks the flying fish and in the process drops the towel that has been wrapped around her.

[Nikki] Hey!!!!

Nikki tries to retrieve it but is too slow to react and it falls to the floor at her feet.

Duncan leers at her. "Yeah nice to see all of you, and still a natural redhead.

Duncan grabs a towel and wipes his head off. "I just bought this shirt."

Nikki bends down and retrieves her towel.

[Nikki] You know Amanda?

Nikki asks shocked at his revelation.

[Duncan] Way to turn the other cheek Nikki.

[Nikki] Shut up.

Nikki giggles embarrassed.

[Duncan] For centuries. She never mentioned me?

Nikki picks up the fish he had thrown at her and lobs it in his direction.

Duncan catches it and tosses the fish in the tub. "Go for a swim."

Nikki walks into the bedroom and looks in Amanda's closet for a robe.

[Nikki] How long have you known Amanda?

Nikki calls from inside Amanda's huge walk in closet.

[Duncan] A few centuries. Were you one of her students?

Duncan drips on the bathroom floor.

Nikki emerges from the closet now wearing one of Amanda's silk robes. She grabs a brush from Amanda's dresser and quickly brushes her hair.

[Nikki] As a matter of fact I was. Then we became best friends.

Nikki sets the brush down.

[Nikki] So....did you know her before you and I met?

[Duncan] Wow. She never mentioned you. You'd think a natural redhead would stand out.

Nikki asks looking at him.

Duncan says sarcastically.

[Duncan] The first time I met her she was with Rebecca Horne.

[Nikki] You obviously have a key to her condo so you guys must be pretty good friends.

[Duncan] You could say that.

Nikki goes back into the bathroom and proceeds to let the water out of the tub. Using her towel she tries to mop up the soapy mess on the floor.

[Nikki] Really?

Duncan unbuttons his shirt, removes it, and wrings it out in the tub.

Nikki she says but quietly....more to herself than to him. Her mind is racing as she puts the pieces together She makes a mental note to have a long talk with her best friend upon her return.

Duncan hangs his shirt over the edge of the tub. "Really Nikki."

[Nikki] So....you came to Seacouver just to visit Mand? I mean Amanda?

Nikki asks fishing for more information.

[Duncan] I have a Dojo here.

[Nikki] Here? In Seacouver? Did you just buy it or something?

Nikki asks as she puts the damp towel in the hamper.

[Duncan] I've been here quite a while.

Nikki stops in her tracks and looks at him incredulously.

[Nikki] Are you serious?

[Duncan] As a heart attack.

[Nikki] Unbelievable.

[Duncan] I don't want to drip on the carpet, can you get me one of my robes from the closet?

Nikki mumbles as she picks her sword up off the floor and carries it into the bedroom.

[Nikki] One of your....?

Nikki starts to say then stops. She shakes it off and shrugs. She goes into Amanda's closet and sure enough....finds a man's silk robe hanging there. She returns with it and hands it to Duncan.

[Duncan] Thanks.

[Nikki] No problem.

Nikki says trying to sound nonchalant.

Duncan starts to remove his shoes and socks and sets them next to the tub.

[Duncan] What brings you to Seacouver Nikki?

Nikki needs to remove herself from what is seeming more like a confusing dream...so she walks out of the bedroom and heads for the kitchen.

Duncan takes advantage of her absence and removes his jeans and underwear and sets them on the tub for the moment. He puts the robe on and cinches the belt tightly around his waist.

[Nikki] I live here.

Nikki calls back over her shoulder.

[Nikki] For 4 years now.

[Duncan] I'm surprised we haven't crossed paths before today.

Nikki is in the kitchen and proceeds to go about making a pot of coffee just to have something to do.

[Nikki] You took the words right out of my mouth.

Nikki mumbles to herself.  To Duncan she says, "Since you threw your dinner around the bathroom....are you hungry? I can fix something.

Duncan walks out into the kitchen and takes a seat at the table.

Duncan smiles. "Sure, I'm starving."

Nikki opens the fridge and looks in it to see what Amanda has that she can make a meal out of.

[Nikki] Let's see.....there's what looks like tuna salad....

[Duncan] On second thought, since I was going to fix sushi, why don't I make it up to you and take you to dinner?

Nikki pulls out a Tupperware container and lifts the lid. She wrinkles her nose and quickly closes it...putting it back in the fridge.

[Nikki] I have no idea what that was. Something with a lot of fuzz on it. So....

Nikki turns to look at him.

[Nikki] So....sure. But.....I doubt we'll get very far dressed in robes.

Nikki 's eyes have a mischievous twinkle in them

[Duncan] I'll go grab my clothes and pop them in the dryer.

[Nikki] Ummmmm.....I thought you said you knew Amanda?

Nikki says with a snicker.

[Duncan] Believe it or not, Amanda has domesticated a bit. There is actually a washer/dryer here.

Nikki doesn't remember ever seeing one but she shrugs.

[Nikki] If you say so.

Nikki says and heads for the bedroom to get dressed herself.

Duncan gets up and heads for the bathroom. He gathers up his wet clothes. His shoes did not appear too wet. He goes down the hall and pops the clothes in the dryer.  Duncan goes back down to the kitchen. He notices the coffee is close to ready. He pulls the pot out and the brew delay stops the brewing. He pours himself a cup.

[Duncan] Nikki, did you want any coffee?

Nikki gets dressed and walks over to Amanda's vanity and sits down. As she applies a little makeup she stops and stares at her own reflection. Since discovering who her intruder was her mind has been reeling so fast that she hasn't had a chance to realize just WHO he is.

[Nikki] No thanks.

Nikki calls out absentmindedly. To her reflection she mutters, "Duncan. It's really Duncan," and suddenly her reflection fades and she is no longer looking at herself.


Pacific Northwest – 1883

Nikki It was past midnight when Nicayla quietly dug up the newly filled in grave and opened the simple pine box. As she removed the sheets that was wrapped around the body, the Immortal opened his eyes and gasped for air. “Shhh,” Nikki whispered and placed her fingers over his mouth “Come on but stay low.” She whispered and finished unwrapping the sheet, freeing his body. She climbed out of the grave and looked around to make sure that no one was observing them then motioned for him to follow her.  Duncan climbed out of the coffin and grave and, crouching down, followed Nicayla to the back of the graveyard and through the fence. Duncan climbed out of the coffin and grave and, crouching down, followed Nicayla to the back of the graveyard and through the fence. Nikki led him into a thicket of trees a few feet behind the graveyard where she had two horses tied. She quickly untied both horses, climbed up on hers and held the reins of the other one out for Duncan. Duncan took the reins and mounted the horse. Nikki nudged her horse and took the lead. With Duncan following she headed for her cabin. It was far enough outside of town and remote enough that she knew it would be the safest place to take him and give him time to “regroup”. When they arrived she rode straight into the barn behind her cabin and got off of her horse. Duncan followed Nikki into the barn and dismounted.  Nikki tied both horses up inside the barn and led Duncan outside, closing the barn door behind them then led him into her cabin. Once inside she took off her duster and hung it on a hook by the door. She removed her holster and hung it up next to her duster then went over to the fireplace and proceeded to light a fire. Duncan stood inside the door and watched Nikki Once the fire was lit he was able to see more of his surroundings and he looked around. He had been in Centerville for a month...getting to know the lady sheriff, Nicayla Flynn, and this was the first time he  been in Centerville for a month...getting to know the lady sheriff, Nicayla Flynn, and this was the first time he had ever been to her cabin. It was a simple two room structure...one room being the kitchen and the other...the living room and bedroom.  The focal point was the huge river rock double sided fireplace situated in the center of the large main room. One one side of the fireplace was the bedroom and on the other side...the side they were on...was the living room.  One entire wall was filled with book shelves and each shelf was filled with books. Duncan walked over and examined the spines of those illuminated by the fire. He was impressed by the variety of subjects.  On the wall across from the books hung a variety of Native American items and he recognized most of them as being from the Lakota, Sioux tribe. When Nikki was sure that the fire was going to sty lit she stood up from the hearth and went around the fireplace into the “bedroom” and returned with some clothes neatly folded. She took them over to Duncan and handed them to him.

[Nikki] I took these out of your pack before our doctor slash coroner came to your hotel room to take your belongings. You can change in there.

Nikki said pointing to the bedroom.

[Nikki] There is water in the pitcher on the vanity at the foot of the bed and a towel on the hook next to it if you want to wash up. Oh....and I managed to get this, too.

Nikki said and walked over to the couch. She picked up something wrapped in a blanket, unwrapped it and held it out to Duncan.

Duncan smiled when he the contents of the blanket turned out to be his Katana. He walked over and took hold of the hilt and looked into Nikki's eyes.

[Duncan] Thank you.

Duncan said with a smile.

[Nikki] And you can have the horse you rode here. Are you hungry? I could fix you something to eat if you are.

Nikki asked as she stepped aside so he could go into the bedroom to change clothes.

[Duncan] No thank you.

Duncan answered politely and headed for the other side of the fireplace.

[Nikki] How about something to drink? I have a bottle of Irish Whiskey, some lemonade or I could make some tea or coffee.

Duncan smiled as he removed the shirt he had been wearing when he was shot and buried.

[Duncan] I guess some whiskey does sound good right now.

Duncan called out over his shoulder as he poured water from the pitcher on the vanity into the matching bowl and picked up the bar of soap from the small dish next to it.

[Nikki] Whiskey it is, then.

Nikki said and walked over to a hutch against the front wall. She squatted down in front of it and opened the doors. She took out a bottle of whiskey and stood up. Taking two shot glasses out of the top cabinet and filled each with the amber colored liquid.

[Nikki] You know.....you didn't need to do what you did. I could have taken him.

Nikki called out over her shoulder as she poured the whiskey.

[Nikki] I've taken faster than him.

Nikki took one of the glasses and downed the whiskey in one shot and refilled it.

[Nikki] I didn't get to be the sheriff of Centerville because I was a helpless female, you know.

Nikki said with a slight giggle.

Duncan pulled the towel off of the hook and dried his face and chest. He snickered at Nikki's remark. He knew that she had a point but he had acted on instinct....at least what was instinctive to him....when he stepped between the young gunslinger and Nikki.  It was in his nature to be protective of the fairer sex....no matter how capable they might be of taking care of themselves. It has always been his way and he doubted seriously that it would ever change.

Nikki picked up the two glasses and turned around. She took in a deep breath, walked over and stood next to the double sided fireplace, leaning against it. She watched Duncan dry off admiringly.

As Duncan lowered the towel from his face to his chest he turned around and looked surprised to see Nikki leaning against the side of the fireplace, watching him and he stood almost frozen in place.

Nikki held out one of the glasses for him.

[Nikki] You know they wanted to put you on ice and try and locate your family before deciding to bury you. Our doctor slash coroner tends to like to do that to strangers who die in the city limits. That would mean that he would have to drain your body of all your blood and sew your lips, eyelids and....

Nikki cleared her throat uncomfortably.

[Nikki] ....other orifices shut. They call it an autopsy. He learned about it a year ago and uses it every chance he can.

Duncan winced as he thought about the prospect.

[Nikki] Luckily I was able to convince them that you had no family to contact....that you were a drifter with no ties and that you should just be buried and be done with it.

Duncan stepped over and took the glass she was offering him.

[Duncan] Thanks. I appreciate that.

Duncan said with a small smile. He took a swig of his drink and hung the towel back on the hook. He walked over to the bed and started to unfasten the pants he was wearing,

Nikki then remembered that Nikki was still standing there so he stopped and turned around expecting to see her still leaning against the side of the fireplace.

Nikki watched Duncan hang the towel back up and walk over to the bed and she could no longer help herself. She emptied her glass in one shot and walked soundlessly up behind Duncan.

Duncan was completely taken aback to find Nikki standing behind him only inches away.

Nikki reached out and placed the palms of her hands against Duncan's chest and slowly ran then down his washboard abs. She slowly raised her eyes from his chest to his face.

Duncan looked down into her eyes and could see the desire in them. He placed his hands gently on either side of her face and leaned down, touching his lips softly to hers.

Nikki responded by returning his kiss, passionately, and gently pushing him backwards toward the bed.

As the back of Duncan's legs touched the edge of the bed, he began to unbutton Nikki's shirt and as he fell backwards onto the bed he slipped it off of her shoulders and grabbed her by the waist,

Nikki pulling her down on top of him. He proceeded to make passionate love to her then lay next to her in the fire light, holding her in his arms. He smelled her hair and tried to figure out what fragrance he was smelling.

Nikki could hear Duncan as he sniffed her hair and she smiled, cuddling up next to him tighter.

[Nikki] Gardenias and vanilla.

Nikki said so softly her voice was almost a whisper.

[Nikki] I make it myself and add it to my soaps

Duncan leaned his head back a bit and looked down at her.

[Duncan] Really.

Nikki leaned her own head back and looked into his face and nodded

[Duncan] Where did you learn that from?

Duncan asked sincerely interested.

Nikki moved her head back to the position it was so that she could see the fire in the fireplace.

[Nikki] I woke up from my first death in a Lakota village. Their Shaman, Ska Wabli (White Eagle), and his wife, Sa Hanhepi We (Red Moon), sort of adopted me. I lived among them...learned from them for 5 years.  It was something that Sa Hanhepi We taught me. She used to say, “A wiya cante hecha el mna lecel a wicasa.”

Nikki snickered softly at the memory.

[Duncan] A woman does not have to smell like a man.

Duncan translated and smiled.

Nikki raised up on one elbow and looked at Duncan a bit surprised.

[Nikki] You speak Lakota?

Duncan turned his head and looked at her. He nodded.

[Duncan] We have something else in common besides being Celtic.

Duncan smiled.

[Nikki] And Immortal.

They both laughed at that. Then Nikki leaned over and kissed him tenderly.

Duncan returned her kiss, rolled her onto her back and proceeded to make love to her again...this time with tenderness. They continued to make love to each other...talking in between...sharing small tidbits about each other...until the first ray of sunlight touched the sky, turning it from black to a deep violet, and the song of the first morning bird could be heard.

Nikki realized that the sun would be up soon as she laid in Duncan's arms listening to the rhythm of his heart beating. She moved her head so her voice wouldn't be muffled by his chest and said in a soft voice, “the cover of darkness will be gone soon.”

Duncan kissed the top of her head. He knew all too well what time it was and he knew that...as much as he wanted to stay...he was going to have to move on....move on to someplace that didn't think he was dead and buried It was something he had done many times in the past but this time ...like a couple of others...he wished he didn't have to and he inwardly cursed himself for being so damn chivalrous. If he hadn't been he could stay....make a life here in Centerville...a life with Nicayla. He wasn't sure when it had happened but sometime during the last month he had fallen in love with the lady sheriff of Centerville He didn't know if she felt the same way as he had never told her how he felt ...but he thought that she did by the way she had just made love to him. He gently pulled her away from him and looked into her emerald eyes.

[Duncan] I wish....

Duncan began to say.

Nikki reached up and placed her fingers against Duncan's lips and shook her head.

[Nikki] You know that you have to go.

Nikki whispered.

[Duncan] Come with me.

Duncan said so softly he was almost whispering. He reached up and traced the line of her jaw with the tip of his finger.

Nikki raised up and gave him a brief and tender kiss. The invitation was a tempting one. She had never been in love before. She had only heard about being in love from listening to other people talk about it.  Nikki had never imagined herself ever feeling like that about anyone. Until that night....as she was digging out the grave he had been buried in...she hadn't realized that she had fallen in love with Duncan MacLeod.  After having making such beautiful love all night long with him she knew it for sure and would have gladly ridden away with him except for one thing. She sighed and lowered her eyes, sadly.

[Nikki] I can't.

Nikki whispered.

[Duncan] Why not?

Duncan asked trying to hide his disappointment not only from her but from himself. He placed his finger under Nikki's chin and raised her face up so he could see it.

Nikki looked into Duncan's eyes and a tear trickled down her cheek. She closed her eyes.

[Nikki] I took an oath....swore my allegiance to these people. I have a responsibility to them. I can't just run out on them. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I did.

Nikki opened her eyes and looked at him...hoping that he understood.

[Nikki] I'm sorry.

Nikki said sadly and another tear trickled down her other cheek.

Duncan searched her face. A part of him understood. He had always prided himself as being a man of honor. Someone who lived up to his responsibilities....who made good on the promises he made.  He understood what it was to have a sense of duty. But there was a part of him....a more selfish part...that wanted nothing more than to convince her to leave with him.  As he placed the palm of his hand against her cheek and brushed her tear away with his thumb he came to the realization that it wouldn't be right of him to ask that of her. He swallowed hard against the lump that had grown in his throat.   Without a word he leaned over and kissed her tear stained cheeks, then her forehead. “I love you, Nicayla Flynn,” he thought to himself, but never said it allowed. He got out of bed and got dressed in silence.

Nikki watched Duncan as he got dressed...trying to will away her conscience so that she could accept his invitation but her conscience was too strong.

When Duncan was dressed and ready to go he sat on the edge of Nikki's bed and looked down at her.

Nikki sat up and put her arms around his neck.

[Nikki] Niye mani el maste ohinyan.

Nikki whispered against his neck then let go of him. (May you walk in sunshine forever.)

Duncan swallowed hard again and got to his feet. He picked up his sword which he had leaned against the side of the fireplace and turned to look at her one last time then

Nikki hurried for the door and walked out of the cabin before he could change his mind.  She waited until she heard the door of her cabin close and she got up and wrapped a blanket around herself. She went to the door of the cabin and opened it, stepping out onto the porch and looked in the direction of the barn.

Duncan mounted the horse Nikki had told him he could have and rode it out of the barn just as the sky turned from deep violet to a pale blue and wisps of yellow could be seen over the tops  of the mountains behind the meadow the cabin was in. Without looking at the cabin, Duncan urged his horse into a cantor and rode out of the meadow and into his future.

Nikki watched as Duncan MacLeod rode out of her life.


Nikki becomes aware of her surroundings with a slight shudder. She takes in a deep breath and shakes her head to clear it.

[Nikki] So....here you are.

Nikki says to herself softly.

[Nikki] And here he is.

Nikki puts the finishing touches on her make up and quickly brushes her hair.

[Nikki] So what are you going to do about it, Flynn? Hmmm?

Duncan hears the dryer buzzer go off.

Nikki takes one last look in the mirror, gets up, grabs her sword and coat off of the chair by the bed and heads out of the bedroom and into the living room.

Duncan gets up and walks down the hall to the dryer and opens the door. He reaches in for his clothes. "Ah, nice and dry."  He gathers them up and walks back to the bathroom and closes the door.  Duncan dresses quickly and heads back down to the kitchen.

In the living room, Nikki walks over to the sliding glass door and looks out past the balcony to the beach below.

[Nikki] You got some splainin to do Miss Amanda.

Nikki says aloud to the glass door.

Duncan sits down and sips his coffee again.

Nikki hears Duncan sit down and turns to look at him.

[Nikki] I thought we were going out?

Nikki asks quirking an eyebrow.

Duncan gets up quickly. "Ready when you are. At least we don't have holsters and Colts to worry about."

Nikki lowers her eyes and her cheeks color. She giggles softly as she walks up to Duncan.

[Nikki] We? If I remember correctly....and I'm sure I do....I was the only one carrying a weapon. I had to take yours away when you first came to town. It was a city ordinance.

Nikki looks up at him and smiles smugly

[Nikki] Remember?

[Duncan] Seems like you're always messing with my clothes. And this time it wasn't my Colt, it was my sushi.

[Nikki] A dead fish can be just as dangerous as a loaded revolver, Mr. MacLeod.

Nikki says sounding very much like she did when she was the sheriff.

[Duncan] Well Madame Sheriff, will it be sushi or some other food related weapon?

[Nikki] To be honest....

Nikki says as she slips on her coat.

[Nikki] I've never been too fond of raw fish. I'm more a beef gal. How about we compromise and go to the Warf Surf and Turf Club?

[Duncan] Sounds good.

[Nikki] Lead the way, MacLeod.

Nikki says as she opens the front door and holds it open. She bows gallantly.

Duncan walks out the front. "Yes ma'am and this time I get to walk out with my clothes on.

Nikki can't keep from bursting into laughter as she locks and closes the door behind them and follows Duncan.