I've done my best with accents. Hope they work all right.

Slight cussing in French. I want to thank my betareaders: Tracy, Shirl, and Denise. Rated: PG

Disclaimers: All Forever Knight characters and data belong to TriStar. All Highlander characters and data belong to Rysher Entertainment. The character Henri belongs to moi.

Also, I wrote this about, oh, a year ago. So, it's an older story.

by Ninjababe

Chapter 1

"What do you mean, I can't buy a drink?" a petite, brown haired woman asked.

"Your ID's a fake. It's a good fake, but it's still a fake," the bartender at the Raven replied. He had seen many fake identification cards, even used a few, in his two hundred years as a vampire and this one was a work of art. He wondered why the woman needed a fake card. She looked old enough to legally buy liquor. If it hadn't been for LaCroix's rule of checking all non-vampire's identification before selling alcoholic beverages, he would have served this woman a drink, no questions asked.

"Is there a problem?"

The bartender and the woman turn to look at the man who spoke.

A pale man with a blond buzz cut bowed his head slightly at the woman and said, "My name is LaCroix. I am the owner of this establishment."

"The lady is trying to buy alcoholic beverages whit a fake I.D.," the bartender replied. The woman crossed her arms over her chest and glared.

"We can't have that. But you are obviously old enough to purchase liquor. A dilemma." LaCroix paused as if in thought. "I think I have a solution. May I buy you a drink, mam'selle?"

The woman shrugged her shoulders. "Why not?"

The woman and LaCroix were soon reclined in a semi-private booth and sipped their drinks.

"Aren't you even going to ask my name?" the woman asked.

"You will tell me sooner or later," LaCroix replied.

The woman laughed softly. "I'm Amanda."

"You must like that name. That was the name you used the last time we met," LaCroix replied.

"Actually, it is the name I was born with," she replied. "Unlike you. Still, keeping the same name for... a millennium isn't it?"

"About."

"How have you been? Still trying to win your 'wayward son' back?"

"He's as stubborn as ever. He will be very surprised to see you. After all, you should be dead and turned to dust by now," LaCroix told her.

Amanda grinned impishly and looked around the room. "Interesting place."

"I purchased it from my daughter," LaCroix replied. "Why are you in town, my dear? You wouldn't be after the Lashmeer diamond, would you?"

"Who, moi?" Amanda replied, looking innocent. "It never crossed my mind. Why would I be after a fifty carat diamond that is in one of the most secure museums in the country? It would be very challenging."

LaCroix chuckled quietly and reached for his drink. He noticed a peculiar look on Amanda's face, one he had seen before. "Another Immortal nearby?"

"Yes. But how did you know?" Amanda asked while she scanned the room.

"The look that crossed you face. You've had the same look in the past when another Immortal was nearby."

"I think it's that man over there." Amanda told LaCroix while she tilted her head toward the bar.

"Do you know him?"

"No. And that could be a problem... I'm not really in the mood for a sword fight."

"You never are," LaCroix replied sardonically. "But if there is a fight, please try and have it someplace else. I have no wish for another run-in with the police about a body in the Raven."

"I'll do what I can," Amanda replied distractedly as she got up and sashayed over to the bar.

Chapter 2

Amanda noticed that the bartender was handing a drink to the man she was about to introduce herself to. 'Humph. If he isn't out to kill me, I'll have to ask where he gets his ID.'

"Good evening, my name is Amanda," she told the man.

"Evenin' petite. How can I help you?" the man asked.

"Just saw you across the room and wanted to say 'hi'," Amanda replied. 'Could I have been wrong? Is he a normal person?'

"Well, my name be Henri. Nice t'meet you. Been in dis town long?"

"Not really," she replied with a slight shrug of her shoulders.

"You be here for de business, or de pleasure?"

"A little of both. You?"

"De same."

A silence fell between them. Neither of them wished to give away to much about their life.

"So petite, what be your occupation in dis lifetime?" Henri asked with a knowing look.

Amanda's eyes widened slightly. "So, you are the one I felt."

"Oui mam'selle," he replied with a slight bow. "Are we going t'fight now?"

"Not unless you have a need to. I have better things to do with my time," she replied.

"Oh? Like what?"

Amanda shrugged her shoulders and smiled slightly.

"Not goin' ta tell Henri, eh?" he asked.

"Oh, I do a little of this and a little of that," she replied. "It was nice to meet you Henri, but I must get back to my friend."

"He wouldn' be another one like us, would he?" Henri asked.

"No, he isn't," Amanda smiled. "It was nice meeting you."

"Au revoir petite. 'Till we meet again," Henri replied.

=====

"Well?" LaCroix asked as Amanda returned to her seat. "I take it that all is well?"

"Yes. For now anyway." Amanda replied.

"For now?"

"Never know what will happen later on in life."

"I see," LaCroix replied.

Amanda watched as Henri finished his drink and left the club.

"He's not that bad to look at. Like his accent too. Cajun I believe," Amanda commented.

She straightened slightly as she noticed another blond man enter the Raven. "Oh goodie. Nicholas, or whatever name he is using, is here."

"Nicholas is correct," LaCroix replied. "This should be interesting. Especially when he sees you."

"And me without my camera," Amanda quipped. "Here he comes."

"LaCroix, I need to talk to you in private," Nick said as he reached LaCroix and Amanda's table.

"Ah Nicholas! I want to introduce you. Amanda, this is Nicholas Knight."

"How do you... do..." Nick faltered as he recognized Amanda's face.

Chapter 3

Venice, Renaissance Translated from Italian

Nick tilted his head slightly at a sound. 'Sounded like one of the upstairs windows being slid open,' he thought to himself.

LaCroix looked up from the book he was reading. "Go see what that is, will you, Nicholas."

"Might only be the wind," Nick replied.

Suddenly, they both heard a thud and a barely audible "Merde!" from upstairs.

"The wind is quite articulate tonight," LaCroix stated as Nick got up to investigate.

Nick went upstairs where he found a petite woman trying to disentangle herself from the remains of what was once a table. She had obviously fallen onto it while climbing through the window.

"Good evening. Can I help you?" Nick asked in a soft voice.

"Eep!" the woman jumped from her seated position, trailing pieces of wood to the floor. "Hello. This isn't what it looks like. I, uh, lost my way and saw the window open. So, I came looking for help."

"And why were you coming into a second story? And it is quite amazing how you could see the open window from the street in the dark. I think you were planning to rob us."

"Well! I never!" the woman said indignantly.

"Especially since you are wearing black and carrying those sacks. That, and the fact that you have illegally entered my home, all points to the fact that you have come to rob us," Nick replied with a slightly amused grin.

"Well, no harm done. I'll just be on my way," the woman said as she started back towards the window she had come in through.

"I do believe I have found my dinner for the night," LaCroix said from the door. He then turned to the woman with glowing eyes and snarled.

The woman didn't scream. Instead, she gasped and dug around in the bags she was carrying. LaCroix walked toward the woman at a easy pace, hoping to get her more terrified than she was. He stopped suddenly when she brought out sword and held it expertly.

"You may get my blood, but I'll make sure you lose some body parts in the process," the woman said in an even tone.

LaCroix paused. His eyes returned back to blue and his fangs retracted as he chuckled.

"If you are such an excellent swordswoman, why are you a thief?" LaCroix asked.

She shrugged. "I have to pass the time somehow." She held her sword warily as she watched LaCroix.

"Do you have a name, little one?" LaCroix asked.

"Of course I do! Everyone has a name," she said while looked at LaCroix as if he was deranged.

"And that is?" Nick asked.

"I don't think I'll tell you," the woman said as she backed toward to the window.

LaCroix motioned toward the window. "Nicholas, if you would."

Nick became a blur before the woman's eyes. The next she knew, she had backed into someone. This someone grabbed her in a grip of steel, making it impossible for her to move her arms.

"Thank you Nicholas. Now then my dear, because you are so amusing to me, I may let you live if you answer my questions. What is your name?" LaCroix said.

"Amanda" she said in a sulky tone.

=====

"But you... you're dead!" Nick exclaimed to the woman calmly sipping her drink.

"Damn! Now I know I should’ve brought my camera! The look on your face is priceless," Amanda replied with a grin.

"Nicholas, I do believe you should sit down. You are attracting attention," LaCroix said.

Nick sat down. "I'm still waiting for an answer."

Amanda just shrugged. "I just haven't died for good yet."

"What do you mean, 'died for good'?" Nick asked suspiciously.

"You really don't know, do you?" Amanda smirked. "Well, I'm what's termed an 'Immortal'."

"Oh? Why?" Nick asked

"Well I never age, I heal at an advanced rate, and when I die, I don't stay dead," Amanda replied.

"But why? How?" Nick asked.

"I don't know. None of us know," she replied.

"Oh? There's more that one of you?" Nick asked.

"Indeed Nicholas. There are quite a few. All running around with swords trying to destroy each other. Quite entertaining," LaCroix said.

"Wait a minute. I thought you said you couldn't die! What's this business with the swords?" Nick accused.

Amanda shrugged. "We don't die... unless we're beheaded. That's why each of us carry a sword to protect ourselves. We participate in what is called 'The Game'. What that really means is that some of us, the ones who are active in the game, go around trying to behead the others. The winner of each match gets the life-force of the loser, also called the Quickening..."

"Causes quite an electrical storm," LaCroix interrupted.

"Yes it does. Can I continue?" Amanda glared at LaCroix for a second after he regally nodded yes. "Where was I? Oh yes... The game will end when there is only one Immortal left. Most Immortals use the catch phrase 'There can be only one.' when they behead someone. I've heard of some Immortals who believe the game was created for some Immortal's amusement, but I don't know."

"And how long have you been playing this 'game'?" Nick asked.

"I've been an Immortal for about one thousand years now." she replied.

"You've wanted to speak to me Nicholas?" LaCroix interrupted.

"Yes LaCroix. A guard of the Lashmeer diamond exhibit was killed in an attempted robbery last night. I came to see if you've heard anything, but with Amanda here, I think I have a better lead," Nick replied.

"Why does everyone always think I'm a thief?!?" Amanda asked.

I never said I thought you were the thief. But now that you mention it... When I first met you, you were a thief, and you may still be one," Nick replied.

"Well, I don't know anything about an attempted robbery or a dead guard." Amanda replied.

"I notice that you haven't denied that you are a thief," Nick told her. "Besides, I never said you were a thief."

Amanda glared at Nick.

"Well? Aren't you going to tell me anything?" Nick asked.

Amanda just smiled a saccharine smile.

"Then I'll have to ask you to come with me," Nick said as he stood up.

"You're arresting me? On what charges?" she asked.

"Suspicion of attempted robbery and suspicion of murder," Nick coldly replied.

"What?!? You can't be serious! You have no evidence!" she exclaimed.

"A: you all but admitted that you're a thief. B: You've admitted to carrying a sword and the guard was killed by either a long knife or sword. I think that's grounds for questioning, at least," Nick calmly stated.

Chapter 4

"Let's go through this again. You were with who last night?" Tracy Vetter asked Amanda.

"His name is Duncan MacLeod. He's at the Eudora Hills Inn," Amanda replied.

"Where is he from? Why is he in Toronto?" Nick asked.

"He owns an antique shop in Seattle and is in town for the annual antique show." Amanda replied.

"That will be easy enough to check up on," Tracy said.

"Knight, Vetter, can I see you two for a moment?" Reese said as he poked his head into interrogation room.

Nick and Tracy left with Captain Reese as an uniformed officer entered the room to guard Amanda.

"I don't know what it is, but there is something about men in uniforms..." Amanda told the officer, who just ignored her.

=====

"If her alibi checks out, we'll have to let her go, Reese told his two detectives.

"What?!" Nick exclaimed.

"We have nothing on her Nick. We found no sword on her, and we can't find any motive," Reese replied.

"But she's a thief!" Nick burst out.

"Maybe. But is she a murderess?" Tracy asked.

"You agree with the captain?" Nick asked Tracy, not pleased.

"Yes. She's no more a killer than you are, Nick," Tracy replied.

"We'll probably have to let her go Nick. I'm sorry, but you'll just have to keep digging," Reese told him.

"We're going to check into your alibi," Tracy told Amanda as the two detectives stopped inthe interrogation room.

Amanda smiled and waved at the departing detectives. "Have fun!"

=====

Tracy and Nick stood outside Duncan MacLeod's hotel room waiting for him to answer. The door opened, revealing a muscular man with dark hair pulled back into a ponytail.

"Duncan MacLeod?" Tracy asked.

"Yes," MacLeod replied.

Nick showed his badge. "Metro police. Can we come in?"

"Of course." Duncan opened the door wider to let the two detectives in. "What can I do for you?"

"Where were you last night between the times of eight p.m. and one am?" Nick asked.

"I was here in my room. Why?" Duncan replied.

"Were you alone?" Tracy inquired.

"Perhaps," Duncan replied with a slight grin.

"Mr. MacLeod, we are investigating a murder here. If you could be more cooperative," Nick said coldly.

"Very well then. Yes, I was with someone. A woman," Duncan replied.

"Her name?" Tracy asked, prepared to write it down in a small notebook.

"Amanda Smyth, spelled S-m-y-t-h. She's staying at the Hilton downtown," Duncan replied.

"Thank you. That's all we need to know for now. How long will you be in town?" Nick asked.

"For another week at least," Duncan replied as he showed the detectives out of his room.

"Thank you for your cooperation," Tracy stated as she and her partner left.

Duncan shut the door and thought, "I hope Amanda has the imagination to tell the cops that I was with her."

=====

"You're free to go Ms. Smyth," Tracy told Amanda as the two detectives re-entered the interrogation room.

"Just don't leave town," Nick added.

"That sounds like a line from a second rate movie," Amanda said with a smile.

Nick just glared.

"Can I have my coat back?" Amanda asked.

"Of course. It's a very nice coat. Where did you get it?" Tracy asked.

"A boutique in Paris called Meme Salut. An old, dear friend of mine took me there," Amanda replied as she put her thigh length black leather trench coat on. "Toodles!"

Chapter 5

Amanda looked around the room, searching for any obvious security measures before she stepped near the display case in the center.

She looked down on the diamond reclining on a velvet pillow. She started to lean closer...

"I'm sorry ma'am, but you'll have to back up."

Amanda looked at the cop guarding the left side of the display case. "Sorry. But it's so beautiful."

"Yes ma'am."

"When do you get off work?" Amanda asked with a flirtous look.

"Not till six ma'am. And ma'am, I'm married," the cop told her.

Amanda sighed, "What a shame." She took one more look at the Lashmeer diamond, then turned away.

She was halfway out of the exhibit when she felt the presence of another immortal nearby. She looked around to see Duncan MacLeod looking at her.

She quickened her pace and smiled. "Hello Duncan. What's up?"

"Just having a quiet laugh over the historical inaccuracies in the museum," Duncan answered. "The real question is, what are you doing here Amanda? I'm not used to seeing you in museums when they're open."

"Shush! Keep your voice down!" Amanda cautioned MacLeod. She had noticed Detective Knight entering the exhibit.

=====

Nick walked into the exhibit to check on the guards and was surprised to see Amanda and Duncan MacLeod talking around a display case. He had arrived just in time to hear Amanda tell Mr. MacLeod to keep his voice down and hurried over.

"I didn't think I'd find you here Ms. Smyth. But then again, the criminal almost always return to the crime scene, don't they?" he said to Amanda.

Amanda rolled her eyes. "I didn't do it!" she exclaimed.

"I don't believe you. And I'm going to prove it. MacLeod here may have given you an alibi, but we are working on proving it false," Nick told her.

"Well, good luck detective," Amanda replied sweetly.

"You didn't tell my why you are here," Nick responded.

"I just wanted to see what I was accused of trying to steal," Amanda replied.

"We're keeping an eye on you Ms. Smyth," Nick warned.

"Aren't you sweet? Now if you will excuse me, I really must go to the ladies room and freshen up," Amanda then stalked out of the exhibit.

"What is Amanda under suspicion for detective?" Duncan asked.

"Murder and attempted robbery," Nick replied, watching for Duncan's reaction.

"Amanda kill a person? It doesn't sound anything like her," Duncan replied.

Nick shrugged. "I'm afraid you'll have to excuse me," he said as he started towalked off.

"Wait detective. How did the guard die?" For curiosities sake," Duncan asked.

"He had multiple slash wounds from a long, sharp object. Like a sword," Nick replied before leaving.

"That definitely doesn't sound like Amanda," Duncan muttered to himself.

Chapter 6

Amanda looked around the club for LaCroix. When she couldn't see him in the darkness, she went up to the bar to ask the bartender.

"Can I help you ma'am?" the woman behind the bar asked.

"What happened to the bartender from last night?" Amanda asked.

"It's his day off, why?" the woman asked.

"Just curious," Amanda stated with a shrug. "Is LaCroix around?"

"Over there," the bartender said, pointing toward the side of the nightclub.

Amanda followed the pointing finger to see LaCroix chatting with a petite brunette in one of the booths.

LaCroix raised an eyebrow at the approaching Amanda. "Back so soon?" he asked.

"I just can't stay away," Amanda replied with a sarcastic look. "Can I speak to you in private?"

LaCroix raised an eyebrow and motioned Amanda to sit. "If you could leave us for a bit?" he asked the brunette seated across from him.

"I need some advice." Amanda said after the brunette left.

"Oh? And who said I'll give you any?"

"Because you want to?"

"You still amuse me child. Ask away."

"Good. Here's the problem. I need to clear my name with Detective Knight. In order to do that, I have to find who killed the security guard the other night."

"So you come to me for help, same as Nicholas. This can be very tiring." LaCroix said with a small sigh.

Amanda just shrugged and waited for LaCroix's reply to her dilemma.

"What do you think the thief will do next?"

"If it were me, I'd try again," Amanda replied after thinking for a moment.

"Then watch the museum until the thief returns."

"I don't know if that'll be enough. The thief will kill anyone who gets in his or her way."

"Then steal the diamond first."

"That might work!" Amanda exclaimed. She bent over and kissed LaCroix on the cheek. "Thanks" she told him before she left the club.

LaCroix sat and watched the dancers as he sipped his drink.

Chapter 7

"Aww, come on MacLeod! It'll be fun," Amanda pleaded.

"No Amanda, we'll get caught. Can't you just watch the museum, then make an anonymous tip?" Duncan asked her.

"Because the thief could take a hostage. More people could get hurt."

"No. I'm not doing it."

=====

"How did I let you talk me into this?" Duncan whispered.

"Shush. This is delicate work," Amanda whispered back. "There. Now all the security cameras are down."

"Won't that raise an alarm?"

"No. Found out that the security cameras go out all the time."

"Who told you that?"

Amanda tugged Duncan towards an air duct. "Do you really want to know? Come on."

Soon, they were peering down at the Lashmeer diamond display and it's two guards.

Amanda handed Duncan a gas mask. "Here."

"What's this for?" Duncan asked while turning the mask in his hands.

"What do you think? Put it on," Amanda replied. She then put on her own gas mask and took out a gas capsule gun.

"What is that?"

"Don't worry. This'll just knock the guards out for a few hours," Amanda replied before aiming and shooting the gas capsule at the floor below. Soon, the two Immortals could see the guards slump to the ground, unconscious.

"Now for the fun part," Amanda said. "Strong man like you should be able to support my weight till I get down there, right?"

"No problem."

"Good," Amanda replied distractedly as she hooked up a climbing harness. "Here goes nothing."

Duncan grabbed the rope Amanda threw at him and lowered her to the ground.

=====

"Merde. Somebody be here already," the figure muttered as he looked at the security camera control box.

=====

Amanda disconnected herself from the rope and cautiously walked to the Lashmeer diamond. She studied the case till she knew where the alarms were. She then got out her glass cutter, shaking her head at the sloppiness of the alarm system.

Just as Amanda was pulling the diamond out, she felt the presence of another Immortal nearby. She quickly looked about and saw Henri, the Immortal she met at the Raven.

"Henri? You're the thief and murderer?" Amanda asked, dumbstruck.

"Oui. Now give me the diamond, and I'll let you keep your head," Henri stated while pulling his sword from under his trenchcoat.

"No." Amanda dropped the diamond into an inside pocket of her coat and drew her own sword.

Chapter 8

"Damn it all. I can't get down there," Duncan muttered to himself as he looked for a way to get to the ground below. He grinned when he saw an air conditioner fan a few feet away.

=====

Nick prowled through the halls of the museum. He was right about Amanda being the thief. Watching her and Mr. MacLeod breaking into the museum was proof enough.

He stopped suddenly when he heard the clanging of swords. Remembering what Amanda had told him about Immortals, Nick rushed toward the sound.

=====

"You won' win petite. Not only will I get de diamond, I'll have your Quickening too," Henri said as he attacked Amanda with a snarl on his face.

Amanda parried and dodged the rain of blows and waited for an opening. Whenever she found one, she struck, leaving a deep cut.

Amanda's tactics made Henri furious. He started to attack blindly, trying to hack Amanda to bits.

=====

Nick rushed forward to stop the duel, only to be stopped by a sword at his throat.

"I'm sorry Detective, but we can't interfere," Duncan MacLeod said from the shadows.

"But one of them will die!" Nick exclaimed.

"Perhaps."

=====

"De diamond be mine!" Henri exclaimed as he drove Amanda to the ground and disarmed her.

"Did you have to kill the guard?" Amanda panted out as she reached for her boot, hoping Henri wouldn't notice.

"He got in de way just as you did petite," Henri replied as he raised his sword to behead Amanda.

Chapter 9

Amanda's arm flicked out and Henri staggered back with a dagger sticking out of his chest. Henri looked down, bewildered, before falling to the floor dead.

=====

"So he's the one who killed the guard," Nick said.

"Yes. He wanted the diamond. Maybe too much," Amanda responded.

"So you decided to steal the diamond first, hoping he'd come after you? How did you know the thief was Immortal?" Nick asked.

"I didn't," Amanda stated. "By the way, Duncan, how did you get down here?"

"I tied the rope to a support of an air conditioner fan," Duncan replied.

"Clever, very clever. Now what?" Amanda asked, looking down at the slowly reviving, handcuffed Henri.

"He goes to jail for murder and attempted robbery," Nick explained as Henri regained consciousness.

"I'll 'ave your head petite! Just you wait!" Henri ranted.

"Couldn't you make him forget me or something?" Amanda asked Nick with soulful eyes.

"No, sorry, can't do that," Nick said as he opened his cellular phone to call the police station.

"Why should Detective Knight be able to make Henri forget?" Duncan asked, perplexed.

"Never mind. Maybe I'll explain it to you some day... after I get permission," Amanda told Duncan. She started to leave, but was stopped by Duncan's hand on her arm.

"Amanda," Duncan said in a threatening voice while he held out a hand.

"What?" Amanda asked with an innocent look on her face.

"The diamond. You can't keep it," Duncan replied.

"You spoil all my fun," Amanda pouted as she dug the diamond out of her coat and handed it to Duncan.

Duncan handed the diamond to Nick and watched Amanda stalk off.

"See you around Detective," Duncan told Nick. "I'm going to get some answers from Amanda."

Chapter 10

Amanda was startled by the hand on her shoulder.

"Your presence graces this establishment yet again my dear. Why are we so honored for the third night running?" LaCroix asked as he removed his hand from Amanda's shoulder. He took a sip from his glass of 'wine' as he waited for her answer.

"I hate it when you sneak up on me," Amanda glared. "I just came to say 'au revoir'."

"Leaving so soon? Pity," LaCroix replied.

"Places to go, people to see," Amanda said with a shrug.

"Things to steal?" a male voice asked from behind Amanda.

Amanda whirled to see Nick Knight standing there.

"Stop it," Amanda said, giving Nick a glare. "And stop maligning my character."

Nick laughed then said, "I thought I might find you here. I came to tell you that Henri has confessed to the crimes he committed, two counts of attempted robbery and one count of murder."

"Two counts of attempted robbery?" Amanda asked.

"Yes. It seemed he went back to try and steal the Lashmeer diamond again. He disabled the security cameras and snuck in through the air ducts. Using an air conditioner fan support as an anchor, he lowered himself to the ground below and stole the diamond from it's case," Nick said, trying to keep a straight face. "Oh, I almost forgot. He gave the guards of the Lashmeer diamond sleeping gas this time instead of killing them."

"I see," Amanda replied.

"Anyway, that's what Henri said he did," Nick said. He then held out his hand and said, "Good-bye Amanda. Until we meet again."

Amanda shook Nick's hand, then kissed him on the cheek. "Bye Nicholas." She then turned to LaCroix. "Good-bye, LaCroix."

"Au revoir, ma petite," LaCroix replied to her retreating form.

THE END

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