The Beginning
Title: Immortal Love-The Beginning
Author: Stephanie M
Category: Btvs/Highlander Crossover
Pairing: Xander/Richie Ryan
Status: Complete
*******
Xander checked the clock for the tenth time in the last hour, relieved to see that his shift was almost over. Although he liked the pay he had to admit that he wasn’t that keen on leaving the most popular gay club in San Francisco at four in the morning.
Xander quickly closed up and grabbed his bag, which was full of stakes, living on the hellmouth had drummed the dangers of the night into him. Xander walked outside, shivering slightly when the cold night air hit his bare arms.
As he turned the corner leading to a small side street Xander stiffened as he felt hands grabbing hold of him. Despite his struggle Xander couldn’t break the iron like grip on his arms. He wasn’t entirely surprised when he found himself face to face with three large men.
“What is it about me?” Xander muttered, wondering just why he always managed to get into trouble wherever he went.
“You disgusting little pervert. We’ll teach you what happens to fags when they move into our turf.” A rough voice whispered into Xander’s ear causing a feeling of terror to flow through his veins.
********
Richie Ryan looked around the street, his instincts telling him that something was happening nearby. Listening to his instincts, Richie slowly made his way towards the small side street, stopping to draw his sword at the sound of whimpers.
Turning the corner Richie saw three well-built men pounding into a figure while another held the person down. Judging by the pool of blood the figure wouldn’t last long but the buzz of a pre-immortal made Richie stay. Quickly and efficiently using the martial arts that Mac had forced into him Richie dispatched his opponents, occasionally resorting to using his knife to inflict small cuts.
Once the thugs were unconscious Richie sought out the pre-immie, unsurprised to find that it was coming from the critically injured man. Richie turned the man over and was saddened to see that the dark haired man appeared to be only 18.
Xander felt hands gently moving him, opening his eyes he found himself staring up at a man about his own age with strawberry blonde hair and worried eyes. Xander smiled at the thought that at least someone would be able to pass on his message to the Slayerettes.
“Tell Giles to tell the group I love them.” Xander managed to spit out before the urge to close his eyes was to great and his heart beat slowed.
Richie quickly picked up the man, covering the body with his long, black coat before getting on his motorbike. He placed the prone body across his legs, eager to get to the relative safety of a motel. Judging by the buzz he was feeling and the injuries the other man had received Richie had the feeling that there was at least a couple of hours before the man came back to life.
Richie went as fast as he could, eager to get back to the small unobtrusive motel where no one cared about what happened as long as you didn’t involve them. Ten minutes later the bike screeched to a halt.
Richie quickly walked into his motel room thankful that the martial arts and training he had done had given him muscles. He deposited the man on the bed and wondered who he could call for help. Mac was not even a consideration there was always Connor. The older immortal had promise to be there if Richie ever needed him and Richie was desperate. The last thing he needed now was to become the teacher to a new immortal; he was barely managing to survive himself.
“Hey there, who are you? What are you and what am I?” a disorientated voice came from the bed causing Richie to return to the present and the problem of explaining it all, even when he didn’t understand it all himself. The younger Immortal had healed in three hours, surprisingly fast considering all the injuries the other man had suffered.
“I’m Richie an Immortal and so are you. I know it is a little hard to believe but I’ll show you.” Richie replied cutting his palm open with his ever-present dagger.
The cut bled continuously for a few seconds, the blood falling onto the bed. Soon blue sparks flew over the cut, healing it. Within minutes it was like the cut had never happened. Richie looked up; expecting to see disbelief on the other man’s face instead all he found was curiosity.
*******
Xander’s mind was spinning; it was obvious from what Richie had said that the other man was not human. Thankfully the other man didn’t appear to be after him for unpleasant purposes. If he had to guess, Xander would say that the other man was feeling a little out of his league from the situation.
“I’m Xander. So I must have died last night, huh? What now? I get the feeling that there must be a catch?” Xander said, knowing from his experience on the hellmouth that there had to be a downside.
“Yeah you died. Here eat these.” Richie stated after walking to his bag, passing Xander a couple of sandwiches.
“The catch as you put it is the Game. Immortals fight each other to the death. The point of this is for the Prize, nobody knows what it is. It’s rumoured that if an evil Immortal wins then humanity will be plunged into darkness. The fights are one on one. We normally use swords and never fight on holy ground. It doesn’t matter what religion it’s a bad idea basically. The only way to kill an Immortal id decapitation, we heal from all other injuries. That headache you’ve got, the buzzing? It’s an early warning system that lets you know when an Immortal is near. Don’t worry though I’m not going to fight you. Why don’t you sleep while I make a few calls”? Richie said as he picked up the phone.
“That’s fine by me.” Xander said, undressing and pulling his clothes off, while he was doing so he noticed Richie looking at his body and smiled faintly. It appeared that he and Richie had something else in common.
Richie shook his head to try to get his mind off the attractive man in front of him. Moving into the kitchen, he removed his mobile phone from his left pocket and dialled a number from memory.
“Hi Connor, its Richie. I really need your help here.” Richie said into the phone, forgoing the usual pleasantries.
“What’s my bull headed cousin done now?” Connor replied weary acceptance in his voice.
“Just tried to kill me again but that’s not what I’m calling for. I’ve found a new Immortal but I can’t train him. I was wondering if you would train us for a little while, say a couple of months?” Richie said, checking to make sure that Xander was asleep.
“Sure, what town are you in?” Connor replied, causing Richie smile in relief.
“San Francisco.” Richie replied waiting for the older Immortal to explain why he wanted to know.
“Go to the airport and I’ll have two tickets waiting. What’s your friend’s name?” Connor said, the faint sounds of tapping could be heard through the connection.
“Alexander Harris, luckily no one else saw him die.” Richie replied before thanking Connor and ending the call.
*****
“Hey, Xander wake up! We’re getting out of here and going to a friend of mine.” Richie said while packing his bag.
“I’m up. Does this friend have a name?” Xander said realising that the events of the previous night weren’t a horrible dream.
“Yeah, Connor. We’re going to the airport and then up to his place in New York.” Richie said as he hurried Xander out of the door.
Xander quickly left the room, seeing that Richie obviously wanted to leave. A part of him wondered just how stupid he was being to go off with some guy he had only met the night before.
“So how are we going getting to the airport?” Xander asked as they walked towards the parking lot.
“By bike, I take it you like her (!)”Richie said when Xander almost drooled at the sight of the motorbike.
The pair quickly got on the bike, both shuddering at the close contact. Passing Xander the spare helmet, Richie pulled out of the motel and onto the streets. Twenty minutes later, they were at the airport. Richie parked the bike in long term parking, at the same time wondering just why he didn’t have a watcher following him around.
“Hi, I believe there should be two tickets waiting for me under the name Richard Ryan.” Richie said to the woman at the desk, wanting to get out of the city as fast as possible.
“Here you go. Your flight is departing in ten minutes from gate 3. Have a pleasant flight, sir.” The woman replied giving him the tickets.
Grabbing them, Richie directed Xander towards the terminal and showed the tickets to the flight attendant. As they approached Customs Richie groaned remembering how difficult it was getting the airline to let him carry his sword last time.
“Hello, Mr Ryan, a Mr Macleod informed us that you would be carrying a sword onto the plane until you sell it to him at your destination. He has already arranged for you to be able to do so.” The attendant said while smiling at him. As she turned away, Richie caught sight of the Watcher tattoo on her wrist.
Taking their seats on the plane the pair fell into a comfortable silence, each one too tired from the previous nights activities. Richie secured his bag in the overhead compartment before sitting down and fastening the seatbelt securely.
“We are now arriving at New York. Would all passengers fasten their seatbelts and ensure they remain seating. That’s all.” The annoyingly happy voice of the air-hostess came through the overhead speakers starling Richie to full alertness.
Richie sat up in his seat, looking over at Xander he discovered that the younger man was fast asleep clearly exhausted. Richie knew that it would be a while before the younger Immortal came to terms with all the joys and sorrows of life as an Immortal.
“Xander, time to wake up. We’re about to land.” Richie whispered into Xander’s ears not wanting to startle the sleeping man.
“I’m awake although I’m not too happy about it. I don’t suppose you’ve got any chocolate on you?” Xander asked before pouting.
“No chocolate but we’ll buy some as soon as we land. I think Connor is meeting us.” Richie said as the plane landed on the runway.
*******
“Richie, its good to see you, so this is you’re new immortal. I’m Connor.” Connor said as the pair made their way through the crowd of people.
”I just need to stop by the shop for a couple of minutes.” Richie said before running off.
“So you’re an Immortal. Want to tell me a little about yourself?” Connor said looking directly at Xander.
“Okay. Lets see my name is Alexander Harris but everyone calls me Xander. I live on the Hellmouth, my best friend is a witch and my other friend is the slayer.” Xander said, his posture rigid reminding Connor of the being debriefed by a soldier.
“You’ll have to tell me more about her. Its been a while since I’ve met a slayer.” Connor replied shocking Xander.
“Here’s your chocolate as promised, Xan. Can we go now?” Richie said as he made his way towards the exit.
Xander looked at the chocolate in his hand in a mix of shock and amusement, obviously Richie had been serious on the plane. Now all he had to do was get through the next couple of months training, Xander thought to himself as he followed the two older Immortals in silence.
*****
Two Months Later
“I’ll come and see you as soon as I can.” Richie said as Xander hugged him, each one knowing that they couldn’t do anything about the separation.
“I love you Richie, remember that.” Xander said his tone serious shocking the other man who had never thought the other man felt so deeply about him.
“Love you too. Are you sure you want to go back to Sunnyhell?” Richie said not wanting to be separated from Xander when he had only just discovered how the younger man felt about him.
“I have too, I can’t leave my friends in danger. When you come to Sunnyhell I’ll show you just how much I love you.” Xander replied before giving Richie one last hug and turning towards the airport terminal.
“Xander wait!” Richie shouted causing everyone to look at him as he ran up to Xander and kissed him. The kiss was passionate, hard, soft, longing and spoke of the pain of being separated.
“See you, babe.” Xander said before handing his ticket to the flight attendant and stepping onto the plane.
THE END
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