MacLeod dialed his phone to call Joe Dawson

MacLeod dialed his phone to call Joe Dawson. He hoped the Watcher had info on Hamza's whereabouts. The phone rang, and Dawson answered.

"Hello, Dawson speaking", answered the Watcher.

"Joe, I need your help", said MacLeod.

"Hey MacLeod, what's going on?" he asked.

"Can you do me a favor?" asked MacLeod.

"Who is it?", said Joe.

"Hamza Al-Qadir", replied MacLeod. "Amanda told him about Rebecca being dead. He may be on the warpath."

"I don't understand, Mac" said a surprised Joe. "Why would he be since Luther's dead now?"

"Amanda left that part out", said Mac. "She also left out the part about Luther killing her."

"I see," Joe replied. "I take it that you want to keep him from going off the deep end"

"You can say that", the Highlander replied. "He's a good man, and I don't want to lose him like I lost his teacher."

"I'll look into it when I can" replied the Watcher. "You know I'm still cleaning up Horton's mess. When I know anything, I'll let you know."

"Thanks, Joe", replied MacLeod as he hung up.

On a road going towards Paris, Hamza Al-Qadir continued on his path of revenge. As he entered the city, he felt the buzz of another immortal. At the same time, a car crashed into his. At that moment, Hamza was pure rage as he got out of the car. He grabbed the other immortal out of the car and threw him to the ground.

"You picked the wrong day to fuck with me," he said angrily as he drew his scimitar.

"It was an accident, you stupid schwartzer", said the German immortal as he drew his cavalry saber in defense. "You should have watched where you were going. By the way, I'm Karl Wolfgang Von Stuben."

"Hamza ibn Mustafa Al-Qadir, you stupid Kraut bastard," he said as he returned the introduction and the racial insult. "Fortunately for you, I'm not really looking for you. So now you have a chance to go home and live for a few more days. Now get the hell out of my way before I change my mind."

As Hamza began to turn toward his damaged car, Von Stuben swung his sword at him. Hamza blocked his attack, and furiously began to wear him down. Hamza cuts the German's midsection open. The German collapsed in agony after that strike.

"I was hunting for the one that killed the woman I love", Hamza said. "But you couldn't get out of my way." Hamza swung his scimitar and took Von Stuben's head.

Hamza screamed in rage even before the Quickening took him. He cried out in grief over not being there for Rebecca. He cried out for vengeance for the woman he loved. Little did he know there was someone at a distance that watched the whole thing. Hamza abandoned his car, and ran towards the city.

"Watcher report", as the unassuming man began to speak his tape recorder. "Hamza Al-Qadir claimed the life of one on his path to vengeance. The sad part is that the dead immortal was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sadder still is that Al-Qadir's search is in vain. Luther, the killer he seeks is dead. I was there for the foul deed, as well as his well-deserved demise. I pray that his rampage will stop before he becomes totally far-gone. As always, we watch, and don't interfere. Nathan Stern, Assistant Regional Coordinator on special assignment."

Hamza arrived in Paris. He checked in at a low profile hotel, hoping no one would look for him after killing that immortal. His car had outdated plates and couldn't trace it to him. He called a cab to take him to the abbey. He needed to be there, even if it is now in ruins.

Watcher Regional Headquarters, somewhere outside Paris

Joe Dawson had just finished his task of overseeing the upgrades on their files. James Horton had tapped into the Watcher's computer files stealing money to fund his activities against immortals. Now he was dead at the hands of Duncan MacLeod, Dawson had to fix all the damage his brother-in-law had done. It was bad enough that his relationship with Horton was a factor of him being denied a promotion to Regional Coordinator in the Western United States. But that was water under the bridge. Now he was ready to go back to Seacouver to await MacLeod's return there. But first, he needed to check on the activities of Hamza Al-Qadir. Dawson went to his computer file to see any updates.

As Dawson continued to read, Nathan Stern the Assistant Regional Coordinator of Western Europe walked in. Dawson quickly logged off the computer.

"Nathan, good to see you", said Dawson as he shut down the computer. "Jacques Vemas told me that you got the number 2 spot in the Region."

"Yes it's true", said Stern.

"I'm just finishing up fixing all the damage that Horton did", replied Dawson. "What's been happening?"

"Let's just say that my day had been eventful", replied Stern. "Along with my duties as assistant Regional Coordinator, I had to watch for Hamza Al-Qadir when he returned to Paris. Return he did, with a vengeance. I knew of him from reading Luther's earliest chronicle, and from Rebecca's."

Dawson listened attentively as Stern continued.

"At any rate, I'm watching him until he has a permanent Watcher, who is due to arrive within the week. He just killed an immortal just outside of Paris. A former Nazi named Karl Von Stuben. Just ran into his car, and he killed him for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I just came to file the report."

"Where is he supposed to be headed?" asked Dawson.

"I'm not sure yet, but he might be heading towards the ruins of Rebecca's abbey. He's looking for the one who killed Rebecca", replied the high ranked Watcher.

"Of course you know that Luther's dead being that you were his last Watcher", said Dawson in response.

"That's true, but he doesn't know that fact" said Stern. "In any case, let me file this report, and we'll talk again."

"Ok, Nate. I need to get back to the states anyway," said Dawson. "MacLeod is supposed to be leaving Paris soon. I need to be in the states when he arrives."

Back at the barge, Duncan MacLeod practiced his martial arts katas awaiting a phone call. He reached into his jewelry box, and pulled out a watch. It belonged to another good man, the man who first taught Hamza. Hamza el-Kahir, whose name he bore. Killed over 350 years ago by that bastard Xavier St. Cloud when MacLeod took up Xavier's challenge to the elder Hamza. Knowing that he couldn't let an inexperienced MacLeod fight his fight, he accepted Xavier's challenge, and lost. MacLeod owed Hamza el-Kahir his life. Now his namesake is on a rampage of grief, and he needs to be stopped.

Outside Tunis, Tunisia 1653

Duncan MacLeod arrived at Tunnis as he originally planned. Only he had come without his friend Hamza el-Kahir. He witnessed his death at the hands of Xavier St. Cloud after he accepted his challenge. There wasn't much real reason to stay in the city, so he decided to go back to Europe. The desert was an unforgiving place with its oppressive heat, and its sandstorms. A few minutes later, a figure rode straight from the horizon toward the city. As the rider got closer, MacLeod sensed that the rider was another immortal like himself. The immortal dismounted, and began to approach the uneasy MacLeod.

"Hamza ibn Mustafa Al-Qadir", he announced.

"You're Hamza el-Kahir's student?" asked MacLeod.

"Yes I am", Hamza said proudly.

"He did say we were supposed to meet someone here", said MacLeod. "But he dinna said it was you. He did speak of you much, and said you were a good man. As for me, I'm Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod."

"Yes, the young Highlander that I've heard about." Hamza said as he smiled. "Amanda never stopped talking since you met her in Italy 18 years ago. I had missed you by a day when you were there. Now where's my teacher?

MacLeod began to frown, as he had to be the bearer of bad news.

"Hamza el-Kahir is dead." MacLeod answered sadly. "He was killed by Xavier St. Cloud."

The young Hamza was in shock that his namesake was gone.

"I'm sorry my friend", replied the Highlander. "Xavier came to challenge him. Hamza decided to flee because he said Xavier was better than he. He told me that 'a man has to know his limitations…."

"…if he wants to survive.", the younger Hamza interrupted to finish the quote. "It was one of the first things he taught me."

MacLeod continued. "I then took Xavier's challenge. Before we began, Hamza decided to accept his challenge, and he was defeated."

Hamza placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Not to worry my friend", he said. "Know that Hamza el-Kahir will be avenged. I will find Xavier, and take his head with my bare hands. Come, our ship awaits us. There is a lady awaiting my arrival. I believe you met her as well. Her hair is as red as fire."

MacLeod smiled as he knew who he spoke of.

"You were the one Rebecca spoke of?" asked a surprised MacLeod.

All Hamza did was smile. MacLeod knew he had his answer at that moment.

"Lucky man", he said.

"Indeed", replied Hamza.

Present day.

As MacLeod finished his thoughts about his friend, the phone rang.

"MacLeod", he answered.

"

MacLeod, it's Dawson", answered the Watcher. "We have a lead on Hamza. He just killed an immortal outside of Paris named Karl Von Stuben."

"Never heard of him", responded MacLeod unconcerned.

"He's relatively new" explained Dawson. "He became immortal in the late 1930's when the Nazi party was in full swing. Anyway, his car crashed into Hamza's car. Let's just say he was a victim of road rage of the immortal kind."

"Where is he now?", asked MacLeod.

"From what I've heard", said the Watcher, "he's in Paris. He may be heading toward the ruins of Rebecca's abbey. My guess is that he's searching for clues."

"Thanks Joe. I'll see you in the states", said MacLeod.

"Anytime", said Dawson as he hung up.

MacLeod began to dial his phone to call Amanda.

Later, at the ruins of the Abbey.

Even in ruins, the abbey was a place that brought Hamza a measure of peace and calm. Thinking of all the happy times he spent here with Rebecca. He also knew that those days are long gone. The woman he loved was dead, and her killer would pay dearly. Then he felt the presence of an immortal. Who would dare to disturb his peace? He drew his scimitar looking for the immortal. As he turned around, the tall raven haired immortal stood with a smile".

"Amanda", he said as he put his scimitar away. "I should have known it was you.

"If that's the way you greet your friends", she said as she embraced her friend. "I feel sorry for your enemies."

"My friends have no need to worry", said Hamza as he embraced her as well. "As for my enemies, that's another story. The one that I'm looking for will not deserve your sorrow. You know why I'm here. I want the head of Rebecca's killer."

"You're looking for Luther are you", said Amanda.

"It was Luther wasn't it?", he asked.

"It was Luther", answered Amanda affirmatively. "He came for her. Her husband John was with her. Luther had the sword at his throat. He made Rebecca put down her sword to let him go. Then he killed her."

Hamza's rage showed in his eyes. Amanda looked in his eyes, and was frightened.

"Why didn't you tell me that it was Luther?", asked Hamza angrily.

"It's because I wanted to go after him", she replied. "I didn't tell Duncan either. When he found out, he wanted to protect me. I didn't want him to protect me. I wanted revenge. I knew you wanted revenge too."

"Where is Luther?", asked Hamza. "Did you find him?"

"I fought him, and almost lost", she explained. "He wanted the crystals Rebecca gave us. MacLeod stole my crystal when I was asleep. He showed it to Luther to get him to fight him. MacLeod took his head."

"Rebecca's other students, have you heard from any of them?" the Ethiopian asked.

"They're dead," Amanda replied sadly.

"Henri Valjean?" he asked.

"Yes", Amanda replied with tears in her eyes.

"Marie Barton?"

"Gone", she replied as the tears increased.

"Robert Manchester?", he asked again.

"All of them are gone Hamza, it's just me", Amanda responded as she sobbed.

"They're dead for what? Pieces of quartz?", a furious Hamza responded pointing to the crystal that Amanda wore.

In his rage, Hamza began hit the stones from the ruins with his bare fists in front of a stunned Amanda.

"Stop it, that's enough!" she screamed.

For an ordinary person, breaking hands on stone would be a problem. Hamza was anything but ordinary, even for an immortal. Hamza was exhausted. His search was in vain. Luther was dead. He never got to avenge the woman he loved. Adding to his pain, all of those she taught except Amanda are gone. He became numb. He began to turn away to leave.

"Hamza, where are you going?", asked Amanda.

The tall Black man turned around looking at his friend.

"To finish the job", he said

"Luther's dead, the job is finished" said Amanda

"No it's not", he said. "He may be dead, but he has a group of mercenaries that did his bidding. Two of them are immortal."

"You're grasping at straws Hamza", she replied. "MacLeod and I dealt with Luther's men. None of them were immortal. They were little more than common thugs."

"Maybe the one's you dealt with were street thugs", responded the Ethiopian. "He had a little bigger group in parts of Europe and Africa. It may be a little group right now. However, those two immortals in question may have delusions of grandeur like Luther did. They had to figure out that even if he was successful, their usefulness to him had run out."

Amanda thought for a moment.

"You might be right", she said to him. "But why are you really doing this, Hamza? Is it because you didn't kill Luther 300 years ago? Rebecca told me about that."

Hamza just snapped a look at Amanda, and then turned away and left.

Amanda was very worried about her friend. He was special to her. Second to Duncan MacLeod, he meant more to her than any man. In many ways they were much alike. They both live by a code of honor and try to protect those that they care for. Unlike Duncan, Hamza was more forceful about it. He often wore his heart on his sleeve, especially when it came to Rebecca. She hoped that his venture didn't cost him his sanity, or his life.