Place: California, Saxon Estate

She stood quietly by the window, but could not see the beautiful grounds. Her mind was preoccupied and her thoughts were filled with a mother’s worry. It had been two weeks since she had last seen Elijah, her son. All she knew was that the men who had been chasing Ben, many years ago, the man she had loved and the father of her child, were now chasing Elijah. She should never have told him that his father was alive nor have allowed Elijah to look for him.

Saxon and Fletcher had been a Godsend to her -- they brought here for safe keeping, all the while sending out some of their own men to try to find Elijah before…before THEY do. But who were "they"? Who were these people? What exactly did they want from Ben and now from her son? She still didn’t understand anything that was happening and found that all she could do was wait. She only wished that she had her little boy here in her arms, safe and sound.

"Drink?"

She looked up and saw a glass of champagne being held out to her. Smiling, she looked up into Saxon’s dark eyes. Seeing the tears in her own, he put the glass down on a nearby table and took her gently into his arms.

"He’s going to be all right."

"I know," she replied, shaking her head and burrowing even deeper into his embrace. "I just can’t help it. We’ve never been apart this long before. He hasn’t even tried to call. I’m scared for him. He’s all alone and--"

"He is not a helpless child, Jean. We’ll find him…before they do, I promise, in plenty of time. . . for an October wedding."

Releasing her hold, she looked up, meeting his determined eyes once more. "Oh Nigel, I can’t think of marrying you, not now…not while Elijah is out there somewhere, in danger."

"Jean…I can wait, but I--I can’t help the way I feel about you."

Turning away, Jean returned to the window, wrapping her arms tightly around herself.

"I love you."

Jean sadly wiped a tear from her eyes. "I-I know. I care about you too. But-"

He reached out and gently placed his hands on her arms and placed a kiss upon the back of her neck.

"All I ask is your acceptance of my proposal. Is that so much to ask? I have done everything I can to find Elijah and keep you safe and I want to…I want to keep you both safe, for always. Please don’t push me away."

Jean closed her eyes and once again, she could see Ben Richards’ face, but it was no longer as clear as it once had been. It was fading.

"Stop living in the past. Ben is not coming back. Marry me, be my wife?"

She sighed and taking a deep breath, she turned and gazed upon his face. "Yes. I will marry you."

He smiled, seeing that victory had been won.

"Thank you! Oh Jean, thank you. You will never regret this."

Taking the ring she had been given years ago by Ben, Nigel took great care in removing it. Then he pulled a very large diamond from his pocket and placed it on the now empty hand. Jean bowed her head and stared at the new ring on her finger and then at the smaller ring that Nigel still held. Ben’s ring. She held her hand out and Nigel gave it to her and then with a final sigh of acceptance, she placed it into her dress pocket.

It was time to stop living in the past. Nigel was right.

"Jean!" He pulled her chin up and placed a soft kiss upon her lips, then he smiled into her eyes. "I promise, I will love you for all the rest of your days and your son…your son will be my son. Forever."

She nodded and went slowly into his embrace, a forced smile upon her lips. Nigel held her in his arms, although, all the while, a glint of satisfaction was in his dark eyes.

"Don’t worry Jean, Fletcher and I will find your son and bring him back where he belongs."

***

Sending Jean out into the garden for some fresh air, Nigel made his way back to the main living room. Fletcher was waiting for him.

"Well?"

"She has consented to be my wife."

"Excellent. I’ll call the media…once the news is released…a certain young man may wish to return to try to talk his mother out of her…engagement."

Saxon grinned. "She won’t."

"Indeed, Plan B must now go into effect."

Saxon picked up the glass of champagne he had left on the table, and slowly brought it to his lips.

"Perhaps a certain someone will also see the event in the news and come…"

Fletcher chuckled, moving his wheelchair forward, and looked up at Saxon with a predatorial smile on his lips.

"Oh, I’m counting on it."

***

Everwoods, Michigan

Elijah and Jericho pulled up to the small white house on the hill. It looked immaculate and surrounding it was a white picket fence. Elijah also noticed the well kept garden of flowers planted at the border of the fence, the two car garage and a swimming pool on the side of the house. It looked perfect.

Getting off the motorcycle, he and Jericho made their way towards the door. Elijah rang the bell twice and then knocked impatiently.

A moment later, the door opened and a young woman with long, blond, curly hair wearing a blue mini dress appeared.

"Hello."

"Miss Sylvia Hiller?" Asked Jericho not believing that this was Sylvia but wanting to cover all the basics.

The young woman smiled warmly at the two young men and shrugged. "No, that would be my mother, I’m Elizabeth."

"Lizza, who’s at the door?" Somewhere within the house, a louder voice was heard.

"Can I help you?"

Elijah looked at her and could see she was probably about nineteen or twenty years old. She was very pretty with long legs, porcelain skin and baby blue eyes.

"My name is Elijah Chevalier and this is my...uh...friend."

"Jericho."

"I was hoping to speak to your mother, about Ben Richards? May I come in?"

"I’m sorry, but my mom isn’t here right now. She went up to Wilderness State Park for the week. But yes, please...come inside." She waved them in and Elijah and Jericho entered into a small foyer with a staircase to the right and another hallway leading further into the house.

"Lizza, who is at the door?" repeated a voice coming again from upstairs.

"Aunt Sherry, it’s two very handsome young men, an Elijah Chevalier and a Jericho." The young woman turned in the hallway and bending to the side, called up the stairs. "They came to see Mother about someone named Ben Richards. Does that ring any bells? I’ve never heard of him."

The next thing Elijah and Jericho heard were hurried footsteps and an older and darker haired woman, looking to be in her forties, running down the stairs. Stopping in mid-step, she stared at the two strangers curiously.

Elijah swallowed, feeling as if she were trying to look deep into his very soul. Who was this woman?

"Lizza, you’d better get going or you’ll be late for your tennis game. I’ll speak to these…gentlemen."

Elizabeth nodded and picking up a tennis racket and duffle bag, she smiled at the two of them and headed out the door. A few moments later, a buggy came out of the garage and headed down the street.

The darker haired woman dropped her smile as soon as her niece left, then faced the two of them.

"Come with me, please."

Seeing they had no choice, Elijah and Jericho followed the woman further into the house. She led them into a sunny living room, which Elijah noticed a variety of pictures and photo’s scattered about. He could see that many of them were of Sylvia Cartwright through the years. One of them was of her holding a small baby in her arms with a handsome, rugged man standing next to her. It was not his father.

"That’s David, my brother, I‘m Sherry Hiller. Coffee?"

Sherry didn’t wait for an answer and went into the nearby gourmet kitchen. Sitting down, Jericho watched Elijah wander the room and stare at the pictures. A few seconds later, Sherry Hiller re-entered carrying a tray. Sitting down opposite of Jericho, she poured out three cups.

"Sugar, or cream?"

"None, thanks." Jericho picked up the fresh coffee and watched as Sherry stared at Elijah from a distance. She narrowed her eyes and then smiled. "He has his eyes."

Elijah turned and stared at her in shock. "What?"

"You have your father’s eyes and his smile."

"I didn’t…how did you...?"

Sherry shrugged. "I met Ben…a long time ago, at an engagement party, for my brother and Sylvia."

Elijah returned to Jericho’s side and sat down. Nervously, he put his hands on his knees and attempted to ask the burning question in his mind.

"Is Elizabeth-?"

"No. She came twelve months after David and Sylvia were married."

"Oh."

"Is this David, with…Sylvia?" He pointed at the picture.

Sherry nodded and then lowered her eyes sadly and offered Elijah a cup of coffee.

"No, thank you." he replied politely.

Sherry then helped herself to a cup of coffee which she loaded with cream and sugar.

"My brother died five years ago from cancer. I moved in a few weeks later to help out."

Elijah looked at his hands.

"So you’re here to try to find him? Care to tell me about it?"

Elijah swallowed not knowing how to begin.

"Ah, I see…you’re not happy to be here. The other woman before your mother. Right?"

Elijah wouldn’t look up.

Sherry smiled and looked at Jericho. "And what’s your story?"

"I’m just trying to help him…Ben left Elijah’s mother before he was born -- he doesn’t know about him. We’ve been following a trail Ben has been leaving for Jean, Elijah’s mom. A trail that has led us here. I guess, he still loves Jean and wants to be with her."

"So where is she, this Jean?" asked Sherry.

"In California…with Saxon…and Fletcher," replied Elijah.

Sherry winced at the last name. "Fletcher. He’s still around and hunting, is he?" She nodded at Elijah. "Yeah, I remember him. A real cool cat, he was. Cute, too. Real cute."

Elijah shook his head and swallowed again.

"So let me see if I got this straight. Your father has been leaving messages to follow, thinking it’s Jean that’s coming. You, who he doesn’t even know exists, are looking for your father in the hopes that he can help you rescue your mom. Right?"

Elijah didn’t disagree. "That’s about right."

"Good plan. All that’s needed is to find the elusive Ben Richards. Even after twenty years, some things...never quite change."

Seeing that Jericho had finished his cup, she offered him another, but he shook his head.

"Ben and Syliva were really in love, you know. They had it all planned…until Ben learned about his blood." She smiled at their startled faces." Yeah, I know about that, too. They tried to get back together, to make it work. Sylvia wanted it to, she would have done anything to be with Ben. Even live in a cage."

Elijah finally looked into her eyes.

"But Ben couldn’t. Even if it was with Sylvia…he just couldn’t give up his freedom. It was too much of a price to pay. Sometimes, love doesn’t always win."

Jericho put down his empty cup and leaned back against the couch.

"David loved Sylvia and in the end, they got married and in time…in time, Sylvia loved David back. They had a beautiful little girl. I love my niece. She is full of life and flair and…she is going to be a tennis pro someday and then she’ll meet a wonderful, handsome man who will sweep her off her feet and they’ll live happily ever after."

Putting down her cup, she looked at the two of them. "Sylvia had a nervous breakdown. She has always been fragile and she has been unwell and unstable these past few months. She was never the same when she lost David Jr…Yes, she had another child…but he died from labor complications…the cord wrapped around his neck. Then, when David died, she uh, kind of pulled away from everything and everyone. Even from her own daughter."

Elijah lowered his eyes. "I’m sorry."

"So am I. She didn’t deserve such pain and unhappiness. Sylvia is a very good person. She and my brother had a wonderful marriage, while it lasted. They used to go to Wilderness State Park. Every year they would go hiking and swimming. Enjoying the rough woods. Well, David did -- Sylvia basically roasted marshmallows around the campfire and listened to the oldies on an old beat up AM/FM radio. You know --the days before CD’s. When the dinosaurs ruled the earth." Sherry got up from the couch, chuckling, and moving to a nearby desk, she pulled out a drawer, picked up a small gold key and handed it to Elijah.

"Big Stone Creek, Cabin 316."

"Thank you."

"I hope you find what you’re looking for…"

Elijah took the key and was about to leave when Sherry touched his cheek. Elijah stared up at her with eyes filled with sadness.

"I know what you’re thinking. But Ben is going to love knowing he has a son. He really is, don’t be afraid and don’t hold back. Everything will be all right."

Elijah swallowed and quickly left the room. Jericho waited and then turned to her.

"Did Ben ever mention having a brother named Jason?"

Sherry shook her head. "No, but Sylvia did mention it to me once. I guess they were orphaned when they were kids."

"He never met up with him?"

"Not that I know of."

Jericho was about to walk away when Sherry smiled at him.

"Your special too, aren’t you?"

Jericho looked at her in surprise.

"I just get that feeling about people…and if I didn’t know any better…I’d say you have some traits…like Ben Richards…Who are you?"

Jericho shrugged. "I wish I knew. Good day, Miss Hiller."

***

Outside, Elijah was already waiting on the bike. Jericho got on and starting up the engine, headed down the street.

Inside, Sherry watched them depart and then returned to the kitchen. Going to the table, she looked down at a newspaper heading in the wedding section announcements. There was a picture of Jean Chevalier and Saxon standing in front of a window and off to the side, just barely visible, sitting in a wheelchair was Fletcher. Purposely put in the photo shot or by accident? Looking at the headlines it read:

Multi-billionaire Tycoon Nigel Saxon to Wed Waitress Jean Chevalier.

Below was more information about the bride-to-be:

Just like that, it was written. Damn Fletcher. Sherry knew without a doubt that he was behind all this. Poor Ben, poor Elijah.

Sherry only wished Sylva hadn’t seen it, before she left for the camp.

***

The sign on the road read "Mackinaw City" and underneath it, "Wilderness State Park", 9 miles. Jericho leaned forward and picked up the pace, as Elijah held on.

***

Wilderness State Park, Pine Ridge canyon.

The hunters packed up their gear and went on their way. They never noticed that their fire not been extinguished properly and a few moments later, a swift wind caught the dying fire and breathed it back to life. A few sparks drifted into the air and fell into a small pile of dry leaves. Black smoke slowly began to rise.

***

The park ranger stared at the two young men and coming to a decision, he handed them a small map.

"Here you go boys, a map of the park. Big Stone Creek is about five miles that way. The place you’re looking for is pretty out of the way, not many campers this year. Give Mrs. Hiller my best."

Elijah took the map and Jericho started the bike and started down the small trail that led towards a small mountain and beyond it, a blue green lake.

***

A few minutes later, as the park ranger was just about to have an early lunch, a red Jeep pulled up alongside of him. A young man dressed in camping gear shut off the engine and slowly got out. As the ranger went to greet him, he saw the stranger pull something out of his jacket. A wallet was flung open, revealing a badge.

"What can I do for you, Sir."

The stranger remained silent, then removed two small photos from his top pocket and showed them to the ranger. They were of Jericho and Elijah.

***

Jericho finally parked the bike and looked at the map. After a moment, he pointed towards the east.

"That way."

"Shouldn’t we take the bike with us?"

"We’ll come back for it. Besides, it won’t go up this mountain. We’ll have to walk the rest of the way. Let’s go."

Putting the map in his pocket, Jericho turned towards a small camp trail and starting walking. Elijah took a deep breath and then followed him.

***

The deer, several rabbits and squirrels ran through the forest. Behind them, a large mass of black smoke filled the air. A moment later, a crashing noise was heard and a mass of brown fur raced past the stream and down a nearby path.

***

The park ranger was just about to bite into his sandwich when his CB came to life.

"George, George, come in, George."

"George here, what’s the matter, Keith?"

"I’m at the east tower and I’ve spotted a fire coming from the west side of Big Stone Creek."

"What? Repeat that again?"

"I said, I spotted a fire about two to three acres across, coming from the west side of Big Stone Creek. You need to put out an alert and start an evacuation of that area right away."

George put his sandwich back down and swore angrily. This was just not going to be his day.

***

Jericho spotted the cabin just by the lake. Taking a moment to check the area, he saw a long figure sitting on the porch. She appeared to be just staring at the water.

He glanced at Elijah worriedly. "Are you going to be able to handle this? Would you rather I go talk to her?"

Elijah shook his head and despite his fears, held tight to his convictions. "No, I want to see her."

Nodding, Jericho led the way. Elijah was close behind him.

***

She saw them coming and remained where she was, refusing to be moved. As soon as they reached the stairs, she pulled out the gun and clicked the hammer back.

"Hold it right there."

Both Elijah and Jericho stopped dead.

"So, who sent you? Fletcher? How is my old enemy?"

Elijah swallowed and took an unsteady step back.

"I’m not with Fletcher. My name is Elijah…Chevalier…Ben’s son."

Sylvia stared at them for a long moment and then spoke. "Give me your driver’s license."

Elijah moved to his back pocket.

"Slowly!" She shouted.

Elijah obeyed and pulled out his wallet. Taking out his driver’s license, he threw it onto the porch. With one eye on them both, Sylvia picked up the license and looked at it. She then turned it over to make sure it wasn’t a fake.

She lowered the gun. "Let’s go inside. We have much to talk about."

Elijah and Jericho stared at each other in confusion, but then followed Sylvia into the cabin.

***

She lit the lamp and taking out a small bag, she pulled out several photos and handed them to Elijah. Elijah glanced at her, then at the photos, seeing that they were all of her and Ben, taken many years ago.

One in particular had a young Sylvia smiling at Ben, with a picture in the background. They looked so very much in love.

"He didn’t mention you to me…" Sylvia replied almost in a bitter voice. "I expected her to come."

Jericho suddenly wondered what had that gun been intended for -- or for whom?

Elijah nodded. "I need to find my dad. It’s important, vital that I find him."

"I bet it is." Sylvia laughed and moving away from them, she went to a nearby fireplace. She put in several more logs and then getting to her feet, she sat down in a nearby rocker and stared into the flames.

"My dad came to see you?"

"Yes, a week or so ago."

"Is he still here?"

Sylvia laughed again, though this time, Elijah could hear the bitterness in her voice.

"No, he left after he told me to tell his beloved Jean Chevalier where to find him. Jean Chevalier, so young and beautiful and perfect."

Elijah glanced at Jericho, not sure what the hell was going on. Jericho waved Elijah back and moved in front of her. Getting on his knees, he looked into her eyes.

"You still love him? Even after all these years? It was a bit of shock to see him again?"

Sylvia didn’t say a word, only looked down at him, her eyes filled with anger and pain.

"When you saw him, you thought maybe for one wild moment, that he came back for you…only to learn he hadn’t."

"He still loves me…" she replied with her head high. "He will always love me. He said so in his letter before he left. Before he told me to find someone else.…" (End, Pilot to The Immortal TV series)

Jericho shook his head. "And here Elijah was jealous of you."

Sylvia looked at Elijah and her eyes softened, and then she turned back to Jericho.

"I have nothing now, no husband…no Ben. My little girl is all grown up, and she doesn’t need me anymore. I’m all alone…alone. It was quite a shock seeing Ben come walking through my door. To hold him in my arms…I thought we were going to have a second chance. There are no second chances."

She looked away and gazed into the flames as tears fell from her eyes.

"Please, Mrs. Hiller…Fletcher knows about Elijah and that Ben’s alive…they have his mother and we need to find him. We need his help."

"I can see it already, standing in my own apartment, as he told me of his immortality and how we would live forever…together. We would have lots of babies and live happily ever after."

Jericho sighed in exasperation, and rising to his feet, he began to pace around the room. Elijah turned and walked out of the cabin. Jericho looked out at a nearby window to see Elijah walk down to the lake and stare into its waters.

"They took it all away from me. Braddock, Maitland, Locke…Fletcher. Damn them all."

"Mrs. Hiller, Sylvia…please we don’t have much time. I’m sorry for all the pain you’ve suffered. I’m sorry that things didn’t work out for you and Ben…and the loss of your husband, David, and your son. You still have a whole life ahead of you. Your daughter still needs you -- even though she is all grown up, they always need their parents. Especially their mom. Like Elijah needs his mom. She is in danger now, and we have to try to save her. Please, help us."

Sylvia sadly looked up at him, and then glanced out the window to see Elijah. Rising to her feet, she went to the window and stared at the boy.

"I would have had a son about his age now, David Jr. He is very handsome, Elijah. Ben would really flip if he saw him…if he knew about him…beautiful…does he have his…?"

"Yes."

Sylvia sighed. "Like father, like son. Both on the run, and looking for someone to help them."

"Ben went on a search for his brother?"

Sylvia nodded. "Jason Sean Richards. When Ben learned of his blood, he wanted to warn him. They were separated as kids and Ben was hoping that he might have some answers about their blood."

"Did he ever find him?"

Sylvia waved her hand in the air. "I don’t know."

"Do you know anything about Jason?"

She shook her head again in the negative, and then returned to her chair and sat down beside the fire.

"Anything at all?"

"I’m sorry."

Jericho rubbed his forehead. "So what did Ben say when you saw him?"

Sylvia closed her eyes and remembered.

***

"Fletcher is still alive, Sylvia, and I can’t take the risk that he might think I’m alive. So I have to be careful. I know that by now, he must’ve forgotten about you, and about us."

"Ben, oh Ben!" Sylvia smiled up at him and touched his cheek, as if trying to prove to herself that he was really here, standing before her.

"Sylvia, I need you to do me a favor. One last favor."

Sylvia stopped smiling and looked into his eyes. "Anything. What is it, Ben?"

"I think I'm being chased again. I was in Massachussetts and I swear someone began shadowing me, I had to leave and create a trail and no,-no never mind that's not important. A woman is going to come here. I fell in love with her many years ago, after you…when I was running. I didn’t plan on it happening, but it did. I thought that after you, I would never love again, never wanted to-"

Sylvia’s eyes filled with tears. "You fell in love with someone else?"

"I hate to do this to you but your my only hope. Her name is Jean Chevalier. I want to try and get her back in my life. I need her, and I’m so tired. Tired of being alone and running. I need her, like you needed David."

Sylvia’s eyes then narrowed and anger filled them.

"Sylvia?"

She then slapped him hard across the face. Ben took a step back.

"Needed David? I needed you! You were the one I loved! You were the one I wanted to marry! But no, you couldn’t give in to Maitland, Braddock or Fletcher. No, no cage for Ben Richards, no matter the cost!"

"Sylvia!"

She turned and spun away from him, and ran outside to the garden. She threw herself onto a stone bench and wept bitterly.

Ben followed her and after a few moments he kneeled down and took her into her arms. Sylvia glanced at him, seeing that after twenty years, he hadn‘t aged a day while she had. She had wrinkles on her face, even a few wisps of silver in her hair.

"Sylvia, I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I wanted to be with you. I did love you. But it wouldn’t have worked. You were so fragile, like a glass doll, so easily broken. I was never very good at breakable things. You couldn’t go on the run with me, and I couldn’t stay…The walls would have closed in on me. No matter how beautiful a gilded cage could be, it would still be a cage. Fletcher had all the trimmings and all the plans, but I needed to be free, I needed to be me. Please understand, please forgive me."

Sylvia only continued to weep, clinging to Ben with all the strength she had left in her body.

"Ben! Oh Ben, I still love you, I still love you!"

"I know…I know…I‘m sorry, so sorry. Forgive me!"

***

Sylvia opened her eyes, and allowed the tears to fall. "He then left."

"Did he say or leave you anything?"

Sylvia slowly got to her feet. "He left me a package."

She moved to the kitchen and opening a bottom cabinet door, she pulled out a small box and handed it to him. Then glancing out the window, she walked towards the door.

***

Elijah picked up several small rocks and threw them into the lake. One, two, three, four. He bent down to pick up several more, when he felt a hand on his arm.

He turned and met her eyes and then they were in each other‘s arms.

***

Jericho watched them from the porch. He was about to join them, when he spotted the black smoke in the distance. It was coming their way.

***

Holding Sylvia’s hand in his, Elijah followed Jericho down the mountain.

"You don’t have a car?"

"No."

"How did you get here then?" asked Jericho, brushing aside several shrubs as he helped Sylvia down the path.

"A friend brought me up here. Sam."

"Sam?"

"He worked for David, they were partners. I told him to pick me up at the end of the week."

Jericho shrugged and reaching the dirt trail, he hurried over to his bike and then looked at Elijah.

"Do you think you can drive this thing and get Sylvia and you out of here?"

"I’m not leaving you here." Elijah jumped back then, looked at the bike and swallowed. "Besides I don’t think I could."

Jericho sighed in exasperation. "Remind me after this to teach you to drive a motorcycle."

"Its no big deal. I’ll be fine. You take Sylvia to safety and then come back for me."

Jericho was about to shake his head, when Elijah cut in. "We don’t have time to argue. I’ll hike on the road and stay ahead of the fire. Don’t worry about me."

Getting on the bike, Jericho reluctantly helped Sylvia on.

"You can’t just leave him!" wailed Sylvia as growing fear took hold and she realized that Ben’s son was about to be left behind in the middle of a forest fire.

"I’ll be OK, Mrs. Hiller. Sylvia."

"Don’t hike, run. I’ll just go a few miles ahead then come back for you. Stay on the road."

Starting the engine, Jericho gave Elijah one last look, then darted forward and away, with Sylvia holding tightly onto to his waist.

Elijah watched them vanish then turning, he noticed that the smoke was getting closer. He turned in the direction that Jericho went and started running.

***

The helicopter was in the air, surveying the growing firestorm. On the ground, trucks arrived and started to unload its firefighters. With the equipment and necessary force, they went into action.

***

Elijah was out of breath. He stopped and slowly leaned forward, trying to catch his breath. A moment later, a loud crashing sound was heard behind him. Looking back, Elijah saw something large and dark coming towards him. It was grunting and making very loud noises. Realizing what it was, Elijah broke off into another run. But the creature was after him. Whether it was fright or anger from the smoke, it wouldn’t be stopped. It was bent on killing.

***

Jericho poured on the gas, picking up his pace. He had to get Sylvia to safety, but he also was worried about Elijah and wanted to get back to him as quickly as he could. So intent on his own thoughts, he saw the stump in the road only at the last second. He hit the breaks, but he still collided with it. The bike went flying in one direction and he and Sylvia, screaming, went flying in the other.

***

He couldn’t lose it. He couldn’t lose the bear! Elijah broke from the trail and hurried into the woods, hoping to find some kind of cover. It didn’t work -- the bear simply followed. Getting an idea, Elijah changed direction and started running towards the fire, hoping the smoke and flames would scare the bear off. It didn’t -- the bear continued to charge.

***

Running across a small stream, Elijah continued to run through the woods, but the bear was closing in.

"Help, somebody please help!" Elijah cried out and then lost his footing in a small indent on the ground. A loud crack was heard and Elijah, with a cry of pain, fell to the ground. Holding his ankle, Elijah turned to see that the bear was only a few feet from him. It had stopped and then, as if sizing up the situation, it began to come forward. Its mouth opened and it roared.

***

"Sylvia, are you OK?"

Sylvia slowly got to her feet with Jericho’s help, and straightening her dress and hair, she stared at the remains of Jericho’s bike. It was in two pieces.

"What now?"

Jericho shook his head. "Keep on the road. I’ve got to go back for Elijah. Get help!"

Sylvia watched as Jericho started back towards the road they had come from. She stayed for a moment and then with a heavy sigh, she turned and started running in the opposite direction.

***

Elijah closed his eyes as the bear reared up on its hind legs. He couldn’t run, and knew this was it.

The sound of a gun shot was heard and the bear stopped. Looking in all directions, the smell of smoke filled its nostrils. Then another shot rang out, just clipping a tree above the animals head. The bear quickly retreated.

Wincing in pain, Elijah continued to hold his ankle, all the while looking around for where the gunshot had come from.

A shadowed form stepped out from behind him. Blinking several times to clear the sweat from his eyes, Elijah saw a young man, perhaps in his mid to late thirties with blond hair and green eyes. He was dressed in camping gear and was holding a small rifle.

"Thank God, I thought for a moment I was about to become part of the food chain."

The stranger smiled and bent down to look at Elijah’s ankle. There was no bleeding, but it was already swollen and there was a large dark bruise at the heel.

"I think its broken," said Elijah.

The stranger nodded and then looked around as if thinking.

Elijah smiled. "My name’s Elijah. Yours?"

The stranger smiled and then putting his rifle on his back, began to move his hands gracefully and what seemed to be purposely in front of him. Elijah narrowed his eyes. The movements reminded him of something. Sign Language?

"You can’t speak?"

The man stopped signing and nodded.

"Oh, are you uh, a hunter? Camper?"

He smiled and shook his head.

"A park ranger?"

He smiled again and shrugged. Then he offered his hand. Elijah, with the stranger’s assistance, started through the forest.

"There’s a fire behind us. My friend went ahead to get someone to safety, but he’ll be back for me. We have to get to the main dirt trail."

The stranger only nodded and continued to help Elijah, putting most of Elijah’s weight on his own shoulders.

***

Jericho fell to the ground gasping for breath. It seemed like he had run for miles. Where was Elijah? He should have caught up to him by now. Getting to his feet, he swallowed and continued to run down the pathway.

He was just turning a corner when a wall of black smoke lay before him. Stopping in his tracks, Jericho looked all around and saw that the fire had spread faster and further then he expected.

"Elijah!" he cried into the smoke. Fear gripped him as Jericho realized that somewhere beyond that wall of smoke and in an unknown forest, was his friend.

***

Elijah stopped in his tracks. The smoke was billowing all around them but for a moment, he thought he heard something. He waited and the stranger waited as well.

"ELIJAH!"

Elijah gasped in surprise and cried out. "JERICHO, I’m here! I’m here!"

***

Hearing Elijah’s voice in the distance, hope was renewed and Jericho hurried into the smoke.

"Keep talking!" yelled Jericho.

"I’m here, we’re here! Jericho! We’re right here!"

A few moments later, the smoke cleared and Jericho came into view. He paused for a moment when he noticed the blond stranger, and then hurried to Elijah.

"What happened?"

Helping Elijah onto the ground, Jericho began to examine the wound.

"A bear chased me."

Jericho smiled. "Really?" The smile in his eyes told Elijah he didn’t quite believe him.

"Yes, really. It was either very hungry or being territorial. It tried to eat me."

Jericho smiled again, shaking his head. "No, he wouldn‘t have eaten you. You’re too skinny. Not enough meat."

Elijah only scowled. "Not funny, I fell while running and I think I broke my ankle. He...he came and drove the bear away."

Elijah pointed to the stranger and Jericho smiled at the young man.

"Thanks, name’s Jericho."

Jericho offered his hand and though the stranger took it, he didn’t speak.

"What, cat got your tongue?"

The stranger looked appealingly at Elijah.

"He doesn’t speak, I think."

Jericho nodded. "Can you hear?"

The stranger confirmed it with one nod.

"Ok, well then, take my jacket and find a nearby stream and wet it?"

The stranger stared at him, perplexed. Jericho only removed his jacket and handed it to him. "Go!"

Not sure what else to do, the stranger nodded and wandered away.

Jericho then turned back to Elijah and lifting up his pants leg, placed both hands around his ankle.

Elijah bit his lip as Jericho’s eyes flashed and turned a dark emerald green. A feeling of warmth engulfed him and the pain in his leg slowly faded away into nothing.

"Try it out."

Elijah gingerly stretched out his leg, and then getting to his feet, he put his full weight on it.

"You did it. I’m healed."

"Not as bad as we thought. Just a slight sprain."

Elijah was about to speak, when a wave of coughing erupted within him. Feeling the burning smoke in his own lungs, Jericho covered his mouth, and put a hand on Elijah‘s shoulder. "Come on, we got to get out of here."

With the stranger beside them, they hurried through the smoke and reaching the dirt trail, they quickly ran as fast as they could away from the smoke and fire.

***

They had gone only a few hundred yards, when the sound of an engine filled the air. A truck appeared shortly after, holding a dozen firefighters, and behind them, more vehicles arrived to fight the flames.

Elijah, Jericho and the stranger were picked up and evacuated from the area.

***

"Here -- drink this." Elijah took the water offered by Jericho, remaining quietly on the bench. More firefighters were coming in and the activity around the park was still bustling, though news had spread that the fire was now under control and would be safely out by the end of the day. Sylvia was sitting nearby staring at Elijah and Jericho in silence. As for the stranger, he stood a few feet away, seemingly busy looking over his rifle and backpack.

"What about your bike? How bad is it?"

Jericho smiled, and sitting down beside Elijah, he shrugged. "A total loss I’m afraid. Damn, I’ve had that bike for two years. Got it from a Hell’s Angel too…pretty girl, who could really kick ass."

Elijah looked away. "I’m sorry about your bike. What do we do now?"

Jericho pulled out a small package from his pocket and handed it to Elijah.

Taking a deep breath, Elijah opened the package, revealing a small jewelry box. Inside was a gold locket. Opening it, Elijah smiled to see a picture secured to one side of the locket, a picture of his mom. On the other side was an inscription:

Elijah closed the locket and fingered it gently before placing it around his neck. It was then that he noticed a small note in the box. Opening it, he began to read it out loud.

Elijah swallowed and turned to Jericho, perplexed; he didn’t see the flashing glare in Sylvia‘s eyes.

"Prince Edward Island, Egmont Bay?"

Jericho didn’t have an answer and was just about to say something when a black car appeared in the distance.

"Heads up, I see trouble coming."

Elijah and Jericho stood and took cover behind a small cabin. The stranger watched as the black van pulled up. Finding a parking place, a tall man stepped out of the van, followed by a shorter, blond, bearded young man at his side. They looked around the area and then seeing a few park rangers, started towards them.

"What do we do? We have no way to get out of here? We’re trapped!"

Jericho swore and shook his head. Then, the stranger came from behind them and waved for them to follow him.

Sylvia watched them depart and then waited. It wasn’t long before the tall man and the bearded young man made their way towards her.

***

The stranger led them to a red Jeep and taking out his keys, he unlocked the doors and got inside. Elijah and Jericho got in the back. Keeping low, they held their breath. Starting the engine, the stranger slowly and carefully made his way through the trucks and firefighters and reaching the gates, nodded at the park ranger and continued on through.

The Jeep made its way to the main road and then vanished with its precious new cargo.

***

He slammed the newspaper down onto the table and swore out loud. "Those bastards! I can’t believe this! How could she want to marry that monster?!"

Jericho shrugged, and continued to eat his chicken tenders, after handing their new friend a notebook and pen he had bought at the restaurant gift store. The stranger beside them smiled and quickly wrote a message, then held up the notebook.

Proudly written on the paper was the name Billy Adams.

Jericho nodded at him. "A pleasure to meet you, Billy."

Elijah rose from the table, not able to touch his sandwich. "I have to call my mom." Jericho almost went to stop him. In the end, he let him go.

Turning to the stranger he now knew as Billy Adams, Jericho offered him a french fry, which Billy took gratefully.

"So, what’s your story?"

Billy went to the notebook and started writing. A few seconds later, he lifted it up and revealed his life. EMT, on Vacation. Looking for some peace and quiet.

Jericho laughed. "And you just decided to help us? Strangers? That is what you call peace and quiet?"

He went back to his notebook and wrote a few more words.

Jericho leaned in and shook his head. "OK, next thing we do, we buy a sign language book."

Billy smiled broadly and then showed him what he wrote.

Good Samaritan. Strangers no more. We are friends?

Jericho nodded, but still couldn‘t shake an uneasy feeling. Something just didn‘t seem right. Billy was not altogether being truthful with them. He was holding back something. Besides, if he were on vacation and not hunting, then why did he have that rifle? Still, Billy did save Elijah from a bear and helped them escape Dom Fletcher and Vincent Caesar. Whatever his real intentions, for now, they were not a priority.

"Friends." *For Now*

***

He picked up the phone on its second ring.

"Saxon speaking."

"Put my mother on the phone."

"Why, Elijah…how good to hear from you. How are you? Your mother has been very worried."

"Put my mom on the phone! I want to talk to her, not you!"

"Very well." He put down the phone and went out into the hallway. "Jean?!"

Jean was just coming down the stairs for supper, when Nigel called her name.

"Elijah is on the phone."

She quickly hurried into the living room, just as Nigel grabbed her gently by the arm.

"Easy darling. Remember what I said. He’s frightened and terribly confused. Be strong, but firm with him."

Nodding, she picked up the phone. "Elijah?"

"Mom, mom, it is you, isn’t it?"

"Of course it’s me." Jean smiled at Nigel. "I’ve been so worried about you."

"Mom, please tell me it’s not true…tell me you’re not going to marry that…that man."

"Elijah, this is not something that I will discuss on the phone. Now, I was wrong to send you to look for your father. I want you to come home. Right now."

Elijah paused on the other end, not sure what to say.

"Elijah, are you listening to me?"

"Our home, or HIS home?"

"Elijah."

"Mom, they’re the ones that’ve been chasing Dad! They’re the ones chasing me! Don’t you understand –they’re the enemy!"

Letting out a breath she was holding, Jean met Nigel’s stare and firmly spoke into the phone. "Sweetie, I know that you’re confused and scared, but you’ve got it all wrong. Nigel and Mr. Fletcher do have some men out there, looking for you, but only to bring you back to me, away from those men after Ben. Believe me, Fletcher and Nigel are on our side, on your side."

Elijah swallowed. "Mom, No, it’s a lie -- can’t you see that they...brainwashed you against me?" he cried, feeling tears forcing their way to his eyes.

"No one has brainwashed me, Elijah. Those men after your father are killers. I want you to take the next plane and come home. I’ll pick you up myself personally. There’s no reason to be afraid. Elijah, I love you. Trust me. Come on now, its not safe. I know what’s best for you."

A tear fell from Elijah’s eyes, and he squeezed them shut tightly to stop it. "Mom, you still love Dad, don’t you?"

Jean let out a breath of exasperation. "I will always love Ben…your father will always be in my heart, but I need to go on with my life. I can’t live in the past anymore…and neither should you. If you would just give him half a chance, Nigel wants so much to be a part of our lives, of your life. To be a real father to you. A father you never had."

Elijah cringed. "He is NOT my father! He will never be my father!"

"Honey, I don’t want to talk about this anymore. You will come home, at once."

"I can’t."

"You can and you will. You will not defy me in this, Elijah. I am your mother and I am ordering you to come home!"

Elijah swallowed. "I have to go, Mom. Bye."

"Elijah! ELIJAH!"

But the phone was already dead.

Jean looked up at Nigel still clutching the phone. Nigel put it back on the hook and then took her in his arms.

"He really believes you are the enemy, Nigel."

"It’s all right, Jean. My men will find him and bring him back. Safe and sound, I promise."

And Jean believed him.

***

"Where are you going?" asked Jericho, as Billy stood up from the table. He quickly handed him the notebook. It read: restroom.

Smiling, he waved him off and then Jericho focused his attention on Elijah, who was simply staring at his untouched sandwich.

"How could she do it? How could she believe them over me?"

Jericho had no words to bring Elijah any comfort. Instead he patted Elijah on the shoulder consolingly.

"Now what, Jericho?"

"We continue to try to find your dad. He’s our only hope now. Maybe she’ll believe him."

Elijah wasn’t so sure.

***

He walked over to the nearby mailbox, holding a large, orange envelope. Dropping it into the metal container, he then made his way back into the restaurant.

***

"Welcome, my dear. How privileged I am to be graced by your presence after so many years. Please have a seat, Mrs. Hiller."

He remained behind the desk, as Sylvia slid slowly into a nearby seat.

"Mr. Fletcher, it has been a long time. Not much has changed."

"Some things never do. May I say that you are as beautiful as you were when we last met."

"You can stop the flattery. You know why I’m here."

"Indulge me," he replied with a smugness in his voice and manner.

"I have something that you want and I will give it to you for a price."

"May I ask why the change of heart, my dear?"

Sylvia only stared back at him defiantly. Fletcher at once laughed. "Ha! Hell has no fury like a woman scorned. You know where Ben is?"

"I do."

"Your price?"

"One hundred-thousand dollars and I want you to use your influence to get my daughter into pro tennis."

Fletcher raised an eyebrow and then grinned.

"Is that all?"

"I want you to leave Elijah Chevalier alone."

"Not possible."

"He’s just a boy. An innocent boy. He has done you no harm!"

"He is immortal like his father. Do be reasonable, my dear. Others will soon learn about his blood, and like his father, they will go after him. At least in my keep, he will not be mistreated."

Sylvia nodded and lowered her eyes, while Fletcher narrowed his.

"He will come to no harm, that I swear, and he will have all that he desires."

"Except his freedom."

"Freedom is a state of mind, not a fact. You don’t pay your taxes or your bills on time, you could go to jail…Their is no such thing as freedom, only opportunity. It is a way of life. I call it the survival of the fittest."

Sylvia met his eyes. "You haven’t changed."

"But you have, my dear…you have. Tell me what you know, and by the end of the month, your daughter will have her name in every sports book and magazine on this planet and you will have a very large bank account to ease your conscience. Don‘t worry about the boy. He, like his father, will be treated with the utmost care."

Sylvia paused only a moment as if thinking things over and then she handed him a small yellow envelope. Fletcher eagerly took it and then paused to take Sylvia’s hand. He pulled her wrist to his lips and kissed it. A moment later, Sylvia left his office.

Vincent Caesar and Dominic entered the room shortly after she left, to see Fletcher looking over the letter she had given him.

"Sir? Your orders?"

Fletcher handed Vincent the paper, and smiled. "You are to take the next plane to Prince Edward Island, Canada."

"What about Elijah?" asked Dominic.

Fletcher smiled at his son. "Elijah is already on his way there. You will, as they say, kill two birds with one stone. Vincent, be careful with Ben. I don’t want him debilitated. One last thing, be wary, their maybe another after Ben. I have waited too long for this moment and I will have him. . . and his son." Dominic cleared his throat. Fletcher smiled. "We, that is."

Vincent bowed and left, with Dominic following him.

Alone in the room, Fletcher put both his hands together and laughed. Once again Sylvia proved to him that everyone has a price. Everyone!

***

Somewhere in Maine

He slowly got onto the bus with a newspaper in his hands. Sitting down by the window, the man in blue jeans opened the paper and began to look it over. He was looking through the obits, when he glanced over to the wedding announcements page and spotted the photo of Jean Chevalier and Nigel Saxon. His eyebrows drew together as he read the information before him. His hands shook slightly as he re-read the lines.

Son? A son?

He crushed the paper together and lowered his head in his hands. It’s not possible. It can’t be.

"Excuse me, is this seat taken?"

The man looked up and stared at a beautiful, dark-haired woman.

"No."

She sat down gratefully.

"This is my first bus trip – I'm suppose to meet my husband, Peter, in New York. I know what you’re thinking -- why didn’t I fly…well, because I’m afraid of flying…My name is Fran…and you are?"

He paused for a moment and then he smiled. "Ben. Ben Richards," he replied and a moment later, the doors closed and the bus began its next journey.

***

Somewhere in Washington D.C

The British officer opened the envelope and pulled out its contents: a badge with the name "Billy Adams" on it and a slip of paper that read: I’m in.