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"For as long as you've been around we've existed," Joe started.
"Who's 'we?'" Reina interrupted.
"Watchers. We know all about you."
"What I am is your average 24 year old woman," Reina said. "Hardly worth watching."
"Your average 24 year old woman would not heal from a fatal gunshot wound to the heart," Joe told her. "We watchers know all about immortals. We observe and record but never interfere. Peter was your watcher."
"Peter?" Reina asked. "Are you referring to that charming individual who's been following me around?"
Joe ignored Reina's sarcastic characterization of her former watcher. "Yes. It was his job to record your movements. Strictly for the historical record," he added quickly.
"Was? Past tense?"
"He requested reassignment."
"I told you he didn't like me," Reina told MacLeod.
"Don't take it personally. There had been problems within the watchers and not too long ago there were problems between watchers and immortals. He's a little wary of you."
"He's wary of me? He was following me around," Reina said in disbelief.
"In his defense you did bushwhack him. Twice."
"I did not bushwhack him."
Joe gave Reina a look that told her that he did not believe her.
"He knows all about me and I know nothing about him. He held all the cards. What's to stop him from sneaking into my apartment while I sleep and taking my head? I call it evening the odds," Reina looked at the two men.
"He wouldn't do that."
"How do you know? Are you with him 24 hours a day?" Reina asked. "He seemed pretty hostile to me."
"No, but we've taken steps to make sure that doesn't happen."
"You've taken steps? So it's happened before."
"Well...."
"I'll take that as a yes."
"Reina, nothing's certain."
"Exactly. That's why I don't need a shadow skulking around."
"We're only interested in the truth. We record history. We don't get involved."
"I find that hard to believe. You and Duncan are friends. Don't friends do things for one another? Isn't that considered interfering? If what you say about your organization is true then your relationship with Duncan has to be atypical."
"It is. And I admit that there were times when my friendship with MacLeod and my oath to my organization have conflicted. And it may happen again. As you've said our relationship is atypical but that doesn't change the fact that our organization is not a threat to you."
"We'll see," Reina said. She did not look convinced. "In the meantime since Peter had requested reassignment, make sure he stays away from me. Since he's not watching me anymore he has no reason to be anywhere near my home. If I catch him near my house I'm calling the cops and if I have to, I will hurt him myself."
"Reina,"
"And another thing," Reina said interrupting Joe. "I was not kidding about old sourpuss being hostile. You might want to recheck your screening processes."
"I wouldn't judge Peter too harshly based on your meeting today," Joe said. "The circumstances behind your introduction were not exactly ideal. You did waylay him and take his keys. And I'm sure that when he saw what you did to his tires, that didn't endear you to him."
"He had that coming," Reina said. "And I was more than nice to him considering the circumstances. So all you do is watch huh?"
"That's why we're called watchers," Joe said nothing about the abrupt change of subject, grateful that Reina had let the matter drop.
"Just how much do you watch anyway?"
"Nothing that would get us arrested," he said falling back on a line he'd used with Amanda a couple of years ago.
"I see," Reina said. Joe got the impression that Reina was not convinced of that either. "Well I suppose that answers my questions. I found out why he was following me. I guess I'm done."
Joe had a sneaking suspicion that this was only the end of the conversation as far as he was concerned. He had not failed to notice that Reina had not addressed any of her questions to MacLeod. Something told him that Reina would remedy that situation when she was alone with the Scot.
"Will I be getting another watcher?" Reina asked.
Joe considered lying to Reina then thought better of it. Reina was not known for being understanding about being kept in the dark about things that she felt concerned her. "Yes."
"I'm sure I have no say in this but is it possible for you to pick someone who is, well, fun? Not for nothing but that Peter was way too uptight. He was no fun at all. I mean, if someone's going to be following me around, I'd just as soon not have the person hate my guts."
"Peter doesn't hate you."
"Right," Reina said sarcastically. "And I am the queen of Spain. He thinks we're all a bunch of arrogant twits. It isn't that big a deal. I don't have to be universally liked but when I ditch the next person it'll be nice to know that the person will have a sense of humor about the whole thing. Now I have to be going."
"Not so fast 007," Duncan told her.
"Do you need a ride M?" She asked without missing a beat.
"I rode in with Joe, if you don't mind."
"I'll wait. I assume you know where my car is?"
"I'll meet you at the car."
"I'll see you around, Joe."
MacLeod watched the younger immortal saunter off. "I knew it was a bad idea to let her meet Amanda."
"As I recall, you didn't have much of a say in the matter."
MacLeod smiled. "No, I didn't."
"This didn't go as well as I'd hoped."
"It's not over yet," MacLeod said. "Reina hasn't grilled me yet."
"I noticed that," Joe said. "I don't envy you right now Mac."
"I knew there was a chance that something like this would happen when I decided not to tell her about the watchers."
"That doesn't change the fact that I'm glad I'm not riding in the car with Reina," Joe said. "I'll see you later Mac."
"Take care Joe."
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