 When the series begins , Tessa and MacLeod have been in a relationship for twelve years and are the proprietors of an <unk> store , " MacLeod and Noel 's <unk> " , in the fictional city of Seacouver , Washington , United States . Immortals <unk> Quince ( Richard <unk> ) and Connor MacLeod ( Christopher Lambert ) break into their store , making Tessa aware of the Game . When she learns of this ultimate battle of good and evil , in which Duncan MacLeod must behead or be beheaded , she <unk> remarks ; " And you didn 't think it was important enough to mention . " When Quince threatens Tessa to distract MacLeod , she first wants to flee with MacLeod , who prepared for her departure and <unk> Quince . Aware that other Immortals will challenge MacLeod , Tessa decides to stay with him . They also allow Richie Ryan ( Stan Kirsch ) , a quick @-@ talking petty thief and street punk , to live with them because he was aware of MacLeod 's immortality . 
