When the series begin , Tessa and MacLeod have been in a relationship for twelve years and are the proprietors of an antiques store , " MacLeod and Noel 's Antiques " , in the fictional city of Seacouver , Washington , United States . Immortals Slan Quince ( Richard Moll ) and Connor MacLeod ( Christopher Lambert ) break into their store , making Tessa aware of the Game . When she learn of this ultimate battle of good and evil , in which Duncan MacLeod must behead or be beheaded , she sarcastically remark ; " And you didn 't think it was important enough to mention . " When Quince threaten Tessa to distract MacLeod , she first want to flee with MacLeod , who prepared for her departure and behead Quince . Aware that other Immortals will challenge MacLeod , Tessa decide 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 .