Date: Tue, 27 Feb 1996 08:10:20 -0500 Reply-To: KaiSteph@AOL.COM Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: Steph Lutz Subject: A Little Night Music (4/7) NOTES: The music in this section is Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, 1st movement. And many thanks to Fiona Davidson for the Gaelic translation :) All praises, flames and virtual haggis to KaiSteph@aol.com A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, (4/7) By Stephanie Lutz Joe woke to the rich aroma of brewing coffee wafting into the bedroom of his apartment above the bar. The bed was still slightly warm next to him; Kate had been there till a few moments before. Groggily, he rubbed his eyes and swung himself to a sitting position on the edge of the bed. He strapped on his prostheses, and grabbed his bathrobe and cane - all within easy reach, and stood stiffly. "Dawson, you're acting like a teenager," he grunted to himself as he stopped by the mirror to smooth his hair., and adjust the dark flannel robe just so. He studied his reflection seriously. The gray in his hair showed him that he *wasn't* a teenager. He was mortal, and a Watcher - a Watcher who had broken the rules before. He sighed as he thought of how much his life had changed since the day MacLeod had walked into his bookstore, and all the immortals he'd befriended over the past couple of years. MacLeod, Richie, Amanda, Methos.... and now Kate. So far he'd been walking a tightrope, and keeping his balance, but this time he'd *really* crossed the line. How would the others react to this? Right now, he didn't care. Shrugging, he laughed out loud. It felt good to laugh, he hadn't done it enough lately. He was in love, and it had been a *long* time since he'd felt this way - much too long. As he walked slowly out to the living room, there was even a slight spring in his step. Kate was in the kitchen, a full pot of coffee on the counter beside her. She was dressed in one of his black button-down shirts, which reached clear to her knees. Her hair was pulled back with a rubber band, and she was busy buttering toast. Hearing him come in, she looked up and smiled a bit sleepily. "Morning," she said, "or should I say afternoon?" Joe glanced at the clock over the sink, and realized it *was* afternoon, but only by a few minutes. Kate handed him a steaming mug of coffee, and gestured apologetically at the toast. "I really *can* cook,' she said. "just not this early." "Neither do I," he confessed. "all I usually have is coffee." He took a deep drink of said object and sighed in satisfaction as the caffeine went straight to his brain. He walked into the living room and settled comfortably on the sofa, while Kate roamed around looking over the room with interest. His shelves were a study in contrast, old record albums next to shiny new CD's; leather-bound chronicles and the laptop computer. Sipping her coffee, she examined his large record collection with an occasional question, then turn interestedly to the old books with the dark green Watcher symbol on the cover. "These are the books, about us?" she asked, running a finger down the spine of one. "Yes. I'm - not supposed to let you look at those.." he added as an afterthought. She nodded. "Fair enough." She picked up one of the disks lying next to the computer. "Am I on these, too?" "Yes," he answered again. She put it down before he could repeat his earlier comment, and shook her head in bemusement. "If you'd hae told me 1500 years ago..." A mischievous look came over her face. "lots in there about me, is there?" "Enough," he said with a grin. "And Duncan?" "Well," Joe said hesitantly. "Naturally, I have more about him than the rest of you..." "Oh, naturally," she nodded seriously, then laughed at his expression. "Dinna worrry - I won't snoop. I know more than I'd like to about Duncan already - he's no exactly subtle, aye?" She came over and sat next to him on the sofa, curling her legs underneath her. Putting her empty mug on the table, she reached for her bag, which lay next to the sofa, along with her coat. "I meant to show this to you last night," she told him, pulling a CD out of the bag. "But I was a wee bit distracted." Joe flushed slightly, and chose not to comment. Kate got up again, and out the CD in the stereo. "This is just something I want you to listen to." "More broadening of my horizons?" he teased gently. "I *do* listen to music other than blues - once in a while." She grinned sheepishly. "I know - this is..more personal." She pressed play and came to stand behind him. "Close your eyes," she said, putting her hands on his shoulders. The music started on four powerful notes. Feeling quite proud of himself, he recognized it immediately . He felt her hands tighten on his shoulders. "Picture an Immortal, standing alone in an alley." Her voice was soft in his ear, as a fast rhythm began, slowing as it increased in loudness.. "He feels the buzz of another Immortal approaching." The four notes repeated, this time the rhythm following starting loud and staying fast and furious. " He draws his sword. They face one another, circling." A slower, weaving melody began, building to a crescendo. " Finally one takes the first swing. Steel clashes against steel, over and over." The melody built in intensity, with punctuating sharp beats. Joe could almost hear the swords clash. The same pattern repeated over and over, as Joe pictured the sword dance in his mind. "First blood is taken." The repetition ended with the same four notes, slower this time, the following melody heavier as the fight intensified, and the pattern began again. " One stands over the other. He brings his sword down in a stiff stroke." The four notes sounded twice, mournfully. " The quickening comes...." A new building melody came to a thunderous climax, notes flying off in all directions along with the scattering bolts of lightening Joe pictured, ending in a sharp, fast beat. He keep his eyes closed for another moment, then turned his head to see her looking down at him, eyes intense. "Do you think Beethoven knew about Immortals?" He asked, after a long moment of silence. "Well, he knew some Immortals," Kate said slowly, her face relaxing. "But whether he knew *about* us..." she shook her head. "I guess we'll never know. Maybe he *did* witness a Quickening, the game was raging around him at the time." She smiled, and reached out to touch Joe's cheek. "This is why I wanted to play it for you - I've never had a discussion like this before, in the past it's been tough enough to try to explain just what I am at this point - never mind the detail. And here you are, who already understand everything." He took her hand, wrapping his fingers loosely about hers. "I understand - as much as a mortal can, I suppose - about the game." "Aye, the game." With a sigh, she slid down beside him, resting her head against his shoulder. "Is urrain do bi an sin a mhain a-h-aon" she whispered, "There can be only one. Sometimes - I wish it were all over - finished - the prize won, and I dinna care by whom." Her voice was so soft, he could barely hear her. "I never wanted the game, never wanted to fight. I'm a healer, not a killer, aye? But I canna leave it, either, I have no choice. I'm no ready to lose my head just yet, there's still so much in life I want to do - and not all of it on holy ground. So I fight when I have to, and it sickens me." Joe wrapped his arms tightly around her shoulders, holding her close and pressing his lips to the top of her head. He understood, more than she knew. He hadn't thought killing was in him either, until he'd had to - and the thought of it still made him nauseous. She twisted her head around to look up at him, eyes bright. "So, have I thoroughly depressed ye now?" she asked, her voice back to normal. He smiled faintly. "No," he told her, kissing her gently on the lips. She returned the kiss, a bit more strongly. "I have to go down - get the bar ready to open soon," he whispered against her cheek. "Aye?" Her fingers found the tie on his robe. "It couldna wait a couple more hours?" "Aye," he sighed, his words unconsciously imitating hers. "I suppose it could..." To be continued.... =========================================================================