Date:         Tue, 26 Jul 1994 14:28:47 -0500
Reply-To:     Highlander TV show stories <HLFIC-L@PSUVM.PSU.EDU>
Sender:       Highlander TV show stories <HLFIC-L@PSUVM.PSU.EDU>
From:         Susan Coveney <COVENEY@HELIX.MGH.HARVARD.EDU>
Subject:      And the Memories Live Forever 2 of 5

And Memories Live Forever

By Susan Coveney

PART II

        "Who wants to live forever
        Who dares to love forever
        When love must die..."  - Queen

        It was only two nights later, when he saw her again.  It
was at the same club.  He had been sitting for almost an hour
listening to the music when she walked in .   He noticed as she
looked around, as if she were looking for someone, and then she
stopped when she saw him.  She smiled, briefly, and walked to
his table.

        "Hello Duncan," Gwen said.  "May I join you?"

        "Please,"  Duncan replied.  Today her composure was calmer,
and her face was not tear-stained.  Had she come here seeking
him, or was she looking for someone else?

        "I'm glad to see you here, Duncan."  Gwen started.  "I
enjoyed our conversation the other day, and hoped you might
show up again."

        "I must admit, " Duncan spoke.  "It had occurred to me that
you might show up here again."

        "I almost feel like I'm drawn here, to you.  Why, I don't
know.     Our conversation helped me think.  And you know what
I think."  She paused.  "I think I like you Duncan MacLeod,
even if you do seem a little mysterious."

        "Mysterious, really?"  Duncan laughed.  *We are kindred
souls.*  Duncan mused to himself.  *Both looking for solace in
a time of need.*  He then spoke up and addressed her directly.
"Now, why do you think I'm mysterious?"

        Gwen thought for a moment, hand rubbing her chin.  "Why do
I think you're mysterious?"

        "Yeah, why?" Duncan countered.

        "Because, I still don't know anything about you but your
name, and you know at least something about me..."

        "Gwen,"  Duncan said.  "You just don't ask the right
questions."  he paused for a moment for emphasis before
continuing.  "So,  Gwen how did your husband die?"

        "A stupid car accident!"  Gwen spat the words out.  "If he
hadn't been so preoccupied with his research, so dedicated to
the advancement of science, this wouldn't of happened.  If he
had been like other people..."

        Duncan interupted.  "If he had been like other people, you
probably wouldn't have loved him so much."
        Gwen looked at him, a little quizzically.  "You think so?"
she sounded like a child looking for reassurance.

        "Yes, I think so."  Duncan prodded.  "You were saying. ..."
        Gwen thought a moment.  "As I was saying.  If he hadn't
worked so late at lab, He wouldn't have fallen asleep behind
the wheel and his car rolled under a tractor trailer.  He would
still be alive today!"

        "Probably not."  Duncan said kindly.  "What if's have never
gotten anyone anywhere.  They only beat you over the head until
you believe it was all your fault.  It wasn't your fault."

        "How do I know that?"  Gwen asked.

        "You said he was a researcher, that he worked long and hard
hours, and that one night driving home from work, he fell
asleep behind the wheel and died, is that right?"

        Gwen looked at her hands.  Looked at the wedding ring which
she still wore.  That she had put back on after her last talk
with Duncan.  He had told her there was nothing wrong with
feeling grief,  and that she should try to forget just because
Gregory had died.   She didn't want to forget 22 years of
marriage.  Over half of her life she had been married to
Gregory.  That was not something that could be just forgotten
because he died.  "That's right, what's your point?"

        "My point is."  Duncan answered.  He looked her straight in
the eyes with all the conviction he could muster.  Maybe even
enough that this time he would believe those words, for they
were meant just as much for him as her.  "There was nothing you
could have done differently.  Nothing"

        "You say that with such conviction, I almost think you are
trying to convince yourself of it."  Gwen looked at him
quizzically.  "Well, are you?"

        "Maybe I am."  he looked incredibly sad, as if a weight had
just settled onto his shoulders.

        This time, it was Duncan who left first.  The memories were
to much, and he hadn't yet convinced himself that he couldn't
have done anything to save Tessa.

(END OF PART II)
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