Date: Mon, 19 Feb 1996 19:24:00 PST Reply-To: Mike Goldman Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: Mike Goldman Subject: Counterfeit Friends (10/22)--HL Story The ride back to Seacouver was much quicker than the ride from there. By the time they reached Joe's club, the two men had regained much of the ease in their relationship. They pulled into the parking lot and Duncan turned the motor off. Dimly, they could hear the band practicing inside. "Is it my imagination or are they really loud this afternoon?" Duncan asked while he got out of the car. Joe got out and shut his car door. "Not especially." he commented after listening for a moment. They walked into the bar and saw Rory, Matt and the rest of the band running through songs. Rory had her back to the floor and the rest of the band faced her. Duncan felt the buzz as soon as he got near the front door and knew that Rory had to know they were there as well; however, she kept singing and did not turn her head to watch them enter. When the song was finished, she excused herself and walked over to where they were seated at the bar. "Nice song." Duncan said. "Thanks, Macleod." She looked at Joe. "Well?" "Well what?" "Did he play nicely or do I have to take his head?" Duncan sat bolt upright. "*Excuse me?*" he said, inclining his head as if he hadn't heard her correctly. Joe smiled in spite of himself. "He played nicely." Duncan was still stuck on the former comment. "Take my head?" he echoed. "We've passed that point of the conversation, Mac." Rory said. Joe laughed and then excused himself, saying he needed to see about the liquor delivery before he opened tonight. Rory turned to go back to the band, but Duncan caught her by the arm and she turned back around. "Joe is a very good friend of mine. I don't want to see him hurt." he told her. "Then we want the same thing." she responded. "If I find out that you're involved in anything that could jeopardize him or this place, I will *personally* come after you." he said, his eyes staring straight into hers. "You don't have to worry, Macleod. I *told* you that I'm finished with the IRA." she said emphatically. "You're telling me the truth?" Rory sighed. "Read my lips, Macleod. N-O M-O-R-E I-R-A. Did you get it that time?" Duncan smiled. "I believe you -- just take good care of him, OK?. Remember, he's mortal." "With kid gloves." she promised. "Can I go back to practice, now?" "Sure." he said. "First you have to let go of my arm." she said patiently. Duncan looked down and realized he was still gripping her arm. Sheepishly he let go. Rory returned to the stage and the band began practicing songs again. That night at the club, Jamie was not there so the band had had to come up with several different songs. Matt did several Stevie Ray Vaughn tunes as well as some more New Orleans-songs such as "Black Cat Bone" and Rory followed with several Rory Block and Bonnie Raitt tunes, including "Cool Clear Water" Her performance was much more singer-oriented than previous nights. She had handed off her bass to Mark and was concentrating solely on her vocals. Duncan knew Rory had to have heard the appreciative catcalls when she appeared on stage in a black catsuit and denim jacket, but she appeared to be blocking any audience commentary and immersing herself in the persona of each song. Joe, watching from behind the bar, marvelled at her ability to change her identity. Minutes before, she had been belting out lyrics like: I changed the tracks underneath the train So you can't find me again And you can't trace my path And you can't hear me laugh I changed the tracks underneath the train.* As the energy of the crowd was so high, the band continued playing through its scheduled break and didn't stop until Joe signaled for last call. To bring the crowd back down a bit, Rory announced a song called "Fire of the Newly Alive". While Matt played the guitar and Mark kept an underlying beat with the bass, she sang: The passion of old is a children's quick game The sound of the thunder and feel of the flames You leave a message so deep in my skin Where you stop is where I begin You are the reason, the time and the face I am dissolving in oceans of grace I'd give up a lifetime to keep you from harm Be your salvation and rescue And burn bridges to lie in your arms Your hand on my heart and it's beating in time To the sound of your voice and the look in your eyes The moment you touch me - all down inside is the fire of the newly alive.* After everyone had left and Joe was nearly finished closing up, Rory turned to Duncan who had been helping her clean up the stage. "Are you truly OK with this?" she asked quietly while Joe polished the bar. "Not that it would change my feelings," she added, "but I would try to be considerate of yours." "It's fine." Duncan said. "He's a good man." "Aye, he is that." Just then Joe called over. "Rory, are you ready to go?" "Just a minute." she called. She turned back to Duncan. "Macleod," she said, "Don't tell him about the IRA. I want to tell him in my own time." Duncan frowned. "He deserves to know now." She shook her head. "Not now. This is still too new, too fragile for both of us. I promise I'll tell him, but just give us some time." "I don't like it." "I didn't say you had to *like* it." she bit off, exasperated. "Will you just do it?" Duncan looked quickly at Joe, who was waiting by the bar and then back at Rory, waiting for his answer. "Alright, but I'm still against it." The look of relief on Rory's face was immediate. "Thank you, Duncan." she said. "I'm ready." she called to Joe. Joe met them at the door and held it open for them as he turned out the lights. The trio separated just outside the door with Duncan heading for his convertible and Joe and Rory heading for his Forerunner. As he climbed into the car, Duncan looked in his rearview mirror and saw Rory and Joe kissing. Sighing, he put his key in the ignition, revved the motor and pulled out into the night. (comments, suggestions, questions to: mgoldman@cts.com. Thanks, Lori) =========================================================================