Date: Thu, 22 Feb 1996 21:12:00 PST Reply-To: Mike Goldman Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: Mike Goldman Subject: Counterfeit Friends (22/22)--HL Story BTW: Again, thanks to all for sticking with me through this and for all your kind comments--you'll never know how much they meant. And Steph, thanks again. The virtual coffeepot is always full.... The next night back at Joe's club, Rory was back on stage with the band, singing as only she could. Duncan and Richie had stopped by to view the performance and Joe took a break from pouring drinks to chat with them for a moment. "Sounds great, doesn't she?" he said, grinning like a little boy. Duncan nodded. "She does." Richie also chimed in with his agreement. "Stick around for a moment after we close. There's something she wants you to know about." "What is it?" Joe shrugged, but the gleam in his eye told them that he knew more than he was telling. After closing, Rory took Joe's cellular phone and disappeared into the storeroom for several minutes. "What, Joe?" Richie said, his quizzical puppy dog look firmly fixed on his face. "We're watching her make a phone call?" Joe reached over and rapped him on the head. "Just hang on, young man." Rory came out of the storeroom a few minutes later and handed the phone back to Joe. "It's done." she said. Joe smiled at her. "What's done?" Duncan knew he sounded whiny, but this was really starting to get to him. "Well," said Rory, drawing a deep breath, "there's a young woman and her little girl in London that are now two million dollars richer." It took a moment for it to sink in. When it did, Duncan extended his hand across the bar to Rory. "Good idea." he said simply. "Thank you." she said, shaking his hand. "Way to go, Rory." Richie echoed. She smiled at him. Joe now began busily wiping down the counter top. "OK, gentlemen, show's over. Time to go." "What?" said Duncan. Even Rory looked a little startled. "You heard me." He dropped the bar cloth, picked up his cane and came around the side of the bar. Motioning towards the door with his cane, he said, "Come on, I haven't got all night." Duncan and Richie got off the barstools, looking at each other and then at Rory, who responded by shrugging her shoulders and raising her eyebrows. At the door, they tried to turn around, but Joe gracelessly shoved them out, locking the door behind them. Then he turned back around. "I thought they'd never leave." He went back by the storeroom and began dimming the club lights. "Joe, what are you doing?" Rory asked. "Just stay right there." He went back behind the bar and began rummaging through the shelves. "I know I put it here somewhere." He rummaged a few minutes more. "Aha! Found it!" "Found *what*?" "This." Rory heard a click and then a soft whirring sound. As the music started, Joe came and stood in front of her. "Care to dance?" Rory smiled, recognizing the tune. "I'd love to." He pulled her out to the middle of the floor and the two began to dance. After a moment, the two dancers became one. Have I told you lately that I love you Have I told you there's no one above you Fill my heart with gladness Take away my sadness Ease my troubles, that's what you do Oh the morning sun in all its glory greets the day with hope and comfort too And you fill my life with laughter You can make it better Ease my troubles, that what you do There's a love that's divine And it's your's and it's mine Like the sun at the end of the day We should give thanks and pray to the one Have I told you lately that I love you? "Have I Told You Lately" -- Van Morrison =========================================================================