Date: Mon, 19 Feb 1996 19:23:00 PST Reply-To: Mike Goldman Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: Mike Goldman Subject: Counterfeit Friends (8/22)--HL Story The next morning, Joe and Rory were sitting at the kitchen table using caffeine-laden substances to help them wake up. Suddenly Rory looked around the room as if she had heard something. Joe knew that look well and turned towards the front door. "And who at my front door should appear?" he said, trying to introduce some levity into the situation. He really didn't want to know the answer. He turned back around at a "clunking" sound and saw Rory's head on the kitchen table. Her muffled voice came up to him. "Well, it certainly isn't Santa and his eight tiny reindeer." The doorbell rang again and they both looked at the door. "Well, you'd better answer it," she said. "Whoever it is already knows *I'm* here." Joe got up, grabbed his cane and walked toward the door, hollering to let the person on the other side know he was on his way. The stained glass in the door window obscured his view of the figure on the outside, but he had a sinking feeling as to who it was. He opened the door enough to see who it was. Duncan. "Hi, Joe." Duncan greeted him, smiling. "Um, hi, Mac." Joe responded after a beat. , he thought, "I was on my way into Seattle to look at some equipment I'm thinking of buying for the dojo and I remembered you'd talked about checking out that guitar store there, so I thought I'd see if you wanted to come along." "Sure. OK. Fine." , he told himself. "Give me a few minutes and I'll be ready." Duncan's look changed to one of concern. "Joe, is there someone here? I felt someone when I walked up to the door." Joe looked up at Duncan and realized he'd taken too long to answer. The Immortal shouldered his way past Joe and entered the foyer looking for danger. He was brought up short by the sight of Rory leaning against the kitchen entry, running her hand through her auburn hair and wearing nothing but an old T-shirt of Joe's. "Hello, Macleod." she said evenly. The play of emotions across his face was almost comical and Rory would have laughed except she could see this was causing Joe concern. "Rory." Duncan said, nearly civilly. He turned around to see Joe leaning his head back against the door frame. "Why don't I meet you outside?" he said to Joe and stalked out, almost slamming the door behind him. "Oh boy." Joe said softly, closing his eyes. Rory looked at him. "It was bound to happen sooner or later." Joe's eyes flew open. "Yeah, but I would have preferred that it went down a little differently!" She stifled a smile. She forgot sometimes that mortals were still concerned about things like this. "Well, you should probably go with him. At least, you can get this out of the way. Besides, if he gets out of line, let me know and I'll cut off his head." He looked at her. "Joke!" she cried, "It was a joke!" She walked over to him and kissed him on the cheek. "Besides, at least you were *dressed*." "You seem to be finding this rather humorous." he said, narrowing his eyes. "Sorry." she apologized, "Blame it on being Irish." Joe rolled his eyes and kissed her. "I'll see you tonight at the club." "OK." Rory held the door open and watched him walk over to Mac's convertible. As he climbed in, she called "See you later, Duncan." and waved. Joe put his hand over his eyes and shook his head. =========================================================================