Date: Mon, 19 Jun 1995 14:07:15 -0700 Reply-To: Alan Murrell Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: Alan Murrell Subject: End Game pt 2 of ? X-cc: Amanda Spencer ************************************************************ * * * * * * * * H I G H L A N D E R * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * End Game? * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Part II * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * By Alan Murrell * * * * * * * * * * ************************************************************ Duncan woke up at 6:30 the next morning. As he got up and started to get dressed, he looked down at Amanda, sleeping so peacefully. He took care not to wake her, and headed for the kitchen. When he reached the kitchen, Michelle was already there, preparing breakfast. "Good morning Michelle. I'm surprised to see you awake so early. Did you sleep well?" "Morning, Duncan. I always get up early, to prepare breakfast. It's the most important meal of the day, you know." Then she gave Duncan a knowing smile. "Did *you* sleep well last night?" Duncan coughed nervously. "Yes, well, let's leave that subject closed, shall we?" He walked over to the stove, and smelled bacon cooking. Then he looked over at Michelle. "Tell me how your training is coming along," he said. "Well, like I told you yesterday, Amanda says my training is coming along very well." "Are you talking about your sword training, or has Amanda been training you in...*special* skills?" Michelle smiled rather mischievously, then said "I plead the fifth." Duncan was about to say something, but decided to just let the subject drop. "How good *are* you becoming, anyway - with a sword, that is," asked Duncan. "Amanda says that I'm becoming quite good. I know for a fact that I'm a heck of a lot better than when I first started." "How would you like to try your skill against me?" said Duncan. "I don't know. From what Amanda says, you're one of the best swordsmen around." "Yeah," Duncan said. "Perhaps I am, but skill alone won't necessarily win the fight. Not too long ago, I was forced to fight one of my best friends, an Immortal by the name of Brian Cullen. He was the finest swordsman I have ever met. Even on drugs, he was one of, if not, *the* best. However, I *did* beat him." Duncan and Michelle were then quiet; Duncan thinking about Brian, and Michelle thinking about the point Duncan was making. "Okay," Michelle said finally. Duncan just grinned. Ten minutes later, Michelle and Duncan were in the basement of the house, which had been converted into a training hall of sorts. Duncan looked around and smiled. He drew his katana, and took up a defensive stance. Michelle drew her sword, an English broadsword, shortened to accommodate her physique. Michelle attacked first, a sweeping broad stroke aimed at Duncan's torso. SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS - c.1615 Connor was in the middle of instructing Duncan in the finer points swordsmanship. Although Duncan was already fairly handy with a sword, he was still raw, compared to his much, much older clansman, who in turn had been taught by the legendary Ramirez - perhaps one of the finest swordsman who had ever walked the earth. Connor had just irritated Duncan with his ability to block Duncan's best blows with seeming ease. Finally, Duncan made a wild slash at his teacher and mentor. Connor easily disarmed Duncan, and held his katana at his younger clansman's neck. "Never lose your temper in a fight, or you'll lose your head," he said to Duncan. Much later, Duncan made a lunging thrust at Connor. Connor sidestepped it, and Duncan went forward a little too much. He felt the coldness of steel on the back of his neck. He also heard Connor say "Don't overextend your thrust. If your head comes away from your shoulders, it's over." (author's note: can't you tell I enjoyed this part of HL1? At least it seem's a little more natural than where I put it in part I, eh?) MADRID - JULY, 1995 "Ow," said Duncan as Michelle's sword nicked his arm, bringing him out of his daydream. "Are you alright?" asked Michelle. "It'll heal," replied Duncan. "I was just thinking back to when Connor was instructing me in the art of swordsmanship, and I guess I let my guard down a little. I have to admit though, you *are* indeed pretty good. I wouldn't mind seeing how you would fare against Richie." "You think so?" said Michelle. "Yes, I do. Now, let's go back upstairs." When Duncan and Michelle got back upstairs, Amanda was up, and halfway through her breakfast. "When I didn't see you two when I got up, I figured you would be downstairs. Good to see I was right," said Amanda. "I just wanted to see how good she is," said Duncan. "And what's your conclusion?" said Amanda as she stood up and walked to where Duncan stood. "Duncan took Amanda in his arms, kissed her and said "She has an *excellent* teacher." Then they both let go of each other as they heard Michelle cough, reminding them of her presence. "Perhaps we'd better eat," said Duncan. Later that day, Duncan and Amanda were walking the streets of Madrid, taking in the sights. "So tell me Duncan, what exactly did happen with Anne?" "I really don't want to talk about it, Amanda. And it really isn't any of your business." "You told her, didn't you? And she couldn't handle it. Am I right?" Duncan could tell that Amanda wasn't going to let the subject drop, so he took a deep breath before replying. "Okay, if you really want to know, yes I did tell her. She was shocked at first, but came to accept it. Then, her life was in danger a few months ago by an Immortal by the name of Daimler. He hurt Anne, and I went after him. She wanted him dead a s well, and *that's* what she couldn't accept. So, she left." Duncan decided to not mention the baby. Amanda sensed that Duncan didn't really want to go any deeper, so she decided to change the subject. "So, you leave for Scotland tomorrow to start your search for Connor," she said. "And where do you go once you find him?" "After Kalas" was the reply. "And how are you going to find Kalas?" asked Amanda. "Don't worry. Between Connor and me, we should be able to find him." "I'm worried about you Duncan. I've known you a *very* long time, and I can't stand the thought of not having you around." She paused before continuing. "There's something I want to say to you--" "Amanda, don't. You're just going to make things harder for us. Please." "No, Duncan. I've wanted to say this to you for a couple of centuries now, but the timing just never seemed right - until now. Duncan, I love you." Duncan stopped and turned to look at Amanda in the eyes. "And I," Duncan said "love *you* Amanda. I never really realized it until recently but I do. In fact, I have been thinking about you a lot lately." "Then don't face Kalas. Let's just take Michelle, and go off someplace where he won't find you - or us." "I can't run away from this Amanda. Kalas *has* to be stopped. Besides, I hopefully won't have to face him alone. Connor will be there." "I just want to be with you for all eternity, Duncan. I've waited three centuries for this moment, and now that it has come, I don't want to lose you." "Look, Amanda. Even if we *do* become involved on a more permanent basis, it could never work--" "Why not?" "There can be only *one*, Amanda. That alone is reason enough. We may have to face each other someday." "Are you saying that you would find it easier to kill me if we *weren't* involved with one another?" "No, but--" "Then we'll come to that bridge when we come to it. Besides that reason, are there any more?" Silence. "I didn't think so. I think you're just afraid to face your feelings, Duncan." Duncan looked down at the ground, then back into Amanda's eyes. "Okay Amanda, you're right. But now is not the time for this. There's no point in making plans." "Then promise me something, Duncan. Promise me that when this is over, we'll sit down and seriously discuss this." "Amanda, I don't want to make *any* promises right now. Please." "Okay. We'll just pretend this conversation didn't take place." Then Duncan took Amanda's hand in his own, and they continued their walk. It was early the next morning when Duncan got up. He had spent the previous night preparing for his 9:00am flight to Glasgow. Amanda was already awake. He got dressed, and went downstairs to the kitchen, where Amanda and Michelle were talking. "Morning," Michelle said. Duncan nodded in acknowledgment. He walked over to the table, and took an orange from the bowl of fruit. "I have a request," he said. "Duncan..." Amanda started. "Please, Amanda, hear me out." Duncan paused for a minute, and looked at Michelle and Amanda. "When I leave, I want both of you to go to Holy Ground and stay there. Kalas is determined to come after me, and he'll stop at nothing to do it, including using those I...love," he looked pointedly at Amanda, then continued, "as blackmail. I have enough to worry about. I don't want to have to start worrying about you two as well." Amanda looked at Michelle, then back at Duncan. "Okay," she said simply. The taxi arrived at 8:00am to take Duncan to the airport. He stood just inside the door, and hugged Michelle. "Good luck, Duncan. See you soon." There were tears in her eyes. Duncan released his embrace, and looked at Amanda. Amanda's eyes were also full of tears, as were Duncan's. "Come back to us soon, okay?" she said. Duncan just took her in his arms, and kissed her. When he released her, Duncan looked in her eyes and said, "I promise when this is over we'll talk about what we discussed yesterday, okay?" Amanda looked at Duncan in surprise, and said "Okay." "I wish I didn't have to go," said Duncan. "As do I," said Amanda. Then a horn honked. Duncan looked back at where the taxi was waiting. He bent, picked up his bag, and walked down the steps towards the taxi. He got in, and the taxi drove off to the airport. *************************************** End of part II. Stay tuned for part III, coming soon (hopefully!) to a computer near you. Same e-mail address; most likely not the same time. (c) 1995 As usual, feel free to send comments, questions, suggestions, improvements, and undying praise to: "Alan Murrell" All comments, suggestions, etc. will be gratefully received, read, and duefully considered. Look forward to hearin' from ya'll. Until next time, then (whenever *that* will be!) =========================================================================