Date: Tue, 28 Jun 1994 15:31:36 CDT Reply-To: Highlander TV show stories Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: Heather Hirshorn Subject: Highlander's Daughter Part 03 ************************** Highlander's Daughter Pt. 3 ************************* Duncan pushed his small rental car to its limits on the way back to the hotel. He berated himself for not noticing that damned tatoo sooner. Not that Devon would have listened to him anyway, he doubted that she even knew what a watcher was. And what the hell did Nick think he was doing; watchers were usually cautioned pretty strongly against getting romantically involved with immortals. Nick would have to answer seriously for this one. But Nick was the least of his worries now, if Youngblood found Devon first... Duncan did not even want to think of the consequenses. Duncan only spent enough time in the hotel to change and read the messages waiting for him at the front desk. Two were from Connor, checking on his progress and informing him that Brenda was just fine. One was from Amanda- Duncan's brow wrinkled in puzzlement at that, and the last was from a man who had refused to leave his name. Duncan had a cold suspicion as to the caller's identity. He'd better get to Devon fast, Duncan thought and was quickly on his way. By the time Devon and Nick arrived at Sara's party, everyone there was well on the way to incoherency. With a peck on the cheek and a promise to return shortly, Nick disappeared into the teeming mass of people crowding the small apartment. Devon wandered into the kitchen and pulled a beer from the ice chest. As she drank, she thought about the events of the afternoon. She realized that she still had not calmed down after seeing Duncan; for three years, she had not heard one word from him, then suddenly he shows up on her doorstep. She wished that he had come of his own accord and not at her father's bidding. That brought her thoughts around to the immortal Duncan had come to warn her about and she shuddered. Stephen Youngblood. Even the name sounded evil. Why had Connor felt he was so dangerous that he had to send Duncan to protect her? Devon finished her beer and reached for another. Wait one minute, she thought. It was all a ruse! Devon laughed giddily to herself. Of course; if this Youngblood was that dangerous, Connor would have come himself- Duncan just invented this excuse to see her again. As soon as the idea insinuated itself into her brain, Devon pushed it back out again. No, she mused, that was not Duncan's style; if he had wanted to see her, he would have done it by now- with no pretenses. Which brought her back to square one, and brought back the fear of this Youngblood man. Devon was well on her way to a third beer, when Nick finally rejoined her. He looked extremely shaken, and immediately made his way to the alcohol on the counter. "Nick, what is the matter?" Devon asked, her own problems set aside for the moment. "Nothing." Nick replied and promptly guzzled the contents of a large glass of something that smelled rather noxious. He then turned to Devon and smiled. "Nothing that a little of this wouldn't cure. Have some." Devon shook her head. "Are you sure, you still look pretty pale." "I'm fine!" Nick snapped. Softer he said, "I'm sorry that I left you alone for so long, but I had to make a really important phone call." His eyes captured hers and he murmurred, "Come outside with me and I'll make it up to you." Devon barely avoided his embrace and insisted, "Let's mingle instead. That's why we came, right?" "Right." Disappointed, Nick took her arm and ushered her into the living room. Duncan halted the car in front of the medium-sized apartment complex. He was pretty sure that this was the place that the person on the phone said was Sara's apartment; it had been easy to find the girl's number- the hard part had been getting a guest coherent enough to give directions. He parked and made his way to apartment 2207. Yes, this was definately the site of the party, he was surprised that the police had not been called already. Knocking was futile, Duncan merely walked in. Devon was in the middle of a conversation focusing on the questionable abilities of the artistic director of the theatre when the buzz assaulted her senses. It was not difficult to pick out Duncan's handsome profile across the room and it took a great deal of effort not to throw herself at him right then. But no, Devon reasoned, she had to restrain herself. He would have to find her. Duncan found Devon quickly, aided by her extraordinarily strong buzz. "Devon, I need to speak with you now." Nick stepped in front of Devon. "I suggest that you leave now, I don't believe that you were invited to this party." Devon tugged on Nick's arm. "Hello? Did someone forget to ask me what I want? Nick, give me a minute with Duncan, okay? I haven't seen him in a long time." Her words were edged with a bite that Duncan did not fail to notice. Nick hesitated, then moved out of the way. "I'll be right outside, Devon, if you need me." With one last glare at Duncan, Nick left. "Maybe we should go somewhere more quiet," seeing the many pairs of eyes on them, he added, "and more private." Silently, Devon led him to a bedroom in the back. Once the door was closed, she focused flashing hazel-green eyes on him and let him have it. "What do you mean coming here and embarrassing me in front of my friends? And what was the meaning of that macho-chauvenistic-middle ages crap out there? If it weren't for the fact that my father sent you here, I would have told you to go to hell where you belong!" Duncan crossed his arms and said calmly, "The only 'macho crap' that went on was dished out by your boyfriend." "He's not my boyfriend," Devon whispered. Her heart sped up when she saw the tiny smile that crossed Duncan's face. Then it was gone again, so she thought she had imagined it. "Whatever he is, he's the one you should be yelling at. Now, I won't take you away from him very long, I just need you for a moment." "What a surprise," Devon grumbled. She opened her mouth to say more, when Duncan tried to stop her with an upraised hand. "No, I won't be quiet! I will say what I like and you will listen..." "Devon, will you hush a moment? Don't you feel it?" Duncan reached for his sword. Devon's brow knitted, then she froze. "Is it him?" "I don't know, but we're about to find out." End of Part 3 =========================================================================