========================================================================= Date: Thu, 18 Apr 1996 10:59:42 -0400 Reply-To: JJSWBT@AOL.COM Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: Wendy Tillis Subject: Isabel 03/13 Isabel By: Wendy Tillis jjswbt@aol.com Copyright April 1996 Part Three ================= October Another week, another day at the Youth Center. Today he was sanding drywall - the last step before painting. Duncan didn't know how many hours he had put in here in the last month or so. He came in part to see Sister Gabriel and in part to keep busy. The dojo was quiet, Richie hadn't returned and his love-life was nil. The Center was really taking shape, now that the plumbing and electrical work was done. Once the walls were finished, the new floor could be laid and the hard work would be done. Then it would only be a matter of installing some equipment - basketball hoops, a few kitchen appliances in the kitchen area and the Center would be ready to open. Father Matthew wanted to be open by Halloween - two weeks away. Duncan thought they might make it. Duncan turned off the power sander and pulled the dust mask off his nose. He didn't need to worry about inhaling the dust - he was unlikely to develop lung disease - but it made the priest happy to see him wearing it. Duncan had hoped to see Sister Gabriel today. Some days she was here helping out, other days she was of doing other Church business - helping in the Church, visiting sick parishioners, taking homeless kids to the zoo. If Duncan had originally signed up just to be near Sister Gabriel, he now stayed because he believed in the work. Just as he was about to go back to sanding, he felt her arrive. In full habit, she was quite impressive. She crossed the room toward him and Duncan wondered, not for the first time, why it was that nuns always seemed to glide - like a ship through water. Duncan laughed to himself at the mental image of Sister Gabriel as a figurehead on the prow of a great sailing ship. "What are you smiling at?" She asked as she came up to the ladder he was standing on. " Nothing. Just happy to see you." "Harumph. That looks good you ought to be done soon." "Another day or two. There are some rough spots over by the dormitory." One corner of the space had been walled off to allow temporary sleeping quarters. The Youth Center wasn't designed, or licensed, as an over-night facility, but they wanted to be prepared if the need arose. "Great. Father Matthew says the Bishop is commissioning a mural for the back wall. A local artist - David Grey Buffalo? He did the mural on the First America Building." "Grey Buffalo? That's funny. He's one of us." "Immortal?" "Yes. I met him once - a few years back. At a gallery opening. We talked for a few minutes. He's not a player. Don't worry about him." "I wasn't worried. Do you go to a lot of gallery openings?" "I used to. Tessa the woman I lived with was an artist. I've met most of the local artist colony at least one." "What happened to her - to Tessa." "She died." "Ah." Sister Gabriel knew better than to ask any more questions. She had heard the same two word answer too often to pry. Strange how so few words could convey so much pain. To cover her discomfort, she glanced at her watch. "Someplace to go?" "Home in a bit. I have to meet Sister Michael - she has a doctor's appointment. Her ankle is bothering her." "Oh?" "It's OK. She turned her ankle in Los Angeles just before we came up here and it had been bothering her off and on since. Actually, that's how I met your friend Gregor." "I was going to ask about that - I kept forgetting." "I was in London and Sister Michael was in San Diego. We both flew to LA to meet. We were coming out of the hotel and she stepped off the curb and sprained her ankle. I had to take her to the hospital. As soon as we walked in, I felt an Immortal. Turned out it was Dr. Greg Powers. He examined Sister Michael and we had a few minutes to talk while her ankle was x-rayed. We had met before. I'd forgotten - a few hours on a night train in Germany in 1927. Anyway , I told him I was headed this way, he said I should look you up." "Gregor back in medicine? Good. Good for him. I was worried about him." "He seemed happy enough - if five minutes of conversation in a crowded hallway are any judge . Well, I have to go. She could do this herself but she is such a coward. Oh dear - that was uncharitable. Another Hail Mary for me before bed. Bye, Duncan." "Good-bye Sister." With that Duncan replaced his mask, turned the sander back on and attacked the wall with renewed gusto. ========= It was the following week and Duncan was helping lay the last few flooring tiles. He and seven other men had been at it for ten hours - carefully laying the floor. It was back-breaking work and they were all looking forward to finishing it. Duncan reached for the next tile and suddenly felt another Immortal. He looked up , expecting to see Sister Gabriel. Instead he saw a small nervous looking man standing in the doorway. Duncan stood up and went over to meet him. On closer inspection, the man turned out to be about 5'6" and weighed in at perhaps 135 pounds. His clothes were old but neat and clean. He has short cropped blonde hair with a fair amount of grey mixed in - he looked perhaps 45. Thin-lipped with pale moist eyes, he looked harmless enough. He stood nervously in the doorway as Duncan approached. "I'm looking for Isabel." His voice was low and he sounded half afraid. "If you're looking for trouble, you'll have to go through me first." Duncan knew he was being rude but he didn't want anyone bothering Sister Gabriel. The little man laughed. "Does she know you're acting as a gatekeeper? I don't want to hurt her - I'm an old friend. My name is Ray, Ray Allan, by the way." "Duncan MacLeod." Duncan hesitated. The man was right, Isabel would probably not appreciate his screening her visitors. Duncan took a deep breath. " She isn't here. We expect her soon. If you want to wait" Duncan motioned toward a stack of chairs near the door. "you're welcome to have a seat." Allan grabbed a chair off the pile and sat down . Duncan went back to his work but he kept an eye on the newcomer. About 15 minutes later, he felt another Immortal. Duncan walked back over to Allan, he wanted to be near if there *was* trouble. Sister Gabriel came through the door and stopped at the sight of Ray Allan. "Raymond? Raymond?" She started to rush into his arms but stopped when she remembered where -and what - she was. She pulled up and extended a hand, which Ray took. " Isabel! Sister Gabriel I mean. Good to see you. Your friend here" He nodded toward Duncan. "wasn't too sure about me - he makes a good watchdog." Sister Gabriel glanced at Duncan but then turned her attention back to Allan. " Come upstairs! We have a lot to talk about. Sister Michael is there but we can still do some catching up. I can't believe you're here! See you later Duncan." And she lead Allan back out the door leaving Duncan standing looking dumb struck. =========== Halloween The work on the Center had been completed on time and Father Matthew had gotten his wish for a Halloween party. He had invited all the children in the parish, their parents, plus anyone who had worked on the repairs. Some parishioners had questioned the propriety of a celebration of a pagan holiday in a church setting but Father Matthew had laughed them off saying that the Vatican had no objections to a harmless costume party. Duncan had at first resisted Sister Gabriel's urgings to attend. Halloween was for children - and masquerade balls had gone out of fashion years ago. Sister Gabriel had persisted and Duncan had given in. So here he was, dressed in full Highland get-up, watching dozens of screaming children dash seemingly unceasingly from one end of the room to the other and back. The parents, most not in costume, stood around the edge of the room watching the children with bemused tolerance. Duncan had to admit the Center had turned out nicely. The manager's office just to the right of the front doors had been retained as an office for the Sisters. A reading nook had been created near the front windows by setting two ten-foot long bookcase at right angles to each other. A few tables and chairs made a nice place for anyone to sit and read or do homework. Also to the right of the doors but further back, was a rudimentary kitchen where snacks could be prepared. That wall also held the walled off space they called the dormitory. The bathrooms completed the facilities on that side. To the left of the doors was an area filled with soft pillows, plush animals and children's toys. This was the area for the little kids. A safe play area in a high crime district. The back left-hand corner of the store hand been turned into half-court basket ball court. The middle section of the Center was carpeted and was filled with an air hockey game, foosball tables, tables for crafts and more comfortable chairs. All these things had been pushed aside tonight to allow room for the party. Sister Gabriel, in habit tonight, came up to stand next to him. "You look uncomfortable there - with your back to the wall. Are you expecting an attack?" She smiled. "I'm afraid to move. Those little monsters are dangerous. They nearly ran down Mrs. Philips a few minutes ago. Luckily, her center of gravity is low." He laughed. " Why aren't you in costume tonight?" He could see Father Matthew across the room drinking punch and dressed as a large pumpkin. "Technically - you could say I *am* in costume. I'm not exactly a true believer." " But you say the prayers, follow the Vows - you don't believe in any of it?" "Any of it? I believe in charity, in protecting the weak, in caring for the sick. I believed in that long before there was a Catholic Church. As for the actual religion - no. No, I can't say I do believe. Doesn't really affect my work here." She shrugged. Duncan thought about Darius who had been a pagan, a Hindu, a Buddhist and who knows what else before he became a Catholic priest. He hadn't believed in the religion either - but he had been a fine priest. "I knew a priest once, in Paris. . ." "Darius?" Sister Gabriel cut in. "Yes, you knew him?" "Sure. We crossed paths a few times in Paris over the years. The last time was just before he died." "Really? We must have been in Paris at the same time. Funny he never mentioned you..." "Not really. I was just passing through. I stopped by to say hello and then went on." "He was a great man." Duncan began. "He was a fool" she stated firmly. "What!?" Duncan turned to face her. Was she serious ? She met his gaze with a cool expression. But before either one could say more, Jimmy Miller tripped on his Casper the Ghost costume and went down head first onto the floor. He came up crying and bleeding. Sister Gabriel said "later" and went to help. Duncan was stunned. Darius a fool? Ridiculous. Sister Gabriel didn't come back to his side and he sent the rest of the evening re-evaluating his opinion of her. He had, over the last two months, thought he had come to know her quite well. He had formed a mental picture of her - old, calm, intelligent, generally serious but capable of an occasional flash of wicked humor, dedicated to her work - if not to her faith - beyond playing the Game - in general he saw her as the female equivalent of Constantine - or Darius. Now, his whole picture of her had been jolted. How could anyone who had known Darius think he was a fool. Could she have been joking? It hadn't sounded like a joke. Later, at home, he wondered why it mattered to him *what* she thought of Darius. It wasn't as if she and Duncan were that close. They were friends - acquaintances really. That was all - wasn't it? If he was honest with himself, he knew that he had started to think of her as a kind of Darius substitute. He felt safe coming to her, discussing life, the universe and everything with her. She listened and offered opinions but she didn't seem to judge - she didn't pry or ask too many questions. And - if he was painfully honest there were moments - just brief moments - when he forgot she was a nun. When he noticed the *woman* - her laugh, her eyes. He always clamped down on those feelings immediately. She showed no sign that she thought of him as anything more than a friend. He wasn't about to make an overture toward her and ruin the friendship they had. Lovers he could always find, good friend - good *Immortal* friends - were very rare. Duncan wished they could have an opportunity to really talk - without having to guard every word. But how? She was very busy during the day. And in the evening - she couldn't very well come out to meet him. At home, Sister Michael was always around. There didn't seem to be any easy way to arrange it. Surprisingly, an occasion did arise only a few weeks later. He had stopped by the Church on his way home from shopping - just on the off chance of seeing her. She was in the church, praying - or at least pretending to pray. She looked up as she felt him near. "Duncan. I was just thinking of you." "Oh?" "Yes. I was going to call. Sister Michael left this morning on retreat. I begged off - I just spent two years in the Mother House in London- I don't *need* anymore retreats. Anyway- I was feeling naughty" She grinned. " and wondered if you'd like to meet me for lunch tomorrow? Maybe. . . Madeleine's at one o'clock? " " I'd like that. Are you sure it's all right?" " Yes, I've told you, we aren't cloistered. I've been so busy I haven't had any time to get off by myself but it's not forbidden. I can have lunch with you if I like and I *would* like to. After all, lunch at Madeleine's is hardly a nooner at the Motel 6." "Sister! You aren't supposed to even know about such things." Duncan said in a mock surprise. "Mea culpa. You'll come?" She batted her eyes at him rather extravagantly and he laughed. "Yes, I'll be there. Lunch tomorrow. One o'clock." ========= End part 3