Date: Sat, 25 Mar 1995 23:55:00 +0200 Reply-To: Marina Bailey Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: Marina Bailey Organization: CDS OnLine BBS, Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA Subject: Loving a Watcher, 1 of 4 A previous version of this story was posted to this list about three weeks ago. The version posted now is a rewrite, has quite a lot of changes and is much longer. **************************************************************** Warning: This is an unashamed Richie story. Comments would be appreciated. The story does contain sex and a beheading, but it's extremely tame and mostly takes place off-screen. **************************************************************** LOVING A WATCHER By Marina Bailey Richie had taken Duncan's T-bird that day because he had to pick up some supplies for the dojo. Now that people were actually coming back to the dojo - having discovered that Charlie's departure did not mean that they'd have to go elsewhere - they needed things like towels, soap, paper cups... For some reason Duncan never remembered these things, but when Richie had confronted him, the highlander had simply said, "That's what I hired you for. To remember those things." So Richie did. Who knew, soon the dojo might even start showing a profit. All this was going through Richie's mind when something seemed to jump out of the shadows, straight in front of the car. Richie slammed on brakes and swerved, missing the person by inches. He jumped out of the car, to see a crumpled human being lying in front of it. "Are you okay?" he began, then realised that there was no way one could simply fall out so far into the street. "What were you trying to do, kill yourself?" he yelled. A dishevelled face framed by light brown hair looked back at him as the girl answered, "Yes!" "What do you mean, yes? You were trying to commit suicide? Why?" "I don't know who I am, where I am, or how I got here. I just want it to be over." Richie helped the girl get up, appraising her as he did so. She was approximately his age - his actual age, that is, and very frightened. "What do you mean?" "I woke up two days ago in this hotel room, with people banging on the door telling me it was time to leave. And I don't know how I got there. I've been walking around trying to see if anything is familiar, but so far it isn't. My head hurts," she added as an afterthought. Richie took a look. "No wonder, you have some nasty gashes up here. That must be the cause of it. Let me take you to a doctor. Maybe he can tell us what the problem is." The girl nodded. "Okay." Richie drove the girl straight to the hospital, where he found Anne on duty. She didn't chase him out while she looked; she asked him what was going on as she attended to the girl. "She jumped in front of the T-bird. She said she was trying to kill herself because she didn't know where she was. Or who." Richie sounded worried to Anne, but also puzzled. Amnesia certainly didn't seem like a good enough reason to want to kill oneself. Anne spoke to the girl as she cleaned the cuts on her head. "This is a weird cut. It looks... like someone hit you over the head with a knife or something. With the flat side. It still cut you, but don't worry. It'll heal okay, and you'll be fine." "But why can't I remember?" pleaded the girl. Anne shrugged, not really worried at this stage. "The blow most probably caused the memory loss. It's nothing too serious." "You're saying I'll remember." For the first time that night the girl sounded a little bit positive. Anne smiled. "Sure, I told you it isn't all that serious." She looked at Richie. "I need to speak to you. Excuse us." They went into the next room, where Anne looked directly at Richie. "You realise that wounds of this kind require me to call the police." "And they'll take her down to county hospital and keep her there. Real humane treatment." Richie's voice showed what he thought of that idea. "That's why I'm reluctant to do it. County isn't exactly the place I'd want to go. If I knew that she was safe and had somewhere to stay..." Anne trailed off, her implication obvious. Richie knew that Anne was trying to do the right thing - for the girl, and because she knew he cared and would look after her - so he didn't argue. He was about to say that he'd take her to Duncan when he thought better of it. The doctor might not like a patient of hers hanging around while she visited MacLeod, and Duncan by now was probably fed up with Richie's habit of sheltering girls in trouble. "I'll take her to my place," he finally said. He'd been planning to do that anyway, he supposed. "Fine." They went back in. "You can go home with Richie," Anne told the girl. "I'll come by and check on you. Do you at least know your name?" "I... no, I don't think so... I keep getting this word 'Beth' in my mind, but I don't think it's my name." "Well, how about we call you by it until you do remember your name?" Anne suggested. "All right." "Then go with Richie and get some rest. You'll be fine." Richie took her to his place, not even stopping to drop off the T-bird or stock the supplies; he could always do that the next day. It was probably a good idea anyway, the girl could get out and see if anything looked familiar. "Okay," he said, arranging pillows. "You can sleep in my bed and I'll sleep on the couch. Just look in that drawer there for a T-shirt to sleep in. Need anything else?" The girl shook her head. "Thank you." She was about to close the door, but turned back and looked at him. "Why are you helping me?" Richie smiled. "Mac would say it's a habit of mine, and I guess it is. I figure it's nice to be needed. Makes me feel useful." He winked. "So now you know." The girl tried to smile back and began to close the door. As she did, her wrist became exposed to the light. There was no mistaking the tattoo that adorned it. He couldn't help it. Richie rushed forward and grabbed her by the wrist, looking more closely. "What are you doing?!" she yelled. "Where did you get this?" "What?" "You're one of them." The girl started to cry. "I don't know who I am, or why... I don't know!" "Did you think I'd fall for it? Huh?" All the gentleness was gone from Richie's voice. "I get it. I go to sleep, you take my sword and wham. One less of us around." The girl struggled to free her wrist from Richie's grasp. "I don't know what you're talking about! Let me go!" "You have a Watcher tattoo." "Richie, please, I..." As she pleaded with him, Richie suddenly saw that she was telling the truth. He'd never be so quick to trust anyone again, but when he thought about it he realised she wasn't lying. He hadn't told anybody the route he was going to take back to the dojo; the girl had placed herself in the road quite perfectly - if it hadn't been for his reflexes, he'd have run over her. And the wound on her head was quite real. 'But so was Pete's scar...' said something in the back of his mind. No. Such planning would have taken an army of Watchers, and the Hunters did not have that many people. Richie let go of Beth, trying to steady his breathing. He was attracted to her. But that always happened, so he ignored it. "I'm sorry. It's just... I recognise that tattoo. In fact, I think I know how we can find out who you are." Beth rubbed her wrist. "Really?" It hurt where he had grabbed her, and yet, when he'd held her, she had felt... safe. "Yeah. I'll tell you tomorrow. We'll go see a friend of mine. But for now, go in there and get some sleep, okay?" Beth nodded. "Okay." Richie went and lay on the couch, thinking. Why did he always help girls in trouble? What he'd said to Beth was true - he liked to feel needed. His entire life had been one of wishing he could make a difference, make people happy. But he'd never been able to, not really, until he'd met Duncan MacLeod. Breaking and entering had been his way of surviving, but he'd always known that inside, somewhere, was the person he was finally becoming. It was a good feeling. Richie finally got some sleep, having hid his sword away. They walked into Joe's at mid-morning, the girl trailing behind Richie nervously. Joe was at the bar. He didn't show any sign that he recognised her. "What's up, Richie?" "This is Beth," Richie introduced her. "She's lost her memory. "She jumped in front of the T-bird last night, but lucky for her I was feeling especially alert that night." He didn't tell Joe any of his fears for her, or the fact that her trying to kill herself over something like amnesia - which would go away, Anne had said - was still bothering him. Joe looked at the girl, then back at Richie. "And you missed her, obviously." "Yeah. I think she was hit over the head by a sword. Anne said that's probably what did it. But the reason we're here is because she's a Watcher." "What?!" asked Joe, surprised. "Let me see." The girl held up her hand to show Joe the tattoo. Joe frowned. "Not from our chapter," he said, noting Richie's puzzled look. "I can't tell you too much, but not all the Watchers know each other. We have Watchers in every country in the world. That's thousands of people. We don't all know each other." "But you do have a database, am I right?" Dawson sighed. "Yeah. I assume you want me to find out who Beth is, correct?" "Yeah." "But..." He turned to the girl. "How do you know your name is Beth if you've lost your memory?" The girl explained how the word remained in her head. "It doesn't seem like my name, but it's the only thing in my mind that feels familiar." "Hm. Okay, I'll start going through the database. It could take a while, though. Do you have a place to stay?" "I'm staying with Richie." "You're welcome to stay with me if you like. Or I'll arrange for one of the others - a woman, maybe - to accommodate you." The girl shook her head. So far Richie was the only person she trusted. The only person who'd really seemed concerned. The only person... the only person who, when he was near her, made her feel... good. Joe seemed nice, but she felt safer - and happier - with Richie. "I'm staying with Richie." Joe shrugged. "Whatever. We'll find out who you are, don't worry. Rich, can I talk to you alone for a minute?" Richie looked at Beth. "Do you mind?" She shook her head. "I'll put something on the jukebox." When they were alone, Dawson quizzed Richie about the girl. "I don't know, Dawson. She just jumped in front of the car. She was hysterical, she didn't want to live. But she calmed down when I said I'd help her. I think we need to find out who she is." "From what I've seen, Richie, she was watching an Immortal who knows about the Hunters. He probably saw the tattoo and assumed she wanted to kill him. The way MacLeod did at first. So he tried to kill her first, and she just got lucky. Next time she might not." "I'll protect her." It was all he could say. The last girl he'd tried to protect had died, and he was not going to let it happen a second time. "What if she turns out to be one of the renegades?" Joe was asking. Richie had thought of that. But the niggling thought remained: a renegade Watcher wouldn't kill him or herself for nothing - they only took their own lives to prevent information about them getting out. And an Immortal had NOT been following the girl, that he was sure of. First things first, he thought. "Let's just find out who she is before we jump to conclusions," he said to Joe. "Yeah." Dawson sighed. "Okay." Richie took Beth around the city, but nothing came. They walked in the upmarket streets and in the back alleys, it made no difference. They took a walk on the beach, the pier, in parks... And still the girl's face remained blank. All she could say was, "I don't think I'm from this city, Richie. Nothing seems familiar. I wouldn't even be able to find my way back to your place without you." She clung to his hand as if afraid he *would* go off and leave her there. Richie felt many things flowing from her to him as they walked along, his attraction for her growing by the minute. But he continued to ignore it as best he could: now was not the time. Everywhere they went, the girl said the same thing: nothing was familiar. Richie, however, tried to remain optimistic. "Well, then we just take it easy and wait for your memory to return. Come on, we'll go.to the amusement park, how's that?" She looked at him with an actual smile in her eyes. "Are you trying to cheer me up?" Richie leaned over and kissed her forehead. That couldn't hurt, he thought. "How did you know?" This time she did smile. "Richie..." "Yeah?" "Thank you." "Enough with the thank yous already. I wanted to help, so I did. That's it." She said nothing, but kissed him on the cheek instead. Smiling, they went to have some fun. And have fun they did. They went on the rollercoaster, the teacup, every ride in the place. They even took pictures in one of those photo booths. It was utterly silly, but fun. The pictures, had anyone else seen them, would have fooled the unknowing into thinking they were just your average young couple in love. And maybe... just maybe... they wouldn't have been wrong. In the night a nightmare came. All she could see for sure were swords, and one coming at her. She began twisting away... and woke up, to find Richie standing over her. "You okay?" In the light emanating from the living room he looked very cute and dishevelled. The girl felt safe again looking at him, and calmed down, wishing he'd hold her, but too proud to ask for such a thing. "Just a nightmare," she said. "There were swords... maybe just one, it was coming at me, I tried to get away..." She squared her shoulders. If he didn't want to hold her or comfort her, that was fine. She figured she hardly knew him, and thus had no right to expect it. "I'm okay now." But Richie sat down next to her. "You screamed in your sleep. Are you sure you're okay? The girl nodded. "Yeah. It's just..." She gave in. He was so close... "Hold me for a minute, okay? You make me feel safe." Richie held her, feeling her relax against him. His warmth flowed into her, and she never wanted him to let go. "I think I could fall asleep like this." "That's fine for you, I don't think I could sit here all night like this," he replied. "Yeah." He was only wearing boxer shorts, after all. Suddenly, the girl thought of something. "You know more than you're telling, aren't you? About the Watchers I mean." She felt Richie tense up as he said, "No, not really..." It was too evasive an answer. She tried again. "The Watchers are a secret organisation, you said, but what do they watch? Who? Are they some U.F.O. organisation? But if that's so, then why would someone try to kill me with a sword? I know you know, Richie, I can almost feel it." Richie let go of her. It was too easy for her to judge his reactions with him holding her. He stood up. "Look, it's difficult to explain. I'd rather we waited for your memory to return, then it won't need explaining." "Tell me now." "I don't think you're..." He trailed off, a far-away look in his eyes. Another Immortal. "Wait here." He went into the living room and retrieved his sword from its hiding place. When the girl saw it her eyes widened immensely. "You have a sword!" Richie realised why she'd have a reason to be afraid. "It's okay, this is an antique. It was given to me by a friend." "Richie, what are you doing?" She did not sound convinced. "Look, just wait there, okay?" The girl remained in the doorway as Richie went to the door and opened it. Duncan MacLeod stood there, not looking at all pleased. "Mac!" Richie put down the sword. Duncan, however, was not in the mood for small talk. "Is she in there?" "Yeah, she..." Duncan grabbed Richie and pulled him into the hall, whispering, "Are you out of your mind, bringing a Watcher into your house?" Now Richie became irritated. "Did Joe tell you?" "No, Anne told me. And Joe mentioned he'd seen her. He must have thought you told me." "They had no right to say anything!" fumed Richie. "I knew you wouldn't like it, that's why I didn't tell you." Duncan's voice became harder. "Look, Rich. Anne's a doctor. Joe's our friend. They're worried." "She's fine, Mac. Anyway, she's lost her memory." "So she says. How do you know it's the truth?" Richie was getting cold standing out here in the hall; after all, he was not wearing much. "Do you mind? It's freezing here." Duncan rolled his eyes. "Answer me." As he said it, the girl appeared in the doorway. She couldn't take the suspense anymore. Somehow she felt that they were talking about her. Did they know more than they were telling? "What's going on? Richie?" Richie turned to MacLeod. "Why don't you come in and find out for yourself," he said. - Marina. \\ "I don't care about their different thoughts; ||>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> // // different thoughts are good for me." || R I C H I E >> \\ \\ - Tanita Tikaram; Twist in my Sobriety ||>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> // //======tmar@cds.Alt.ZA=======Marina Bailey======|| \\ \\=============Chief Flag Waver and Defender of Richie==============// ... Do not install carpeting: it holds blood stains. --- Blue Wave/RA v2.12 [NR] =========================================================================