========================================================================= Date: Tue, 19 Mar 1996 17:50:42 -1000 Reply-To: Heidi S McKeon Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: Heidi S McKeon Subject: New Beginnings 1/5 This is my first piece of fanfiction so be gentle with me. I'd like to Thank Carol Ann for all her help, i couldn't have done it with out her. :-) Also my husband for all his editing work. Comments, chocolate, etc can be sent to beagle4u@lava.net Disclaimers: The characters of Highlander belong to Panzer/Davis Productions and Rysher Entertainment. The story is mine. Permission archive, etc, with disclaimer intact. ****************** New Beginnings A Highlander Story Heidi McKeon c.1996 ****************** Jess had decided to go camping with Hershey, her lab, this would be a nice way to spend her birthday. She always went to the same place when she wanted solitude. A one room cabin in the mountains, situated next to a mountain stream. The cabin had belonged to her mother's family and was passed on to her when her mother died, with the promise that she keep it in the family. Land was important to them. Her grandmother, a medicine woman, used to say that they were a part of the land, they came from the land and would return to the land. It was in her blood. There was no other home for miles and the only access was by horseback or hiking in, the old road that led into the mountain retreat had long since been blocked several miles before the cabin. Jess, over the years, managed to stock the cabin with all the necessities needed and now only brought up the fresh food she would need for the time she was there, and of course her personal things. Behind the cabin there was a clearing on the crest of a hill, Jess often took the short trail to the clearing to stargaze on clear nights. She always enjoyed the ride in, and this time was no different, October was her favorite time of the year, and not just because it was her birthday. She loved the colors of the leaves, the red, the yellows, and oranges. The forest seemed a blaze with color. The late day sun made the forest almost glow, Jess knew she had to pick up the pace so she would have plenty of daylight to unpack and clean up the cabin. Upon reaching the cabin, Jess unloaded the saddlebags and settled VooDoo, her black mare, in the small paddock next to the house. The place was a mess, and she was really glad that the furniture had been covered, and all the linens packed away in trunks. Her first task was to open the trunk and hang out the linens to air while she uncovered and wiped down the furniture, and swept the floor. Fortunately the cabin was small and only one large room so it didn't take long to complete her task. By the time she was done, she was covered with dust. "Hershey Come" she called, " Lets go for a swim, and get cleaned up in the river before dark". Jess gathered her towel and she headed off for the river near by with Hershey. Knowing they were alone Jess striped out of her clothes and waded into the mountain river with Hershey bounding in ahead. "Labs - you can't get enough of the water" Jess laughed as Hershey dove into the water at full speed. Jess splashed around, letting the cool water refresh her from the days ride and wash away the dirt from her cleaning. The cool water running over her bare skin made her tingle, reminding her what it felt like to be alive. The cold water and the cool October air began to chill her. She headed for the bank, gathering her clothes, and whistling for the dog as she headed back to the cabin, running naked up the hill. There was no need for modesty when she was alone. Jess dressed and started a fire. She was glad for the supply of wood that she laid in the last time she was here, it was bound to be cold tonight. That was the one disadvantage of being so far out, no electricity, she would have to rely on the fire to keep the cabin warm, and cook her dinner. Speaking of dinner, she was hungry and started a stew. Later when dinner was finished and everything was cleaned up, Jess settled down in front of the fire with a glass of wine to remember and reflect. Not a totally unexpected thing for one to do on their 35th birthday. **************************** BOSTON 5 years earlier " Tom I can't believe you want to take Amy out to look at Christmas lights *now*, look at the weather, the snow is really coming down, and I'm sure the roads are slick" Jess argued. "Jess honey - we just got back from South America and she's excited about the decorations she saw earlier." Tom replied " Please Mommy!!!!!!" Amy cried, tugging on Jess's skirt. Jess gave into their pleas, "all right go ahead - but please be careful!" Jess let them go although she was hesitant about them going out in the weather. She decided to occupy the time and went to prepare a little surprise for them when they returned. Hot Cocoa and cookies would do nicely, she thought. It was nice to be back in the US for the Holidays. The past 5 years they had been traveling back and forth between Boston and Paris with side trips to other parts of the world for Tom's research, but they spent most of their time in Paris since Tom was teaching and doing most of his research there. Amy was even born there. But now it was time to settle down permanently in one place since Amy was starting Kindergarten. Jess wanted her to be settled in one place while she was in school. They could go to Paris during the summers, and if Tom need to do small things he could make side trips alone. This didn't sit well with Tom and was an argument that they had been having for months, Jess finally had won for the moment, but she knew it wasn't over yet. Tom would give into her for a while but she knew that he would push the issue of traveling again after the holidays. It wasn't that she didn't like Paris, she had good friends there, she just wanted Amy to be able to have a normal schooling with friends not a tutor that traveled with them and no friends her own age. Jess, lost in her thoughts, didn't realize that it had been a couple of hours since they left. Thinking that they must have gone into Cambridge to look at more lights, Amy could be very persuasive when she wanted something. She often had them wrapped around her little finger, not that they minded too much, she was the bright spot of their marriage. Unbeknownst to Jess a Police Cruiser pulled up to the curb in front of the house. " This is the one" stated one of the officers. Jess answered the door and was surprised to find the officers, "Good Evening, what can I help you with Officers?" " Madame are you Jessica Campbell, Dr. Tom Davidson's wife?" the officer asked. "Yes, Why?" Jess replied. " Ms Campbell, We regret to inform you..............." the office began. Jess tuned they out. They were dead, her husband and her daughter. Oh God, how would she survive. Jess managed to get through the funerals and Christmas. She had to get out of Boston. Even though Boston had been her home since she had been in high school. She couldn't handle the memories, good and bad. She and Tom met and were married here in Boston. All of his family was here too, including his first wife and children. Facing life without Amy was going to be the hardest part of going on. It had taken so long for her get pregnant, so Amy was cherished. She had her friends sort through Tom and Amy's things and give them away. The house, the cars, the furniture, it all had to go. Every thing was sold or donated to schools. The money Jess received from the sale of their things and the insurance settlement was put into a fund for future use. Right now she just needed to get away from Boston. Where would she go? Jess knew that the only 2 people who could help here heal were in Paris. The priest Tom had introduced her to years before and her friend at the University. That's where she would go, back to Paris. Paris meant happier times, she could heal with the happy memories Paris represented. Hopefully. ************************ ******** Jess smiled at the thought of Paris, there were some good memories there, of Amy, and the friends that she trusted. Maybe she should go back again in the spring and renew old friendships. Paris in the spring was always beautiful. Jess's thoughts were interrupted by Hershey's growl, "What is it girl?, What do you hear?" Jess questioned, the chocolate lab's hair was standing, " Hersh - It's probably just an animal, but lets go check it out anyway." Jess grabbed her coat and rifle and headed for the door. " Lets go girl" Jess called. Hershey bolted out the door and stood on the porch alert, then headed out into the woods. Jess ran to keep up with the dog, as they headed down the path in back towards the meadow clearing. She halted suddenly when she heard the sound of metal crashing. Whistling Hershey to her side, she quietly approached the clearing where the sound was coming from. What are people doing this far from civilization and at night? She wondered. Thankful that the sky was clear and the moon was full, she could see 2 men circling each other with swords. That explained the noise. They were obviously experienced judging by the way they handled the weapons, but what were 2 grown men doing with swords in the middle of the forest?. She could hear them speaking but was to far away to catch the words. Then it happened one of the men was run through with a sword. As he fell to the ground Jess, without thinking about the consequences, raised her rifle and took aim at the standing man. She fired at the ground near the standing man to scare him off. He turned and ran into the woods away from her location. Jess ran to the fallen man. He was seriously wounded, and she had to get him back to the cabin fast. He was conscious, barely, so she put his arm around her neck, half walking him and half dragging him back to the cabin. She needed to check on his wounds and stop the bleeding. He was a good 8 to 10 inches taller than her, so the going was slow. Hershey followed quietly behind watching their progress. Once they reached the cabin, Jess managed to get him up the steps, in the cabin, and laid down on the futon bed. Now that she had some light she could see the extent of his injuries. She pulled out a pair of scissors and cut away the torn and bloody sweater to expose the wounds. His muscular chest was criss crossed with cuts and a puncture wound just below the heart. Jess did what she could to stem the blood flow but she knew he wouldn't live much longer, she decide to make what time he had left easier. She covered him with a blanket and removed her coat, as she stretched out on the futon next to him cradling him in her arms. She hummed an old song her father taught her about highland warriors. He reminded her of the warriors she had heard about while she was growing up. He was at least 6' tall, lean and muscular. He had long dark hair that Jess removed from the confines of the rubber band he used to tie it back. Jess could tell he was some kind of athlete by his muscular build. As she held him she could feel the life slipping away. He died in her arms. Jess stayed with him for a while after he passed, she couldn't leave him yet. She decided that in the morning, she would go and search the clearing for any clues to his identity. She would also ride out to get the authorities. Now would be a good time to have the cell phone she left in the car. Not knowing how long she laid there with him in her arms, She felt movement. No! Impossible! He's dead, I felt his heart stop, his breathing stop. It can't be. Jess looked for his injuries, they were gone. No sign that he'd ever been hurt. But how? His body jerked back to life. The last thing he remembered was being brought into a cabin and laid out on a bed. Now he was coming back in a woman's arms. Why? He opened his eyes and stared into beautiful blue eyes that were wide with amazement. "Who, What are you?" Jess asked amazed. " Who will be easier to answer. I'm Duncan MacLeod. Who are you?" He replied. "I'm Jess, Jessica Campbell. And you still haven't answered what are you." "What I am would take a lot of explaining suffice to say it magic." "Magic! You expect me to believe that? You died in my arms from a blade through the heart, come back to life in my arms looking like you never were injured. And all you can say is magic." Jesss stated angrily. " Would you believe me if I said I was born in 1592 in Glenfinnin Scotland and that I can't die?" "Shit." Jess couldn't believe what she was hearing. He was telling her he was Immortal, like he was telling her his grocery list. Staring at her w/ liquid brown eyes, almost as if he was willing her to not question but to believe. Jess had gown up with the legends of a Duncan MacLeod and how he came back from the dead. She always thought they were just legends. There was something about him that told her he was telling the truth. Jess tried to move away but found herself trapped by his arms. Duncan had rolled over and propped himself up on his elbow, still holding Jess so she wouldn't get away. He wanted a better view of this woman. She was extraordinary, small, maybe 5'2" with eyes the color of Lapis and long thick wavy hair, almost black. The kind you want to run your hands through. He suddenly felt the warmth that only comes from attraction run through him. The only other person he'd ever felt this instant attraction for was Tessa. "I'm having a hard time believing this, I grew up w/ legends about a Duncan MacLeod coming back from the dead, and being cast out. " Jess stated. The flash of pain that ran through his eyes confirmed that he was telling the truth, he was the man of the legends. "How do you know about the legends?" He asked. "My father was born in Glenfinnin and I used to spend my summers there with my grandparents. There have been tales in my family about Duncan MacLeod, they have been passed down through the generations. I have to tell you that Debra Campbell is my ancestral aunt." Jess told him. Duncan reeled from that news. This beauty next to him was related to the first woman he ever loved. beagle4u@lava.net 'Your dog loves you when no one else does' TRADEWINDS ( ) MFW-DFW [0]xxxxxxx( )=========================>> ( ) member PWFC