========================================================================= Date: Tue, 19 Mar 1996 17:51:05 -1000 Reply-To: Heidi S McKeon Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: Heidi S McKeon Subject: New Beginnings 3/5 see part 1 for dislaimer *********************** New Beginnings A Highlander Story Heidi McKeon ************************ Chapter 3 " Duncan, I need to go home and get Hershey, I don't want to leave her alone all night." Jess told Duncan as they headed toward the cars. "Fine just give me directions to your place and we'll stop for her on the way to the dojo." "The dojo?" "Yea, the dojo." "So *you* are the owner that Richie is always so mysterious about?" "I guess so." "Duncan is Richie an immortal too? I know he is good with a sword, but that isn't a question you just come out and ask someone." "Yes, Richie is an immortal as well. He died for the first time the night Tessa was killed. I'll explain more about it later. OK?", he said, his voice thick with emotion. As Jess gave Duncan the directions, he felt a sense of foreboding. They were headed towards the part of town where the antique shop was. It couldn't be, not there of all places. There it was, the antique shop with a new sign in the window 'Tropicals'. "Is this the place Jess?" Duncan managed to croak out. "Duncan, what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost." "I have. A ghost of my past. Jess this is where Tessa and I lived. Richie too. Does he know where you live?" "What do you mean you used to live here? And no, Richie has never been her. We were just talking about that before you came in as a matter of fact." They sat in the car as Duncan briefly explained about his life at the store, and why he sold it and bought the dojo. Jess sat there listening, stunned at what she was hearing. Duncan had lived here with Tessa. She knew a little about Tessa from their conversation the night they met, but he hadn't told her all. How would he handle her owning this place now? Would he even be able to come in without being assaulted by memories? These same questions were running throughout Duncan's mind as they sat in the car. He decided to try to put his feeling about this place aside for Jess's sake. It was going to be hard though. He knew that if he didn't, he wouldn't be giving he and Jess the chance that he knew they needed, and to be honest with himself, a chance he wanted. He had come to this decision over the past year while in solitude. It took him a long time to admit that this woman he met in a cabin could come to mean so much to him. "Duncan why don't you wait here, I'll run in get Hershey and throw a few things together. I don't want to make you uncomfortable." "No Jess this is something I'm going to have to face. I can't avoid your home just because it has ghosts of my past." Duncan accompanied Jess through the front of the shop. Not knowing what to expect, he was surprised by the tropical lushness of the shop. "I guess I now know why its called 'Tropicals'. You'll have to tell me more about what you do here." Jess was flattered that he was interested in her shop. "Do you want me to show you around?" Duncan, not trusting his voice, just nodded. Jess, knowing that it must be hard for him, gave a running narrative about her business as she showed him around. The front area had indoor flower beds, and large potted trees. Ferns and Orchids hung from the catwalk. Tessa's workroom had been converted to an indoor green house with large plastic drapes, which she had painted tropical flowers and ferns on, to hold the moisture, and long tables full of orchids and other tropical type plants. Duncan's office was the only room that looked the same. There were old watercolor paintings on the walls and the shelves were filled with plants and books about flowers and natural medicines. Duncan knew the hardest part was yet to come, the apartment upstairs. Would it bear reminders of Tessa, or will Jess have put her mark on it. It was like a knife going through him as they ascended the stairs. Duncan was shocked by the starknesss of the living room; it was done in mostly creams with splashes of color from the pillows. There was only a few pieces of furniture around the room, the only clutter came from Hershey's toys scattered around the floor and books. The room seemed larger, almost like it was a different place. Duncan relaxed some as he looked around. "Duncan, feel free to look around the apartment. I need to feed the birds and get Hershey's things together so we can go." At Jess's comment, he turned to see a large cage with two gray parrots. Jess was opening the door to let the birds climb up her arm. "Meet Merlin and Morganna, I've had them since they were hatchlings. Just let me give them fresh seeds and some fruit and they will be OK until tomorrow." Jess went back to tending to the birds, leaving him to look around the apartment. Duncan headed down the hall towards the bedrooms, passing by the master suite and going directly towards Richies old room. It was safer. Opening the door he walked into a ocean of blues swirling together, on the walls floor and the bedding. Even the ceiling was painted a light shade of blue. The window was left with only a sheer curtain to allow the light in. The swirl of color had a very calming effect to it. Duncan smiled. She was definitely making her mark on the apartment. Even with the same layout, the apartment had a different feel to it. He turned and headed back down the hall, pausing in front of the master bedroom. Did he have the courage to open the door? Jess came up behind him as he stood there. She sensed his turmoil and wrapped her arms around him, leaning her head on his back. Duncan understood the comfort she was offering. "It must be hard for you. I'll understand if you don't want to open the doors." Duncan turned in her arms, allowing the comfort she was offering sink in. It felt good to be held, it had been a long time since anyone had just held him to comfort him, usually it was the other way around. She was small in his arms, her head resting against his chest, he could hold her forever. This was a new feeling for him; he had always been with tall women. "I donna know if I can do this alone, will you help me?" Duncan admitted, his accent growing thicker as his emotions grew. She just nodded against his chest, saying "whenever you are ready". Duncan shifting in her embrace, turned to open the door. Memories threatened his courage to open the door. This room would be the hardest to see again. This was where he and Tessa had shared so much of themselves with each other. Jess just being there, helped him push open the door. The room was like her: feminine. In the center stood a large metal frame canopy bed with layers of pink and white sheer netting hanging down the posts of the bed, tied with green ivy. The bedding was swirls of green. There was a well worn old green chair with an afghan thrown over the back, a green metal lamp provided the necessary light. There were piles of books surrounding the chair with more threatening to spill out of a basket. He stood there absorbing the room, the changes helped to ease his apprehensions. "Jess it's beautiful, like you. Thank you for helping me through this. This is the first time I've been here since I said good-bye to Tessa. Richie handled the sale of the store for me and put everything in storage. I couldna do it." "Why don't you sit and let me throw some things together." Duncan sat in her chair and thumbed through some of her books while she jumped in the shower. He could see her silhouette through the blocks. It was hard to concentrate on the books. She was a beautiful woman, not in a model way but in a truly natural way. Her hair was long and wavy, hanging down the middle of her back. She still showed signs that she had once had a child. He wondered if she would want more children. He would have to tell her that if she stayed with him there would never be more children. So lost in thought he hadn't noticed the shower stopping and Jess coming out. She had dressed and was standing in front of him before he noticed her presence. " You ready to go or are you going to camp out in my chair all night?" " Just waiting for you my lady." Jess turned off the lights and headed for the door leaving Duncan and Hershey to follow along. They drove to the dojo is silence, each deep in their own thoughts about the previous hour. Jess wondered what effect her home had on him. If he reacted that way, how would Richie react when he found out. She didn't want to hurt him, he was a sweet kid. Things were getting so complicated. Would they be able to workout everything to have a real relationship without all the ghosts coming between them. Jessica hoped so. Duncan led her to the elevator at the back of the dojo, lifting the gate for her to enter. After what just happened at her place, Duncan thought he should tell her all about Tessa, it was only fair to know about the ghosts he faced at her home. He hoped that they could work it out, she was good for him. Jess was amazed at the loft and the beautiful things he had, pieces of his past no doubt. "Duncan, this is wonderful." Jess commented as she wondered around, running a finger over some of the pieces. Duncan took her bag and placed it by the bed. He then proceeded to help her get Hershey's bowls out and her bed placed. When they finished their tasks he took her hand and led her to the sofa, pulling her down to sit in his embrace. "Jess there is so much to say. Where do we start?" "At the beginning." They took turns. Jess telling about how she ended up here, both in this town and in training at the dojo. Duncan finally telling all about his life with Tessa and how her death affected him, and Anne and his failure at that relationship. Jess could understand some of his pain, she had felt it too after Tom died. As the pre-dawn started to paint the sky, they realized they had been up all night talking. Duncan suggested they move to the bed and try to get some sleep. "Is your shop open today? You might want to get someone to cover for you if it is open." "No, we are closed today." She murmured as she snuggled into his shoulder. Duncan woke close to noon when he felt Richie come into the dojo. He hoped that Richie would have the good sense to not bother him this morning. Jess was curled around his back with her arm thrown over his side. He was glad it was not the other way around or it could be embarrassing for him. They were not ready for that in their relationship. Is that what this was? A relationship? Already? He had only been with her a short time and he felt like she had always been in his life. Except for Tessa, he hard never felt this kind of intensity with a woman in recent history. As he tried to slowly free himself from her arms, she grumbled and held tighter, slowly running her hands up and down his chest. Duncan stilled her hand, knowing it was torture to allow her to continue. The time would come when he would allow her to continue, but now wasn't the right time, they still had so much to discover about each other first. **************** Christmas and New Years passed quickly. Jess's schedule at the shop greatly hindered their time together. They did manage to catch the odd evening here and there for dinner at Joe's. Of course Christmas Eve and Day they spent together at the loft. For New Years eve they managed to steal away to the island for a romantic evening and next day. In the weeks since their reuunion, they had been slowly moving toward intimacy. Duncan was becoming more comfortable with her home, and Jess suspected that when he did they would be able to move ahead in their relationship. She was willing to wait. She was falling in love. Who was she kidding, she *was* in love with Duncan, probably had been since the beginning. Her fear was if Duncan could love her the same way? The downfall to her happiness was that they still hadn't told Richie where she lived. Richie was a good friend and she hated keeping a secret like that from him. Jess decided one day, while she and Richie were sparing, to tell him. "Richie, once we are finished do you have time to come by my place to pick up a gift for Duncan? I know you have been wanting to see the shop." "Sure I'd love to. This gift, is it something you're buying or something you have already?" "I think I'll wait to show you. Just don't tell Mac where we are going. I don't want him to get suspicious." "Whatever you want." She hated having Richie lie to Duncan, but she knew if he found out they were going to her place, he would try to talk her out of it again. He was afraid of Richies reaction, knowing how close the young man had been to Tessa and the effect her death had on him as well. They left immediately after they cleaned up. "Richie I need to tell you something about my home and shop before we get there. It was Duncan's old Antique store." Richie just smiled." I know, I recognized the address when you joined the dojo. I was just wondering how long it would take you to tell me. That's why I kept bugging you to take me there." "Damn, Richie. Here I've been worried how you'd handle it. Duncan didn't take it too well. I never knew it was the Antique store until Mac took me home to get Hershey the night he returned to town." "Its OK, Jess. I'm actually curious to see the place after hearing about all the work you've done to it. I guess I have an advantage over Duncan, for the first time ever. I know before hand where we are headed. I can guess it was a shock for him. He was devastated by Tessa's death. I know that's why he sold the building. Jess I'm not saying this to hurt you, I'm sure that he's told you all about her by now. I'm just saying that I know how hard it was for him the first time he came here." "I understand, Richie. Don't worry, I wasn't hurt by what you said. Come on lets go." Richie wondered around the shop, poking into every corner and room. "You've done a great job with the place. I have to admit, it was weird walking in here at first, but things are so different." Jess headed toward the master bedroom. "Richie, the trunk is in here." Richie entered the room cautiously, "Will Mac mind me being in here ?" he questioned jokingly. "Probably not, but you never *know*," she replied smiling. " I've been wanting to give this to Duncan for a while, but the time was never right. I think that now it'll be OK." Jess told Richie as she pulled a wrapped bundle out from the trunk. "I got this from a priest in Paris. He was a friend of my husband. We became friends after discovering a mutual interest in ancient remedies." Jess pulled out an ancient sword. "Wow, a priest gave you this?" Richie commented while fingering the sword. "Lets say that Darius was an unusual priest." "Whoa, wait, Darius! Did you say Darius? This is Daruis's sword?" Richie exclaimed tripping over the words. "How do you know Darius. No, don't tell, me he is an immortal too? Then wait, this must have been his sword. Richie tell me what you know!" "Listen Jess, I don't know much, just what Mac has told me: Darius was a general who led his army to the gates of Paris, then stopped when he took the head of a holy man. Since then he worked for peace. They were friends for 300 years. Jess I think you should know. Daruis is dead." Jess was stunned at hearing the news. Her friend was dead. Richie then began to tell her about how Darius died. Mac had already told her about the Watchers and the Hunters. " Jess, Mac was pretty broken up about Darius, I'm just not sure about this." "I am, Richie, now more than ever. Darius used to talk about the power of giving and how it can heal. I know first hand, Darius helped me to heal by giving. We better go before he has our *heads* for being later for dinner." They headed back to the dojo and were greeted at the door by an Angry Duncan. "Where the hell have you been?" Jess, unfazed by his anger answered, "My place. Why?" Duncan looked shocked by the news but didn't say anything. "Duncan, He already knew when I told him. My membership to the dojo had the address. Richie came with me to pick up something for you. I've been keeping this, waiting for the right moment. I guess this is as good as any." Jess went for her bag and brought it to the table. Her actions were interrupted by a knock at the door. Richie answered the door and let Joe in," Hey Joe, come on in Jess is about to give Mac a gift and you've got to *see* it." "Duncan this was given to me about 8 years ago in Paris by a very special person. He was a priest that my husband knew. They used to have historical debates. When he first introduced us I found a man with a brilliant mind, we hit it off immediately. I used to go over and spend hours with him while Tom was lecturing. He and I would talk about ancient medicines and current herbal remedies. One day we were talking about history and he opened an old trunk and pulled this out." Jess removed the wrapped sword from the bag and handed it to Duncan. "What is this?" he asked as he begun to unwrap it. He was speechless as he saw the contents of the wrappings. "Who? How?" He stammered in surprise. "It belonged to an ancient General who changed his life. It belonged to Darius." Duncan stumbled backwards onto the sofa. "Darius? You knew Darius? And he gave you this?" Jess sat down next to Duncan and proceeded to tell the surprised Duncan and Joe about her friendship with Darius. "Richie told me a little about your friendship and your reaction to his death. Duncan, He gave this to me, although I never knew why, but I believe he wouldn't mind me giving it to you. He used to talk about his highland friend. I understand now that it was you he talked about. He was proud of you and what you were doing with your life. Remind me to tell you what Darius said to me about soul mates sometime when we are alone." Duncan sat amazed listening to Jess as she told them what Darius used to say. He couldn't believe it. "Jess, how long ago did you meet Darius?" Joe wondered. " About 15 years ago. Tom took me to Paris before we were married, and he introduced me to Darius then. We then went back quite frequently over the next 10 years. Even living there for about 3 years. In fact, Amy was born in Paris and Darius baptized her. After Tom and Amy were killed, I ran to Paris. Darius and another friend helped me put my life back together." Duncan embraced her, "Thank you love, You don't know how much this means to me. First, that you would give this to me, and second that it is Darius's blade." They spent the rest of the evening talking about Darius and telling stories. Joe even threw in some stories about trying to watch Duncan, teasing him about some of his exploits. Richie's stories always had Tessa in them. Duncan added a few about he, Tessa, and Richie, mostly though, they were stories from his past. He seemed to let go a little that night. This was a good sign for them. Duncan held her as they said good-bye to Joe and Richie. After they left, he turned her in his arms. Framing her face with his hands, he slowly leaned down to kiss her. What started out to be a gentle kiss rapidly turned into more. The intimacy that had been building over that past few weeks begged to be let loose. He raised his head, breathing harshly, his voice husky with passion, "please stay with me tonight." She looked into his eyes and finally saw what she had been waiting, hoping, praying to see there. Love. Breathlessly she answered, "yes." Duncan swung her into his arms and carried her to bed. "Wait here for a minute." He hated to leave her as he walked around the loft, turning off the lights and lighting the candles next to the bed. He wanted this to be right. As he climbed into bed, he pulled her into his arms, whispering to her "I love you, Jess." beagle4u@lava.net 'Your dog loves you when no one else does' TRADEWINDS ( ) MFW-DFW [0]xxxxxxx( )=========================>> ( ) member PWFC