Date: Mon, 14 Nov 1994 02:31:33 -0600 Reply-To: Highlander TV show stories Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: Jennifer Lynn Hedberg Subject: OtGDY ch6 OtGDY Ch6 by Gwen Vohs After dinner, they all headed into the liging room for drinks and conversation. While Duncan was playing bartender, Eleni whispered to Tessa, "You really have captured his heart. I haven't seen him this happy in a long, long time." Tessa blushed profusely. She was pleased, but never knew how to respond when an immortal talked about Duncan's past."Well, thank you." "No,thank *you*. You give him the happiness he deserves, and for that I'm eternally grateful." "Here we are; one uzo, one white wine, one scotch and sodaa, and a beer for the youngster." Duncan placed the tray on the coffee table and everyone took their drinks. "So Eleni, Mac tells me you're about 1,300 years old." Ritchie had hardly spoken during dinner, so this abrupt comment took everyone off guard. "Yes, Richard. Roughly that." Ritchie was itching to ask how old she was when she died, but knew if asked Mac would make him pay for it dearly at tomorrow's workout. Eleni smiled gently and supplied the information."..and I was twenty- three to the day when I became what I am." This candor surprised Duncan. He'd never heard her speak of her death not even in vague euphemisims. Ritchie continued,"You died on your birthday? That sucks! What happened? DId you get food poisoning form your birthday cake or something?" "No dear, I was murdered." She said it with the tone of a child describing a nightmare that she'd just awoken from to find herself safe in her mother's arms. Still Duncan felt an instinctive need to comfort her, but when he reached out to touch her face she turned her cheek to refuse the well-meant carress. SInce Eleni wanted to change the subject for obvious reasons, she felt t compelled to make the change herself. "Tessa, Duncan tells me you have an exhibit opening soon at a local gallery." "Yes, I'm very excited...it's my first one-woman showing." "Brava! If my ward and I are still in town we'll be sure to attend." Duncan was confused."I thought you couldn't wait to get back to Greece. Having second thoughts?" With a cryptic grin, she shrugged and said,"It's a lady's prerogative to change her mind." Duncan asked with mock-innocence,"Does this have anything to do with your luch with Joe Dawson yesterday afternoon?" "Why?" she asked, a little *too* nonchalantly. "Because I spoke to him last night and he said you were 'absolutely fascinating', and I don't think he meant that academicly." She glared at him and began in Greek,"If your trying to be cruel, you're doing a great job." Duncan rasied his hands in protest. Indulging her prejudice for her native tounge, he said "Eleni, I would never joke with you about something like that! I really think he likes you." Duncan cursed the wounded pride that kept Eleni from being happy all these years..how many other Joes had she let go? With an eerire evenness to her voice, Eleni switched back to English. "I believe you...but if you lie, I'll make you pay dearly." Duncan nodded emphatically"Yes, which is exactly why I wouldn't lie to you. I happen to be quite fond of all my attached parts, thank you." Everyone laughed, breaking the tension that had hung over them all night. They talked and laughed for another hour or so, then Duncan drove Eleni back to her hotel. "So where's Natalie tonight?" "I left her with Father Albreski for the night....I'll pick her up tomorrow morning." Duncan understood Eleni's need for time alone to think. her life was about to change dramatically, and after centuries of solitude she couldn't be expected to plunge back into the Game without a great deal of reflexion. Duncan walked her to her hotel room door. "Are you going to be okay, Eleni?" "Why do you ask?" "Well, Ritchie was rather indescreet tonight.." "Oh well, he's young...he'll learn." "But ...the memories.." "Don't, Highlander. I don't want to discuss this with you." Once again Duncan reached out to touch her face. This time she didn't pull away. "Who did this to you? Who gave you all this pain?" "My husband.."she stammered lamely. The shock made Duncan gasp audibly. "Of course....it would never occur to you that I'd been married." "NO, that's not it... I just can't imagine anyone being so...black- hearted towards you, much less someone so close to you." At this she stepped back almost convulsively. "Go home, Duncan. You don't belong here." He didn't bother to mask his pain."Don't *ever* say that to me again!" "Duncan, that's a part of me you have no right to...you gave up your right to my pain ages ago. Please just go home to Tessa." Bewildered, he said "I didn't know!" "You never bothered to ask! Now please, I'm beggin you, leave before you anger me." She opened the door, slipped in, then closed it softly. When he came home, Tessa and Ritchie had just fnished the dishes. Before noticing Duncan's fierce expression, Ritchie jokes, "So did we pass inspection, boss?" When no answer came, Ritchie looked up and noticed Duncan was pouring himself another scotch, this time with out the soda. Tessa was worried by this. Duncan was not a drinking man by nature. "What's wrong, Duncan?" "Nothing." Ritchie sighed."Oh man, I blew it didn't I? When I brought up her past...." Duncan's eyes flashed in warning, and his voice was acid. "I said nothing's wrong, so drop it already." End part 6 =========================================================================