Date:         Sun, 11 Dec 1994 15:54:16 -0600
Reply-To:     Highlander TV show stories <HLFIC-L@PSUVM.PSU.EDU>
Sender:       Highlander TV show stories <HLFIC-L@PSUVM.PSU.EDU>
From:         Jennifer Lynn Hedberg <jlhedber@MAILHOST.ECN.UOKNOR.EDU>
Subject:      OtGDY ch8

Only the Good Die Young, Ch8

by Gwen Vohs

        Richie greeted him at the door when he got back from the hotel.
        "Hey Mac!"
        "Hey Richie!"
        "About last night- I'm really sorry.  I didn't mean to upset
your frriend like that."
        "Don't worry about it."
        Duncan hung up his coat and collapsed onto the couch.  Tessa was in the
shop until closing, so he had a few more hours of peace.
        "You okay, Mac?"
        "Yeah, I'm fine."
        "You sure?  You look like ..I dunno....like you've got alot on your
mind."
        "Pensive?"
        "Yeah! That's the word."
        Duncan sighed, thinking now was as good a time as any.  he motioned
for Richie to take a seat. "Sit down, Richie.  We need to talk."
        "Sure, Mac...what's up?"  He took a seat in the comfortable chair
nearest the fireplace.
        Duncan bit his lip to fight the tears begining to form in his warm
brown eyes.
        "I have  a decision to make.  Soon.  It may mean me leaving.  I haven't
made up my mind yet, but you mean alot to me and I want you to know if I do
decide to go, you're more than welcome to come with me if you like."
        Richie's celtic complexion went to ashes.  "Just me?  Not Tessa?
        "No.  Not Tessa."
        "What's this big decision you have to make?"
        Duncan felt the salty tears rake down his cheeks."I have to choose
between two women that both meant the world to me."
        Richie winced."I thought maybe it was something like that.  Eleni,
right?"
        "yes."
        Richie's face darkened with a thousand conflicting emotions.  He loved
Tessa, but he couldn't help but feel that his primary loyalty was to Mac.
        "If you decide to go, I'll probably have a chip on my shoulder for
awhile, but yeah...I'll come with you."
        Duncan wiped the tears from his cheeks and whispered his thanks.
        "Look, mac...everything I have I owe to you and Tessa.  I hope you two
stay together, but if not, I'll do my best to understand.  And so will Tess."
        Recoving his voice, Duncan said, "I hope you're right."
        "but you really haven't made up your mind?"
        "No...not yet."
        Richie leaned in and grabbed Duncan's right elbow in the gesture he'd
seen mac use with so many of his immortal friends."
        "Good luck, Mac."
        Duncan finally smiled and gripped Richie's elbow in return and patted
him on the back.  "thanks again, Richie.  You're making this alot easier than
I deserve."
        Richie rolled his eyes and and gave Duncan his "Aw, shucks!" grin.
        "No sweat!  just keep me posted, okay?"
        "okay."
        Richie left the apartment, knowing that Duncan would need to be alone
with Tessa once she closed the shop.
        Around six o'clock, she come upstairs.  Duncan was setting the table
for dinner, but she noticed there were only two place settings instead of
 three.At first she thought he'd planned a romantic dinner for two but then saw
 there
were no candlesticks on the table, or any other elements of a romantic ambi-
ance.
        "Hello, love!  Where's Richie?"
        Duncan turned to face her, his expression grim. "he went out for the
evening.  Dinner will be ready in a few minutes."  he pulled out her chair and
then headed back into the kitchen.  He brought out the food and they began to
eat in silence.
        "Duncan, are you angry at me for insisting that you speak to Eleni?"
        Duncan shook his head."Not at all,  In fact, it was an excellent idea."
        Tessa set down her wine glass, fear creeping into her eyes. "What do
you mena by that?"
        Duncan took a swallow of wine and began to speak, his voice absent,
terrified.
        "Tessa, Richie and I may be leaving with Eleni and Natalie.  It's not
for sure, I'm just...."
        "Confused?"
        Duncan nodded."I love you, I really do.  But seeing her again, and with
all that's happened..."
        She came around tha table and put her arms around him."It's
okay.  There is no crime in being confused."
        He took her face in his hands."You'd be so much better off without me.
you'd be free to have children, free of the danger I'm always putting you in."
        She stopped him."Duncan, those things are MY choice. I choose to stay
with you and assume those risks.  If you want to go, it's for you, not me.  At
least be honest about that much."
        Duncan's eyes flashed."That's not fair!"
        her voice was icy calm."Fair?  IS it fair to leave me after twelve
years on a days notice?"
        "I NEVER said I was leaving.  I said I had a choice to make.  Do you
think this is easy?"  His temper was getting the batter of him.  he knew she
had every right to be angry, but he didn't know how to handle it.
        "You're right." She realized this was a critical moment.  If she wanted
to keep him she'd have to smother her wounded pride and think clearly. "If you
want to leave, you're free to.  I don't want a man in my life that's in love
with someone else.  But don't expect me to pretend to be happy about it."
        Duncan nodded.  "I never meant to hurt you....that's why I had to tell
you now instead of later."
        They looked into each other's eyes, both noticing that the other was
crying.  Without warning, Duncan stood up and threw his arms around her.
        "Tessa, I DO love you...you know that, right?"
        She nodded, burying her face in his chest.
        End part 8
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