========================================================================= Date: Wed, 24 Apr 1996 21:51:14 -0400 Reply-To: MJordan104@AOL.COM Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: "Monica T. Jordan" Subject: Out of Love and Vengeance - Part 4/11 X-cc: moreau@odixie.enet.dec.com, mjordan@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu, nevets@newwave.net, naortiz@dttus.com "Out Of Love And Vengeance - Part 4/11." by Monica T. Jordan. Copyright, 1996. For Disclaimers, Warnings, etc. see Part 1. Thanks. Duncan's Loft. December 8, 1995. No sooner had Aria fallen asleep she'd had a nightmare. Her nerves were already on fire thinking about Emily. Aria's nightmare had her in a room flooded with lights. Faceless bodies attacked her from every angle. Located in the middle of the room, Emily was tied to a post and that woman was screaming at Emily saying she would kill her if her mother didn't cooperate. Aria was frustrated as the faceless bodies impeded her from reaching Emily. Then the scene changed and Aria was in another room painted red. She spun around and saw MacLeod standing opposite her with his sword. He charged towards her with his sword high above his head and they began to fight. She blocked his initial swing but as she swung hers, she impaled him. MacLeod fell to his knees staring at her, hatred in his eyes. 'There can be only one.' she screamed cutting his head off. As she readied herself for his Quickening, she noticed his head rolling toward her coming to a stop at her feet. When Aria looked down it wasn't MacLeod's eyes staring up at her. It was Emily's. 'Why would you hurt me Mommy? Why?' Emily asked. The woman was laughing hysterically. Aria screamed as the Quickening of her daughter ravaged through her body. When Aria opened her eyes Duncan was holding her, gently shaking her awake. "It's okay. You're having a bad dream," he said trying to soothe her and held her close. Everything's going to be okay, you're safe here." Duncan smiled as her grip tightened around him. "No one's going to hurt you." Duncan began to rock her gently in his arms. Aria looked up at him tears streaming down her face trying to talk but the lump in her throat made it difficult. She buried her face in his chest and cried. "What's wrong?" Duncan asked gently. She couldn't tell him. "Who's Emily?" Aria's body went still when she heard her daughter's name. Duncan felt the sudden tension in her body and pressed further. "Whatever it is, you can tell me. I'll help you," he said gently. Aria, still unable to say much, was trembling at how helpless she _did_ feel. Duncan was thinking how much he wanted to make the pain go away. He felt the need to protect her as she held him so tightly he could feel the imprint of her fingers in his arms. She clinged to him and cried until she fell asleep in his arms. Careful not to wake her, he got up, took her in his arms and carried her to his bed. He tucked her in and brushed her hair away from her face and was about to fix the robe when he noticed a scar on her neck. By the redness of the scar he could tell it was recent. "What are you running from Aria Moore?" he said to himself. Duncan went back to the sofa and watched Aria's sleeping body until he fell asleep. Duncan's Loft. The next morning. Aria awoke with a feeling of being trapped and sat up on the bed feeling disoriented. She quickly took stock of her surroundings and realized she was entangled in bed sheets. she thought, wondering how she got there. She cursed as she remembered last nights activities. Duncan smiled at her from the kitchen, grabbed a cup of steaming coffee and headed toward her. He wore only sweat pants and a towel draped around his neck. "Sleep well?" he asked. She shook her head and accepted the cup of coffee which she drank too fast and burned her mouth. "Careful. Just because we're immortal doesn't mean we have to abuse it," he said with a grin. But Aria was too buy staring at him as she got another view of his body to hear whatever he'd just said. "Huh?" "I said to be caref..." Duncan stopped mid sentenced, stunned and surprised as she threaded her fingers through his chest hair. Aria gazed into his eyes, questioning. His eyes were so kind and gentle, just like.... Aria's mouth fell open. she thought, realizing now why he felt so familiar. It wasn't that they looked alike, but felt alike. It had only taken one look into Amjed's eyes for her to fall in love with him. Duncan eyed her curiously and held her hand and pressed it against his chest. Duncan didn't' know what to make of the expression but she seemed scared again. How could he convince her he meant her no harm and was just about to say that when she caressed his face and outlined his lips with a finger. Duncan's eyebrows shot up as she leaned in to him for a kiss, but all at once, she jumped back, cursed and spilled the coffee on herself as the elevator started up. Duncan knew it wasn't so much the noise from the elevator, but the immortal in it they both sensed. "I thought you said I'd be safe with you," she said with uncertainty, dabbing at the spilt coffee with the sheets. "You are," Duncan assured her. "Don't worry. It's probably just Richie." "Richie who?" "Richie Ryan, my student." He held her hand. "I gave you my word no harm would come to you. I meant that Aria," he said smiling, giving her hand a gentle squeeze at which she relaxed a bit but the smile quickly faded as Richie exited the elevator. Duncan had always suspected that Richie was born with bad timing. "Hey Mac!" came the cheery voice of his student. And he just proved it. "Whoa Mac. I'm sorry, I didn't realize you had company," Richie said taking the scene in. Duncan sitting on the bed, sitting next to a woman on the bed wearing his robe. Embarrassed by the obvious conclusion of what took place here last night and what he'd walked into, Richie was speechless and all he could do was stare. When he'd left yesterday after training with Mac, MacLeod was still in a brooding mood. Richie couldn't help but stare at the woman. He knew she was an Immortal which explained why the buzz felt so strong as he came up the elevator. But who the hell was she? Aria, already on pins and needles, tried to calm herself down. Pulling her hands away from Duncan she glared at him, Duncan bristled under the look. It was a very awkward situation to say the least. "Look, maybe it'd better if I just left." started Aria, climbing out of the bed. "You don't have to," Duncan said, alarmed. "No, I'm the one who should leave," offered Richie hands up in the air backing into the elevator. "I _am_ sorry. I should've called up first before barging in." He sounded sincere she reasoned but quickly dismissed it getting to her feet looking around the loft absentmindedly. Duncan stood beside her watching her. Richie just remained where he was feeling like an intruder. Aria felt foolish. She didn't know what MacLeod had done with her clothes. And where in the world was her sword? She couldn't remember what she'd done with her coat. And where did she think she was going dressed the way she was? she thought anxiously as the feeling of helplessness threatened to engulf her again. She hung her head refusing to give in to the foreign feeling that had become so familiar since yesterday. Duncan touched her shoulder and she turned around to face him, tears welling up in her eyes. "It's okay. I'm here," Duncan said gently pulling her into his arms. "Richie would you excuse us please?" Duncan said, his back to Richie. "Sure Mac. I'll be downstairs," he said from the elevator and added looking at Aria, "I am truly sorry," he said with a smile. The cold look Aria gave Richie, which Duncan missed, made him feel like he'd been hit with cold water. Dumbfounded he stayed put not knowing what to make of it. "Richie, do you mind?" said an impatient Duncan. "Yeah..., uhm, no problem Mac." Richie muttered pulling the gate down. Aria remained where she was. She didn't want to think about the situation. Duncan was still holding her, and her heart was pounding so hard in her ears, she'd swear you could hear it for miles. And she didn't want to look at him, get lost in those eyes again. He raised her face waiting for her to open her eyes. "You must think I'm the most foolish woman you've ever met," she blurted out. "No, I don't." Duncan chuckled, "I think you're one of the most beautiful," he said brushing away the tears that began to fall again as she opened her eyes. Duncan was smiling at her. she thought, but right now she didn't mind feeling so helpless gazing into his kind brown eyes. "What are you thinking?" he asked softly, stroking her hair. "How much I'd like you to kiss me." It wasn't until Duncan kissed her she realized she'd said it out loud and not simply thought it. Oddly, she didn't resist. The Dojo Office. Richie sat in the Dojo office behind the desk staring at the computer trying to make sense of what he'd just witnessed. A part of him was glad to see MacLeod out of his dark mood, but another part was screaming warnings. He tried making sense of the female Immortal he'd barely just met. Why she'd given him such a cold look. He sure didn't like it. She could be after Mac's head and he wondered if Mac would fight her. After all, Mac couldn't bring himself to kill Kristin and she was out right dangerous. He still had nightmares of falling several floors to his death. Richie snapped to attention at the presence of an Immortal. It was Mac coming down the stairs alone, which Richie thought was a good thing. There were some questions he needed answered. "Hey Richie," said Duncan with a half smile, his hands in the pocket of his jeans, not relishing the conversation about to come. Richie got up from behind the desk and came around to meet Duncan. "I'd say you had an interesting night?" he said pursing his lips. "Want to talk about it?" "There's not much to tell really." "Oh? I think there is Mac," Richie said, a bit sarcastically. Duncan arched an eyebrow waiting for Richie to explain himself. "Last time I saw you, you were in one of your moods. And _that_ was just yesterday. Now today I come and there's a woman -- an _Immortal_ woman I might add -- in your bed. Care to explain how _that_ happened?" Richie said and propped himself against the corner of the desk, his arms folded across his chest, glaring at Duncan who remained standing in the doorway baffled. Duncan didn't know what to do. Tell Richie or flog him. But Duncan reasoned he did need to talk to someone about Aria. So he opted to tell him. "Well... I met her last night." Entering the office, Duncan sat on the couch. "Go on," Richie said, impatiently. Duncan wondered if he'd picked the right option. "Returning home from the art reception, I sensed an Immortal. When I went to check it out I saw three men and a woman. Two were dragging her. It wasn't until I got close enough I realized she was the immortal. I confronted them but they managed to get away. She was badly injured so I brought her here." "Did she tell you who they were or why she was being attacked?" "She doesn't know." "She doesn't know?" repeated Richie. "No, Richie. But I have a feeling it could be Hunters," Duncan said, causing the hairs on the back of Richie's head to prick up. "Hunters? What gave you that idea?" "By the way they operated and they weapons they used. They attacked her with an ax and a knife, plus there was a get away vehicle and shots were fired." Duncan paused, careful with his next statement. "Although I do think there _is_ something she's not telling me." "How come?" "She had a nightmare last night. Woke up screaming. When I asked her what it was about she said she couldn't tell me. Even immortals need help Richie, and I've offered." "Just like that huh?" "Yeah. Just like that Richie." "I don't think so Mac. It sounds too fishy. Who is she? And have you given any thoughts that it could be a set up? That it could be a trick? I mean Mac, how many immortals get attacked outside your dojo? She could be after your head?" "Her name is Aria Moore. And _Yes_, I've given it some thoughts that it might be a set up. And _No_ I don't think she's after my head." "What makes you so sure?" "A hunch." "Based on what Mac." Richie insisted. "I just _know_ Richie," Duncan said in exasperation. The young Immortal could be a nuisance sometimes. "Besides... it's none of your business really," Duncan said angrily. "Really? Well, I'm making it my business," Richie replied. "What if this Moore woman _is_ after your head Mac? Would you fight her?" he added. Duncan said nothing. "Well Mac? Would you?" Richie pestered. Duncan stood and leveled a gaze on Richie. "This is different Richie." "How so? Because you don't have a past history with her? Because you slept with her last night?" Richie kept on, not realizing how close he was coming to being on the receiving end of a beating by Duncan. "This all smells like a set up, Mac," Richie said, getting off the desk and began pacing. "She conveniently gets attacked outside _your_ place and _you_ happened to be come by in the nick of time to _save_ her. Then she _spends_ the night?" Richie stopped cold when he caught a glimpse of Duncan's face. When Duncan wanted to be intimidating he did a good job of it. The look in Richie's direction could melt stone. They both just stared at each other, tempers high. "Look Mac," Richie said. "Maybe I'm wrong, but can you at least tell how old she is?" "There's no way of telling how old an Immortal is Richie. You know that!" "You didn't ask her?!" "No Richie. I didn't. You just don't say, 'by the way how many centuries are you?'" Duncan said annoyed. He didn't wait for Richie to answer. "Why all the questions?" "In two words?" questioned Richie. Duncan nodded. "Felicia Martins," Richie said. Duncan stunned, said nothing. Duncan gave that careful thought. Felicia Martins had come into their lives pretending to be a new Immortal, when in fact she was centuries old and after Duncan's head. He gave Richie a once over and smiled. "I didn't know you cared," he said sheepishly. They both laughed at themselves, albeit nervously, but the tension had been broken. "What brought you over here today Richie." Duncan asked changing the subject. "Oh yeah. Well, I came to check on you and see if you wanted to train again this morning or work on the house. And..." he paused. "Joe's singing tonight. The session might be used for a demo and a possible CD. A big shot producer will be there and if he likes what he hears, it's a deal. It's a big night for Joe and he wanted us to be there," Richie said waiting as Duncan considered it. Richie knew there had been a falling out between both Mac and Dawson. What? He didn't know, but Joe really wanted Mac to be there. "You can bring her too," he said. "That way Joe can check her out." "Damn it Richie. You couldn't leave it alone could you?!" said Duncan. "She could potentially be dangerous Mac." Richie insisted. "We are Immortals Richie. We are _all_ dangerous," Duncan said. Both turned to look out the office window as they sensed an immortal. Aria was standing at the base of the stairs intently watching in their direction. Duncan's Loft. Aria was content to have her clothes back. Duncan had taken it upon himself to launder them for her. Another quality about him she liked. They were clean, unable to tell that just yesterday they were mostly covered in blood. The only tell tale signs were the rip in her jeans, her coat and shirt sleeve. At best they'd probably think it was a style. She grabbed her coat, checked her sword and went for the stairs MacLeod had used earlier. She figured she could use the elevator but the darned thing was too noisy. By the time Aria reached the Dojo floor, Richie and Duncan were in an argument. _The_ one thing about Immortality she liked and disliked was the inability to sneak up on other Immortals. She was curious about what they've been discussing, but whatever it had been she was certain the main topic was her by the look of guilt on Duncan's face. He'd make a poor poker player she decided. An Office Building. Seacover. "I still think I should've been there last night," fumed a tall young man. He was pacing around the office, hands to his side, clenched in a fist. He was of medium build, with brown hair and brown intense eyes. "Good thing I don't pay you to think!" said the young woman, seated behind her desk. The young man stopped pacing and glared at her. "Then what the hell are you paying me for? I haven't done anything for weeks. I can take both MacLeod's and Moore's head!" he shouted, walking to her desk and pounded his fists against it. "Don't let me regret having hired you Keogh," she said calmly and stood up. She came around the desk and eyed him evenly "I hired you to warn us from other Immortals," she said and waited, impatient at having to deal with him. Keogh glanced sideways at her but said nothing. "You _can_ sense other Immortals, right?" "I've told you I could. That's why I should've been there last night. It would've rattled her brain to know another Immortal was in the room while she was tied up," he said chuckling. "Besides, she had no idea where she'd been taken. So you have nothing to worry about." The woman sighed heavily. She hated having to need his services. She sat on the edge of her desk, her hands at her side and crossed her legs, "I'm not worried about her finding the location. Though eventually she will," she said, waving Keogh to say nothing. "So until then, you are not to fight her. Understood?" She waited. She needed Aria to lure MacLeod into her trap. Keogh simply stared at her. "Is that understood?" Before Keogh could answer, the door to her office opened and a man walked in. "Boss?" It was her right hand man, Drake, who gave Keogh a disgusted look. Drake didn't like him. Keogh simply smiled. The feeling was mutual. "She's still at MacLeod's place. Should I have someone follow her when she leaves?" "No. I have that covered," she said breezily, getting off the desk and walked over to him, he'd remained at the door, barely taking his eyes off Keogh. "How's our little guest?" she whispered as she reached him. "She tried escaping last night but we won't underestimate her again," Drake said, for her ears only. The woman simply arched an eyebrow and waited for an explanation. "It seems she knows some form of self defense. She kicked Pollack pretty hard and tried outrunning me. We locked her in the room. She won't be trying that again soon." The woman took a deep breath and walked back to her desk and perched herself again on the edge of it. "Keogh, check and secure the location and start the preparations I told you about for the arrival of our other guests. Plus deliver the package." "Sure," Keogh said, smiling evilly as he prepared to leave. "I still think I should've been there last night!" he said and exited the office not waiting for a reply. After Keogh left, the woman said to Drake, "Keep an eye on him. He could upset the timetable for my plans." "I never trusted him." "I didn't either. Never trust anyone who'd sell out their own kind Drake. It says a lot about their lack of character. But I needed another one of them working for me." She slipped off the desk and sat back in the large leather chair. "How's the other phase of the plan coming?" "We have tabs on the doctor, Dawson and Ryan. No sign of the female Immortal Amanda, though we're still looking for her." "Good work nonetheless Drake. Everything is moving along quite nicely." "Yes. Do you think MacLeod would suspect Moore?" "I'm counting on it Drake. I'm counting on it," she said smiling. Her cold blue eyes shining. End of Part 4. Comments can be sent to (mjordan104@aol.com) Thanks.