========================================================================= Date: Fri, 26 Apr 1996 22:36:55 -0400 Reply-To: MJordan104@AOL.COM Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: "Monica T. Jordan" Subject: Out of Love and Vengeance - Part 9/11 X-cc: moreau@odixie.enet.dec.com, mjordan@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu, nevets@newwave.net, naortiz@dttus.com "Out of Love and Vengeance - Part 9/11" by Monica T. Jordan. Copyright, 1996. For Disclaimers, Warnings, etc. see Part 1. Thanks. Viva Office Tower Building. December 9, 1995. Lynn Horton sat in the leather chair, staring out the window watching the sky turn to darkness. She was seething at the fact that her plans to destroy MacLeod kept backfiring on her. She should've just walked up to him, shoot him, then take his head. But that wouldn't do. She'd decided long ago that killing MacLeod would be too easy. She wanted him to suffer. She bit her lip, drawing blood, as she remembered the last time she saw her father just before he left for Paris. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< James Horton paced around his study like a caged cat. Lynn had been trying to drive some sense into him, but he wouldn't hear any. "Please father, just stay here with me. What can you possibly gain from all this?" Lynn pleaded. James leveled his icy blue eyes at his daughter. "Don't you understand anything I've told you, Lynn? Don't you see why he can't be allowed to live? He has to die!" James said. "Why? Because he's immortal?" "No! Because he's Evil. Because he's a threat to our way of life. Because he should've died centuries ago!" "Oh, father, please. You've barely recovered from your injury and all you can think about is taking vengeance on MacLeod. What about Mom? What about me? What about all the plans we made in the hospital?" Lynn said. She desperately wanted to get through to her father, but his mind was already set. He remained silent and unyielding. Lynn sighed loudly, knowing her father. "What happens if your plans fail and he kills you for real this time?" James fixed her with a look filled with rage. "It'll be a cold day in hell before MacLeod kills me." >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Lynn wrapped her arms tighter around her body. If hell wasn't cold, her heart sure was. Even though it had been more than a year since her father passed, she still missed him terribly. She'd long ago stopped fighting the urge to cry every time she thought about him. She stood from the chair and pressed her body against the window. she thought bitterly, looking past the skyline to an unseen spot. The past two years had been the worst of her life. A time filled with anger, bitterness, resentment, and loneliness. Sometimes her fantasies got her through the cold lonely nights. Fantasies about the beautiful life she'd always dreamt of. A wonderful husband she was deeply in love with and a father to love her and the many children she wanted. But that would only last until she fell asleep. Then the nightmares would come. Robert's ghost haunted her every night. Seeing his face as he fell to his death. She never forgave herself about their last encounter. Her last words to him had been out of anger and later that night he'd died. "I'm going to make you suffer MacLeod," she said. Lynn truly believed now that without the existence of immortals, her father would never have been obsessed beyond the point of reason. If he had been in his right mind he never would have killed Robert. No. She didn't blame her father. MacLeod was the blame. Yes. He took everything away from her. Everything. The ringing of the telephone brought her out of her memories. "Yes?" she snapped. "It's Collins." "Why are you calling me here?" "Both MacLeod and Moore are over at Dawson's. Just thought you'd like to know." An inexplicable rage seized her heart. Joe Dawson. Her own uncle had betrayed their family and tried to kill her father. "Dawson's??!! Damn it! How long?" "Not long. What do you want to do?" Lynn contemplated her options. She'd been after MacLeod for some time now and her plans, involving other immortals, had partially succeeded. But Moore was the closest she'd ever gotten to baiting him and she vowed she would not fail. Not this close. "Mmmh. Nothing now... I'll get back to you," she said and hung up, not waiting for a reply and pushed the intercom button. "Drake, get in here." Drake entered the office a few moments later and hesitated coming closer when he saw the wrath playing over her face. "Yes Boss?" "We'll have to up the time table. No more fun and games. Moore and MacLeod are over at Dawson's right now," she said. "That can't be good news. You think she told MacLeod the truth?" "I don't know and I don't care." "But what if they figure you're behind it?" "That was just a matter of time, and as it happens, necessary. But if the slightest possibility exists they told Dawson anything, I can't afford to have him find me before I'm ready." "What do you propose?" Lynn was pensive for a moment. "How's our new guest?" she asked. "Screaming bloody murder. But we have him under control," Drake said, his eyes gleaming. Lynn nodded. "Good. How about the doctor?" "She's in her apartment." Lynn took a deep breath and smiled. "I think it's time we added to our guest list, don't you agree Drake?" ### Dawson slumped against the wall, grasping the photograph. It was taken by James at Lynn's college graduation. They both were all smiles. But then again it had been taken in happier times. He felt a tightness in his chest and became short of breath. His whole world was crashing in around him. It had been too much for him when he found out about James. His own brother-in-law hunting and killing immortals. And now this. Lynn. James daughter. His niece. Following in his footsteps. Dawson tried focusing his attention on Duncan and Aria, who were still fighting, but he could make out no sound. "He _is_ part of it!" "No, Aria, he isn't!" "But he's with her!" "Aria, please. Don't do this. There's more to it than you understand." Aria hesitated slightly as Duncan's words sank in. Her head rang with an unbelievable ache. She so desperately wanted to believe him. "Then help me understand Duncan. Please. I'm losing my mind here." "Do you trust me?" Duncan asked but she didn't answer. Duncan took a chance and lowered his sword. "Aria. Do you trust me?" Aria watched Duncan lower his sword and met his gaze. She thought about how loving he'd been when he found out about Emily. How he had put his life on the line for her when he didn't even know anything about her. "Yes," she said shakily. "Then you can trust Dawson. I trust him with my life." Aria studied his face. He was so sincere and still willing to help her. She then looked at Dawson who was perched against a wall looking pale, then stared at the sword in her hand, then she stared at Duncan. "Oh, Duncan. I miss her so much." Duncan nodded and smiled, "I know." He opened his arms to her. Aria once again was surprised by his forgiving nature. She ached for his arms around her but she felt she didn't deserve it. "It's okay." He insisted and she dropped her sword and walked stiffly to him. Aria wrapped her arms around him, sobbing. Duncan held her tight. "We'll find her together. I promise." After a few minutes, Aria glanced back at Dawson who looked worse than a few minutes ago. "Your friend doesn't look too good," she said. Duncan turned his face to take a glimpse and let go of her and went immediately to Joe. "Joe?" Duncan, concerned and worried, grabbed Dawson by the shoulders and shook him slightly. "You okay? Joseph?" Dawson looked like he had aged ten years in the span of a few minutes. Duncan shook him again and Joe gasped for air. Duncan led him to the couch and asked Aria to fetch some water. After he pointed out where the kitchen was, he returned his attention to Dawson. Joe still held the photograph, this time clasped against his chest. Aria returned with the water and Duncan ordered Joe to drink it. Joe's eyes were glazed over and Duncan shook him again. "Dawson," he growled. "Snap out of it. We have much to do!" Aria wasn't sure what to make of this. But if she'd learned anything living as long as she had was how to read a person. What ever this Lynn woman was doing, Dawson obviously didn't know about it. Dawson sipped at the water and stared at Aria. "I'm sorry," he rasped. "I didn't know." ### All three sat in silence in Joe's living room. Both Joe and Duncan explained to Aria about Joe's relation with Lynn and James Horton. Who the Hunters were and where the Watchers fit in. It had been too much to digest in one sitting and the confusion showed on Aria's face. Dawson stretched on the couch, his limbs ached, and he gasped at the incredible pain that seized his body and face. Aria, watched Dawson with discomfort and felt guilty at the pain she'd inflicted on him. She turned her eyes away from him. "This is incredible," she said finally. "So her father, James Horton, founded the Hunters and Duncan killed him. And now she wants revenge?" Aria asked. Duncan nodded affirmative on all her queries. Joe sank into the couch. There had been too many long nights in the past few days for him. "Lynn nursed James back to health after the incident in the warehouse. They had always had a close relationship those two. After I returned from Paris and told her he was dead. _Really dead_. It was devastating for her. After the funeral, which I'd been forbidden to attend, she became hysterical and had to be sent to a private hospital. I knew she'd been affected by his death, I just didn't realize how deeply." Duncan sighed heavily and massaged his temples. "And he did all those things you told me?" Aria said, watching Duncan. "He actually killed an immortal on holy ground?" She asked in disbelief. Duncan nodded stiffly. "And he used an immortal to kill other immortals?" She paused, thinking. "Who was the immortal?" "Xavier St. Cloud," Duncan said. "That bastard?" snapped Aria. "I took care of him," Duncan said, Aria nodded curtly. There was no lost love for the Moor. "She had an immortal working for her too, but I took care of him yesterday." "David Keogh was working for Lynn?" Joe said in alarm. Duncan rolled his eyes. "How did...?" Aria began but stopped. She stood up, her back to them and took several deep breaths. Duncan gave Joe a nasty look and Joe shrugged his shoulders. "Do I have a..." she paused and inhaled deeply, "A watcher?" Joe swallowed hard before answering. "Yes." "Did she... Did she see when it happened?" They both knew what she was referring to. Joe answered again. "She recorded it. Yes." Aria swung around, angry again. "So you knew my daughter had been kidnapped and did nothing?" She didn't move from where she was standing, but Duncan stood ready for any possibilities of attack. "She followed the van but lost it in heavy traffic. I didn't find out until this morning when I checked..." Joe stopped suddenly, but it was too late. Duncan swore to himself at the slips of the tongue Dawson was making and sighed heavily as he saw the fury return in Aria's eyes. Joe sometimes talked too much, Duncan said to himself. "I had Dawson check you out." Aria was hurt. "So I guess Hunters aren't the only ones who benefit from the information!" "Aria," Duncan started, walking to her, but she turned away from him and bolted for the door. Duncan glared at Dawson and went after Aria. She was already at her car. "Aria," Duncan called after her but she ignored him. Aria searched quickly up and down the street and sprinted upwards. By the time Duncan reached the cars, she was a block up Dawson's street. Duncan became concerned when he noticed she'd stopped next to a parked car. Aria tapped on the window, causing the woman within to jump, and demanded she come out. The woman stared at her in horror, dropping the cell phone in her hand. She tried starting the car but Aria broke the window with the hilt of her sword. ### Anne Lindsey screamed and fought as she was being forced roughly into the back of a Lincoln town car. Lynn peered out at her from the back seat and smiled. "Look, Dr. Lindsey," she said, causing Anne to freeze upon hearing her professional name used. "It can be hard or easy. In your present condition I would rather it be easy, but if you insist, hard is an option I'm not afraid to use with you." Anne stared dumbly into cold blue eyes and looked up at the men holding her. Her trembling hands wrapped around her stomach. She was in her third trimester and she didn't want to lose her baby girl. "What... what do you want with me?" she asked, very frightened. "I'm afraid that's something you'll have to ask your friend Duncan MacLeod," Lynn said and smiled when Anne's already pale face became whiter hearing Duncan's name. Anne's lips quivered slightly as she studied Lynn's face. It was so calm. So cold and uncaring that she was pregnant and if it had to do with Duncan, then this woman had to be an immortal. Reluctantly, and refusing assistance, Anne entered the car and sat down as comfortably as she could, ignoring the woman and the men, then looked out the window, a tear falling down her cheek. ### Aria dragged the woman through the broken window, causing the woman to receive several cuts along the jagged sharp edges. The woman's eyes were wide with fear. She stared into Aria's dark eyes and then at Duncan, who'd finally caught up to Aria. "Aria, let her go," Duncan said strongly. "Duncan, stay out of it. Can't you see I'm getting acquainted with my watcher?" Aria said mockingly and knew she was right by the look of shock that came over the woman's face. "I, I don't know what... what you're talk.. talking about," the watcher stammered. "Oh really?" Aria said, yanking the watcher's arms forcing the palms up, exposing the inside of her wrists. There was a tattoo on the inside of her left arm. "Is this the tattoo you were asking me about Duncan? The one's these Watchers wear?" Aria said with contempt. Duncan stepped closer to Aria, wondering how to handle the situation without further harm coming to the watcher. She was just doing her job. A weird job, but it was her duty and she meant Aria no harm. "What are you going to do Aria? Beat some truth out of her?" "The thought had crossed my mind," Aria said, with a slight grin. The watcher's already wide eyes grew even more. "What's your name watcher?" The watcher looked pleadingly at Duncan, "I, I..." "What, cat got your tongue?" Aria taunted and tightened her grip on the watcher's arms, causing a small scream to escape the watcher's lips. "I know you know who I am." Aria hissed, coming within inches of the watcher's face. "I _know_ you saw my daughter be kidnapped. And if you don't start talking to me and tell me who you are right this second, I'm..." "Stephanie Collins!" screamed the watcher. "We're not supposed to interfere. It's against our rules. I tried following the van but I lost it. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Please don't kill me. Please. Please." The watcher went on incoherently and broke down in tears. Aria backed off, letting go of the watcher like she'd been scalded with hot water, and fought down the bile threatening to come up. Duncan caught the watcher before she fell to the ground and bent down with her, trying to calm the watcher. He told her he'd have to look at her wounds, tend to them and get them cleaned up before they got infected. The watcher stared at Duncan and nodded, sobbing gently now. Duncan looked at Aria as she stood motionless staring at the blood on her hands. "Let's take her back to Dawson's," Duncan said, trying to gain her attention. The watcher's gaze narrowed on Aria's face. A hint of a smile appeared momentarily as Duncan looked away. ### Dawson decided to get cracking on finding Emily. He wanted Aria to know that watcher information was not only used to hurt immortals and their family. He'd had a few ideas of where Lynn could be operating from and in only three phone calls he'd gotten the desired information. He would give it to MacLeod to check out and if it wasn't that location, then he'd have a better notion where. The knocking at the main door surprised Joe. He didn't really expect them to return to the house and he walked as quickly as he could. It took much effort since he still hadn't found his cane, but he hurried nonetheless. Opening the door, a smile on his face, he couldn't wait to give MacLeod the possible lead of where Lynn could be hiding. "Hello _Uncle_ Joe," Lynn said with a smirk on her face. Joe was too stunned to say anything. "And what do we have here," she said taking the piece of paper he had in his hand and read it. "You're good _Uncle_ Joe. I'll give you that much," Lynn said, tacking the note to the door. "But I'm afraid you won't be home to give it to them." She smiled and nodded to the men behind Joe. ### Duncan walked up the steps carefully as he carried the injured watcher. Aria, close behind him, hadn't uttered a word on the long walk back to Joe's house. He set the watcher down gently and was about to knock when he saw the note. He snatched it up and his jaws clenched as he read the address written on it. It was in Joe's handwriting, but why would Joe tack it on his door. Duncan broke down the door, and Aria, startled by the suddenness of the action, sprinted in behind him. "What's wrong?" Aria asked, standing next to Duncan. "Lynn Horton was here. This is the address where they took Joe," Duncan said, his words tinged with anger. Before either one could say or add anything further, they both stiffened when they heard the sound of the safety of a gun being clicked off. "Turn around very slowly and don't do anything stupid, " said the watcher from behind them. Both turned around cautiously. Aria felt she could kill the watcher right then, and Duncan seethed at how gullible he was. He had been willing to help the watcher. Even stopping Aria however he had to. And now this. The watcher smiled wickedly at them. She had just finished taking instructions from Lynn when Aria showed up outside her car window. "I wasn't supposed to deliver this message until morning, but since you already have the address, you're to leave your swords and come with me. And if I have to shoot you to get you there, I will," she smiled. End of Part 9. Comments can be send to (mjordan104@aol.com). Thanks.