Date: Sun, 30 Apr 1995 23:52:25 -0400 Reply-To: aduty Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: aduty Subject: Return of Felicia Part 1 The Return of Felicia by Andrew Duty ============================================================================ The air was cool and damp.It was the perfect night for a warm drink and a little guitar music.Richie Ryan walked up the concrete stairs that led to Joes,a bar he seemed to be spending more and more of his nights at lately.Richie walked through the large double door entrance and into the soft subdued lighting of the bar.Richie scanned the crowd,a small but respectable turnout for a tuesday night.More than half the tables were filled and only a few stools remained at the bar.Joe,the owner,was no where to be seen but Mike the regular bartender seemed to be handling everything just fine. "Hi Mike,is Joe around?" "Sorry Rich,he's out running a few errands.He should be back in about an hour though". "No problem,"Richie smiled back at him"I'll just grab a table by the stage until he gets here.Could you send a cappuccino over when you have a chance?" "Sure thing." Richie made his way through the crowd and grabbed a table up near the front which no one seemed to want due too its proximity to the speakers and its distance from the bar.He pulled out a chair and sat with his back to the cold brick wall. Richie began to relax a little and listen to the music.It was soft and soothing and the guitar player was particularly exceptional.It only took a few minutes for Mike to bring him a huge soup bowl sized cup of the cappuccino he ordered. "They're not bad.",he commented off-handedly. "Yeah,Joe was quite happy when he found them.",Mike looked at the young man,smiled a half-smile and said,"Dont get any ideas though they already have an agent." Richie laughed a heartily at that one,"Dont worry my agent days are over". Mike turned and headed back to the bar.True he thought about trying the agent route again after the fiasco with Cory Littman but after alot of thought he realized that he was never cut out to be an agent.His thoughts quickly drifted away from career choices and back to the music from the stage.So much had happened the past couple of days.Duncan still hadnt fully recovered from the head games Garrick played on him and that coupled with Anne dumping him made Duncan unbearable to be around.Richie tried everything to get him to come to the bar tonight but Duncan would have nothing to do with it.Whenever Duncan was hurting he completly shut himself off from everyone and everything.All Richie could do was continue his training, keep managing the Dojo,and help Duncan through it the best he could. Sometimes Duncan really infuriated Richie.He wanted to be there for Duncan like Duncan had always there for him.He remembered the agony he went through over Donna and Jeremy.He wanted a family so badly and when he was presented with his one opportunity to have one he had to send them away. Duncan was there for him them.He offered him support and lent him his cabin for a month.After finally getting his head back together Duncan offered him a job as manager of the Dojo.Duncan always did that,he always looked after him.Richie lost track of all the times Duncan had saved his life both as a mortal and an immortal.He just wanted one chance to pay Duncan back for a change. Richie looked down and noticed that he had finished his drink without even noticing it.He was about to decide whether or not to get another one when all of a sudden he had a feeling of ice water running up and down his spine and his skin turned to goose flesh.There was an immortal near by. For a moment Richies spirits picked up,maybe Duncan changed his mind.But his hope quickly turned too shock as he looked past the crowd to the woman who had just entered the bar. Slowly,she proceeded towards him looking as lost and alone as the first time he saw her in the antique store so many months before.She was a thin woman of medium height.She wore a skin tight tank top under a heavy leather biker jacket that hung down to her hips.The most striking thing about her was the way her pale white skin set against her jet black hair. The blue neon from the bar escentuated the contrast making her appear to glow.Richie couldnt believe it.He felt like he was seeing a ghost but there she was,the first woman he ever truely loved,Felicia Martin. Felicia's eyes never left Richies as she walked through the crowd towards his table.Finally,after what seemed like an eternity,she arrived. She looked down on the young man,whos jaw still remained fully dropped,and smiled,"Hello Richie". Richie didnt know what to say.A thousand things ran through his mind but none of them seemed to be able to exit his mouth.His heart seemed to be racing a thousand beats a second and every nerve seemed to tell him that this couldnt be happening. "Well,"she said,"can I sit down?" "S..sure",He couldnt believe how stupid he sounded. Mike looked over from the bar,cellular phone already in hand.He couldnt believe who had just sat down with Richie.His finger had barely left the speed dial button when Joe Dawson picked up on the other end. "Joe Dawson here." "Joe! We got a situation here.You have to get back to the bar.Now!" Joe could hear the urgency in Mikes voice,"Whats wrong." Mike looked around and saw some customers beggining to take notice, "I cant tell you over the phone just get here as soon as possible." Felicia and Richie sat in silence just staring at one another. "So",Felicia began,"I see you've moved up in the world." "Yeah,....I guess you could say that." "How have you been?" Richie couldnt believe how non chalante she was being "What do you want Felicia?" For a second she looked really hurt,"I just wanted to see how you were doing." "How am I doing?How am I doing! The last time I saw you you were about to kill me!" "Richie,you know I would never hurt you.That was just to draw MacLeod out so I could take his head". "It didnt look that way from where I was standing". "Look,if I wanted to kill you I would have just taken your head and then waited until MacLeod came after me to avenge you." Richie was taken back for a second by her logic.Still there were so many questions he never got to ask her before she left. "Then what about all of those things you told me on the beach. All of those things about never loving me and everything being a setup to lure in Mac". Felicia tried to put her hands over Richies but he recoiled at her touch.She could tell how conflicted he felt and how much she had hurt him. She pulled her hands back leaned forward and used them to prop up her chin. "I said all of those things to prepare you.MacLeod and I were about to fight to the death and I couldnt let you interfere.If I had won then I might have been able to explain everything to you if you ever forgave me. If MacLeod won then you wouldnt have too mourn over my death." "Well,Neither of those two things happened.Im sure at one point you could have said something." "How could I?MacLeod would never let me get close enough to you too explain and If I stayed here it would only be a matter of time before he hunted me down and took my head." Richie was incenced by that remark,"Mac,let you go!" "Only because of you.I owe you my life Richie." For a second all of the old feelings Richie had for her began to resurface.It was just like with Laura he felt needed. "So why are you back then?" Felica reached for his hands once again and this time Richie didnt pull away."I came back for you Richie.Ive had alot of time to think the past two years and all of my thoughts came back too you.You saved my life. MacLeod let me go after all of the horrible things I did to all of you.Ive spent my entire life lying to people,tricking them into positions where I have a chance to beat them.Up until now Ive never met anyone that wasnt trying to take my head now Ive met two.I've changed Richie.I want to make ammends. I want another chance." Once again Richie didnt know what to say.There were so many nights he dreamed of hearing her say that but that was before the madness of the past year.That was before Laura,before Mako,before Donna and Jeremy." I dont know what to say". "Well,dont say anything for now.I understand how you must feel right now.I remember how it was when I first became immortal.Why dont we take it slow for awhile until you feel comfortable if there is one thing we have plenty of its time." Joe Dawson screeched his car into the concrete base of the handicapped parking sign of his spot.Mike wasnt one for understatment if he said something was urgent than it demanded his immediate attention.He headed up the concrete stairs as fast as his prothestic legs could carry him, almost tripping over himself.He pushed open the front door and immediately began scanning for Mike.Joe immediately headed towards the bar and exchanged a few polite greetings to some of the regulars whom he ususally extended more hospitality.Joe found him right where he should be by the bottles mixing drinks. "Speak to me whats the problem?" Mike didnt even need to respond he just pointed over to Richies table. "Oh my God...is that?" Mike gave Joe a quick nod. "Dont we get any mortal customers around here any more?",he pondered aloud. "I was beginning to wonder that myself.",Mike responded. Felicia could tell Richie was still on gaurd but if anything she was a good judge of character and could tell he was carefully weighing what she had said.The best thing she could tell to do right now was to lighten the conversation a little bit. "Great band.",she said looking up at the stage. Richie was so keyed up that he had forgotten that anyone was even playing."Yeah,I was talking about that to someone earlier myself." Almost as if by cue the song ended and the lead announced they were taking a 5 minute break.Richie looked back down and focused back to Felicia. Over her right shoulder he could see Joe coming out from the bar and towards him.This was not going to be good. "Hello Richie,could I talk to you for a minute by the bar". "Ahh sure Joe."he looked at Felicia and decided introductions were in order even though Joe probably knew who she was,"Felicia Martins... Joe Dawson.Joe...Felicia". "Pleased to meet you Joe",she smiled. "Pleasure is all mine,ma'am.",he replied. Joe led Richie to the large wood pillar at the back of the bar. It was darker there and no one went there except to get behind the bar.Joe kept one eye on Felicia who seemed to have turned her attentions on the new guitarist."Do you have any idea who that is Richie?" "Yes,I do and I know you do too or you woulndt have dragged me over here?" "Why is she here?" "She's here to see me." "To see you or to take your head?" Richie began to get a little frustrated at where the conversation was heading,"Look Joe,Im handling it." "Richie,I know her. She was almost a match for MacLeod." "I know I was there!" "Does he know she's in town?" "No,and you're not going to tell him either". "I dont know if I can do that Richie." Richie felt like exploding but took a breath,realized Joe's concern and tried again."Listen,Joe.You and Mac have left me out of the loop on several occations now Im asking for the same consideration.Im not all that sure that she isnt after my head either.All Im asking is that you let me find out on my own.Mac's going through some problems of his own right now and I dont want him involved until I know whats going on.If it looks like a setup than Mac will be the first person I go too,its not like I dont have practice doing that". Joe could tell how serious Richie was,"O.K,but make it quick.If it starts looking like something is going on Im going to do what I have to do." Richie nodded,"Thats fair.Thanks Joe." Joe looked back up to the stage and saw Felica strapping on a guitar. "Whats she doing?" Richie turned to see what was going on himself."I dont know." Felicia sat down on barstool bathed in the bright white spotlight. It wasnt that hard to convince the guitarist to lend her his instrument. He was new to this and a little flirting and flattery went a long way.She started with something slow and mournful.Centuries of hunting and being hunted made the blues as natural as breathing.With the first few chords she knew she owned the crowd.She could see people that were about to leave suddenly hang back and return to thier tables. Joe listened for a few moments,"Hmmm,not bad". Richie chuckled,wondering how many more people would say that this evening,"Not bad? She's great." "Well its not like she hasnt had time to practice". Felicia played on for a set then noticed that Richie had returned to his table.So with a remarkedly upbeat finish to her song she stood off the barstool and bowed.The audience erupted in applause many rising from thier seats.Felicia gave a few polite thank you's and returned the guitar to its rightful owner.The guitarist looked ashamed to take it back and a little intimidated about trying to follow it up. Felicia steped down from the stage and leaned over towards Richie, "So do you want to get out of here?" Richie just stood and smiled,"Lets do it,just give me a second to settle my bill." "Dont worry about it Richie,"Felicia walked with him over too the cash register and handed a credit card to Mike,"could you also cover what the band is having.I promised them I'd settle thier bill if I could have the stage for a few minutes."Felicia turned to Richie,"Least I could do." Mike ran up the bill and silently handed her back the card.He had nothing to say to her type.He watched as the young looking couple headed out the door then turned to look at Joe. Joe just raised his arms and shoulders in exasperation. =========================================================================