Date: Sun, 30 Apr 1995 23:54:12 -0400 Reply-To: aduty Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: aduty Subject: Return of Felicia part 3 Richie was still having trouble dealing with his conversation with Duncan.He was still exhausted after only getting a couple of hours of sleep but he knew it would be impossible to go back to bed.He gathered up some relatively clean clothes and put them on.He had seen that look on Duncans face before if he found Felicia he would kill her.Richie was still having a little trouble with her story himself but he felt really good being with her the previous night.He hadnt felt this good in a long time and if there was any possibility of continuing it he intended to do so. Duncan had already said his piece so Richie knew where he stood.He didnt really think Joe would particularly be in his corner either but there was a better chance that he would be impartial,besides Richie really needed a sounding board right now. He grabbed the his motorcycle gear and headed for Joe's.The bar itself wouldnt be open this early but Joe was usually there in the morning listening to bands audition,counting the previous nights receipts,and doing a little watcher buisness in the back office.It was a good bet that he was there this morning as well. Richie pulled into the parking lot next to Joe's car then headed up to the entrance of the bar.The bar had a totally different atmosphere during the day.Long stilted shafts of sunlight fell down apon the stage cut by shadows from the wall mounted cooling fan.The neon lights were off and the whole room seemed deathly quiet.In the mornings it looked more like the warehouse it use to be than the bar it was converted too.Joe was up on the stage fiddling with the track lighting again. "Thanks for keeping my secret Joe." Joe turned and started towards him "Dont you start with too! I already have MacLeod mad at me and I dont need you to jump on me over something you should have been smart enough to avoid in the first place." "Easy D,Im not mad I just needed to talk." "Great,grab a chair and have a seat." Richie grabbed a couple of chairs off the nearest table and they both sat down.Richie related everything that happened since he left the bar, including his arguement with Duncan. "Well what did you expect him to say?"Great lets get together for dinner so we can exchange ancedotes about beheadings"." "Its not like that Joe.Mac just cant accept that Ive grown as an immortal and can take care of myself." "Can you Richie?",he said with a cocked eyebrow,"In immortal terms you are an infant,hell you're almost an infant in mortal terms." "I was man enough to beat Mako!" "And you know what that cost you." Richie paused at that last remark.Joe was right he never truely got over Mako.To this day he questioned if what he did was right. Now he was confronted with the same question."Do you think people can change.I mean really change." Joe scratched his thin beard,he didnt expect a philosophical discussion this early in the morning."I dont know.Darius did,so did a few others.Of course,from what Ive seen its much more common for the good ones to go bad than the other way around." "Do you think Felicia could have been an exception?" "I dont think so.Two years ago she was going to kill you,Duncan, and Tessa.Thats a real dark place to climb up from." Richie stood,there was really nothing else to say."Thanks Joe you've been a real help." "Anytime Rich". _____________________________________________________________________________ Duncan noticed a small glint of glass near his large plush sofa.It had taken days to clean up all of the broken glass and splintered wood from Garrik's quickening and he was still finding more each and every day.He grabbed the small sliver and tossed it into the trash can.He still wasnt finished getting his apartment back in order.Several boxes,recently delivered, remained unopened and with the pressures of this week he really didnt care if they stayed there for days.He looked at the many antiques that survived the encounter and had second thoughts about leaving the mess.This was as good a chance as any to take his mind off everything that was going on. As he was unpacking,he heard the sound of frieght elevator climbing up towards the loft.Since he didnt feel a buzz,he knew it had to be Joe. Joe lifted the wood crate door and walked into the loft.Duncan looked at him but continued to unpack boxes and place the objects onto his mantle. "Joe."He said acknowleging his prescence but little else. "Still mad,huh?" "I expect things like that from Richie but you should know better." "I tried to talk him out of it last night but he wouldnt listen. He asked me for the same privilage I give you and let him handle it himself." "Thats the problem,Joe.Richie cant handle Felicia.You know it and I know it but you know how stubborn he is once his mind is on that one track nothing can change it." "Yeah,he kind of reminds me of another immortal I know." "Thats not funny,Joe.You should have called me the second she entered the bar." "I wasnt even there.Mike had to call me in.Once I got there they were already talking.Even if I had called you they would have been gone before you could have gotten there." "You should have stopped him." "What was I suppose to do,tie him up? He's a grown man whether either of us wants to admit that or not.We cant protect him he has to learn these things himself." "Thats the problem he wont get a second chance.Richie has the worst luck with women than any person,mortal or otherwise,that I have ever seen in my entire life." "Thats quite a comment coming from you."Joe smiled. "Listen,you did the right thing." "Well thanks but,to be honest,I dont know if I or not." Duncan finished with the first box then put the others aside."Is there any chance at all that there might be some truth to what she told him?" "I dont know.We've always had trouble with keeping up on her.She's particularly crafty.She has to be,thats how she operates.I can do some digging though,all I know about her,off hand,is what I got during her run in with you." Duncan nodded in affirmation,"Do it and as soon as you find anything out you let me know.I have to get to her before she gets to Richie." "I'll do what I can." _____________________________________________________________________________ The sharp tingling warning of another immortal stirred Richie from his deep sleep."Oh,no.Cant anybody come by when Im awake anymore." Richie looked over at his alarm clock.The glowing green numbers flickered 7:13pm.Getting back to sleep this afternoon proved easier than he expected.He had gotten another 4 hours in after the 2 he had in the morning but it still wasnt enough.He could here his doorbell ringing and he slowly made his way out into the living room.He didnt know if he could handle going another round with MacLeod but at least he was a little better prepared for him now. Richie grabbed the doorknob and abruptly opened the door."Cant you give me a little.......". Richies was struck speechless in pure astonishment.There leaning on the door frame,looking even more beautiful than the previous night,was Felica Martins. "Well are you going to just stand there or are you going to let me in?" "No..",he flinched,"I mean,yes come on in." Richie stood aside and waved her in. Felicia walked in like she owned the place and to Richie she looked like she was always meant to be there. "How did you find me?",he asked. "You cant live as long as I have and not picked up a few tricks." Richie didnt doubt that for a second,"Listen,do you want a drink or anything?Im not well stocked right now but I think I have some soda in the fridge." "That would be fine.",she smiled. Richie grabbed the drinks and returned to find Felicia sitting in the center of his couch legs crossed and arms spread out over the back rest.She was dressed much like she was the other night but some how to Richie the clothes seemed tighter. "So,I thought you were going to call me.",he casually mentioned as he passed her the drink. "I couldnt wait any longer Richie,I had to see you again." Richie smiled,it was nice to be appreciated."So,would you like to go out again tonight?" "That was the plan.The last time I was in town I really didnt get a chance to tour the sights.I figure you're just the guy to show me what I missed." Richie was beaming"Lets go."he said taking her hand. "Dont you think you should put some clothes on first?"she laughed. For the first time since he woke up,Richie noticed all he had on were his pajama bottoms."Yeah,you may be right.I'll only be a second." Richie raced into his bedroom and began piecing together clothes to wear for a night on the town.He grabbed his black tank top,green shirt,and black slacks and placed them on the bed.He jumped out of his pajamas,threw on his tank top and jumped into his slacks.He left it unbuttoned and unbelted as he habitually picked up his rapier from under the bed and began to ready it for consealment. "Ohhh,nice sword.",Felica said standing in the door way. Richie was slightly embarrassed,wondering how long she had been standing there,until he remembered this wouldnt have been the first time she saw him dressing. "Thanks,",he said proudly,"Mac gave it to me after my first battle." "You've faced another immortal already?",she said in suprise. "A few actually.",he replied smuggly. "And you won?" "Well....",he had to be honest,"the first one I let go." "Wait,have you actually TAKEN a quickening?" Richie suddenly didnt quite so proud.The fact that he was bragging about killing someone to impress a woman suddenly made him feel a little sick."Look...can we change the subject." Felicia could see the pain in his eyes."Sure,can I see your sword?" Richie was confused for a second then realized she couldnt have been talking about what first came to mind so he buckled his pants then presented the rapier for Felicias inspection,handing it to her hilt first. "Hmmm impressive,"she commented,"a toledo no less.I can see that MacLeod spared no expense in providing you with the best protection." Richie watched her fein a thrust and then test its weight,size,and speed.He suddenly remembered the sword Duncan gave her was destroyed and was pretty curious about what she used. "So what are you carrying now?" Felicia stopped practicing with the rapier and smiled.She stood up straight and handed him back his rapier.Then from out behind her large bulky leather jacket she pulled an impressive long sword with a falcon headed pommel. "I had it custom built."she said proudly. The last red rays of the setting sun fell through the bedroom window and were caught up in the long slim polished blade reflecting red flashes onto the bedroom walls.The sword looked extremely deadly,the thin blade looked as sharp as a razor running down to a cross-hilt where the edges turned into talons pointing back up towards the swords point.The hilt was wrapped with a pachmyer grip similar to those on hand guns and the red jeweled eyes of the falcon head at the swords base seemed to glow in the last rays of the setting sun. Richie could see the conversation starting to take a darker turn, one he did not want to have."Listen,lets get out of here." With that,Richie concealed his rapier and finished dressing.Felicia gave him her hand and they went boldly forth into the night. =========================================================================