Date: Sun, 30 Apr 1995 23:54:57 -0400 Reply-To: aduty Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: aduty Subject: Return of Felicia part 4 Richie opened his eyes and checked the time on his alarm clock. It was getting close to 12:00pm the time he set his alarm.He could feel the warmth of Felicias body next to him and her arm was still drapped over his stomach.He slowly rolled over and hit the switch before the loud buzzing of the alarm could wake her.Richie laid back down and looked at the sleeping woman beside him.She looked so peaceful,it was impossible for him to see her as the person she appeared to be those many months before. He felt good.He had one of the most peaceful sleeps he had ever enjoyed and felt fit enough to take on the world.He put his arm around Felicia and gazed up at the ceiling fan and basked in the memories of the previous night.He had taken her to an old night club he use to frequent when he was a street kid.It hadnt changed to much and he was suprised how few people were there that he once knew.They danced and drank for a few hours then headed back to the all night diner they went to the night before.They lingered there for a few hours more drinking coffee and telling each other thier hopes and fears and thier plans and dreams.They left thier bikes at the diner and walked the city gazing at the stars.Finally,when it was getting late,they drove back to his apartment and she asked to stay.After that it was like she never left.It felt like he was still living at the antique shop with Duncan and Tessa.They made love and all of his questions and concerns melted away. Richie studied her soft pale skin then noticed her eyes begin to quiver.She slowly opened her eyes and looked deeply into his. "Hmmmm,how long have you been up?",she asked. "Not long,you want some coffee or anything." "No,not yet.",she pulled him closer and kissed him good morning. "Well,I'll get something started anyway." Richie sat up and reached down for the pajama bottoms he dropped there last night when he was changing.He put them on and headed for the kitchen and began piecing together a breakfast. It wasnt long before Felicia followed him out wearing one of his bathrobes she found in his closet.She didnt look her best but she didnt think Richie noticed.The smell of eggs and coffee drew her out and she pulled up a barstool and sat at the kitchen counter.Richie looked pretty good there stirring up some eggs in a frying pan.Things were working out better than she thought they would. Richie grabbed a couple of plates and poured the eyes onto them. He placed them both on the counter then filled a couple of mugs with coffee and brought them over to Felicia.He pulled up another stool and sat opposite of Felicia. "So,what do we do now?",he asked. "Well for starters we could do what we did last again.",she smiled. Richie smiled back then got serious,"No,after that." She stopped smiling and put down her fork.Her expression turned and looked at him with all earnestness,"Come away with me Richie." Richie was speechless.That was the last thing he expected her to say. "I have loads of money,Im a good enough fighter to keep other immortals off our backs,I could show you the world." "But....I have a life here." "What kind of life Richie?You're in a dead end job that was guilt gift from MacLeod.You live in a small apartment that you can barely afford and have to spend every day in fear of getting your head chopped off." "Its not like that,"he said defensively,"I have friends here like Mac and Joe." "What did you expect?That I would just move in here and set up housekeeping.Even if I could live like that MacLeod would never let me stay here." "I could talk to Mac.He listens to me,"he lied. "No Richie,he'll never accept this and you know it.Richie....do you want to be with me?" Richie didnt know what to say.Deep inside his heart he wanted to be with her more than anything else in the world but he still didnt know if he could trust her."Yes......yes I do." "Then lets leave.....tonight." "Felicia.You have to give me a little more time.Three days ago my biggest concerns were increasing membership at the dojo.Now you want me to leave everything behind and go globe trotting with you." She listened attentively then responded,"All right.But dont ask me to stick around forever until you decide.Its dangerous enough for me to be in this city much less your apartment with MacLeod around.Im just asking you to think about it." "You can be sure of that.Dont worry about Mac.Im going to straighten everything out with him today.Trust me he'll listen to me." ____________________________________________________________________________ _ Richie walked into the main workout room of the Dojo.Richie was impressed by the turnout but then weekends usually brought in more members to the excercise equipment.He walked through the cluster of martial artists and weight trainers and headed over to the freight elevator.He had barely pressed the up button before he felt the familiar buzz of his mentor.The elevator halted with a jolt and he pulled up on the door making it rise to the top. "Hello,Mac." "Hi yourself,Richie.Didnt expect to see you in here today." "Well,I needed to talk to you." Richies guilt expression was all Duncan needed to see,"You saw her again didnt you?" "What did I tell you yesterday!",he said unable to contain his rage, "What do I have to do to make you realize whats going on here?" "Its not like that...." "Yes it is exactly like that!",he said almost running over to him. "She'll twist you up inside and as soon as she has a chance she'll take your head." "Mac she's had plenty of opportunities to take my head.Why hasnt she?" "Because she knows what I'll do to her." "Mac.I love her." "No you dont,"he said grabbing him,"you dont love her! You dont even know her." Richie began to squirm but couldnt break free.He couldnt bear to look Duncan in the face. "You're desperate to be in love.You want to have a normal relationship you want to be loved but your not normal and our kind can never have that kind of life.Think for a second,Richie.This is the most important desicion you have ever had to face.No matter what you feel for her in your heart you know what kind of person she is.You know she's using you." Richie couldnt handle it any more.He grabbed Duncans arms and Duncan finally released him."Ahhhh Mac.I cant take this any more!Im going to Joe's" Duncan watched him head for the elevator."Dont see her anymore Richie.I mean it." Richie just waved him off and headed down the stairs unable to wait for the elevator. Duncan just stood there totally helpless.There was nothing he could do.As much as Richie hoped and prayed this would work out,it wouldnt.It never did. ***************************************************************************** Scottish Highlands 1620 Duncan lumbered up the hill unable to accept what had befallen him. Yesterday he was a hero of the village,loved by all,today he was suppose to be married,and tonight he was to start his own family of MacLeods.Now all of that had changed.He had been banished from his village as a demon sent from the depths of hell.He was lost and alone. Finally,he made it to the top.He stood up on a rock by the hills edge and could see aways further.There standing by the tree that beared thier marks was Miriam the love of his life.He walked up slowly.She didnt hear him, her attention so focused on the tree.She stood there like a ghost cradling a small knife she used to dig up flowers. "Miriam.",he gently called over to him. Miriam turned in horror,so shocked by the voice of the man she once loved."Get away from me you monster!" "Please.Im not a monster.You know that." "You lie,Demon!" "Miriam."he pleaded,"I was to be your husband." "Duncan MacLeod was to be my husband.You are no more he than a devil an angel." Duncan stepped forward and his heart sank as she stepped away." Please,Miriam.I love you." Tears began flowing down Miriams tanned cheeks."Dont say that! Leave me alone." "Im still the same man I was yesterday.Im still the same man that made those marks.",he said pointing towards the tree. Miriam eyes settled back on the marks she had been staring at all morning."The man who made those marks is dead.....and so is the love we shared.",saying that she summoned up the courage she was building all day and began to violently stab the tree cutting up the marks chipping wood all around her. Duncan rushed up and grabbed her unable to accept what he saw," What are you doing!Stop!" Miriam became hysterical at Duncans touch and began violently flailing around with the knife.Duncan could barely control her but couldnt bear to hurt her.Duncan held her arm tightly and grabbed at her hip with the other.Miriams knife had was still free and she stabbed at Duncans chest as hard as she could.Duncan couldnt believe what had happened.He staggered back and looked into Miriams face.As soon as she was free of him she ran screaming down the hill.Duncan fell to his knees the over to his side.The last thing he saw were the scarred remains of the symbols of thier love. ***************************************************************************** =========================================================================