Date: Tue, 6 Feb 1996 15:17:16 -0500 Reply-To: Beth Arritt Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: Beth Arritt Subject: Studies In Life - Part 01/10 This is my first story, so please be kind as you read. I guess you could say it's set in "an alternate universe," but in the present time. Questions and comments are welcome. Beth Arritt arrittb@ezraco.com ******************************************************************************** ******* Studies In Life Part 1 "Not again!" Richie Ryan exclaimed, as he fell to the floor. "'Fraid so," Duncan said with a grin. "You do the cleaning -- again!" Duncan walked over to the office, grabbed the big broom, and dropped it onto the floor next to Richie. "This isn't fair! I'll never beat you, so I'll have to clean up forever." "Nah, not forever. Just another couple hundred years or so -- until you can beat me." With those words, Duncan headed upstairs. ***** Richie had just finished cleaning up when a beautiful redhead walked into the dojo. He stared at her for a moment. About his height, she had long curly hair, and the most incredible blue eyes. "Hi! I'm looking for Duncan MacLeod. Is he here?" she said, glancing around the room. "Umm...he's upstairs. Can I tell him who's here, or is there something I can help you with?" "Maddie? Is that you?" Duncan's voice came from behind Richie. He hurried down the stairs and crossed the room to hug the girl. "How have you been?" He pulled back, studying her. "I haven't seen you in ages! How long has it been?" "Eight years," Madison replied. "My folks told me where to find you. I hope you don't mind." "Of course not. But what are you doing in Seattle?" "Ahem," Richie cleared his throat loudly, reminding them he was there. "Sorry." Duncan stepped back from her to make introductions. "Maddie, this is Richie Ryan. Richie, Madison Carne -- 'Maddie,'" he said with shrug and a raise of his eyebrows. "Nice to meet you." Madison held out her hand. "The pleasure is all mine," Richie replied, as he shook it. "So, Maddie, what are you doing in Seattle?" Duncan repeated his question. "Well, I've been hired to teach history at the university." "That's great! Congratulations! But I thought you were teaching back east." Maddie walked towards a window, looking out. " I was, but I needed a change of scenery. So when they offered, I accepted, and here I am." She looked over at Duncan. "I just moved in yesterday, and I'm getting settled in before classes start in a couple of weeks." Duncan sensed something wasn't right. She was hiding something, but he wasn't sure what. "Well, it's nice to have you in the city," he said. "Come on upstairs where we can talk." "Actually, I need to get going." She walked back over to Duncan. "I just wanted to stop by and surprise you." She paused. "You know, there's a faculty cocktail party I have to go to tomorrow evening -- how about escorting me?" "Sure, I'd love to," Duncan replied. "Great! Thanks a lot. Here's my address and phone number." Maddie handed Duncan a piece of paper out of her bag. "I live right off campus, so we can walk from my place. Pick me up at 5:30 tomorrow?" "I'll be there," Duncan promised. Madison kissed him on the cheek, then turned to Richie and smiled. "It was nice meeting you Richie," she said as she shook his hand again and headed out the door, calling out a good-bye as she left. "Wow!" Richie said after she was gone. "Nice looking friend you got there, Mac. All those long red curls and blue eyes you could drown in. Not bad at all. How do you know her?" "I've known her parents for a while." Duncan replied distractedly, still looking towards the door Madison had just exited. "They lived in Seattle until about ten years ago, then they moved to New York. Her father is an art dealer." "And you haven't seen them since they moved?" Duncan looked back at Richie. "I've seen her parents a few times, but I haven't seen Maddie since she graduated from high school, except for some pictures. Last I heard from David a couple of years ago, she had just started teaching at Columbia. She's a bright girl." Duncan headed upstairs, pausing at the elevator and pointing to the floor. "You missed a spot." ***** Madison heard the knock on her front door as she was finishing her lipstick. She hurried to the door, picking up her purse on the way. After a quick check through the peephole to assure herself it was Duncan, she opened the door and stepped outside. They headed down the street to the party. "I really appreciate this, Duncan. I don't have any other friends in the area, and I hate going to these things alone." "No problem. I don't mind -- it gives us a chance to catch up. So, what have you been up to?" "Not much. After I got my degree at Columbia, they asked me to stay on as a part-time teacher. I was there for two years; then the university here came along with a full time position, and I took it." "No boyfriend to consider?" Duncan teased. "Nope, not yet," Maddie stopped and turned to face him. "Duncan...I heard about Tessa." She paused. "I'm really sorry. She was a great lady." "Thanks Maddie. She was." He looked off into the distance, controlling the emotions that still flared up at times when he thought of that loss. "I still miss her sometimes, but I've gotten on with my life." "Do you ever get used to losing people?" "No. It never gets any easier." He was silent for a moment. "If anything, it gets harder." Duncan offered her his arm. "Shall we?" They walked the short distance to the hall where the party was being held. When they entered the room, Madison looked around. "See anyone you know?" Duncan asked. "Umm... there's the dean. I don't know anyone else. I guess I should go say hello." She started to head towards the dean. "Come on, I'll introduce you. Then we can grab a drink and mingle." "Okay, let's get it over with." They spoke with he dean briefly then headed for the bar. Madison introduced herself to a few people and stopped to talk with a professor who had taught at Columbia for a semester. A little while later, they were making their way toward the exit when Duncan felt it -- the presence of another immortal. He stopped quickly, looked around, and spotted the other immortal out on a balcony alone, watching him. Kostas! Madison had stopped when Duncan stopped and followed his gaze toward the object of his attention. When she saw the man, she went pale. Duncan came to his senses in time to hear Maddie say, "Damn! He found me." "What do you mean he found you?" Duncan turned to stare at her. "Let's just get out of here, and then I'll explain," she said, dragging him towards the door. They hurried out the door and down the street to Madison's apartment building. But Duncan pulled her towards his car. "If he's following, hopefully he'll think I just parked here and won't know this is where you live. We'll go to my place. And you can start explaining now," he added as he started the car and pulled out onto the street. "Well, he's the main reason I left New York." She stopped, and Duncan glanced at her, silently urging her to continue. "I was coming home from a show one night when I heard clanging swords coming from an alley. You know me -- I'm way too curious for my own good. So I checked it out -- just in time to see him chop off someone's head. I was so stunned I didn't even think to run until it was all over. Then he saw me, and I ran. But not before he'd gotten a good look at me. He found me, so I moved away. I was lucky this new job. I didn't think he knew my name or where to find me. Obviously, I was wrong." "And you didn't think this was something you should tell me about?" Duncan asked, glancing at her again, his face set in hard lines. "I didn't think you would need to know so soon! I would have told you later. I honestly didn't think the guy would find me. I don't even know his name!" She covered her face with her hands and just sat there for a moment. "Oh, God! What am I going to do?" "Well, for starters, you can stay with us." "Us?" "Richie and me," Duncan replied. "One of us will be with you at all times." "You mean Richie is immortal?" "Yeah, he's immortal." **** =========================================================================