Date: Tue, 6 Feb 1996 15:27:30 -0500 Reply-To: Beth Arritt Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: Beth Arritt Subject: Studies In Life - Part 02/10 They arrived at the dojo, and hurried up the stairs. Duncan was pretty sure Kostas hadn't followed them, even to the car. But it was a safe bet he would be able to find Duncan's place easily. And that would be where he would look as soon as he realized Madison wasn't at her apartment. As they came into the loft, they saw Richie standing there, looking tense. He relaxed as soon as he saw Duncan. "What's up?" he asked. "You guys look tense." "I'm going to splash some cold water on my face," Madison said, taking off her coat and hanging it on the coat rack. "Bathroom's that way," Duncan said, pointing towards the other side of the loft. After she'd gone, Richie wanted to know what happened. "Someone's after her. One of us." Duncan said, hanging up his coat. "Oh, man! Why?" "She saw him take a head." "Damn! Anyone I know?" "His name is Kostas," Duncan supplied. "He has a *real* problem with mortals knowing about his immortality. He won't rest until she's dead." "So does she even understand what she saw?" Richie wanted to know as they walked into the kitchen. "Yeah. She knows about immortals." Duncan poured a glass of wine. "She's known for a long time." Richie stared. "Excuse me?" Duncan didn't answer. "How did that happen?" "About fifteen years ago, she stumbled upon a fight I was having with an immortal named Khristos. She saw me take his head, and she saw the Quickening. I explained everything to her # I didn't have much choice." He smiled, remembering. "She was very understanding for a eight year old." "Woah, what a story. And she never told anyone?" "Nope." He walked back towards the couch. "I trust her. I've had to trust her for a long time." Madison came back out into the main living area of the loft. "So, Duncan, what's the damage? Think he'll give up if he knows you're protecting me?" "No, I don't." Duncan handed her the glass of wine. "I know Kostas," he said. "He won't rest until you're dead. Or he is." "Gee, Duncan, don't sugarcoat things. Give it to me straight," Madison said. "What do you know about him, Mac?" "I met him in the late 17th century. He was engaged to marry a woman who saw him killed. When he woke up, she pretended to accept his explanation, then as soon as she could she ran to get the local priest. The next morning they burned him at the stake as a witch." "Oh," was all Richie could say. Maddie said nothing. "Richie, stay with her," Duncan said as he picked up his sword. "If he shows up, call me on the cell phone and get her out of here. Got it?" "Got it," Richie replied, picking up his sword and leaning it against the sofa. "Give me the keys to your place," Duncan said to Madison. She fished them out of her purse and handed them over. "Stick with Richie, Maddie, he'll take care of you. I'll be back," Duncan said as he left. After Duncan had gone, Richie sat down at the table with Madison. "Can I get you anything else?" he asked. "No, thank you, I'm fine," she replied, and then she laughed. "I'm not accustomed to being waited on by someone wielding a sword." Richie smiled. "Yeah, well, hang out with immortals long enough, you get used to it." Maddie smiled. "So, how long have you known Duncan," she asked him. "About four years. I guess you've known him most of your life, huh?" "Pretty much." "So, what was he like when you first met him?" Richie asked. Maddie sat her glass on the table and walked over to the window, then answered. "A lot like he is now, as far as I can tell. Gorgeous, a real knight-in-shining armor type. A nice guy, easy-going, great sense of humor." She came back over to sit on the sofa. "How did you two meet, if you don't mind my asking? A battle?" "Not exactly. I wasn't immortal yet when I first met Mac. I was just a punk trying to rob his store." Richie briefly related the rest of the story about the attempted robbery, and the immortal battles that followed. "Anyway," he finished, "he took me under his wing after that. I don't know what would have happened to me without him." "Duncan saves the day again, just like he's trying to do for me now." Maddie took a sip of wine, then sighed. "They don't make many men like that anymore." ***** Duncan went back to Madison's apartment building. He doubted he would find Kostas there waiting, but he wanted to see if Kostas had found Maddie's apartment. Duncan went into her apartment, but found nothing to indicate anyone had been inside. He decided to walk back to the location of the party. He made it almost to the building when he felt the presence of another immortal. As he pulled out his sword, he spotted Kostas walking towards him from the side of the building, sword in hand. "Well, MacLeod, this is a surprise." "Kostas. Always lovely to see you," Duncan replied sarcastically. "What brings you to town?" "Where's the girl?" Kostas demanded. "What girl?" Duncan answered with a shrug. "The one you were with at the party." He circled around Duncan. "Don't play games with me MacLeod." "What do you want with her, Kostas. She hasn't done anything to you." Duncan kept turning as Kostas circled. "She knows what we are # did you know that? She cannot be allowed to live." "Why? She hasn't told anyone, she hasn't done anything. You don't even know if she understands what she saw, do you?" "She found you, didn't she? Strange coincidence, don't you think?" "She's an old friend of mine," Duncan replied. "I know her, Kostas, she won't say anything. Now let this go." "NO!" Kostas roared. "She knows. No mortal can know # sooner or later they'll cause trouble. She has to die." He raised his sword. Just then, a group of people came out of the building. "Come after her and you'll have to deal with me. Let it go, and you keep your head." Duncan said, quickly concealing his sword. "This is the only warning you'll get." He walked back to his car, and headed back to the dojo. ***** Back at the dojo, Richie and Madison were playing chess, when Richie looked up sharply, then tensed and reached for his sword. "What is it?" Madison asked. Is someone here?" "Stay back," Richie ordered her. The elevator began to move, bringing Duncan into view. Richie relaxed. "Well," Madison asked, sitting down on the sofa. "What happened? Did you see him?" "I went back to your place," Duncan answered, taking off his coat and sitting down next to her. "I don't think anyone's been there. I retraced our steps, and ran into Kostas outside of the party." "And?" "And... he wants you." "What did you do, Mac?" Richie asked. "I told him to leave Maddie alone. That she wouldn't say anything." He sat back against the sofa. "I couldn't do much else # it was too public." "Did it work?" Maddie wanted to know. "I don't know," Duncan answered, then after a moment, "I doubt it. Kostas is fanatical about secrecy. If he has to go through me to get to you, I think he'll try anyway. You should stay here for a while." "Why? You said he doesn't know where I live." "No, I said I didn't think anyone had been in your apartment." Duncan put his hand on her arm. "It's a good bet he knows where you live, where your classes are going to be, and your schedule. Kostas is very resourceful, and very thorough." "Great!" Maddie slumped back into the sofa. "So, either I become a prisoner for the rest of my life, and run every time he finds me, or I let him kill me?" "I'm not going to let that happen," Duncan replied. He touched her cheek. "Don't worry. You'll stay here, and if he comes after you, I'll handle it." Madison stood up and began pacing the floor. "Duncan, no offense, because I really appreciate this, but I hate having to rely on someone else to constantly protect me." "The situation is a little unique, and you don't have a lot of other choices." "True." Madison was silent for a moment. "Thanks, Duncan. I appreciate this." "Don't mention it." Duncan rose from the sofa to stand beside Maddie, who had stopped pacing. "Look, it's getting late. Do you want to take a shower or something?" "That would be great." She started towards the bathroom, then stopped. "I just remembered # I don't have any of my stuff." "There's a robe on the back of the door. I'll find you something to wear. We can go to your place tomorrow to pick up some of your things." "Thanks again," Madison said, then she turned and left the room. Richie stood up and reached for his coat. "I guess I'll get out of here." "Could you come back in the morning?" Duncan asked. "I want to check on a few things, and I don't want to leave her here alone." "Sure. Anything you need, just ask." They both took the elevator down into the dojo. "You care a lot about her, don't you?" Richie asked. "Yeah, I do," Duncan replied. "I may not have seen her for a while, but she's kept my secret all this time. She's always been very mature # even at ten." He smiled. "Not many ten year olds would have been able to handle what she saw, much less keep it quiet. But that's Maddie." "Sounds like quite a lady." They reached the door. "I'll see you tomorrow, Mac," Richie said as he left. Duncan went back up to the loft. ******************************************************************************** ***** Questions and comments welcome - arrittb@ezraco.com =========================================================================