Date: Tue, 6 Feb 1996 15:30:58 -0500 Reply-To: Beth Arritt Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: Beth Arritt Subject: Studies In Life - Part 04/10 ***** Duncan walked into Joe's. "Hey, MacLeod!" Joe called from behind the bar. "What's up?" "I need your help, Joe." Joe turned serious. "Who is it this time?" "Kostas." Duncan said, leaning on the bar. "Ever heard of him?" "Why?" Joe said cautiously. "What's he done?" "He's after a friend of mine. She saw him fight, and she knows about us. Now Kostas is trying to kill her. "Who's your friend?" "Her name is Madison Carne. I've known her family for years, and I don't have time to go into it now. Do you know where he is?" Joe hesitated, then gave in. "Last I heard he was living in one of the motels down by the docks." "Thanks, Joe," Duncan said as he turned and left the bar. "No problem," Joe said, then he raised his voice as Duncan was leaving. "But I want to hear the whole story later!" ***** Duncan walked into the run-down hotel lobby. The only people there were an old man sitting on a chair staring at nothing and talking to himself, and the desk clerk. Duncan walked over to the desk. "I'm looking for someone I think has been staying here. His name is Kostas. Know him?" "Never heard of him," the clerk said with a smirk. "You sure?" Duncan pulled a twenty dollar bill out of his pocket. "He's about six feet tall, short brown hair, probably wearing a long black coat." He handed the twenty to the clerk. "Oh, yeah, I think I remember him," the clerk said, pocketing the twenty. "He was staying here. Cleared out early this morning, though." "I don't suppose he left a forwarding address?" "Yeah, right, pal. This look like the Ritz to you?" "I didn't think so. Thanks anyway." Duncan left building. ***** "Check mate # again!" Madison said with a big smile. "You should give lessons," Richie said, laying back on the floor. You're almost as good as Mac." "Who do you think taught me how to play?" she said, grinning. "I should have known!" Richie said. "Maybe you can teach me some ways to beat # " he stopped grabbing his sword and jumping to his feet as he sensed another immortal. "Richie? Is someone here?" The elevator began to move, saving him the trouble of answering. Richie tensed, staring at the elevator, and then relaxed when Duncan came into view. Madison hurried over to him. "Did you find him?" "No, sorry, I didn't find him," Duncan said as he was taking off his coat. "I found out where he'd been staying, but he cleared out this morning.: "Then he's left? That's good, right?" "No. He's probably holed up somewhere nearby, waiting for his chance to make a move." Duncan went to the refrigerator to get a drink. "I checked some other places in that area, but no luck. My guess is that he's out of town, but not too far." He walked over to the sofa and sat down, with Madison right behind him. She joined him on the sofa. "So, what happens now?" she asked. "Well, I guess you stay here for a while." "Duncan... you're sure you don't mind?" "No, I don't mind. Besides, there's no other option. I guess you'll just have to put up with me for a while," he said with a smile. "There is always one other option, Mac," Richie said. "You could take her to holy ground." "So she can live there the rest of her life? No, Rich. I don't think she'd want to do that # am I right, Maddie?" he asked, looking at her. "Absolutely. I may have to be protected, but I refuse to hide. I'm more worried about you guys. I don't want to be responsible for something happening to one of you." "Let us worry about that," Richie said from the kitchen, where he was getting a drink. "We're used to it," Duncan added. "So, what now?" Maddie wanted to know. "Well, you might want to get a few more things from your place while we're pretty sure that Kostas isn't going to bother us." Duncan got up from the sofa and went into the kitchen to get rid of his glass. "You also need to call your parents and tell them you're staying here for a couple of weeks." "Oh no! My parents! What am I going to tell them?" She put her hands to the sides of her head and closed her eyes, thinking. "They'll think we're shacking up!" Richie almost choked on his drink. Duncan looked up from the kitchen and arched an eyebrow. "So let them think it," he said, smiling. Maddie glared at him. "Do you really want me to let *my* father think that?" Duncan thought about it for a second. "Good point." He thought a moment more. "Tell them your apartment needed some work, and you're staying with me until it's done," Duncan said, crossing back over to the sofa. "I guess so. I hate to lie to them, but in this case I don't think I have a choice." "Not really. If your father knew you were in trouble he'd come out here. And he can't protect you." "I know." "You might as well call them and get it over with." "Okay," Maddie sighed. She got up and walked over to the phone. "Mac," Richie said quietly, walking over to stand next to him. "Do you really think this is a good idea?" "No, but it's the only solution." Richie was about to say something else, but Duncan silenced him with a gesture. "I know that Kostas will come for her when he gets a chance. Even if she spends fifty years on holy ground, he'd come after her the moment she left. He can afford the time, and as long as she is alive, she is a threat to him. And I have a better chance of finding him first if he's watching for her." "But what if you put her on holy ground until you find him?" "No. She stays with me. It's her best chance." "Okay. You know this guy better than I do. I just hope she'll be okay." "I won't let anything happen to her." Duncan looked at Maddie, still on the phone with her parents. "Not if I can help it." Richie studied him for a moment. "This really means a lot to you, doesn't it?" "Yeah, it does," Duncan replied, looking at Richie again. "Okay, then, just let me know what you need me to do and I'm there." "Thanks, Richie." "Don't mention it." Madison hung up the phone and walked back over to join the two immortals. "So," she said, "what now?" Duncan looked at her. "Now, we wait." ******************************************************************************** ****** Questions and comments welcome - arrittb@ezraco.com =========================================================================