Date: Mon, 21 Mar 1994 11:43:32 -0700 Reply-To: Highlander TV show stories Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: L J Constantine Subject: Til Time... part 1 Til Time and Times Are Done A Forever Knight\Highlander story by Tara O'Shea I had a dream, When I was young, A dream of sweet illusion, A glimpse of hope and unity, And visions of one sweet union, But a cold wind blows, And a dark rain falls, And now in my heart is shows, Look what they've done to my dream. - Queen, "One Vision" Part I "A Cold Wind Blows" Niamh took one last look around the front room, and turned the little metal sign in the window from open to closed, flipping the deadbolts as she did so. "Did you sell that end table?" she poked Kit in the ribs as he lowered the blinds. "No, but that lady did pick up a carriage clock." "Better than nothing," she shrugged. She was actually rather glad she had hired Kit to help her in the shop. It was a very pleasant arrangement. Christopher was a teaching assistant at the University, and really needed the money, and she now had someone to keep her company, and look after the shop if she went on holiday or business trips of all kinds. Her eyes strayed to matched dai-sho hanging in the case above her desk. She had gotten the longsword from the police auction, and the wakizashi she had retrieved from Himiko's home in Osaka. They were her only remembrances of her friend and teacher. The rest had been put in storage during the police investigation. The sword was definitely not for sale, though she had had many, many offers since she had acquired it. "I can't believe you got it." Kit whistled through his teeth, following her gaze. "Where did you get the money?" "Oh, I have quite a bit tucked away." Only about 800 years worth in antiques, gold and cash. She laughed, then grew strangely silent, as something tickled her awareness. There was another of her kind near. "Well, it's getting late." She pointed Christopher in direction of the door. He picked up his jacket and helmet and she forced herself to smile so he might not suspect what was wrong as she walked him to the back door. "See you tomorrow, Corrine." "Bye, Kit." She watched him mount the motorcycle and turn out the end of the alley, and she ran up the stairs to her apartment and retrieved her daito. The buzz increased, and she saw a shape behind the blinds near the front door. She peeked through the blinds, sighed, and opened the door as far as the chain would allow. Fitz looked delighted to see her, then saw the katana. "I hope that's not for me." "No, Fitz. Regardless of the fact that you have succeeded in scaring me to death, I'll not take your head." Niamh sheathed the sword. "Either of them," she added, a twinkle in her eye, and he put his hand to his heart as if wounded. She stepped aside so he could enter, and then re-locked the door. "Niamh n! Bhriain, you are ever so charming when you want to be," he observed, wryly. "I go by Corrine Michaels at the moment. I haven't been Niamh O'Brien since..." "Dublin, 1926." "Fitz, I'm flattered you remember." "A woman of such loveliness one never forgets." "It was '29." She smiled sweetly. Fitz reminded her of one of Kit's favourite television characters. Her first thought when he tried to get her interested in Doctor Who was that that Baker fellow reminded her of Fitz minus the libido. "What brings you to Toronto?" "I wish it were merely that I missed your company, dear girl, but I'm afraid it's something more depressing. Darius died a few weeks ago." Niamh went ashen, then her face was flooded with colour, as they climbed the stairs to the back door of her flat. "I was just there a month ago," she said softly. "He and Himiko were the first of our kind I ever knew." She sank into a chair, signing as she ran her fingers through her dark hair. "How? He was on holy groundD" "It wasn't one of us." "What?" She was visibly shaken, and could not find words for a moment, trying to comprehend what that meant. "It was a mortal?" "Yes. A group of mortals who apparently hunt immortals. Duncan took it very badly." "But his Quickening.... all that knowledge, all those centuries of experience and life..." "I know, love." He put his hand on her shoulder as she blinked in confusion and then anger. "All of it lost, it just isn't fair!" "I know, love, I know. But what's done is done." He hugged her, and she wiped her sudden tears away with the back of her hand impatiently. "He left something for you, that's why I came. I thought it better that you hear it from someone you know than over the phone or by letter." He removed a paper wrapped parcel from his bag, and she ran her fingers over the writing, her adopted name and Curiosities's address in the familiar hand. "He had this set aside for you." She carefully undid the string and found a very ancient looking book, with a folded letter. She took a deep breath, and opened it. Niamh, It was a delight seeing you again, after so long. I will miss Himiko very much, and feel her loss keenly, especially after being reminded of what a great teacher she was, as you have proven her to be. When you described the dilemma of your friend Nicholas to me, I was reminded of this volume, which I am now entrusting to you, because I think it may do some good. I am sorry I could not produce it for you during your visit, but it took some time for me to hunt through my archives. This book contains a section of cures for curses. Guard it well. It is my gift to you, sweeting. Do come and visit again, someday soon, if you can. Darius Niamh brushed away another tear, and smiled. "I wish I could, old friend." She looked up at Fitz, and smiled. "This book may be able to help a friend of mine." She removed a framed photograph of the ruins of a tower in Ireland from the wall. "Ah. One of us?" "No. Not quite." She opened a wall safe, and set the letter and book inside. "But someone extraordinary all the same." She picked up the cordless and dialled as she replaced the photo. "I'd like to speak with detective Knight, please." She said into the receiver, and Fitz quirked an eyebrow. "He's not in? No, no message." She hung up and dialled again. "A police detective?" Fitz seemed bemused. She nodded, then pressed the phone closer to her ear as a voice cheerfully answered "Natalie's Bed and Breakfast, our day begins when yours ends." "Nat?" Niamh couldn't keep a chuckle out of her voice. "No, this is her assistant, Grace. I've been hanging around here too long. Can I help you?" "Is Dr. Lambert there?" "I'm afraid she is out on a case, can I take a message?" "No, I'll call back some other time." She hung up the phone, frowning. She tried Nick's loft, but got his machine. Sighing, she sank back into the couch. "I really need a drink." She sighed, staring at the wall safe, then at Fitz. "And I don't feel like having one here. Are you up to a little socialising?" "I'm not quite sure what you mean." "Well, I don't know how well the tweed will go over, but I've been meaning to go to this club, and now seems like as good a time as any." "Club? As in discotheque?" Fitz was quite bewildered now. "Sort of. I need to change though." -- johanna@hydra.unm.edu * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * or just plain Tara * "Whoa! I think we just met today's * I'm carrying Wakko * Special Friend." * Warner's love child... * - Yakko Warner * Ask me how to join the new Lois & Clark discussion list, as I'm the listowner =========================================================================