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The Ultimate Highlander Fan Page!
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The Highlander Poetry Corner

The Immortal
A seed of legend
Powerful
Invincible
Unrecognizable to those who see him.
He is strong
Courageous
But gentle when the lights go dim.
Forever within the shadows
Lifetimes pass by him.
He will live
and fight another day.
HE is IMMORTAL
-By Jamie Dawn

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No copyright infringement is intended and no commercial gain is anticipated from the use of the highlander characters. This was written for the personal and private use by the author and anyone wishing to read it.
This story was written by and used on this site with the permission of Marina Bailey If you wish to read more of her amazing work please check out her website.

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I have found some incredibly and very imaginative stories by Kat Parsons. If interested please click here. I especially enjoy the Richie ones!

Kat Parsons FanFic Page

Duncan Drawing By Kessily

Methos Drawing By Kessily

Kessily also writes great highlander stories entitled Kesslander



		The dojo was empty at this time of night, but Richie Ryan was still there. Not working out, mind you, but working. He had invoices to write and books to balance. What amazed him was, he was actually quite good at it. So that time he'd spent as an antique store clerk hadn't been wasted after all. He heard footsteps, and looked up to see who it was, since it wasn't Duncan. It was a woman - 23 or so, he guessed, with long red hair and a frightened expression on her face. Richie stepped out of the office. Probably someone looking for Duncan. The women were always looking for Duncan. "May I help you?" "I'm looking for Duncan MacLeod," she said. 'What a surprise,' thought Richie, but what he said was, "He isn't here at the moment, but you're welcome to wait. I'm Richie, by the way. I'm a friend of his." She nodded. "I'm Kathryn Warner. Will he be back tonight?" "Yeah, I think so. Can you tell me what the problem is, or are you two old friends?" "No, I... someone... told me about him. Said that he was the best chance to help me." "Help you?" "Yeah, with..." She smiled, sighed. "Well, maybe I'd better wait and talk to him." Richie felt another Immortal enter the dojo. "Now's your chance," he said, indicating. Kathryn turned, to find Duncan strolling in. "Hey, Mac." "Richie." "This woman was looking for you. She..." "I'm Kathryn Warner. Someone... a museum curator... told me about you." "You want me to help you with something?" "Yeah, if you are what he said you are." "And a museum curator told you about me? Which museum?" "Paris. Marcus Constantine." She looked at Richie. "Maybe we could talk in private?" This kind of problem had cropped up before, Duncan thought, assuming that this was another Jill trying to get away from an Immortal who loved her. But in that case, he'd need Richie, because he couldn't look after her all by himself. "It's okay," he said. "Richie knows." "Oh." Once they were seated in the dojo, Duncan asked Kathryn to explain, thinking he'd heard it all before. "Do you know the legend about the one woman who will 'preserve the Immortal seed'?" was the first thing she said. Richie looked at Duncan, puzzled; Duncan was looking at the woman, just as puzzled. "No, I don't believe I have." "I was told that only a few Immortals knew of it. It isn't something they tell each other." "What is it?" asked Richie, at the same time as Duncan, who asked, "How did you find out?" "An Immortal... Marcus Constantine? He told me about it when I ran away from England to escape Daniel Cole." Duncan had heard of Daniel Cole - a relatively old Immortal compared with himself - but he had never met him. The man apparently avoided other Immortals and concentrated on mortals - especially mortal women. "Why?" Duncan asked. "When I tell you the legend, you'll know. It's more a rumour than a legend. It tells of the time of the Gathering, when the Immortals will be forced to fight each other for the Prize." Duncan and Richie both nodded. "The Gathering is here," said Duncan. "But we don't know how long it will take - ten years, or a hundred. All we know is - " "There can be only one," she finished. "Yes." "This legend has been known among the old Immortals. Marcus told me. They don't tell the new ones." "Why not?" "Because... let me try again. During the time of the Gathering, a mortal woman will be born who will - " "Preserve the Immortal seed?" asked Richie. "Exactly. Marcus told me that means that this will be the only mortal woman - ever - who will be able to provide an Immortal with true immortality - children." Duncan stood up, laughed a harsh laugh. "That's a dream if I ever heard one. Immortals can't have children." "Except with this one woman born during the time of the Gathering," Kathryn said. "I'm assuming that you think it's you?" She shook her head. "Daniel Cole thinks it's me. He's been following me for four years now. I've changed my name, my hair colour, my accent, everything. He always finds me." Duncan and Richie looked at each other. Common sense told them both that it was nonsense. Surely Duncan, in 400 years, would have come across this particular rumour. But another part of them hoped... what if it was true? Duncan walked back and sat facing the woman. "I'll give Constantine a call. I'll try to find out everything I can about this, okay? You can stay here tonight." Kathryn sat up straight then. "I'm not her," she said. Duncan smiled. "I didn't think you were. But you'll be safer here." "Thank you." "So, Marcus, you're telling me that there is such a legend?" asked MacLeod. Marcus Constantine was still in Paris, and he had been the one to figure out why Cole was so interested in a young woman named Kathryn Warner. "That legend has been around longer than I have, MacLeod. But that's all it is - a legend. No one knows where it started." "Why haven't I heard this legend before?" "Probably because the Immortals who do know keep it to themselves, some of us because we think it's nonsense and want to protect the mortal women, and others because they want to get to the chosen woman first." "Why does Cole think Kathryn is the one?" "Something about the signs of her birth." "There're signs, too?" "Yes. 'She who will preserve the Immortal seed will be born in an underground carriage in a far-away land, during the time of the Gathering.' It goes on like that. It tells the time of year - mid-summer - and that there will be an eclipse when she is born." "Can you interpret this? Did Cole?" "I think you'd better ask Kathryn Warner where she was born." "Anything else?" "Look after her, MacLeod. Cole will do anything to get hold of her." "I will." Duncan replaced the phone and went back to the lounge area. "Where were you born?" Kathryn looked away, flushing. "It's an embarrassing story. I was born in a subway train in New York." "In summer? During an eclipse?" "Yeah. That's why my mother couldn't get to a hospital. The power to the subway went off at about the same time, and we were stuck." "And Cole interprets that as being the sign that you are the woman he's looking for?" "Yes. He... we... He found me... four years ago. Apparently he'd been looking for me since he read the newspaper article about my birth. At first, I was flattered by his attention. He bought me clothes, pampered me, courted me. It was old-fashioned and quaint. I thought he was the last of the romantics. He asked me to marry him." "Did you sleep with him?" Duncan asked bluntly. There was no other way to get this kind of information. "No. I know it's old-fashioned, but I'd only known him for two weeks. When he asked me to marry him, I agreed. But then he started... pushing me. He wanted to run off and elope, I wanted to do it properly, with my family present. Then he started saying we could marry later, but he wanted me now. Something... I dunno... something struck me as funny. I refused." "What happened then?" asked Richie. "Did he rape you?" "No. We were in his flat... apartment... in London. He... I think he was going to, but someone came in just then, and challenged him." "An Immortal?" Kathryn nodded. "Yeah. Daniel cut his head off, of course, and then he told me everything. Well, not quite. He told me about Immortals. By then I was frightened of him, and I left. He followed me, but it was only when went to Paris that I met Marcus, and he told me about the legend. He told me to come here, that you and, quote 'the people you knew' would be able to help me." Duncan put his hand on her arm. "I'll try." Duncan stood in Joe's bar, explaining the situation. "Do you know about this legend?" Dawson shook his head. "I don't think it's in any of our chronicles, but it would explain a lot of rapes in areas where older Immortals have been." "Constantine told me the legend is believed by a lot of older Immortals. And this girl certainly fits the signs." MacLeod paused, wanting to ask, not sure how to. "Dawson..." "You want to know if we can find out if it's true." "Yeah." "I have a friend who is a doctor... we could run some tests. Want me to call?" "Yes. But Joe - the results are destroyed afterwards. This doesn't go in any chronicle you have." Joe nodded. "Fair enough. The person I'm thinking of is a fertility specialist. She'll want... all sorts of samples... from you, Kathryn Warner, maybe even Richie. You're prepared to do this?" Duncan nodded. He'd always wondered what stopped Immortals from having children when they were like mortal men in every other way. "I'm prepared, Joe. Even if all we do with the results is prove to Cole the legend is untrue." "Okay." Joe's doctor friend, Lynne - who turned out to be a smashing blonde with a killer smile - explained the situation to the group. "Now, I have some donated eggs which I used for this test. I'll need some from you for the next stage, Ms. Warner. Now, you'll find this fascinating. I took a semen sample from Mister MacLeod, and here's the result." She beckoned them over to the microscope. Duncan stared. "What am I looking at? What are those sparks?" The doctor snorted. "You've got me." "The Quickening?" asked Joe. "Could be. Whatever it is, it's that which prevents fertilisation. The sperm can't get anywhere near the egg. The energy pushes it away, but only when the egg is present. It's very, very odd." "And that's why Immortals can't have children?" "That's my guess." "What about female Immortals?" "I'd guess that the Quickening, you said? The Quickening would work from the egg, too, thus preventing fertilisation from the other side." "But, why can't two Immortals have children?" asked Joe. "I'd guess that this is very specific energy we have here. The Quickening, you call it. It is unique to every Immortal. The two Quickenings would repel each other." "That's why it hurts to absorb someone else's Quickening..." mused Richie. "Excuse me?" asked the doctor. "Uh... never mind." Richie glanced at Duncan, who didn't look too pleased with that remark. "Well, anyway, that's my theory. I'd like to extract some eggs from you now, Ms. Warner. Though, tomorrow would probably be better. Give the medication a chance to complete its work." Duncan took Kathryn by the arm. "We'll be back tomorrow, then." "I can't believe this, Mac!" said Richie when they were back at the dojo. "The Quickening is what does it? Why can't people who haven't become Immortal yet have kids?" "You still have the Quickening, Richie. It just hasn't been enhanced... activated... whatever you wanna call it... yet. I knew what you were the night you broke into the store. I sensed it." "Oh, yeah." Richie would never forget that night as long as he lived. "Look, chill, your insurance will cover it. I'll pay for the window. It's over." And Duncan: "It's over when I cut off your head!" Then swordfights. Connor MacLeod. Seeing the Quickening for the first time. He'd been totally fascinated, and he still was. He wondered if he'd ever get over that fascination. He was in the Game now, but he was still shocked by it all. Why hadn't Duncan said anything? He wanted to ask, but he knew why. He would have gotten himself killed prematurely, and then probably been killed permanently in the Game. As he pondered this, Kathryn came out of the bathroom. "What do you think they'll find?" she asked Duncan. "I'm not sure," said Duncan. "I don't see why you would be any different to every other woman who's ever lived." "If I'm not, maybe we could convince Daniel that he's wrong." Duncan nodded, not really feeling positive. A lot of Immortals were obsessive and irrational. "We'll try." "This is amazing!" said the doctor. "Have a look at this!" Kathryn looked into the microscope. "What is it?" "It's absorbing the Quickening! I can't believe this!" Duncan had a look. "You're right. How is that possible?" The doctor laughed. "I don't know what the Quickening is, and you want to know how this is possible?" "Well, DOES this make Kathryn different?" "Yes. I would theorise that the absorbtion of the Quickening would make it possible for fertilisation to take place. It hasn't yet, but give it an hour or so..." "Not in a petri dish," said Kathryn. "Not with my bodily fluids," said Duncan. "Cole was right!" said Dawson. "Holy cow!" said Richie. Joe's bar was closed. MacLeod, Dawson, Richie and Kathryn sat round a table, stunned. "The legend's true. I can't believe it." That was Richie. "It may be true, but we won't find out unless Kathryn falls in love with another Immortal." Trust Duncan to be practical. Kathryn looked away. "If Daniel had found me... he... we..." "Yeah. You would've gone down in Immortal history." "Human history, too," said Joe. "What am I going to do? I can't let him find me. He scares me. I don't want to be seen as a... a breeder of some sort." She started to cry. "It's okay," said Duncan quietly. "Look, if Cole finds you, you go away again. I'll deal with him." Kathryn covered her face with her hands. "How did this happen?" "It must have something to do with the location of your birth, that's all I can think of." Joe was the sensible one as far as this went. Duncan laughed. "If Immortals themselves don't know where they came from or why they're Immortal, why would you? You were foretold in the legend, you were born. That's it. You probably wouldn't get any answers even if you looked for them." Just then, the phone rang. Joe went to answer it, but was right back. "Mac, it's for you." Duncan took the phone, but was back in half a minute. "That was Lou at the dojo. He said someone came looking for me." "Cole?" asked Richie. "Daniel?" asked Kathryn. "Tall, black hair, odd coloured eyes." "That's him. I have to get away from here, but I'm scared to go alone." "Richie." That was all Duncan had to say. The young Immortal knew immediately that he got the job. "Gotcha." He grabbed Kathryn's hand. "Come on." Cole banged open the door of the bar. Duncan was already standing, katana in hand. "I'm Daniel Cole," said the man. Dawson had disappeared into the back with the request, "Not in here, okay?" the minute Mac had sensed another Immortal. "I'm Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod." "Where is she?" "Who?" "Kathryn." "I don't know." Duncan put a typical 'You idiot, you'll never find her' tone to his voice. "I don't want to fight you. Tell me where she is, and we can stop this right here." "She doesn't want to be with you, and she doesn't want to participate in Immortal affairs. Leave her alone." "She has to participate! She was born to participate! I found her, so I get to be the one!" "What one?" "The Immortal who has descendants." Duncan knew it was true, but he had to lie to protect Kathryn. Not to mention Richie. "It's only a legend, Cole. A legend. There are a few which aren't true, you know." "And some are true." "Maybe. But she doesn't want you. And I won't help you get her." "So be it." Cole attacked, but when they crossed swords Duncan pushed him out the back door of the bar, into the alley. "All right. There can be only one," the highlander said. Cole nodded. "There can be only one." The fight was a short one, because Cole had spent most of his Immortal life looking for the woman in the legend. Duncan's fighting skills were far superior. He parried every sword thrust easily, and when Cole made a particularly reckless move, he took the opportunity and slashed him across the midriff. Cole sank to his knees. "I guess... I won't be getting either form of immortality," he said. "It was your choice," replied Duncan, raising his sword... Only to hear voices at the end of the alley. Two people had walked into the alley, having an argument. They looked at the goings-on, and one of them screamed. Duncan lowered the sword. "Next time." "I'll find her, MacLeod." "You can try." Richie got a room for himself and Kathryn. He'd debated whether she'd think it proper - she seemed overly concerned with her virtue, or maybe it was just that she hadn't liked Cole - but if he wanted to protect her properly, two rooms would not make his task easier. At any rate, she didn't say anything, but collapsed on the bed. "I'm so tired." "Yeah." Richie sat down next to her. "Look, tomorrow I'll call Mac and we'll find out what happened." "Okay." Richie began taking off his clothes. "I wish we'd had more time. At least I could have gotten a decent pair of shorts. And something for you." She shook her head. "Your shorts are fine. I'll wear my slip. Tomorrow we can see what we need." She took off her outer garments. "How long do you think this will take?" "I dunno." Richie turned off the light. "Are you okay?" "Yeah. Thanks for helping me." Richie laughed suddenly. "What?" "I was just thinking - about the pyjamas - Mac gave me his credit card!" "And?" "Well, I've always wondered what it would be like to buy silk pyjamas for a girl." Kathryn laughed too. "I think a football shirt is more my kind of thing." It wasn't completely dark. Richie could see her face, not too far from his. She was smiling. She looked so... vulnerable. He closed his eyes and turned away. Wishing for things did not make them so. When he awoke, he found she had already been to the store. There were packets around - well, only two. One contained breakfast, and the other... He heard a noise in the bathroom. He knocked and opened the door, looking in. The Kathryn from the previous night was gone. The long red hair had been replaced by a short blonde bob. "So? What do you think?" "I... dunno," he ventured. "The other seemed more you." Kathryn laughed. The strain was fading from her voice. "It's ironic. My hair started off being a faded brown. Since I've been running away from Daniel, I've had the most spectacular hair. I liked the red, but he'd seen me like that. Time for a change." "And a name change?" "Yeah. Let's be a married couple. If he doesn't know you, you can keep your name. I'll need a new first name, though." "Let's change it as little as possible. How about Kate?" She shook her head. "Something plain and simple. Julie, maybe." Richie had a brainwave. "No. Juliet!" "Juliet Ryan... I like it. Where will we get ID?" "No problem!" smiled Richie. This was something he knew how to do very well. "Mac? We're fine. We're..." Duncan interrupted. "You'd better not tell me, Richie. Just in case." "Oh. Yeah, okay. What happened with you and Cole?" "We lived." "So he's still out there?" "Yeah, and he's not going to stop until I kill him, or he gets what he wants." "Mac, I know how he feels. When I thought I... well, it was a good feeling. To know that you've created a life. I kinda understand the guy." "I understand him, too, Richie, but that isn't the issue. The issue is, does Kathryn want the same thing. She doesn't, so that's it." "Yeah. Okay, Mac, I'll check back with you in a few days." Richie replaced the phone and turned to find Kathryn looking oddly at him. "You understand Daniel?" She sounded incredulous. Richie looked at the floor. "Yeah. I'm too young to be worried about kids, but when I thought I had one, it was a great feeling. I think a lot of people would go to any lengths to have it." Kathryn saw some of the residual empathy in Richie's eyes. It made her uncomfortable, the way he was looking at her. She turned away suddenly. "Why do I feel like a... a prize poodle?" she asked, angrily. "Sorry." Richie spoke quietly. "I guess... every Immortal's going to look at you that way." "Not if we stop Daniel. You and Duncan - and Marcus - are the only ones who know. I feel I can trust you. I could have a normal life." "If you stay away from Immortals, yeah." Daniel Cole, however, never gave up. Two days later, Richie woke to the knowledge that there was another Immortal around. He nudged Kathryn. "Kath! Sh! I think he's found us." Kathryn was immediately awake. She started pulling on her jeans, and a sweater over the football shirt. Richie already had his clothes on, sword ready. "Check the window." Kathryn checked. No one there. She started as the door banged open, and Cole rushed into the room. "Kathryn! Stay with me, please!" Richie jumped in between the two of them, yelling, "Go to the rendezvous point! I'll meet you there later!" Kathryn climbed out of the window and onto the fire escape. Cole made a move to follow, but Richie blocked his path. The swords clashed. "I love her!" Cole said. "I must have her!" Richie parried the attacks, knowing he might not be a match for this guy... then again, he might. If he killed him, Kathryn would be safe, and they... He shut the thought out of his mind. No. She didn't want that. But as he stood there, the blade shining in the light, he knew that was not why he wanted her. "She isn't yours to have!" Richie yelled back, going on the offensive and driving Cole back towards the door. As he got to the door, Cole suddenly turned, lowered his sword, and ran down the corridor. "I'll find her." Then he was out in the street, and gone. Richie, perspiring, went back inside and put down his sword. Then he packed the few things the two of them had collected and went to the rendezvous point, making sure he wasn't followed, and keeping himself open to even the faintest of buzzes. He found her sitting in a booth right at the back of the 24-hour diner. As he approached she looked up, and the relief on her face was unmistakable. It was quickly replaced by a more neutral - though smiling - expression. "Richie." "He's still alive," Richie said, falling into the seat beside her. "I think he's lost all sense of reality. Finding you is his whole life." "I'll keep running. I won't do what he wants." "Did you ever - " Richie began, then stopped, thinking better of it. But she waited. "Ever what?" "Oh, geez, I don't know how to say this. Did you ever consider just having a kid, giving it to him, and splitting?" "Oh, Richie." Kathryn took a sip of her tea. "Any child out there would be mine, too. And I couldn't deal with a child of mine having a man like Daniel as the father." "Who would you pick?" asked Richie then, realising he was fishing. Kathryn realised it too. She knew the answer, but didn't think now was the time to say it. The whole situation reminded her of that Arnold Schwarzenegger movie with the robot and the couple on the run. They were the couple, Daniel was the robot. She remembered how it had ended: the guy had died, the girl killed the robot... the girl ended up with a child to raise on her own. No. That wasn't going to happen to her, however much she felt drawn to this young Immortal whose primary motivation was to protect her. So she looked away and said only, "Robert Redford." Richie laughed; the tension was broken. They could move on now. Duncan sat at Joe's bar, swirling his drink around instead of drinking it. It was driving Joe crazy. "MacLeod. Do you have to do that?" "Sorry." Duncan put down the glass. "Worried about Richie?" Mac shook his head. "He can take care of himself." "You hope." "Yeah. I just... maybe I shouldn't have sent him with her. Who knows what might happen..." "You mean, the two of them, alone..." "Joe, if it were me, I'd be tempted. Any Immortal would be. I just hope... I hope Richie remembers what's at stake. Did I tell you Cole found them?" "Yeah. Through credit slips, wasn't it?" Duncan nodded. "He checked my credit card. Now there's another avenue cut off for them. Cash only from now on. Different names. Different appearances." "They'll survive. Richie's a former street kid, remember." "I hope you're right, Dawson," said Duncan. "I hope those skills protect them." "And you want to be there to stop Cole." A statement, that's all. "She'll never be free of him. He'll chase her until she dies. He runs from confrontations. I shouldn't have stayed here to stop him, I should have taken her away myself. Now, my being there will only make her more conspicuous." "The next time Richie calls, tell him to come back. And then you take out Cole." "He isn't evil, Dawson. He's just... I know how he feels. I've felt what he feels. I understand him. I wish there was some other way." Duncan got up to leave. As he reached the door, Joe called out, "You and I both know it, Mac - there can be only one." "Gee, thanks." Duncan left the bar. Knowing the truth didn't make it any easier. Richie and Kathryn found yet another hotel in a long list of hotels. Kathryn, running for so long, was not only tired, but despondent. "He'll just find us again," she said. She'd said it every time they'd rushed off and found a new hotel. Eleven times, so far. They'd left Duncan's T-bird at the fourth place, called, and told him where it was. Richie knew that Duncan would try to find Cole and stop him, but the man was too clever. He'd just hide until someone got careless. Richie determined that if the chance arose, he'd take Cole out himself. He hoped he was ready. "Richie?" Kathryn's voice filtered through from the bathroom "Yeah?" "Do we have a towel in our stuff? There isn't one in here." Richie hauled out a slightly ratty towel emblazoned with another hotel's name and handed it to her round the curtain. "Thanks." She stepped out of the bath. Richie didn't look too good. "Are you okay? You don't look so great." "We can't go on like this," he said, not sure exactly what it was that he meant. It was just too much. It had to stop soon before they both went crazy. But Kathryn smiled. "Now I know how the guy from 'The Fugitive' felt." She looked away. "I should have left the country. I was in one place five months before he found me. Maybe..." "What?" asked Richie. "Maybe this time he wouldn't find you?" She nodded, looking down. "We both know he'd find you. At least with me here, it's a deterrent. I can always delay him, can't I?" A new thought struck Kathryn. "What if he kills you?" "Go to Duncan." "That isn't what I meant, I..." She looked into his eyes. Richie stared back at her, quite aware that there was more to her statement than worry for herself. But she shook her head. "I was just being silly. Daniel would have taken care of me. If he comes... maybe I can agree to go with him. I don't want anything to happen to you." "No!" Richie shook her by the shoulders. "You're not going with him! I can't bear the idea of him touching you!" Then he stared as he realised what he'd said. Kathryn's eyes were wide. Richie let go of her, threw up his hands and went out of the bathroom. Kathryn followed, kneeling down in front of where he sat. "What did you mean, Richie?" "Just forget it." "Forget it? Forget that we've spent almost every waking moment for the last three weeks in each others' company? Forget that when I'm away from you, all I want is to be back with you again? Forget that I hope that he keeps coming after me, because if you or Duncan kill him, it'll be over and I'll have to leave?" Richie stood up, went to the window. "You don't have to be part of this. I do, but you don't. You could still have a normal life." "What normal life? I am the woman foretold in the legend. It's... fate, destiny, whatever. Maybe... maybe the legend wasn't for the Immortals to choose... maybe I get to." Richie turned. "What?" "I choose you! Don't you see? This is what was meant to be! Not Daniel, you! Something threw us together like this, and I can't fight it anymore! I don't want to! All I can think of is being with you, and holding you, and being touched by you." She squared her shoulders. "I'm not going to fight it anymore." Richie moved slowly towards her until they were standing face to face. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?" "Of course I am! I wanted to be with you... almost from the moment we met. I just... I was too proud to admit it." "You're sure?" "Yes." Kathryn looked at him, waiting for him to kiss her. And when he did, they both knew she was right: it was meant to be like this. He was meant to drop the towel to the floor, meant to place her on the bed they would have shared in sleep, meant to touch her where he had always wanted to touch her, and where she had always wanted to be touched by him. And she... she was meant to touch him, meant to look up at him and see all her feelings reflected in his eyes, meant to feel him with her, inside her, meant to fulfill the legend... the prophecy, maybe... in this way. They were meant to share themselves with each other, to sleep in each others' arms, and know that whatever Daniel Cole did now would be too little, too late. Kathryn smiled to herself as she looked up at the ceiling. Richie caught the smile. "What?" "I dunno... I was just thinking... I always thought that children came with marriage, or by mistake, not from actually wanting to have someone's baby. But I want to have yours." It was a wonderful thing for Richie, to hear that and know it was really possible. He smiled too. "I had just got used to thinking I'd never have kids, and now..." He frowned suddenly. "What about Mac?" "What about him?" "What makes me deserve this honour? If anyone loves kids and wants them, it's Duncan MacLeod." Kathryn sat up. "I love you, not him." "Really?" "Really what?" The hope in Richie's voice could not be disguised. "You love me?" She nodded. "Tell me you love me, too." Richie leaned forward to kiss her. "Yeah. I do." They had to go back. Running away when you had no reason to stay was one thing, but running away when you had every reason in the world to make a home was another. Kathryn had been a private tutor before all this had happened, it had been easy for her to give that up to escape Cole. But now... here was something - someone - she was not ready to give up. Even if it meant going back and facing Cole. When the two of them walked in the door, Duncan MacLeod sighed with relief. He'd been expecting... well, maybe Cole. He was relived - and happy - to see that it was Richie. "Hey, Mac." "Richie. Kathryn." They all started talking at once. "I was just thinking - " "You know, we - " Stopped. Duncan began again. "I made a mistake telling you to leave. Whatever happens, running isn't the solution. Not to this problem. When Cole comes, I'll handle it." Richie shook his head. "Not this time, Mac. This one's mine." Duncan merely looked exasperated. "Richie..." Then he saw how the two of them were looking at each other. Richie spoke. "It's my duty to protect Kathryn. I love her." When he heard that, Duncan knew it was the truth. Richie really did love someone this time. No more crushes, flings or good samaritan overtones. Richie loved the girl. Duncan wanted to protest, but he remembered a similar encounter with his mentor... "Protecting Tessa is my job." He ignored the voice that still said - over a year later - that he hadn't done his job, had he? Connor MacLeod hadn't cared whose job it was. He'd knocked Duncan out and gone to take on Slan Quince himself. Duncan, though he understood that reasoning, wouldn't do that to Richie. He'd fought Daniel Cole. If it came to that, Richie was better. Richie would win. He hoped. "Okay." Richie looked surprised. "Okay? Mac, I thought you'd... I dunno... bawl me out for being reckless or something." "Not this time. I know what it's like for someone to want to protect the woman they love." Richie hadn't thought of that. He assumed, of course, that Duncan was referring to the night outside the tudor house. "Mac, I'm sorry, I didn't..." "It's okay, Richie. I was remembering Connor trying to do something that I had to do. That's all." Amazingly, Cole didn't show up for almost two months. Richie in one way felt relieved - Kathryn got to rest. He got to rest. Well, not much rest was involved, actually. But the waiting was something else. They knew Cole would find them, the only surprising thing was that he hadn't already. He'd always found them within days when they'd been running. Maybe that was it! Cole was looking for two people on the run. And here they were, firmly ensconced at Richie's place... er, resting. It couldn't last. Kathryn was beginning to feel stifled - not by her Immortal protectors, but by the situation. Richie refused to allow her to go anywhere without him or Duncan. It was understandable, but not pleasant. When she began to feel different, she naturally assumed it was the situation. Of course, it wasn't. Joe's doctor friend - who had, in the meantime, become slightly better acquainted with the doings of Immortals and had provided a shoulder for Kathryn to lean on - figured out what the problem was. "Maybe it's this simple: the legend has been fulfilled." Kathryn rubbed her face. "What are you talking about?" "Maybe you're pregnant. I mean, I thought you and Richie were..." "We are, but... I mean, I know the legend's true, but... That would be enormous luck, if..." "Maybe not," said the doctor. "Sometimes a legend only gets one chance to be fulfilled. Maybe once was all it took." "That was almost three months ago. We..." She stopped. The doctor was looking at her knowingly. Kathryn spoke again. "That's it, isn't it?" "Let's go to my lab and I'll check you out. How about that?" "Sure. Let me get Duncan." Duncan came out of the back of the bar where he'd been chatting with Joe. Joe was the one person who knew how he felt in this situation: glad for Richie, jealous of what it meant for him, Duncan MacLeod. No kids. Ever. The girl had chosen. "Well," said Lynne, coming out of the lab with Kathryn, "that's it. She is." Duncan was very happy suddenly. In a fit of enthusiasm he grabbed Kathryn and hugged her. "That's great! That's..." He trailed off, his eyes narrowing. Kathryn knew that look, had seen it on Richie during their extended motel tour. "There's another Immortal around, isn't there?" "Yeah. Let's get out of here." He grabbed her hand and they ran from the building. The T-bird stood in the parking lot, but so did... "Daniel!" cried Kathryn. Cole's sword was not visible, but Duncan was taking no chances. He gripped the handle of his tightly, and before Cole could say a word, he barked, "You're too late, Cole. She's going to have a child. You've lost." Cole looked as if someone had just missed taking his head. "What?" Duncan stood nose to nose with Cole. "You heard me." Cole slumped. His entire bearing changed. MacLeod, on the other hand, continued. "I know you don't want to kill her, but if you try anything, something could happen. And then you'll never have what you want." Cole's eyes blazed. "All I wanted in life was for part of me to continue. And you three have messed it up for me." "Look, children are mortal people's ticket to immortality," said Duncan. "Immortals already have it. Maybe that's why we can't have children." Cole ignored him. "I'll be back in nine months," he said to Kathryn. "What you can do for MacLeod, or Ryan, I don't care - you can do for me." "Come on," said Duncan to Kathryn, opening the car door. As she got in, Duncan turned to Cole. "I hope I don't have the pleasure of seeing you again." Duncan drove off. Kathryn sighed as relief washed through her. "He meant it. I can tell. He'll be back, but not for a long time." "He might try to kill you. Or the baby." "He won't kill me. He needs me. And he'll never get near my baby." "I hope you're right." Richie, of course, went ballistic when he heard that Cole had been at the lab. "Rich, calm down! She's safe!" "For how long, Mac? We're always going to be looking over our shoulders." Kathryn stepped in between the two of them. "He'll be back in nine months. You two can plan a strategy." Richie stopped short. "Ni-- You're not telling me that - " Duncan smiled. He just couldn't help himself. "That's what she's telling you." "Really? I can't believe it!" Richie's face lit up, and he swung Kathryn around and round. "Uh... Richie, put me down before you end up wearing my lunch." "Sorry." Richie put her down. Then he hugged her. "This is fantastic!" Kathryn looked a little embarrassed, though her embarrassment threshold was pretty high after having people look through microscopes and discuss her reproductive functions. She smiled. "Yeah. It is pretty fantastic, isn't it." "Yeah! What are we gonna do? We'll have to get a decent apartment. My place only has one bedroom! And names! What'll we name the kid? What about school? How will we afford college? What..." Duncan looked at Kathryn, to find she was looking at him with the same expression on her face: amusement. "Richie, shut up!" they both said. Richie shut up, grinning. Kathryn sat in the bar. The Immortals had weighed the danger and realised that as long as she was in a public place with someone they trusted, it was okay. Still stifling, but not as bad as before. Joe had promised the bar would be her safe haven. "I can barely fit behind here any more," she said, smiling. "You look like the cat that got the cream," smiled Joe. "I know. Sometimes I just... I can't believe it. You know? I was never an outgoing person. I was always shy and reserved. I figured I'd remain single and do community work or something. Guys were never interested in me. Then Daniel came, and... he forced me to be more than I was." "And you're happy with Richie?" "Yeah. Oh, yeah. It just... it was meant to be. Really meant to be. The prophecy doesn't say, but I know, inside, that we were supposed to meet and have this baby. Maybe Daniel even had something to do with that." Joe was nodding. "Events conspired to bring you two together." "I love him, Joe. That's all. But I know that Daniel will be back. He'll kill Richie if he has to. I can't let that happen. I'll go with him when the baby's born." "You can't do that. Richie will never allow it." "I'm not going to tell him. I have to do this, or Richie and my baby will never be safe." "You think you'll be safe once you give Cole what he wants?" "Daniel loves me, Joe. He wants a child, so maybe he's projected those feelings, but he does care." "I think you're making a mistake." "I have no other choice." It was not much longer before Kathryn woke Richie in the middle of the night. "Richie! Time to go to the hospital!" Richie opened one eye. "What, now?" "Now!" "Oh! Ah... what do we need? Keys! Wait, I have to phone Duncan, ah..." Kathryn already had the phone in her hand. "Duncan? I'm having the baby and Richie's having an anxiety attack." "I'll come and pick you up. I wouldn't miss this for the world." When she put down the phone, Kathryn approached Richie. "Richie, I hate to tell you this, but your pants are inside-out." "What? Ah, no." "I called Duncan. He's coming over." "Duncan's coming? Good. That's good. Have to change pants. Okay, where are my jeans..." As Richie rummaged around, Kathryn merely smiled. The doctor stared at the two Immortals at the door. "Only the father is allowed in here," he said. Richie and Duncan looked at each other. "Uh...We're... you see, we..." began Richie, attempting to explain in some inadequate way. He knew that he wasn't about to leave Duncan standing outside. There was no way that he was going to deny his best friend - the person who had saved his life more than once - the opportunity to see this for himself. The doctor assumed the wrong thing, of course, and didn't look too impressed. "You people. All right, you can come, but you'll have to wear gowns and masks." "Thank you." In they went, to find the nurse administering an injection. "What's wrong?" asked Richie. The doctor didn't look too concerned. "Nothing, really. The pain seems extreme. We just gave her an epidural. She'll be fine." "Kath?" "Richie... whatever happens, look after the baby." Richie stared at the doctor. Duncan didn't look impressed either. The doctor was used to it. "She's scared. But she'll be fine, really." Kathryn had been walking around for hours before waking Richie; thus the procedure at the hospital did not take as long as it might have. And at the end... "It's a girl!" said the doctor, holding up the baby. Kathryn started crying. Richie's eyes were straining, so wide open were they. Duncan had tears in his eyes too, as the baby was handed to Kathryn. He wasn't sure why - happiness, mainly. "Oh, she's beautiful," said Kathryn, looking from the baby to Richie and back. "Is she okay?" She started counting fingers and toes. "She's perfect," said the doctor. And she was. Richie had a very hard time being a father, because he could never get Duncan away from the baby. While Richie did a little work at the dojo, Kathryn would take the baby to the loft - at least they were safe there. But she could hardly get near the baby either. Duncan was always bathing her, talking to her in gentle tones, and generally behaving as if it was his baby. Kathryn often had to just about yank her daughter away from him. "There we are, Amy," Duncan would say. "All nice and clean and powdered." "It's time for her feed, Duncan." "Oh." "So give her here before I have to hurt you." The conversations were often like that, but Kathryn - and Richie - often didn't know what they'd do without Duncan. He knew a heck of a lot about babies! "Richie..." Kathryn said, rocking the baby while paging through papers with the other. "Yeah?" "Do you know that tomorrow it will be a year since we've known each other?" "Really? No kidding. Cool! We should celebrate. Have we ever been out to a like, really fancy place?" "No." "Well, then, let's go." "What about Amy?" "The babysitter from Scotland will be happy to oblige, I'm sure." "What babysitter from Scotland?" asked Duncan. "You, Mac." Duncan sneered. "Don't you mean babysitter from hell? You're always complaining that I'm stealing your child." "Well, we didn't want to say that..." mused Kathryn, laughing. "Yeah, Mac, it might give you the idea we don't appreciate you or something." "Hm. So, where will you two be going to celebrate?" "How 'bout this restaurant down there near the pier? I hear the food's terrific." But Kathryn was quiet all through the dinner, which was very expensive, and extremely delicious. Something kept telling her that this time of ecstasy would soon be over. "What's wrong?" Richie asked, for about the third time. "Huh? Oh... He's coming back, Richie. I can... I can feel it. Inside. I'll have to go with him this time. I didn't want to tell you that, but... It's the only way to avoid you two fighting, and to keep my child safe. Because if he kills you he'll take me anyway, and what about Amy?" "I won't lose," said Richie. "I can't take that chance, don't you see? Amy needs us. Or you, if he takes me. But if you die she loses us both." "Duncan would look after her." Richie knew it wasn't the right thing to say. "Duncan is not her parent! We are! I'm not sorry we had her, but I'll have to do this, for her. And you. Because you two are the people I love most in the world." Richie grabbed her wrist across the table. "I won't let you do this. I'll challenge him first. He's not going to take you away from me!" "And he's not going to take you away from your child!" Kathryn yelled, pulling her wrist from his grasp and rushing outside. People were starting to stare. Richie followed, feeling... He stopped, grabbed the handle of his sword. Too late. Cole was here. The buzz was getting stronger. "Kath!" he called. "Leave me alone, Richie. You know it's the truth." And then Cole stepped out from behind a van. "This is the last time, Ryan. When I kill you, she'll be mine. And I'll get what I want." "Fine." Richie held up his sword, in the parking lot, not caring who might see. Luckily there was no one around just at that moment. "No!" Kathryn ran and stood between them. "Daniel, I'll go with you. Just leave Richie alive, please." "Ah. Perfect solution." Richie stepped up behind Kathryn and pulled her aside. "You're not going with him." He stepped out again, facing Cole. "Let's do it." Kathryn watched helplessly as the battle ensued. At times it seemed that Cole had the upper hand, and at times Richie. Richie was using every sword trick Duncan had taught him, and it seemed to be working. He drove Cole back, put him on the defensive with each successive sword thrust. Kathryn couldn't help herself as she moved forward to keep within sight of the duel. Richie was going to win, she saw it now. And everything would be all right. But Cole saw it too. Richie would win eventually. And he, Daniel Cole, would lose everything. Not just his life, but his only real chance at immortality. And the woman he loved. For he did love her, even if his reasons were wrong. Maybe Richie would win the battle, but he'd lose in the end. Because Daniel Cole was going to take Kathryn Warner with him. If this was the only way they could be together - in death - then let it be so. In a desperate last-minute maneuver, Cole dropped to the ground, rolled out of the way, and stood up next to Kathryn. He grabbed her around the waist. "I'm not dying alone," he said, pulling her backwards with him towards the railing, which overlooked the sea. "No!" Richie was there, sword held high, but there was nothing he could do. "Let her go!" "I might lose, but she's coming with me!" And, still holding the woman Richie loved, Cole jumped over the railing. "Noooo!" Richie rushed forward, to see a last splash as they went into the sea. "Kathryn!" Richie kept his eye on the spot where they'd disappeared as he made his way along the railing to the steps that led down to the area underneath the pier. He couldn't lose hope, but inside, he knew. It was over. At the bottom, Cole was struggling out of the sea, his sword gone. Richie caught a glimpse of a broken body in the water, a little further up. "Rocks," said Cole. "If I couldn't have her, you can't either." Richie raised his sword. "Goodbye." "I'm unarmed." Cole stood there. "It isn't right to kill an unarmed Immortal." "Gee, really," said Richie, and swung, severing Cole's head with a very satisfying slice. Cole's body toppled over, and Richie was still scrambling over rocks to get to Kathryn, when the Quickening overtook him. Every bit of energy that penetrated his body held a yearning for true immortality... a child. And a perverted type of love for the woman who could provide it. Richie screamed, and he didn't know if it was from the infusion of this man's lifetime obsession, or because he knew that Kathryn was dead. Both, maybe, because in Cole's Quickening Richie found the knowledge that she was. That in this one way, Cole had beaten him. The Quickening subsided. Richie collapsed on the rocks for about two seconds. "Kathryn!" Then he scrambled over them again, and picked her up out of the sea. "Kathryn." She was indeed dead. Richie held her to him, crying. "Noooo!" he yelled into the night air. But the night had no sympathy. Richie and Duncan stood in the cemetery, Richie holding the tiny baby. "What am I going to do, Mac? How can I look after a baby all by myself?" For once Duncan had no easy answers. "I'll help you," he said. He knew it wasn't enough. They were Immortals. The Gathering was here. Even together, they could not look after and protect Amy. Richie turned and looked up at Duncan. "I should have left Kathryn alone. At least she'd be alive now." "It's done. It was the legend, and the legend was fulfilled." They turned to leave, when they felt the sensation of another Immortal nearby. They were safe on holy ground, but... Then they looked over and saw who it was. Richie didn't know because he had never met this man, but Duncan did. "Marcus." "MacLeod." Richie was quite surprised. "You're Marcus Constantine? The Roman guy?" "Yes." He looked at Amy. "Is this the baby?" "Yeah." "Can I hold her?" "Sure." Richie carefully handed the child to him. "She's beautiful," Marcus said to the other two. "So was her mother," Richie replied. "Definitely." Duncan had been wanting to ask Constantine something for ages but had never gotten round to it. If he had, maybe Kathryn would still be alive. "Marcus, is that legend over now? There isn't anything else you've neglected to tell us, is there?" "No. But..." He hesitated, passing the baby back to her father. "The legend implied... that for the 'immortal seed' to be preserved, the woman in the legend would die." Duncan took a deep breath. "What if she hadn't had an Immortal's baby? What then?" "MacLeod, you and I both know it doesn't work like that. She had to. The implication was that only one child would be born. And the only way to ensure that..." Constantine trailed off. "Was for her to die," Duncan finished. "Why didn't you tell us?" "Because I didn't believe the legend then, and even when you told me, I felt... I hoped that with you two around, she'd be safe." Duncan could understand Marcus' reasoning. He knew what it was like to try and cheat fate. Fate always won: "MacLeod, you will have hundreds of women, but you will marry none! You will always be alone, do you hear me? Alone!!" He had tried to cheat fate with Tessa, and fate had taken her away. But he knew he'd keep on trying. Always. "What about the baby, Marcus? Why did there have to be a baby?" "I don't know, MacLeod. Her birth during the Gathering must be significant. Maybe... she'll grow up to have something to do with the one who wins the Prize. Maybe her father is the predestined winner. Maybe she'll marry the winner, bear children. All we can do is wait." Richie had simply stood there holding Amy, not saying a word. Now he looked at Duncan and Marcus with an intense, cold fury in his eyes. "She'll never have a normal life. Not with me. While Kathryn was alive, we could dream. Kathryn brought normality to Amy's life. Now that normality is gone." "No!" Duncan said suddenly. He knew what Richie was going to do. "You can't give her up! She's part of you! You'll be doing to your child what your parents did to you. Kathryn didn't want that. She died to keep you together." Richie's heart broke as he looked down at his daughter. "Mac, you and I both know that we have no other choice. And when the Gathering draws to an end, maybe we'll find out why she was born. Maybe not. But we both know I can't keep her." Inside himself, Duncan knew that Richie was right. He nodded, unable to speak. "I'm sorry," said Marcus. Then he turned around and walked to the grave, to pay his respects to a woman who had bravely played her part in the saga of the Immortals. Duncan looked at Richie. "Let me arrange it. I know some people. You can still check on her while she grows up, she won't be lost to you." Richie nodded. "Mac... will she be human? Mortal?" "I hope so." In truth, no one knew. The couple were your typical suburban types. Duncan had said they were 'occasional friends' - meaning he probably saw them once every five years. The woman held Amy in her arms tenderly. Richie hurt so much he could barely speak, but the woman was asking him something. "Would you like us to keep the name you gave her? Amy?" Richie nodded. "Please... just look after her." "We'll love her with all our hearts, I promise." The man reiterated: "You can visit any time you like." "Thank you." "What if she asks who her parents were?" Richie hadn't really given that much thought. "Can't you pretend that you're her parents?" "That won't work, Richie," Duncan chipped in. "The children always find out." They both also knew - could feel, somehow, that Marcus was right - Amy would have something to do with the Gathering. What, they didn't know. But something. And if that was the case, knowing where she came from would not be a bad idea. "You can tell her," he said to the couple. And if she came looking for him, he'd tell her. Everything. "Richie, don't you think you've had enough?" asked Joe. "When I pass out, you'll know." "This isn't going to help matters, you know." "I'll be fine tomorrow. Just let me feel sorry for myself tonight, all right?" "All right." Joe went in the back and called Duncan. Duncan dumped Richie on the couch in the loft, and for a while he just stood there, looking at him. Images and memories came to mind: "It's over. I'll pay for the window." "Did you bring the bail?" - "This is France, Richie." "No one's ever beheaded themselves before, but you might make history." "Mac, are we ever going to have to face each other?" "She was a part of our lives, Richie. Never pretend she wasn't." "Just because a relationship changes, Richie, doesn't mean it ends." "You did the right thing." - "Did I?" - "Yeah. They're alive." As much as Duncan wanted a child of his own, he wasn't sure he could have handled what Richie had gone through. Not again. But he would have had to, wouldn't he? He knew the pain his friend had gone through, and would still go through, for years - maybe centuries - to come. All he could do was be there, and hope it helped. THE END Copyright Marina Bailey, March 1995. All rights reserved.

			Richie Ryan was still in the bike workshop two hours after it had closed, but he wasn't tired... or finished. When he had formed his own racing team, it would have been easy for him to rent a cushy office downtown and only pitch up at the track for practices and races, but that wasn't him. Despite having been in the racing business for... what, 18 years already? - he still needed to be where the action was. And being on the pulse of things also kept him fresh. Fresh for racing, and fresh for... well, for the Game. The Game. He hated it, but it was something you got no choice in. He was Immortal, and he didn't want to become a priest, so holy ground was out. Richie had never liked chickening out of anything, had never chickened out of anything. Never. And since killing Daniel Cole all those years ago, he'd felt capable of taking part in the Game. Daniel Cole. Richie remembered everything about him, about... her. He opened his desk and took out a very old, faded picture. "Kathryn," he said, looking at it. The picture showed a young woman with short blonde hair holding a very, very tiny baby, and smiling. Richie stared at the picture, remembering Kathryn. He'd only known her for a year - exactly a year - before Daniel Cole had killed her, but she had been a defining influence in his life. Kathryn, who had been the woman of legend. Kathryn, born in a subway train during an eclipse, foretold for thousands of years by ancient Immortals. Kathryn, the woman destined to preserve the Immortal seed. Kathryn, who had loved him, and whom he had loved. Kathryn, who had borne Amy, and died. Richie took out another photograph. It was of a child, aged six, wearing a bathing suit and building a sandcastle on a beach. On the back of the picture it said, "Amy's third holiday. Miami Beach, Florida." He put it aside, took out the next one. This one showed Amy, now in her teens, wearing a beautiful evening gown of emerald silk that matched her eyes. This one said, "Senior Prom. Won best couple with friend." Not a day went by that Richie didn't think about his daughter. But that was all he did - think about her. He was sure that Duncan managed to visit, but he'd never asked, and Duncan, he was sure, knew enough not to tell him. He had pictures of all of Amy's milestone years. And... this year Amy would turn 19. Another birthday, another picture to add to his collection. But never to see her. Richie had tried, at first. Her adoptive parents had promised he could visit, but after two visits he had found it so painful he had not gone back. Let her have a normal life, the life she couldn't have had if he'd kept her. Let her live without the threat of Immortals trying to kill her to get at her father. Let her have that for as long as possible. Richie knew it wouldn't last forever, because... she was the child of the legend. The only child who would ever be born to an Immortal, because of her mother. No other Immortal would ever have one, and Richie would never have any more, because Kathryn was gone. She'd been gone for almost 19 years. And he still missed her, and loved her. And loved their daughter. Richie heard a noise in the workshop, and got up, immediately reaching for his sword. It didn't feel as if an Immortal was near, but there was something... some sort of sense that there was someone there. He hid the sword behind his back and stepped out of the office. "Who's there?" A young woman walked out of the shadows, the same young woman in the pictures. Strawberry blonde hair, green eyes, her mother's facial shape. Amy. Richie wanted to yell her name, rush forward and hug her, but... Her being here could be a coincidence. Richie got his facial muscles under control. After all, she couldn't be here looking for her father... could she? "May I help you?" "I'm looking for... Richard Ryan." She said it with some uncertainty, as if she was struggling to ask the question. "You found him," said Richie. "You're him?" "That's right." Amy's face scrunched up in confusion. "But... you can't be. You're too young, you... You must be his son, then." It would be the easy way out, Richie knew, to say he was his own son. Duncan had sometimes used that one, but he'd never been comfortable with it. And this was Richie's daughter. Lying about who he was would only make it more difficult later on. "No," said Richie. "I... I'm sorry," mumbled Amy. "There must be some mistake." She turned to leave. "Amy! Wait!" She turned. "How did..." "Because I am Richie Ryan, and it isn't a mistake." Amy stared at him. "You can't possibly be my father. You're too young. You look younger than me." "Looks can be deceiving," said Richie. "I really am your father." "I..." Amy looked ready to faint. "Come on," he said, taking her arm. "Come in here and sit down." When he had settled Amy in the chair, Richie sat down on the edge of his desk. "I suppose you've got some questions." "Yeah, I... For years I asked my mother - " She hesitated, but Richie's expression didn't change. He had gotten used to thinking of the Palmers as Amy's parents. It had made things easier. "I asked her why. She didn't know, all she'd say was that you loved me. That my real mother had loved me. And that she was dead. I knew that friend of theirs, Duncan, knew more than he was saying, but when I'd ask him, he'd always say it was time to go. He'd never answer me. So I decided that when I turned 18 I'd find you." "You turned 18 eight months ago," said Richie. "What took so long?" "Getting up the courage. But my parents did know your address, or... I think they asked Duncan, and he told them." "Yeah." Amy looked into his eyes then, reminding Richie more than ever of Kathryn. He remembered the desperate look on her face when she'd thought Daniel Cole would catch her. And the look when Daniel Cole had pulled her over the railing, and into the sea. Richie never wanted to remember that, but it always came to him. The night he lost the woman that he had loved. "Why?" asked Amy. "Why did you give me away?" Richie ran a hand through his hair. "I couldn't look after you by myself. And... there were other reasons." "Why do you look like you're 18?" "Because, biologically, I am. It's a part of those other reasons, but if I tell you, your life won't ever be the same. If I tell you, I'll have to tell you everything. Me, your mother, Duncan. Everything." "I have to know." "Okay, but let's go to my place." "All right." Since having his own racing team and his own money, Richie had been able to afford a much larger, comfier apartment. It was no coincidence that the decor seemed to harken back to the antique store and Tessa. Richie had been his happiest there, and having his apartment look like the store made him feel at home. A striking piece of sculpture stood in the living room. He'd acquired it at an auction a few years back. It was Tessa's, of course. At first he'd been nervous over how Duncan would react, but the highlander had understood. Tessa had been Richie's friend and... mother confessor, almost. Richie had loved Tessa almost as much as Duncan had. "It's beautiful," said Amy, looking around the apartment. "Thanks." "This is an amazing piece. Who's it by?" "Tessa Noel." "The artist who was gunned down all those years ago? Her stuff is worth a fortune." "Yeah." Richie didn't like to think of that night. He preferred to remember Tessa, full of life, on Duncan's arm. "Sit down, please." Amy sat, and Richie began his story. He told her about Immortals, about what it took to become Immortal, about the Game, about... about the legend. "You're the child who was foretold in that legend. Kathryn - your mother - was the woman destined to preserve the Immortal seed. Why she chose me, I don't know. All I know is, she loved me, and I loved her." "But why did you give me away? Why?" "I told you, I couldn't look after you. It was too dangerous for you to stay with me. I wanted you to have a normal life, not a life on the move, trying to stay away from other Immortals, flying to Paris and back... I loved you too much to do that to you." "Do you have a picture of her?" "Yeah." Richie went into the bedroom and brought out a box. He rummaged amongst pictures of Amy until he found what he was looking for. The picture showed Richie, wearing a hospital gown, holding Amy and standing next to Kathryn, who was lying in a hospital bed. "This is the day you were born." Amy stared at the picture. "This is my mother?" And she started to cry, holding the photograph to herself. Richie dug for another photo. He didn't have many, but he finally came up with one which Kathryn had given him of herself. This picture showed Kathryn with red hair, standing in front of Notre Dame. "Here." "Were you two in Paris?" "No, that was taken when your mother escaped Cole by going to Marcus Constantine." "Who was he?" "He's the one who sent Kathryn to Duncan, who told us about the legend. That legend has almost died out; the older Immortals never told the young ones. They wanted to find Kathryn first. But... she found me." Amy wiped the tears away with the back of her hand. "How old are you?" "I'm 39," said Richie. His daughter smiled. "You don't look it. No way." "Well, I always look on the bright side. I'll never be old, or sick. I raced here under a different identity for nine years before people started asking questions. I was in more accidents than I can count, but aside from the one in Paris I was always fine. And being Immortal helped me make a success of my life." "I..." Amy faltered, swallowed. "I... can you... can I ask... would you hold me?" Richie sat down next to his daughter and hugged her with all his might. It felt good. He was finally able to be happy about her. Kathryn had not died in vain: here was their beautiful daughter. Kathryn had wanted her, and loved her. And Richie

	Adrian Paul, The invincible Highlander hero, has scores of female fans. But in real life, he says, finding a girlfriend is more of a challenge. As a result of The Highlander TV series and the new movie, you have a huge Internet following. Do you check out your fan sites? I don't. But I hear the false rumors and I've popped into a couple of chats anonymously. I'll just say some stuff and see what they react to. After the series ended, you cut your trademark ponytail. Was that a big deal for you? It was a big deal for everybody else [laughs]. There were e-mails, fans were crying. I didn't think such a simple act would cause such a stir. I sold it on eBay and made $2,500. I donated the money to charity [P.E.A.C.E., which benefits inner-city kids]. What kind of relationship do you have with your female fans? I've had many things sent to me. They create naked pictures of me and them together or write poems about our life together. And marriage proposals, too. I guess it's the wrong kind of female attention, though, because I'm not with anybody. With that kind of response from women, how do you stay levelheaded? I have values that were instilled in me by my parents. I say to myself "You're just a guy. You're like anybody else: You breathe, you eat, you go to the bathroom." 9/18/00 Faces & Places Up Close Us Weekly Issue 292

	Adrian Paul knows a thing or two about immortality--and not just from starring for six years as the 400-year-old, forever-young warrior Duncan MacLeod on cable's cult hit Highlander. Although the series stopped production in 1997 and Paul's feature film Highlander:Endgame came and went last summer, the British-born actor's appeal lives on. The 41-year-old former window salesman turned model turned swashbuckler remains the object of ardent adoration on some 300 Highlander-related Web sites. His reputation has even seeped into the forests of Romania, where he shot Endgame. "We were filming in the middle of nowhere," recalls costar Adam Copeland, "but women recognized him. He was very popular." Now if only the divorced actor (a six-year marriage to actress Meilani Paul ended in 1997) could find someone to share his Hollywood Hills home, complete with sword collection and 12 volumes of the memoirs of Casanova, a fellow the 6-ft. actor plans to play one day. "I identify with his humor and boyishness," says Adrian Paul. "And then there's the obvious: his love of the female." You can find this article in People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive 2000 issue on newsstands 11/3.

"We're not in Kansas anymore Toto!" -Duncan MacLeod "If you hadn't given him a flying lesson, we'd both be dead by now!" -Richie "Ain't it my lucky night." -Duncan "Where the hell is MacLeod?" "How the hell should I know?" -Richie and Joe Dawson "You hit hard, but not as hard a I do." -Evil Duncan "You're a smart little boy, why don't you figure it out?" -Evil Duncan "You have better things to do then lie there on your ass!" -Connor "A woman is a temple built on a sewer." -Jacob Kell "If I wanted your head, I'd already have it." -Duncan "Dont go Macleod, Its a trap Macleod, Macleod your pants are on fire" -Methos "Because the alternative is unthinkable" -Methos "So... what? did the other guy have a bigger sword or something?" -Amanda "Guess this must be what it's like to have kids." -Methos "Here. It's not poisoned, although I'm tempted" -Duncan "Are you always this cheerful?" "Sure - when someone else is having the baby." -Anne and Karen "Ou Dinegan" -Connor

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