DCH 28
Defenders Chronicles: Highlander
By AmandaDoE
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Obsession
Keogh walked to the house, holding flowers in his hands. This was where his ex girlfriend's sister lived. He knew he would find her here. Jill had broken up with him not too long ago after he told her about his immortality, but he refused to accept the break up. He wanted to be with her. No, he was going to be with her. Keogh walked to the front door and knocked.
Ginny opened the door, "Hello, David."
"Hi," Keogh greeted before asking, "Jill here?"
"No," Ginny answered, "I don't know where she is."
She tried to shut the door, but Keogh stopped her, "We had a little misunderstanding. I need to talk to her."
"Well, I told you she's not here," Ginny replied, "Don't you get it? My sister doesn't want any part of you."
"I know she's here."
"Leave her alone."
With that, Ginny closed the door in his face.
Keogh started to walk away from the house, only to notice Jill arriving.
"Jill!" Keogh called out. Jill turned and hurried to her car and got inside. Keogh wouldn't give up as he leapt over the fence of the house and hurried to her side of the car, "Jill, wait!"
"Get away!" Jill shouted. Keogh then hurried in front of the car as he said, "Jill, please! I just want to talk."
Jill started the ignition of the car, "No. Get out of the way!"
"Jill!" Keogh called out, "Come on, Jill."
"No!" Jill shouted as she put the car into gear.
"Please," Keogh insisted before he felt himself being hit by the car before everything went black.
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Richie and Tori were turning on the lights and opening the blinds of the windows, opening the dojo for the day. Jack had informed them that Richie's former model friend Maya was killed a couple of days ago in some sort of accident in Barcelona.
"I'm very sorry," Tori apologized, "I know I didn't like her, but...I know you have."
"It's all right," Richie held her, "Maya was beautiful. She was a good friend, but after what she said about me, I past the mourning phase a long time ago."
Tori perked at him, and glanced at him. She didn't say anything about what she said to him about what she said that day, "How did you know?"
"I found a recording when we were in Paris," Richie answered, "I wasn't too happy what she said. I was disappointed."
"I'm sorry," Tori gently touched his shoulder, "I kept it from you because Tessa told me to let it go, and I wanted to protect you from getting hurt."
Richie smiled, "I appreciate it."
"Yes, Duncan did bail you out of jail the next day," Tori explained, "but my mom helped. She managed to explain to authorities in Paris how Piton was a corrupt criminal disguising himself into a well known modeling agency in Paris who set you up, leading to your arrest, hence, you were free after the fact."
Suddenly, they looked to see Anne step out of the elevator.
"Anne," Richie greeted her. Tori smiled at her. Anne was an ER doctor, and she had been seeing Duncan for the past couple of days, albeit Duncan insisted that there was nothing serious going on between them. Yeah right. It was like when she and Richie were insisting they weren't a couple, but neither couple could keep it up for too long, especially given the fact Richie and Tori knew each other longer than Duncan knew Anne.
"Hi, Anne," Tori greeted her, "good to see you again."
"We just met yesterday," Anne replied, "Anyway, I was just leaving."
"Donut?" Richie offered something for her.
"Oh, no," Anne declined, "That stuff will kill ya."
"Chocolate," Richie added on.
"Really?" Anne was now interested.
"Yeah," Richie replied, "go for it."
Anne reached into the bag for a donut.
"She's not wrong though," Tori stated, "everything in moderation."
"Very good point," Anne nodded.
Suddenly, the three noticed a pretty young brunette enter the dojo. She looked scared about something.
"Are you Duncan MacLeod?" the woman asked as she walked up to the three.
"You just missed him," Anne answered as she placed her hands on her hips.
"Uh, yeah," Richie added, "he'll be back later. Can we tell him who's looking for him?"
"No," the woman answered.
"Is there anything we can do to help?" Tori asked.
"I need to talk to Duncan MacLeod," the woman answered.
"Well, I'm Anne," Anne proceeded to introduce herself, Tori and Richie as well, "this is Tori, and Richie. We're all friends of his. Would you like to stay?"
"No, I can't," the woman declined before leaving the dojo with two patrons entering in the building.
"What was that all about?" Tori asked.
"Strange," Richie stated as he walked away with Tori in tow.
"Scared," Tori heard Anne say. She agreed that the young lady seemed scared. What did she need Duncan for? What was going on that made her too scared to open up to them?
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Duncan sighed as he pulled up outside the church. He hadn't heard from David in years, and he wondered what was going on. Suddenly, he sensed the Buzz.
"Duncan!" his friend called out as he approached him. Duncan walked over to him and extended a hand.
"Thanks for coming, man," Keogh greeted his friend as he accepted his hand and the two men shook hands and hugged.
"Why are we meeting on holy ground?" Duncan asked after they broke the hug.
"It's a matter of life and death," Keogh answered before smiling announcing, "I'm getting married."
"Really?" Duncan asked in surprise. Keogh nodded before replying, "Congratulations. That's great! I'm really happy for you."
"On Sunday," Keogh stated, "and Duncan, I want you to be my best man."
"Absolutely," Duncan accepted the offer.
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Tori and Richie made their way to the elevator to meet Duncan at the dojo as they were enjoying their sandwiches.
Suddenly, as Richie and Tori made it to the loft, they sensed the Buzz. They opened the door and stepped out.
"Lucky guy, lucky girl too," a nicely built man glanced at the pair as he was extending a hand, "David Keogh."
"Richie Ryan. Nice to meet you," Richie introduced himself before they shook hands.
"Tori Gordon," Tori introduced herself as well before she shook hands with the man. She wasn't sure how, or even why, there was something odd about this guy, something that didn't feel right, but she couldn't lay her finger on it yet.
"You guys hungry?" Richie offered, "You want some food?"
"No," Duncan declined the offer, "we're meeting Anne in a couple of minutes."
Tori nodded.
"Can we grab one of those?" Richie asked as he picked up two separate bowl.
"Help yourselves," Duncan answered. Richie handed Tori a bowl before they both dumped their fries into their respective bowls.
"So, did that woman come by?" Richie asked.
"Who?" Duncan asked, confused.
"Oh, Anne didn't call you?" Tori asked.
"No," Duncan answered.
"This woman stopped by this morning after you left," Richie explained, "She said she needed to talk to you, but wouldn't say what it was about."
"She leave a name?" Duncan asked.
"No," Tori answered, "She wouldn't even come in the door. She seemed bothered by something."
"What did she look like?" Keogh asked as he stepped forward and Tori glanced at him.
"In her twenties," Richie answered, "Brunette. Really cute."
Tori shot him a glance before glancing back at Keogh.
"Scared to death," Richie continued before asking Duncan, "Sound familiar?"
"No," Duncan answered, "If she comes by again, get her to wait."
"You got it," Richie replied.
"Of course," Tori nodded in agreement as she observed Keogh.
"Be back in an hour," Duncan told his students before asking Keogh, "Ready?"
"You know, actually," Keogh answered, "I'm wiped. I don't really feel like going back to Jill's place. Is it okay if I crash here for a little while, catch up with you later?"
"You sure?" Duncan asked.
"Yeah, if you don't mind," Keogh insisted.
"Well, make yourself at home," Duncan replied before glancing at his friends, preparing to exit, "Richie, Tori?"
"Yo," Richie replied.
"Leave the place clean," Duncan told them before going out the side door.
"Sure," Richie replied.
"No problem," Tori added.
"One in a million," Keogh stated about Duncan.
"You got that right," Richie stated.
"I wish the guy who found me would've been more like him," Keogh stated.
"It wasn't Mac?" Richie asked.
"No," Keogh answered, "He wasn't my teacher, but he sure taught me a lot. When I was born, you could buy an eight-year-old boy from the orphanage for less than the price of a pig, and bind him in an apprenticeship like a slave until he was twenty-one. After I changed, the Immortal that found me the same way, like a pack animal. Duncan was the first person I ever met that treated me like I was worth something."
"I've been there, man," Richie replied.
Tori continued to eye Keogh as she felt something didn't feel right about him. He acted like he knew this woman. Could it be that the young lady they met earlier that day was Jill, someone he mentioned. Something didn't feel right about this situation.
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Richie was by Tori's side as they exit the elevator and they saw the young lady, which Tori managed to deduct was Jill given what she observed from Keogh and what she saw everything today.
"You're back!" Richie greeted Jill, "Come in."
"Is he here?" Jill asked, "Duncan MacLeod?"
"We hate to say it, but you missed him again," Richie answered, "I told him you came by, though and he said to wait."
He glanced at Tori before glancing back at Jill, "We're really sorry."
"Is there anything we can do for you?" Tori asked.
"He's the only one who can help me," Jill insisted.
"Hmm," Richie replied, "Okay."
"Of course," Tori added. Richie could tell she wasn't buying what Jill was saying. She was capable of putting two and two together.
"Jill!" Keogh bellowed as he entered the dojo. He walked over to Jill and held her in a loving embrace, "Sweetheart, I'm glad you came by. I went by the church this morning, and I talked to Pastor Reaves. We're all set for Sunday."
"Get away from me!" Jill ordered as she tried to pull away from him. Keogh held her hand to try to keep her in his grasp. Richie got between them, "Hey, David! What's up, man?"
"It's wedding jitters," Keogh assured him, "I had them myself."
He then told Jill and rubbed her shoulders, "Go back to your place, and I'll give you a nice massage."
"Don't!" Jill broke from his grasp, "You're not listening to me, David!"
Richie observed that the situation was getting intense and stepped between them, "David, let's take it easy."
Keogh elbowed him hard in the belly, causing him to groan in pain.
Tori stepped forward, "You know, I had a feeling something was off! You need to leave Jill alone! She doesn't want to be with you!"
Keogh suddenly hit Tori in the face, causing her to cry out in pain and fall to the floor.
Richie's eyes widened in horror as he looked in shock as he managed to stand back up, "Tori?!"
Then he eyed Keogh in anger and snapped, "You son of a bitch!"
He punched him hard in the face to return the favor, causing him to fall to the floor. Jill ran out of the room in response to everything she just saw.
"Jill!" Keogh called out as he started to get up. Richie saw Tori getting up herself and getting away from Keogh.
"I can imagine why she doesn't want to be with you!" Richie exclaimed in anger at Keogh for hurting Tori, "You have the audacity to hit Tori, hit a girl. Wait till MacLeod hears about this."
"I never hit Jill if that's what you're wondering," Keogh cut him off before getting out his sword. Richie followed suit.
"Get between us again, and I'll kill you," Keogh threatened.
"Stay away from Tori," Richie eyed him.
Keogh scoffed before leaving.
Richie hurried to Tori, who was shaking in hurt, anger and fear, also on the verge of tears. He held her in his arms, "Are you okay?"
"I'll live," Tori answered, her voice trembling, "he's a creep. I don't blame Jill for not wanting to be with him."
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"What?!" Duncan exclaimed in shock, "He did what?!"
"You heard right," Richie replied, "he hit Tori when she tried to tell him to back off from Jill."
Duncan sighed in disbelief as he was processing everything he heard just now, "This doesn't make any sense. They're supposed to be getting married."
"Not unless it's a shotgun wedding," Tori stated as she held an ice pack to her face.
"I'm telling you, Mac," Richie added, "she doesn't want anything to do with him."
"I'll talk to him," Duncan told the pair.
"Well, if I were you, I'd be careful," Richie advised, "I think he broke some ribs, and gave Tori a nice bruise on her face."
"You'll heal," Duncan assured him before eyeing Tori, "You both will."
"I know," Richie replied, "That's not what I mean. Mac, you don't understand. One minute this guy was there, then the next – boom! He hit Tori, and he's trying to take my head, and he's not kidding around, I mean, this girl came in, and he just freaked."
"It's like he has an obsession with her," Tori added.
"What the hell is this all about?" Richie asked.
Duncan reflected on Sarah, a woman he met in 1882, ten years after he lost Little Deer when she and the rest of village. He was obsessed with her as she was married.
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Duncan waved his hand and fingers as he was only donning black gi pants and performing kata. It started with arm blows, then swinging kicks, and finally meditation as he was on his knees.
As he was performing kata, Duncan heard himself talking in his head, "Work through your anger. Walk through the pain. I thought you were gone. A hundred years of forgetting, and it all comes back. Why is it I can still taste you? David knows – the thoughts, the pain...the obsession. He won't let it go. He has to."
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Richie threw some darts at the office while Tori watched.
"How are you feeling?" Richie asked.
"I healed," Tori answered, "and I trust your ribs healed too."
"Yeah," Richie nodded, "my ribs healed."
"That creep seriously needs to leave Jill alone," Tori stated.
Suddenly, they both sensed the Buzz. Tori and Richie met up with Duncan at the dojo.
"He wasn't at Jill's," Duncan told them, "I drove up to his workshop, but he wasn't there. He's probably out looking for her."
"He doesn't respect boundaries," Tori crossed her arms, "and doesn't know when to leave well enough alone."
"Well," Richie replied, "let's hope he doesn't find her."
"I just wish we could talk to her," Duncan said, "find out what happened."
"Now's your chance," Richie pointed behind him. The group looked to see Jill entering the dojo.
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Duncan brought Jill, Richie and Tori to the loft. Duncan got Jill something to drink as she was seated on the couch with Richie and Tori.
"Thanks," Jill accepted the drink, "Did he tell you how we met?"
"Yeah," Duncan answered.
"His woodwork," Jill explained, "I'd never seen anything like it. I told him he must have a very old soul to understand wood like that. Little did I know. We were happy. Everything seemed so perfect. Then one day I came home, and he said, "Honey, come here. I have something to show you", and then he...took a knife, and he..."
"Then he healed," Duncan spoke up.
"He said I had to know," Jill stated, "and I wish he'd never told me."
"He loves you," Duncan insisted, knowing what it was like to tell Tessa about his immortality, "He had to tell you."
"Life with an immortal isn't for everyone, Mac," Tori interjected, "Tessa could handle it, but maybe it's not for her."
Jill nodded before speaking again, "I have a picture of how I want my life to be: kids, grandkids, a family. It may sound stupid, but it's what I see."
"There's nothing wrong with that," Tori assured her.
"So you called it off," Richie chimed in.
"But he won't let me," Jill replied, explaining herself further, "and he won't leave me alone. He nearly beat a guy to death for just talking to me. He told me that you're like him. He trusts you, respects you, so he'll listen to you. You're my only hope. You'll explain this to him, won't you?"
"I'll try," Duncan answered. He suddenly sensed the Buzz, as did Richie and Tori as MacLeod motioned the former with his head just before the knock on the door was heard. Richie went to answer the door.
"You'll be fine," Duncan assured Jill. Tori stayed near Jill as Richie opened the door.
"Where is she?" Keogh asked as he entered the loft, "Jill!"
He saw Jill standing up on the couch with Tori and Duncan, "Thank God you're all right. I was worried about you."
He then asked Duncan, "What's she doing here?"
"We've got to talk, David," Duncan told him.
"There's nothing to talk about," Keogh insisted as his friend blocked him, "Jill, come on. Let's go home."
"David, stop it," Duncan insisted as he continued to block him as Richie got in front of the girls.
"Stop what?" Keogh asked, "What's going on here?"
"Give it a rest, Dave." Richie chimed in.
Duncan waved him to be silent as he told Keogh, "Nothing's going on here. Jill just wanted me to talk to you."
"I think she can talk to me herself," Keogh scoffed.
"She tried that, David," Duncan argued, "David, she doesn't want to marry you. She wants you to leave her alone."
"How do you know what she wants?" Koegh retorted before asking and moving past him, "Jill...I know it's gonna take a little getting used to, but we'll work it out."
"She can't do it, David," Duncan insisted this time as he was behind him.
"Jill, I need you," Keogh insisted to her, "All I want for us to be together. You said you loved me."
"Things happen to change," Tori couldn't help but to speak up. Duncan waved at her to be quiet too.
"She said she wasn't interested," Richie spoke up as he and Tori did what they could to protect Jill from her stalker.
"Get your hands off her!" Keogh shouted.
"David!" Duncan shouted as he grabbed him to keep him from touching Jill or laying his hands on Richie or Tori again.
"She's mine!" Keogh shouted.
"Stop it, David!" Jill exclaimed.
"Enough!" Duncan exclaimed.
"David," Richie and Tori stated in unison.
"David, stop it!" Jill yelled again.
"Hi!" a voice awkwardly called out nearby. Everyone looked to see Anne entering from the elevator and she proceeded to walk forward, "Well, don't all speak at once."
"Come on, Jill," Keogh started to walk away, "Let's go."
"No," Jill refused.
"David, stop doing this," Duncan insisted, "Can't you see what you're doing?"
"I'm not doing anything but trying to take my wife home," Keogh replied aggressively.
Anne bravely stepped forward to Jill, "Hi, I'm Anne. We met this morning. Would you like to come back to my place? We can talk."
"Be careful, Anne," Tori advised, "that douche over there hit me earlier today."
Anne looked surprised by that revelation, but remained firm on her offer to Jill.
"She's right, Anne," Duncan added, "I don't think that's a good idea, for you to get in the middle of this."
"I think it's best," Anne insisted.
"She's a doctor," Tori chimed in, "this might be good for Jill."
Anne smiled before looking at Jill, "What do you say?"
"Like hell!" Keogh exclaimed in an outburst.
"Yeah," Jill told Anne, "I think I'd like that."
"Okay," Anne replied. She managed to take Jill out of the loft, out of Keogh's grasp for the time being. Duncan blocked Keogh to prevent him from following the two women, "No, David."
"Wait, please!" Keogh insisted.
"No," Duncan calmly told him.
"I need you!" Keogh shouted to Jill.
"No," Duncan repeated himself.
"Jill! MacLeod, don't do this to me!" Keogh pleaded as Jill and Anne enter the elevator, "No!"
As the elevator descends, Keogh broke free from Duncan before proceeding to sit on a nearby chair, "If I could get her to understand."
"She can't handle it, David," Duncan told him as he held his arms around the chair and was eye to eye with Keogh.
"She'll learn."
"She won't learn. She doesn't want to learn. You can't force her to marry you."
"You don't know that. She's not your wife."
"She's not yours either, David."
Duncan walked away from Keogh, reflecting on having to learn the hard way about Sarah as she couldn't handle his immortality, just as Jill couldn't. Not only that, Sarah was just fine with her husband.
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Anne handed Jill a mug with something to drink, "Here. Have a sip of that."
"Thanks," Jill replied as she took the mug and proceeded to take a sip.
"Did you sleep okay last night?" Anne asked.
"Not so great."
Anne looked at her with concern, "Do you want to talk?"
"I don't think you'd believe me," Jill answered.
"Try me," Anne replied as she gave her an assuring smile, "Sometimes it helps."
"Really, I don't think you want to know," Jill stated, "and trust me, not knowing is better."
"I don't believe that," Anne stated before telling her, "Look, I know that, uh, things must seem really bad for you right now, but I've seen many women in the same spot that you're in, and you don't have to be afraid of him. There are things you can do."
"David and Duncan aren't like other guys."
"What do you mean?"
Before Jill can answer, the two women heard knocking at the front door. Anne went to answer the door and returned with Duncan in tow after Jill got her coat.
"We have to go," Duncan said.
"Why?" Anne asked.
"Because David left my apartment an hour ago," Duncan answered, "He'll find her."
"He doesn't know where I live, does he?" Anne asked.
"But he knows who you are," Duncan insisted, "He'll find out."
He then proceeded to ask Jill, "Is there anywhere you can go while I handle this?"
"He's never going to stop," Jill answered, "Never. He's going to keep following me. You know this."
"I'll talk to him again, Jill," Duncan replied.
"She does not have to keep running away from this guy, all right?" Anne stated, "Now, we can call the police and get a restraining order."
"The police can't stop him," Jill replied before telling Duncan, "There's only one thing that can stop him, and you know it. You have to."
"What is she talking about?" Anne asked, confused.
"Are you going to do it or not?" Jill asked Duncan.
"Do what?" Anne asked again.
"I'll make him see reason," Duncan told Jill, "I'll try and keep him away from you."
Jill sighed, frustrated, "You're not gonna do it."
"All right, this is ridiculous," Anne stated before going to her phone, "I'm calling the police."
Duncan rushed to her, "Anne, don't."
"It is the only way, Duncan," Anne insisted, holding the phone in her hand, "You think talking is going to stop this guy? If you think that, why don't you spend a Saturday night at the emergency ward with me. These guys do not stop until somebody is dead."
Duncan took the phone from her and put it back to the receiver, "I said don't."
They heard the door close behind them. They turned to find that Jill was gone. Duncan threw his hands in the air before going after her, leaving Anne confused, wondering what all that was all about. She hoped that Jill would be okay and nobody ended up dead.
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Jill left the elevator on her floor. She went to unlock her front door and found it already unlocked. She closed the door, realizing David had found her.
"Jill?" he heard David call out before she backed away. She ran down the hallway, broke the glass on the wall-mounted fire box with her elbow. She grabbed the axe out of the box and went back to the door, preparing to defend herself against her stalker.
The door opened and David appeared. She swung the axe and he dodged. She swung the axe again, and this time, he grabbed it as she went inside and he closed the door behind him. Jill looked on as David locked the door.
"It's okay. I understand," David told her. Jill backed away from him terrified, "You never have to be afraid of me. Look, I can't help who I am, Jill."
She continued to back away from him as David was still carrying the axe and talking to her, "Just because we're different doesn't mean we can't be together."
"No. Please," Jill insisted as she made her way to the balcony door, "just leave me alone."
David dropped the axe and held out his hands, "We can make it okay. Just talk to me."
"I don't want to talk," Jill spoke with fear in her voice, "Don't you get it? I just want it to be over."
David shook his head as he looked away, "It's that woman at MacLeod's, isn't it? She thinks there's something wrong with me."
As he was talking, Jill opened the door and went out onto the balcony. David noticed what Jill was doing and said, "Jill. We'll talk it out. Just come back inside."
"No," Jill whimpered.
"I said come back inside!" David exploded at her, causing Jill to scream as she climbed over the balcony rail, knocking a potted plant off the ledge.
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Duncan reached the apartment building before proceeding to enter Jill's apartment and saw things escalate. Keogh was trying to talk to Jill as she was at the bricks of the apartment building.
"David!" he called out as saw Keogh glance at him, "Get back inside."
Duncan pulled him away from Jill, pushed him back through the balcony door, "Stay there."
"Oh!" Jill shouted as she looked down.
"Jill, come back over," Duncan calmly told her.
Jill shook her head, "He won't leave me alone."
"Yes, he will, Jill," Duncan assured her, "I'll make sure that he will. Come back."
"I can't," Jill replied as she was too scared to move.
"Yes you can," Duncan replied as he moved closer, "Just give me your hand."
He held his hand out and Jill slowly reached for it, "That's it."
Just when Jill was about to get a hold of Duncan's hand, Keogh rushed forward to grab it instead, "I've got you!"
Jill screamed and lost her balance. She fell off the ledge.
"Jill!" Keogh exclaimed in dismay. The two men looked to see that Jill had fallen to her death at the sidewalk below.
"I didn't mean this," Keogh stated before Duncan pulled him back inside the apartment, "Why? All ever wanted was to have what other people have. What do I do now?"
Duncan held him by his coat and dragged him out of the apartment, "You walk out with me, right now."
The two men hurried down the stairs
"You always told me we could have real lives, real happiness," Keogh told Duncan as he was clearly filled with grief from losing Jill, "It was a lie. You never wanted me to have her. This is what you wanted."
"David," Duncan tried to reason with him, holding Keogh's chest, "You know that's not true."
"Liar!" Keogh shouted. He pushed Duncan away, and drew his sword.
Duncan drew his blade to defend himself, and the pair fought their way outside, ending up behind the building,
"Were you jealous? Is that what that was?"
"David, stop it!" Duncan called out while they were dueling.
"Everything was fine until you interfered," Keogh insisted.
"Listen to yourself," Duncan said. "Everything wasn't fine!"
"You lying bastard!" Keogh shouted before he cut Duncan's arm, and sent him rolling. Duncan got back up and took off his coat, continued fighting and knocked down Keogh into the mud, "Put the sword down."
Duncan managed to disarm Keogh after he got out of the mud puddle as he was covered in mud and blood came out from the corner from his mouth.
"Go to hell," Keogh stated in anger. Duncan raised his sword over Keogh's head. He paused, looking at his opponent.
"Finish it, MacLeod!" Keogh insisted, "because if you don't, I'm coming for you."
Duncan lowered his sword and then he picked up Keogh's sword and threw it aside, out of his reach. "Then you come for me."
Moments later, he walked away.
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Tori looked at Richie after he hung up the phone.
"What happened?" she asked.
"Jill is dead," Richie answered, "Ah, man. Mac said it was an awful ordeal."
"And Keogh?"
"He's still alive, but Mac defeated him for the time being."
Tori sighed with disbelief, "I wish Mac took his head."
"Me too," Richie sat next to her, "I hated that he hit you. I was pissed when he did that."
"I was shaken up," Tori stated, "but Jill was more of a concern for us as our wounds would heal, but that creep was stalking him. Too bad things ended badly."
Richie held her in his arms, "I know. I also wish Mac took his head too. I would have."
"That goes double for me," Tori nodded in agreement, "If I was given the chance, I would have taken his head."
Richie smiled as the two started to cuddle to comfort each other.
"Do you think we'll see him again?" Tori asked.
"I hope not," Richie answered, "but Mac said he wasn't going to bother to look for him."
"It's for the best," Tori nodded, "I guess."
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Felicia was walking down the streets. She had found herself in an isolated alleyway, trying to clear her head. She felt a cold touch on her shoulders. Immediately, she got out her new sword and fought against the strange looking ice soldiers. She managed to use her sword to defeat each of the ice robots that tried to attack her.
"That will be enough!"
Felicia looked up to see another ice robot arrive at the area. He looked different than the other ice robots she fought.
"What is this all about?" she demanded.
"I am Garax," the soldier introduced himself, "leader of the army of Ming the Merciless."
"Ming the Merciless?" Felicia looked at Garax, confused.
"Yes," Garax explained, "Allow him to explain things to you as his plan might be of interest to you."
Felicia eyed him, remaining silent as a man with green skin appeared on the screen on Garax's abdomen.
"Greetings," the man introduced himself, "I am Ming the Merciless. I am offering a proposition for you, regarding Duncan MacLeod."
"Duncan MacLeod?!" that caught her attention, "I'm listening. Tell me your proposition."
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Author's Note:
For the purpose of Earth N and the ongoing story Beginning of a New Life, I had this episode set between "The Samurai" and "Line of Fire," and Duncan meets Anne around that time.
Author's Commentary:
Richie and Tori were turning on the lights and opening the blinds of the windows, opening the dojo for the day. Jack had informed them that Richie's former model friend Maya was killed a couple of days ago in some sort of accident in Barcelona.
"I'm very sorry," Tori apologized, "I know I didn't like her, but...I know you have."
"It's all right," Richie held her, "Maya was beautiful. She was a good friend, but after what she said about me, I past the mourning phase a long time ago."
Tori perked at him, and glanced at him. She didn't say anything about what she said to him about what she said that day, "How did you know?"
"I found a recording when we were in Paris," Richie answered, "I wasn't too happy what she said. I was disappointed."
"I'm sorry," Tori gently touched his shoulder, "I kept it from you because Tessa told me to let it go, and I wanted to protect you from getting hurt."
Richie smiled, "I appreciate it."
"Yes, Duncan did bail you out of jail the next day," Tori explained, "but my mom helped. She managed to explain to authorities in Paris how Piton was a corrupt criminal disguising himself into a well known modeling agency in Paris who set you up, leading to your arrest, hence, you were free after the fact."
This is reference to the episode "Eye of the Beholder," which wasn't fully covered in the series. Just mentioned. This was previously mentioned in the beginning of chapter 9. I personally hated Maya to where I wish Piton killed her before MacLeod could interfere, but I digress. Here, I resolved the issue in a civil-ish manner.
Suddenly, they looked to see Anne step out of the elevator.
"Anne," Richie greeted her. Tori smiled at her. Anne was an ER doctor, and she had been seeing Duncan for the past couple of days, albeit Duncan insisted that there was nothing serious going on between them. Yeah right. It was like when she and Richie were insisting they weren't a couple, but neither couple could keep it up for too long, especially given the fact Richie and Tori knew each other longer than Duncan knew Anne.
"Hi, Anne," Tori greeted her, "good to see you again."
"We just met yesterday," Anne replied, "Anyway, I was just leaving."
"Donut?" Richie offered something for her.
"Oh, no," Anne declined, "That stuff will kill ya."
"Chocolate," Richie added on.
"Really?" Anne was now interested.
"Yeah," Richie replied, "go for it."
Anne reached into the bag for a donut.
"She's not wrong though," Tori stated, "everything in moderation."
"Very good point," Anne nodded.
Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to Earth N: Anne Lindsey, who was Duncan's love interest in Season 3 of Highlander: The Series. She's my least favorite of Duncan's love interests on the show. I don't hate her, no, no as I like her as a character, but she's no Tessa, and definitely no Amanda, but again, she is likable.
I think the only unlikable characters are particularly the villains such as Kenny, the Hills (Alec and Jennifer, who you'll meet in the Season 5 arc, but you already met Alec if you read The Magic Within) and Keogh. I do have a couple of favorite villains, though.
"His woodwork," Jill explained, "I'd never seen anything like it. I told him he must have a very old soul to understand wood like that. Little did I know. We were happy. Everything seemed so perfect. Then one day I came home, and he said, "Honey, come here. I have something to show you", and then he...took a knife, and he..."
"Then he healed," Duncan spoke up.
"He said I had to know," Jill stated, "and I wish he'd never told me."
"He loves you," Duncan insisted, knowing what it was like to tell Tessa about his immortality, "He had to tell you."
"Life with an immortal isn't for everyone, Mac," Tori interjected, "Tessa could handle it, but maybe it's not for her."
Jill nodded before speaking again, "I have a picture of how I want my life to be: kids, grandkids, a family. It may sound stupid, but it's what I see."
"There's nothing wrong with that," Tori assured her.
Some people can handle life with an immortal, some people can't. That's the bottom line there. Tessa could handle that life, but Jill couldn't. That's why Jill ended things, but if you seen this episode, and read on, David Keogh would not take no for an answer.
"Where is she?" Keogh asked as he entered the loft, "Jill!"
He saw Jill standing up on the couch with Tori and Duncan, "Thank God you're all right. I was worried about you."
He then asked Duncan, "What's she doing here?"
"We've got to talk, David," Duncan told him.
"There's nothing to talk about," Keogh insisted as his friend blocked him, "Jill, come on. Let's go home."
"David, stop it," Duncan insisted as he continued to block him as Richie got in front of the girls.
"Stop what?" Keogh asked, "What's going on here?"
"Give it a rest, Dave." Richie chimed in.
Duncan waved him to be silent as he told Keogh, "Nothing's going on here. Jill just wanted me to talk to you."
"I think she can talk to me herself," Keogh scoffed.
"She tried that, David," Duncan argued, "David, she doesn't want to marry you. She wants you to leave her alone."
"How do you know what she wants?" Koegh retorted before asking and moving past him, "Jill...I know it's gonna take a little getting used to, but we'll work it out."
"She can't do it, David," Duncan insisted this time as he was behind him.
"Jill, I need you," Keogh insisted to her, "All I want for us to be together. You said you loved me."
"Things happen to change," Tori couldn't help but to speak up. Duncan waved at her to be quiet too.
"She said she wasn't interested," Richie spoke up as he and Tori did what they could to protect Jill from her stalker.
"Get your hands off her!" Keogh shouted.
"David!" Duncan shouted as he grabbed him to keep him from touching Jill or laying his hands on Richie or Tori again.
"She's mine!" Keogh shouted.
"Stop it, David!" Jill exclaimed.
"Enough!" Duncan exclaimed.
"David," Richie and Tori stated in unison.
"David, stop it!" Jill yelled again.
Here's an example where David Keogh will not take no for an answer. Jill does not want to be with him, but he will not leave her alone. I personally think he's a creep.
Duncan managed to disarm Keogh after he got out of the mud puddle as he was covered in mud and blood came out from the corner from his mouth.
"Go to hell," Keogh stated in anger. Duncan raised his sword over Keogh's head. He paused, looking at his opponent.
"Finish it, MacLeod!" Keogh insisted, "because if you don't, I'm coming for you."
Duncan lowered his sword and then he picked up Keogh's sword and threw it aside, out of his reach and then he replied, "Then you come for me."
Moments later, Duncan walked away.
I'm with several fellow Highlander fans when I say that Keogh should have gotten comeuppance for everything he had done. Don't worry, that will be remedied in the ongoing story Beginning of a New Life. I'll explain further about things during the actual story.
Felicia was walking down the streets. She had found herself in an isolated alleyway, trying to clear her head. She felt a cold touch on her shoulders. Immediately, she got out her new sword and fought against the strange looking ice soldiers. She managed to use her sword to defeat each of the ice robots that tried to attack her.
"That will be enough!"
Felicia looked up to see another ice robot arrive at the area. He looked different than the other ice robots she fought.
"What is this all about?" she demanded.
"I am Garax," the soldier introduced himself, "leader of the army of Ming the Merciless."
"Ming the Merciless?" Felicia looked at Garax, confused.
"Yes," Garax explained, "Allow him to explain things to you as his plan might be of interest to you."
Felicia eyed him, remaining silent as a man with green skin appeared on the screen on Garax's abdomen.
"Greetings," the man introduced himself, "I am Ming the Merciless. I am offering a proposition for you, regarding Duncan MacLeod."
"Duncan MacLeod?!" that caught her attention, "I'm listening. Tell me your proposition."
This is the final set up scene which would lead to Beginning of a New Life, as Felicia will be out for revenge against Duncan MacLeod, and so will David Keogh. This is going to be a wild ride.
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Chapters
Tori Gordon, a teenage operative for the Intergalactic Union Agency, transfers to a branch in Washington State, where she becomes involved in a battle between supernatural forces.
While reflecting on personal matters, Tori witnesses a stunning occurrence.
Richie introduces Tori to his friends, Duncan and Tessa, who detail the secret affairs of immortals.
As Tori begins learning more about her true nature, a teacher offers assistance.
Tori informs the Defenders that she plans to help Duncan and his companions.
Tori and Richie continue bonding as the IUA works with Duncan.
Tori is given a new task by her mother Janet.
Duncan and the group encounter Tori's teacher, Amanda. Tori learns that Duncan and Amanda have history.
9: Two Families, One Adventure
The Defenders arrive in Paris, where they unite with Tori's team.
Tori tends to an ailing Richie.
The group gains allies while investigating a new matter.
The search for Horton begins.
An old friend of Tori's reveals a darker side. Janet becomes involved in the current operation.
Duncan is told to be wary of a dark prophesy.
The team is menaced by Annie Devlin, an old associate of Duncan's.
Duncan begins refining Tori's skills.
Richie and Tori continue bonding.
A new woman comes into Richie's life.
Janet takes steps to make Richie an IUA operative.
Tori and her allies confront a number of enemies in the city.
The teams head out for a day of fun.
Rick's capture leads to a compromising situation as LJ and the others attempt a rescue.
Lucy, a dangerous immortal, targets Richie. Tori intervenes.
The IUA investigates when one of the Phantom's acquaintances is victimized by an immortal.
Richie and Tori return to Paris to assist with the mission, which is complicated by police involvement.
Duncan meets a woman who bears a strong resemblance to Tessa.
27: Can't Help Falling In Love
Kern, a vindictive old associate, returns to challenge Duncan.
Duncan attempts to work with the unstable David Keogh.
Charlie prepares to depart.
The group meet a girl named Michelle, who has just discovered her immortal nature.
Tori and Richie attempt to care for a younger boy named Kenny.
Everyone prepares for a holiday.
A mysterious statue creates chaos.
Joe and the team find others in need of their help.
Jedda and Tori have an intimate conversation.
Kalas haunts Richie and the others.
Duncan prepares for battle with Kalas and finds a surprise.
Kalas searches for Methos.
Tori worries as Richie begins taking chances.
Anne arrives.
41: The Exorcism of Richie Ryan
Richie requires assistance in getting back to normal.
The Defenders step in to assist with Kalas, and to help prevent the truth about Duncan's kind from leaking.
Duncan prepares to confront Kalas.
Duncan embarks on a private journey to Scotland. Jedda and Tori spar before an audience.
45: Walking On Shattered Glass
Duncan tries to intervene as Charlie clashes with Cord.
The current situation reminds Tori of a well-known scenario.
Amanda and Richie follow Duncan on a journey in secret, and end up defending themselves from a horde of ice robots.
The friends see Kenny again. Duncan suspects that a certain immortal is pursuing the child.
Seacouver is targeted by an ambitious supernatural woman named Sierra.
Duncan, Tori, and Richie investigate a matter from Duncan's past alongside the police.
The group is challenged by a charismatic new antagonist, Kamir.
The spellcaster Kristin Gilles arrives and pursues Richie. Mandrake offers assistance in thwarting her.
Duncan and his friends attempt to aid a pianist.
Anne and Jack participate in the latest endeavor.
Duncan falls under a dark influence temporarily.
Methos and the others reflect.
The exploits of Flash and his famed allies from Mongo are chronicled. Meanwhile, Zorelda reemerges.
The team members engage in sparring and storytelling during downtime.
The groups attempt to rescue Joe, who has been lured into a trap.
As tensions rise and truths are revealed, the team bands together in their effort to help Joe.
Richie makes a monumental decision.
As Tori and Richie prepare for the big day, opposing forces on Mongo makes plans of their own.
Katarina and Castra attempt to unite with the Defenders before Zorelda makes her move.
Zorelda arrives on Earth.
65: Setting Up The Rescue Mission
The groups outline their rescue effort.
Zorelda begins enacting her plan for Richie.
67: Mongo Showdown — Part One
Methos and Duncan engage in action on Mongo.
68: Mongo Showdown — Part Two
As the battle continues, Tori confronts Zorelda.
The group deals with the repercussions of their adventure and return to Earth.
Duncan's ally, Cassandra, relays a vision.
Tori and Richie encounter a cult. Duncan pursues Clay.
The Ryans foster a mysterious child who bears a resemblance to Tori.
Amanda and Maurice return as a new enigma arises.
Amanda engages in more questionable activity.
The group tries helping a woman who might be stalked by an old acquaintance of Duncan's.
76: All That Glitters Is Not Golden
Richie seeks to assist a childhood friend who's dealing with legal issues.
The Ryans encounter an apparent impostor, who also approaches Hadea.
An adversary known as Kronos targets Tori, seeking to exploit her intellect.
Richie and Duncan move to counter Kronos.
80: The Ransom of Richard Redstone
The Ryans depart for an undercover mission overseas.
The group make new acquaintances while pursuing a lead tied to a mysterious dancing event.
The enigmatic Keane arrives, wreaking havoc on several people's lives.
Duncan deals with a mischievous adversary named Byron. Jedda and Rick prepare for parenthood. Both Katarina and Jedda sense danger ahead.
Ming and Octon turn to a new ally.
Duncan is haunted.
The shape-shifter initiates a confrontation.
Ming shifts his focus to an isolated girl.
The Defenders unite with Tori's friends in an effort to stop Ahriman.
A climactic battle occurs as the Defenders clash with Ming, while Tori and Richie attempt to aid their friends.
90: Aftermath: The World Changes Forever
Everyone is affected by the recent events, which will have lasting repercussions.
Richie copes. Duncan travels overseas.
Joe, Amanda, and Duncan continue to hunt the enemy.
April locates Richie and provides an update on the current situation.
Richie is confronted by the opponent again.
Joe leads the investigation as everyone bands together.
The final clash begins.
Duncan makes a crucial discovery.
The key element to the plan is obtained.
The team proceeds with their endeavor.
100: The Last Stand — Part One
The group discovers that only one person can assist Duncan.
101: The Last Stand — Part Two
The battle reaches a conclusion.
Series finale.
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