DCH 33
Defenders Chronicles: Highlander
By AmandaDoE
Chapter Thirty-Three: Shadows
Duncan stepped out of Joe's bar, turning in for the night. He looked to see a mysterious figure donning a long, hooded cowl and was holding a sword. Duncan got out his katana and followed the figure through the doorway.
"Where are you?!" Duncan demanded as he looked around his surroundings. He saw the figure enter at the end of the corridor, "I'm Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod. Who are you?"
The figure walked through the doorway, out of sight. Duncan went to look for him, "Who are you?"
He followed the figure through the doorway, and found himself in an empty room at a deserted building.
"Show yourself." Duncan ordered as he looked around the room for the mysterious figure. He turned and eventually spotted the figure in the doorway, "Get out of my way...or fight me."
The figure raised its sword, and moved towards him and attacked. Duncan defended himself against his attacker, and they exchanged parries. The figure knocked Duncan on his knees, before he disarmed him, and then raised his sword to behead him. He lunged for his sword as the figure swung for the killing blow.
Duncan woke up gasping.
"Duncan!" Anne exclaimed as Duncan jumped out of the bed. He looked around to see that he was in his bedroom as he looked around wildly and breathing heavily.
"Are you all right?" Anne asked before she soothed him and Duncan eventually noticed her presence, "Duncan. Shhh, it's okay. It's okay."
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Duncan looked on as Anne finished a phone call, and walked over to him.
"Duncan," Anne told him, "I have a fantastic idea. I'm playing hooky this morning, so I thought that – I don't know, maybe you and I can go out and do something fun together. What do you say?"
"That I'm not in the mood," Duncan answered before he kissed her cheek before he turned away to get something to eat from the fridge.
"That is exactly why we should go out," Anne insisted as she grabbed his arm and wrapped her arms around his waist, "Come on. A little sunshine, a little fresh air. What do you say? And Duncan, I really think you could use a break."
"Anne," Duncan assured her, "it's nothing to worry about. It was just a nightmare."
"Yeah, but it's been going on night after night," Anne explained, "Your pulse is like two hundred. I can barely wake you. What, are you gonna tell me you're counting sheep again?"
"Yeah, I'm counting sheep," Duncan replied. Anne sighed in frustration before he told her, "There's an art show downtown."
"Okay," Anne proposed as she wrapped her arms around him, "why don't I go home and get changed, and maybe you can pick me up in an hour."
"Okay," Duncan relented.
"And Duncan," Anne asked, "you would tell me if there's something really wrong, wouldn't you?"
"Why wouldn't I?" Duncan answered.
"Okay," Anne replied before they kissed. Then, she left the loft.
Duncan had the flashback of the nightmare on his mind. He tried his best to shake it off as it was bothering him.
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Richie held Tori's hand as Cory was not too far behind them.
"Are you sure about this?" Tori asked.
"I told you, Tor," Richie answered, "your mom asked that I take on a part time job since we're going to be sticking around with MacLeod, you know."
"But as a musician?"
"Anne," Richie looked over as he noticed Anne exiting the elevator.
"Hi, Richie, Tori," Anne greeted the couple.
"Hi," Richie replied, "How're you doing?"
"Good."
"Listen, is Mac upstairs?" Richie asked.
"Yeah," Anne answered.
"Odd," Tori replied, "We haven't seen him for a couple of days."
"Yeah," Richie added, "What's he been doing, hiding from us?"
"No," Anne stated, "but he has been having trouble sleeping lately."
"Oh," Richie replied, "really?"
"So, who's your friend?" Anne asked, gesturing towards Cory.
"Oh, Anne, this is, uh, Cory Littman," Richie introduced his friend to Anne, "but I'm going to call him Cory Lighting."
"Hi, I'm Anne Lindsey," Anne introduced herself to Cory.
"Hi," Cory replied quietly.
"Cory Lighting?" Anne asked.
"You don't like it?" Richie counter asked, "It's too flashy? How about just Cory Light?"
"Well, that depends," Anne answered, "Is he a professional wrestler?"
"He's a musician," Tori stated.
"Oh," Anne replied before asking Cory, "What do you play?"
"Guitar," Cory quietly answered.
"Oh, what kind of stuff? Rock?"
"Rock, blues, anything," Richie explained, "Anne, you should hear him. He is awesome. A little help, a little, uh..."
"Agenting." Tori spoke up.
"Yeah, agenting," Richie finished, "and this kid is going all the way."
"Yeah, with you as his agent, Richie?" Anne asked.
"Yeah, sure," Richie answered, "Why not? I get Joe to give him a show, I pack the house...Get a couple of A&R guys down to listen, and ba – boom, Cory's career is taking off."
"That's the gist of the plan," Tori added.
"That's great." Anne replied.
"Would you excuse us, Cory?" Richie asked before he took Tori and Anne aside.
"Are you really worried about MacLeod?" Richie asked Anne.
"You want us to go upstairs and check on him?" Tori added.
"Oh, that's a good idea," Anne answered, "and why don't you bring Mr. Lighting? Mac could use some cheering up."
"Okay," Richie replied.
"Let's get to it," Tori glanced at her boyfriend before Anne left the dojo. Then, Richie went to get Cory and they headed for the elevator.
They made it to the loft.
"Mac, you got some company!" Tori called out as they stepped out of the elevator.
"Mac?" Richie called out as he and Tori looked around the loft with Cory in tow.
"Mac?!" Richie and Tori both called out in unison.
"Nice place," Cory commented as the three looked around.
"Yeah." Richie replied, still looking around, puzzled, "It's kind of a mess right now."
"I agree there." Tori added, sharing the same expression as her boyfriend.
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"So, uh, whose idea was this?" Anne asked as she and Duncan looked at some stone sculptures of gargoyles.
"The critics call it a smash," Duncan stated.
Anne laughed before saying, "They would."
"That would look good in your waiting room," Duncan said, eyeing one of the statue.
"Half my patients would die on the spot," Anne replied, "And I don't have a waiting room. Man, this guy must've had one hell of a childhood."
Duncan sensed the Buzz while Anne continued to speak, "Duncan, are you all right?"
"I'm sorry, uh..." Duncan replied.
"You don't look very good," Anne asked, concerned, "Are you sick?"
"That's one of the better reactions they get." a familiar face said as he joined them in the conversation.
Duncan eyed the familiar face before he asked, "Garrick, where in the world have you been?"
"Uh, working, studying," Garrick answered, "out of calculation. You know how it is."
"Oh, uh," Duncan pulled Anne forward, "I want you to meet, uh, John Garrick. Uh, this is Dr. Anne Lindsey. I think he has something to do with this."
"Oh, you must be the sculptor," Anne replied as Garrick took her hand and kissed it.
"Oh, just an old stone carver who sells a little work for inflated prices," Garrick replied, "but don't tell anyone."
"Okay," Anne stated before her beeper went off, "Excuse me. Reality calls."
Anne walked away from the two men, leaving Duncan with his old friend.
"So, how have you been, John?" Duncan asked as they surrounded one of the statues.
"I'm good," Garrick answered, "Really good. It's been a long time."
"Yeah." Duncan replied.
Duncan recalled back in England 1665 when he and Garrick were both sentenced to death, to be burned at the stake as they were suspected as witches.
"Remember what Michelangelo said sculpture was?" Garrick asked, pulling Duncan from his thoughts.
"Freeing the shape from the stone?" Duncan answered.
Garrick nodded, "I hammer it into the stone. I capture my fears...then I'm free of them. It keeps me sane, Duncan. They even make me a few bucks."
He stopped by a small statue on a pedestal, resembling a creepy looking demon, "Actually, I'd like you to have this one."
"You sure?" Duncan asked.
"I'd be honored," Garrick answered.
Anne rejoined the two men.
"Hospital?" Duncan asked her.
"Yeah," Anne answered, "Whoever said it's nice needed to be shot."
"Time for me to work the crowds," Garrick said.
"For your sake," Duncan replied, "I hope you've improved."
Garrick smiled, shook Duncan's hand and handed him a business card, "I hope you come see me."
He glanced over at Anne, "Doctor."
Then, he turned away to greet the patrons.
Duncan walked with Anne, holding the statue.
"Garrick seems pretty level-headed." Anne stated.
"Why shouldn't he be?" Duncan asked.
"Well, I look at that kind of work," Anne answered, "and I picture a kid who spent his childhood sticking pins into things."
"He's had his share of problems."
"Hmmm. Well, you'd never know it," Anne stated before she asked, "So, how long since you two have seen each other?"
"Ages." Duncan answered.
"Yeah?"
"A party was getting out of hand," Duncan explained, "I offered to give him a ride."
"Oh. Like a designated driver?"
"Sort of?"
Duncan reached his T – Bird and placed Garrick's statue in his back seat.
"You know," Anne suggested, "uh, you can stay if you want to."
"And miss all this time with you?" Duncan objected as he held Anne's arms.
"Aw. Let's not waste it." Anne replied before she leaned towards him.
Duncan saw the hooded figure from his dream standing above the waterfall, and he pushed Anne aside.
"Duncan?" Anne called out, confused.
"Get out of here!" Duncan exclaimed as he dueled with the figure.
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Anne looked on confused as Duncan was fighting some unknown figure. Whatever he was fighting, she couldn't see it, "Oh, my God. Duncan, stop!"
Nearby, the squad car pulled up.
"Drop it! Now!" a cop ordered as he trained his gun on Duncan.
Anne and Duncan managed to keep things under control as they were talking to police.
"That's not a concealed weapon, Officer," Anne told the cop, "He was just showing it to me."
"And who is he, Bruce Lee?" the cop asked as he examined the sword.
"He's an antique dealer," Anne answered, "but believe me, he's fine. I'm a doctor."
She shown him her card.
"Okay, Doc," the cop replied before telling Duncan, "And uh, Bruce, keep this thing at home."
Duncan nodded, taking his katana.
"Thank you," Anne replied before she turned towards the T – bird as Duncan put his katana in the back seat.
"Duncan! Duncan, you really are worrying me," Anne insisted, "We have to talk."
"Don't you have work to do?" Duncan asked. Anne got in the car and Duncan drove away.
"Anne, I don't need a doctor." Duncan insisted as he drove the T – bird.
"Then what the hell were you doing with a sword?" Anne asked.
"It's a dangerous world out there," Duncan bluntly answered.
"You were hallucinating back there," Anne pointed out with concern, "That could mean any number of things. I could be epilepsy...or...it could be a tumor."
"Maybe a bad pastrami sandwich," Duncan brushed off her concern.
"I don't think so," Anne insisted.
"Anne, I know you care," Duncan insisted back, "but I need a chance to work this out on my own."
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"Hallucinations?" Joe asked as he was adjusting his guitar.
"Yeah," Duncan answered, "they happen. I just wanted to know if you knew why."
"Well, all the crap you guys go through," Joe stated, "I'm surprised you're not all nuts."
"Darius wasn't," Duncan pointed out, "Constantine, Jack, Amanda...I could name a bunch of others."
"What are you looking for, MacLeod?" Joe asked.
"A reason, a pattern," Duncan answered, "Some way to stop it."
He heard familiar music play as he stared at a slowly rotating fan blades. He then saw a flash of the hooded figure from his nightmare standing in the doorway.
"MacLeod." Joe called.
Duncan was pulled back to the present from his thoughts, leaned over the piano keys and was playing the music.
"I didn't know you played." Joe stated.
Duncan stopped playing the music, "I don't."
He left the bar.
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Duncan looked around the studio, looking at grotesque murals on the walls. This was definitely nothing like the artwork Tessa would make, "An interesting place here."
"The ambience kind of lends itself to the subject matter, don't you think?" Garrick replied. They chuckled a bit before Garrick told him, "I'm glad you came. When I saw you, well, I wasn't sure you'd be happy to see me again. I was a...pain in the ass the last time we met."
"That's all in the past," Duncan assured him, "Right now I could use your help."
"How could I help you?" Garrick asked.
"By telling me what it was like." Duncan answered.
"You mean to go insane?"
"You talked about your demons once. What were they like?" Duncan asked as he walked over to his friend.
"Mine," Garrick paused before he stated as he walked to an area, "were personal."
"This one wears a hood." Duncan stated.
"You've seen it?" Garrick asked.
"Several times," Duncan answered, "You know what I'm talking about?"
Garrick opened a set of large industrial doors, revealing a statue covered by a sheet. He pulled the sheet away, revealing the statue of the hooded figure, "I know."
Duncan flinched in shock as he recognized the statue as the hooded figure from his nightmare. He looked on, recognizing the statue.
"You're saying this is a racial memory?" Duncan asked as he examined the statue, "Something we all share?"
"That's what Carl Jung called it." Garrick explained as he flipped through an old book, "I saw them all, MacLeod. The hacks, the butchers. Finally Freud and Jung. Anyone who could help me learn how the mind works. I spent more time in analysis than anyone in history. They were right. We carry the fears inside us all the time."
"But what is it?" Duncan asked.
"Something from the dark end of your mind." Garrick answered, "Death, MacLeod. That's what you're afraid of. That's what you're really facing."
"Why now? Why after so long?"
"Because of how we live, what we do," Garrick explained, "It's only a matter of time...for all of us. After all, part of us is still mortal."
"How do I stop it?" Duncan asked.
"You realize it comes from your mind," Garrick answered, "That's it's an illusion."
"That's it?"
Garrick handed Duncan the book, "If I could do more, I would. You have to do the rest yourself."
He pointed at his forehead, "In here."
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"Talk to me about MacLeod," Joe told Richie and Tori as he was walking with them outside his bar, "He doesn't seem his usual self."
"Beats me," Tori shrugged her shoulders.
"Maybe he's having a bad week." Richie suggested.
"Nah," Joe looked down, as he was certain it was more than a bad week, "it's more than that."
"Look, Dawson, he's an Immortal," Richie chimed.
"So are you," Tori told her boyfriend, "and so am I."
"The point is," Richie interjected, "He's not like other people."
Tori glanced at Joe, "Maybe you just don't understand him."
"Yeah, maybe I don't." Joe replied.
"Look, Tori and I gotta go," Richie told him, "Trust me, Mac is fine."
He paused before he asked, "So, about the club – – are we on?"
"It's done." Joe answered, "It's done."
"Cool!" Richie exclaimed happily, "We'll see you later."
With that, he and Tori left Joe thinking to himself, wondering what could possibly be going on with Duncan.
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Tori looked on as she sat next to Richie and they were watching Cory sitting on a stool on stage, playing blues on his guitar. She nodded, impressed on how good of a musician he was.
She noticed people in the bar, enjoying his performance as well. This guy seemed to be promising.
"So where'd you scare up the two boneheads?" Joe asked.
"He's really good." Tori chimed in.
"I got the record company to send them down." Richie explained, "Practically had to fight my way past the secretary."
"He knows what he wants with that guy." Tori quipped.
"So, uh, you think they'll go for him?" Richie asked.
"Look. If they buy him, they buy him." Joe answered, "If they don't, you've done what you can."
Tori, Richie and Joe looked as Cory finished his song. Along with the rest of the crowd, they clapped and applauded him.
"The kid is good," Richie stated as he was clapping, "He's good."
"I agree with you." Tori nodded as she was clapping.
"Yeah, he's all right." Joe replied.
"I'm telling you," Richie stated happily, "he's blowing them away."
"You can say that again," Tori chuckled.
"He's all right," Joe replied. As Cory started another song, Joe asked, "So, uh, when's MacLeod coming?"
Richie looked at his watch. Tori took some deep breaths.
"Uh, I don't know," Richie answered, "I guess he's running late."
"Richie," Tori called to her boyfriend as she noticed one of the suits beckoned Richie over.
"What do I do now?" Richie asked.
"You're the agent, wise guy," Joe answered.
"Go get em!" Tori exclaimed.
Richie took a deep breath and headed over.
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Duncan was laying on the desk, looking at Garrick's book, which seems to be about medieval 'treatments' for insanity. He remembered the hooded figure in his nightmare. As he continued to read the book, Duncan wondered if he was really going insane. What was it going to take to get rid of this nightmare?
He experienced flashes of some of Garrick's statues before he was thankfully pulled from his thoughts thanks to the phone ringing.
Duncan answered the phone, "MacLeod."
"Hi. I, uh," it was Anne, "I didn't want to call the loft, because I was kind of hoping you were sleeping."
"I was just doing a little light reading," Duncan replied.
"Oh. Well, about today," Anne stated, "I didn't mean to come across like Albert Schweitzer. I just...I just wanted you to know that I'm thinking of you."
"No," Duncan retorted, "you just wanted to know if I'd seen anybody yet."
"Okay, smart guy. Did you?" Anne asked.
"Yes. I'm getting a handle on it, Anne." Duncan answered, "You can stop worrying."
"I tried that. Didn't work." Anne replied, "Good night."
"Good night," Duncan replied before he hung up. Suddenly, he sensed the Buzz, "Richie? Tori?"
He turned to see the hooded figure standing in the center of the darkened dojo, he grabbed his sword, stepped out of the office, and attacked it. The figure dodged the first few blows, then began to parry. The figure disarmed Duncan, and raised its sword, preparing the killing blow. As the blade came down, Duncan rolled, grabbed his katana, and swung wildly.
"What are you doing?!"
"Mac! Mac!"
Duncan halted mid fight, and saw Richie defending himself, holding his sword up while Tori was laying down on the floor, whimpering.
"Richie," Duncan stated as he looked around for the phantom figure, "Tori."
Tori was taking deep breaths to try calming herself. Richie dropped his sword.
"What the hell is with you, man?" Richie yelled in anger as he pushed Duncan, "You know you damn near took my head?!"
"Our head." Tori muttered.
"You're hurt," Duncan glanced at the cut on Richie's chest.
"I'll live," Richie assured him. "What the hell is with you, man?! What's happening to you?"
"I don't know!" Duncan yelled before he walked over to a bench and sat down, repeated broken, "I don't know."
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Tori looked on as Richie was taking care of his wound, looking at a mirror.
"You were insane," Tori stated, "Richie saw that the blow was coming for me, and he pushed me out of the way, and you cut his chest. Glad we yelled for you to stop, it could have been bad."
"Very." Duncan muttered.
"Okay. All right," Richie asked, "We're talking about your subconscious? Your subconscious, like as in Freud?"
"Jung, actually." Duncan answered.
"The thing that's coming after you is not a real thing, right?" Tori added.
"It's like a, uh, a Freddie Kruger kind of thing?" Richie added.
"Well, that's not exactly how the books put it," Duncan answered, "but that's the idea."
He handed Richie a new shirt, "Here. Put this on."
"Oh, thanks." Richie replied, taking the shirt.
"Well, what's it supposed to be?" Tori asked.
"The unknown. Death." Duncan answered, "At least that's what Garrick thinks."
Richie put on the shirt and asked, "Garrick. Who's Garrick?"
"Is Garrick a shrink?" Tori added.
"Garrick is an immortal who studied the mind for centuries," Duncan answered, "He's seen the same thing."
"Mac, are you sure about all this?" Richie asked.
"I'm not sure about anything," Duncan answered, "I just know I keep seeing it."
"Well, look," Richie suggested, "If I were you, I'd get some R & R real soon. So far, you just owe me a shirt."
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Anne noticed that Duncan wasn't eating his lunch.
"I thought you liked this place," Anne stated, "Is there something wrong with the salmon?"
"No, it's fine." Duncan answered, "I'm just not hungry."
"Okay, let's skip the small talk," Anne stated before she asked, "What, uh – – what did this guy you went to see have to say?"
"It's nothing physical." Duncan answered.
"Oh. Oh, that would be really good news," Anne replied, "if he knew which end of the stethoscope to stick in his ear."
"Why wouldn't he?"
"Because you don't go to doctors, Duncan," Anne stated, "I ran a search on your medical records, and guess what? There aren't any. So what, are you going to tell me you've got great genes?"
"You've shouldn't have done that, Anne." Duncan told her.
"Well, maybe you should start explaining a couple of things to me," Anne insisted, "like how you missed ever seeing a doctor."
"Maybe you should mind your own business," Duncan replied before he stood up.
"Excuse me, but I..." Anne stammered, "I thought we were in a relationship."
"You went behind my back." Duncan replied before he started to walk away.
"I care!" Anne exclaimed.
"Then give me some room!" Duncan yelled before he was looking around the other diners, snapping, "What are you looking at? You never seen an argument before? I'm sorry."
He stormed off the cafe, leaving Anne to eat by herself.
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Duncan recalled escaping the execution at the English village in 1665, but Garrick was not so lucky as he was recaptured and burned at the stake.
"MacLeod!" Duncan jerked awake in his bed, hearing Garrick's voice.
"MacLeod!" Duncan sat up, hearing Garrick's voice again, "You left me, but I won't leave you. Wherever you go, wherever you run, we'll be there, MacLeod. We're inside your head."
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Anne walked down the rocks and joined Duncan by the water's edge, "Hey. I'm really glad you called me."
"Well, I..." Duncan stammered, "I guess I over reacted."
"Mm. Yeah, I think we both did," Anne replied, "Getting any sleep?"
"Yeah, enough." Duncan answered.
"Oh, really?" Anne replied, "You don't look like it."
"Well, I still have my sparkling personality," Duncan replied as he threw rocks at the water.
"Duncan, stop it."
"Stop what?"
"Stop pretending like everything's okay when you know damn well that it's not."
"Anne, I'm fighting this. I'll get over it. I just need some time."
"Then let me help you."
"You can't."
"I was afraid you'd say that," Anne replied before she pulled a bottle of pills from her coat pocket, and held it out, "Here."
"What are those?" Duncan asked.
"Well, if you won't get any help," Anne answered, "at least if you can get some sleep..."
"Is that why you came to see me?" Duncan asked.
"Hey," Anne answered, "it's my first house call in years."
"I was never one for pills."
"Or doctors?"
"Anne, I'll get through this. Trust me."
Anne set the pill bottle down by Duncan, "I've got to get to work."
Then she left Duncan at the rocks. The conversation was calmer than it was yesterday.
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Richie looked down while Tori was comforting him.
"It's not the end of the world," she assured him.
"I know," Richie replied, "but it sure is crushing."
"You look down, Richie." Joe glanced at the couple as he arrived. "You didn't get the deal?"
"Cory did." Tori answered.
"But I didn't," Richie added, "The two jerks told him to get a new agent. I mean, how do you like that? You know, I get him this break, I get him a little recognition, and he dumps me."
"This is worse than Maya." Tori muttered.
"And show business was your life." Joe chuckled. He noticed the lack of reaction from Richie or Tori, "Hey, it's a joke."
A pause of silence filled the room before Joe asked, "What's going on with MacLeod?"
"It's not good." Tori answered.
"What happened?" Joe asked.
"He came after us," Richie explained, "He didn't even know who we were. He was in some kind of other world, fighting some hallucination."
"We don't know what's going on with him." Tori added.
"He could be losing it," Joe theorized.
"Hadn't the guy gone four hundred years without a problem?" Tori asked.
"Yeah," Richie added. "He's like a rock."
"Yeah," Joe replied, "Four hundred years of all your friends dying. Everyone after your head...Maybe he's been a rock for too long."
"You believe in the head-shrinking stuff?" Richie asked, "You know — Jung, Freud, all that business."
"What have you been studying?" Joe asked.
"Oh, Mac's been talking to some guy named Garrick." Tori answered.
"Garrick?" Joe shot up, "John Garrick?"
"Yeah," Richie answered. "He's trying to straighten out Mac's head."
"Ah," Joe replied, "Garrick's the wrong person to talk to. The man's insane, and he has been for centuries."
"And he might be driving MacLeod down the same road to insanity," Tori said.
"Exactly," Joe added.
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"Is there anything I can get you?" Richie asked, "You know, you want something to eat? How about a flick? You want to watch a flick? Mac?"
"He isn't responding." Tori stated.
"I don't need a baby-sitter." Duncan insisted.
"Hey, there's no question about that," Tori replied as she crossed her arms.
"We're just trying to help." Richie added.
"What scares you the most?" Duncan asked, "That I'll hurt myself, or somebody else?"
"Knock it off, Mac." Richie stated.
"Come on." Duncan replied.
"You know, sometimes you need to listen to somebody else, Mac." Richie stated.
"He's right," Tori added, "You can't do everything alone, and what about that Garrick guy?"
"What about him?" Duncan retorted.
"He's insane." Tori stated, "Joe himself said so. He's driving you down the path to insanity. You can't be listening to his insanity."
"Yeah, maybe you're right," Duncan replied as he stood up, "Go home, the both of you."
"No," Richie objected, "I don't think that's a very good idea."
"I came after you guys once," Duncan insisted, "If it happens again, you do whatever it takes to survive."
"Come on, Mac," Richie insisted himself, "It's not going to happen again."
"You do whatever you need!" Duncan grabbed Richie's sleeves of his shirt as Richie jerked away.
"No!" Richie yelled, "I can't kill you! I can't!"
"Stop this, Mac." Tori stated, frustrated herself.
"You better try," Duncan advised the couple, "Both of you. Cause you're not going to get a second chance."
"Oh God." Richie replied, "I can't deal with this anymore. Come on, Tori."
"Right behind you." Tori replied. They both stormed into the elevator and left.
They entered the dojo and sensed the buzz.
"Strange." Tori muttered.
"Mac?" Richie called out, looking around, "Mac?"
They both turned to see a hooded figure entering the dojo.
"Oh, my God!" Tori gasped in shock.
"No way," Richie stated before looking at Tori, "Stay back."
He fought the figure before it knocked him out on the floor.
"Richie!" Tori exclaimed in shock. The hooded figure then pushed her to the floor.
She looked up as the hooded figure was about to take Richie's head.
"Richie, no," Tori cried in fear. The figure stopped his attack and looked at them both, "I'll come for you later. Both of you."
Then the figure left.
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Duncan had no idea how long he had been out after taking the sleeping pills Anne gave him. He rolled to his feet and struggled to stand, fighting the effects of the drugs. Seeing the hooded figure, he tossed his katana aside.
"I won't fight you. No more." Duncan declared. He turned towards the couch, "You're an illusion, a dream. A figment of my imagination."
He turned back as the hooded figure raised its sword and recognized the gold ring on the figure's hand, who it belonged to, "Garrick?"
As the figure swung his sword, Duncan ducked and fell back. The figure lowered the hood, and it revealed to be Garrick, who yelled and charged at Duncan, who retreated over the back of the couch.
"Garrick, why?" Duncan asked, "I was your friend!"
"Because you left me," Garrick answered, "Because you have no idea what it's like to be burned alive."
"What are you talking about?" Duncan asked, confused.
"They burned me," Garrick answered, "Can you imagine the smell of your own skin blistering?"
He charged at Duncan, but he evaded him.
"I saw you get on that horse." Duncan stated, "I never knew."
He inched closer to his katana lying on the rug.
"And I never forgot." Garrick declared before he charged for Duncan as Duncan grabbed his sword to defend himself, "I always had the gift of vision, MacLeod. I just got better at it. I spent years learning how to control the dreams...to project them...to make you live what I went through."
Duncan and Garrick parried throughout the loft.
"How does it feel, huh?" Garrick asked, "How does it feel?"
Garrick laughed before declaring, "This time it's real."
He attacked again. Duncan got a slice through his guard and brought Garrick to his knees, and knocked his sword to the side.
"In your dreams." Duncan stated before he beheaded Garrick and took his quickening. This quickening blew out the windows, fries the lights and TV, and explodes the bottles in his alcohol cabinets and jars of dried beans in the kitchen and generally wreaked havoc on the loft until the Quickening ended.
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Richie was sitting next to Tori and they were holding hands. They noticed Duncan walking in with the ugly looking statue. He was looking back to his normal self, much better than the ragged look he was having for the past couple of days. The rest did him some good.
"Hi," Richie said to his teacher. "How are you doing?"
"Better," Duncan answered.
"That's good to hear." Tori replied.
"Will you do me a favor?" Duncan asked.
"Sure," Richie answered.
"Get rid of this for me." Duncan set the statue on the desk.
"We can trash this ugly thing," Tori declared. "Destroy it."
"That could work." Duncan chuckled.
"You know, it's funny," Richie stated, "I always thought that psychic stuff was just another scam, but the way Garrick got to your head..."
"There are more things in heaven or hell, Horatio, than written in your stars." Duncan stated, "Remember that one?"
"Yeah," Richie answered.
"For sure." Tori added.
"What a waste." Duncan replied.
"You mean Garrick?" Richie asked.
"Mac, he tried to kill you," Tori added, "he nearly drove you to the path to insanity if you will. What's there to waste?"
"Insight. Knowledge." Duncan answered, "He spent centuries understanding his own mind. If only he could have shared what he knew..."
"But he didn't," Richie replied. Anne entered the office, "Tori and I are gonna split. We'll get rid of the statue, and Mac? It's good to have you back."
"Thanks," Duncan replied.
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Duncan saw Anne enter the office right after Tori and Richie left.
"Hi," Anne walked into the office.
"Hi." Duncan replied.
"You look okay," Anne noted, "professionally speaking."
"Anne, whatever happened," Duncan apologized, "it's over. I'm sorry if I hurt you."
"Oh, you know me," Anne replied, "I'm bulletproof."
"No, you're not."
"I came here to tell you," Anne paced a bit, "um...Damn. This is gonna be harder than I thought."
"Then make it easy," Duncan walked over to his desk, "Just say it."
Anne turned and faced Duncan, "I always thought that when I met, um, "the guy", that we'd, uh, be inside each other...feel each other - really, really know each other. I don't know you, Duncan, and the truth is, I really don't think you want me to."
She handed him his spare elevator key.
"I'll call you." Anne told him.
Duncan held her hand and replied, "I'll be here."
Anne turned around and left the office.
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Tori looked over at Richie as they were out back as they were holding the statue.
"Are you sure about this?" Richie asked.
"This statue should be destroyed." Tori insisted, "it's the source of evil, and what if it causes one of us to go insane?"
"Good point." Richie nodded.
"Things like that shouldn't be in the surface of existence." Tori declared.
He gave the statue a good throw and it landed on the wall, and it gave a good explosive smash as it was destroyed to bits.
---------
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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