DCH 36
Defenders Chronicles: Highlander
By AmandaDoE
Chapter Thirty-Six: Song of the Executioner
Tori finished some computer work as Richie was hugging her, and kissed her neck.
"How's therapy going?" Tori asked.
"It's going good," Richie answered, "He's helping me process my most recent traumas."
"That's good to hear," Tori replied.
They heard a beep on the laptop. It was the video call app on the laptop.
"Who could be calling?" Tori asked out of curiosity.
She answered the call, and Jack appeared on the screen.
"Jack," Richie asked, "what's going on?"
"Immortal business," Jack answered.
Tori and Richie both looked at him, listening intently.
"Antonius Kalas," Jack explained, "he is the immortal who is supposedly in your area. Sources believe he has some sort of connection with Duncan MacLeod."
"Don't many of these immortals have a connection?" Richie asked.
"Don't we all have a connection with one another?" Tori added.
"That's not what I meant," Jack stressed, "I am implying Kalas has history with MacLeod. That is why I want you two to keep an eye out."
"Thanks for letting us know, Jack," Tori replied.
"Glad to be of help," Jack replied.
With that, the call ended. Tori and Richie both looked at each other.
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Kalas watched the monitors of the control room of Vanderbilt Hall. He eyed one of the monitors, which had shown the monks performing the Gregorian Chant. This was something he used to do, perform. He raised a hand to massage his throat, then groaned quietly.
Kalas focused on another monitor where he saw his target for revenge: Duncan MacLeod. He was the reason he lost his voice. He was the reason his throat had the scar. He turned away and reached for his throat again. Now it would be time for revenge.
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Duncan and Anne moved towards the stage after the monks finished their performance.
"Duncan!" Paul greeted his friend as Duncan walked over to him and they shook hands, "I was afraid you wouldn't get my letter on time."
"I almost didn't." Duncan replied before asking, "Why didn't you call?"
Paul gave him a look. Duncan realized he asked a stupid question.
"Oh, of course," Duncan stated, "no telephones."
He glanced over to Anne, "I want you to meet Anne Lindsey."
Then he turned to Anne, "Anne, meet a man who doesn't believe in the modern times."
Paul took her hand, "Oh, I believe in it. I just haven't quite arrived yet."
"Oh, there's no hurry," Anne assured him, "The singing was incredible."
"Oh, well, we try," Paul replied, "If it brought some happiness, then it wasn't wasted."
"So, what made you decide to join the modern times?" Duncan asked.
"Well, apparently, it decided to join us," Paul answered as he, Duncan and Anne were walking up the rows of the auditorium, "There was this record promoter. He heard of our little choir, and he kept writing to me, saying it would be a sin not to share those voices with the rest of the world. So here we are at Vanderbilt Hall."
"Well, he was right." Anne replied.
"And...we've never been a wealthy order," Paul stated, "so to be frank, we needed the support."
"Well, you know you could have asked." Duncan told his friend.
"Oh, no, no, no, no," Paul replied, "We have a recording contract, so just order plenty of records for your friends."
"CDs, Paul," Duncan told him, "They're called CDs now."
"If tonight was any indication," Anne stated, "you're going to be a major success."
"Oh, not too big, I hope," Paul replied, "Getting out once in a century is quite enough. You know, I actually flew on a jet plane, and this movie they played...it was, uh...well, entertainment certainly isn't what it used to be."
"Well, come over and we can discuss the decline of Western morality." Duncan told his friend.
"Oh no, not the morality," Paul replied, "The dialogue – – it was atrocious."
Duncan and Anne laughed in response.
"Anyway," Paul informed his friend, "I have to go see that the brothers are settled, but uh, later on, if it's not too much trouble..."
"You know it's not." Duncan replied.
"God bless."
With that, Duncan left Vanderbilt Hall with Anne in tow.
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Kalas saw Duncan had left, and decided he will begin his act of revenge with the monk, his teacher.
He stepped out of the control room and walked over to Paul.
"Who's there?" Paul called out, "Duncan? Duncan?"
"You disappoint me, Paul." Kalas stated in his raspy voice, before he stepped out of the shadows, "You were a quarter tone flat."
"My Lord. Kalas." Paul stated with his hands folded in front of him, "What happened to your voice? How did you know I was here?"
"Vanderbilt Hall is mine," Kalas answered, "Who do you think brought you?"
Paul grabbed his sword from his belongings backstage, and exchanged a few brief blows with Kalas and it ended up with Paul disarmed and on his knees.
"I've waited so long for this," Kalas declared.
"You will allow me to pray," Paul said.
"Oh, be my guest," Kalas replied. He looked on as Paul kissed his rosary, and began his prayer, "While you're at it, say one for MacLeod."
Kalas beheaded Paul.
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"Next time you get sick, do it in someone else's ER," Anne jokingly said on the phone while Duncan heard her, "You are the worse patient."
Duncan was listening to the conversation, observing how grateful he was Anne decided to give him another chance.
"Well, your doctor says get some rest so you can get your butt back to work." Anne continued with her conversation on the phone, "In a minute. Listen, Karen's coming in to work for you tomorrow. You get some rest until you feel better, okay? I'll check in with you tomorrow."
"How's Marcia?" Duncan asked as Anne hung up the phone, handing her a glass of champagne.
"Oh, she's a workhorse," Anne answered, taking the champagne, "She'll be fine when she gets some rest. Come here."
She pulled him to her and kissed him.
"That was for tonight," Anne declared, "Thank you so much. I don't think I've ever heard such beautiful singing in my life, and you know what? I don't think I've ever met a monk before either."
"Well, Paul's one of a kind," Duncan replied.
Anne noticed as he was wandering away in the pause of silence, "Something wrong?"
"Well, it's just that he should be here by now," Duncan stated, "I hope he hasn't got lost."
"Oh, I'm sure that he's just, uh, settling in the rest of the choir," Anne assured him, "You know, I'm having a very difficult time picturing you two as friends."
"Really?" Duncan asked.
"You just don't strike me as the celibate type," Anne answered.
"You'd be surprised."
Duncan reflected spending time at a monastery with Paul in 1658 Europe.
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Richie and Tori met up with Duncan at the dojo office.
"We got trouble," Tori told the Highlander.
"What is it?" Duncan answered.
"Jack informed us that there is an immortal in the area with history with you." Richie answered.
"Did he say his name?" Duncan glanced at them.
Tori and Richie looked on reluctantly before the former finally answered, "Antonius Kalas."
Duncan looked on nervously, "Are you sure that's what he said?"
"Jack's immortal too," Tori explained, "and as a fellow IUA Agent, he is tasked to inform us if another immortal is in the area, or we inform them about another immortal, if you will."
"Like things couldn't get any worse," Duncan muttered.
"What's up, Mac?" Richie asked.
"Paul never showed up," Duncan answered, "I've been making calls all morning. Nobody's seen him. He even missed morning prayers."
"Well, Mac," Richie replied, "I think it's safe to say we've all missed our share of those."
"Not Paul," Duncan stressed, "He hasn't been off holy ground for three hundred years. I doubt he's handled a sword in that time."
"You think he ran into someone?" Richie asked.
"Kalas?" Tori added.
"Possible," Duncan answered before lamenting, "He's an easy target. I should have stayed with him."
"Well, Mac," Richie asked, "what are you gonna do, guard the guy night and day?"
"If I had to."
"Do you think the arrival of Kalas and Paul's disappearance have a connection?" Tori asked.
"It's possible," Duncan answered.
Tori and Richie got a beep.
"We need to be in action," Tori told Duncan.
"IUA Activity?" Duncan asked, "Where?"
"At the hospital," Richie answered before he and Tori proceeded to leave Duncan in surprise.
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Anne walked down the corridors of the ER. She looked to see a lady in pink, "Hi."
"Hi, Anne," the nurse replied.
"Hey Karen," Anne reached the Nurse's station, "How's the day shaping up?"
"Not good," Karen answered.
"Oh great," Anne sarcastically replied.
"It's Marcia," Karen informed her, "They just brought her in."
Anne looked at her co worker in shock, "Where is she?"
She hurried to find her friend.
"Anne." Karen called out. Anne turned around, "What?"
"She was D.O.A." Karen informed her.
"Oh no," Anne replied, processing the loss of her friend.
"I'm really sorry," Karen offered her condolences, "Are you okay?"
"No. No, dammit," Anne answered as she slammed her folder in frustration, "I'm not okay."
"The administration's been asking for you," Karen informed her.
"He can talk to me in the morgue," Anne replied, "cause that's where I'll be."
She started back down the hallway.
Tarendash stepped out of his office, "Dr. Lindsey..."
"It's gotta wait, Dan," Anne insisted as she kept walking down the hall.
"No, it can't, unfortunately," Tarendash insisted.
"Look, they just brought Marcia in," Anne stressed as she turned towards her boss, "She's downstairs. She should be home with her family. Instead, she's at the morgue. I gotta find out what happened."
"So do I." Tarendash replied, "So does the hospital board."
"What are you talking about?" Anne asked.
"Cause of death looks like an insulin overdose," Tarendash answered.
"Tha-that...that's impossible," Anne stammered, "I was treating her for hypoglycemia. How the hell did she get insulin?"
"You tell me." Tarendash replied, "Look, I suggest you don't make any statements to anyone."
"You think I had something to do with this?" Anne asked.
"I'm on your side, Anne," Tarendash answered, "Whatever the lawyers throw at us, we intend to fight."
"I don't give a damn about lawyers," Anne replied angrily, "Marcia was my friend."
She hurried to the corridor towards the morgue.
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"Why would Kalas go after Anne?" Richie asked as he and Tori were watching nearby.
"She's close to Mac," Tori answered, "That's the only logical reason."
"Why get innocent people killed in the process?"
"Kalas is just twisted."
"I'll say."
"From what I understand," Tori stated, "Duncan MacLeod is his target for revenge. I guess he went after Anne because Duncan knows her."
She briefly heard a muffled shout from behind while she was talking. Tori turned and saw that Richie wasn't in sight, "Richie?"
She looked around the area, "Richard Ryan, this isn't funny!"
She looked at the area, noticing Richie hadn't come out of any hiding area, causing her to become concerned, "Richie?!"
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Richie sighed roughly, finding himself in a similar situation. He was tied up to a chair in a dark room. As before, he tried struggling against the person who took him but it proved to be futile. Well, the room wasn't exactly dark as there was enough light for Richie to know he was in some sort of storage room.
"So, what do we have here?" chimed a raspy voice, "Are you a spy for Duncan MacLeod?"
"Who's there?" Richie demanded. He looked as a familiar looking man with blonde hair stepped out of the shadows.
"You're..." Richie started to say.
"Antonius Kalas," the man introduced himself, "and you have some nerve spying here. I assume you know Duncan MacLeod?"
"Yes," Richie nodded, "he was my teacher, and he's my friend."
"I made the right move in taking you then," Kalas smirked.
"Whatever you have planned," Richie stated as he struggled through the bondage, "you won't get away with it!"
"Oh, but I already have, boy," Kalas replied as he placed a hand on his shoulder, "Framing MacLeod's girlfriend for that death, killing Paul."
"What?!" Richie exclaimed in shock.
Kalas placed a projector screen in front of Richie, "I have to say, you are quite spirited. It's kind of a shame that you're not on my side."
"Go to hell!" Richie shouted.
"Your attitude is going to change here in a moment," Kalas informed him. Richie only glared at him in response.
"Don't worry," Kalas assured him, "I'm not going to kill you."
"Oh," Richie muttered, "how assuring."
"You might wish you were dead by the time this is over," Kalas grinned. He got out a projector with a video in it. Richie saw in horror as Kalas beheaded Paul in the first video.
"No," Richie muttered.
"This is just the beginning," Kalas told him, "You are going to be here awhile."
Richie ended up seeing another video where innocent people were being tortured. He looked on in horror, seeing the various methods of torture people were enduring in the videos.
Richie struggled with the ropes, but he found it to be pointless.
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"So?" Duncan asked as he joined Joe at the bar.
"Hey, I'm sorry," Joe answered, "I checked, but uh, no sign of Paul. I thought Anne was coming with you."
"There was some trouble at the hospital," Duncan replied before asking as the musicians on stage started playing, "How's the place doing?"
"I'm pretty happy," Joe answered as Duncan handed a bartender his jacket, "The customers are happy, and the IRS is happy."
"So everything's fine?" Duncan asked.
"Yes," Joe answered, "about ninety percent."
He glanced over at a man as Joe stopped towards him, "Hey, I got something for you."
"Who's that?" Duncan asked.
"The other ten percent," Joe answered before he raised his voice, "Max, how very nice of you to come by."
"What the hell is that new guy doing, Dawson?" Max demanded.
"Offhand?" Joe answered, "I'd say he's playing bass."
"Dammit, I play bass!" Max objected.
"No. Not here," Joe informed him, "Not anymore. Look, you don't give a damn about this band. You show up late. You skip rehearsals. You're loaded half the time. It's over."
He handed him an envelope.
"You're firing me?" Max asked in disbelief.
"Yeah," Joe answered, "Don't use me as a reference."
"You think I need this gig?" Max replied as he was ranting, "I just got me a contract."
He walked around the bar while continuing his rant, "Oh, yeah. I go into the studio tomorrow."
Max reached under the bar, "So, uh, you know what you can do, Dawson?"
He opened the beer bottle before walking over to Joe's face, "You can take this two bit gig, and shove it, cause I'm gone."
Max raised the beer, took a swig and left the bar.
"Have one for the road, why don't you?" Joe muttered to himself.
"Just as well it was only ten percent," Duncan stated.
"Yeah. You know," Joe said as he glanced at his band playing, "these other guys play their butts off and probably never get a break. This scumbag gets a record deal."
"I guess that's the way the cookie crumbles," Duncan replied before asking, "So where's the baggage you've got for me?"
"Oh, I'm sorry," Joe replied, "Yeah, there was a messenger who brought it right after I talked to you."
He walked down the length of the bar, past patrons, "Excuse me."
Joe collected the envelope from the end of the bar, and returned to Duncan, "Here it is. Here."
"Thanks," Duncan replied, taking the envelope. He took out the item, which revealed to be a broken piece of Paul's rosary.
"What does it mean?" Joe asked.
"Paul's dead," Duncan answered before he was reflecting on 1658 Europe where Kalas took the head of another monk, Timon.
"I'm sorry," Joe offered his condolences, "I don't know many like Paul."
"There weren't any." Duncan replied.
"You think it was Kalas?" Joe asked.
"Paul was vulnerable," Duncan answered, "His strength wasn't in his sword arm. It could've been anybody."
"Joe, you got a minute?"
"Absolutely," Joe answered, recognizing the man entering the bar, "Duncan MacLeod, I'd like to introduce you to Detective Brent Mohan. Lousy poker player, but helluva good cop."
"It's not a social call," Brent informed him.
"Hey, Albert," Joe turned to the bartender, "you know I told you that kid's I.D. didn't look kosher."
"And it's not about I.D." Brent added before he handed Joe a piece of paper.
"What's this?" Joe asked before he looked at the piece of paper, "A warrant for drugs? It's a joke, right?"
"No," Brent told him, "We've got a guy that swears that you're dealing, Joe."
"Come on, that's crazy," Joe retorted, "Whoever you're talking to is a damn liar."
"Sorry, but we have to search the place," Brent informed him.
"Well, go on," Joe replied, "You search all you want, but you're wasting your time."
"They don't deal drugs here, Detective," Duncan chimed in.
"Oh no," Joe muttered as another detective picked up a small packet from behind the bar counter.
"I think you better come with us," Brent inquired him, "Tell everybody to go home. You're closed."
"Brent, you know me," Joe stressed, "I don't deal."
"Sorry, man," Brent told him, "I'm going to have to place you under arrest."
He reached for the cuffs.
"Hey, you don't need those," Joe insisted.
Brent conceded before leading Joe towards the exit, "You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to an attorney..."
"Yeah, I know my rights," Joe replied as Brent tried to take his arm to escort him out, "Yeah, and I can get to the door by myself."
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"Mistakes happen," Duncan told Anne after she told him what happened at the hospital.
"Not mistakes like this one," Anne replied.
"Anne, you're not responsible for the entire hospital," Duncan stated.
"She was my patient," Anne stressed, "You do not give insulin to a hypoglycemic. A premed student knows better than that."
"Anne, everyone's moving around at ninety miles an hour at the ER," Duncan assured her, "Not everybody's perfect."
"We have to be perfect," Anne replied, "Someone screwed up...and my friend is dead."
Her cellphone rang, and she answered it, "Hi, this is Dr. Anne Lindsey."
"Mac!"
Duncan looked up to see Tori running to the loft in a frantic hurry, "Tori, what's going on?"
"Mission gone wrong," Tori answered, "Richie is missing."
Duncan paled in shock. First Paul went missing, only to be found dead, then Joe being arrested after probably being set up, and then this incident with Anne, and now Richie was missing?!
"We think Kalas might have something to do with this," Tori added.
She and Duncan glanced over as Anne hung up her phone, upset.
"Anne?" Tori quipped.
"What's wrong?" Duncan asked.
"I'm losing another patient," Anne answered.
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"I don't understand this at all," Anne stated as she hurried down the corridors, "He'd be stabilized, right?"
"Yes," the nurse answered.
"We had no indication whatsoever?" Anne asked.
"No," the nurse answered.
"Who's working this? Selby?"
"Dr. Kramer."
"Well, at least something's going right," Anne stated with hope in her voice. She reached the end of the hallway where Karen met up with them, shaking her head, snuffing out the hope Anne had left, "Oh, damn it. He was stable. What happened?"
"Kramer thinks it's anaphylactic shock," Karen answered.
"An allergic reaction?" Anne asked in disbelief, "He was on digitalis. How could that happen?"
"I don't know," Karen answered.
"Then you find out," Anne instructed before she turned to the other nurse and ordered, "I want an autopsy and I want it now."
"Kramer's already on it," Karen replied.
"Dr. Lindsey."
Anne looked to see Tarendash, dreading what he was about to tell her.
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Tori glanced around as Duncan sat next to her. They both stood up as Anne arrived at the waiting area.
"Well?" Duncan asked.
"I'm suspended," Anne answered before she sat down, "My license is under review."
"Suspended for what?" Duncan asked as he sat down next to her.
"He was using words like, uh, "burnout", "liability to my patients", "for the good of the institution"," Anne answered, "Duncan, I don't know how this happened."
"I'm sorry," Tori gave her sympathy to her friend.
"Anne, you're the best they've got," Duncan told his girlfriend.
"They have my signature authorizing penicillin. The guy was allergic," Anne explained, "That's the same thing as giving him cyanide. I-I don't understand how I could possibly screw up like this. I mean, he was my responsibility. He put his life into my hands...Now he's dead and Marcia's dead, and I don't have an explanation."
"Anne, you didn't kill them," Duncan assured her.
"I don't know," Anne replied, "Things get pretty crazy around here sometimes. I... I could've picked up the wrong chart. It happens."
"Not to you."
"Mac," Tori asked Duncan through earshot, "do you think Kalas might have something to do with all this?"
"Possibly," Duncan answered.
"Huh?" Anne asked, noticing the immortals talking quietly among themselves.
"I'm going to go find Richie," Tori informed the duo.
"You do that," Duncan replied before pulling Anne down the hallway, "and you come with me."
"Where are we going?" Anne asked as Tori left them.
"To see your boss," Duncan answered.
"What for?" Anne replied.
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Richie struggled with the ropes. He would have escaped this torture by now, but Kalas must have somehow duct taped the ropes to where he couldn't escape. The torture he had to witness was something he wouldn't wish on anyone, let alone his worse enemy.
Richie took some deep breaths, trying to keep himself composed. He sensed the Buzz.
"Good to see you again, boy," Kalas greeted him as he walked into the room.
"I really hate it when people call me boy or kid," Richie stated in spite of his anxious state.
"I got some more things in store for you," Kalas informed him as he played another video, revealing another familiar face walking down an airport.
"Gregor?" Richie looked on, surprise.
To his horror, he saw a cloaked figure appear from behind Gregor, and instantly beheaded him and took his quickening. After the quickening ended, the figure took off his mask, revealing the assailant to be Kalas, and then the video ended.
"No!" Richie shouted in a near frantic state, "Why?! Why are you doing all this?"
"I took his head for the sake of it," Kalas answered. He smiled in satisfaction hearing Richie's whimpering.
"You see this?" Kalas asked before he walked over to Richie before he shown him a thick scar across his neck, "Your teacher, MacLeod, created this scar on my neck."
"And that's why you sound like that?" Richie asked.
"Yes," Kalas answered, "I used to have a beautiful singing voice, and MacLeod took that away."
Suddenly, Kalas grabbed Richie by his hair, and then he placed his sword to his neck, "I want to destroy your vocal chords. I can just imagine the look on MacLeod's face when he finds out that his young friend had his vocal chords destroyed, suffering the same way I had to."
"No," Richie cried out.
Kalas removed the sword from his neck, "That is something I will be considering."
He smiled before leaving the room, leaving Richie whimpering to himself. That was how Tori found him.
"Richie!"
Richie looked up to see Tori running to the room. She looked relieved upon seeing Richie.
"Richie!" Tori exclaimed with relief, "Oh, baby! Thank God!"
She used her tachi to free Richie from the bondage, and helped him get out of the tape and ropes he was placed in.
"Are you injured?" Tori asked as she got the last of the bondage off of Richie.
"Not physically," Richie shook his head.
"We can talk later," Tori assured her boyfriend as they hugged. Richie suddenly started hyperventilating.
"It was psychological torture?" Tori asked.
"Yeah," Richie answered, trying to catch his breath, "He wants revenge on MacLeod."
"I know," Tori hugged him, "I know. He's gotten Anne suspended, and probably set up Joe too."
"What'll we do?" Richie asked.
"Get out of here for starters," Tori answered, "Your therapist is going to get a lot more business."
"That's for sure," Richie quipped.
They hurried out of the hostage room.
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"I'd like to see that chart," Duncan told the boss.
"Who is he?" Tarendash asked Anne before asking him, "What are you doing in here?"
"Saving you time, embarrassment, and probably a lot of money," Duncan answered as he paced the room for a little bit, "Now if you don't mind...the chart."
Tarendash handed Duncan a manila folder. He opened it, examined the paper inside, then he grabbed a notepad and pen from the desk, "Sign it."
"What?" Anne asked.
"Sign your name," Duncan elaborated his task. Anne picked up the pen, and signed her name on the notepad, "Again please. Just do it."
Anne signed again, below her first signature.
"Again," Duncan told her. Anne signed a third time.
"What's the point of all this?" Tarendash asked.
Duncan held up the signed paper, "That none of her signatures are the same."
He handed the papers to the boss.
"So?"
"Nobody's are," Duncan elaborated, "It can't be done, except by a machine or a skilled forger."
He put open the chart in front of Tarendash, "Now take a look at the two orders."
"These signatures are identical," Tarendash noted.
"In every detail," Duncan added.
"You think that someone forged my signature?" Anne asked.
"I'd stake my life on it, and so would a handwriting expert, and so would your lawyers," Duncan answered, "Now, if I were you, I'd lift Dr. Lindsey's suspension...right away."
He left the office, and Anne followed him into the hallway.
"Why would anybody want to do this?" Anne asked.
"Because they're trying to hurt me," Duncan answered.
"By killing my patient and Marcia?"
"By destroying your life like I destroyed his."
"Who wants to destroy my life?"
"Anne, I'm sorry you had to get brought into this," Duncan apologized as a doctor bumped into her, "It won't happen again."
"What's happening?" Anne asked.
"Later," Duncan answered.
"No, not later," Anne insisted, "Now."
"Anne."
"Duncan. Duncan, I'm sorry," Anne told him, "I tried, but I can't do this anymore. I can't."
Duncan turned around, and started to walk away.
"Duncan you walk away from me right now," Anne warned him, "it's going to be the last time."
He stopped, turned back to look at her, then he left.
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Duncan noticed the sign at the doorway of the bar which read
CLOSED
BY COURT ORDER
SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
"I thought you had until tomorrow to clear out," Duncan told Joe as he entered the empty bar.
"Yeah, well, the best wakes are short," Joe replied, holding his guitar.
"I know who it was that set you up, Joe," Duncan informed him, "It was Kalas. He's trying to destroy everyone near me. If it's any consolation, you were on the list."
"I know what Kalas looks like, and so does Mike," Joe stated, "There's no way he could slip by us without being seen."
"Unless he had someone on the inside. The bass player you fired."
"Max."
"Yeah, do you know where he is?" Duncan asked.
"Yeah, probably," Joe answered.
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Duncan eyed Max as he was walking alongside him.
"So why should I talk to you?" Max asked.
"You could do it for moral reasons," Duncan answered, "or because you're a prince of a guy."
"You're outta your skull, pal," Max retorted.
"Really?" Duncan replied before he grabbed Max's scarf, and pulled him against the side of the car.
"What are you doing, man?" Max demanded.
"I think personal health is the best reason of all," Duncan stated, "Now, I know you set up Joe. I just want to know who's behind it."
He started to drive a little faster.
"Hey, come on, please," Max pleaded, "Let me go, huh? Come on, please."
Duncan continued driving, forcing him to jog alongside the T – Bird.
"Look," Max relented, "some guy phones me up a couple of days back, said how would I like a record deal. What was I gonna say, man? I asked who I had to kill."
Duncan stopped the car, "What was the company?"
"Magna records," Max answered, "Look, all I had to do was plant some dope and tip off the cops...no big deal. What's it to you?"
Duncan pulled Max in closer, "I want to know the guy's name and I want to know where I can find him."
"I don't know," Max answered.
"Shame," Duncan replied before starting to drive again.
"Hey, look, pal," Max insisted, "I told you everything I know. How many more times do I gotta tell it?"
"Once more," Duncan answered, "to the cops."
"Damn," Max replied before Duncan turned the T – bird out of the parking lot, and forcing Max to trot alongside him.
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"There must be some way to reach him," Duncan said over the phone. He listened for a moment before replying, "Thanks."
He hung up the phone.
"Don't tell me," Joe chimed in, "Just a post office box and a bank account."
"Yeah, he does everything by phone or mail," Duncan replied.
"Look, I told you," Joe stressed, "the charges have been dropped, MacLeod. The club's open. Don't do this on my account."
"It's not on your account," Duncan replied.
"Mac," Tori entered the office, "I found Richie."
Duncan quickly stood up, anticipating any kind of news, "Well?"
"He's alive," Tori answered, causing the Highlander to sigh with relief, "but...you might want to see for yourself."
Duncan hurried to the elevator. Joe and Tori followed suit. They arrived at the loft and found Richie curled up on the sofa, causing Duncan to pale in surprise, "Kalas got to him too?"
"Mac," Richie got up and hurried to him. Duncan hugged him, "What happened?"
"Mac, it was Kalas," Richie said in between breaths as he was hyperventilating. Duncan gently placed a hand on his shoulder, "Easy."
"He tied me up in a room," Richie told them, "He took the heads of Paul and Gregor."
"Gregor?!" Duncan exclaimed in shock, "As in Gregor Powers?"
Richie nodded, "Kalas made me watch the videos of their beheadings. He also made me watch people...being tortured, and wanted to do my vocal chords...like what you did to his apparently."
"It's all right," Joe assured him, "you're safe now."
Tori held her boyfriend as he looked away from the others, "I seriously want to nail that sick psychopath for this."
"I appreciate your loyalty to your lover, but you should leave Kalas to MacLeod, Tori," Joe insisted.
"Joe's right," Duncan nodded in agreement.
"All right, and I understand why you want this guys head," Tori relented before stating, "The first thing we got to do is find him."
"Well, let's use what we know," Duncan stated, "Jupe was offered a record deal. Paul was lured out of the monastery by a promoter. Kalas knows music. It has to be him."
"All right, fine," Tori glanced around, still holding Richie, "So let's try the record company."
"No, I've already tried that," Duncan replied, "He never shows."
"Well, you know that eventually he's going to be coming for you," Richie finally spoke up as he looked at Duncan, "What's he waiting for?"
"Maybe the right time and place," Duncan answered.
The four looked at the phone started to ring.
"Maybe it's time," Joe declared.
Duncan set the wine glass on the counter and crossed the kitchen to the phone on the wall. He answered the phone, "MacLeod."
"What do you feel, MacLeod," Kalas asked through the phone, "pain or hatred, maybe both?"
"You leave my friends out of this," Duncan insisted, "This is between you and me."
"I go to all that trouble," Kalas replied, "and that's all you can say?"
"Just tell me where," Duncan insisted.
"You're good at finding things out," Kalas replied, "Come to the music."
He suddenly heard Gregorian Chant playing in the background before he hung up.
"Maybe someone should come with you," Tori insisted.
"No. I don't trust him," Duncan replied, "You stay here and make sure Richie doesn't lose his head. While you're at it, find Anne and make sure she's all right."
"What if he shows up there?" Richie asked starting to panic again.
Duncan paused a moment.
Quickly, Tori picked up the phone, "Mom? It's Tori. We need you and some agents to head to the hospital and check on Anne Lindsey. That's right, an enemy of MacLeod's."
She hung up before looking at Duncan, "Mom's got it under control."
Duncan nodded, "Look after Richie in the loft. You two will be safe there."
"At least for now," Richie nodded as he hugged Tori.
"MacLeod," Joe told his immortal as he headed towards the door, "He's as good as you. Maybe better."
"I know," Duncan replied before he left.
-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-
"Dr. Lindsey?" the nurse said, "Oh, you just missed her."
"This is serious," Janet stressed, "We need to know where she went. We are associates for Duncan MacLeod."
"Well, she got a fax before she got off shift," the nurse replied before handing her the fax, "I think it's still here."
Janet received the fax and read it quietly, "I'm sorry Anne! Please meet me at the Vanderbilt! Duncan!"
She glanced at the nurse, "Thank you."
With that, Janet left the hospital with the rest of the agents.
-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-
Duncan entered the empty concert hall, and started walking down the aisle. He walked down to the front and onto stage. He sensed the Buzz and drawn his sword. Kalas walked out onto the stage holding his own sword.
"You could have come for me sooner," Duncan stated.
"I had to get Paul off holy ground first," Kalas replied, "and now I've got you too. Symmetry has its own beauty."
"Beauty?" Duncan asked, "Is that what you believe?"
"I believe in revenge, MacLeod," Kalas declared before he yelled and charged forward and the fight began.
After a series of parries, they ended up on the second floor of the auditorium. Kalas glanced outside the window.
"Symmetry, MacLeod," Kalas stated, "Everyone's here."
They continued their fight as Kalas had something in store as they were fighting along the upper balcony of the auditorium. Kalas managed to disarm Duncan, who retreated up into the catwalk above the stage. Kalas followed and stabbed Duncan with his sword.
"Why?" Duncan asked.
Kalas pulled the collar of his shirt down, revealing the scar on his neck, "For this."
"Real nice," Duncan replied before he kicked Kalas away, dislodging the sword from his belly. Both fell backward away from each other. Kalas recovered and charged forward again. Duncan swung over the side of the catwalk to avoid him, and Duncan was now hanging by his hands from the catwalk overhead.
"Duncan!" he heard Anne call out to him.
"We'll meet again," Duncan told Kalas before he let go as his opponent swung his sword at him.
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"Duncan!" Anne called out as Duncan fell into the seating below the catwalk, not acknowledging the voices calling out to her. She reached Duncan's body to found that he was dead, "Oh God."
"There's nothing you can do," a female agent told her as she and another agent dragged Anne away, "You need to stand back, Dr. Lindsey."
"He's gone!" Anne cried out, "He's gone! No! No!"
She tried in vain to pull away from the agents taking her out of the hall.
-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-
Tori looked on as she was sitting next to Richie.
"How are you holding?" Tori asked.
"Been better," Richie answered, "but I'm holding a lot better than I thought I would."
"That's good to hear," Anne replied as she entered the dojo.
"Hey Anne," Tori hugged her, "Mom told us what happened. We are so sorry."
"Thanks," Anne replied before she took a look around, "One last look."
She took a deep breath, "I don't think I'll be coming around here anymore, so – – This must be pretty tough on you two too."
Richie nodded.
"It is," Tori nodded.
"So, what's going to happen to the dojo?" Anne asked.
"Well, uh, I guess we'll keep it open for awhile," Richie answered as he glanced at himself and Tori, "and after that, I don't know."
"Damn," Anne stated quietly before she was explaining, "I must have done this about a hundred times for other people. Saying goodbye. Now that it's for me...I just wish that I could tell him...because I was so angry the last time I saw him...I don't think I can stay here."
She hugged Richie, and then she hugged Tori.
"Bye, Anne," Tori said her goodbyes.
"Take care of yourself," Richie said his goodbyes.
"Thanks," Anne replied before she left the dojo.
"You heard," Richie said as he and Tori saw Duncan come down the stairs.
"Yeah," Duncan answered.
"How can you let her think that you're dead?" Richie asked.
"Because the truth would be far worse," Duncan insisted, "It's better this way."
"She loves you, Mac," Richie insisted himself, "Maybe she can handle it."
"Some people can handle the immortal life," Tori stated as she crossed her arms, "some people can't, but Anne might have been able to handle it."
"And be dragged into our world?" Duncan stressed, "Kalas isn't going to go away. You saw what he did to Richie."
"But I'm fine," Richie insisted, "still have to take therapy, but other than that..."
"But for how long?" Duncan asked before declaring, "I couldn't handle another Tessa."
Tori nodded and muttered, "Good argument. A valid one at that too."
"We could think of something, Mac," Richie insisted.
"You know, you don't have to leave," Tori added.
"Yes, I do," Duncan replied.
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Kalas looked on, lip syncing to an opera onstage in an empty, darkened auditorium. When the singing ended, Kalas declared, "Soon, MacLeod. Soon."
---------
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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