DCH 58
Defenders Chronicles: Highlander
By AmandaDoE
Chapter Fifty-Eight: Storytellers
Tori typed on her computer. It had been an eventful week for the Defenders as well as her as Richie, who was sitting at the foot of the bed in the guest room.
A Week Ago
Tori sighed as she took a sip of her frappe, and Richie took a bite of his butter croissant before sipping on his coffee. She glanced over to a table across from them and recognized a familiar face, "Oh my God."
"What?" Richie asked.
"It's Lynn."
"Who?"
They looked to see Lynn sitting quietly enjoying her order.
"This is Lynn," Tori told her boyfriend. "She's Joe's niece. I hadn't seen her since the first time Mac met Joe."
Richie and Tori both considered this, even though the latter was the one who informed him of this. They walked over to Lynn, who appeared to be nervous upon noticing the couple walking over to her.
"Hey there," Tori smiled warmly, greeting her, "Lynn, right?"
"Yeah, why?" Lynn replied, "Haven't I seen you before?"
Duncan looked at Tori, "And what are you doing here?"
"Helping you, of course," Tori answered, "so sue me."
"He doesn't know what he's doing," Joe insisted.
"Shut up!" Horton shouted before looking at Duncan and Tori, "My brother in law is very well liked in our organization."
He grabbed Joe and put a gun to his head, "When the other Watchers find out you murdered him...unless you'd like to make a deal...your life for his?"
"Risking the life of your own family for your sick cause?" Tori stated, "you are just sick!"
"You'll kill him anyway," Duncan stated.
"Like you killed Robert," Joe spoke up.
"What?" Tori quipped.
"In times of war," Horton stated, "innocents get harmed. I believe the generals called that collateral damage."
"Is that what Robert was?" Lynn demanded as she entered the room, "Collateral damage? Daddy?"
"What are you doing here?" Horton asked his daughter, "Get out."
"No, stay," Tori objected, "stay, and see your father for what he truly is."
"What?" Lynn looked confused, "Who's the girl?"
"Go home!" Horton ordered, "Now! Go home!"
Duncan quickly used Horton's distraction to rush him. Duncan forced Horton to turn the gun on himself.
"Don't! No!" Lynn cried, "Let him go! Please, don't! No!"
Duncan and Horton were struggling with the gun, with the muzzle of the gun pressed against the side of Horton's neck.
"Let him go!" Lynn pleaded, "Please, let him go! Stop it! Stop! No! God, please...No...Oh God, please stop..."
Tori saw the fingers on Duncan's fingers tighten on the trigger, "MacLeod, please don't do this! Think of the daughter over here! Don't hurt him in front of her!"
"Don't," Joe added.
Duncan yanked the gun and tossed it aside, "Another time."
"This will slow you down a bit," Horton stated before grabbing another gun from the table.
"Duncan!" Tori exclaimed in shock.
"MacLeod!" Joe added. Horton shot Duncan a few times. Lynn then grabbed his arm.
"Lynn!" Horton exclaimed at his daughter. Tori managed to help Lynn take down her father before he can do further damage with the Highlander.
Duncan pulled his katana and stabbed Horton with it.
"That wasn't necessary," Tori stated, annoyed.
"It was for Darius," Duncan stated before succumbing to the shot gun wounds.
"You've might have met me before," Tori told her, "but you haven't met him. This is my boyfriend, Richie Ryan."
"It's nice to meet you," Richie replied as he extended his hand for her to shake.
"Nice to meet you," Lynn shook his hand. She took a deep breath before asking, "How do you know my uncle?"
Richie and Tori looked at one another, not knowing what they could tell her.
"Is it because you two are…immortal?" Lynn asked.
The pair looked at her in surprise.
"H-How did you know?" Tori asked.
"After MacLeod stabbed my daddy," Lynn explained, "I snooped around the condo and found out about immortals, my dad's quest of hunting down these immortals, and even a security camera where I found out he killed my fiance Robert."
"I'm sorry to hear," Tori comforted her.
Lynn nodded, accepting condolences, "He was so obsessed with killing MacLeod, and it was scary. I hated it."
"How are you holding now?" Richie asked.
"The best I can," Lynn answered, "I'm living day by day, and I left my dad buried in Paris after I heard he died for good, but I am thinking about moving his body to Chicago when I move there next year."
Richie and Tori looked at each other. They weren't too sure about it, but Horton was family to Lynn, so it was her choice on where her father would be laid to rest.
"Mind if I ask, but where are you living currently?" Tori asked.
"Indiana to finish another college degree, which I will finish by next year," Lynn answered, "but I am currently vacationing here for a week."
"We're sort of vacationing as well," Richie replied.
"Really now?"
"Yeah," Tori nodded, "We're visiting family."
They continued talking until they finished their drinks and left the cafe.
The Present
Tori finished typing on the computer as she reflected on two days later when Kshin was finally adopted after an event with his Grandpa Hai, and he finally became Mandrake's adopted son, and it was quite the celebration for the both of them, as well as the Defenders of the Earth.
"You okay?" Richie asked.
"Yeah," Tori answered, "I'm just fine. It's been an eventful week."
"I know," Richie stated, "Not only we ran into Lynn, but we also witnessed Kshin being adopted by Mandrake."
"Joe was surprised when I told him about Lynn in an email," Tori relayed. Richie chuckled in response before saying, "I remember when Mac and Tessa first took me in. It was a good feeling to know that I was wanted."
"It always feels good when you know that you are wanted," Tori replied.
"So true," Richie said before he shared a kiss with Tori.
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"They can't be serious!" LJ exclaimed, annoyed.
"I know," Tori replied, "but sadly, Uncle Flash and the others said this mission was for the older Defenders only, which is why we are staying behind."
"It can't be that bad," Rick insisted, "They could have let Richie and Tori go with them as well."
"Valid point," Kshin quipped.
"And I'm sure we can find things to do here at the mansion," Jedda added.
"Sounds like a plan," Richie replied.
"What?"
"Finding things to do at the mansion while the older Defenders are out on their mission," Richie answered.
Suddenly, Tori and Richie sensed the Buzz.
"What is it?" LJ asked.
"You guys are sensing an immortal?" Rick asked.
"Yes," Tori answered.
"Knock, knock!" a friendly voice called out from outside the mansion, leaving Richie and Tori to sigh with relief.
"It's Amanda," Richie spoke up.
"Come on in!" Tori replied.
The door opened and the group looked to see Amanda with her blonde hair.
"Hey, Amanda," Kshin greeted her.
"What happened to the older Defenders?" Amanda asked.
"They're out on a mission," Rick answered.
"That's a shame," Amanda replied before she walked into the mansion, "So, what have you guys been up to?"
"Jedda, LJ and I have graduated high school a couple of months ago right after the events with the Necklace of Oros," Rick answered, "Then Kshin was adopted and he's now the son of Mandrake the Magician."
"That's good to hear," Amanda replied.
"I know," Kshin smiled, "especially where I was orphaned for the longest time until Mandrake and Lothar found me."
"What do you three plan to do now?" Amanda asked.
"We're not sure," Rick answered.
"The future is full of surprises," Jedda added, "but we should take it one day at a time."
"I agree on that," LJ nodded in agreement.
"So, what do you guys plan to do to pass the time until the adults come home?" Amanda asked.
"We're not sure at the moment," Richie shook his head, "That was what we were going to talk about before you came here."
"I got an idea," Amanda took a step forward, "How about Richie, Tori and I tell you guys a story."
"An immortal story?" Kshin asked with curiosity in his voice.
"Sort of," Amanda answered, "The story involves me, MacLeod, Richie and Tori, as well as some pompous ass who caused me problems in the past, but it started after Richie asked me to get the Necklace of Oros. He had good intentions when he wanted to use the necklace to revive Tessa, but Mac decided against it."
She looked at the younger Defenders. "What exactly happened to the necklace?"
"After a long fight," Jedda answered, "I threw the necklace into the lava."
"What?!" Amanda quipped, surprised.
"Yeah," Richie replied, "I was surprised when she first told me about that, but Tori assured me there was a reason why she did that."
"And that aborted mission is where our story begins," Amanda said as she started the story.
Months Ago
"Are you high?!" Tori exclaimed, eyeing Richie. He had told her about what happened.
"Not really," Richie shook his head, "We all miss Tessa."
"Yeah," Tori replied, "We all miss Tessa, but that doesn't mean you go into the Skull Cave and…."
"I understand your concern, Tori," Amanda replied as she stepped into the room, "but when I think about it, Richie had good intentions when he asked me to go with him to get that necklace, even though I was a bit blindsided when Richie told me what the Necklace of Oros does…."
"I'm sorry," Richie apologized.
Tori sighed as she looked away. Amanda took note of that, "Tori?"
"I keep thinking about that night sometimes," Tori explained herself, "Heck, I keep thinking about that week. That blonde woman who read Tessa's palm told her she was in danger, and she would be taken by a hunter. Mac managed to rescue her, but Roszca ended up killing her when he mugged us."
She took a deep breath before she continued, "I keep wondering was there something I could have done to prevent this. I wondered if I could have prodded details from that woman myself."
"As in what?" Amanda asked.
"As in," Tori answered, "What exact details of her vision when she read Tessa's palm. Everything that she saw, all the way to the last part of the vision."
"I don't know if Greta would have told you," Richie replied, "but even then, there was nothing you could have done back then."
"Richie's right," Amanda added, "it would freak me out if some psychic told me my significant other was in danger and should leave town."
She looked at both Tori and Richie, "Yeah, Mac told me. He told me."
"What now?" Richie asked.
"What I'm going to do now," Amanda answered as she prepared to leave the apartment, "I'm going to the loft to say hello to Duncan MacLeod."
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"Is that a sword in your pocket, MacLeod?" Amanda asked as she stepped into the room with only a towel on, "or are you just glad to see me?"
"You ever heard of calling ahead?" Duncan interjected, seemingly delighted to see her as he tossed his bag on the floor.
"You know me," Amanda replied as she walked towards him, "I like surprises."
Duncan noticed the lack of clothing sans the towel. "So I noticed."
He then asked, "You planning on staying?"
"Well, I was hoping to," Amanda answered, "if you don't mind."
"Oh…." Duncan stated.
"What do you say?" Amanda asked.
Duncan paused for a moment before he answered, "Welcome home."
Amanda kissed him, dropping the towel in the process and they shared a passionate moment.
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Amanda walked over to the pot as she was cooking Beef Stroganoff. She grinded some pepper into the pot. She looked over as Duncan came out of the bathroom, "For a small man, he had great stamina."
Amanda sampled the sauce, "Mm, it may have tasted better then."
She noticed what Duncan was wearing, "What are you doing? You're all dressed up."
"What?" Duncan interjected, clearly playing dumb.
"Well, I thought we'd have dinner in bed," Amanda told him.
"Dinner?" Duncan asked.
"Yeah."
"Oh."
"You know, food, eat."
Duncan walked over to the pot and sniffed it, but Amanda stopped him, "But not that."
A car honked outside.
"It's seven o' clock," Duncan told her.
"Yeah," Amanda replied.
"Why don't you go ahead without me," Duncan suggested, "I'll be right back."
"By myself?" Amanda replied, "Listen, I know the Stroganoff isn't any good, but we could have Italian or Chinese."
"Anything, but I'll be right back."
"Okay."
Amanda watched as Duncan reached for the elevator gate before she turned back towards the stove.
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Duncan and Amanda were up and dressed, having coffee while they waited for the toast to pop out of the toaster. Duncan seemed slightly haggard and she picked up on it after she put down the newspaper.
"Is there something wrong?" Amanda asked.
"Wrong? Why? What could be wrong?" Duncan interjected.
"I dunno," Amanda answered, "You just seem a little distracted."
"Ohhh," Duncan replied before he kissed her cheek.
"If I didn't know any better," Amanda stated, "I'd say you were hiding something."
Duncan chuckled, "What would I have to hide?"
"Nothing. I'm sorry," Amanda replied, "I forgot who I was talking to."
She sidled up beside him.
"You forgive me?" Amanda asked. She kissed him and then they both sensed the Buzz and pulled apart, "Expecting someone?"
"Richie. It must be Richie and Tori," Duncan answered. He paused before asking her, "You want to hear a lecture?"
He pulled her away from the kitchen.
"What?" Amanda replied.
"At the university," Duncan explained, "I teach. Did I tell you I teach?"
He grabbed her coat from the coat tree, and helped her into it, "They're doing St. Thomas Aquinas. Universals, the nature of truth…..it's right up your alley."
He grabbed his coat and pulled her toward the side door.
"Uh, what's wrong with the elevator?" Amanda asked.
"Broken. I've been having trouble with it lately," Duncan answered, clearly a lie, "Well, there you go. On, off, I'd better get it seen to."
"Forget Aquinas," Amanda replied, "I enjoy seeing Richie and Tori."
"It's the same old Richie, and the same old Tori," Duncan insisted, "If we hurry, we can still make it."
"I don't want to go to a lecture," Amanda protested, "I want to see who's coming up this elevator."
She crossed her arms, not budging.
"Richie!" Duncan exclaimed as the elevator door opened, revealing Richie and Tori, "It's Richie and Tori."
"It's us," Tori replied.
"Hey, Amanda!" Richie greeted his friend, "How are you?"
"Hi, Richie," Amanda replied, "I'm fine, even after the events with the Necklace of Oros."
"It's great to see you two," Duncan told his friends.
"It's good to see you too, Mac," Tori replied.
"What Tori said," Richie nodded in agreement.
"Yeah. You guys look great," Duncan said to them.
"So do you guys," Tori replied.
"You too," Richie nodded in agreement.
"They look great, don't they?" Duncan asked Amanda.
"Yeah," Amanda answered.
After a bit of awkward silence, the four heard the phone ring, and Duncan answered it while Richie, Tori and Amanda watched him, "MacLeod. Uh….yeah sure. Uh, at the university commons."
He waved awkwardly at Amanda, Richie and Tori.
"No, no, no, don't do that," Duncan continued while talking into the phone, "Uh, it won't be necessary."
He spoke louder, "I'll be right there."
Duncan hung up the phone before looking at his friends, "Emergency."
"Emergency?" Amanda asked Richie and Tori, who each shrugged their shoulders.
Amanda then asked, "What kind of emergency can a school have?"
"What? It happens," Duncan answered as he put his coat on, "Listen, Amanda, why don't you hang out with Richie and Tori for awhile? I'm sure you three have a lot to talk about."
"With Richie and Tori?" Amanda asked.
"Well, why not?" Duncan interjected as he went to make her sit down at a nearby chair, "You haven't seen them since the events with Kalas. Listen, I'll be back as soon as I can."
He sat her down in the chair, and kissed her. Duncan then pulled Richie and Tori aside, who noticed Amanda trying to eavesdrop.
"Where are you going?" Tori asked.
"What's at the race track?" Richie added.
"Never mind," Duncan answered, "Just keep her here."
He left the loft, leaving Richie and Tori with Amanda.
"What do we do now, Hot Shot?" Tori asked.
"We do what Mac says," Richie answered before they both eyed Amanda, "So, um, Amanda!"
Amanda smiled at them.
"Amanda, what's new?" Tori asked.
"It's funny you should ask," Amanda answered as she stood up from the chair, "because that's exactly what I was going to ask you two."
The next thing Tori knew she saw Amanda eyeing Richie. It was clear that she was trying to get information from him as Richie would be more easily fooled than Tori was, but it didn't mean she wasn't talking to her as well.
"Richard," Amanda said, walking over to the pair. "Victoria."
"Amanda," Richie replied.
"You look different, Richie." Amanda circled him as Tori eyed the situation. "I think it's your shoulders. They seem much bigger than the last time I saw you."
Amanda removed Richie's jacket, "Have you been working out?"
"No, not especially," Richie answered nervously.
"Amanda," Tori spoke up, "You last saw us when MacLeod took out Kalas."
Amanda caressed Richie's shoulders, "I know, but I think he has been working out."
"We do train at times," Tori admitted, eyeing Amanda warily.
Amanda then continued, touching Richie's shoulders, much to Tori's annoyance, "They feel much bigger. Mmm, you're very tight, though."
She proceeded to massage his shoulders, "Does that feel good?"
"Yeah, it does, actually," Richie answered.
Tori was fuming as it was clear Amanda was up to something, knowing how her teacher was like.
"So what's she like?" Amanda asked.
"Who?" Tori asked.
"The one that MacLeod's seeing," Amanda elaborated with her question.
Richie shrugged her off, "Come on, Amanda. MacLeod is not seeing anyone."
"Well, then why did he go to church?" Amanda asked before she circled him again.
"Amanda, please, he didn't go to church," Tori insisted.
"Yeah," Richie added, "He went to school. He's like some kind of visiting professor."
"Visiting who?"
Richie looked distracted, "Where?"
"At the airport?" Amanda continued to circle Richie, running her hands over him and Tori could tell this was making him uncomfortable.
"It's not an airport," Richie answered her, "It's a school. It's like a university."
Amanda ran her hands through his hair, "Mm. I really like your hair like this. Is she pretty?"
"Tori's pretty, of course," Richie answered, eyeing Tori, who was curling her lips.
"You know who I'm talking about. Is she ugly?"
"We told you, Amanda," Richie insisted, "he is not seeing anyone!"
"Where?" Amanda asked, "At the airport?"
"No," Tori shook her head.
"No, at the race track," Richie answered as well, "I mean the school! Amanda!"
"Richie!" Tori exclaimed.
"Thanks, Richie," Amanda replied, "You're the best."
She kissed him before taking off to the elevator.
"Amanda, please," Richie called out, "He's going to kill me."
"I know," Amanda replied as she closed the grate of the elevator, "Bye – bye."
Tori gave Richie a disapproving stare, "You are hopeless sometimes."
"You try resisting Amanda's charm," Richie replied.
Tori rolled her eyes in response, "Oh boy."
"We should warn MacLeod," Richie suggested.
"Now, that is a good idea," Tori replied before they both hurried out of the loft.
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Tori and Richie made their way to the race track to find Duncan.
"Do you think we found him?" Richie asked.
"I sure hope so," Tori answered.
They both sensed the Buzz.
"Looks like we're about to find out," Richie declared.
Moments later, they saw Duncan approaching them, "What are you two doing here?"
"Amanda found out where you were," Tori answered.
"What do you mean she found out?" Duncan asked, surprised.
"Somebody gave out the details to her," Tori answered, eyeing Richie.
"I didn't mean to tell her, Mac," Richie added in, "but she started talking, and doing things, and well, I didn't stand a chance."
"You wouldn't be the first," Duncan told him.
"Surprise, surprise," Tori stated with sarcasm.
"We can't let her find him," Duncan said suddenly.
"Who?" Tori asked.
"Kit," Duncan answered.
"Kit? As in Phantom Kit?" Tori asked, confused, "Don't tell me Amanda has gotten in trouble with the Phantom in the past?"
"No, not that Kit," Duncan shook his head before they sensed the buzz and a brown haired man approached the group.
"Kit," Duncan greeted the immortal.
"There you are," Kit walked over to the group.
"How's the deal going?" Duncan asked.
"Well, we're ready to sign," Kit answered, "but I need you. There's a couple of points we have to go over with the trainer."
"Uh, well, I tell you what…." Duncan glanced over at Richie and Tori, "Um, uh, this is Richie and his girlfriend Tori. They handle most of my financial affairs. Kit, Richie and Tori. Richie and Tori, Kit."
"Nice to meet you," Tori replied.
"Likewise," Kit nodded as he shook her hand, followed by shaking Richie's hand, "How do you do?"
"Um, he does this thing all the time," Duncan insisted before he whispered something in Richie's ear. Then he told Kit, "I'll be back in a moment, all right?"
Duncan started up the stairs into the stands.
"Um, Mac?" Richie called out.
Duncan cleared his throat, "Oh yeah. I'll be back."
He hurried to the other direction.
"Mac?" Kit called out, confused.
Tori and Richie looked at each other before the latter stepped forward, "So, uh…."
"Oh, yes," Kit replied.
"Now what?" Tori asked.
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"Amanda," Duncan called her name as Amanda was eyeing him.
"MacLeod," Amanda replied.
"What a surprise."
"Ah, I'll bet it is."
Duncan smiled nervously, not knowing what to say.
"You know, I'm not a fool," Amanda spoke up after a moment of awkward silence, "You could have just told me."
"I thought it was better that you didn't know," Duncan replied.
"You tried," Amanda told him, "Just tell me who she is."
"She who?" Duncan asked.
"Would you just stop it?" Amanda insisted. "Tell me what you see in her."
"All right," Duncan relented before telling her as they proceeded to walk down the area, "Beautiful brown eyes, amazing legs."
Amanda felt hurt by that, "Better than mine?"
"Well, what can I say?" Duncan replied. "She has a powerful chest, endless stamina."
He was now enjoying it. "Doesn't let up in the final stretch."
Amanda slapped his shoulder.
"Ow!" Duncan exclaimed.
"MacLeod!" Amanda exclaimed.
Duncan pointed to the Double Eagle horse, "and four great feet!"
Amanda eyed the horse, "A horse? You're here about a horse? What – why didn't you just tell me?"
"Um, well, you know…." Duncan started to say.
"Mac!" Tori exclaimed as she and Richie came up behind them.
"We did it, Mac," Richie announced, "Yes! We closed the deal."
"What deal?" Duncan asked.
"You know….to buy the horse," Richie answered.
Amanda's mouth dropped in surprise and she became excited, "For me? Ohh!"
She kissed him before exclaiming, "It's just what I've always wanted!"
Amanda kissed Duncan again, "Mmmm. You shouldn't have though."
She ran off to examine the horse and rubbed the horse's nose, "Pretty. Hello. She's beautiful."
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Duncan pulled Richie and Tori to the side, "Where's Kit?"
"He's up at the racing office registering the horse," Duncan answered.
"We don't know how you do it, Mac," Tori quipped.
"Do what?" Duncan asked.
"If I took a sixty thousand dollar hit," Richie answered, "I'd want to kill somebody."
"Richie!" Tori exclaimed before slapping his shoulder.
"Don't tempt me," Duncan replied.
Richie chuckled, "You're joking, right? I'm sorry. I thought you really wanted us to buy half the horse."
"It's all right," Duncan replied, "I know. I have to find some way to stop these guys from killing each other?"
"Maybe you could reason with them," Richie suggested. Duncan faked laughed at that suggestion before Richie continued, "Okay. Maybe not. I mean, Mac, at this point it is going to be very difficult to keep these two apart, especially now that they both own the horse together."
"Thank you, master of the bloody obvious," Tori replied.
"I'm sorry," Richie apologized, "We are just trying to help. So what are you going to do?"
"I'm working on it," Duncan answered.
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"Amanda, you know, you don't have to do this," Duncan said as he was laying on his stomach while Amanda was giving him a back massage.
"Oh, no. I want to," Amanda replied massaging him, "It's the least I can do after the way I acted today."
"Mmmm – hmm."
"It's weird though, isn't it?" Amanda asked.
"What is?" Duncan interjected.
"The Horse," Amanda answered, "The Double Eagle."
"Hmmm?"
"Reminds me of that Kit O' Brady," Amanda said.
"Really, Amanda, you don't still remember him."
"You don't forget the black plague."
Duncan turned over to face her, "After all these years? How long can you stay mad at someone?"
He kissed her as he held her in a loving embrace.
"Oh, just until hell freezes over," Amanda answered.
She recalled taking the Double Eagle from Kit O' Brady in 1888, San Francisco before the building, her home at the time was burned down.
"It's been a long time, Amanda," Duncan told her after he dressed up, "Don't you think it's time to forgive and forget?"
"MacLeod, I can't forget, and I will never, ever forgive him. End of story," Amanda replied before she asked, "Now, are you sure you want to go out because I have this great lasagna recipe I want to try."
They both sensed the buzz as the elevator approached.
"That must be Richie," Duncan said, "and, or Tori."
Richie and Tori entered from the side door and they hung up their jackets.
"Somebody call us?" Richie asked.
The elevator arrived at the crate opened, revealing Kit. They stared at each other in surprise.
"Uh oh," Tori quipped.
"You snake!" Amanda walked over towards Kit, "You two bit chiseler."
Duncan and Tori tried to get between them while Richie looked on.
"Amanda, come on," Duncan called out.
"You thieving French whore!" Kit called Amanda.
"I told you I'm not French," Amanda replied.
"You stole everything I loved!" Kit exclaimed.
"Stop it, guys!" Tori exclaimed.
"Can we talk about this?" Duncan asked.
"We are talking!" Amanda yelled.
"Just butt out of this, MacLeod," Kit told him, "Oh, here. Brought you this."
He handed Duncan a bottle of wine, and turned back to Amanda, "It's bad enough you cheated me out of the Double Eagle…."
"Queen of Spades, and I won it!" Amanda interjected.
"But what kind of person steals a man's lucky piece?" Kit demanded.
"Ha! I didn't steal it," Amanda confessed, "I threw it in the sewer."
"You threw it away?" Kit asked.
"Yeah."
"In a sewer?"
"Yeah. Some rat's got it, and he's probably winning," Amanda declared.
Richie laughed as Tori walked over to him. The others looked at him, causing him to stop laughing and clearing his throat.
"Well, that's it, MacLeod," Kit declared, "You better get yourself a new woman, MacLeod because this one's gone."
"Oh yeah?" Amanda retorted.
"Yeah," Kit replied.
"Shut up," Duncan tried breaking up the argument, "Shut up! Shut up!"
"And you…." Kit started to pull his sword from his cane.
"Quiet!" Duncan yelled, causing Amanda and Kit to stop arguing.
"Now, can't we just discuss this like reasonable people?" Duncan asked.
"No!" Amanda and Kit answered in unison after a pause.
"Just checking," Duncan replied. He pushed Amanda away from Kit, "You asked for this. Will you be quiet and let me deal with this?"
"All right, come on," Kit stated. Duncan turned and hit him, knocking him unconscious. Richie and Tori caught him under the arms as he fell backwards.
"Thanks, MacLeod," Amanda gave him a pat on the back before hurrying to get her sword, "Hold him while I get my sword."
As she ran across the room, Richie and Tori draped Kit over Duncan's shoulder.
"Stall her," Duncan told his young friends. Tori and Richie complied as they went to stall Amanda.
"MacLeod!" Amanda ran towards them with her sword.
"By killing her?" Richie asked.
"Preferably," Duncan entered the elevator, carrying Kit.
"Amanda!" Richie exclaimed, stopping Amanda as Duncan closed the elevator gate.
"Amanda, let's be reasonable," Tori added.
"Where are you going, MacLeod? He's mine!" Amanda demanded as the elevator descended. Richie wrapped his arms around her and pulled her away from the elevator, "Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!"
"This is for your own good," Richie told Amanda.
"Ow, you're hurting me," Amanda said plaintively.
Richie let her go, "What? What did I do?"
Amanda rubbed her arm, "Wow. You really have been working out."
"Oh, thanks," Richie replied.
"You're welcome," Amanda said before she punched him on the jaw and tried to run for the side door.
"Hey," Tori blocked her teacher, "you forget I have martial arts skill, that I'm experienced."
"Do we really have to do this?" Amanda asked.
"Like Richie said, it's for your own good."
Tori did her best to subdue Amanda with her Muay Thai skills, but Amanda knocked her down and made a run for it.
Tori quickly recovered, got up and hurried to her boyfriend's side. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," Richie answered, recovering as well. "I'll be fine."
-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-
"Leave him," Amanda demanded as she entered through the dojo door. "He's mine."
"No," Duncan argued. "No, not here!"
"This is not holy ground, MacLeod," Kit interjected.
"No, it's my home," Duncan argued again, "What do you want me to do, watch you two kill each other?"
Kit and Amanda circled each other around Duncan.
"Well, then, I suggest you go over there and don't look then," Kit suggested.
"Yeah," Amanda chimed in.
"Okay. Fine. Go ahead and kill each other!" Duncan exclaimed. Kit drawn his sword, and he and Amanda crossed sword blades, "Seems like a bad time to do it now….now that you're partners."
Amanda eyed Kit warily, "Partners?"
Kit eyed her warily, "What did he say?"
Duncan stood by the wooden dummy, "Yeah, the horse, Double Eagle."
Kit lowered his sword, and turned to face Duncan, "You're not serious."
"Well," Duncan paused before revealing, "I gave my half to Amanda."
"What?" Kit retorted.
Amanda pointed her sword at Kit, "I'm partners with that?"
"I can't work with her!" Kit exclaimed.
"Well, what do you want me to do?" Duncan asked before he told Amanda, "Be a shame for you not to see her run."
Then he told Kit, "Or for you not to see her win, but go ahead."
Amanda and Kit crossed blades again, and then they lowered them.
"Fine," Kit relented.
"Okay," Amanda relented to Duncan, "Just this once. Just for you."
"All right," Kit stated, "The horse Double Eagle runs in the feature race at Conway Greens tomorrow, right? After that…."
"One of us is dead," Amanda declared.
"And the survivor keeps the horse."
"Fine."
"I want that stipulated."
"Fine!"
"Fine!"
They walked away. Kit left through the exit and Amanda toward the elevator.
-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-
Richie and Tori walked over to Duncan.
"Quite intense, isn't it?" Tori asked.
"That's an understatement," Duncan answered, "At least I bought us a day."
"And then what?" Richie asked.
"I don't know," Duncan answered before he asked, "Got any ideas?"
"I have no idea," Tori shrugged her shoulders, "Amanda's quite stubborn in this case."
"You can say that again," Duncan replied.
"I got one," Richie answered, "Let 'em kill each other."
"It seems like the only option," Tori added.
Duncan pretended to consider.
-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-
Amanda was looking through her binoculars, preparing to watch the horse she and Kit were going to root for in the race.
"I don't want you to feel too excited about anything that may happen this afternoon," Kit said as he sat down besides her after making his way to the chairs in the stands, "because the feelings will be strictly temporary."
"Yeah," Amanda replied as she put down her binoculars before she scooted away from him, "You'd better enjoy her run because, uh, the first thing I'm going to do when I take your head is change her name…..to Queen of Spades."
"How original," Kit sarcastically replied.
They looked on as the announcer was announcing the races.
"Incidentally, we're the seven horse," Kit said.
"I know," Amanda replied.
As the announcer spoke through the PA, the horses broke out and then Kit and Amanda stood up, watching the races.
"Oh, she broke out beautiful," Kit noted, "Beautiful. Starts really good from the gate. She dances nice and smooth. Look at her go. Look at her. The prize is twelve to one. Twelve to one."
They continued to watch the races, hoping for their horse to win.
"Come on. Just hold onto her," Kit called out.
"Come on," Amanda added.
"Nice and easy. Easy. Just sitting perfect."
As the announcer was telling the progress of the horses and the race, Kit and Amanda were watching with anticipation.
"Come on," Amanda stated, "Come on."
"He's sitting perfect with her," Kit stated, "Oh! She's really got some motion! Come on, now, the outside! On the inside! On the outside! On the outside!"
"Go! Go!" Amanda exclaimed.
"Go!"
"Get him! Go!"
"It's going to be Double Eagle in the Fairway Handicap well run!"
"Yes! Yes!" Amanda cheered.
Both Kit and Amanda cheered and hugged each other in joy as Double Eagle had won the race. Then, the mood quickly became sober and they let go as they realized what they were doing.
Amanda recovered and laughed again at the win, "Ah, get out of the way."
She pushed past Kit and went up the stairway.
-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-
Hours later, everyone had cleared the race track stands and Amanda and Kit were preparing to take on each other.
"I waited too long for this," Amanda declared.
"Now, is that supposed to be my fault?" Kit asked. "I've been around."
"Where?" Amanda interjected, "Out shedding your skin?"
"You know, I've never enjoyed killing anyone," Kit said as he drawn his sword from his cane. "This is going to be a first for me."
"Stop talking, and start fighting."
"Ladies first."
"Don't tell me what to do," Amanda declared. "I was taking heads before you were in diapers."
The proceeded to duel until Duncan arrived at the race tracks.
Kit sneezed as Duncan approached them, "MacLeod, where have you been? You missed an incredible race."
"Yeah, but you're in time for a good Quickening," Amanda added.
"Oh yeah," Kit eyed Amanda, resuming the fight.
"You'll want to read this first," Duncan told them before approaching them, holding out a piece of paper.
"What is it?" Amanda asked impatiently.
"Kit couldn't have done it," Duncan answered, inquiring about the fire from long ago.
"Done what?" Kit asked as Amanda took the paper.
"Read the lead story," Duncan instructed.
Amanda complied, reading the paper, which was circled in red ink:
SAN FRANCISCO DISPATCH
SAN FRANCISCO, AUGUST 18, 1888
STEAMSHIP SINKS – ALL HANDS LOST
MISSING AND PRESUMED DEAD
MR. KIT O' BRADY
MR. DON BUCHANAN
MR. PHILIP SMITH
MR. STEPHEN GEAGHAN
MR. MICHAEL WONG
"Missing and presumed dead?" Amanda asked, "Come on, MacLeod. You're making this up."
"Excuse me," Kit asked, "Can I take a quick look?"
He took the paper from Amanda and read it.
"Kit couldn't have burned down the saloon," Duncan insisted, "He was in the middle of the ocean at the time."
"Burnt down the saloon?" Kit asked, offended, "Are you crazy? I'd burn down the Double Eagle?"
"Queen of Spades," Amanda interjected, "and what was I supposed to think? You're such a lousy loser."
"Excuse me?" Kit retorted.
"Amanda…." Duncan began.
"What?!" Amanda exclaimed.
"What do you mean what?" Duncan asked.
Amanda stated quietly, "Maybe I was wrong."
"Did she just say something, MacLeod?" Kit asked.
"Sorry, I – I didn't quite hear that," Duncan answered.
Amanda sighed before she gave in, "I guess I owe you an apology."
"There," Duncan told Kit.
"Oh, an apology, is it?" Kit retorted, "Well, I'm very sorry to inform you that you owe me a hell of a lot more than an apology."
"Huh. Fine," Amanda replied before she raised her sword.
"Fine is right," Kit raised his sword.
"Kit, how much did the horse pay?" Duncan asked as he faced him.
"Twelve to one. My last five grand," Kit answered, "Oh, it was brilliant."
"Twelve to one. Mm," Duncan replied.
Kit suddenly realized something, "I won! She won! Double Eagle won!"
"Yeah!" Duncan exclaimed.
"We won!" Amanda added with delight.
Duncan wrapped his arms around the pair, "Yeah!"
The Present
"And that is the story of our deal with the Double Eagle," Amanda finished the story.
"Whatever happened to Kit O' Brady?" Jedda asked.
"Kit won the horse," Amanda answered, "and we haven't heard from him since that time."
"What do we have here?"
Amanda, Richie and Tori glanced over to see Flash, the Phantom, Mandrake and Lothar have returned home. Rick, Jedda, LJ and Kshin followed suit.
"When did you get home, Dad?" Rick asked.
"Just a minute ago," Mandrake answered before he eyed Amanda, "What brings you here, Amanda?"
"I was just telling them a little story," Amanda answered, "I had no idea you guys would be home so soon."
"Tori and I helped out as well," Richie added, "It was a story about the time we, mainly Amanda and Mac, dealing with an immortal and Double Eagle."
"Thanks for keeping the kids occupied," Flash told her before eyeing Richie and Tori, "That goes for you two as well."
"I'm glad we could keep them from being rowdy," Amanda stated.
"In a couple of days, April will be graduating from the academy," Flash announced.
"Richie and I will be there," Tori said, "then we have to leave in case my mother needs us."
"Or MacLeod?" Amanda asked.
"Yeah, or MacLeod," Tori nodded.
---------
Author's Note:
I hope you guys enjoyed this fun little chapter! It's basically the calm before the two huge storms that are the next two chapters as well the multi chapter season finale featuring the big bad Zorelda, who is the witch on the Prince Krotan story arc in Defenders of the Earth and was criminally underutilized, but first, we got Galati and Shapiro to deal with, so fasten your seat belts because you are going to be in for 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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