TSB 14

The Space Between

By AmandaDoE

Chapter Fourteen: It's A Wonderful Highlander

"Does everyone understand the plan?" William inquired to the group.

"Clear and loud," Daphne answered, "Today is the day we close the portage initiative for good. We know our stations and we know what to do."

"That is correct," Taylor nodded, "If we don't act now, not only will Earth be destroyed, but Mongo will be doomed as well. We must do this for the sake of two planets."

"And we got the stuff needed to seal away the portage initiative for good?" Martha asked.

"That we do," William answered.

-The-Space-Between-

Duncan looked out the window, looking bothered. Amanda trailed his gaze, looking concerned, "What's the matter?"

"Richie is trapped in Mongo," Duncan answered, "I'm worried about him."

"I know," Amanda wrapped her arms around the Highlander, "I know. Richie has been through hell and back, first by losing his daughter, and then his wife. How much hell must one have to endure?"

"And now he's trapped in Mongo," Duncan stated, "Ming has him prisoner in Mongo."

"We'll get him back," Amanda assured him, "We got him out of that catatonic state, and we will get him out of Mongo."

"Thanks, Amanda," Duncan replied, giving his lover a small smile, "You always knew what to say. Maybe one day we can travel around the world."

"Uh, travel, travel. What time is it?" Amanda asked.

"Eleven thirty. Why?" Duncan answered.

Amanda groaned, "Oh, God!"

"What are you doing?" Duncan asked.

"Oh, I'm getting dressed," Amanda went to get her clothes on.

"Dressed? What for?" Duncan asked.

"Beats going naked to the airport," Amanda answered.

"Airport?"

"Yeah, you know – where they keep the planes. I've got to catch a red-eye to Cairo."

"Cairo? What for?"

"Um, I've got to see a man about a camel."

"Oh, Amanda…."

"Look, I didn't have time to tell you. Besides, I just came by for a drink."

"Gives a whole new weight to the meaning layover," Duncan stated.

"Oh, baby, don't pout. I'll be back soon," Amanda replied before she left the barge.

-The-Space-Between-

Amanda senses the buzz, "MacLeod, I told you I have to go."

She turned around to encounter O' Rourke.

"No, you don't," O' Rourke grabbed her arm.

"Ah, would you just- Let's get this over with quickly, okay? I've got a plane to catch," Amanda told him.

"Not anymore," Cain declared as she grabbed Amanda from behind.

"I'm about to make a slight adjustment to your itinerary," O' Rourke told her.

"Hey, Elektra, you really got that "walking upright" thing down, don't you?" Amanda inquired.

Cain shook her around a bit in response.

"The lass is a bit touchy about her ancestry," O' Rourke stated.

Amanda yelled, "MacLeod! Help!"

"The more you struggle, the more it's gonna hurt. Come on!" Cain replied as the portal opened.

O'Rourke left a cardboard drink coaster for 'THE LIGHT HORSE' with Amanda's sword on the quay for Duncan to find. Before he entered the portal to Mongo with Amanda and Cain.

Duncan ran out of the barge, and found the coaster and sword, and looked around.

-The-Space-Between-

"I heard about what happened to your wife," Lynn told Richie, "I'm really sorry."

She heard some noises before she turned and saw a memory on the screen.

"Sweet fancy Moses!" Richie exclaimed as he was getting up, "Tori, what the hell was that….."

He looked down, seeing something in shock.

"Richie?" Duncan called out with a hopeful tone.

Richie faced his teacher, covering his mouth in horror, "Mac."

"Thank God," Duncan's hopeful expression changed to relief as he stepped forward to hug Richie.

"Stay back!" Richie drawn his sword.

Relief changed to confusion.

Suddenly, Duncan heard the demon's laughter, and confusion changed to horror as the truth hit him as he looked down: the demon had tricked him. He saw Tori's headless body on the ground. He had killed Tori Gordon.

Red fog started to surround Duncan.

"No!" Duncan cried out as he felt the energy of Tori's quickening. Then he saw an image of Tori screaming as she took Kelsea's quickening.

"NO!" Duncan yelled as the quickening was happening.

Even as the quickening was hitting him, he staggered forward as if fighting through a storm, raised his sword and with a cry of rage swung as he saw split second images of some of Tori's memories.

The demon's mocking laughter echoed the room as Duncan's face was filled with agony, hit full on with the quickening.

"No," Richie cried out.

As the quickening was ending, Duncan saw something that he would soon never forget. Richie dropped to his knees and screamed an anguished scream, "NOOOOOOOOOOO!"

"Oh God," Lynn muttered as she saw the memory, "I'm so sorry."

"Tori is dead because of me," Richie spoke up, "It's my fault my wife is dead."

"Richie," Lynn walked over to Richie as he sat up from the table.

"I didn't listen," Richie continued, "and Tori died because of me."

"Richie no," Lynn muttered.

-The-Space-Between-

"Now, wait a minute. You're tellin' me that this Chronicle is wrong, that it was Marcus Aedilies that took the head of Titus Marconus, and not Peter Gaicus?" Joe asked.

"74 B.C. I had a tidy little sum wagered on Marconus too. Had my eyes on a little summer place outside Herculaneum," Methos answered.

"Yeah, but why would his Watcher lie?"

"Oh, come on, Joe. You know how it is. You don't want to admit to your Watcher buddies that your guy's been whacked by some sniveling little weasel like Aedilies. So you make up a story that he's been aced by the greatest swordsman in Rome."

"Nah, I don't know, man. I don't know."

"Hey, you ask, I tell you. And, incidentally, it wasn't outside the Forum, either. It was, um, it was in the vomitorium."

"In the vomitorium?"

"The place you went to vomit."

"I mean, they actually did do that?"

"You eat a seventeen-course meal where the main garnish is honey-coated ants and peacock brains…." Methos stated.

Joe looked at him incredulously.

"We ate, we drank, we vomited," Methos continued.

Joe shook his head, "But see, it doesn't say anything in this Chronicle about him dying in a vomitorium."

"Well, is that how you'd want to go down in history?" Methos asked before he sensed the buzz, "We're having company."

"Hey, Mac. What's up?" Joe greeted as Duncan entered the bar.

"Or, should we say, who's up?" Methos added.

Duncan tossed the coaster on table.

"Liam O'Rourke," Joe answered.

London — 1946

"Now, I'm willing to overlook your working for their side, MacLeod," O' Rourke stated.

"Their side? I thought it was our side," Duncan declared.

"You know what I mean. The bloody English."

"I thought we were all fighting against the bloody Nazis."

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend. London needed a good kick in the arse."

"I don't believe I'm hearing this."

"If the Nazis had taken England, they would have left Ireland in peace," Tara stated.

"Yes, and you would have been left in a slave labor camp, if you'd been lucky," Duncan replied.

"Moot point, MacLeod. Now, we asked you here to join us against England," O' Rourke interjected.

"The answer's no," Duncan replied.

"And you a Scot. Have you forgotten Culloden?" Tara asked.

"Don't even," Duncan answered.

"Don't what? Bring up the fact that the English butchered over two thousand Scots in a matter of days?" Tara then asked.

"Oh, yes, I know, because I was there. How much killing will it take, how many funerals, how many widows before you understand what you're doing will accomplish nothing?" Duncan interjected, "It will create nothing, and it's not going to solve anything."

"Tara sometimes forgets that we Immortals have a different perspective on history," O' Rourke chimed in.

"Yes, well, I think it's time to learn from our mistakes," Duncan replied.

"I believe it's time to order another round," O' Rourke declared.

Tara stood up, picked up a valise, and went toward the bar.

"Sit down. Sit down, MacLeod. Come on," O' Rourke urged the Highlander.

Duncan sat down.

"Lovely, isn't she? The face of an angel, the heart of a lion," O' Rourke asked.

"And you've turned her into a fanatic who's going to get herself killed, and she only dies once. Look at these people, O'Rourke," Duncan stressed, "They're not monsters, they're heroes. They died by the tens of thousands to stop Hitler."

O'Rourke looked across the pub, "Not that one. That one spent the war killing Irishmen. British Commander Allan Broderick. Arrives every week at the same time, sits at the same table, orders the same meal, reports to the Office of Irish Affairs."

Tara rejoined the men as O' Rourke was speaking, "Guess we'll have to forego that round."

"Why?" Duncan asked.

"Got a train to catch," O' Rourke answered, "The Flying Scotsman, as it happens."

He stood up, "But by all means, MacLeod, let's continue this outside."

They left the pub.

"Have you lost all conviction, then?" Tara asked.

"I've just lost my taste for innocent blood," Duncan answered.

"We have to go," O' Rourke announced.

"What's your hurry? Are you late for something?" Duncan asked.

"Actually, I'm right on time," O' Rourke answered.

-The-Space-Between-

The valise sat on the bar stool. Two men played chess at a table as the valise sat on the bar stool. Broderick spoke to another man. A man in a cable-knit sweater drunk a beer. The valise exploded and the pubs windows exploded.

-The-Space-Between-

Duncan reacted to the explosion from inside. A fireball rolled up from the building.

Duncan tried to run back to the pub, but O'Rourke stopped him.

"My mother was in there!" he heard someone shout.

"They're English," O' Rourke stated.

"They're dying!" Duncan exclaimed.

"Exactly."

"You did this? You killed all those people?"

"That commander's hands were red with Irish blood."

"What about your bloody hands?"

"With us or against us, MacLeod."

Duncan punched him and the two men started to brawl.

"Stop it! Liam, stop it! Liam, stop it!" Tara called out.

"Go!" O' Rourke shouted.

"Hurry! The police will be on us!" Tara exclaimed.

"Go! Go!" O' Rourke shouted as he was rolling around on the ground with Duncan.

"No! I won't go without you!" Tara argued.

"Go!"

"Not without you!"

The Present

"They were arrested, convicted and given life," Duncan stated.

"So why pick on Amanda? I mean, his beef is with you," Joe asked.

"It's an eye for an eye, Joe. Tara spent the rest of her days in jail," Duncan answered, "O'Rourke could have escaped, but he stayed there until she died."

"How romantic. But very impractical," Methos replied.

"I've got to get Amanda out. It's my fight, not hers," Duncan stated, "That goes for finding Richie as well. It's not his fight either."

He got up to leave. Methos got up too.

"Where are you going?" Duncan asked.

"Well, I'm kind of fond of the little vixen myself. Okay?" Methos answered, "The same goes for Richie."

"Yeah," Duncan replied.

"Keep in touch," Joe told the immortals.

Duncan nodded before he left.

"Catch you later, man," Methos told Joe before he followed Duncan out.

Joe picked up the cordless phone from the bar, dialed, and listened to the ringing, "Okay, come on, come on."

"Hello?" a man greeted Joe on the other end of the phone.

"Yeah, hi. Hi. It's Joe Dawson," Joe replied.

"Joe, it's two a.m."

"Yeah, I know it's late. I'm sorry."

"What's up?"

"It's important, all right?"

"Okay."

"I've got a name for you. It's O'Rourke."

"Spell that."

"It's O-apostrophe-R-O-U-R—" Joe started to say before he felt something sting at him before he started to feel strange, "—K-E."

He fell over."

"Joe? Dawson?" the man called out from the other end of the phone.

"O'Rourke," Joe answered, slurring before he lost consciousness.

-The-Space-Between-

"I know you don't want to hear this, but she may already be dead," Methos told Duncan, "Richie might be dead too."

"If he wanted them dead, he would have killed them outside the barge," Duncan replied before they found a note, written in red: BERSY TRAIN DEPOT 4 A.M. ALONE. A PORTAL WILL BE OPENED FOR YOU TO MONGO.

"Oh, please tell me that's not written in blood," Methos stated.

Duncan picked up the note, "It's Amanda's lipstick."

"That's a nice touch. Okay, I'm going to phone Joe, see if he's come up with anything," Methos informed the Highlander.

"He won't be there," Duncan replied.

"Why not?" Methos asked.

"It's from Joe's bar," Duncan answered before he held up the note, written on the back of another coaster.

"Oh, first Richie, then Amanda, now Joe. I see a very worrying pattern developing here," Methos stated.

"No. This is where it stops."

"Don't go, MacLeod."

"I have no choice."

"That is existentially inaccurate- All right! I will come with you."

"It's his rules. The note says alone," Duncan told Methos.

"Rules? What rules? You think O'Rourke is taking Richie, Amanda and Dawson to play by some set of rules?" Methos replied.

"He'll kill them. The Unholy Alliance featuring Ming, Cain and him too."

"Yes, and he will kill you too."

"Not if I can help it! It's his game. This is where this conversation ends," Duncan declared before he walked toward the door.

"Don't go, MacLeod. It's a trap, MacLeod," Methos pleaded, "MacLeod, your pants are on fire."

Duncan paused by the door.

"Doesn't matter what I say, does it? Well, I've only been alive for five thousand years. What would I know about it?" Methos asked.

"I'm getting them out of Mongo," Duncan replied.

"Are you playing the hero here, or are you being the martyr?" Methos asked.

"Whatever it takes. Whatever I have to do, I'm keeping them alive," Duncan answered.

"People die, MacLeod. Immortals... die."

"Yeah. But not because of me. Not anymore."

"Good-bye."

"I think you mean good luck, don't you?"

"Of course... that's what I meant."

Methos looked on as Duncan left the barge.

-The-Space-Between-

"Sleeping Beauty awakes. How are you?" Amanda inquired as Joe groaned, coming to.

"I'm just peachy," Joe stated, "My head – it's doing cartwheels."

"Joe? Is that you?"

Joe and Amanda looked to see Lynn on a nearby screen. Richie was next to her.

"Lynn!" Joe exclaimed.

"Richie!" Amanda added.

"Are you guys all right?!" Joe asked.

"We're on Mongo," Lynn answered, "All of us."

"So what else is new," Amanda retorted.

O'Rourke entered the shed, "Amanda. Joe. I trust you're comfortable, and that you saw your niece and little Richie Ryan too."

"You know, now that you ask, no. I hate these drapes, and these handcuffs?" Amanda replied, "You know, they're just really tacky. You should drag yourself into the '90s, Paddy. This S-and-M stuff just isn't P.C. anymore."

"It's just her way of breaking the ice, you know," Joe chimed in, "and what the hell are you doing bringing in Richie and my niece in the mix of all this?"

"It's all part of the game," O'Rourke replied before he punched Amanda, "and that's mine. Oh. Brave Amanda. And such a pretty face too."

He leaned close to her. She spat at him.

"I wonder how MacLeod's face will look as he watches you die," O' Rourke stated before he left.

"You all right?" Joe asked.

"Mmm. Great," Amanda answered.

-The-Space-Between-

Duncan snuck past the parked train before he spotted a portal nearby, "There's my ride."

He entered the portal and found himself at a nearby city on Mongo.

"Welcome to Mongo, MacLeod," Duncan stated to himself. He then sensed the buzz.

"MacLeod?" O' Rourke called out and then he walked through the large open area, "MacLeod! MacLeod? No games, MacLeod. One word, and they're dead."

They heard a rattling noise, and turned.

Duncan jumped down from above, knocked him down, kicked his sword away and held his katana at his neck.

"Duncan. Is this any way to treat an old friend?" O' Rourke asked.

"We were never friends. Now you let them go, or you die right here," Duncan answered.

"I think not," O' Rourke replied before he called out, "Brian! Tom!"

Amanda was brought out at gunpoint by Tom, "Sorry, MacLeod. The damned leprechaun caught me by surprise."

"We're all right, Mac," Joe replied as he came out with Brian behind him.

"And I also got your little buddy and a special guest with them," Ming chimed in as he stepped out of the shadows.

Moments later, a nearby large screen turned on and it shown Frost holding a depressed Richie at gunpoint while Cain was holding Lynn at gunpoint.

"Mac!?" Richie exclaimed.

"They have nothing to do with this," Duncan insisted.

"As much as Tara did," O' Rourke interjected.

"You gave her that bomb, O'Rourke. Whatever hell she went to, you sent her there."

"Tom? Shoot the woman and take her head," O' Rourke instructed, "and Frost, you can shoot your ex and take his head."

"Jesus!" Joe exclaimed as gunshot rang out.

"No! You kill them, he dies right here!" Duncan exclaimed as Tom raised his blade over Amanda's body while Frost was doing the same with Richie's.

"Then they're both dead before my head hits the ground. Shoot the old man and the girl," O' Rourke replied before giving the others instructions.

"Wait!" Duncan exclaimed.

O'Rourke raised his hand to halt Brian and Cain, "No way out, MacLeod."

"You can have me," Duncan exclaimed.

"MacLeod!" Joe exclaimed.

"No!" Richie exclaimed as the group noticed that Frost wasn't a good shooter because Richie was still alive.

"Keep out of it," Duncan told the men before he told O'Rourke, "My life for Tara's. I'll lay down my sword."

"You tell him to go to hell!" Joe exclaimed.

"Shut up, Joe! Please!" Duncan exclaimed before telling O'Rourke, "Come on, O'Rourke. What do you think? Blood for blood?"

"And in return?" O' Rourke asked.

"Your sworn oath, on the memory of Tara, that when I'm dead you let them go," Duncan answered, "All four of them."

"You have it."

"I want to say good-bye," Duncan told his opponent/victor.

"Put down the sword," O' Rourke instructed.

Duncan tossed his katana aside, and went over to Joe, "You okay?"

Joe quietly asked, "So, what's the plan?"

Duncan shrugged.

"For God's sake, MacLeod, you can't do this," Joe insisted.

"No one else dies because of me, Joe," Duncan then looked over at Amanda's body, "Tell her I love her."

"Mac, please don't!" Richie pleaded.

Duncan looked at Richie as he was with Lynn on screen, who was looking on in shock.

"Don't you see?" Duncan told his student, "I'm doing this for you, for all of you."

Duncan then smiled sadly, "I'll see you around."

Duncan walked back to O'Rourke, and knelt.

O'Rourke raised his sword, preparing to take Duncan's head.

Methos stepped out from around a column, shot at O'Rourke, knocking the sword from his hand. Tom shot back. Methos hit Tom. More gunshots fired out.

Rick stepped out of the shadows with Jedda and a group of Netherworlder soldiers.

"Good work, men," Rick told the soldiers before he called out, "Go Defenders!"

Blasters appeared on the screen. The Defenders were fighting at the laboratory.

Duncan turned to look at O' Rourke, who shouted, "You bastard!"

Duncan ran toward Joe.

You lying bastard!" O' Rourke shouted. He raised his arm to point toward Duncan, "Kill him! Kill him!"

"Get Richie to safety!" Duncan called out as he ran at Brian, and knocked him down.

"My niece as well," Joe called out in turn.

Methos and Tom exchanged more gunfire.

Duncan runs over to Joe.

"Damn you!" O' Rourke shot at Duncan, and hit him, "Die, you bastard!"

Duncan crashed through some stacked barrels and fell on the walkway of parked train engine. The Highlander died as gunfight continues against Methos and the Defenders.

-The-Space-Between-

Duncan found himself having split-second flashes of random memories: Flames in a fire-pit transition to Tessa's blowtorch igniting, an image hazy dream-Tessa, a close on the fake-Tessa's eyes, Tessa calling his name, another image of the hazy dream-Tessa, Tessa telling DM she loves him, in courtroom

Then he saw more split-second flashes of: Mark shooting Tessa, Joe and Duncan walking through the airport parking lot, Joe's face next to Lauren's body, Duncan hearing himself saying he was tired of killing.

Then he saw more split-second flashes of:

Ahriman-Jason standing in front of an apartment window, Duncan feeling for Joe's pulse, Ahriman-Richie at racetrack, with glowing red eyes, Duncan fighting Redcoats in the 1745 battle, Sean Burns at his chateau, Garrick yelling in his workshop, Duncan swinging his katana, beheading Tori, Garrick's cloaked dream figure, Darius at St. Julien's, Horton in warehouse, Evil-Coltek, Duncan raising his katana to behead Kent, Coltek on his knees, Kalas in the Nosferatu bar, Kalas stabbing Fitz before beheading him.

"MacLeod. MacLeod! Over here, MacLeod."

"Hello there."

Duncan came to, and lifted his head, recognizing two familiar faces, "Fitz? Tori? Is that you?"

"In the flesh, dear boy, so to speak," Fitz replied.

"Good to see you again, Mac," Tori added.

"But Kalas killed you, Fitz and I took your head, Tori," Duncan stated with a slight stammer, "Y-You're dead. Both of you are."

"Well, I might say I've seen you looking better yourself," Fitz stated.

"Exactamundo," Tori added.

Duncan looked down at himself, "Am I dead?"

Fitz sighed as he exchanged a look with Tori.

Duncan sat up, "Well?"

"Try not to think of yourself as dead. More, um, metabolically challenged. You know, um, handicapped," Fitz answered.

"Exactly again," Tori nodded in agreement.

"Come again?" Duncan asked as he stood up.

"Like in golf," Fitz stated.

"Golf?" Duncan asked

"Yeah, and you're the ball," Tori answered, "Man, Fitz taught me a lot of things since I've been dead."

"I'm the ball?" Duncan asked.

"Yes, and you're rolling down the fairway," Fitz answered.

"Down the fairway," Duncan stated.

"Now you're getting it," Tori replied.

"I'm not even close to getting it, you guys."

"That's because you're not being the ball," Fitz stated.

"What are you talking about?" Duncan asked.

"You've definitely left the tee, but you're not yet on the green!" Fitz exclaimed.

"What?" Duncan asked, confused.

"Look, try and follow us on this. A bunch of us were sitting around the nineteenth hole this morning," Fitz stated before he pointed upward.

"What? What? Where? Where?"

"And you-know-who came in. Asked for Tori and myself especially, he does," Fitz continued, "Well, first I was flattered. Thought it was something important, big, you know. Something requiring my special talents. Hmph! Right hand of God and all that, you know."

"You're telling me you're an angel?" Duncan asked, giving them a skeptical look, "The both of you."

"Well, why can't I be an angel?" Fitz asked, "Have you ever imagined Tori an angel?"

"W- Is there a point to all of this, Fitz?"

"Is there a point to all of this?" Fitz asked.

"Yes, is there a point to all of this?" Duncan asked in turn.

"Of course there is," Tori answered. Fitz cringed in turn.

Thunderclap sounded overhead.

Fitz and Tori both winced, and continued more quietly.

"Of course there's a point to all this, and I'm looking right at it. It's you!" Fitz exclaimed.

"Me? What about me?" Duncan asked.

"Well, forgive me for saying so, MacLeod, but it seemed to us up there that you were about to give up your life," Tori answered.

"It was either my life or theirs," Duncan replied as he then looked at Tori, "Joe, your teacher, your husband, I wasn't going to let them die."

"Oh, come on, MacLeod. I've seen you get out of many a tight spot that seemed well nigh impossible. What made this one so different?" Fitz inquired, "Been a tough few years, has it? Fighting. Fighting. Always bloody fighting. Trying to save the world."

"Yeah, and nothing ever changes, does it?"

"Did you really think you'd change the world all by yourself?"

"Forget about the world," Duncan inquired, "What about Tessa? What about you two? If it wasn't for me, you'd still be alive."

"I think you should take a good look at something," Tori told him.

"Yeah, come on," Fitz chimed in, "There's something we want you to see."

He and Tori started walking away.

"Come on, MacLeod. Look, for once in your life, you mule-headed Scot, would you please do something I tell you?" Fitz asked.

"He's right," Tori added, "Come on."

Duncan started toward Fitz and Tori.

"It'll be all right, laddie," Fitz reassured his friend before he and Tori walked with Duncan down the light at the end of the tunnel.

-The-Space-Between-

Fitz and Tori led Duncan into a conservatory. Duncan looked down at himself, "Blood is gone."

"Good trick, eh? Works wonders with red wine stains too," Fitz stated.

"Where are we?" Duncan asked.

"Well, take a look," Tori answered.

"Still in France?" Duncan guessed.

"Very good. Ten out of ten. Recognize anything else?" Fitz asked.

He nodded toward the parlor next to the conservatory, where a man and woman were in a passionate embrace.

"You like that?" the man asked.

Duncan hid behind a potted plant, peeked through the leaves into room, "Nice couple. So what?"

"Oh, you're sweet," the man stated.

"Why don't you take a look?" Tori suggested.

Duncan recognized the woman as she turned around in the man's arms, "Amanda?"

"Bingo!" Fitz exclaimed.

-The-Space-Between-

"That's not Amanda. Amanda's back- back th-there somewhere, with O'Rourke," Duncan stated.

"Not this Amanda," Tori said, "This Amanda never met you. Doesn't even know you exist."

"Of course I exist," Duncan argued, "How can you say that?"

"Not in this world," Fitz chimed in, "Here there never has been a Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod. Never has been, never will be."

"Why am I here?" Duncan asked.

"You've been given a gift, dear boy. Trust in the gift," Fitz answered.

"I can't sense her," Duncan stated.

"You're not Immortal here, Mac," Tori stated, "Still, you kind of get used to it. It took me a bit to get used to it, you know, being dead and all."

"At least she's found someone she loves," Duncan stated.

"Yes. Pity it's not her husband," Fitz stated as he and Tori walked behind Duncan, who turned to follow.

Fitz and Tori led Duncan past another potted plant as the former stated, "That's her husband."

Allan, a mousy man with thinning hair and tortoiseshell glasses, opened the briefcase on the table.

"You're kidding," Duncan replied.

"Afraid not," Tori stated, "Take a closer look, if you like. Don't worry. They can't see us."

A banker set a safety deposit box on the table.

"Thanks," Allan replied before the banker left.

"Not unless we want them to," Fitz chimed in.

Duncan stepped closer to the table as Allan unlocked the box and removed the papers.

"It gets more interesting. Trust me," Tori reassured him.

"What are those?" Duncan asked, referring to the papers.

"Bearer bonds. Three million dollars' worth," Fitz answered.

Allan continued transferring the papers to his briefcase.

"What's he doing with them?" Duncan asked.

"Stealing them, of course," Tori answered.

"Does Amanda know about this?" Duncan asked.

Fitz chuckled, "Is the Pope a Catholic?"

Duncan slammed the briefcase closed, "I don't believe this."

Allan looked around the empty room, latched the briefcase and carries it off.

"Where is he going?" Duncan asked.

"He's heading home to deliver the loot," Tori answered.

-The-Space-Between-

Allan's car was driving along the road.

"Her plan?" Duncan asked as he was sitting in the backseat with Tori and Fitz.

"Yes. Poor Allan, up front, used to be such a decent chap. Did all the right things – Rotary, Kiwanis," Fitz answered.

"He used to visit his mother regularly," Tori added, "He even rescued a cat from a tree once. Positive choirboy."

"So? What happened?" Duncan asked.

"Amanda happened. He fell for her hook, line and sinker," Fitz answered.

"Hmm."

"God help him, the poor bastard. Well, looks like we're home," Fitz declared.

Allan stopped the car.

Amanda and Georges were still kissing passionately.

"Darling, I'm home!" Allan called out from outside.

Amanda pulled away and whispered, "Damn. He's early."

She pushed Georges away, took the champagne bottle from him, "Georges, keep it in your pants. Later! Go."

She checked her makeup in the mirror, grabbed the champagne flutes from table, and then left the room.

-The-Space-Between-

"Pretty tricky," Allan stated as Amanda joined in on the patio.

"Darling?" Amanda replied.

Allan lifted the briefcase with a grin, "You were right, honey!"

He set the briefcase on the table.

Amanda set the bottle and glasses on the table, "So it worked."

"Like magic. You're amazing," Allan replied before they kissed.

-The-Space-Between-

Duncan looked out the window at them as Fitz tinkered on piano and Tori stood near him, "So, looks like the same old Amanda to me."

"Not exactly," Tori replied as she crossed her arms.

Fitz played the piano. Duncan watched through the window as Amanda turned away from Allan, and reached into her cleavage.

Fitz played a 'silent movie' villain's tune. Amanda tossed a pill into the champagne flute.

Duncan frowned, and pointed, "Wh- What's that?"

Fitz played the opening notes of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony on low keys, "Poison."

"She wants to murder him?" Duncan asked.

"Yes, and at three million dollars' worth, that's, uh, thirty percent more than her last husband," Tori answered.

"No, no, no, no. She's- I know Amanda. She's a thief. She's not a murderer," Duncan argued.

"You knew Amanda in your world. This is Amanda here," Fitz replied.

"But how?"

"Well, the usual way, you know. Small steps," Fitz answered, "Then one day she slipped, and you weren't there to catch her, MacLeod."

"Duncan, you're the best man I know," Amanda stressed as she stood up from her seat, and held Duncan in an embrace to give him reassurance, "You make people better, you know, people like me, people who didn't give a damn about anything in their whole lives until you came along with your big brown eyes and your Boy Scout rules."

"I have to stop her," Duncan stated before he knocked on the window, "Amanda!"

Amanda poured the champagne into the flute, and then handed it to Allan.

"Amanda!" Duncan called out.

"If only it were that easy," Tori replied.

Fitz played glissando on the piano, "I'm afraid Allan's fate is already sealed."

"No, no, no, no. How do I get to her?" Duncan asked.

Amanda was on the patio with Allan, "To easy money."

She tinked her flute against Allan's.

"No," said Allan

"Something wrong?" Amanda asked.

"To my beautiful wife," Allan answered before he raised his flute.

"Oh!" Amanda giggled, and then sipped her champagne.

"Come on! Tell me!" Duncan insisted.

"You really are serious about this, aren't you?" Tori asked.

"Yes!" Duncan answered.

"All right," Tori replied, "Have it your way."

"Well, if I were you, I'd use the front door," Fitz suggested.

"Mmm!" Amanda enjoyed her champagne before telling her husband, "Your turn."

Allan raised his flute to his lips. When suddenly, the doorbell rang.

"Ahh," Allan stated before he set his flute on table, "I'll get it."

-The-Space-Between-

"Hi. I'm sorry to bother you. I, um- My car broke down, and I'd like to borrow the phone," Duncan stated as Allan opened the front door.

"Not a problem. Come in. Come in," Allan replied before he stepped aside.

"Thank you. I don't know what happened. I took it to the mechanic yesterday," Duncan elaborated.

Allan then replied with a chuckle, "Well, no wonder."

He handed the cordless phone to Duncan, "Here."

Duncan dialed the phone, and held it to his ear a moment, "Busy."

He turned the phone off.

"Mechanics. Wait a few minutes and try again," Allan stated.

"Yeah. I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"What? Oh, no, no. Where are my manners? Can I offer you a drink?"

"Oh, thank you. Duncan MacLeod's the name."

Allan shook Duncan's hand, "Good to meet you."

-The-Space-Between-

Fitz got up from the piano, and crossed to the window, looking out. Tori walked right behind him.

"Should we tell him?" Tori asked.

"Yes," Fitz turned away from window, chuckling.

-The-Space-Between-

"Allan, you didn't tell me we were having company," Amanda stated as she noticed Allan with another man.

"Surprised me too. Mr. MacLeod, this is my wife, Amanda. He's having car problems," Allan replied.

The man took Amanda's hand, "Duncan MacLeod."

There was an awkward moment as they looked at each other, "Uh, I hear it's your anniversary. Congratulations."

He kissed the back of her hand.

"Thank you," Amanda replied.

"Champagne, Mr. MacLeod?" Allan offered. Duncan grabbed the napkin and flicked Allan's flute off the table, "Wha- Oh, my."

"What the hell are you doing?" Amanda asked Duncan.

"Spider," Duncan told Allan.

"Ahh," Allan replied.

Duncan then told Amanda, "Black widow, if I'm not mistaken. Female kills the male."

"And then eats him. Funny. I didn't see anything," Amanda replied.

"No harm done. I'll just fetch a broom," Allan stated before he went inside.

"I want you out, or I'm calling the police," Amanda ordered.

"Go ahead. They can analyze what's inside the glass," Duncan ordered.

"How much?" Amanda asked.

"It's not about money," Duncan answered.

"Oh, darling, it's always about money. So you name your price, or you haul your tight little ass out of here," Amanda retorted.

"Did you forget everything Rebecca ever taught you?"

"Never heard of her."

"Rebecca. Your teacher. She believed in you. Like I still believe in you."

Amanda then stated in a small voice, "I don't understand. I don't know what's happening. I don't know who you are, and I don't know how you know about Rebecca. Will you help me? Will you do me a favor?"

"Yeah. Anything," Duncan replied.

Amanda pointed a gun at him suddenly, her voice cold, "Say hello to Rebecca for me."

"You're not going to shoot me," Duncan told her.

"Why not? Intruder breaks in, kills husband, and faithful wife gets the drop on him," Amanda stated, "You know, I really should thank you. It's actually much neater than poison."

-The-Space-Between-

A van screeched to a stop. Hunters got out.

"Come on, let's go! Come on! Move, move, move! Come on!" the hunters exclaimed.

-The-Space-Between-

Allan came back out holding a counter brush, and gasps, "Amanda! You've got a gun!"

Amanda then replied with a sweet smile, "And you have a broom."

Then her voice turned cold, "I win."

She shot Allan.

"No!" Duncan exclaimed before he grabbed the gun from her as Hunters swarmed the patio.

"Freeze! Drop it! Don't move! You're covered! Freeze! Hold it!" the hunters shouted.

"No, I don't…." Duncan tried calling out as a hunter was pulling him away from Amanda.

"Right here. Come on!" a hunter called out.

"Move! Let's go! Let's go! Get over here! Now!" the other hunters replied.

Duncan saw a tattoo on a hunter's wrist, and whispered to himself, "Watchers?"

He fought the hunter holding him, and knocked him out, and then he turned to see a hunter raising a machete over Amanda's head, "Amanda!"

Amanda screamed. A hunter shot Duncan.

-The-Space-Between-

Duncan staggered back against a wall, groaning.

"Great Scot, MacLeod! No pun intended. Do get up," Fitz stated.

"What happened? Why'd you take me away? Did they kill Amanda?" Duncan asked.

"They killed that Amanda, yes," Tori answered.

"Did you know that was going to happen?" Duncan asked.

"Look, don't blame us. Blame the Watchers," Fitz answered in turn.

"The Watchers?"

"Yep," Tori quipped, "and in case you're wondering what happened to me since Amanda wasn't my teacher in this universe, you're about to find out."

"Dawson. Dawson. Where's Dawson? He'll stop this," Duncan inquired.

"You will never believe it," Tori replied.

Fitz and Tori motioned toward the street. Duncan noticed Joe fighting ice robots along with Flash, Sheila, the Phantom, Mandrake and Lothar.

Duncan walked up to the group, "Joe? The Defenders?"

"Do we know you?" Flash asked, appearing to be irritated.

"We've met," Duncan answered.

"Yeah, sure," Flash retorted.

"My apologies for my friend, Mister," Mandrake adjusted his hat, "He hasn't been the same person since his wife and son died."

"I'm sorry to hear," Duncan replied.

"I'll be able to take things easy when Ming is finally dead!" Flash exclaimed.

"Uncle Joe!"

"Did you get them?"

Duncan noticed Tori, Jack and a blonde woman walking up to the group.

"Yeah," Joe answered, "Those bastards are relentless. You okay, Lynn?"

"Yeah," Lynn answered, "Doing fine."

She hugged her uncle.

-The-Space-Between-

"What the hell is going on over there?" Duncan demanded, "Tori, I saw you with the Defenders."

"That's what's up," Tori explained, "Since Amanda didn't teach me, Jack did. Then we joined the Defenders after Rick was killed."

"I thought Rick was King of the Netherworld," Duncan declared.

"Not here," Tori answered, "Rick was killed in the Hall of Wisdom incident, but unlike in your world, he didn't make it."

"What about Jedda?" Duncan asked.

"Well, that poor girl," Fitz answered, "She left the Defenders, blaming herself for Rick's death. Then, she was kidnapped by Prince Krotan, son of Ming the Merciless and she was forced to marry him and after the Hall of Wisdom incident, April dropped out of the academy and joined the Defenders full time to be there for her family. This doesn't necessarily have anything to do with you, MacLeod, but we thought you'd like to know in case you don't see some faces."

"As for Lynn," Tori chimed in, "Me in this MacLeod less world explained what was going on to her after Horton killed her fiance, just like in your world, except Lynn joined the Defenders after she disowned her father. I've been on Horton's hit list ever since, just as you were MacLeod. Needless to say, it's not just Ming and his forces we're dealing with in this world, but the Hunters too."

"What about Joe and the Watchers?" Duncan inquired.

"The Watchers stopped watching and started killing," Fitz answered.

"Joe would have stopped them," Duncan interjected.

"Well, he tried... for a while. Then he did what anyone else would do when they're outgunned and outnumbered. He gave up," Fitz stated.

"Joe Dawson doesn't give up," Duncan argued.

"He did for awhile," Tori interjected, "but Lynn came to his rescue after finding out what his father did to him, and Joe ended up joining the Defenders as well."

"Joe Dawson!" Terry ran down the street. He looked around, "Joe Dawson! Joe, stop!"

Terry jogged over to him, "Come on, Joe. I need your help."

"What can we help you with, dear boy?" Mandrake asked.

Terry bared his wrist to Joe, showing off Watcher tattoo, "You're a Watcher. You're the reason I joined. We've got to stop the killing."

"When will you get it through your thick Highland skull that you were much more than his friend? For twenty years, you were his inspiration," Fitz asked.

"There's nothing I can do about that!" Joe exclaimed.

"We're trying the best we can with the hunters," the Phantom added, "We can only do so much."

The van from Amanda's chateau screeched to a stop at end of the street.

"We've got company!" Jack exclaimed.

"Get behind us, kid," Flash told Terry before he pulled his gun from his pocket.

"What's going on?" Terry asked.

"Leave this to us Defenders," Joe answered as he got out his gun from his jacket.

"Who are they?" Terry asked as the hunters got out of the van.

Horton appeared at street corner behind Duncan, Tori and Fitz and then he shot Terry. Terry collapses with a soft grunt, dead.

"No!" Joe tried rushing towards Horton, but Lynn and Mandrake held him back.

"You son of a bitch!" Flash added but the Phantom held him back.

"Horton's alive?" Duncan asked.

"And killing," Fitz answered.

"Immortals," Tori added.

"And anyone else who gets in his way," Fitz chimed in.

Horton walked down the street to Joe, "I believe your line is, You murdering bastard."

He tried fighting Tori, but she proved to be stronger. The only reason Tori didn't kill Horton was for Lynn's sake. Tori and Lynn had become sisters along with April and she wasn't going to do anything to ruin that friendship. Jack helped Tori defeat Horton.

"Why are you even doing this?" Jack demanded.

"Because you immortals are perversions of nature, abominations in the eyes of God," Horton answered.

"Like I haven't heard that before," Jack retorted.

"I'll have Tori's head one way or another," Horton declared, "She's the one who turned my daughter against me."

"You did that yourself," Lynn argued, "Not all immortals are evil."

"She's right you know," Flash chimed in, "and I lost my wife and son. I will not lose my niece because you want your precious ego fueled!"

"Takes one to know one, huh, Flash Gordon?" Horton asked.

"Give me a break," Flash rolled his eyes.

"Easy there," Mandrake helped the Phantom hold him back while Jack, Tori, Lynn and Joe remained in place.

"Don't you have a who that you have to hear elsewhere?" Tori asked.

"Another time," Horton replied before he left the group standing there.

-The-Space-Between-

"Dad, we've got company," April announced, "He wouldn't take no for an answer when I tried to tell him to leave."

"You did your best, April," Flash replied, "Some people are just too damn persistent."

Joe, Lynn, Flash and Mandrake noticed Duncan standing at the area.

"How'd you get in here? Horton send you?" Joe asked.

"You have to stop him, Joe," Duncan urged him.

"Who the hell are you?" Flash asked.

"That doesn't matter. You can't let this go on," Duncan stressed, "None of you can."

"Get real, mister," Joe argued, "We can only do so much. Not only are we having to deal with the Hunters, but we're dealing with one Ming the Merciless too."

"Let him talk, uncle," Lynn gently touched her uncle's arm, "He might be able to help us."

"Thank you," Duncan replied before he inquired, "That- The Watcher that Horton killed?"

"Terry Rafferty. What about him?" Joe replied.

"He believed in you," Duncan interjected.

"Yeah, and look what it got him," Joe affirmed.

"You did what you could," Duncan reassured him.

"I did squat!"

"Joe, just trust me," Duncan insisted, "After 'Nam, the Watchers, they gave you back your life, didn't they? Don't let Horton take that."

"How did you know that?" Lynn asked.

"You'd be surprised," Duncan answered.

"You are a dangerous bastard, aren't you? You really want to help us?" Flash asked.

"Yes," Duncan answered before he asked, "Joe, there was a young Immortal named Richie Ryan. What happened to him?"

"Go to hell!" Joe exclaimed.

"We're gonna have to ask you to leave," Mandrake stated calmly.

-The-Space-Between-

Duncan, Tori and Fitz were sitting on the steps south of the church.

"I must say, you look a mite peaked, dear boy. Maybe a wee dram will fortify you for the next leg of your journey," Fitz stated.

"No, I'm fine," Duncan replied.

Tori smirked, "Well, you could've fooled me. You look like you've just seen a ghost."

"Just a friend joining the Defenders," Duncan replied, "and the Defenders in a crazy situation, dealing with not just Ming, but the Hunters as well, and God knows what else."

"Then that should tell you something," Fitz replied before he noticed Duncan's look, "You're needed, MacLeod. You do make a difference, and if you can't see that... Well, if you can't see that, then we're out of a job."

He and Tori followed Duncan down the steps to a railing overlooking Square Louise-Michel.

"Just what do we have to do to convince you, Mac?" Tori asked.

Duncan looked down, and saw a familiar woman walking below. "Tessa?"

---------

Article

Author

Chapters

1: Prelude — Part One

Everyone reflects on the recent events while considering the future.

2: Prelude — Part Two

Angie tends to a despondent Richie. Portals to new dimensions are discovered.

3: Sins of the Father