TSB 4

The Space Between

By AmandaDoE

Chapter Four: Diplomatic Immunity

"Thanks for taking me to Paris," Richie told Flash as he was riding the Terry from Seacouver to Paris. Richie had decided to return to Paris after spending a couple of nights back at his old apartment in Seacouver. He knew he would have to face MacLeod sooner or later, and he decided it would be better to face him sooner as opposed to later. Angie, Nikki and Maria understood where he was coming from, but Angie was disappointed that he would be leaving. Nikki was okay with it, mainly to get the cigarettes away from Melinda full time, but all things considered, she understood. Maria had to return to work as well.

"It's no trouble," Flash replied. "You're family to us, even after Tori's death."

Richie smiled, touched by his statement as Natalie Merchant's "My Skin" was playing on the radio. This was surprising as Flash played music rarely.

"How have you been?" Flash asked.

"Been better," Richie answered. "Spending the night at my old apartment brought back a lot of memories."

"I know how you feel. I felt similar feelings when Dale died."

He sighed. "Enough about me."

"I also got some closure with the guy who killed Tessa," Richie said.

Flash perked up in surprise. "Pardon?"

"I ran into him and his girlfriend Alicia," Richie explained, "Tori told them about us being immortal. Like us and Tessa, Mark Rozsca was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was in the wrong for being high that night, but it was the hunters that brought her in the crosshairs, and they were sober."

"As Ming had done a lot crap as he never was on any drugs. I know the feeling. Those hunters, including Horton, were bad as Ming, if not worse. Well, the hunters probably are worse as I could imagine."

"The one who took Tessa had taken out immortals and even killed mortal hostages after his plan for them was done," Richie stated, "I couldn't imagine what he'd do to me, Tori and Tess if Duncan hadn't taken him out."

"It probably would have been a catastrophe," Flash stated.

Richie felt hot tears merging from his face. "Sorry. Just thinking about Tori and Tessa."

"It's all right." Flash gave him a comforting touch.

Richie actually was thinking of those he had lost, those who were dear to him: his parents, Gary, Tessa, Laura, Gregor, Mikey, Sean, Jenny, Tori. Their images flashed through his mind as he was thinking about them, granted, he only saw silhouettes when thinking about his parents.

He hoped that Angie, Nikki and Maria would live prosperous lives for the rest of their lives. He also thought about Jenny Harris, the backup singer he met all those years ago, and was glad that her career was doing well, for all that it was worth, he was glad she was thriving.

"Are you going to be okay?" Flash asked as he landed the Terry. They have finally arrived in Paris.

Richie looked up. "Yeah. I'll be fine. I have to face MacLeod sooner or later, and better be sooner rather than later, right?"

"Indeed. But tell that to April."

Richie pursed his lips, not really wanting to know what she had against MacLeod, her animosity. Tori was April's cousin, so it was clear that April hated Duncan for what happened that night, but would she have clearly understood what really happened that night?

"We all saw that Ahriman was responsible for Tori's death, along with Ming," Flash elaborated further. "But April hates MacLeod because he took her head, as you have seen."

"I hope they don't ever clash."

"Me either. Neither does Rick. He's trying to stay out of it because he has the Netherworld and his family to focus on, and I told him to focus on that."

"As he should." Richie truly hoped that would work out.

"You ready?"

"As I'll ever be."

-The-Space-Between-

"I'll look forward to meeting her, General," Edward stated as he shook the general's hand. He then looked at his watch as the general walked away.

"Calling it a day, Edward?" Duncan inquired.

"Afraid so, Duncan," Edward answered, "One more boring speech, and I'll fall asleep standing up."

"It's all part of the job for the Consul General," Duncan chuckled in a British accent.

"Between you and me, it's the worst part – backslapping, small talk, flattering the wives of foreign dignitaries," Edward stated, "Not quite the battle I thought I'd be fighting for world peace when I joined the diplomatic corps. Still, it's good to see a friendly face. We should meet up for lunch, Duncan. Next week, maybe?"

"I'd love that, yeah. Sooner, if you like," Duncan replied before he noticed Edward's expression, "You all right, Edward?"

"Oh, sometimes I just wonder if the life I'm living is worth the life I'm living, if you know what I mean," Edward asked.

"Hm," Duncan acknowledged him.

"And it's sometimes very nice to be able to talk to someone who isn't playing the diplomatic game," Edward affirmed.

"Well, anytime. You know that," Duncan stated.

"I'll call you next week," Edward informed the Highlander.

"Okay," Duncan replied before he left.

-The-Space-Between-

Duncan sensed the buzz, and walked around corner.

"Oh, my God! My husband! You killed my husband!" a woman shouted, crying over a man's lifeless body. Duncan recognized who the man was as he saw the woman kneeling by Willie's body in the street as she cried, "I don't believe it."

Duncan walked toward a gentleman standing by car as Molly sobbed over Willie, "It's all right, sir. He's not dead."

"What do you mean, he's not dead?" the woman sobbed stridently, "'Course he's dead! Look at him!"

"Oh, he'll be fine," Duncan stated mockingly before he grabbed Willie by lapels and started to lift him up.

The woman pushed Willie down, "Put him down! He's dead, I tell ya!"

"He's going to be fine," Duncan assured her.

"Let him be!" the woman exclaimed.

"He's going to be all right."

"Let him be!"

Willie groaned and coughed.

"See?" Duncan replied before he told the gentleman by the car, "It's all right, sir. Get back in your car. I'll deal with this from here."

Duncan then hauled Willie to his feet.

"Oi! I'm calling the police!" the woman exclaimed.

"Go ahead," Duncan replied before he turned Willie around to face him.

"Oh, no," Willie recognized Duncan as well.

"Oh! Is that any way to greet an old friend?" Duncan asked before he patted Willie condescendingly on the cheek.

"Tell me he didn't, pet," Willie told the woman before she nodded, defeated.

"Damn you, MacLeod. You always were too noble for my own good," Willie replied. "What'd you stick your big nose in for? I mean, every time, why is it you pop out of the woodwork? Oh, Molly."

"Oi! Who he?" Molly asked.

"This is MacLeod," Willie introduced them to each other, "MacLeod, Molly."

"Who?" Molly asked.

"Molly?" Duncan shook her hand.

"How do you do?" Molly asked.

"Every time," Willie stated, "I've known him for centuries."

They reflected on London, 1836 when Duncan and Willie first became friends.

-The-Space-Between-

"Isn't this the setup?" Willie asked as he was at the barge with Duncan and Molly.

"It's home," Duncan answered.

"Hah! Home? Home and a slow getaway vehicle all in one," Willie exclaimed, "Aren't you the sly one?"

Duncan laughed, "You haven't changed a bit, Willie."

Molly held out the jacket for Willie to put on, "Thank you. Ahh."

He slid the jacket on, "No Cristal?"

"Well, I'm sorry. I didn't know I was going to find your dead body in the street," Duncan replied, "otherwise I would've been more prepared for the celebration."

"Don't be ungracious, love," Molly chimed in.

"What did you ever do to deserve him?" Duncan asked.

"Picked his pocket," Molly answered.

"You're kidding."

"That's my girl," Willie chimed in.

"Twenty-nine years ago," Molly added on.

"In Blackpool."

"Glasgow, dear."

"Yeah, Glasgow. Yeah, of course. I remember it as though it was yesterday. It was a sunny, beautiful day."

"Poured rain."

"Yeah. And you, you were all in white. Looked like an angel."

"I was in blue," Molly interjected, "You asked me to dance."

"And you picked the leather right out from under my nose," Willie replied.

"Said I was the best you ever saw."

"That you were, dearie."

Molly chuckled in response.

"And you stole my heart along with my wallet," Willie continued.

Duncan popped a cork on champagne bottle, "Champagne, anyone?"

Willie and Molly both laughed.

"See what I mean, my darling?" Willie asked, "The man's generous to a fault."

Duncan tried to head Willie off, "No, not this time."

"I haven't even asked you yet," Willie chimed in.

"Thank you," Molly replied as Duncan handed the champagne to the couple.

"Strictly a loan," Willie stated.

"Willie."

"All right, all right. Forget the money. You wouldn't mind puttin' us up here for a few days, would ya?"

"You want to stay here?" Duncan asked.

"Well, you know, it is a bit spartan for my tastes, you know," Willie answered, "and we would be a bit cramped, I suppose, but I'm sure we could manage."

"You think so?" Duncan asked.

"Yeah! What's a little snoring between friends?" Willie answered before he chuckled, "You've got plenty of hot water, have you? She takes long showers, this one. And breakfast - still addicted to those bangers in the morning. Oh, God! Difficult commodity to find, of course, in Paris, but I'm sure you'll manage. Grilled tomatoes. Lots of coffee. Plenty of fresh coffee."

"Oh, no. We couldn't," Molly declined as Duncan tossed his wallet on the table.

"No, you couldn't, but he could," Duncan replied before he held the wallet out toward Willie.

"Ahh. If you insist," Willie replied.

"Oh, I insist. Just a loan," Duncan stated.

"Yeah, oh….." Willie started to say.

Duncan took the money out of wallet, "That enough?"

Willie motioned with his hand as Duncan counted out the additional bills. Duncan gave him a look as he handed over the money.

Willie snatches up the bills, "Hah!"

He waved the money in Molly's face.

"Oh, stop!" Molly exclaimed.

"Anything for an old friend, eh?" Willie asked.

-The-Space-Between-

Edward drove up, and parked by the curb. Steve watched from around the corner of the building as Edward got out, and opened door for his mistress.

"There you go, my dear," Edward told the mistress before he locked the car door with the key and turned on alarm with key fob, "Hope you don't mind parking around the back. Oh, look at this. These vines remind me of my garden at the consulate. Never seen it, have you? Going to get you out there sometime for a party."

He escorted his mistress away, still talking.

Steve waited until they were out of sight, went over to the car, and turned off the alarm with his key fob, unlocked the door with key, got in and drove away. As he drove, he pulled a small vial from his pocket, and uncapped it.

-The-Space-Between-

"Did you have to put the touch on MacLeod like that?" Molly asked, "We've already got loads."

"You saw it," Willie answered, "The man threw the money at me."

"Oh!" Molly exclaimed.

"Anyway, besides, it's good to keep your hand in."

"Aha!"

Willie stopped and watched a car almost hitting another farther up the street.

"Hey!" the driver exclaimed, "What are you, crazy?"

"Uh-oh. No. No. Absolutely not," Molly answered.

"Oh, come on, pet!" Willie exclaimed.

"No, no, no!"

"Just one, just one."

"No. Can't we just go to the Riviera as planned?"

"Yeah, and I'll buy you a string bikini for the beach."

"You will not!" Molly exclaimed, "I haven't the figure for that anymore."

"You have in my eyes," Willie replied, "To me you'll always be that sweet young lass from Glasgow."

"Keep talking," Molly told him.

The car drove down the street toward them.

"All right then," Molly relented, "Just one more."

"Just one," Willie replied.

Both of them were pointing a finger at each other and they batted at each other's hand.

"Would you stop it? One!" Molly exclaimed before she gave him a quick kiss, "Go."

"Okay," Willie replied before he walked out into the street right in front of the car. He was hit and Willie went rolling across the road. In turn, Molly ran screaming over to him, "Oh, my God, no! Willie!"

She threw herself over his body, sobbing, "My husband! Oh, he's dead! You killed him!"

"Where did he come from?" the man asked as he stepped out of the car.

"Fancy car, innit, for a young bloke to be drivin'?" Molly chimed in.

"Uh, no, it's not my car," the man told her.

"It's probably stolen, isn't it?" Molly asked before she continued sobbing, "We'll have to call the police! They'll have to be told!"

-The-Space-Between-

Steve looked around and noticed the street is deserted as the woman continued to rant, "Not that it matters to someone like you."

He continued looking around, noticing there was no one in sight noticing the woman ranting, "You're probably loaded with money and we haven't got any, and I've got kids as well!"

As she continued her spiel, Steve sneaked over to a pile of bricks nearby and grabbed one.]

"Oh, Willie, what're we going to do? We'll have to call the police," the woman sobbed, "They'll have to be told! Oh, Willie!"

Steve sneaked up behind her.

"Oh, you could easily write us a check….." the woman started until Steve whacked her in the head with the brick, then got back in his car.

-The-Space-Between-

Willie revived with a gasp, "So, pet, how'd we do, eh?"

As the car drove away, Molly lied motionless sprawled across Willie's back, "Molly? Hm?"

He rolled over, and cradled Molly, "God! Oh, God!"

He looked up as the car that hit him squealed its way around the corner and out of sight, "Come on. Wake up, wake up. Wake up, wake up."

He felt her wrist for a pulse, and realizing Molly was now dead, hugged her body to him, crying, "Please, no! No! No, no, no!"

-The-Space-Between-

Richie sighed as he walked into Le Blues Bar, where Joe spotted him on the spot.

"Richie," Joe walked over to his friend, "it's so great to see you again."

He shook his friend's hand, "How have you been?"

"Been better," Richie answered.

"Who brought you in here?" Joe asked.

"Flash," Richie answered, "He was nice enough to take a little bit of time off from his Defenders duty to bring me here."

"That was nice of him," Joe replied, "So, I heard you moved your wife's body back to Seacouver?"

"Yeah," Richie nodded, "It was home to Tori, and Angie, Nikki and Maria were there for me, even as I was a mess."

"It's good that you had friends to support you," Joe stated, "I can't imagine what you have been going through."

"How's Mac?" Richie asked nervously.

Joe nodded as he knew what steps he was making next, "He's dealing with an immortal situation if you want to help him out."

Richie appeared to be hesitant. He was conflicted in regards on whether or not he wanted to do this, but he knew he had to face MacLeod sooner or later. Maybe he could be helpful to MacLeod in whatever this situation might be. Besides, he had already forgiven Duncan for his wife's death.

"What situation MacLeod is facing at this time?" Richie asked Joe.

-The-Space-Between-

"Are you crazy? I can't go to the cops. I mean, come on. Wake up," Willie freaked out as he was talking to Duncan on the deck of the barge, "You think they'll give a damn about a small-time crook with a dead girlfr….."

He broke down, and he took a moment to compose himself, "She was my life, MacLeod. Twenty-nine years. Not long by our standards, but they were sure as hell the best years of this rotten scoundrel's life. She didn't deserve to die that way."

"No, she didn't," Duncan replied.

"Please help me. I-I can't do it by myself," Willie pleaded.

"You got it," Duncan relented.

"I got part of the license plate, a couple of numbers, a letter," Willie told his friend.

"Willie, whatever we find out, we let the law deal with," Duncan insisted.

"The hell with the law. I've lived five hundred years without the law. I don't need it now," Willie retorted.

"If we find out who killed Molly….." Duncan started to say.

"I kill him," Willie cut him off.

"No, Willie. We do it my way, or you're on your own," Duncan firmly told him.

"You're a hard bastard, MacLeod," Willie stated.

"It's your choice."

"All right, all right. For Molly. We'll try it your way."

"Okay."

"For now," Willie muttered to himself.

-The-Space-Between-

Duncan walked out of the building and over to Willie.

"When did you get so friendly with the cops?" Willie asked.

"Since I didn't make a career out of being a criminal," Duncan answered.

"Oh, yeah. Okay, okay. So give. Who owns the car?" Willie then asked.

"It's not "who". It's "what"."

"Run that by me one more time?"

"The car's owned by the American embassy," Duncan told his friend.

"Well, that's no good, is it?" Willie replied, "It could be any one of a hundred people."

"Come on. I might know somebody who can narrow it down," Duncan replied before he got in his Land Rover.

-The-Space-Between-

"How'd you get to be who you are, MacLeod?" Willie asked.

"And who am I, Willie?" Duncan asked in turn.

"Upstanding, live by the book, die by the book" MacLeod," Willie quoted, "Death before dishonor and all that, you know."

"Same way as everybody else: one day at a time," Duncan replied.

"Maybe if I'd been brought up to be a clan chief, and you'd been brought up on a dock by a family of thieves, I'd be the one with the friends on the police force," Willie retorted.

"Maybe, but I've done things I'm not proud of," Duncan replied.

"Yeah, but you never had to earn your living at it and I'll bet you that some of those things... seemed to be the right thing at the time," Willie ranted, "No, I was born a scoundrel, and I'll die one. I couldn't help myself if I tried."

Suddenly, both immortals sensed the buzz. Duncan was taken by surprise upon seeing Richie arrive at the area. Both men exchanged glances and nodded.

"Good to see you again," Duncan greeted his friend.

"Likewise, Mac," Richie replied.

"Richie, I'd like for you to meet my friend, Willie Kingsley," Duncan introduced the two men to one another, "Willie, meet my friend, someone I consider a son, Richie Ryan."

"Nice to meet you," Richie shook Willie's hand.

"Pleasure," Willie returned the favor.

"So, what's going on with this guy?" Richie asked, "Joe filled me in on the gist of it."

Duncan sighed before asking, "When did you return to Paris, by the way?"

"A couple of hours ago," Richie answered, "Flash brought me here."

"Right," Duncan nodded before he explained the current situation to Richie regarding Kingsley and someone responsible for the death of his mortal wife, Molly.

"I'm sorry for your loss," Richie told Willie, "Trust me, I was in your shoes a year and a half ago."

"I bet you were," Willie replied.

"Come on," Richie retorted, "I am just trying to help."

"Take it easy," Duncan gently touched his student's arm.

Willie then chuckled, "You always could see through me, MacLeod. Okay. I'm not making any excuses for my life. I've had dozens of chances to change it."

"So why don't you? I've seen other people do it," Duncan asked, "You can too."

"Why should I?" Willie asked.

"Because it killed Molly," Duncan answered.

"No. The life didn't kill Molly. The bastard in that car killed Molly," Willie insisted, "Molly loved the life, same as I do. You know what it's like when you look a mark in the eyes, and you know you've got him? You know the hook's in so deep, the only way he can go is straight into your pocket."

"Yeah, and then he goes home and tries to explain to his wife why he's lost a year's pay," Richie replied as he was now aware of the situation.

Willie groaned.

"Or a college education for his kids, and don't tell me you only go for those people that deserve it or can afford it. You're not that careful," Duncan added.

-The-Space-Between-

"I'm very sorry for your loss, Mr. Kingsley, but I'm not sure what I can do, Duncan," Edward told the three men.

"Um, I have a partial number of a license plate from a car from this embassy," Duncan replied before he handed the paper to Edward.

"And whoever drove that car is a murdering bastard," Willie stated.

"Could you look up the number for us?" Richie asked.

Edward looked at the paper, "I don't need to."

"Why?" Duncan asked.

"This plate's from my car," Edward answered.

"Your car?" Richie asked.

"You?" Willie added.

"Hold on. Does anybody else have access to your car?" Duncan asked.

"Where were you yesterday at four o'clock?" Willie asked in turn.

"Willie, hold on," Duncan told him.

"I'm waiting for an answer. Where were you?" Willie insisted.

"Didn't Mac say to hold on?" Richie asked.

Edward pressed a button on underside of his desk.

"Out bashing innocent women on the head, by any chance?" Willie asked.

"Willie, stop it!" Duncan exclaimed.

"My personal schedule is none of your affair, sir," Edward answered.

"Damn you. Murderin' bastard!" Willie exclaimed before he lunged across the desk.

Duncan grabbed him, "I said- I warned you, Willie!"

"Lookie here! Calling out his goon squad!" Willie exclaimed as a security man appeared, "Is that the action of an innocent man?"

"I'm sorry about this, Edward, but there has to be a good explanation," Duncan apologized.

"I'm sure there is, Duncan, but now you'll have to excuse me," Edward replied.

"I'm sorry if I seem a little upset, but murder puts me in a foul mood!" Willie exclaimed.

The security man escorted them out. Edward crumpled up the paper with the license number on it.

-The-Space-Between-

"We don't know anything for sure yet," Richie stated.

"All we have is a number on a partial plate," Duncan added.

"Well, that's all I need," Willie replied before he saw the car parked nearby, "What have we got here?"

He examined the car, "MacLeod, this is it, but there's no -ckin' dents."

Duncan ran his hand along underside of bumper as Richie noted it too as he said, "It's been hammered out recently."

"I knew it!" Willie exclaimed.

"Oh, no, no, no! No, no, no!" Duncan exclaimed before grabbed Willie.

"Friend or no friend, I'm gonna string that bastard up by the short hairs!" Willie exclaimed, "Let me go!"

"I said I would handle it, and I meant it," Duncan replied.

"Okay. Okay, okay. I'll just stand there, hmm?" Willie exclaimed, "I won't say a word. Quiet as a church mouse!"

"What you will do is you will go back to the barge, and you will wait for me there," Duncan told him.

"But this….."

"No buts," Duncan argued.

"But….."

"You heard the man!" Richie exclaimed.

"Case closed. Understood?" Duncan asked.

"All right," Willie glared at the two men and left the barge.

"Sorry you had to return at a strange inconvenient time," Duncan told his student.

"I had to return sooner or later," Richie replied, "I'll let the IUA know the situation as we make progress."

Duncan nodded reluctantly.

-The-Space-Between-

"Are you accusing me of murder, Duncan?" Edward asked.

"No one's accusing anybody, but what would you do, Edward?" Duncan replied.

"There's an eyewitness report. The plates match," Richie added, "There's even new bodywork on the car."

"I see and if I could provide an alibi for that afternoon?" Edward inquired.

"That would help," Richie nodded.

"Did you know I have a chance at the Ambassadorship?" Edward asked.

"Congratulations," Duncan replied.

"After years of standing in someone else's shadows," Edward elaborated further, "I was with a woman."

"A woman?" Duncan asked.

"Mistress," Edward explained, "In three days, I come before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Any hint of scandal, I won't get their confirmation. I'll give you her number. You can call her if you like."

"Yeah, but someone killed Molly, someone using your car if it's not you," Richie stated.

The two men noticed Edward's look of realization and Duncan asked, "What aren't you telling me, Edward?"

"There's nothing else, Duncan," Edward answered.

-The-Space-Between-

"Well? Come on!" Willie exclaimed as he got out of the Land Rover.

"Edward's innocent," Richie told him.

"Just like that?" Willie asked.

"He has an alibi," Duncan answered.

"Why? Because he told you he did? How do you know he didn't set it up?" Willie asked.

"I believe him," Duncan answered in turn.

"Well, I don't," Willie retorted, "You know, not everyone is blessed with your code of ethics, or honor, or whatever the hell you call it."

"We will find the truth," Richie assured him.

"Richie's right," Duncan added, "We will find the truth."

"Back off, both of you. We already have," Willie replied before he left.

-The-Space-Between-

"Plumbing emergency," Willie told the guard as he was in the driver's seat talking to a guard.

"First I heard about it," the guard replied.

"Well, it's only just happened. It's the toilet, second-floor master," Willie elaborated further, "Not very pretty, I understand."

Willie noticed the closed gate, "Would you mind?"

"Yeah, I gotta check first," the guard answered.

"Well, it's your call, but you-know-who's not going to be happy about you-know-what," Willie replied.

The security guard stepped into the guard booth. Willie got out of van, knocked the guard unconscious, and then drove through gate as it opened.

-The-Space-Between-

Willie, dressed in plumber's overalls, walked up the steps, and knocked on the door.

The butler opened the door, "Puis-je vous aider, monsieur?"

"Au contraire, c'est moi qui viens vous aider," Willie replied.

"Je vous demande pardon?" the butler asked.

"Urgence plomberie deuxiÃ¨me Ã©tage."

"Un instant, monsieur."

The butler turned away and then Willie knocked him unconscious before he went into Edward's office.

"Thanks, Duncan. We'll keep our eyes open," Edward replied on the phone before he hung up the phone. Willie barged into the office with a gun, "No, don't. Mr. Kingsley, you don't understand. You've got this all wrong. It's not what it seems. Please, you don't know the whole story. Don't."

A security guard entered office behind Willie and shot him.

-The-Space-Between-

Duncan and Richie waited impatiently at the foyer.

"Your friend is nuts," Richie stated.

"No kidding," Duncan replied.

The butler entered the foyer, "Consul General Banner will be with you shortly."

"Thank you," Duncan replied before Steve entered the foyer, saw Duncan and Richie before he reversed direction, "Steve? Hi, there."

Steve replied nervously, "Yeah, hi, Duncan and friend. Uh, I'll see ya later."

"I heard you had a little bit of excitement yesterday," Richie stated.

"Yeah, yeah. Some lunatic got shot," Steve stated before he glanced at his watch, "I've got to go."

"What's your hurry?" Duncan asked.

"I've got to get ready. I'm – I'm leaving," Steve answered, "Dad's sending me home, so I gotta pack, get my- I got things to do."

"What's he sending you home for?" Richie asked.

"Oh, you know the old man," Steve awkwardly answered, "He gets something in his head. Ha! I gotta go, really. Gotta go."

"Good to see you, Steve," Richie replied.

"Yeah."

"We'll see you soon," Duncan told him.

"Yeah. See ya," Steve replied before he left.

Edward poured himself a drink as Duncan and Richie entered the room.

"Little early for that, isn't it?" Duncan asked.

"Is it?" Edward interjected.

"We saw Steve in the hall. He looked a little, um, strung out," Richie chimed in.

"Understandable, I suppose," Edward replied, "His father was almost murdered yesterday."

"Tell me, Edward. Why are you sending him home?" Duncan asked.

"You know why, don't you?" Edward asked in turn.

"Yes."

"My son has done a terrible thing. That poor man's wife," Edward answered, "Now he's dead, too."

"Sending Steve home won't solve anything," Duncan replied.

"You think that was an easy decision?" Edward asked.

"No, we know it wasn't," Richie answered.

"Is there anybody, uh- Did your friend have family?" Edward asked, "I want to help any way I can. If they need anything... money? Whatever they need."

"Edward, what they need is justice," Duncan stressed.

"Justice. Yes, of course. To do the right thing. That's what we all want, isn't it?" Edward replied before he led the two men out of office.

"I have always tried to do the right thing. The life of a career diplomat, not as glamorous as it sounds. Always traveling, different country every few years," Edward stated, "It's been hard on us all, but especially hard on Steve. You know how many times I saw him in the first three years of his life? Five times. Five times in three years. I was a stranger in my own home. By the time he got to know me, I was gone again. It was worse when he came with me. He was the diplomat's son – the boy expected to fit in everywhere, and he wound up fitting in nowhere."

"That's unfortunate," Richie replied.

Willie hauled himself onto the roof of the shed nearby, and started putting together sniper rifle.

"You did the best you could," Duncan assured him.

"Did I? Take it from me," Edward replied, "When your kid's on drugs, the only thing that matters to a father is he failed."

"But you didn't kill an innocent woman," Richie stated.

"Steve borrowed the embassy car that day to go buy drugs," Edward continued, "He knew he wouldn't be stopped and searched. So you see, I can't help feeling that, somehow, I was behind the wheel myself."

"You can't prepare him for life and protect him from it at the same time," Richie replied.

"Richie's right," Duncan added, "He's twenty-four years old, Edward, and the only person that's responsible for Steve's actions is Steve."

Willie finished assembling the sniper rifle.

"I can't do what you want," Edward stated.

"I'm not asking you to do it because I want it, or because my friend wants it," Duncan insisted, "It's because it's right. It's just."

"Easier said than done," Edward replied.

"I never said it was going to be easy," Duncan interjected.

"How can I send my own son to prison when I have the power just to send him home?" Edward asked.

Willie released the safety on the rifle. Duncan and Richie sensed the buzz. Willie took aim at Edward.

"Willie," Richie called out.

"What?" Edward quipped.

"Get inside," Duncan instructed, "and then we're going to…."

"What's going on? What are you doing?" Edward asked.

"Listen to him! Get inside!" Richie exclaimed, "Now! Go, go!"

"What? What? What's going on?" Edward asked before Willie shot him, "Aah!"

He fell to the ground.

"Edward. Edward," Duncan and Richie called out in unison.

"Duncan... Duncan…" Edward stated.

"It's okay. It's okay," Duncan assured.

"Duncan, please. Look out for my son," Edward told the Highlander.

"Edward. Edward!" Duncan called out.

Edward died. Duncan and Richie looked around, but Willie was nowhere in sight.

"He has really crossed the line this time," Richie declared.

"You've got that right," Duncan chimed in.

-The-Space-Between-

"I won't apologize for killing him, but I am sorry I hurt you," Willie stated.

"You came all this way to tell us that?" Duncan retorted, "How considerate."

"We've been friends a long time. Let's put this behind us, move on," Willie suggested before noticing both men's silence, "And I thought you were a bigger man than that."

"You killed the wrong person," Richie told him.

"Oh, you're crazy," Willie retorted.

"He's not," Duncan shook his head, "You murdered an innocent man."

"You're like a broken record. 'Round and 'round," Willie ranted, "It's clear that Richie here is like a son to you and he claims to have lost his wife last year."

"Keep my wife's name out of your mouth!" Richie exclaimed.

"Easy, Richie," Duncan gently touched his student's arm before turning to Willie, "Yeah, and you're a damn fool! Edward didn't kill Molly."

"Oh, yeah? Then who did?" Willie asked.

"He wasn't even driving the car!" Richie exclaimed.

"Well, it wasn't driving itself, was it?" Willie demanded.

"His son, Steve, was driving it, damn you!" Duncan exclaimed.

"What are you talking about?"

"He was looking for drugs. He knew a diplomatic car wouldn't be searched," Richie stated.

Duncan then added, "The only thing the man you murdered was guilty of was protecting his son."

"That little puke killed my Molly," Willie stated.

"His father's dead. The family's repaid its debt," Duncan replied.

"Not good enough, mate," Willie retorted.

"Oh, it has to be, mate. Because if you go after Steve, I have to come after you," Duncan stressed.

"Granted, you'll try. Nothing else you could do, no one else you could be," Willie replied, "That's your code, MacLeod. But I've got a code of my own."

With that, Willie left the two men.

"What are you going to do now?" Richie asked.

"What I have to do," Duncan answered before he opened the steamer trunk, took out his katana, and then closes trunk.

"Welcome back to the game," Richie stated.

-The-Space-Between-

Steve took a vial out of drawer, started to open it, heard a noise and quickly tossed the vial back in drawer.

Duncan entered the office and noted Steve's red-rimmed eyes, "Allergies?"

"H-Hey," Steve stammered.

"I'm sorry about your father, Steve," Duncan offered his condolences.

"Uh, yeah, yeah. Thanks," Steve replied.

"Sit down," Duncan told him.

"I gotta- I gotta go," Steve tried to leave.

"I said, sit," Duncan insisted before Steve complied.

"Her name was Molly, Molly Ivers. She was born in Cornwall, 1946, a year after the war," Duncan explained, "You know, her mom used to say, "A child born in celebration would live a long and merry life." She loved dancing... and dark ales..."

"Yeah?"

"And chocolates."

"Yeah, so?"

"So you killed her."

Steve jumped to his feet, "Get out."

"I just thought you'd like to know her name," Duncan stated.

"I'll- I'll call security," Steve stammered.

"You can call whoever you wish, but one way or another, you're going to pay for killing Molly," Duncan told the younger Banner.

Steve scoffed, "Leave me alone."

"You didn't mean to kill her, did you, Steve?" Duncan asked, "You got scared. Your father died to save your life. It was his gift to you. Don't throw it away."

"You know, I don't have to listen to this," Steve retorted.

"No, you don't, but you have to live with it," Duncan replied before he sensed the buzz.

"What? What's wrong?" Steve asked.

"If you want to keep breathing, lock the door... and open it to no one," Duncan advised before he left the office and closed door behind him.

-The-Space-Between-

"This is a very bad idea," Duncan told his friend as he walked towards him.

"Only if you try to stop me, MacLeod," Willie replied.

Duncan drawn out his katana. They fought. Eventually Duncan disarmed Willie, backed him up against a nearby tree.

"Go ahead, mate," Willie challenged the Highlander.

"We were mates," Duncan declared, "That's why you live... as long as the boy lives."

"God damn you, MacLeod," Willie cursed before asking, "Who the hell are you to say who lives or dies?"

"Exactly. If I hear of the premature death of Steve Banner, I will come for you," Duncan warned him.

"Understood. Bravo. Well done. I would've done the same for you, you know," Willie replied, "So, now that's all out of the way, put 'er there, huh?"

He held his hand out, "Oh, come on, pal. No hard feelings, huh?"

Duncan gave him a look before he walked away.

-The-Space-Between-

Lauren looked on as she spotted an immortal man walk down the streets nearby. She sensed the buzz as he walked closer to him.

"What do we have here?" the man asked, "My name is Willie Kingsley."

"Lauren," Lauren introduced herself, "and sadly for you, this is where your story ends."

"What?" Willie took a couple of steps back.

Before he could react, Lauren got out her sais and beheaded Willie and took his quickening.

-The-Space-Between-

"You can't do anything to me, so why don't you just leave?" Steve asked.

"What I could do to you isn't half of what you're doing to yourself," Duncan told the younger Banner, "Now turn yourself in, Steve."

Steve laughed, "Right."

"How much guilt can you handle?" Duncan asked, "Molly's dead. Your father's dead. How much coke will it take to bury them?"

"Allow me to help you, Mac."

Duncan turned to see Richie with a group of IUA agents. Richie glanced towards the agents before two of them handcuffed Steve.

"Steve Banner," Darren informed him as the two agents in front of him cuffed him, "You are under arrest for the murder of Molly Ivers. We are involved because of circumstances regarding the situation."

"This is outrageous!" Steve exclaimed in disbelief.

"I'm sorry, Mac," Richie said. "We had to make him face repercussions one way or another."

"And given the situation with Mr. Banner," Darren added, "he will be sent into rehab to help him get clean."

Duncan nodded. "That'll be good for him."

"Yes," Richie uttered. "If Mark Roszca can get clean, I'm certain Steve Banner can get clean and become a better person."

"Right," Duncan said.

"Even after he does get clean," Richie stated, "he will have to live with the fact that he killed Molly Ivers and the fact that he was the indirect cause of his father's death."

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Author's Note:

It's great that Richie is back in Paris with MacLeod. That doesn't mean their problems are over. Heck, they are far from over. Duncan still has to deal with the aftermath of Tori's death with an angry family member, and Richie has his inner demons to overcome Tori's death.

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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

Duncan embarks on a journey abroad. Richie confronts his trauma.

4: Diplomatic Immunity

Richie joins others in Paris.