Root Of Evil

[cj]

Written & Directed by Candy


CARA is sitting on a bamboo mat just past the corral and near the stream, Indian style the back of her wrists resting on her knees. Her eyes are closed and she is breathing deep and slow.
LIAM stands behind Duncan in the study, looking over his shoulder as he surfs the Net
Delwyn is sitting not to far from Cara. She sitting in the same position as Cara. She is deep in her meditation.
Duncan skims through the list of names of drugs.
CARA is having a hard time concentrating. There's a tiny sharp pain throbbing just above her left temple which is distracting her....coupled with the fact that her usual "white paper" visual to clear her mind is not working and she keeps getting flashes of the nightmare she had last night.
[LIAM] Maybe it's not an actual drug. Maybe it's like one of those....what do they call them...holistic remedies...or a natural remedy.
LIAM says from behind Duncan's shoulder.

***THE PART OF METHOS IS TEMPORARILY BEING UNDERSTUDIED.****

Duncan goes to another search engine with a sigh. "Maybe...but will it be labeled as that name or do we need to figure out what herbs are in it first."
Delwyn slowly brings herself back to the here and now. She opens her eyes and looks at Cara.
Methos dials the cabin phone number and waits for it to be answered.
Methos drums his fingers on Joe's desk impatiently.
Methos thinks he may have mis dialed He hangs up and dials again.
Duncan reaches for the phone as he scans through the results on the search engine. "MacLeod..."
[Methos] It's about time someone up there in hicksville answered the damn phone.
Methos says in his usual smarmy tone.
CARA finally gives up and opens her eyes as she gets to her feet. "Damn," she exclaims. She reaches down and picks up the quarter staff laying next to the mat and begins a strenuous Kata, unaware that Wyn is nearby and keeping an eye on her.
Duncan glances to Liam. "Well, nice to hear from you too."
LIAM goes into the kitchen and pours himself another cup of coffee and leans against the kitchen island, giving Mac some privacy for his phone call.
Delwyn watches Cara. She stretches her legs out in front of her to get the cramped feeling to go away.
[Methos] So...is your beautiful wife....that you really don't deserve, but managed to lasso anyway....around?
[Duncan] No...she's not here. She went out for a bit
[Methos] Then I guess I'm stuck talking to you.
Methos chuckles.
[Methos] Oh...by the way....Joe says hi and congratulations....whatever that means.
[Methos] Did you go and do something spectacular again?
[Duncan] I kept my head is all.
[Duncan] So, what's going on?
[Methos] I finally got those results of CJ's blood work.
[Methos] And by the way.....when are you guys coming back to civilization?
[Methos] It's getting boring down here. Even Amanda has been behaving herself.
CARA loses her concentration and the end of the quarter staff bounces off the ground, jarring it out of her hands.
[CARA] Shit!
CARA picks it back up and tries again.
LIAM walks out to the front porch and sits on the porch swing watching Wyn watch Cara.
Duncan laughs hearing about Amanda. "We're not sure. So, what did you find in your results?" Playing it off like he knows what's going on.
[Methos] OK. Her blood is basically as beautiful as she is....and just as full of surprises. They found traces of St. Johns Wort...which is used sort of as an antidepressant, Valerian...which is the herbal equivalent of Valium...and there was a large amount of that...., Schizandra chenisis...which is a very strong antidepressant, Ephedra...which is a stimulant, and one that I have never heard of and couldn't find any information on anywhere....Kwanlo Root. There was a very large amount of that last one in her blood stream. Just what are you guys eating up there, anyway?
Duncan eyes widen hearing Kwanlo root. "It's the medication she's taking." He quickly jots down the name of the herbs.
[Methos] Now none of these herbs by themselves....with the exception of the kwanlo root which I know nothing about....would have any effect on her memory or cognitive functions. But God knows what would happen with them mixed together like that.
[Methos] Medication? Medication for what? Since when do Immortals take medication?
[Methos] And besides....I thought I was your "family physician".
[Duncan] I guess she's taking it for depression. I don't know who she went to, Methos.
[Methos] Depression? CJ? Come on MacLeod....this is a joke, right? CJ never gets depressed and she sure as hell wouldn't take drugs if she was.
[Methos] CJ's everyone's little ray of sunshine. She goes out of her way to make us happy. She doesn't know the meaning of depressed.
Methos puts his hand over the phone and yells, "OK, Joe. Just a minute."
[Methos] MacLeod? You still there?
[Duncan] Yeah, I'm here.
[Methos] Look....Joe needs me to take care of something....but this conversation is not over by a long shot. I want to know just what the hell is going on up there.
[Methos] I know she's your wife and all, buddy...but I care about her, too.
Methos says with urgency in his voice.
Duncan sighs. "I know, Methos. We'll talk more about it."
Methos stands up from Joe's desk as he says, "alright. I'll talk to you soon." He hangs up.
CARA drops the staff again and cusses as she picks it up and starts again.
CARA drops it a third time and angrily kicks it a few feet in front of her.
[CARA] Screw it.
CARA she bends down and slips on her running shoes which she had taken off before she started her meditation. "I'll just run it off," she says aloud, she thinks to herself, and takes off at a medium paced jog toward the southern tree line.
Duncan hangs up the phone and starts searching for the herbs Methos listed off to him.
LIAM glances back through the open front door and sees that Mac has ended his call so he gets up and goes back inside. he walks back into the study and moves a chair away from the dining room table and takes a seat.
[LIAM] You look like that call upset you. Want to talk about it?
LIAM asks in a fatherly tone of voice.
Delwyn can see that Cara is having problems concentrating She gets up from her spot and decides to follow her. She jogs towards Cara and catches up with her. "You seem distracted."
[Duncan] The friend Cara told you about, Pierson. He just called with the results of her blood test." He pushes the list of herbs he wrote down to Liam. "He found all these herbs in her bloodstream. This must be the ingredients in her medication."
[CARA] Ahhh...it happens sometimes. I'll just run it off. If you plan on running with me, my usual route through the forest is kinda tricky.
CARA says, trying to sound nonchalant.
LIAM looks over the list and shakes his head as he looks at Duncan incredulously.
[LIAM] My God. What on earth....
LIAM decides not to bother finishing his comment because the look on Duncan's face tells him that his son-in-law is just as confused as he is.
[LIAM] These all look like some sort of herbs. I'll bet Wyn would know what they are.
LIAM says thinking out loud.
[LIAM] Can you find anything on this so called doctor on the Internet?
[Duncan] Maybe...
Duncan types the doctor's name into a search engine.
Delwyn smiles. "I'm up for the challenge."
[CARA] Then follow me. I promise not to go blazing trails where there weren't any.
CARA speeds up slightly and leads the way into the southern forest along her usual route.
Delwyn follows behind Cara.
LIAM moves his chair closer so he can see the computer screen.
[LIAM] Did you teach yourself how to use a computer MacLeod?
LIAM asks hoping to lighten the heaviness of the atmosphere around them.
CARA jogs along the "main" path as it goes deeper into the forest. She comes to a fork and automatically takes the right fork which has them running in a south westerly direction. She continues on for quite awhile and when they arrive at a small clearing she stops, bends over and places her hands on her knees and makes a conscious effort to slow her breathing. When she is breathing more normal she looks over at Wyn and asks, "Thirsty?" Without waiting for an answer she walks a few yards away, through some low scrub brush and comes to the stream. Conveniently, there's a sand bar right there and she drops to her knees, cups her hands together and scoops up some fresh mountain spring water and drinks it savoring its crisp, sweet taste.
[Duncan] Yeah, I did. It was trial and error and a lot of frustration.
Duncan looks at the screen and sees there are no results for the doctor."The doctor can't be found. Maybe who ever it is doesn't have a license to be practicing medicine."
[LIAM] Like I said a few days ago....i know horses...but these things scare the hell out of me. As well as confuse me. Wyn seems to have a grasp of them though.
[LIAM] I guess I just haven't completely come into the 21st century. Things were much simpler in my day.
[LIAM] What day is this?
Delwyn goes over and kneels beside Cara and cups some of the rather cold water in her hand and takes a drink. "Reminds me of the old days." She gives Cara a smile.
LIAM asks as he looks at the bottom of the computer screen and sees that it's a weekday.
[Duncan] Once you get the hang of it, they can save you a lot of time in foot work.
LIAM he reaches for the phone and dials the number on the prescription label. When it is answered he says, "Yes, ma'am. I just moved into the area and need to find a Psychiatrist or Psychologist that prescribes natural medications instead of those manufactured things. I was told that Dr. Majing is the only doctor in Seacouver that does that. Unfortunately the referral service didn't have much information on him. Is there anyway I could talk to him before I commit to an appointment?" He waits as the person on the other end of the phone speaks. he looks at Mac and winks.
LIAM cups his hand over the mouth piece of the phone and whispers to Mac, "I'm on hold. My vote is for the good old fashioned way of getting information. Works 99% of the time."
LIAM removes his hand and says, "yes...that would be fine. I'll call back in an hour. Thank you very much.....My name? It's Patrick O'Brien....Yes, ma'am. Goodbye." He hangs up and grins proudly.
Duncan smiles and chuckles. Speaks softly. "I didn't say it was fool proof."
[LIAM] The good doctor is going out to lunch but would be most pleased to speak to me over the phone in one hour.
LIAM intertwines his fingers behind his head and leans back in the chair.
LIAM A thought crosses Liam's mind and he asks Mac, "you spent time in the Orient, right? Is the name Majing Chinese, Japanese or what?"
CARA gets up and goes back to the little clearing and sits down with her back against a giant redwood.
[CARA] Were you raised in a forested area like this?
CARA asks attempting to make conversation and steer it away from anything serious.
LIAM stares up at the ceiling deep in thought.
Delwyn follows her and sits across from her. "I was raised in Wales, before Rome made her mark on Britain. Wales wasn't covered with forest, but they were lush like this." She looks up at the trees, remembering how she woke up from her first death in a clearing surrounded by oaks.
CARA leans her head back against the trunk of the giant redwood and closes her eyes, listening to the sounds around her.
[CARA] It's so peaceful here. Almost magical. I felt it the very first time I saw the meadow and the surrounding forest.
[CARA] So did Mac.
CARA says as an after thought.
Delwyn sighs contentedly. "I can see and feel why."
[LIAM] Didn't you study in the Orient?
LIAM asks mac.
Duncan looks at Liam. "Yes, I did."
[LIAM] Japan or China?
LIAM asks still staring at the ceiling.
Delwyn looks at Cara. "The other night you said something about you having done something bad. Care to talk about it?".
CARA absentmindedly raises her finger to the tiny pain above her left temple and presses against it lightly.
Delwyn watches Cara. "Do you have a headache?"
[Duncan] Both places, actually.
CARA drops her hand and opens her eyes. She chuckles and says, "don't be silly. Immortals don't get headaches." Then she adds quietly as if telling a secret, "unless our husbands give us one." And she chuckles again.
[CARA] Have you ever been married, Delwyn?
[LIAM] They use a lot of herbal medicines over there, don't they?
Delwyn smiles and then nods her head. "I've been married a few times."
[CARA] I noticed my Da' calls you Wyn. May I?
CARA asks politely.
[Duncan] Herbs are used quiet often there to cure all types of ailments
[Delwyn] Yes, you can call me Wyn. I actually prefer to be called that.
[LIAM] While you were there....did you use any of their remedies either on yourself or others?
CARA smiles and says, "Thank you." Then she looks at her somewhat seriously and asks, "if I'm not prying....did you marry for love?"
Delwyn 's still sure something physically wrong with Cara. She watches her closely as they talk.
[Duncan] I've seen them used, but not on myself, since there really isn't a need for it. But, I also know Wyn uses herbs for just about everything too. I've watched her do it.
Delwyn chuckles. "I usually did, but there were times that I really had no choice. Part of being a woman back then.”
LIAM has a strange feeling back in the farthest recesses of his mind that they are missing something. That there is one piece of information dangling just out of reach. Like having a word on the tip of your tongue and not being able to think what it is.
[CARA] Did the marriages end due to death or someone leaving?
[Delwyn] Back then, death is what ended a marriage. If a woman left, she could be killed for doing so.
[Delwyn] Most of the mortals I married all died at a young age.
[CARA] So you've never had a husband leave you...dessert you...so to speak. They just died.
Delwyn sighs. "Back then, a man would keep up appearances. Many of my husbands had mistresses. They made sure I was cared for and I kept the house as they wanted. It made me angry, but at that time I was stuck, unless I planned my own death."
[CARA] I was just wondering which ending hurt less. Death or abandonment
CARA says and leans her back against the tree again and closes her eyes.
[Delwyn] If you truly loved the person, then both hurt.
[CARA] But shouldn't one hurt less than the other?
[Delwyn] At least with death, there's closure, but abandonment, after giving that person you heart and soul...
Delwyn sighs. "You feel betrayed by it and usually you're never given a good enough reason why."
CARA nods and says softly, "yeah. That one I am familiar with." She sits quietly for a few more minutes and then says, "Wyn...may I ask you one last weird question?"
Duncan sits back in his chair. "Maybe we can ask Wyn when she and Cara get back. She maybe able to give us more insight."
[Delwyn] Go right ahead.
[CARA] But you have to promise...swear on whatever is most holy to you....that you will never repeat what I'm about to ask you to anyone. Not even my Da'. Can you do that?
CARA says as she straightens up and looks Wyn directly in the eyes.
[Delwyn] You have my word, Cara.
[CARA] If I continue to lose my memory.....if what I think is happening is really happening....and I end up completely forgetting Duncan and our life together....would that be considered abandonment?
CARA is looking deep into Wyn's eyes and she is completely serious.
Delwyn thinks and then sighs. "I don't think so. Abandonment is intentional. Losing your memory is not intentional."
[CARA] So there would be a sense of closure?
1. LIAM picks up the phone and redials the doctor's number. He asks several questions about the doctor's education background and his beliefs in the natural remedies he uses. The whole time sounding like a potential patient. The doctor is very forthcoming with his answers. Finally Liam asks him, "So what made you decide to bring your practice to the United States?" The doctor tells him that he had become familiar with the high population of mentally ill people in the US and how doctors were treating them with narcotics and other potentially crippling psych drugs and that he had commented about it to a friend who had just finished creating a "drug" made entirely from herbs that could possibly replace most psych drugs and even cure schizophrenia. He and his friend became "partners" and he brought the "drug" here and has been using it successfully for the past 10 months.
LIAM glances at Duncan with a look that says, "bingo!"
[Liam] Really? That's impressive. Does this miracle drug have a name?
LIAM asks the doctor. The doctor says that the drug his friend created is currently the major ingredient along with several other herbs in several of the medications he prescribes for depression, bipolar disorder, and sociopathy. The doctor says that he hasn't had the opportunity to try it on schizophrenia yet but he's hopeful, to which Liam grimaces. "How can a doctor WANT someone to be schizophrenic?" he thinks to himself. To the doctor he says, "well I don't think I'm that bad. I just don't seem to want to get out of bed and face the day anymore." The doctor assures him that he will be able to help. Liam finally says, "well...you certainly have convinced me. I'll make an appointment. I'm sure your partner...I'm sorry...I forgot what you said his name was..." He listens, then nods. "Right...well I'm sure he would be proud of what the two of you have accomplished." He bids the doctor goodbye and hangs up. He sits back in his chair and breathes a sigh of relief and smiles at Duncan.
Duncan quirks a brow as he watches him. "What did he have to say?"
[Liam] Does the name Kiem Sun ring any bells?
Duncan sits back in his chair and sighs. "Yeah, he was a good friend."
[Liam] Was?
[Duncan] He used the root for the wrong purposes. He wants to be able to control mortals.
[Duncan] He's been trying to perfect this potion for hundreds of years and all he's done is left dead men in his wake.
Duncan gets up from his chair and paces a bit. "Dammit!"
[Duncan] I had hoped he would have changed...
[Liam] Well, lad....I think he's found away. Dr. Majing has a partner who created this miracle drug made from herbs that supposedly can cure schizophrenia. It is the main ingredient in the medications Majing uses for his patients. He saw the opportunity to bring the miracle drug to the states after reading that 75% of the population of America suffers from mental illness and are being treated with harmful and addictive narcotics and other psych drugs.
[Liam] His friend and partner is one Kiem Sun.
Duncan looks at Liam. "i wonder if Kiem Sun was there when this doctor gave Cara this medication. For all I know, he maybe trying to see what it would do to Immortals."
[Liam] I thought of that but didn't quite know how to ask it. But I got the impression that Sun isn't in the states.
[CARA] Sop there would be as sense of closure?
Duncan nods. That was a good thing. He didn't want to have to take Kiem Sun's head.
[Liam] So now we have a connection that somewhat sheds light on this.
LIAM holds up the prescription bottle.
[Liam] Now we need to find the connection to what caused her memory problems in the first place.
Delwyn shrugs a bit. "I don't think there would be closure in that, since there is a possibility of gaining your memories again."
[CARA] Then...if the memory loss lasted a long time...even permanently....it would be harder ....more painful than....
CARA doesn't finish her thought because she knows the answer. She bites on her lower lip and looks up at the sky just as a Bald Eagle sores over head. She points up to it.
[Delwyn] Cara, we'll find a way to get you better. Don't go down that road right now.
[CARA] Look. The National Bird. Isn't he majestic?
CARA The Eagle sores and does some fancy rolls and seems to be completely enjoying itself.
Delwyn looks up to where Cara is pointing. "He is." She smiles a bit watching the eagles antics.
CARA freezes as a twig snaps nearby.
CARA Out of the brush appears White Cloud, a little bigger,more filled out. He glances warily at Delwyn and then bounds toward CJ, pouncing on her and knocking her over licking her face.
CARA giggles and hugs the wolf, then lets go of him, sits up and brushes herself off. The wolf sits proudly and protectively at her side.
[CARA] Wyn I'd like you to meet a very good friend of mine. This is White Cloud. White Cloud this is Wyn. She's good people.
CARA nods assuringly at the wolf who takes a couple of tentative steps toward Wyn.
Delwyn watches the wolf a bit warily. She extends her hand slowly in the wolf's direction so he can sniff at it.
CARA The wolf sniffs at Wyn's hand then sneezes. He walks up and begins sniffing her hair.
Delwyn squirms a little as his whiskers tickle her ear. "It must be nice having a wolf as a friend."
[CARA] Don't worry. He won't hurt you. He's a pure bred. And wolves do not attack people unless cornered. They aren't the same as dogs you know. They aren't canines. They are lupines and have the same brain capacity and ability to think and reason that humans do.
[Duncan] That's going to be the hard part. Cara may not know what is causing it either.
[CARA] Look into his eyes. I mean really look into them. You can see the intelligence. You won't see that in a dog's eyes.
Delwyn quirks a brow. "But usually that is a sign of aggression to an animal. I'll take your word for it." She slowly pets his neck.
[Delwyn] I had a wolf as a guide once, but he never approached me like this.
[CARA] 7He found me one day while I was jogging. He was just a baby. I think his mother was killed by poachers. We've found traps. We've fought them since the 1800s. They think they can trap, hunt...kill anything that lives in these forests and not for food but for sport and profit. It makes me so angry. White Cloud has stayed around the meadow ever since that first day. He's not a pet. I would never presume to lower him to that. Besides the wolf being my animal spirit guide...they are creatures...beings of respect. They deserve their freedom.
CARA giggles and tosses a small pine cone at White Cloud which lands at his feet.
[CARA] Even if he can be a brat sometimes.
Delwyn smiles. "I think all creatures can be that way." She lets her hand fall away from the wolf.
CARA White Cloud uses his back legs to kick dirt at CJ and snorts. Then something in the forest catches his attention and he turns, looks into CJ's eyes, utters a soft whooffing sound and is off, disappearing into the brush he had appeared from.
Delwyn chuckles. "I guess you said the wrong thing."
[CARA] Nah....he's probably at the age equivalent of a teenage boy. With the attention span to match...
CARA giggles.
[CARA] And the raging hormones.
[CARA] You ready to head back? Or would you like to wait for the search party they're liable to send out?
CARA stands up laughing.
CARA reaches out to help Wyn up.
[CARA] Come on grandma. Let's get going.
CARA teases.
[Liam] Are you going to confront Cara Jean about this?
LIAM asks Duncan.
Delwyn chuckles as she reaches for Cara's hand and gets up.
CARA does some simple stretches to get ready for the jog back to the cabin.
[Duncan] She really didn't tell me much about her memory problems and sure as hell didn't tell me about taking medication. I'll confront her, but I have a feeling she won't tell me much of anything.
Delwyn stretches as well, working out the cramps in her legs from sitting.
Duncan sighs. I don't understand why she won't tell me about these things. Do I scare her or something?"
[Liam] You're asking a man who was not the best husband in the world but had the best wife a man could have and who has been single for over a century about women? Son, you're barking up the wrong tree.
LIAM laughs.
[Liam] With Cara Jean...I think she didn't tell you because she didn't want to worry you. She knew you had enough to deal with. I'm sure it wasn't to deceive you so much as to protect you.
Duncan chuckles. "It's a rhetorical question."
[Liam] She loves you, son. That much i am sure of. I've never seen anyone love someone as much as she loves you.
[Liam] You one lucky man. And I'm not saying that as her father.
CARA straightens up and looks at Wyn. "Ready?" she says and without waiting for a response begins jogging back the way they came.
Duncan nods. "You're probably right. Now that the whole Saffar issue is taken care of maybe she'll open up to me."
Delwyn straightens and follows Cara back to the cabin.
[Liam] Well...I was going to say that if you didn't confront her, I would because she definitely has to be confronted about this. She may be the only key to figuring this whole thing out. And if whoever these people are are still doing what they tried to do to her...well..they have to be stopped.

continued on page 2

[cj]

page 2

CARA gets about halfway to the meadow when a sharp pain seers through her head like someone has plunged a red hot knife through her skull. She stops, grabbing her head with both hands and drops to her knees.
[LIAM] Now explain to me again who was behind Cara Jean's abduction before.
[CARA] Owwww.
CARA cries out in pain.
Delwyn eyes widen with surprise as she watches Cara. She quickly kneels down beside her. "What's wrong, Cara?"
CARA can barely hear Wyn as with the pain there's a white hissing noise in her ears.
[CARA] My head....the pain....I don't know.
CARA doubles over still holding her head.
Delwyn places her hands over Cara's hand, speaks a few ancient Celtic words to help the pain subside.
[Duncan] Sidney Horton took Cara.
CARA 's pain begins to lessen and gradually the hissing disappears. Finally there is just s slight throbbing as a reminder. She raise up slowly...cautiously and lets her hands fall away from her head.[/i]
[LIAM] And who is this Horton?
[LIAM] And why did he take Cara Jean?
Delwyn gets to her feet. "Come on, we need to get you back to the cabin as quickly as possible. What I did won't last very long."
CARA looks gratefully at Wyn. "I don't know what you did, but thank you," she says.
CARA carefully gets to her feet. "I think I'm going to walk the rest of the way. We're over halfway there. It's not far now."
Duncan sits back down. "Sidney Horton was a son to the Renegade Watcher, James Horton. He experimented on her is all I know, but it wouldn't have surprised me if he got the results he wanted he would have killed Cara."
CARA begins to slowly walk the rest of the way to the cabin, afraid to make any sudden moves or jar her body too much for fear the pain will return.
[CARA] That was the worst pain I have ever felt and I have been burned, electrocuted, stabbed....but that....
CARA shudders.
[LIAM] Do you know what those results would have been?
Delwyn walks next to Cara. She worried about her now. An Immortal shouldn't be having headaches.
[Delwyn] Have you had headaches before this?
Duncan shrugs. "I don't know."
[CARA] Not like that. I've had minor little headaches...usually when Duncan has irritated the shit out of me but they go away withing minutes.
[CARA] Lately, though I have been getting little sharp twinges right here.
CARA points to a spot just behind her left temple and above her ear.
[CARA] They seem to get worse when I have forgotten something and am wracking my brain trying to remember it.
[CARA] But they were nothing like this. I thought a nuclear bomb had gone off in my head. And there was this loud hissing sound in my ears.
CARA doesn't know why she's telling Wyn all this. She has never been one to complain about pain or illness as she saw it as a sign of weakness and she was far too independent to lean on someone. Hell She hadn't even told Duncan. But there was just something about Wyn that seemed to draw her in made it okay to tell her things she wouldn't tell anyone else...EVEN Duncan.
Delwyn sighs. "There has to be something going on internally that is causing that much pain.
[Delwyn] The quicker we get the cabin, the sooner I can take a look.
Delwyn hopes her little spells holds until they can get to the cabin.
CARA can see the sunlight get brightter just a few yards ahead of them and knows that the meadow is there.
CARA steps into the warm sunlight of the meadow and picks up her pace slightly with the cabin in sight. She suddenly feels the insatiable need to be in Duncan's protective arms.
LIAM feels an Immortal buzz and raises his head looking around. Since he didn't know that the women had left the meadow he becomes a little concerned about who might be approaching.
Duncan feels the buzz as well. He gets up from his chair and goes to the window looking for the source. "It's just Cara and Wyn."
CARA approaches the cabin and the buzz caused by her father and Duncan threatens to start the headache again, but she manages to keep it at bay as she climbs the steps to the back door and holds it open for Wyn.
Delwyn steps into the cabin. "Let's go to the kitchen." She says over her shoulder to Cara.
CARA forgoes her usual light heart, Honey I'm home," and simply walks into the kitchen and removes a bottle of water from the fridge and takes a long drink.
LIAM gets to his feet and walks up to greet Wyn with a quick kiss on her cheek. "Have a nice outing?"
LIAM looks at her more closely and can see that some thing's wrong.
[Liam] What is it Wyn?
Delwyn gives him a quick kiss. "It was fine.."
[Liam] Delwyn?
Delwyn looks at him. "I'll talk with you in a bit. I need to go see Cara."
LIAM says using his fatherly voice.
LIAM tosses his hands up and steps away. he glances at Duncan and says, "see? What did I tell you? I haven't a clue what makes them tick."
Delwyn quirks a brow at him for using such a tone with her and then heads to the kitchen.
[Liam] You know who I'd like to run into someday?
LIAM asks Duncan.
[Duncan] Who's that?
Delwyn she pulls out a chair at the kitchen table. "Sit down and let me have a look at where you say the pain is coming from."
[Liam] The legend...the supposed oldest living Immortal. Methos. He's supposed to be over 5000 years old. I'd bet he would have some answers about women. Someone that old must have learned or figured out something, wouldn't you think?
CARA sits down at the kitchen table.
Duncan bites back a smile. "Yeah, you would think. But even after all those years, he may not be any better off than we are."
[Liam] If that's true then we're all doomed.
LIAM slumps into the chair he had been sitting in.
Delwyn looks at her left temple. Her brow furrows. "There's a bruise there." She touches it gently. "does it hurt when I do that?"
[Liam] How have you managed all this time? You haven't seemed to have much of a problem.
[Liam] At least according to your reputation where women are concerned.
Duncan smiles "Must be my charm and good looks." He chuckles. "But you haven't done too bad for yourself with catching Wyn."
CARA winces slightly. "It's a little tender."
[Liam] Duncan...there's no comparison. I have been with 2 women in my entire life. Mary and Wyn. I'm basically still a novice.
Delwyn shakes her head. "You didn't have a headache....you had an anuerysm (?)." She looks at her. "You should have dropped outside."
[CARA] What?
CARA asks incredulously.
Delwyn pulls out a chair and sits down. She knows the answer to this, but she wants to see if Cara will answer honestly. "Are you taking any kind of drugs or herbs?"
CARA looks around almost in a panic.
[CARA] Duncan?
CARA calls out.
CARA suddenly needs him at her side.
LIAM hears the panic in his daughter's voice and jumps to his feet.
Duncan gets out of his chair and walks to the kitchen. "What is it, sweetheart?" He stands next to her.
LIAM goes to the doorway between the kitchen and the study.
Duncan can see the panic in her eyes. He grabs a chair and sits next to her, taking hold of her hand.
CARA reaches up and grabs his hand and holds it tight while she looks at Wyn.
[CARA] Tell him what you just told me.
CARA , meanwhile reviews in her mind the definition of an anuerysm and is grateful that not all of her medical training has been forgotten
Delwyn nods and then looks at Duncan. "Cara and I went for a jog and as we were returning to the cabin she had a severe headache. I just took a look at where she said the pain came from..." She points to the left temple which is now black and blue, "...she should be dead outside. She had an anuerysm"
[Liam] A what?
LIAM asks from the doorway.
Duncan grabs Cara's chin and turns her head to see the bruise. He shakes his head. Dammit...Kiem Sun was going to end up killing more people.
Delwyn looks up at Liam. "It's when a blood vessel bursts in the brain. It usually kills the person who it strikes."
[CARA] But it didn't kill me because I'm an Immortal?
CARA asks trying to understand.
[Liam] What would cause one of those things?
LIAM asks Wyn as he steps closer to the group.
[Liam] I mean...it sounds like something that would happen to an old person with high blood pressure or something.
CARA looks at Duncan.
[CARA] I'm scared.
CARA says in a small voice.
Delwyn shrugs. "It does happen to them." She looks to Cara again. "Are you taking any medication or herbs?"
CARA Suddenly Wyn's little spell wears off and CJ is overcome with the searing pain she felt in the forest. She grabs her head and cries out in pain.
Duncan takes Cara into his arms. He's panicked now. He looks at Wyn. "What's happening to her?"
CARA slips out of the chair to the floor and begins convulsing in a full blown Grand Mal Seizure
[Liam] Cara Jean!
LIAM says as he steps closer to the table.
[Liam] Wyn....do something.
[Liam] Help her.
Delwyn quickly gets down to the floor. She shoves the chair she was sitting in away from her to keep Cara from hurting herself. She places her hands on her head and mutters some words to make the seizure and puts her to sleep.
LIAM feels helpless as he watches his daughter convulse on the kitchen floor.
Duncan is in total shock. He watches Wyn, not understanding a word she's saying.
CARA 's body finally goes limp as she relaxes into a deep sleep.
Delwyn looks up at Duncan and Liam. "Get her upstairs."
[Liam] Delwyn? What the hell just happened?
LIAM asks unaware that the tone of his voice is demanding.
Duncan gets down on his knees and picks Cara up and then carries out of the kitchen and heads up the stairs towards their bedroom.
LIAM steps up to Wyn and looks down at her.
Delwyn gets to her feet and looks at Liam. "You're daughter just had a seizure."
[Liam] What happened? What is happening?
[Liam] A seizure. Immortals don't have seizures.
[Delwyn] No, they don't.
[LIAM] I don't understand. Please...Wyn...for the love of God tell me what is happening to my baby girl.
Delwyn sighs. "It has to be the herbs she's taking."
LIAM face suddenly becomes very red and his eyes seem almost to flame. His body tenses and he makes his hand into fists.
Delwyn touches his chest. "Liam, what's wrong?"
LIAM reaches down and picks up one of the kitchen chairs and hurls it towards the back door where it crashes against the closed door an splinters into several pieces from the force of his throw.
Duncan places Cara on the bed and then grabs a blanket to cover her. He kneels beside her, whispering to her. "Oh god, sweetheart....what's happening to you?"
LIAM howls and storms out the back door.
Delwyn dodges the pieces of wood and follows Liam out the door. "Liam..."
LIAM storms over to the corral fence and proceeds to punch it repeatedly until his knuckles are bruised and bleeding. Then he lays his arms on the top of the fence and lays his forehead on his arms and allows a couple of small sobs to escape.
Duncan brushes hair away from her face. His thought turn to Kiem Sun. He should have killed him when he had the chance.
LIAM raises his head to the sky and scream swearing in Gaelic.
Delwyn places her hands on his shoulders. She talks quietly, "Liam...It's going to be ok, love."
LIAM shakes his head. "This is my fault," he says. "If I had been around more...if I had been a better father....they wouldn't have taken her and done those horrible things to her. She would have been safe. She'd be safe now. She wouldn't...." His voice breaks and his punches the fence again.
LIAM looks at Delwyn "I as good as abandoned her, Wyn," he says. "I don't deserve to be here."
Delwyn turns him to face her. "You couldn't have prevented anything, Liam. This has nothing to do with what you did or didn't do as her father."
Delwyn wraps her arms around his waist. "Please, don't blame yourself."
[Liam] Wyn...I stood in the shadows most of her life...Watching from the shadows. If I had only been in the shadows that day...I could have stopped them. But I wasn't I wasn't even in the country. I was pursuing my own stupid schemes
[Liam] And when I was around I wasn't even man enough to come out of the shadows and let her know I was still round.
[Delwyn] Liam...you can't change her path.
Delwyn sighs. "Things happen for one reason or another. But it has nothing to do with you."
[Liam] What kind of monster am I? I shouldn't be here. I don't have the right. I gave that up when I let her walk out the door at 17 and didn't even tell her what she was or prepare her for it.
Delwyn places a finger across his lips. "You are not a monster. You have every right to be here."
[Delwyn] She made the decision to bring you back into her life. She doesn't blame you for any of this.
[Liam] She never even knew that after her mother died....she was my world. That I worshiped her. I never told her because i was too proud. Too busy being the taskmaster father.
Delwyn places a hand on either side of his head. "Liam, listen to me. Stop blaming yourself."
[Liam] And now....she lay up there.....oh God, Wyn....to see her go through that. Do you have any idea what it did to my heart?
[Delwyn] I know, Liam. It scared me too.
[Liam] I'm going to kill the son of a bitch that did this to her. If it takes another century....I swear on Mary's grave....I will find the bastard and gut him like a dead fish and make him watch then I'll take his head.
Delwyn quirks a brow. "You found something about this medication?"
[Delwyn] The doctor who prescribed it is Immortal?
Delwyn looks a bit confused
LIAM 's expression has changed completely. He suddenly looks just as he did the first day Delwyn met him. His eyes are cold as steel, his jaw set and there's a combination of hatred and determination covering his face.
Delwyn 's eyes widen seeing that look from so long ago. She takes an involuntary step backward.
[Delwyn] Liam...please calm down.
CARA moans softly as the spell induced sleeps begins to lift.
Duncan watches her. he speaks softly. "Sweetheart..."
Duncan takes hold of her hand and presses a kiss onto her knuckles.
CARA moans again softly and rolls her head from side to side.
Duncan speaks softly. "I'm here sweetheart. You're going to be ok."
CARA whimpers and she roles her head back and forth a couple more times. Inside, CJ feels as though she is floating in complete darkness. She is unable to physically feel anything...then she becomes aware of someone holding her hand and by the touch she knows that it's Duncan. eventually she is able to hear his voice as he speaks to her but she can't make out the words. She tries to reach out for him but there is only a dark nothingness around her. She fights to try and open her eyes but still...only the big black nothingness.
Delwyn draws in a deep breath, telling herself that look wasn't meant for her, but for the doctor who prescribed the medication to Cara. She takes a step forward and placed a hand on his chest. "We need to get her better first before you go looking for vengeance"
Duncan glance toward the stairs wishing Wyn would get up here. He had no idea what to do to help Cara.
Duncan rubs his thumb across the back of her hand. "I love you, Cara. Every thing's going to be ok."
[Liam] How could you understand? You've never had a child. You didn't hold her in your arms and walk the floors when she had colic You didn't comfort her every time she fell and hurt herself or when the first boy broke her heart. You didn't celebrate with her when her mare had her first foal and when she graduated from grade school. You didn't hold her as she wept over her mother's grave. How could you know and even understand? That's my baby up there, Delwyn. My little Angel. And that sorry son of a bitch is going to pay....and his family will pay...for as long as I live and there are descendants of those he's dared to think of as family alive...they will continue to suffer for him. This I vow before God. Blood for blood for eternity.
Delwyn steps away from him. She could feel anger rising, but she put a tight hold on it. "You're right, Liam. I've never had to raise a child. You were one of the lucky few." He gaze became cold as she listened to him. "Be careful of your words, Liam. The gods are listening and there is always a price you will have to pay for such an oath." She turned around and walked away from him. She climbed the steps and let the door slam behind her. She had to go check on Cara.
CARA hears Duncan's words and somehow manages to force her eyes to open just enough to let the light enter her optical nerve. She lets out a tiny moan and turns her head towards his voice. Her eyes slowly flutter open and she looks at Duncan through her vision is extremely blurred.
[CARA] Duncan?
CARA says in a weak voice.
Duncan smiles seeing that she's awake. "I'm here, sweetheart."
LIAM lets out another howl. He walks to the driver's side of their rental car, gets in and drives away, spinning the tires in the mud and splaying mud everywhere.
CARA weakly grasps his hand and attempts to smile.
[CARA] Duncan? what happened?
CARA 's voice is weak and small.
Delwyn curses under her breath as she hears Liam leave. She drops into a chair in the kitchen trying to calm herself. She wanted to scream herself. Didn't he remember the English boy he killed? She cursed that spirit to haunt him. Now, he would go after this doctor's family and make them pay for what one man did? Did the man learn NOTHING over the centuries?!
Duncan gives her hand a gentle squeeze. "You had a seizure, sweetheart."
CARA tries to fight the fog that is preventing her from comprehending what Duncan is saying.
[CARA] A what?
CARA asks weakly.
[Duncan] A seizure...you just collapsed and went into a seizure.
[CARA] Immortals don't have seizures.
CARA says more to try and convince herself.
[CARA] Do they?
Delwyn takes a few deep breaths. She gets up and walks upstairs to see how Cara is.
CARA asks unsure.
Duncan shakes his head a bit. "No, they don't."
[CARA] Then I didn't have a seizure.
CARA says matter of factly and closes her eyes satisfied.
CARA suddenly becomes aware of the fact that her sweat pants are wet between her legs and she opens her eyes and looks back at Duncan fear in her eyes.
[CARA] I did have a seizure, didn't I.
[Duncan] Yes, you did, sweetheart.
[CARA] Oh my god.
CARA whimpers and tears spring to her eyes.
Delwyn walks into the room. She steps next to the bed and looks down at Cara.
CARA All her physical and inner strength...her bravado are gone and she looks like nothing more than a scared child.
Duncan looks up at Wyn. He hopes she can do something for his wife.
[CARA] Why is this happening to me?
CARA whimpers and grips Duncan's hand as tightly as she can, although still weak.
Delwyn sits down on the bed looking at Cara. "We don't know, Cara."
CARA looks from Duncan to Wyn and back again.
[CARA] I'm scared.
CARA whispers.
[CARA] I'm really, really scared.
[Delwyn] If you're taking any herbs or medication or vitamins, then I want you not to take them. There could be something in anyone of those causing this."
Duncan watches Cara. He's just as scared as she is.
Delwyn sighs. "If you were on something when I gave you that tea to help you sleep, it make have reacted negatively to whatever it was."
CARA thinks about the bottle downstairs in the medicine cabinet. Her mind has cleared enough for her to remember that she hasn't told Duncan about the depression...the shrink...the meds....and she looks up at him, carefully looking into his eyes. She knows immediately that he knows and she takes in a deep breath and closes her eyes so that she won't see his reproach at her dishonesty.
[CARA] This is my punishment. Isn't it?
CARA says softly to no one in particular
[Duncan] No, it's not. You thought it would help. I know you didn't tell me because you didn't want me to worry.
CARA opens her eyes and looks at him completely surprised by his response.
[CARA] But I did exactly what I was mad at you for doing.
[CARA] I'm a hypocrite
[Duncan] I know and it hurt me that you didn't, but now is not the time to talk about it."
CARA hearing that she has hurt him breaks her heart and she turns her head away and closes her eyes as tears escape from under her eyelashes.
[Duncan] Cara, it's ok. What's done is done. Now, we need to focus on you getting better.
CARA thinks to herself, "No. It's not alright. I have done the one thing I swore I would never do. I have hurt you. It will never be alright." But she remains silent with her eyes closed and her head turned away.
Delwyn looks at Duncan. "Why don't you help her get comfortable? She needs to rest."
Delwyn gets up from the bed. "I'll be downstairs if you need me."
Delwyn walks down the stairs and heads for the kitchen to clean up the mess Liam made.
CARA turns over on her side with her back to Duncan and grips the top edge of the blanket, pulling it up under her chin.
[CARA] I'm so sorry.
CARA says softly.
Duncan sits on the bed and rest a hand on her hip. "I know and I forgive you." He reaches over and runs a hand through her hair. "Maybe a hot bath will make you feel a bit better."
CARA turns back over and looks at him.
[CARA] You can forgive me that easily?
[Duncan] Cara, right now I am scared. I don't know what's happening to you. My anger about you not saying anything to me is nothing right now.
[Duncan] I just want my Cara back.
[CARA] But your Cara lies to you and hurts you. Are you sure you want her back? Maybe I will become a new and improved model.
Duncan places a kiss on her head. "I just want you better."
CARA puts her arms around his neck.
[CARA] How can you love me so much? I don't deserve it.
[CARA] I have got to be the luckiest woman in the wold.
Duncan wraps his arms around her. "You're my heart, Cara."
[Duncan] My world....I just want you to be ok.
[CARA] And you are mine.
[CARA] I love you Duncan MacLeod.
[Duncan] I love you too, Cara.
CARA nuzzles her face in the crook of his neck. Tears silently fall down her cheeks and onto his shoulder.
[Duncan] Let me get a nice hot bath for you. That should make you feel a little bit better."
LIAM , after driving around aimlessly he returns to the meadow. he pulls up behind Cara's Mercedes McLaren and shuts off the engine of the car but he doesn't get out. He rests his forehead on his hands at the top of the steering wheel. Eventually the hate and anger inside him to to despair and he sobs in the solace of the car. After a few minutes he regains his composure and slowly, dejectedly, he gets out of the car and walks up onto the front porch. He sits on the porch swing and stares up at the sky, crosses himself and begins to pray.
CARA becomes suddenly fearful.
[CARA] No!. Don't leave me. Please Duncan...stay with me.
Delwyn sweeping up the rest of the wooden bits on the floor. She grabs a dust pan and sweeps it up and throws it away. She puts everything back and walks toward the front door. She needed some air. She figures Liam will be gone for a while and hopefully when he returns he'll see reason. She opens door and sees Liam sitting on the porch. She can see he's meditating or praying. She closes the door quietly and heads back to the kitchen, so she can go out the back.
[Duncan] Ok, ok...sweetheart. I can carry you down with me and you can wait in the bathroom while I get the bath ready. Is that a better idea?
[CARA] Just don't leave me. Please?
[Duncan] I won't. I promise.
CARA grabs him and holds on to him. She is slightly trembling.
[Duncan] So, would you like a bath or no?
CARA nods silently.
Duncan holds her tightly. "Ok...can I let you got for one minute to get you some clean clothes?"
CARA reluctantly lets go of him.
Duncan gets up from the bed and quickly grabs her a sweat shirt and pants. He goes back over to the bed and hands her the clothing. "Ready?"
CARA 's mind is reeling with the information she has learned today. An anuerysm...a seizure....the pain...the memory loss....the personality changes..where was it all leading? To what end? Was Cara Jean MacLeod disappearing? And if so...who was going to be replacing her? Would she be aware that she was a different person? It was just all so overwhelming.
Delwyn goes out the back door and heads toward the woods. She knows Liam needs his own time to figure things out. She stuffs her hands in her jean pockets and picks up her pace a bit.
CARA nods.
Duncan hands her the clothes, before he picks her up from the bed and then heads down stairs.
CARA lays her head against his chest. She can't stop the parade of questions with no answers that are going through her head. She chews on her lower lip.
Duncan walks through the kitchen and then goes into the bathroom. He places her on the seat of the toilet before he gets the water running into the bath.
CARA watches Duncan go about taking care of her...(a role he always seemed comfortable in...more comfortable than in the role of an equal partner....his chivalrous nature and all)...and she wonders what will become of him when she ceases to be her.

continued on page 3

[cj]

page 3

Delwyn hasn't gone too far into the woods. She can still see the cabin from where she is and she can still see Liam sitting outside. She takes a seat under an oak tree. She closes her eyes and rests her head against the tree trunk.
Duncan After a few minutes, the tub is full. He walks over to Cara. "Do you want to undress or would you rather have me do it?" He gives her a bit of a smirk.
CARA remembers after he fell in the water and wouldn't let her help. Her first inclination is to tell him she'll do it herself out of spite for that time, but then she thinks that time may be short for them, too short to continue to play paybacks. So in order to preserve her own need for "revenge"
CARA need for "revenge" as well as remain sensible she comes up with a compromise.
[CARA] You can help. me. We can do it together.
Duncan nods. "All right. Do you need help standing?" He didn't know how weak she felt or if she even felt better.
CARA nods. That was definitely something she needed help doing. Her muscles felt like mush after the seizure and as she managed to get to her feet she realized that she was trembling...more from the muscle weakness than from fear...but there was that too.
Duncan takes hold of her hands and pulls her to her feet. He quickly wraps and arm around her waist to steady her. He then begins taking off her shirt.
CARA looks into the tub at the steam coming up from the hot water. The warmth looks inviting. She thinks about the fact that she had been incontinent during her seizure and although she knows that that is perfectly normal...all seizure patients do it, she feels embarrassed.
Delwyn Being outside was always the best thing to soothe her. Once she felt centered again, she got up from her spot and began to walk back towards the cabin.
CARA hooks her thumbs into her sweat pants and slips them down not wanting Duncan to be forced to endure the product of her embarrassment. If he hadn't noticed it yet, she didn't want to call his attention to it.
Duncan has noticed it, but wouldn't say anything to embarrass her. Once her clothing is off, he sweeps her up off her feet and then places her gently into the tub.
CARA slips down into the hot water and the peaks of bubbles from the bubble bath beads Duncan had placed in the water. She closes her eyes and lets the water soothe her and slowly breathes in the lavender scent of the bubble bath and lays her against the back of the tub.
LIAM finishes praying and leans back in the swing. He had prayed for forgiveness for letting the old Liam back to the surface with all the old hate and rage. He now felt as though he had received it.
LIAM also realized that to go in search of blood for blood revenge would, once again, take him away from his daughter during her time of need which would only make him feel more guilt over his abandonment. He only hoped that his outburst hadn't put a wall between him and Wyn. He decides that he <>
LIAM needs to find her and try to apologize....even if she doesn't accept it.
LIAM gets up and walks into the cabin. The place is silent and there is no sign of Wyn. As he walks into the kitchen he can hear Duncan and Cara Jean's voices coming from inside the bathroom, but Wyn is nowhere in the house so he walks out the back door.
Delwyn makes her way to the back porch. She glances up and sees Liam.
LIAM comes down from the steps and looks down into Wyn's eyes. He wants to take her hand but is afraid she might not want him to touch her so he just looks deep into her eyes and says, "I'm so very sorry for the way I acted earlier. I realize you may not be able to forgive...considering our pasts and all...but I wanted you to know anyway."
Delwyn places a hand on his cheek. "I forgive you, Liam." She's glad he took the time to think about what the costs would be if he went on a rampage.
[LIAM] All these centuries I thought I had my monster buried. Seeing Cara Jean going through that seizure was just more than I could endure and I couldn't stop him from surfacing. I don't expect you to understand what it's like...I'm not really sure myself since in all reality she is not of my blood..<>
[LIAM] but it was as if someone had reached into my chest and yanked my heart out barehanded then squeezed.
[LIAM] None of which is any excuse for my actions. Again, I apologize.
Delwyn wraps her arms around his waist and looks into his eyes. "You aren't that same man, Liam. You stopped and thought about what your actions would cause."
[Delwyn] That's why I can forgive you.
LIAM puts his arms around her and holds her close. He leans his head down and rests it on the top of her head. He lets out a sigh of relief that he hadn't ruined things between them because she was becoming more important to him every day and he was actually beginning to need her.
CARA lets her mind drift into the past as she recalls her many memories of her last 170 years to see which ones work and which ones are strill in tact.
Delwyn a shiver goes through her. "Why don't we go inside? I'm a bit cold."
LIAM leads her into the cabin. As they walk past the bathroom door he listens for sounds of anyone still being in there. There are none but the door is still closed. He leads Wyn into the den under the stairs and over to the love seat that is positioned in front of the big screen TV and takes a seat patting the cushion next to him.
Duncan sits by the tub, watching Cara. He prays to whoever is listening that there is a way to stop Cara's memory loss.
[LIAM] What will happen to Cara Jean?
LIAM asks Wyn when she's sat down.
Delwyn sits down next to him. She sighs, "I don't know."
[LIAM] Duncan was telling me a little bit about this Kwanlo Root. He said that it has been known to cause cerebral hemorrhage in those who ingest it. Is that the same as an aneurysm?
[Delwyn] Basically, yes.
Delwyn furrows her brow thinking. "Why would any doctor give a patient such a drug with that bad of a side effect?'
Delwyn rests her head on his shoulder. "If Cara stops taking the medication, then she shouldn't have another seizure or hemorrhage"
[LIAM] From what I've gathered the guy who created the Kwanlo Root based drug was trying to use it to make humans impervious to pain, give them unlimited energy and strength so that they could fight longer and harder. I guess he originally thought that if all men could be like that no one would want to<>
[LIAM] go up against each other and there would be peace. But then he started thinking about using it to create an army of protectors during the Gathering.
[Delwyn] I'm guessing MacLeod knows who's behind this, then?
[LIAM] From what I learned from the shrink Cara Jean saw, this Kiem Sun was a friend of his and they became partners. The doctor read that there were a growing number of mentally unhealthy people in the US and they decided to use the Kwanlo Root in different forms, mixed with different herbs to cure mental illnesses.
LIAM sits up and looks at Wyn and asks, "You've been around a lot longer than I have. Have you ever run across an Immortal named Adam Pierson? He's a doctor.
Delwyn looks at him. "Yeah...he's a good friend actually." She hopes he doesn't go onto ask as to how well.
LIAM looks rather surprised. Really? Did you know that he lives in Seacouver and is a very good friend of Mac and Cara Jean's?" He asks
[Delwyn] I knew that he lived here from time to time, but I didn't know he knew MacLeod or Cara.
[LIAM] Hang on a second.
LIAM says getting to his feet. He goes into the study and retrieves the list of herbs that Mac had written down earlier and brings them into the study. he takes a seat again and hands the list to Wyn.
[LIAM] Evidently Cara Jean had Pierson draw some of her blood and tested at some lab of a friend of his and this is what was in her blood. That's how we found out about the Kwanlo root.
[LIAM] The drug she's taking that was prescribed by that shrink...the Zandalarian is compiled of Schizarnia Chenisis, St. Johns Wort, Valerian Ephedra and Kwanlo Root.
[LIAM] Mac and I looked them up on the Internet The first one is a potent antidepressant, the second one is a less potent antidepressant, the third is a tranquilizer like Valium, the next one is a stimulant and then there's the Kwanlo...which, of course, was not found on line
[LIAM] It's a wonder she was up and walking around at all with all of that stuff in her.
[LIAM] What I figure is that what ever they gave her to wipe her memory clean must have had something in it that would remain in the body somehow when her Immortal healing would try and get rid of it. Does that make any sense?
[LIAM] What do they call those things......something that attaches itself to particular cell.
[Delwyn] Receptors
Delwyn puts the list on her lap. "Maybe. The only way to know is to find out what drugs were put into her and research them."
[LIAM] Yeah....those. Because....in order for the memory loss to be "permanent" it would have to stay in her system, wouldn't it?
Delwyn shakes her head a bit. "I would presume so, but there are other ways to lose your memory."
[LIAM] From what Cara Jean has told me...although sketchy because of the painful memories it brings up...they were going to use the drug to wipe out her memories and implant...somehow...new ones.
[LIAM] And it was going to take time....they had to give the drug over time. She said they had already given her several injections before she was rescued.
[LIAM] So if there was something in the drug that had the staying power..even after healing....and she started taking this Zandalarian....it could have somehow reactivated or awakened the other drug. Or does that sound too far fetched?
[Delwyn] I just don't understand how her body didn't get rid of it all. We heal so quickly that whatever they did shouldn't have stayed in her system.
[LIAM] We need some of that drug.
LIAM says emphatically
CARA opens her eyes and looks up at Duncan, realizing that he has been watching her. She reaches up and takes his hand.
Delwyn nods. "But where would we able to find it? I wouldn't be much help in identifying it, so it would be up to Adam to figure it out."
[CARA] I'm sorry I hurt you.
Duncan takes hold of her hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. "I know, sweetheart."
Duncan gets to his feet. "Are you ready to get out? I think you'll turn into a prune if you sit in there any longer."
[LIAM] Well....before all of this happened, Cara Jean said she had a plan to get her buddy, Amanda, and they would go back to the place where she was held, tortured and experimented on and steal some of the drug and whatever files they thought would be helpful. Evidently the two of them have quite an extensive history with breaking and entering and stealing.
Delwyn quirks a brow. "What a lovely mentor." She says sarcastically.
CARA nods. "It helped," she smiles, but the smile seems "hollow". "Thank you." She gets up and climbs out of the tub, bubbles glistening on her skin. She bends over and pulls the plug in the tub then stands up and reaches for a towel.
Duncan grabs a towel and hands it to her.
[LIAM] I've never actually met Amanda, but I have observed the two together when I was lurking in the shadows. Cara Jean thinks the world of her...considers her her best friend and from what I could tell...Amanda feels the same. There's even no animosity toward each other over the fact that Amanda has an intimate history with MacLeod as well.
[LIAM] The boy definitely gets around.
LIAM chuckles.
[LIAM] I mean...so far he's done my daughter , my girl friend, my daughter's best friend.....is there an Immortal female out there that he hasn't seduced?
Delwyn smiles a bit and then chuckles. "Yes, he does. I'm guessing MacLeod didn't inform Cara completely on how he and I know each other."
LIAM teases.
[Delwyn] I'm sure there are a few women out there immuned to his charm.
Delwyn chuckles. "But, I think they would be very hard to find."
LIAM raises an eyebrow. "So is that how it was?" He asks teasingly. "You were mezmarized by his charm? Unable to help yourself?"
Delwyn looks at him. "Do you really want to go there?"
Delwyn gives him a smirk. "I don't kiss and tell."
CARA dries off and starts putting on the clean clothes Duncan had brought downstairs. At one point she staggers slightly, but catches her balance by putting her hand against the wall for support, but she finally gets dressed.
[Duncan] Do you want to go to bed or do you want to be downstairs with all of us?
[LIAM] I was just curious. All this time I thought it had been you doing the seducing of the poor young, helpless lad. But now I wonder if it were you that was under his spell instead.
LIAM say, still teasing.
[Delwyn] I think it was mutual.
[Delwyn] Though, maybe you should ask MacLeod. He may have another version.
CARA places the palm of her hand against his cheek. "I'm not sick....not enough to be bed ridden. I'm an Immortal....any damage done has healed by now. Besides....it wouldn't be fair to you. You'd have to stay up there with me because I n....." she hesitates then, "need you."
LIAM chuckles and says, "we usually do." He leans over and kisses her softly on the lips.
Duncan takes the hand she has on his cheek and places a kiss on the inside of her wrist. "Then, I'll help you to the living room so you can be in the action."
CARA looks at the clock on the bathroom wall. "Besides..." she says. "I need to start dinner."
[Duncan] Oh, no. You are going to rest.
[CARA] But what about dinner? We have guests. I'm sure my Da' is hungry and probably Wyn, too.
Delwyn chuckles. "Did I put you under a spell then?"
[CARA] And you. I have to make dinner for my husband.
[Duncan] Cara, I can cook. You need to stay off your feet, at least for tonight.
[LIAM] Absolutely, my dear. A spell that no magic....nothing could penetrate. I am putty in your hands.
Delwyn smirks. "That is very good to know."
[CARA] My feet aren't my problem. It's my head and I don't walk and stand on it.
CARA says being a smart ass.
[CARA] And I know you can cook. You're probably a better cook than me. But that's woman's work. And with my Da' here and all....
Duncan sighs. "Cara...stop thinking about everyone else and think of yourself. You just had a seizure and your still weak. I don't want anything else to happen to you tonight."
[Duncan] You're father will understand.
Delwyn gives him a gentle kiss.
CARA is doubtful of that as she remembers their family's structure. There was always a definite line between men's work and women's. But she sighs and gives in. She is still weak and her nerves are definitely fried.
[CARA] Alright.
CARA sighs.
Duncan takes hold of her hand. "Let me take you to where Liam and Wyn are. You can rest and be with them and I'll take care of dinner."
CARA shakes her head. "No. I'll sit in the study so I can see you." She says and her tone is emphatic leaving nothing up for discussion.
[CARA] I can sit in your recliner.
[CARA] In front of the fire.
Duncan nods with a smile. "All right." He opens the door and guides her out of the bathroom and then into the study.
LIAM hears the bathroom door open and leans across Wyn so he can see through the den doorway and sees Mac bringing Cara into the study.
[LIAM] Ahhh....there she is.
LIAM says and gets to his feet extending his hand out to help Wyn up.
[LIAM] You want to go check on your patient?
Delwyn takes his hand and gets to her feet. "Yes, I'll just have a look over to make sure she's ok."
Duncan leaves Cara at the recliner and then goes to the fireplace to start a fire.
CARA curls her legs up under her and watches Duncan with pride and admiration. But inside....where no one can see....she is terrified that someday....God knows when....she might forget him....forget he had ever been a part of her life.
Delwyn walks into the study and over to Cara. "You feeling better?"
LIAM helps Wyn up and walks next to her into the study. He lets go of her hand so she can go over to Cara and he walks up to Mac and asks, "anything I can do to help, lad?"
CARA looks up at Wyn and manages an unconvincing smile and nods.
Duncan quickly gets the kindling lit and then starts adding larger pieces of wood. He looks up at Liam. "No, I think I've got it." He watches the flames grow before he gets to his feet.
LIAM sits on the hearth and turns to watch Wyn with his daughter.
Delwyn quirks a brow at her. "Do you still have a headache?"
Duncan glances over to Wyn and Cara before he walks out of the study and to the kitchen to start dinner.
[CARA] Not what you would call a head aches. It's more like a dull...reminder that there was one. The hot bath in lavender helped a lot.
CARA looks up at Wyn and says more as a statement than a question, "This will happen again....won't it."
LIAM isn't sure if anyone else can pick up on it, but he definitely hears the fear in his daughter's voice. And when he looks into her eyes, the little twinkle that has been there since infancy...the one that warned of her extremely mischievious side...is gone.
Delwyn shrugs. "I hope not, but I can't tell you no it won't. You have to stop taking that medication."
CARA nods. "I know," she says softly and glances guiltily into the kitchen. "I shouldn't have taken it in the first place. It was a coward's way of dealing with my problems. And I am not a coward!" She exclaims with fervor
[LIAM] We know you're not, Angel.
LIAM says reassuringly.
[CARA] I just.....when we learned about Saffar and his impending challenge....I don't know.....I just wanted to stay strong and keep it together until it was all over so that Duncan could focus on what he needed to do. He had already been through so much with me....And when I found a doctor that<>
[CARA] worked only with herbs and natural stuff...I figured it would be alright. I was going to stop taking them and tell Mac all about it after he killed Saffar and we had our lives back.
CARA suddenly realizes something.
[CARA] Wait a minute.
CARA says looking from Wyn to Liam.
[CARA] I didn't tell Mac....so how did he know?
LIAM pretends to stir the fire.
Delwyn looks over at Liam.
[CARA] Da"?
[Delwyn] Would you like me to tell her?
[CARA] Wyn?
[CARA] Somebody better.
LIAM seriously concentrates on stirring the fire.
[LIAM] I better bring in some more wood.
LIAM gets up and hurries out through the kitchen to the wood shed behind the house.
Delwyn sighs and then looks back at Cara. "You're father found the bottle accidentally. He asked Duncan about it and of course he had no clue. That's how he found out."
Delwyn At least, she hoped it was accidentally. She didn't think Liam as the nosy type.
CARA thinks this over. "Wyn there's no way. I had it hid behind several things in my medicine cabinet. Even if he opened the cabinet...it wasn't visible." She begins to nod her head and shake it at the same time. "He was snooping. Why? Why would he do that? I'm 170 years old for Christ's sake
Delwyn takes a seat on a nearby ottoman. "I guess Me...Adam Pierson called with the results for your blood test while we were out for a walk this afternoon."
Delwyn sighs. "Adam spoke to MacLeod. He found all the herbs in the medication in your blood stream."
[CARA] Adam called?
[Delwyn] Yes, you're father told me that not too long ago.
CARA grimaces. "Damn. I forgot to tell Adam not to say anything to Mac. "
[CARA] Did he tell you what Adam found out?
[Delwyn] Yes... St. John's Wart, Ephedra, Schizarnia Chenisis, Valerian Root and Kwanlo Root.
[CARA] All of that was in my blood stream?
[Delwyn] Those are the ingredients in the medication your taking.
[CARA] I know what St. Johns Wort, Ephedra and Valerian are but I've never heard of the other 2.
LIAM comes back into the house with an arm load of fire wood. He stops in the kitchen and asks Duncan, "Are the fireworks over?"
Duncan looks at Liam as he's chopping some vegetables. "Fireworks? I've barely heard a peep out of either one of them."
[Delwyn] Schizarnia Chenisis is a stronger antidepressant than St. John's Wart. Kwanlo root is something familiar to Duncan. I guess it makes people stronger so they can fight or what not without feeling pain.
LIAM says, "good" and carries the wood into the study, putting it in the wood bin on the far end of the hearth then reclaiming his seat on the hearth.
CARA only gives her father a glaring glance and goes back to talking with Wyn. She'll discuss this with him later in private. "Families don't air their dirty laundry in public," she can hear her mother saying.
[CARA] Why would Duncan know about Kwanlo Root?
CARA asks Wyn.
LIAM sees the familiar look in his daughter's eyes. He remembers that same look the night she defied his authority and left...bag and baggage at 17.
[Delwyn] Someone he knew at one time was using it.
LIAM hears her question and interjects by saying, "He knew the person who made the drug. His name is Kiem Sun. And old friend of Mac's."
CARA repeats the name a couple of times. "Yeah...I think I have heard Mac mention him but nothing more," she says thoughtfully.
CARA wonders if Mac has talked to his friend.
[CARA] Sounds like you guys have been doing some investigative work on this. Where was I during all of this?
[Delwyn] We were out for a jog.
[LIAM] You and Wyn were out on your little adventure into the forest., although I thought you were just outside working out.
CARA suddenly feels exhausted by all of the stuff that had gone on during the day. She turns her head and takes another admiring look at her husband who is busy in the kitchen doing her job, lays her head against the back of the chair and closes her eyes.

[cj]

****It's 10:30am in Seacouver****

NICK comes in the front door calling out, "Amanda. Amanda, are you here?" It's obvious that he is quite animated about something.

Amanda wanders out of the bedroom, catching his tone of voice. Her interest sufficiently piqued, she wants to know what's going on.

[NICK] AMANDA!!!

NICK removes his coat and sets his briefcase down on the bar between the kitchen and the living room and opens it, removing a small tape recorder. He turns around to holler again and sees Amanda coming down the hallway.

[Amanda] What's going on?

NICK walks up to her and takes her hand and pulls her to the couch, sits down and pulls her down next to him. He holds up the tape recorder and says, "you gotta hear this!"

NICK pushes to play button.

Nick's voice: "Just who are these people you are running from?" Female's voice: "They're people I used to work for." Nick's voice: "Why would you have to run from them?" Female's voice: "Because they don't let people leave their employ." Nick's Voice: "Can you be a little more specific?" Female's voice: "They are a group of people who want to eliminate another group of people and they are experimenting with drugs and mind control to do it." Nick's voice: "And just what did you do as their employee?" Female's voice: "I worked in the lab. I'm a chemist." Nick's voice: "So you helped them develop the drug you said they were using ?" Female's voice: "Yes." Nick's voice: "And they used this drug how?" Female's voice: "It was supposed to wipe the subject's memories clean. Then they could 'reprogram' the subject with new memories pertinent to the job they were to perform." Nick's voice: "This drug could just wipe out a person's memories? Completely?" Female's voice: "After several doses. It had to be given over a period of time."
NICK watches Amanda's face as she listens to the tape.
Nick's voice: "And it worked? I mean did you actually have a successful subject?" Female's voice: "Yes. There was one successful subject and one who was an excellent candidate but that one got away." Nick's voice: "Sounds like their subjects weren't willing ones." Female's voice: "Not at first. But after they were reprogrammed they were willing." Nick's voice: "How did they find these subjects?" Female's voice: I'm not sure how they found them I only know how they determined if they were good candidates or not." Nick's voice: "And how was that?" Female's voice: "They put them through a series of tests to gage their stamina, pain level, will power, strength, and how long it took them to revive. I mean...." Nick's voice: "Did you say revive? You did say revive. By revive what exactly do you mean?" Female's voice: "I.....i.....you probably wouldn't believe me." Nick's voice: "Tell me anyway." Female's voice: "It was the group of people they wanted to eliminate. They were special." Nick's voice (after a long pause): "Go on. How were they special?" Female's voice: "They are Immortal."

NICK clicks off the tape recorder for a minute so that Amanda can absorb what she's just heard. He watches her in silence then gets up and goes into the kitchen and gets a beer out of the fridge.

[NICK] Want one, babe?

NICK asks indicating the beer.

[Amanda] Her interest rises as she listens to each things that is said. But with the interest, her expression becomes far more concerned. "Oh God," Amanda mutters, either ignoring or not hearing his question.

[NICK] Yeah. She wants one.

NICK mutters and gets another one from the fridge and takes it to her. he sits back down and picks the tape recorder back up.

[NICK] Ready to hear the rest? It gets better.

[Amanda] "There's more?" She asks incredulously.

NICK presses the PLAY button again.

Nick's voice: "Immortals. You mean they can't die?" Female's voice: "Oh they can die but they revive They don't stay dead." Nick's voice: "And the people you worked for wanted to eliminate them? Why?" Female's voice: "They believed that they were an abomination...that they were a threat to them....to mankind." Nick's voice: "How were they a threat?" Female's voice: "They thought that the Immortals were going to take over the world....rule mankind. Make us all slaves, or something." Nick's voice: Did the people you work for....was it a company or organization...or what?" Female's voice: "They were an organization, I guess you'd say. It was run by one man. everyone else basically did what he ordered them to do." Nick's voice: "Did this man have a name?" Female's voice (spoken very quietly her fear obvious in her voice): "Sidney Horton."

NICK clicks off the recorder to give Amanda time to absorb again.

NICK takes a drink of his beer.

[NICK] Sound familiar, babe?

[Amanda] The guy is dead and he still comes back to haunt us.

Amanda murmurs, clearly unsettled.

NICK presses the PLAY button again.

Nick's voice: "And this Horton was alive when you worked there?" Female's voice: "Yes" Nick's voice: "How long ago was this?" Female's voice: "Three weeks ago."

NICK clicks the recorder off for a minute and watches Amanda's face.

NICK presses PLAY again.

Nick's voice: "Three weeks ago?" Female's voice: "Yes. But something had happened to him. He is in a wheel chair. He can't walk, he's missing one arm and half of his head is bald and scarred like he'd been burned or something."

NICK clicks it off.

NICK takes a drink of his beer.

[NICK] If memory serves me correctly, you and CJ rescued me and brought Horton to your storage warehouse back in July or August wasn't it?

Amanda nodded. "That sounds about right."

[NICK] I was under the impression MacLeod killed the S.O.B. in the storage locker.

Amanda replied, not sounding particularly pleased at the current turn of events. "So was I," she stared at the recorder for a few seconds, as if the little machine could offer any explanation.

[NICK] I wonder if Mac thinks he killed him?

NICK presses PLAY again.

[Amanda] You either kill a person or you don't, Nick.

Amanda retorted before falling silent again.

Nick's voice: "So why did you leave?" Female's voice: "I could no longer condone what they were doing." Nick's voice: "What do you mean? What were they doing?" Female's voice: "The things they would do to test their subjects. It was sick....inhumane...perverted." Nick's voice: "How so?" Female's voice: "They would torture them to see how much pain they could endure....how long it would take them to die and revive....horrible stuff. Electrocution, fire, cutting....it just wasn't right." Nick's voice: "How many subjects did they do this to?" Female's voice: "At least 4. One was a successful 'reprogramming, one escaped and one committed suicide, that I know of. The 4th one I know was a vegetable. For all I know they killed her after destroying her brain." Nick's voice: "What about this drug? What is in it?"Female's voice: "It's main ingredient is something that Horton bought from some Oriental guy who developed it. It's called Kwanlo Root. The rest is a combination of Sodium Pentathol and a couple of other chemicals. But it's the root that attaches itself to certain receptor cells in the brain. After 6 injections it is pretty much permanently embedded even with the Immortal's ability to heal themselves." Nick's voice: "By permanent what exactly do you mean?" Female's voice: "After that point the subject only requires like a booster shot to keep it active. Unfortunately there's a serious side effect." Nick's voice: "Which is?" Female's voice: "It causes brain aneurysms and cerebral hemorrhage Since these Immortal's heal themselves....they will die when the aneurysm ruptures...revive and get it all over again. That was what drove the one subject to suicide."

NICK shuts off the recorder and takes a swig of his beer and looks at Amanda.

[NICK] The rest is basic information on how the drug is stored and where.

NICK waits for her reaction.

NICK , after silence, he asks, "Honey? Are you alright?"

[Amanda] I can't believe this. This is just... I knew that Horton was twisted but this is beyond what I thought he was capable of.

Amanda responded after a brief pause. She moved the can from one hand to the other but didn't take a drink.

[NICK] Do you think CJ should be warned?

Amanda nodded. "Of course. I can't take the chance that he'll go after her again," That said, Amanda made to reach for the phone.

[NICK] OK. In this case....I think that you would know best. I have to get back to the office. I just wanted you to hear this.

NICK takes the cassette out of the recorder and lays it on the coffee table. He stands up, leans over and gives her a quick kiss, grabs his brief case and is out the door.

CARA picks up the phone and dials Amanda's number.

Amanda pauses midway to the phone, before picking it up. Caller ID already showing who it is, "Hey," Amanda greets lightly.

[CARA] Mand? I need your help.

CARA gets right to the point.

[CARA] I'm in trouble.

Amanda pauses, not answering straight away. It had to be a coincidence, "What is it?"

CARA tells her briefly about her memory lapses and the seizure she had yesterday and the information Mac and her father found as well as Delwyn's diagnosis of an aneurysm

[CARA] I need to go back to where they had me and somehow get my hands on a sample of that drug and whatever files...notes...whatever I can find that will be helpful in finding an antidote of some kind before I forget everything.

[CARA] Can you....will you help me?

[Amanda] You need to come here.

Amanda replies simply. "There's something you should hear."

[CARA] I was planning on coming there. You have all the equipment. The hoist....camera....communication stuff....you know what we'll need.

[CARA] What do I need to hear? What's going on?

"I don't want to talk about this over the phone," Amanda answers. "But it's directly related to yours news."

[CARA] Alright. I'll talk to Mac and we'll be there as soon as we can.

[CARA] Why do I get the feeling things just got not only more complicated....but worse?

[Amanda] Maybe because they did.

[CARA] That's what i was afraid of. We'll be there as soon as we can.

[cj]

[color=red***It's 10:30am in the MacLeod's Meadow paradise****

[/color][/center]

CARA gets a phone call from Amanda telling her that she has something she thinks She and Duncan need to here.
CARA holds her hand over the phone and says to Mac, "She says she has something we need to hear. That we need to go there as soon as possible."

CARA tells Amanda to hold on just in case Duncan wants to talk to her.

Duncan gives her a nod. "Then we'll head over there."

CARA tells Amanda that they're on their way and hangs up.

[CARA] I asked her why I got the feeling that things just got not only more complicated but worse...and she said because they had. Duncan, I'm really getting scared.

LIAM comes into the study from working out in the front of the cabin. "Is your friend going to help?" He asks CJ.

CARA nods silently.

CARA wraps her arms around herself in an attempt to stop her trembling.

LIAM glances at Duncan questioningly.

CARA goes to pick up the cup of tea Wyn had made for her earlier, but her hand is shaking so badly that she drops it.

[CARA] Damn!

CARA gets up and heads for the kitchen for a rag to clean up the mess.

Duncan looks at Liam. "It seems Amanda knows something we don't."

[LIAM] Really. Why do i get the feeling this isn't a good thing?

Duncan sighs. "Probably because it isn't."

[LIAM] I take it you need to go back to Seacouver?

Delwyn comes out of the bathroom fully dressed, after returning from her jog. Her hair is still wet. She walks in the kitchen and stops when she sees Cara. She can see something is wrong. "Are you feeling ok?"

Duncan nods. "Yes, we need to go see Amanda."

CARA looks at Wyn and shakes her head.

[CARA] My phone call didn't turn out like I had hoped.

Delwyn drapes the towel she was using to help dry her hair over her shoulder. "What happened?"

[CARA] Amanda told me that she has something I need to hear and that it's not good. I feel like I've just jumped out of an airplane and my chute won't open.

CARA wrings out the rag in the sink.

[CARA] I have to go clean up a mess I just made.

CARA heads to the study, rag in hand.

CARA starts to clean up her mess.

[LIAM] I guess we should go back, too. Get some fresh clothes and there's a couple of things I want to follow up on. You'll have your cell phones with you if we need to get in touch?

[Duncan] I'll have it.

Delwyn follows in Cara's wake and walks into the study.

LIAM nods and turns around to look for Wyn.

[LIAM] Did you hear any of that?

LIAM asks Wyn.

CARA finishes cleaning up the spilled tea and shattered cup and heads back into the kitchen to dispose of the shards and wash out the rag.

Delwyn shakes her head. "No, I didn't"

[LIAM] Cara Jean and Mac need to return to Seacouver. I figure we should, too...get some fresh clothes and I have some things I need to check on. We can connect with them later.

CARA turns off the kitchen faucet and wrings out the rag and drapes it across the sink divider She leans against the sink and lowers her head trying to gain some emotional control.

[LIAM] You might want to make up some of that tea you've been giving Cara Jean so she can take it with her. If it's helping to keep the seizures at bay.....

LIAM suggests to Wyn.

[Delwyn] I can leave her some of what the tea is made of and then she can make it when she needs it.

LIAM leans over and places a kiss on her forehead and says, "I'll get our things together."

LIAM heads into the den where they had spent the night on a roll-a-way bed.

CARA covers her face with her hands.

Delwyn goes back into the kitchen to get the supplies Cara will need to make the tea. She stops in the doorway as she sees Cara.

Delwyn debates on whether or not to go to Cara. She decides to walk into the kitchen. She walks over to Cara and places a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Things will get better."

CARA nods silently but doesn't uncover her face.

[Delwyn] Your father and I will be leaving soon. I'm going to leave you the loose tea you need to help with the seizures

CARA nods again and says quietly, "Thank you." She raises her head and looks out the window but not seeing.

Delwyn doesn't want to pry, so she leaves Cara and goes to the bag that contains her herbal supplies and begins pulling out what Cara will need.

LIAM finishes packing up their things and takes their bags out to their rental car. After putting them in the trunk, he stands at the front of the car and looks around at the peaceful meadow.

Delwyn wraps the leaves in cheese cloth and leaves it on the counter. She pulls out a piece of paper and quickly writes directions on it and then leaves it beside the bundle of tea leaves. She walks over to Cara once again. "Everything you need is wrapped in that pouch. If you have any questions or need anything don't hesitate to call me. I left my cell number on the instructions."

CARA turns and gives Wyn a hug and says softly, "thank you for everything."

CARA pushes away from the sink and walks...almost as if sleep walking...into the study, up the stairs and into the bedroom where she stands looking around in a daze.

LIAM goes back inside the cabin and into the kitchen. He walks up to Wyn and asks, "are you ready, ma lady?"

Delwyn looks at Liam. "Yes, I am." She walks over to the counter where her bag is and grabs it.

[LIAM] Let's give them some time alone.

Duncan watches Cara go up the stairs before he follows her.

LIAM takes her bag from her and puts his arm around her shoulders.

Delwyn nods. "I hope the tea will continue to work for her."

Duncan walks up behind Cara and places a hand on her shoulder. "Cara? Are you ok?"

LIAM calls upstairs, " Duncan? We'll be taking off now. Call us when you know what's going on."

Duncan turns to look over his shoulder. "I'll keep in touch. Drive safe."

[LIAM] Cara Jean? Have faith, Angel.

LIAM guides Wyn out to their car, helps her in, gets in and starts the car up. He takes one last look around, then drives away, heading back to Seacouver.

CARA turns and puts her arms around Duncan's waist and says in a small shaky voice, "hold me."

Duncan wraps his arms around her and holds her close.

CARA clings to him as if her life depends on it.

[CARA] Tell me we're going to make it through this.

[Duncan] We will, sweetheart. We will.

CARA leans back so that she can look into his eyes to see if he's just telling her what she wants to hear, but Duncan's eyes are guarded and she can't tell.

[CARA] Duncan....You know what I'm most afraid of?

CARA reaches up with a trembling hand and touches his face.

Duncan places his hand over hers "What's that, sweetheart?"

CARA tears spring to her eyes as she says, "forgetting you.....us."

CARA 's tears tumble down her cheeks.

Duncan reaches up and wipes away the tears on her cheek. "I won't let you."

[CARA] How will you stop it? If the drug they gave me continues to kill off my memories.....

CARA looks at him...memorizing his face.

[Duncan] When you tell me you can't remember something, then I will tell it to you.

CARA pulls herself back into his arms as she says, "No matter what happens....please remember that I love you. That you are my life."

[CARA] And that if this takes me from you....I will somehow find my way back to you. Remember that, okay?

[CARA] I vow it. On my mother's grave. On our love.

Duncan gives her a bit of a smile. "I will."

CARA lets go of Duncan and says, "I guess we better get ready to go."

CARA stands looking blankly around the room as if she doesn't know where to begin.

Duncan walks to the closet and grabs a couple of duffel bags. He walks to the bed and places the bags on the bed. "Why don't you straighten up downstairs? I can pack our clothes. Unless, you want me to go through the cabin and make sure everything is all settled?"

[CARA] No. I think I can manage that. I'm not a vegetable yet.

CARA realizes that that sounded sarcastic and grimaces. "I'm sorry. That didn't come out right," she says.

[CARA] Like I told Wyn earlier....I feel like I've jumped out of an airplane and my chute won't open.

[CARA] If that makes any sense.

CARA turns and heads downstairs.

Duncan watches her go and then heads to the dresser and begins pulling out clothing.

CARA first she checks in the den. She quickly folds the roll-a-way up and stashes it in the corner. Then she makes her way through the study to the kitchen where she puts what food has been left out away and stashes the few dirty dishes in the dishwasher. Then she goes to the back door and secures it. She then checks the living room, straightens throw pillows and afghans and then takes hers and Duncan's swords from the rack next to the front door and takes them out to the T-Bird.

CARA puts them in the back seat and closes the door. She stands looking around at the meadow wondering if this will be the last time she will ever see it again. An eagle sores overhead and she looks up at it and says, "watch over our paradise, will you? And pray that I will be able to return."

The eagle screeches as if it understands her. She turns and walks back into the cabin and calls upstairs, "every thing's secure down here."

[CARA] Do you need any help?

Duncan is still packing. He has now worked his way over to the closet. "I'm all right. There are just a few other things to pack up here and I'll be done."

CARA suddenly doesn't want to be downstairs alone so she goes upstairs. She stands at the head of the stairway and watches Duncan packing.

Duncan glances over to see Cara. "Everything taken care of ?"

CARA in answer to Duncan's question says, "yes."

CARA heads downstairs.

CARA remembers Wyn's tea and grabs it from the bar between the dining area and the kitchen then walks toward the front door.

CARA looks back to see if Mac is right behind her.

CARA walks on out to the car and takes out her cell phone and dials Cresta's number.

Duncan closes the duffel bags and slings one over each shoulder. He goes down stairs and then out the front door. He turns to the door and locks it and then walks over to the t-Bird and puts the duffel bags in the trunk.

CARA gets into the car.

CARA tells herself while waiting for Duncan, "Okay girl. You've got a 3 hour drive to get yourself together. You can't be emotionally stupid when you and Mand do this job."

CARA lays her head against the back of her seat and closes her eyes, trying a little meditation.

Duncan closes the trunk and then opens the driver's side and gets in. He starts the car and takes off towards Seacouver.

CARA suddenly sits up straight in her seat, realizing that she had fallen asleep. She looks around and sees that they are just now coming up on the Seacouver offramp.

CARA stretches and yawns.

CARA looks over at Duncan.

[CARA] Have you called Mand yet to tell her we're in town?

Duncan glances briefly at Cara before returning his gaze to the road. "I thought you told her we'd be coming? But I can give her a call so she knows we'll be there shortly."

CARA shakes her head.

[CARA] No...you drive. I'll call her. And for the record I did call her before we left. I just know Mand and I think she should be warned we're almost there.

Duncan nods.

CARA digs her cell phone out of her purse and dials Amanda's number.

Amanda has gradually been getting antsy, had lost count of the amounts of times she's glanced at the clock or checked her watch. As the phone rings, she quickly picks it up. "CJ?"

CARA blinks, surprised that Amanda knows it's her. Amanda never looks at her caller ID.

[CARA] Yeah. How'd you know?

[Amanda] Lucky guess?

Amanda offers as an answer.

[CARA] We're pulling off the freeway now. Should be there in about 7 minutes. maybe 10 depending on traffic.

CARA glances at Duncan for verification.

[Amanda] I'll still be here.

[CARA] OK. See you soon.

CARA hangs up and puts her phone away.

[CARA] She sets her elbow on the passenger door window sill and rests her head against her hand and stares out the side window.

CARA has missed Seacouver...but wishes they were coming back under different circumstances.

After about 10 minutes of driving, they pull up in front of the building where Amanda lives.

CARA looks up at the glass front of the building and sighs.

Duncan turns the engine off and gets out. He walks to the passenger's side and opens the door for Cara.

CARA gets out of the car and takes Duncan's hand.

1.Duncan closes the door to the car and leads Cara into the building.

CARA 's grip on his hand gets tighter as they approach the elevators. But she doesn't realize it.

Duncan looks down at her as he places his other hand over hers"It's ok, sweetheart."

CARA absentmindedly nods.

Duncan gets into the elevator and pushes the 5 button.

Amanda moves into the kitchen to start up a new batch of coffee, no doubt they will be wanting drinks all around once they've arrived.

Duncan The elevator stops and opens. He gives Cara's hand a pat and then walks out of the elevator, towards Amanda's condo.

CARA walks along side of Duncan. She feels strangely disconnected. She can't remember ever feeling like this before and wonders why she does now.

CARA feels the familiar Immortal buzz as they get closer to Amanda & Nick's condo

Amanda sensing the approach of an Immortal, Amanda crosses the room to the door and peers out of the spy hole to ensure it is Duncan and CJ entering, when she sees it is, the Immortal starts to unlock the door.

Duncan pauses in front of Amanda's door, waiting for her to open it.

Amanda does so a few seconds later, and studies each of them in turn before stepping aside to let them pass.

CARA hopes that Amanda has learned how to make coffee by now because she could really use some.

Duncan allows Cara to walk in before him and he follows after her.

CARA manages a smile when Amanda opens the door.

[Amanda] Pull up a chair, grab a coffee.

Amanda offers as she closes the door behind them.

[CARA] Did you make it?

CARA teases.

Duncan takes off his coat and drapes it over a nearby chair. "Do you want some, sweetheart? I can get it for you."

Amanda Fortunately she doesn't take offense, and merely smiles. "Yes, I did." She sticks out her tongue before leading the way into the kitchen.

CARA looks gratefully up at Duncan and nods.

[CARA] Yes please.

[Amanda] I was about to fix something to eat, hungry?

Amanda asks, being rather accommodating at the moment.

Duncan grabs a couple of mugs and pours coffee in both. He looks at Amanda. "You want a cup?"

CARA shakes her head.

Amanda nods, "Thanks."

[CARA] No...thanks, Mand. But you go ahead. Mac might be.

Duncan grabs another mug and pours coffee. He grabs all three and hands one to Cara and then one to Amanda.

CARA walks over to the sliding glass door and stands staring out at the ocean.

[Duncan] I'll have something to eat.

Duncan casts a concerned gaze towards Cara. "You should eat something, sweetheart."

CARA smiles wanly at him.

[CARA] No...thank. Not right now. I don't think it would stay down.

Amanda starts to make something anyway, on the off chance that she changes her mind. While she waits for the food to warm, Amanda walks out onto the balcony.

CARA follows her outside.

[CARA] You have all your equipment here? Or in storage?

CARA asks Amanda.

Amanda gestures inside, "It's here." She glances to the side to study her friend for a few seconds, "How soon do you want to do this?"

CARA looks at her questioningly. She doesn't remember telling Amanda what was going on...or anything about what she wanted to do.

Duncan joins the two ladies out on the balcony.

CARA finally just shakes her head and says, "I'm not real sure. I want to have it all mapped and planned out before we do anything so that there's no chance of making any mistakes."

[CARA] You said on the phone that you had something we needed to hear. What is it?

CARA takes a drink of her coffee.

Amanda lets out a sigh, "You won't like it," she warns before walking back outside to pick up the little recorder. She returns to the balcony a few seconds later. The tape was already rewound; she clicked the play button.

Nick's voice: "Just who are these people you are running from?" Female's voice: "They're people I used to work for." Nick's voice: "Why would you have to run from them?" Female's voice: "Because they don't let people leave their employ." Nick's Voice: "Can you be a little more specific?" Female's voice: "They are a group of people who want to eliminate another group of people and they are experimenting with drugs and mind control to do it." Nick's voice: "And just what did you do as their employee?" Female's voice: "I worked in the lab. I'm a chemist." Nick's voice: "So you helped them develop the drug you said they were using ?" Female's voice: "Yes." Nick's voice: "And they used this drug how?" Female's voice: "It was supposed to wipe the subject's memories clean. Then they could 'reprogram' the subject with new memories pertinent to the job they were to perform."Nick's voice: "This drug could just wipe out a person's memories? Completely?" Female's voice: "After several doses. It had to be given over a period of time." Nick's voice: "And it worked? I mean did you actually have a successful subject?" Female's voice: "Yes. There was one successful subject and one who was an excellent candidate but that one got away." Nick's voice: "Sounds like their subjects weren't willing ones." Female's voice: "Not at first. But after they were reprogrammed they were willing." Nick's voice: "How did they find these subjects?" Female's voice: I'm not sure how they found them I only know how they determined if they were good candidates or not." Nick's voice: "And how was that?" Female's voice: "They put them through a series of tests to gage their stamina, pain level, will power, strength, and how long it took them to revive. I mean...."Nick's voice: "Did you say revive? You did say revive. By revive what exactly do you mean?" Female's voice: "I.....i.....you probably wouldn't believe me." Nick's voice: "Tell me anyway." Female's voice: "It was the group of people they wanted to eliminate. They were special." Nick's voice (after a long pause): "Go on. How were they special?" Female's voice: "They are Immortal." Nick's voice: "Immortals. You mean they can't die?" Female's voice: "Oh they can die but they revive They don't stay dead." Nick's voice: "And the people you worked for wanted to eliminate them? Why?" Female's voice: "They believed that they were an abomination...that they were a threat to them....to mankind." Nick's voice: "How were they a threat?" Female's voice: "They thought that the Immortals were going to take over the world....rule mankind. Make us all slaves, or something." Nick's voice: Did the people you work for....was it a company or organization...or what?"Female's voice: "They were an organization, I guess you'd say. It was run by one man. everyone else basically did what he ordered them to do." Nick's voice: "Did this man have a name?" Female's voice (spoken very quietly her fear obvious in her voice): "Sidney Horton."

CARA 's head jerks up.

[CARA] What was that?

[CARA] No. No way. It's impossible.

CARA looks up at Duncan in disbelief.

CARA looks back at Amanda.

[Amanda] I didn't believe it myself when I heard.

Amanda Heck, she can still barely believe it.

Duncan looks at Cara. The man was dead. "He's dead. I killed him myself."

CARA 's legs suddenly feel weak and she looks around for someplace to sit down...afraid she may fall down.

Duncan walks over to Cara.

Duncan grabs a chair and helps her sit down.

CARA shakes her head slowly repeating, "No way. It's impossible."

CARA looks up at Amanda.

[CARA] Is that all? Or is there more?

Duncan rests a hand on her shoulder as he looks to Amanda.

Nick's voice: "And this Horton was alive when you worked there?" Female's voice: "Yes" Nick's voice: "How long ago was this?" Female's voice: "Three weeks ago." Nick's voice: "Three weeks ago?" Female's voice: "Yes. But something had happened to him. He is in a wheel chair. He can't walk, he's missing one arm and half of his head is bald and scarred like he'd been burned or something." Nick's voice: "So why did you leave?" Female's voice: "I could no longer condone what they were doing." Nick's voice: "What do you mean? What were they doing?" Female's voice: "The things they would do to test their subjects. It was sick....inhumane...perverted." Nick's voice: "How so?" Female's voice: "They would torture them to see how much pain they could endure....how long it would take them to die and revive....horrible stuff. Electrocution, fire, cutting....it just wasn't right." Nick's voice: "How many subjects did they do this to?" Female's voice: "At least 4. One was a successful 'reprogramming, one escaped and one committed suicide, that I know of. The 4th one I know was a vegetable. For all I know they killed her after destroying her brain."

Duncan shakes his head in total disbelief. He killed Horton. What was it with anyone with the last name Horton? They always seem to have 9 lives.

Nick's voice: "What about this drug? What is in it?"Female's voice: "It's main ingredient is something that Horton bought from some Oriental guy who developed it. It's called Kwanlo Root. The rest is a combination of Sodium Pentathol and a couple of other chemicals. But it's the root that attaches itself to certain receptor cells in the brain. After 6 injections it is pretty much permanently embedded even with the Immortal's ability to heal themselves." Nick's voice: "By permanent what exactly do you mean?" Female's voice: "After that point the subject only requires like a booster shot to keep it active. Unfortunately there's a serious side effect."Nick's voice: "Which is?" Female's voice: "It causes brain aneurysms and cerebral hemorrhage Since these Immortal's heal themselves....they will die when the aneurysm ruptures...revive and get it all over again. That was what drove the one subject to suicide."

Duncan 's hand clenched into a fist at his side as he hears what was done to Cara and others. He hears Kwanlo root and is about ready to lose it. He should have killed Kiem Sun when he had the chance.

CARA leans forward, puts her elbows on her knees and puts her face in her hands.

[CARA] This is a nightmare. Right?

CARA says looking up for a second.

[CARA] I'm just going to wake up and everything will be fine.

CARA looks from Duncan to Amanda.

[CARA] Right?

CARA looks back to Duncan.

[Amanda] It will be fine. Eventually.

[CARA] Please. Tell me I'm right.

Amanda responds firmly.

Duncan can't put into words the rage he's feeling. He turns his back on Amanda and Cara to look out at the scenery from the balcony. He needed to calm himself down before he said or did anything

CARA wraps her arms around herself trying to stop herself from shaking but is unsuccessful in her endeavor.

Duncan takes a few deep breaths and gets a leash on his anger. He goes back to Cara and places his hands on her shoulder. "I thought I killed that bastard. I don't understand. Someone had to have found him only a couple of minutes after I left."

CARA can only shake her head.

Duncan sighs. If he had killed Kiem Sun, then they wouldn't be dealing with this right now.

Duncan remembers Cara's medication. "The medicine you were taking had Kwanlo root in it."

CARA remembers what Wyn had told her about the ingredients and nods.

CARA looks up at Duncan inquisitively.

[Duncan] It's reinforcing what was already in your system.

[CARA] You seem to know something about this stuff. Like you've heard of it before.

[CARA] Is there something you haven't told me?

CARA suddenly wants something stronger than coffee but is afraid to ask.

Duncan sighs. "I have. The Immortal who makes the extract was once a friend. His name is Kiem Sun. He experimented

CARA looks at him in shock.

[CARA] Experimented how? For what?

****The part of Amanda is temporarily being understudied.****

[Duncan] He wanted to make an army that could with stand pain and that was incredibly strong. The root helped with that. He stayed on holy ground to keep out of the Gathering, but the longer he stayed the less able he was to defend himself. So, he wanted to have men that could bring down an Immortal.

[Amanda] I don't understand what this root stuff does or how it works.

Amanda says trying to make sense of it all.

[CARA] Yeah, How would the drug help him build an army?

[Amanda] And what's this stuff about cerebral hemorrhage and aneurysms?

to be continued on page 2

[cj]

CARA manages to get to her feet. She walks over to the far corner of the balcony and leans against the railing with her back to Amanda and Duncan.

Amanda walks up behind Duncan and puts her hand on his arm. She lowers her voice and says, "Is CJ in any danger of this stuff doing that to her?"

Duncan looks at Amanda and gives her a nod.

Amanda looks at CJ's back then looks back up at Duncan.

Duncan talks quietly to Amanda. "She's already had one and even went into a seizure."

Amanda shakes her head vigorously and says, "huh uh. No. No way."

[Duncan] Yes, Amanda, it happened. Cara's father is with a woman Immortal who is a healer. She told us exactly what happened and has been able to at least control the seizures.

Amanda doubles up her fist and turns toward the sliding glass door.

[Amanda] No. No way.

Amanda mutters. She turns back to Duncan, fire and hatred in her eyes.

[Amanda] Then do something. You have to do something to stop this. You're always the man with all the answers. Why can't you do something to help her?

CARA hears Amanda's last statement and turns around and looks at her.

Duncan looks thoroughly frustrated. "I don't have any for this. Amanda. I'm not a doctor and I'm not even sure how exactly the root works.

[CARA] It's not Duncan's fault, Mand. Don't jump down his throat.

[Duncan] Methos doesn't even understand it. He's never heard of the root.

Amanda looks at CJ and snarls, "Well, damn it. I'm not going to just stand by and watch as this thing destroys you. I can't."

CARA walks up to Amanda and puts her hands on both of Amanda's shoulders.

[CARA] Amanda...stop it. This kind of anger won't help me. I need you to do what you do best at times like these.

[Amanda] Times like these? There have never been times like these. And just what is it I do best during "times like these"?

CARA looks directly into Amanda's eyes and says calmly and seriously, "You shut yourself off...You don't feel...you don't care."

[Amanda] But...this is different.

[CARA] No. It's not.

[Amanda] It is. It's very different.

[CARA] Why?

[Amanda] Because it's....it's you.

CARA shakes her head slowly and grips Amanda's shoulders firmly giving her a slight shake.

[CARA] Stop it. I'm no different than anyone else. No different than the other Immortals that have been put through this. You are going to have to forget that I was your student...that we are friends. I'm just someone who needs a little help.

[Amanda] How in the hell do you expect me to do that? I can't do that.

CARA shakes Amanda hard this time.

[CARA] Yes you can. You have to.

[Amanda] No. I can't.

CARA drops her hands and steps away. The expression in her eyes is one of disappointment. She raises her hands as she says, "Then you'll be no good for me. I came to the wrong place for help. She pushes past Amanda and heads into the condo. As she passes Duncan she says, "Come on, Mac. Let's go. I'll have to do this on my own." She disappears into the condo. She walks over to the chair where Duncan had laid their coats and puts hers on.

Duncan looks at Amanda. "This isn't easy for me either, Amanda."

Amanda stands in the same place, her body rigid, hurt in her eyes and stares out at the ocean silently.

CARA calls out from inside, "Don't waste your breath, honey. Let's just go."

[Duncan] I know you love her. But can you risk her forgetting you all together?

CARA walks to the front door and opens it. She waits for a few second to see if Duncan will follow. When he doesn't she silently walks out the door, letting it slam shut and walks down the hall to the elevator.

Duncan sighs and glances inside seeing that Cara has left. He walks over to Amanda.

[Amanda] I can't ....I can't do what she wants me to do. I can't forget who and what she is. I just can't. Can you?

[Duncan] But she'll forget who and what we are.

Duncan rests a hand on her shoulder. "I will do anything to make sure she's safe. I don't want to lose her."

[Amanda] It won't happen, Mac. She's too strong. She feels too deeply. You're embedded in her. There's no way she'll forget you. If it were anyone else....I could do what she wants.

Duncan 's voice is filled with sadness. "She doesn't remember the first time we met."

Amanda looks up at him in shock.

[Amanda] Not any of it?

Duncan whispers "Nothing."

Amanda shakes her head and walks to the railing. For probably the first time in her life, Amanda can't think straight.

[Amanda] This is too much. How the hell can she remain so calm?

CARA gets into the elevator and presses the ground floor button. She wishes that her husband had followed her, but he didn't. She'll just have to deal with that. "That's OK," she says aloud to the empty elevator. "He's going to need Amanda anyway. When I...." She can't finish her thought.

Duncan sighs. "I think she's doing it for me." He looks out toward the ocean. "I'm scared of losing her, Amanda."

Amanda picks up one of the empty coffee cups off of the patio table and throws it over the railing with great force. as she snarls, "Da,n it MacLeod! No one's losing anyone. Do you hear me?" She turns to face him.

[Amanda] So are you just going to stand there with your thumb up your ass and let her leave like that? Take off on her own?

Duncan looks at Amanda. "No, but I want to know if you'll be helping." He sighs. "Call me and let me know what your decision is." He walks inside. He grabs his coat and then walks out the door to catch up with Cara.

CARA walks out of the elevator when it stops on the ground floor and heads outside.

[Amanda] Duncan....wait.

Amanda hurries after him.

Duncan stops and turns around to look at her.

[Amanda] MacLeod!!! Hold up.

Amanda walks up to him.

[Amanda] Look. I can't do what she wants...I can't just forget who she is. I'm not that cold hearted. I know that's what every one thinks about me...but I'm not. But I love her. Probably as much as you do. I'll help any way I can. Just don't expect me to be as calm as she is.

CARA has the doorman flag her down a cab. When it gets there she gets in and tells the driver just to drive.

Duncan gives Amanda a smile. "Thank you..." He gives her a kiss on the cheek. "I need to catch up with her. Let us know of any plans you come up with." He walks quickly toward the stairs and jogs down so he can catch up with Cara.

Amanda goes back into the condo and closes the door.

Duncan gets to the ground floor and looks around for Cara. When he doesn't see her, he goes outside to see if she's at the card and she wasn't. "Dammit!"

CARA gives the driver instructions to Joe's Bar.

Duncan pulls out his cell phone and dials Cara's cell number.

When the cab pulls up in front of the bar, Cara pays the driver and gets out. She stands on the sidewalk and looks at the building. "I hope Joe's here. Or Methos. It may be the last time I..." She shakes her head. "Stop it." She walks into the bar. She stands inside the door letting her eyes adjust to the dim light. She hears her phone ring in her purse and reaches for it. She holds it in front of her and debates whether to answer it or not. If it's Duncan....he needs to let her go. It will only hurt him more if he stays and has to watch her forget him. But then she realizes that she can't let go herself..so how can she expect him to. She flips open the phone and answers it.

[CARA] Hello?

CARA says weakly. She walks over to the bar and takes a seat.

[Duncan] Cara, where are you?

[CARA] What? You don't say hello first anymore? I guess that's what happens after you say I do. ] Think about it, Mac. Where do you think I am? Where would I go? Where do we all go eventually for answers?

[Duncan] You're at Joe's.

JOE comes out of his office and see CJ sitting at the bar.

[CARA] And you're not. So now what?

CARA says sarcastically. She doesn't respond. She just hangs up.

[Duncan] I'll be there in a few minutes. I love you.

JOE walks to where he is standing in front of CJ with a warm grin that goes from ear to ear.

[JOE] Hello beautiful. Long time no see. What's your pleasure?

Duncan hears the line go dead. He takes a deep breath. He tells himself that she's having a rough time, no need for him to get too upset. He shoves his phone back in his coat pocket and goes to the car. He starts it and is off to Joe's.

CARA can't help but smile. Joe's lighthearted nature has always been infectious.

[CARA] How about a double shot of your best tequila, lemon and salt?

JOE looks at her dubiously. CJ didn't drink that much and for her to order what she just did....well....something must be wrong. Then he notices that she's alone.

[JOE] Where's that husband of yours?

[CARA] Why? Do I need him here to get a drink? I'm well over 21 Joe.

JOE holds up his hands.

[JOE] Okay...okay...a double shot coming up.

JOE pours her her drink, slides a couple of lemon wedges over to her and a salt shaker.

CARA licks the back of her hand, pours some salt on it, licks off the salt, downs the contents of the glass in one shot and takes a bit out of one of the lemon wedges. She sets the empty glass on the bar and taps the edge of it with her finger indicating she wants another.

JOE shakes his head in disbelief. She did that without even flinching. He can't remember seeing a female...especially a lady...ever do that before. Something must be seriously wrong.

[JOE] Why don't we just hold off on that second one for a few minutes?

[CARA] Joe? How long have we known each other?

JOE thinks to himself, "oh brother. here we go."

[JOE] Don't go there, CJ.

Within a few minutes, Mac pulls into the parking lot for Joe's. He gets out and heads for the door. The familiar buzz washes over him as he enters the club.

[CARA] Look. I'm 170 years old. I'm a big girl now. If I wanted a lecture on the evils of booze....I'd....well...I'd talk to my husband. Or go see a priest. This is a bar. If you won't serve me...I'll just go somewhere else.

JOE looks up as Mac enters the bar. He lets out a breath of relief.

CARA feels the buzz of an Immortal. At this point she doesn't care who it is and doesn't even look at the door.

[CARA] Are you going to give me my drink, Joe? Or what?

Duncan walks over to where Cara is and takes a seat next to her. He sees the empty shot glass and then looks at Joe.

[JOE] Hey, Mac. How are you? Haven't seen you in awhile.

[Duncan] I'm ok. You?

JOE says changing the subject quickly.

[JOE] Oh...well...you know....Old age aches....can't seem to get good help around here....Haven't had anything exciting happen in so long...can't even remember the last time....ahhh...you know how it is.

CARA stands up on the metal ring of the bar stool and leans across the bar. She reaches down and grabs the bottle of tequila and hauls it back across to her and refill her own glass.

Duncan smiles a bit, but it quickly fades as he watches Cara. "What are you doing?"

JOE glances at mac giving him a look that says..."You need to do something about her...."

CARA looks up at Duncan.

[CARA] Who? Me?

CARA reaches for the salt shaker.

Duncan grabs her hand to stop her. He looks at the bottle she had grabbed. "Tequila?" He looks back at her. "Sweetheart, what's going on? This isn't like you."

JOE being the good bartender that he is...he knows when it's time to make himself scarce. So he moves down to the other end of the bar pretending to have something to do down there.

CARA jerks her hand out of his and takes back the salt shaker. She pours salt on the back of her hand. She licks the salt off of her hand and throws back the contents of her glass and picks up a lemon wedge and proceeds to suck on it. She removes the wedge from her mouth and sets it on the bar napkin.

Duncan takes the bottle away from her.

CARA turns and glares at him.

[CARA] I don't recall anything in our wedding vows that said you get to do that. You're my husband. Not my warden

CARA snatches the bottle back.

[Duncan] Cara, your upset about something. Is it because I stayed and talked to Amanda? By the way, she did say she would help.

Lilith Ignoring that familiar buzz she enters Joe's anyway. A glance to the couple sitting at the bar and her empty hands were shown in a gesture of 'I'm not here to fight'.

Lilith takes a seat at the far end of the bar and waits for Joe's attention.

Duncan looks over to the Immortal that just walked in and then returns his gaze to his wife.

[CARA] Come on, Mac. Get real. When have I ever been the jealous female?

JOE sees the looks exchanged when the new woman enters the bar and figures her to be an Immortal. When she sits down at the bar he approaches her.

[JOE] Can I help you?

JOE says with a welcoming smile.

[Lilith] just a beer, please?

[JOE] Tap? Or bottle?

Duncan sighs. "Then what's wrong? And don't say nothing, because I know that's not true,"

[Lilith] what do you have on tap Joe?

JOE wonders how she knew who he was. His curiosity is peaked.

Lilith offers a big smile.

[JOE] It's imported.

JOE answers her and moves down to the tapper to pour her a glass of beer.

Lilith a nod of thanks

JOE sets the glass of beer in front of her. he's still keeping a close watch on Mac and CJ.

[CARA] What's wrong? Oh...I don't know...Could be the fact that I may lose every memory I've ever had...or the fact that my head may explode at anytime....or..hey...how about the fact that I could fall on the floor and flop around like a fish out of water and embarrass myself?

[Lilith] Thank You Joe

CARA refills her glass.

Duncan shakes his head a bit. "Cara, drinking isn't going to help matters any." He grabs the bottle again and puts back behind the bar.

[CARA] Damn it Duncan.

CARA turns her back to him so he can't see the tears in her eyes. She downs the contents of her glass without the salt or the lemon.

Lilith sits quietly watching the couple, glancing to Joe from time to time.

JOE picks up a bar towel and begins drying glasses. He leans against the corner of the bar as he makes it look like he's busy working.

[JOE] You're new in town, aren't you?

JOE asks the woman.

[Lilith] a little, yes. I'm teaching at the college.

CARA reaches over the bar for the bottle of tequila again

[JOE] Let me guess....a history teacher.

Duncan takes the bottle out of her hand. "Cara, no more."

[CARA] Duncan....

Lilith laughs and nods

CARA shakes her head.

[Lilith] you've been watching.

JOE freezes on the spot and stares at her.

[JOE] Watching what? The history channel?

JOE mentally smacks himself for that lame comeback.

[CARA] I think under the circumstances I'm perfectly entitled. After all...it may be the last time I ever get to taste good tequila. Besides....what's the harm? It's not like it'll kill me or anything.

Lilith stares evenly at him, then shrugs.

Duncan places a hand over hers His tone is gentle and soft. "Drinking isn't going to help. Talk to me, sweetheart."

JOE puts down his towel and the glass he was drying and steps closer. Speaking softly he say, "Okay....so you know. How about a little quid pro quo?"

Lilith gives a nod and smile. "its only fair, ask away"

[CARA] About what? We both know what's going on. And we both know what will probably happen. What good will it do to talk it to death?

JOE grins his winning grin and says, "well for starters....who are you?"

[Lilith] currently.. Lilith Bruce.

Lilith loved giving as little info as possible, if he wants answers he would have to ask a lot of questions.

[Duncan] It's not set in stone what will happen. We have Amanda's help. Now, we need a plan.

[JOE] Lilith Bruce.

JOE extends his hand for her to shake and says, "It's a pleasure to meet you Lilith Bruce. I'm Joe Dawson. Which you already seem to know."

Lilith takes his hand and gives it a firm shake. "it is nice to meet you Joe Dawson."

[CARA] A plan? You want a plan? Okay...how about this? You give me that bottle of tequila back and I wont take that bottle of bourbon and crack you upside the head with it? How's that for a plan?

Lilith is startled by the woman's threatening the man and she glances over with a surprised expression

Duncan takes a deep breath. Cara was really starting to push his buttons. "How about you stop being sarcastic and start dealing with this? This isn't easy for me either."

JOE sees Lilith's reaction and chuckles.

[JOE] Don't mind them. He's a Scot and she's Irish and they're married.

Lilith looks at Joe. "ahh, love.."

[JOE] Refill?

[Lilith] yes please.

[CARA] And by all means....let's be sure to accommodate the boy scout. He's the only one that matters. He's the only one with feelings.

JOE takes her empty glass and drops it in the sink, takes down a clean one and fills it from the tapper and sets it back in front of her. He reaches down the bar and retrieves a bowl of peanuts and slide it to her.

[JOE] By the way...the entertainment is free on Tuesdays.

JOE snickers.

CARA reaches for the bottle of tequila again.

Duncan grits his teeth. "Dammit, Cara!" He keeps a hold of the bottle.

[Lilith] thats good to know, I'd hate to think I had to pay to watch such hostility

[JOE] Did I mention that he's a Scot and she's Irish? This isn't hostile. Hostile is when she starts throwing things.

JOE chuckles.

[Lilith] which I assume will be very soon from the looks of things.

JOE shakes his head.

[JOE] No. Her face isn't red yet. And his jaw isn't set.

[Lilith] ahh, well, now I know what to look for. thanks for the heads up. But isn't it against the rules for you to give me an edge?

Lilith says teasingly

[JOE] Don't worry. I'll tell you when to duck.

[Lilith] thanks

[Duncan] I care about how you feel too, but drinking isn't going to help you right now.

[JOE] There's a difference between giving an edge and providing a common courtesy If you get knocked out...you can't spend your hard earned money drinking my booze.

JOE winks at her.

Lilith laughs "how right you are how about one more?

[CARA] Alright Mr. Know it all....and just what will help me? What is going to help me hang on to memories that are precious to me? What's going to help me keep from having a brain blow out? Got an answer for that? Huh? No. I didn't think so.

[JOE] Sure thing. And this one's on the house.

JOE refills her glass.

[Lilith] well Thank You very much Joe. so have you any more questions?

[JOE] Yeah. As a matter of fact I do.

[Lilith] ask away.

[JOE] What's a nice lady like you doing in this part of town....and in my bar?

Duncan sets his jaw. "Fine, Cara...fine!" He pushes the bottle of tequila at her and then gets up and leaves.

[JOE] Alone?

[Lilith] making up for all the times I ditched my watcher, and hoping to find a few sane friends.

JOE can't help but laugh.

Duncan lets the door slam behind him.

[JOE] You were looking for sanity and you came in here? Boy....did you take a wrong turn.

JOE laughs heartily.

CARA picks up the bottle of tequila and poses herself to throw it at the door.

Lilith glances to Duncan as he storms out then back to Joe.

[JOE] You may want to duck now.

[Lilith] I think you might want to stop her Joe.

JOE chuckles.

Lilith takes cover. She says looking at Joe once more. "whats the trouble with her anyway?

CARA holds the bottle in the air for a few minutes. Then, as tears form in her eyes, she lowers her hand and the bottle, gets up, picks up her glass and carries both up the stairs to the "balcony" and sits at a table in a dark corner.

JOE 's expression turns serious and is mixed with genuine concern.

[Lilith] maybe you should go talk to her. I'll go talk to Duncan.

Duncan paces outside. He is frustrated beyond belief. He was worried about Cara. She obviously seemed to care less that he was worried. He had a feeling Cara was trying to push him away. He just didn't understand why. Did she think it would hurt less if she left him now instead of losing her memory?If she did think that, then she was very wrong in the assumption. He takes a few deep breaths trying to get himself under control.

[JOE] To be honest? I haven't a clue. They're good friends of mine but they've been out of town for several months. Whatever it is...it's serious. And not good.

[Lilith] Go talk to her..

Lilith stands and moves out the door glancing for Duncan.

JOE stands behind the bar and looks up at the top level of empty tables. He can barely make CJ out in the darkness. But he can definitely hear her muffled sobs.

Duncan stops pacing as he sees the newcomer. He plastered a smile on his face that didn't reach his eyes.

[Lilith] You know... as long as the watchers have watched us, and as much as they think they know us... they never really do until they become something more then our watchers. Joe in there... you wont find another like him the rest of your long life, You would be wise to seek his advice.

JOE wonders if she would welcome his interference For as long as he's known her...she has always been the kind of person who hid her emotions. She might not want to share them to anyone right now. If she was hiding them from MacLeod...chances were that she would definitely hide them from him.

Duncan quirks a brow at her. "I'm Duncan MacLeod." He was a bit taken back by the comment she had just said. He didn't even know this woman.

JOE makes the decision to stay away. If she needs or wants to share with him....and she's always known that she could....she'll come to him. But it isn't an easy decision to make because hearing her sadness...breaks his heart.

Lilith nods at him knowingly "I am Lilith Pandora Romulus. Forgive a stranger for interfering, it was just some friendly advice."

Duncan gives her a more genuine smile. "I apologize for my wife and I. We didn't mean to disturb your evening."

Lilith laughs "I spend all day trying to teach history to a bunch of overgrown teenagers, if I'm not disturbed by now, I doubt you or your wife could do so."

Duncan chuckles a bit. "I've tried that too. It isn't as easy as it looks." He glances toward the door, then looks back at Lilith. "It's nice meeting you. I hope to see you around, but right now I need to go see my wife."

Lilith nods moving to open the door for him and let him in following to retake her seat at the bar. Seeing Joe there she gives a questioning glance. "Afraid she'll take your head off?"

Duncan looks at the bar and sees no Cara. He looks over at Joe. "Where is she?"

[JOE] Upstairs.

Lilith watches silently "If there is anything I can do to help.. let me know."

Duncan goes up the stairs and looks around. It was rather on the dark side up here. As his eyes adjust, he sees her sitting in the corner. He takes a seat across from her. He talks quietly. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I didn't mean to get so upset. I'm just worried about you."

[CARA] Whatever.

CARA says with a wave of her hand.

Duncan sighs and says, “Sweetheart can we please take this discussion somewhere less public?”

[CARA] Like where, exactly?

Duncan reaches over and takes her hand and says lovingly, “we'll get a room at the Marriott. Just please.....” He looks into her eyes with what he thinks is love, unaware that his fear is showing through.

CARA looks up and for the first time since he came into Joe's, really sees him.

Duncan feels like walls seemed to be closing in on him.

CARA feels his grip on her hand tighten and just as she's about to slip out of his grasp she feels the hand that's holding hers begin trembling. She looks back at him and sees an unexplainable expression on his face...one she has never seen before.

Duncan looks at her pleadingly then says, “If you won't come then I'll leave by myself.” He gets to his feet. Suddenly he feels as if had been drinking. The room isn't exactly spinning but close to it. He sways a little and grabs the back of the chair he was sitting in for support.

CARA reaches up and places her hand on his arm. As she gets to her feet she says, “hang on....I'm coming.”

Duncan puts his arm around her shoulders and leads her out the door of the upper level of Joe's and then down the outside stairs. His hand is shaking as he tries to unlock the car door and he ends up dropping the keys.

CARA picks the keys up from the ground and unlocks the door. The alcohol induced buzz she had had a few minutes ago is gone. She is perfectly sober now. “Are you alright to drive?” She asks Duncan.

Duncan nods and goes around to the drivers side.

CARA reaches across the drivers seat and unlocks his door from the inside. When he gets in she places her hand on his shoulder where she keeps it during the drive to the Marriott.

Duncan calms down during the drive. He registers them and leads Cara upstairs to their suite. He lays down on the bed and takes her in his arms and holds her afraid to let go until they both fall asleep.

[cj]

****The part of Duncan MacLeod is temporarily being understudied****

Nick walks into the living room with the floor plans the woman running from Horton had drawn of the laboratory level in the castle.

Nick spreads it out on the dining room table and weights it down with the salt & peeper shakers and the sugar bowl.

CARA moves up to the table and stands on Nick's left She leans down and peers at the rough sketch, trying to remember what she can of her time there.

Amanda crosses the room and stops at the table, an expression of concentration is on her face as she scans the plans. "We're lucky she talked," Amanda speaks up after a few seconds.

[Nick] She said this is to the best of her knowledge as they didn't allow the lab people to venture farther than a floor above and a floor below.

[CARA] Where's the elevator?

CARA asks squinting at the drawing.

Nick points at a dark line on top of the thinner one that represented the wall.

CARA moves around the table so that she is standing at the elevator. She closes her eyes for a few minutes then looks back at the drawing. She uses her finger to trace a route from the elevator, along the hallway to the left of the elevator and then she stops.

[CARA] There should be a door to a room right here.

CARA says pointing to a specific spot.

Nick takes a mechanical pencil out of his shirt pocket and hands it to her.

CARA draws in a door where there wasn't one.

MAC moves in behind Cara and puts his hands on her shoulders while he peers over at the floor plans.

[MAC] What is that room, sweetheart? Why do you remember it so well?

CARA keeps from looking anyone in the eyes as she says softly, "It's where they had me restrained to a gurney...or table...or something and gave me the first 2 doses.

MAC was immediately sorry he'd asked.

CARA moved her finger back and just to the right of the elevator. She examined each of the labs Nick's client had detailed.

CARA tapped her finger on the one farthest down the hallway to the right of the elevator.

[CARA] This is the clean room. I'm almost positive.

CARA glances back at Amanda who has been uncharacteristically quite and hasn't even stepped up to the table.

CARA stands up straight and turns looking her friend dead in the eyes and places her hands on her hips and scowls.

CARA lifts the page they are on and glances at the four others underneath it.

[CARA] What are these supposed to be of?

CARA asks Nick.

[Nick] This one is the first floor.

Nick says lifting the one they had just seen all the way off of the one they're looking at now.

[Nick] This is the front entrance. This is the side entrance, which actually leads from the driveway down to the basement then up to the main floor.

[Nick] And this is the only other access door from the outside on that floor.

Nick glances up at Amanda.

[Nick] I figure you're going to veto each of those. They're too visible.

Nick says to her.

CARA lifts Nick's hand so she can get a look at the next floor plan.

Amanda nods, a flicker of "you think?" appearing on her face.
Nick smiles at her and winks.

[CARA] This is the sub-basement.

CARA announces matter of factly.

[CARA] It's where I was when you rescued me.

[MAC] We got in through a set of tunnels or drainage pipes....somewhere along this wall.

MAC points in the general vicinity and looks to Amanda for verification

Amanda nods. "It is," she adds.

[Nick] She didn't know anything about the sub-basement.

Nick says.

[Nick] There's only one other undetectable way in this fortress.

Nick glances at Amanda, reaches over and gently takes her upper arm and pulls her closer to him and points at a spot on the page he's just uncovered that was on the bottom of the stack.

[MAC] That looks like a window.

CARA suddenly freezes up and holds her breath as she stares at the spot Nick is pointing to.

Amanda turns to CJ, "You know where this leads?" she inquires

[CARA] It is a window. And a very small one. About 19" in diameter.

[CARA] The only thing outside that window is a couple of electrical wires and a phone line.

CARA glances up at Amanda and sees the curious look on her face and knows that Nick and Duncan probably have the same look on their faces. So to beat the questions they were about to ask she says, "It's the room where they kept me. My "quarters" so to speak.

CARA points to the very small room next to the one she slept in.

[CARA] This is a supply room, I think. I could always hear what sounded like metal mop buckets being moved around in it at night.

CARA points to the four rooms across the hall and the other two on the same side as the one she had been in.

[CARA] I couldn't tell you what these rooms were. I never saw anyone go in or out of them.

CARA looks at the opposite end of the hallway and points to a spot on the opposite wall that her room was on and close to the hall's dead end.

[CARA] That's where the elevator should be. I remember we walked the full length of the hall when they would take me out of my room to take me downstairs.

CARA straightens up and looks at Amanda.

[CARA] Nick's right. It's either the tunnels or the window. In my opinion...the window is even less visible than the tunnels

[MAC] Why's that?

[CARA] Because the wires that are connected and anchored about 4" under the window go all the way across the small stream or mote or whatever it is that surrounds the place. They are then anchored to a steel stanchion about 10' from the water's edge.

[MAC] The mote did give us some problems when we accessed the tunnels. Remember?

MAC asks Amanda.

[Amanda] Yeah. The window is our best bet.

[CARA] The only thing will be getting past anyone standing guard.

CARA points to a small "alcove" midway down the hall.

[CARA] If they are still using this floor to house their subjects...there will be one or 2 big brutish guys in white scrubs that hang out here. It's kinda like a nurses station but without nurses.

[MAC] I don't see any stairs on these sketches. Is the elevator the only way to travel from floor to floor?

[Nick] I'm afraid so.

Nick nodded.

[Nick] At least as far as the upper floors are concerned. My lady said there was a narrow rock stairway that went from the first floor to the sub-basement but it had been condemned a very long time ago and no one ever used it.

Nick unrolls another set of papers. This is a more detailed schematic of what appeared to be wiring harnesses.

Nick scooted the schematic in front of Amanda.

[Nick] This is your area of expertise my dear.

[Nick] It's the alarm system for the floor the labs are on....and this....

Nick unrolls another extremely detailed schematic.

[Nick] Is the alarms in the clean room.

CARA 's hand goes to the side of her head without realizing it and her brow furrows as she squints to try and focus her vision.

Amanda opened her mouth to speak, but only gets so far as to say, "I--" before she cuts herself off and studies CJ. "Maybe you should lie down," Amanda suggests worriedly.

MAC notices Cara's action immediately and places his hand under her chin, turning her head so that he can see the side of it in the sunlight coming through the sliding glass door.

[MAC] Sweetheart?

CARA shakes her head and says, "I'm fine. Go on Mand. What were you going to say?"

MAC gently brushes a few strands of hair from above her ear so that Amanda can see the small circle of discoloration as if a bruise is forming.

Amanda frowns, "You're not fine," she contradicts.

[CARA] Look, guys....I appreciate you all worrying about me, but it really doesn't matter if I am or not. We've got a job to do. Now let's get back to it.

[CARA] Please, Mand? Say what you were going to say about the clean room alarm system.

[MAC] I really think you should lie down, sweetheart.

CARA frowns up at Duncan.

Amanda narrows her eyes at CJ, evidently not pleased with her friends brushing off their concern.

[CARA] I'm fine.

A familiar buzz would bring them all from their contemplations and current worries for a moment as another immortal moved near enough to sense Then came the knock at the door*

[Nick] Are we expecting anyone?

CARA suddenly remembers she had invited someone to join them and steps toward the door.

[CARA] Actually...yes. I am. I'll get it.

CARA goes to the door and opens it.

Lillith stands just outside the door, dressed in a woman's business suit, skirt, blouse, jacket heels, and in hand a briefcase Sapphire eyes made contact with CJ's as the door opened.

MAC leans closer to Amanda.

[Lillith] Am i late?

[MAC] She can't push herself like this. She end up having another seizure and speeding up the aneurysm progress. She won't listen to me. maybe she'll listen to you.

[CARA] No. Come on in.

Amanda nods, speaking in a low tone to Mac as she studies the newcomer. "I'll talk to her."

CARA steps aside so that Lillith can walk past her into the condo.

Lillith steps in and off to the side her dark gaze turning to the others gathered there*

[Lillith] Good day.

CARA leads Lillith into the dining area.

[CARA] everyone...this is Lillith. Lillith this is Amanda, Nick and my husband, Duncan.

MAC smiles sheepishly and says softly, "we've met."

[Nick] Nice to meet you Lillith.

Lillith offers a nod* it is a pleasure to meet you all *Her expression and movements detached and calm*

[CARA] Lillith has extensive experience as a chemist's assistant as well as spent a lot of time in Germany.

Lillith *another nod given*

[Amanda] That'll come in handy.

[CARA] We met at Joe's a few nights ago and she offered her services. I thought....since we no longer have access to a lab like we did when Craig was alive....well....you see where I'm going...right?

[Nick] Can I get you something to drink, Lillith? Soda? Beer? Tea? Coffee?

[Lillith] Tea would be nice, thank you

[CARA] We were just going over some floor plans of the castle where the lab is that is making the drug that wipes a person's memories out and makes it possible for new ones to be implanted.

Lillith seemed to remain silent and standoffish at the moment, perhaps there was reason. Given her attire there were not a whole lot of places where her weapon could be hidden.

Nick moves into the kitchen as he calls back, "anyone else want something while I'm in here?"

[CARA] In fact...Mand was just getting ready to explain this fancy alarm system they have in the clean room and how we're going to get around it. Weren't you, Mand?

[MAC] Tea's fine for me, too, Nick. Thanks.

Lillith takes a seat setting her briefcase beside her chair as she watches and listens to them all.

Amanda studies the schematics in front of her, offering a nod at CJ's comment. Her expression is thoughtful, there can be no room for error. "Is the floor pressure sensitive, too?"

MAC fishes a piece of notebook paper out of his jacket pocket, unfolds it and slides it in front of Lilith

[Nick] Yes, babe very pressure sensitive.

Lillith glancing down at the paper to studied it for a moment before her sapphire gaze moved to CJ

Nick calls out from the kitchen.

[Lillith] Cara, when you have a moment there are questions I will need to ask you

MAC leans over to Lillith and points to two of the ingredients.

Lillith looked where he pointed nodding an affirmative

[MAC] These top two are the main ingredients in the drug sample we are trying to retrieve. There's more in it but without a sample we haven't a clue what they are.

MAC explains.

[Lillith] several of these ingredients are common in many of todays herbal remedies. any intake of even one of these could have set off Cara's trouble.

[MAC] The Pentathol and the Kwanlo root....and God knows what else. The rest along with the root are ingredients of an herbal medication prescribed by some Chinese herbalist here in Seacouver.

[MAC] And by taking that...the remnants of the other two have been reactivated somehow.

[MAC] Have you ever heard of Kwanlo Root?

Amanda "The only way we're going to get into that room without being discovered is by using the hoist," But there is a tiny trace of doubt in her voice that could be missed if one isn't listening close enough. Though CJ would never admit it; Amanda wasn't sure everything will work out perfectly if her friend doesn't start resting up pronto. Something could go wrong.

Lillith looks to Cara you must stop taking whatever you might be currently taking. I can try and create something to give you temporary relief, but it is exactly that.. temporary.

[CARA] I already have. But I had been taking it for 6 months so it will take some time to get out of my system. Unfortunately something in the other drug....something we don't know about...is the kind of stuff that attaches itself to certain receptor cells and becomes part of them so the body doesn't reject it. That's what got activated.

[Lillith] well there are two ways to get it out of your system fast.

Nick brings Lillith and Duncan's tea in and sets it on the table in front of them. Then he eases up to Amanda and stand next to her, his arm around her.

[MAC] What's that?

[Lillith] death, or a very large dose of adrenaline. of course that could put you into cardiac arrest which may speed up the aneurysm process.

CARA is listening to Lillith as she scans the floor plans again.

[Lillith] It would seem the safest course of action would be for temporary relief while the sample is acquired and a antidote made.

[MAC] We've already been through that. Apparently..until an antidote of some kind is found, she's just going to go through it over and over again until....

MAC 's voice trails off.

[CARA] Until someone takes my head or I go mad.

CARA finishes his sentence for him without looking up from the floor plans.

Lillith nods a thanks to Nick then picks up her tea sipping it while thinking.

[Lillith] Cara have you had any quickening since the drug was administered to you?

[CARA] And by then it won't really matter because i will have forgotten everything and everyone who means anything to me.

[CARA] Yes. One. Why?

Lillith nods* just a thought

CARA glances at Amanda wondering where this was going.

[MAC] Do you think that could have in somehow helped activate whatever is inside her?

CARA straightens up and looks up at Duncan.

[Lillith] No Duncan, you did not cause this

[Lillith] Cara what is your blood type?

Lillith seemed to let her mind wander in a multitude of directions at once.

[CARA] It makes perfect sense, honey.

CARA says to Duncan.

Lillith set that tea cup aside* Cara?

[CARA] The adrenalin charges and all that our bodies go through during a Quickening....It'd be like sticking your finger in a light socket.

Lillith sighs glancing to Amanda and Nick[/i]

[CARA] And considering what they planned on using a reprogrammed Immortal for...there would be a lot of Quickenings to keep the drug active.

[CARA] Plus there would have been the monthly of bi monthly injections.

Lillith nods agreeing with Cara's hypothesis.

MAC takes a deep breath and looks up at the ceiling trying to remain calm...when all he really wanted to do was get his hands on Kiem Sun.

[Lillith] Cara?

CARA looks up from the floor plans and makes eye contact with Lillith.

[CARA] Yes?

[Lillith] Your blood type?

[CARA] Oh.

[Lillith] O?

CARA giggles, embarrassed that the question had almost slipped her mind.

[Lillith] positive or negative?

[CARA] I think I'm A+. Do we have RH factors?

CARA says teasingly.

Lillith offered an amused smirk* no

[Lillith] i hope you aren't afraid of needles.

[Lillith] who is going to get the sample?

[CARA] Well....I didn't used to be until last May. I was an Army Surgical Nurse during WW I & II.

[Lillith] well you'll have to get over your fear, we are going to do a blood transfusion. Now who is going to get the sample of the drug?

[CARA] Amanda and I.

[CARA] Speaking of which....

Lillith sighed deeply.* very well then, lets get this transfusion done. It will give you some time. and you can't risk have a fit while trying to steal something.

CARA said trying to get back to the subject of the alarm.

[Lillith] you can talk during the transfusion if you like.

[CARA] Okay. But give me a few minutes while Amanda and I discuss this alarm system.

CARA is starting to feel frustrated by everyone hovering over her. Feeling smothered.

Lillith nods* I'll go set things up. We need a quiet place where we can both be comfortable. Duncan? Nick? care to help me set up?

[MAC] Come on, baby. You heard her....you can talk while.....

Lillith thought Cara and Amanda would need some space and time.

[CARA] Come on....are you serious? What if our blood isn't compatible? It could make things worse.

MAC looks at Lillith.

[MAC] Is that a possibility?

Lillith shook her head.* No my blood type is universally compatible

MAC looks deep into Lillith's eyes. His instincts told him to trust her...but the little skeptical voice that had remained after his Dark Quickening shouted the opposite.

[MAC] Well....if you're absolutely positive there would be no risk to Cara at all....

Lillith stood and moved to stare Duncan in the eyes. She held her own darkness within but it was evident she was in control of herself.* I came with no weapon as a show of faith. If Cara is harmed or dies, I am at your mercy.
Lillith apparently was very confident, and honor bound to her word.

[MAC] That goes without saying.

MAC said but not with a threatening voice....just very matter of factly.

Lillith remained silent, but still there was that darkness in her eyes* Shall we go set this up now?

[CARA] Go on, babe.

CARA encourages Duncan to go with Nick and Lillith
Lillith lifted her briefcase and waited to be lead by Duncan and Nick to a comfortable place for the transfusion to be done.

Nick leads Lillith down the hall and into the master bedroom.

MAC follows behind Lillith, reluctantly.

Lillith once there set her briefcase on the nightstand and opened it taking out the IV needles and tubing and other items needed for the process* Either of you going to pass out at the sight of blood? *she teased*

[CARA] Let's get back to work.

CARA she says.

[Nick] Okay... I gotta ask. You just carry transfusion equipment around in your brief case?*

Nick says to Lillith as he watches her remove everything.

Lillith shook her head* No, when I spoke with Cara the other night I had hundreds of ideas that might help. A transfusion was one that seemed most likely, so I brought what I knew I would need.

[MAC] How much did she tell you?

[Lillith] More then you would like me to know I am sure

continued on page 2

[cj]

Amanda turns to look at CJ, though the question was probably a waste of breath, she questions anyway. "Are you okay to do this?"

[CARA] If I remember correctly...and I hope to god I do....the ceilings do have rafters but they aren't the big thick kind.

CARA answers her question by diving right back in.

[CARA] How much do you weigh now that you have been living the quiet life of Suzy Homemaker?

CARA asks Amanda with a mischievious grin.

[MAC] Did she tell you what we learned from a taped interview with one of their employees?

MAC asks Lillith.

Amanda gives her a playful nudge at the comment, "I have not been playing Suzy homemaker," she retorts before answering the question. "And around 135."

[Lillith] A little bit, she was rather drunk, why don't you tell me.

Nick proceeds to close the drapes over the sliding glass door in the master bedroom.

Lillith stares evenly at Duncan as she removes her blazer and hangs it nearly over the end of the bed, then proceeds to roll up the sleeves of her blouse.* Tell me what you learned from the tape.

CARA grabs Amanda's left hand and lifts it so that the sun glints off of her engagement ring.

[CARA] Yeah...right. Then what's this?

[MAC] Well....first off, you should know who these people are.

MAC begins to explain.

[Lillith] and they are?

Amanda gives a smirk, and rolls her eyes. "This doesn't mean I'm going to turn into some kind of -- Stepford wife," she retorts. "It'll never happen."

[MAC] Several years ago there were a renegade group of Watchers that wanted to eliminate all Immortals. they saw us as threats. This group is led by the illegitimate son of the man who led that group.

[CARA] Oh....you don't need to convince me of that, girlfriend.

CARA laughs.

[CARA] Anyway....so I weigh less than you. I should be the one in the harness.

[MAC] It seems, however, that he has some very different ideas about how Immortals should be eliminated.

[MAC] It seems that he has enlisted the aid of a Chinese herbologist who has spent centuries trying to perfect a mind control drug using Kwanlo Root as its main ingredient.

[Amanda] No arguments from me. I know you can't possibly be strong enough to handle my weight.

Amanda teases.

Lillith nodded as she sat there listening. Pushing her shoes off with her toes she pushed them under the edge of the bed. Boy she was glad to get those heels off.*

[MAC] He has the idea that with the drug they have invented....the root and the Pentathol and whatever else....to wipe their subject...an immortal....wipe their memories clean and "reprogram" them with all new ones and program them to be their terminators.

[Nick] According to the tape...they have only had one...maybe two successful reprogrammings.

Nick added seeing how much Duncan hated talking about the subject.

CARA discovers a piece of paper clipped to the edge of the floor plan for the lab. She removes it and reads it over.

[Nick] But that was out of 50 or 60 attempts. The other subjects either became living vegetables or had to be terminated

[CARA] According to this....the lab will only be empty for a period of 15 minutes during the evening shift change.

CARA hands the slip of paper to Amanda.

[Lillith] It is unfortunate that all of it happened. But if it is any consolation to you... There are other chemists who have worked with immortals trying to find cures to all sorts of diseases.

[CARA] That doesn't give us much time.

Lillith seemed to be holding back something else however.

[Nick] We thought we had stopped these fruit cakes once. After they killed a good friend of ours and put CJ through pure hell. Unfortunately.,...this Horton guy doesn't have enough sense to die.

[Lillith] Something that will be remedied shortly I assume.

[Amanda] Not much, but it should be enough.

[MAC] If we hadn't gotten Cara out of there when we did, she would have ended up being one of their success stories. According to the tape, they don't waste the drug on anyone It won't be administered until they are absolutely positive they have a good subject.

[Lillith] What were the criteria?

CARA walks over to the sliding glass door and looks out at the ocean. She chews on her lower lip as she thinks for a few minutes.

[MAC] Stamina, healing time, revival time.....pain threshold....I don't know for sure what else.

MAC feels slightly sick to his stomach at the though of what Cara had endured.

[CARA] I would estimate that the lines between the stanchion and the castle are....maybe.....35...40 feet.

Lillith saw the look on Duncan's face* it will all be over soon. You should accept by now that part of our lives are destined to be more horrible then thought.

[CARA] There's only one problem, Mand

[MAC] Look...Lillith....I know all of that garbage. And it means squat right now because this is my wife we're talking about. The woman I love more than life itself.

Amanda moves away from the table to stand beside CJ, "What's that?"

CARA looks at Amanda over her shoulder and wrinkles her nose.

[CARA] I'm not a high wire walker.

[CARA] I'm afraid of heights remember?

[Lillith] "If a problem is fixable, if a situation is such that you can do something about it, then there is no need to worry. If it's not fixable, then there is no help in worrying"

[CARA] So how will I get across the damn mote?

Lillith offered a quote from an old friend with a smile

MAC face begins to redden and his hands clench into fists which he shoves in his pants pockets.

Nick sees Duncan's reaction and speaks up.

[Nick] You've never been married, have you, Lillith? Never been truly in love with every part of your being.

Lillith looked at Nick.* Do I seem so shallow to you?

[MAC] Excuse me a moment.

Lillith looks art Duncan* My words were meant to ease you, not upset you. I apologize

Amanda crosses her arms and leans against the door frame, unbothered by the apparent new predicament. "Now, I wonder where we can find a high wire walker on such short notice."

MAC says softly and turns and leaves the room. In the hallway he leans against the wall. The drywall feels cool against his hot face. He struggles to keep his emotions under control.

CARA steps back and looks at Amanda with a raised eyebrow.

[CARA] Why do i get the feeling that you already have someone in mind? Hmmmm?

Amanda shrugs innocently, "I have no idea."

Lillith stands and glances to Nick as she steps out of the room and moves back to the dining room where Cara and Amanda are*

[Lillith] are we ready?

CARA is suddenly overcome with a sharp searing pain in her head and she bends over, leaning on the dining table with one hand while the other goes to the pain.

Amanda starts at the abrupt change, and she quickly moves forward, worried that CJ is going to collapse.

Lillith moves forward quickly to support Cara* Duncan! get in here!

MAC straightens up and practically runs into the living room.

[Lillith] Get her to the bed, now

Lillith orders as she moves quickly back to the bedroom to start the process*

MAC scoops Cara into his arms and follows Lillith.

Lillith prepares an IV and bag for draining Cara's blood so the transfusion can stat. tyeing Cara's arm and placing the IV to start the drain. Then she pulls a chair to near the bed where she sits*

MAC lays Cara gently on Nick and Amanda's bed and sits on the edge of the bed next to her, holding her hand with one hand and caressing her forehead with the other.

Lillith ties her own arm then and slips the needle in letting her blood flow through it through the tubing and to the container where it collects before going to Cara. A second IV is placed in Cara's other arm and attached then to the container to start the transfusion process.*

CARA looks up at Duncan. She hates seeing the worry in his eyes and wishes that she had been more successful in keeping this from him....sparing him what she is afraid is only going to get worse.

Lillith glanced at Duncan, Cara, Nick then Amanda* This will only take about a half an hour. Why don't you all get things prepared for the sample.

CARA continues to look at Duncan....trying to memorize every feature of his handsome face in hopes that somehow....some remnant of her memory of him will survive.

MAC says in his matter of fact voice and without taking his eyes off of his wife, "I'm staying right here. I'm not moving."

MAC lifts her hand to his lips and places a soft kiss on her knuckles.

[Lillith] Fine, then you are my helper. When I tell you to turn off the valve on that IV do it.

CARA says to Lillith, also without taking her eyes off of her husband, "I can do that. Surgical nurse....remember?"

Lillith waited about 15 minutes before telling Duncan to shut off the valve on Cara's other IV. By that time she herself was looking rather pale.*

[Lillith] How are you feeling Cara?

CARA turns her head slightly so that she can see both Duncan and Lillith out of her peripheral vision.

[CARA] Shouldn't you be laying down? You're the one giving blood.

Lillith smiled comfortingly* I am not accustomed to sharing a bed with another woman

Lillith teased

CARA reaches up an shuts of the IV.

CARA finally reaches up and touches Duncan's cheek and smiles lovingly.

[CARA] Why don't you go see if Amanda and Nick have any orange juice and if they do bring a glass back to both of us?

CARA winks at Duncan.

[MAC] I....

MAC starts to protest.

CARA smiles bigger.

[CARA] Go on, my love. I'm feeling better. I'll be alright. Go on.

Amanda can be heard moving along the corridor, she's been waiting a short distance outside.

[MAC] You're sure?

[CARA] Yes....I'm sure. Go on.

MAC leans down and places a kiss on Cara's forehead then reluctantly gets up and walks out of the master bedroom.

Amanda steps into the kitchen, and takes out the drinks, ready for Mac to take back when he comes in.

Lillith watched them in silence for a moment before averting her gaze elsewhere. Another 15 minutes and the process was done. IVs were removed from Cara first and bandaids placed on the small marks left. Then she removed her own IV and set everything in her briefcase* How are you feeling now Cara?

MAC makes it a few steps along the hallway before his emotion catch up to him and he stops and leans against the wall, with his face towards it.

CARA nods and gives Lillith a weak smile. "With the exception of a faint and dull throbbing in my head.....like a reminder of what's to come....I guess i feel better. Physically anyway.

CARA places her hand on Lillith's arm.

Lillith nods* Try not to worry it does not help anything.

Lillith looks down at the hand touching her.

[CARA] But don't worry. There's nothing that can be done about my emotional state.

[CARA] Thank you. This is really above and beyond the call.

[Lillith] It was no trouble. Duncan needs you. Go to him.

Lillith offers a smile.

Lillith remained sitting, resting. A sigh given she leaned over resting her elbows on her knees and her face in her hands, as she whispered something to herself*

CARA nods and gets up, being careful not to move too quickly. She goes into the hallway and walks up next to Duncan. She places her hands on his shoulders and turns him toward her as she whispers, "come here, baby. Come here." She wraps her arms around him and holds him tight, one hand caressing his long dark hair and the other gently caressing his back as she whispered words of comfort. "It's okay, my love. It's okay."

MAC clings to Cara his face buried in the crook of her neck.

Nick takes the glass of juice from Amanda.

[Nick] I'll take it in to Lillith.

Nick bends down and kisses Amanda on the tip of her nose and whispers, "You alright, babe?"

Lillith sits silently still in that chair, face in hands, elbows on knees as she lets her mind wander over a thousand different things.*

Amanda nods. "I'm not the one that's in trouble." She reminds him, her gaze flicking toward the bedroom.

Nick nods and silently carries the glass of juice in to Lillith.

Nick As he hands it to her he manages a smile and says, "how are you doing?"

Lillith did not look up at Nick as he entered but she spoke to him* You never answered my question earlier.

Lillith took the glass and sat up looking at Nick then as she sipped the juice.

[Nick] No...in order to be shallow you would have to have experienced what we were talking about and just not cared. It';s not the same as just not ever been deeply in love. Not everyone gets that opportunity. There's no shame in it. It's just the luck of the draw.

[Nick] At least that's how i look at it.

Lillith shrugged*

[Lillith] I have loved more deeply then I ever thought possible.

[Lillith] I loved him so much I walked away and let him have a real life, and children with another woman he fell in love with.

[Nick] Then you should be able to understand what Duncan is going through right now.

Lillith looked up at him a moment then sipped the juice again* thank you for the juice.

Lillith seemed to detach again from the situation at hand. Perhaps it was her way of coping.

[Nick] He's being forced to watch the woman that is his life go through excruciating pain and then die...over and over again. All the while knowing that there's a good chance she will forget him...herself....what they shared. It would be the same as losing her to death. The permanent kind.

[Nick] You just rest here a while. Amanda and i will be out in the kitchen if you need us.

Nick straightens up and leaves the room.

[Lillith] I am aware of that. And despite my visable lack of reaction to the situation, I am quite moved by it all. If I were not I would not be here helping.

Lillith watched him leave and waited a few more minutes before cleaning everything up and putting it all away. Then she made her way out, slowly with one hand touching the wall or a chair on her way.

[cj]

LIAM drops Wyn in front of the dress shop she had given him directions to and says, "So we'll meet at Tony's for lunch?"

Delwyn nods. "Yes, I'll meet you at Tony's." She gives him a kiss. "Don't get into too much trouble." She gives him a smile.

[LIAM] You're more apt to do that than me.

Delwyn looks offended at that, but smirks. "I am not."

LIAM says teasingly and gets back into his car and waves to her then drives away. He is meeting someone on the waterfront with some information for him regarding Horton.

Delwyn waves at him and watches him drive away before she goes into the store. She walks around browsing through a rack here and there.

Delwyn a red dress catches her eye and she pulls it out off of the rack. She sifts through other racks, taking a shirt here and a skirt or pair of pants there.

Delwyn A good hour goes by and she has a few articles of clothing that she will be buying. She pays for the clothing and then goes down a block to a rather expensive shoe store. She spends almost another hour there before she realizes the time. "Dammit..." she curses under breath. She was going to be late and she knew Liam would start worrying. She makes a quick decision on what shoes to buy. Three pairs were enough for now. She could come back later on in the week and take more time. She walks quickly to the cash register and hands the items and a credit card to the woman behind the counter. The woman was pleasant enough, but slow as molasses, asking questions and making small talk that she didn't have time for. As the woman handed back her credit card, she felt the buzz of another Immortal ripple through her. She felt her body tense as she looked toward the windows to see if she could find the source of it. She thanked the woman hastily and grabbed her purchases and walked out the door onto the sidewalk. There was plenty of people around, so she hoped whomever it was wasn't foolish. She knew it couldn't be Liam. Maybe Duncan? She walks down the side walk, still looking for the source. She sees who it is when she looks across the street. There was a man standing in front of a men's suit shop. She made her way across the street. "Seumus?" She pauses in front of the man. It was him, but he looked like he was lost more than anything else.

LIAM takes care of his business and, satisfied with the results of his meeting, drives to the sandwich shop where he is supposed to meet Wyn. He finds a place to park about a half a block away, gets out and walks to the front of the restaurant. He stops in front and turns to look up and down the street for any sign of Wyn.

Seumus watches the woman cross the street and come towards him. She looked familiar, but he struggled to find a name. When she stopped in front of him it clicked. "Wyn? What are you doing here?" His Scottish brogue rather heavy.

Delwyn quirks a brow. "I could ask the same of you." She let her gaze take him in. He looked tired and worn out. "Are you all right? You look like your lost."

Seumus looks down the sidewalk and then back to Wyn. "I am lost. I got turned around, I think." Flashes of she and him were going through his mind. He felt himself calming down. He didn't feel so panicked.

Delwyn hands a bag over to Seumus. "Here, carry this. I'm supposed to be meeting up with a friend and I'm already late. You can join us for lunch."

Seumus takes the back given to him. "Are you sure it'll be all right? I don't want to intrude."

Delwyn gives him a smile. "I'm inviting you, thus you aren't intruding. Come on..." She grabs his free hand and pulls him down the street in the direction of Tony's.

LIAM looks at his watch and begins to pace back and forth in front of the sandwich shop.

Seumus follows her, but eventually walks beside her. As they get closer to the small shop, he feels the buzz once again. He grips her hand tightly, pulling her back a bit.

LIAM feels an immortal buzz and mutters, "finally," and looks around for Wyn.

Delwyn stops and look at Seumus, having felt the buzz as well. "It's all right. It's my friend, Liam. He won't hurt you." She tugs Seumus down the last few doors and to the shop.

LIAM sees Wyn approaching with someone she seems to be literally towing along and he walks toward her.

Seumus follows her, but feels uneasy.

Delwyn gives Liam a smile. "I'm sorry, love. I lost track of time and I ran into an old friend."

Seumus felt a wave of jealousy go through him. She was his once, but that was another time. He had to stay focused. It was hard because he could remember more about Wyn than he did the rest of his own life

Delwyn lets go of Seumus' hand. "Liam, I want you to meet Seumus. He's was once a student of mine." She looks at Seumus, catching a glint of jealousy in his eye, "Seumus, this is Liam."

LIAM looks at the Immortal standing next to her. Liam quickly gives the young man a "once over"...summing him up. He does it so quickly that no one is even aware that he has. (it comes from centuries of experience). He smiles politely at the young man and extends his hand in greeting.

[LIAM] Liam O'Dell.

LIAM says as he waits for Seumus to shake his hand.

Seumus extends his hand and shakes Liam's hand. "Seumus Monro."

Delwyn looked between the two of them and smiled. "Now, that that's over with how about we et something to eat. I'm starving."

[LIAM] With the handle of Seumus I am assuming you are from the Emerald Isle herself?

LIAM says his Irish Brogue very prominent\

[Seumus] No, I'm a Scotsman.

Seumus 's Scottish brogue is quite pronounced as well.

[LIAM] Ahhh. From across the pond are ya? Been away from the Highlands long?

Seumus looks a bit baffled at the question. He could hardly remember when he had been there. He quickly got himself together, "It's been a while since I've seen my homeland."

Delwyn watches the two men, but sees Seumus struggle for a few seconds. She knew something was up. She had never seen him so scatterbrained.

[LIAM] Well....shall we go inside? I'm starving.

Delwyn looks at Liam. "Yes, I'm hungry too." She leads the way into the shop.

LIAM waits for Seumus to follow Wyn then brings up the rear.

Delwyn walks over to an empty booth and takes a seat.

Seumus follows Wyn and takes a seat across from her.

LIAM sits next to her and waves a waitress over.

Delwyn A waitress comes over to the table. "What can I get you all?"

LIAM smiles up at the waitress and says, "I'll have the pastrami on rye and coleslaw. Oh. And a bottle of Guinness if you have it."

Delwyn looks at the waitress, "I'll have a tuna salad sandwich on wheat, no tomatoes, with a salad, and water."

Seumus looks at the waitress and pauses for a moment to think. "I'll have a roast beef sandwich with everything, French fries and any beer you have on tap."

LIAM turns slightly to look at Wyn.

Delwyn The waitress takes off and puts their order in at the kitchen.

[LIAM] So? Did you buy out the store?

Delwyn looks at Liam. She looks insulted, "I didn't have enough time to do that." She flashes him a smile. "Maybe later on in the week I can buy them out."

LIAM chuckles. He then asks, "so what did you get?"

Seumus sits quietly watching the two of them. He could see that look in Wyn's eyes. It was the way she looked at him once. That just made him seethe with jealousy inside.

Delwyn glances over to Seumus and then looks back at Liam. "I got a nice red cocktail dress, a couple of pairs of jeans, a skirt, a couple of tops, and then 3 pairs of shoes."

LIAM uses his index finger in the air as if writing on a blackboard and pretends to tally up her purchases.


[LIAM] Hmmmm. So you should have just enough money left to pay for our lunch.

LIAM says with a mischievous smile.

Delwyn playfully slaps at his hand. "Yeah, I think I can squeeze it in there." She smiles at him.

Delwyn looks at Seumus as she entwines her fingers in Liam's. "So, what are you doing here in Seacouver?"

Seumus had diverted his gaze to another part of the little shop, but quickly brought his attention back to Wyn. "I work with a pharmaceuticals company and they sent me here to talk to some researchers." He let that lie out without a stutter or pause.

Delwyn quirks a brow. "So are you staying in town for long then?"

Seumus shrugs. "I stay for as long as I need to get the job done."

The waitress comes over and drops off the food and drinks and then walks away.

LIAM listens to the conversation although he appears to be directing his attention out the front window of the shop.

LIAM thanks the waitress and begins eating in silence.

[Delwyn] So, where are you living now? Are you still in Germany?

Seumus takes a bite of his sandwich, making sure to swallow before he spoke. "I do still live in Germany. I rather enjoy it there."

LIAM takes a sip of his beer and asks nonchalantly, "Really? what part of Germany?"

Delwyn nods as she takes a bite of her sandwich. The last time they saw each other was in Germany when she was singing for the opera company.

LIAM takes another bite of his sandwich and washes it down with his beer.

Seumus looks over at Liam. "I live in a town called Otterburg. It's not too far from Hamburg." He picks up his glass of beer and takes a sip.

[Delwyn] So, you got bored with Berlin or something? I know you enjoyed it there.

[LIAM] Otterburg? Never heard of it. Heard of Hamburg but not Otterburg. It sounds like one of those quaint little villages.

Delwyn looks at Seumus questioningly.

LIAM says nonchalantly and takes a bite of his sandwich.

Seumus looks at Wyn. "I just wanted a calmer area to live in." He then looks over to Liam. "It's not quite a quaint village, more like a quiet town."

Seumus takes a bite of his sandwich.

Delwyn shrugs a bit. "I just thought you liked the craziness of the city. I know you never turned down an invitation to any party."

[LIAM] I have actually only been to Germany one time and that was somewhere in the northern part....and it was so long ago i can't even remember the name. All I do remember was that it was colder than I liked.

LIAM says sounding casual.

Delwyn is a bit worried about Seumus. This didn't sound quite like him. Maybe there was more to his story. She takes a bite of salad, watching Seumus as she does so.

Seumus smiles a bit. "Aye, it can get rather cold there, but it does remind me a bit of the winters in the Highlands."

LIAM takes his hand and slips it down under the table and sets it on Wyn's knee to tell her to relax.

LIAM takes a bite of his coleslaw and a sip of beer and asks, "So what did you do in Otterburg for excitement?"

Delwyn glances over at Liam, before returning her gaze to Seumus.

Seumus grabs a couple of French fries and dips them into some ketchup. "There's a few pubs I visit and talk with friends and there is always the movie theater to help entertain."

Seumus eats the French fries. He takes a couple more bites of his sandwich.

Delwyn finishes half of the sandwich and most of the salad before pushing it aside. She knows something isn't right, but she can't put her finger on it.

[LIAM] Sounds thrilling. Sorry. I'm just more of a bright lights city kind of guy.

LIAM lies.

[LIAM] How long have you lived there?

Seumus can feel Wyn's eyes on him. "Over a year now."

[LIAM] And the pharmaceuticals company you work for is out of this small town?

Delwyn sits back in her seat, angling herself so she can watch both men. She knows Liam doesn't like large cities, so why was he lying? Did Liam feel threatened by Seumus?

[Seumus] It's based out of Hamburg, but there is an office in Otterburg that employees part of the town.

[LIAM] Sounds like it is the towns folk's means of support.

LIAM looks over at Wyn and says, "Like a lot of the mining communities here in the states."

[LIAM] Without the jobs that a big company in these small towns provides the town would wither and die.

Seumus nods.

Seumus finishes his sandwich and begins working on the fries on his plate.

[LIAM] So are you a salesman for this company?

Seumus takes a sip of beer and looks at Liam once again. "In a way. I present to researchers and get their feedback on the drugs." That came out rather well for a lie. At least, he was clear headed enough to be able to answer such questions.

[LIAM] That sounds kind of interesting.

LIAM finishes his sandwich and beer and wave for the waitress.

[LIAM] I'll bet you miss the Highlands, though.

A waitress nearby comes over to the table.

[LIAM] I'll take another Guinness, please.

LIAM says to the waitress as he hands her his empty plate.

Seumus used the time it took to eat the rest of his fries to think. Did he? He really couldn't remember. He didn't even remember the city he was raised in. "I do at times."

Delwyn The waitress picks up the emptied plates and walks off to get a Guinness

Seumus finishes his beer and looks at Wyn. "Enough about me, what have you been doing with yourself?"

The waitress returns with Guinness and places it on the table next to Liam and then quickly walks away to tend to another customer.

[Delwyn] You mean after I left Berlin and the opera company?

Delwyn gives a bit of a shrug. "I went to Austria, Los Angeles and Paris to do some more work and then came here to relax."

LIAM sits back, his beer in one hand and lets Wyn and Seumus reminisce for awhile as he watches Seumus out of the corner of his eye.

LIAM waits for a lull in the conversation to pose his next question.

Seumus leans forward a bit, rests his forearms on the table and then folding his hands. "Sounds like a full schedule." He gives her a teasing smile. "You were always the workaholic type."

Delwyn A corner of her mouth turns up at that. "Yeah, well...I'm learning to relax, after all these years."

Seumus glances over to Liam, knowing he's helping her learn that. That just him even more jealous. What exactly did she see in this Irishman? But that didn't really matter. He was here to get a job done.

LIAM takes a long drink of his beer and sets the bottle on the table.

[LIAM] So how did you two meet?

LIAM asks innocently.

[Seumus] We met right before I became Immortal. She came to my family's estate. She had been sent to help take care of my dying father.

LIAM glances at Wyn to see her reaction. If the kid was telling the truth she wouldn't react at all but if he wasn't Liam would see it in her eyes.

Delwyn furrows her brow. Something was wrong. Seumus wouldn't have forgotten something like that, not after their history.

LIAM gives her knee a squeeze in warning not to say anything.

Delwyn looks at Liam, but keeps quiet.

[LIAM] That's my Wyn Always the healer. We met when she was tending to the wounded during one of the nastier battles I happen to be involved in.

[LIAM] In fact....she proceeded to ream me a new one because I was about to kill an enemy soldier.

LIAM chuckles.

[LIAM] Now she just has to flash me a look and I submit.

Seumus nods his head and smiles. "I've endured a few of those from her."

LIAM leans closer to Seumus and says quietly, "she 's got me wrapped, she has."

LIAM turns and looks at Wyn and says jokingly, "were you a hard task master as a teacher, Wyn?"

Delwyn glances over at Seumus and then looks at Liam. "You could say that." She really didn't want to get into the details of her and Seumus' past right here. She needed to talk to Liam in private about it.

Seumus watches the two of them. The man was in love with her and he was still in love with her. She was most of what he could remember of his past.

[LIAM] You know....I could see that. I'd have been scared to death of you.

LIAM teases.

Delwyn smiles a bit and laughs a bit, but none of it was reaching her eyes.

Seumus glances at his watch. He looks at Wyn. "I'm sorry. I need to get going. I have a few things to attend to before the day is done."

LIAM turns back to Seumus.

[LIAM] So...Seumus...where are you staying in our fair city?

Seumus grabs a napkin and write down the phone number to his cell phone. "I'm staying at the Marriott."

LIAM looks at Wyn and smiles. He takes her hand in his and gives it a quick squeeze and says, "Will you excuse my, my dear? You know one only rents beer....not buys it."

LIAM grins impishly and slides out of the booth and heads for the back of the shop where the restrooms are.

Delwyn nods.

LIAM glances back into the restaurant when he gets in front of the bathroom door and when he is sure no one can see him he walks on out the back door and takes out his cell phone and makes a quick call.

Seumus pushes the napkin in Wyn's direction. He takes hold of her hand and places a kiss on the back of it. "Call me. I'd like to catch up some more."

Delwyn can see that look in his eyes. "Not in the way you're thinking, Seumus. But I will call you."

Seumus let's go of her hand. "Until then." He slides out of the booth and makes his way out of the restaurant.

LIAM hangs up his phone, returns it to his pocket and then returns to the restaurant in time to see Seumus disappear out the front door. He walks up to the booth and holds out his hand to Wyn.

[LIAM] Shall we?

LIAM says all the while keeping a watchful eye on the front door and out the front window.

Delwyn grabs the napkin and puts it in her pocket. She takes Liam's hand and gets up from the table. "I just need to pay."

Delwyn walks over to the cash register and pays the bill.

LIAM absentmindedly nods and stands aside for her to go up to the register. His eyes are fixed on the front window and the outside.

Seumus walks down the side walk in the direction of the downtown Marriott

Delwyn turns to Liam after she is done. "All right. We can leave now."

LIAM puts his arm around her shoulders and escorts her out of the restaurant. Once they hit the sidewalk he hesitates for a second and looks around warily then, keeping his arm around her shoulders protectively, heads for his car.

Delwyn let's Liam guide her to the car. She is too preoccupied on what happened with Seumus to really care where Liam led her.

LIAM gets her to the car and hurriedly opens the door and helps her in, then goes around and gets in himself. Once he's in the car he keeps his eyes on the rear view mirror while he buckles up and starts the engine.

LIAM pulls away from the curb and drives away a little faster than what would be considered normal for that area of town.

LIAM relaxes somewhat when they have left the area and are heading toward Wyn's house.

LIAM glances over at Wyn.

[LIAM] Okay, pretty lady. What's wrong?

Delwyn sighs. "Something is wrong with him. He didn't remember the first time we met."

LIAM nods and said, "Yeah. I thought so. "

LIAM looks at her worriedly.

[LIAM] Do me a favor, my love.

Delwyn looks at him.

[LIAM] Stick close to home for awhile. And if you have to go out...do it when I can go with you.

[Delwyn] What?

[Delwyn] Liam, he isn't going to hurt me.

LIAM takes in a deep breath. He was hoping there wouldn't be an argument about this but now he realizes he's beating his head against a stone wall.

[LIAM] Honey, he's NOT who you think he is.

LIAM is so intent on Wyn that he nearly runs a red light and has to slam on the brakes to avoid doing that.

Delwyn puts her hand on the dashboard to keep from smashing into it.

[Delwyn] I know he won't hurt me. For gods sake, he's still in love with me.

[LIAM] Sorry.

LIAM says in apology for having to slam on the brakes.

LIAM snaps his head around at her comment and says, "Excuse me?"

Delwyn is irritated by the fact he's telling her what to do. "You heard me. The man is still in love with me."

LIAM quickly looks in the rear view mirror when the car behind him honks its horn to tell him the light has turned green.

[LIAM] Damn!

Delwyn takes a deep breath to help calm herself.

LIAM takes off and pulls over after getting through the intersection. He turns in his seat and looks at her. He doesn't know which issue to confront first. He stares at her silently for a couple of minutes.

LIAM finally decides that her safety is much more important right now than her past love life.

[LIAM] Please, Wyn Listen to me for a minute.

[LIAM] Do you remember where he said he lived now?

Delwyn nods. "Yes. In Germany, the last place I saw him."

[LIAM] More specifically a town called Otterburg.

Delwyn crosses her arms over her chest. "And that is supposed to mean what to me?"

[LIAM] It's the town where Cara Jean, Amanda and Duncan went. It's where Horton is headquartered.

Delwyn shakes her head. "You're paranoid, Liam."

LIAM closes his eyes and sighs.

[LIAM] Why am I paranoid?

[Delwyn] I know him. I've spent many years with him. He wouldn't work for a man like Horton.

[LIAM] Maybe not willingly. But from what we have learned....no one starts off willingly. It's how they end up that matters.

[LIAM] How else do you explain his not remembering how you met? How far off the mark was he on it?

Delwyn sighs and rubs her temple. "Not one part of it was right."

LIAM nods silently knowing any form of "I told you so" would be met with more hostility.

[LIAM] Look, sweetheart.

LIAM says as he takes her hand and looks at her lovingly. He speaks in a soft voice.

[LIAM] All I'm asking is that you stay close to home or me for awhile. I don't think, under the circumstances it is too much to ask. I'm not TELLING you anything. I'm simply asking because I love you and it is my job to protect you.

[LIAM] If something were to happen to you because I didn't at least try to keep you safe.....

[LIAM] Well....what kind of man would I be?

[LIAM] I know you think you know this kid. And...granted....you may have at one time. But I was watching him and I would stake my life on the fact that he is not the same Seumus you knew.

[LIAM] Am I really asking too much?

Delwyn 's voice is soft and calm, but on the inside she was still angry. "Liam, I can not leave him like this. He needs my help. I was his teacher once and at one point in time I loved him. I can't just sit here and watch him flounder."

[Delwyn] That's not me and you know that.

LIAM shakes his head and turns to look out over the steering wheel.

[LIAM] Believe me. He's not floundering. He's here in Seacouver for reasons that are not what he says. He's probably on some mission or assignment from Horton. He's most likely their success story. But....fine. You believe what you want to believe. You take him under your wing and mother him. And when he turns on you....well....God...I just hope I'm there to stop him. And hopefully someday you will start believing that just because you're older....doesn't necessarily make you wiser. I have been dealing with men like this for centuries. But what the hell do I know. I'm just a sorry hick from the hills of Ireland.

LIAM puts the car into gear and drives off heading for her house.

Delwyn looks out the window. She wanted to scream. Why did he have to question her on everything? She could protect herself, so why couldn't Liam see that?

LIAM drives the rest of the way in silence. When they get to her house he doesn't pull into the driveway, but pulls to the curb in front of the house. He uses the lever in the center console to open the trunk where her packages are, gets out and goes around to her side of the car and puts out his hand to help her out of the car.

Delwyn takes his hand and gets out of the car.

LIAM closes the door, walks around to the trunk and removes her packages and sets them on the curb while he shuts the trunk.

Delwyn watches him. "You're not coming inside?"

LIAM shakes his head.

[LIAM] No. I have something I have to take care of. I'll call you later.

continued on page 2

[cj]

Delwyn walks over and grabs her bags and then stops in front of him.

LIAM looks down at her and says, "What?"

Delwyn really wants to know where he's going, since he needs to know where she is at all times, but she won't ask because she knows she won't get an answer. "I have a compromise. I let you know when I am going to meet him and we only meet in public. I should be safer that way."

[LIAM] If that's what you want.

Delwyn sighs. "So you don't even agree with that? Hell, you can stake us out, but I want to talk to him personally. He may tell me something important."

LIAM whirls around and says in a command voice, "absolutely not."

[Delwyn] He can't hurt me if we're out in public and if you're able to watch from a distance, then I should be ok.

[LIAM] You WILL NOT play spy and ask him any kind of interrogation type questions. You WILL NOT try to get any information out of him. Is that clear?

Delwyn sighs. "I wasn't planning on being a spy. I was just going to talk to him and try to find out what's wrong."

[Delwyn] He may slip up and say something to me he shouldn't have. Besides, he may not be here to cause trouble.

[Delwyn] But I know that is a thought that doesn't even occur to you.

LIAM takes hold of her shoulders forcing her to look at him.

LIAM lest go of her, suddenly, and turns away from her. He starts to get into the car.

Delwyn follows him and leans against the car door. "Liam..."

LIAM says in a voice that drips with resignation and frustration, "do what you want. I made my request. Ignore it or take heed. It's your choice. Now I really have to go."

Delwyn sighs. It was obvious to her that he didn't want to hearing anything else from her. She pushes away from the car, turns on her heel and heads for the front door.

LIAM starts the car and pulls away from the curb. "Damn her stubborn hide," he says aloud to the empty car. "Have I made a mistake? I know it seems I get to feel less and less like the man in this relationship. It goes against everything I believe." He swerves to miss a dog that runs out in <>

Delwyn pauses at the door and rummages through her purse to find the keys to unlock the door.

LIAM road. "Come on O'Dell...get a grip. If it's independence she wants...then fine....give it to her. You're not married to her...you're not engaged. You have no moral or legal obligation to protect her from herself. You're a free agent just as she is. Let her do what she wants." He turns a corner and nearly collides with a car that is double parked. Once he has maneuvered around it he says, "See? See what your doing? You're acting like a daft idiot." He pulls over to the curb and rests his head on the steering wheel. He takes several deep breaths and focuses on "finding his core". After a few minutes he is calmer...quieter and he pulls away from the curb and continues to his destination.

Delwyn Finally, finds the keys and unlocks the door. She walks in and closes the door behind her. She takes the bags she's carrying to the bedroom and drops them on the bed. She goes to her dresser and pulls out some clothing to work out in. She needed to work off her steam, no better way then than training. She planned to be fully involved in what ever she decided to do until she cleared her head and maybe considered what Liam asked of her. That was a BIG maybe

LIAM pulls up in front of a seedy bar near the waterfront and goes inside. He walks up to a man sitting in a dark booth near the back of the bar and sits down across from him. The 2 men have a lengthy conversation and Liam takes out an envelope which he slides across the table to the man who picks it up and puts it in his pocket without opening it then gets up and leaves through the back door. Liam finishes his beer and leaves himself. He gets into his car and drives away. He drives aimlessly around the city. He thinks about confronting Seumus one on one...man to man...but figures that would end up as a futile effort. He finally pulls off the road at a parking area overlooking one of Seacouver's beaches and sits in his car staring out over the ocean.

Delwyn had decided a long run on the beach was in order. She has been running for sometime now. She thought about what Liam said to her. He loved her, that was why he was being so overly protective. She is oblivious to those around her as she thinks.

Delwyn comes to a halt when she feels the all to familiar buzz come over her. She clenches her teeth. She left her sword in the car. There was no other place for it. She looks around, trying to figure out where the other Immortal was.

LIAM suddenly feels the buzz of another Immortal and straightens up in his seat and looks around.

LIAM doesn't see anyone in the parking area as his is the only car. He grabs his sword from behind his seat and opens the car door and gets out.

LIAM slowly approaches the edge of the cliff the parking area is on.

Delwyn slows her pace and goes into a walk. She crouches down and grabs a rock the size of her fist and a handful of sand. She was not going to be taken with out a fight. She just needed enough distraction to get away and into a more public area.

LIAM begins scanning the beach starting on his right. When he looks at the beach to his left he sees a familiar figure standing on the sand.

LIAM watches as Wyn makes an attempt to "arm" herself not knowing who she is feeling. He smiles slightly. "She not only is out without me but unarmed as well," he says aloud but softly. He shakes his head. "What am I going to do with you Delwyn Caernarfon?"

Delwyn continues to walk. Her legs were starting to cramp from not progressively slowing down. She sees a large granite boulder up ahead. The Immortal could be there. She glances to her right and sees the stairway up the cliff to a parking lot. The Immortal could be there as well. She sighs. This was not a good position to be in.

LIAM returns to his car, puts his sword back behind the seat and gets in and closes the door. He slouches back down in his seat and closes his eyes.

Delwyn pauses in front of the stairs and looks up. She had a better chance of getting in a more public area up there. She climbs the steps quickly. She stops at the top and looks around the parking lot.

LIAM is startled when his cell phone rings. He answers it, talks for a few minutes and before hanging up says, "Alright. Good luck, Angel. See you when you get home." He puts his phone back in the center console and sits up. Now his mind is on his daughter and the dangerous mission she is currently undertaking. He leans his forehead against the steering wheel and says a silent prayer for her safety.

Delwyn glances behind her to see if anyone was possibly following her. She didn't see anyone. It was more than likely that the Immortal was up in the parking lot or close to it. She curses herself silently for being so stupid as she begins to walk along the small sidewalk near the cliff.

LIAM is so engrossed in his prayer that he is oblivious to the fact that the Immortal buzz gets stronger as Wyn gets closer.

Delwyn glances around the parking lot. Her gaze stops on a familiar looking car. It looked like Liam's car. She steps off the sidewalk to get a better view of the car. There was also someone sitting in the car. She approaches the car and she sees Liam sitting in it. She tosses the rock into some shrubs and drops the sand. She shivers a bit. The sweat she had worked up was starting to evaporate quickly with the breeze coming off the water. She walks over to Liam's car and knocks on the window.

LIAM jumps, startled by the knock, and looks up to see Wyn peering in at him. He rolls down the window, unaware that his eyes are showing his worry.

[LIAM] Out for a jog?

Delwyn nods. She can see the worry in his eyes. "Is everything ok?"

LIAM surprises himself when he blurts out, "It's started."

Delwyn thinks for a few seconds before realizing what he's talking about. "You mean Cara is going in tonight?"

LIAM nods silently.

LIAM sighs and says almost absentmindedly, "Need a lift home?"

Delwyn is tempted to say no, but she was getting cold and she didn't want to run into an Immortal unarmed. She was lucky it was just Liam. "You can take me back to my car. I'm parked about 4 miles away from here."

LIAM leans across the front seat and unlocks the passenger door and pushes it open.

Delwyn walks over to the passenger's side and gets in.

LIAM starts the engine, puts the car in gear and backs out of the parking place. He then slowly heads out of the parking area. He drives the 4 miles to Wyn's car in silence, his brow furrowed and his left thumb twirls his wedding ring around his ring finger...a gesture that signifies he's deep in

LIAM a worrisome thought. He pulls up next to her car and stops.

Delwyn has been watching him. She opens the door and looks over at him. "Are you coming home?"

LIAM had never thought of Wyn's house as home. He had moved out of his seedy motel room after Duncan discovered him and moved into a humble apartment on the west side of town. Even though he had been spent every night since their return from Africa at Wyn's he still had his apartment. She had never officially invited him to move in with her and he had always been afraid to bring up the subject for fear he may be rushing things. To hear her ask him if he was coming home left him speechless. He simply looked at her, a jumble of emotions flickering across his hazel eyes.

Delwyn pushes the door open. "I'll understand if you don't want to be around tonight." She had made the man angry and he had made her angry, but she couldn't stay mad at him. He made quite a good few points earlier and she had been thinking on them.

[LIAM] Wait.

LIAM calls out, his voice a bit husky.

LIAM gets out of the car and walks over to her.

LIAM silently takes her in his arms and holds her tightly to him.

Delwyn is a bit taken back by his embrace, not expecting it all. She wraps her arms around him.

LIAM holds her tight and buries his head in the crook of her neck as he whispers, "I'm sorry."

[Delwyn] I'm sorry, too.

LIAM then whispers something he has never said to another human being in his entire life.

[LIAM] I need you.

LIAM 's voice cracks and he swallows hard.

Delwyn closes her eyes. She needed him too, but she couldn't get the words out. She holds him a bit tighter.

LIAM , his eyes closed tight, can only see his daughter's face and he realizes that for the first time in his life he is scarfed although he isn't sure why. He knows that she knows what she is doing...that she has done things like this many times before...and he knows that she has all the qualified help in the world with her, but he still has a foreboding feeling.

Delwyn whispers. "Will you stay with me tonight?"

LIAM finally raises his head up and pushes her back so that he can look into her face and manages a faint smile.

[LIAM] Yes. If you want me to.

Delwyn smiles a bit. "Now, that's a silly statement. I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want you to be with me tonight." She gently touches his face.

LIAM smiles and says, "Then I'll meet you back at your place."

Delwyn places a kiss on his lips. "All right. I'll see you in a bit."

LIAM returns her kiss and lets her go. He goes back around and gets in his car and starts the engine. He follows her back to her place.

LIAM pulls into the driveway behind her car, gets out, retrieves his sword from behind the driver's seat and walks up to her drivers door and opens it for her.

Delwyn gets out of the car. "Thank you." She goes to the back door and pulls out her sword and a towel. She walks to the front door, unlocks it and then goes inside.

LIAM follows her inside. He closes the front door behind her and locks it. He places his sword on the table in the front hall and goes into the living room and sits on the couch, resting his head on its back and stares up at the ceiling.

Delwyn puts her sword in the front closet. She looks at him. "I'm going to get a shower." She wanted to wash away the sand, salt, and sweat from her skin. "I'll only be a few minutes." She walks down the hallway and into her bedroom.

LIAM gets up and walks to the front window and stares out at the setting sun. He can't shake this feeling that something awful has or will happen. He's never been one to believe in premonitions and he has never had one that he can remember. But since being with Wyn he has learned that a lot of the things he never would have believed possible before could happen. He begins to pace the floor.

Delwyn goes into the bathroom and undresses. She goes to the shower and runs the water until it's the right temperature and then gets in. She washes quickly, not taking the time to enjoy the hot water. She could feel Liam's tension even in the bathroom. She turns off the water, grabs a towel and dries off. She picks up her clothes and towels and puts them in the hamper. She goes to the closet and pulls out a pair of jeans and a stretchy shirt. She quickly dresses and brushes her hair. She leaves her bedroom and heads for the living room

LIAM stops pacing, unaware that he is no longer alone in the room, and stares out the window again.

Delwyn stops at the end of the hallway to watch Liam. She knows he's worried about Cara. She was worried about her too.

Delwyn walks up behind him and and places her hands on his shoulders. "Want to talk about it?"

LIAM turns and takes her in his arms again.

[LIAM] I wish among your many gifts you could see into the future.

LIAM says simply.

Delwyn sighs. "That is more a curse than a blessing. It was never a gift I ever wanted."

[LIAM] Then do me a favor. Convince me that everything is going to turn out alright. That this nightmare will soon be over for my Cara Jean, Mac and the rest of us.

[LIAM] Convince me that this bad feeling I have is just my imagination.

Delwyn looks into his eyes. She wanted to tell him to ignore it, but when gut instinct talks it was usually right.

Delwyn sighs and talks softly. "I wish I could,"

LIAM looks down at her and brushes a strand of hair from her face.

[LIAM] I know. I have to deal with this. I doubt it's anything you can help me with. I've just never been good at waiting. If you have something you have to do, I'll just watch some TV to get my mind off of it.

[Delwyn] I don't having anything else I need to do.

LIAM leans down and kisses her....gently at first then more passionately.

Delwyn wraps her arms around his neck, returning his kiss.

LIAM scoops her up into his arms without breaking the kiss and carries her into her bedroom. He gently lays her down on the bed and proceeds to make passionate love to her until he is completely drained and exhausted

Delwyn lays next to him, her head resting on his chest.

[LIAM] You know that I love you, right?

LIAM whispers.

Delwyn looks up at him. "Yes, I know that."

[LIAM] And you know that when I say the things I did earlier it was only because I want to keep you safe because I love you, right?

Delwyn shifts herself so she can rest her chin in his chest. "Yes, I realize that."

LIAM says looking up at the ceiling his thumb softly caressing her shoulder.,

[Delwyn] Do you understand why I said what I did?

[LIAM] Yes. I just want you to understand that I am not an ogre. I may be old fashioned and believe that it is the duty of the man to protect his lady. And that in the long run I should have the final word in matters that concern your safety. But I am not an ogre who wants to take away your independence

[LIAM] Do you think you can deal with that? Or is this going to be something we are always going to butt heads on?

[Delwyn] I know you're not trying to take my independence away. I'm just not used to being told what I to do. I've taken care of my own hide for quite awhile now. I just need to adjust. But, I can't promise you we won't argue about it.

[LIAM] I can't change who I am, sweetheart. My beliefs come from the way i was raised and the things I have learned. And I can't expect you to change either. I love you for who and what you are. All I ask is that if we are going to be in a relationship together....what is it the kids say now a days?... be a couple?....hook up?....that you respect me as the man in this relationship. Is that too much to ask?

Delwyn props herself up on her elbow and looks at him. "I never meant to make you feel like you were disrespected. I'm very sorry I made you feel that way. I do respect you, Liam. I just don't always see things your way. But never did I mean any disrespect by it." Her voice was apologetic and sincere.

LIAM turns to face her. He touches her cheek with his finger tip and traces the line of her jaw.

[LIAM] I love you and that scare the hell out of me. The last woman I love ed died in my arms and it devastated me. Until I met you I never dreamed I would ever feel this way about another woman. I never imagined ever finding anyone who could even come close to being all that Mary was. Then you came into my life. You far surpassed any expectations I may have had. You stole my heart that first day and now you hold it in your hands. And that scares me. You could crush it or make it safe. And I have no idea what you will do. All I know is that I don't want to go through what I went through with Mary. That may make me overly protective and for that i apologize.

LIAM sits up in the bed, resting his back against the headboard. He raises his left hand and slowly slips his wedding ring off of his finger leaving only a white tan line from the centuries he has worn it. He places it on the nightstand and looks back at her.

LIAM 's hand trembles as he lifts her chin and leans down placing a gentle kiss on her lips.

Delwyn can feel tears in her eyes as she returns his kiss. she whispers softly, "I understand." But she couldn't promise him that another of them wouldn't come along and end one or both of their lives.”I'm scared too."

LIAM slides back down in the bed and pulls her into his arms. He falls asleep holding her close.

[cj]

CARA rolls over in the bed of their suite in the Seacouver Marriott. She looks at Duncan laying next to her and studies his face, memorizing every detail.

Duncan is half awake, but wakes up fully when he feels Cara move. He opens his eyes and looks up at Cara. "Morning, sweetheart." He gives her a smile.

CARA leans over and kisses him on the cheek. She manages a small smile as she lays back down on her side, her head propped on her arm. She stares at him in silence.

Duncan lays on his side and then pulls her close to him. He talks quietly, "You ok?"

CARA shakes her head, "no" but says nothing.

[Duncan] I'm scared too, sweetheart.

CARA leans her head back and looks at him curiously. In the past month...beginning when she had her first seizure, she has heard Duncan admit to being scared several times and each time it has caught her off guard as she has never heard him admit it before.

Duncan is more than scared, he's petrified If Cara got caught again, he didn't know what he would do. She is absolutely everything to him.

CARA sees the look in Duncan's eyes and takes the tip of her index finger and gently traces the line of his chin.

[CARA] Want to talk about it?

CARA says softly.

Duncan shakes his head no. He didn't want to say his what ifs out loud, fearing they may just come true. "No, it's all what ifs"

CARA shrugs and rolls onto her back. "Of course," she thinks to herself. "what on earth made you think he would? He's allowed to bottle his feelings up but you're not. How typical." She sits up and swings her legs over the side of the bed and waits for her body to "wake up" before slipping out of bed and going in to the bathroom to take a shower.

Duncan sighs and gets out of bed. He grabs a pair of sweat pants and puts them on. He walks into the small kitchen and starts some coffee.

CARA stands under the stream of hot water and raises her face, letting it wash over her. She places one hand on the wall and leans slightly on it, closing her eyes. The hot water spraying down from the shower head washes away the tears that are streaming down her face as she stands in silence.

CARA steps out from under the water after a few minutes and finishes her shower, turns off the water and gets out, grabbing a towel from the rack nearby.

Duncan pours two cups coffee and walks over to the love seat He places one cup on the coffee table and takes a sip from the other.

CARA gets dried off and wraps her hair up in a towel and puts on a hotel robe and walks out of the bathroom. She walks over to the luggage stand at the foot of the bed and opens her suitcase looking for something to wear. She makes her selection and places the clothes on the bed and closes the suitcase. As she is about to remove her towel to get dressed a wave of pain in her head overcomes her. Her hand inadvertently goes to her head, she staggers slightly and sits down on the edge of the bed, closing her eyes.

Duncan gets up and goes to Cara. He sits down beside her. "Another headache?"

CARA has to wait for the wave of pain to let up before she can speak. When it does she whispers, "yeah," as she gently rubs a spot near her hairline just above her ear.

[Duncan] Do you have anymore of the herbal mixture that Wyn gave you?

[CARA] Yeah. It's in the bag on the table, I think.

CARA says softly still rubbing her head and keeping hr eyes closed.

Duncan gets up from the bed and goes to look. "It has to be made into a tea, right?"

CARA thinks to herself, "Damn! I don't need this right now. All I need is to have one of those seizures during the mission and screw everything up."[/i]

[CARA] Yeah. The recipe's in the bag, too.

CARA says aloud.

CARA frustrated she lays down on the bed on her back, her legs still hanging over the side. She finally dares to open her eyes and looks up at the ceiling. "If this happens during the mission," she thinks to herself, "I could get everyone killed." She shudders at the thought that she might end up responsible for Amanda's and Ashlyn's death.

Duncan finds the bag and recipe. He goes to the small kitchen and grabs a mug and pours some water into it. He sticks it in the small microwave and waits for the water to come to a boil. Once it does, he pulls it out and adds the correct amounts of each herb and then allows it to steep for a couple minutes. He then takes out the herbal mixture, before taking it to Cara.

CARA thinks to herself as she continues to stare at the ceiling, "maybe I should back out of being involved in this. They might make it through alive without me." She chews on her lower lip as she contemplates what she is thinking.

Duncan walks over to Cara. "Here you go, sweetheart."

CARA sits up slowly and takes the cup from Duncan. "Thank you," she says quietly and takes a couple of big gulps of the nasty tasting stuff. She can't help but make a face as she swallows the liquid.

CARA quickly takes a couple more gulps, knowing that the only way to get this stuff down was to do it quickly and she is reminded of her mother making her take some vial tasting syrup when she had a bad cough one time. The thought is somewhat comforting and takes her mind off the taste of the tea and she is able to empty the cup which she sets on the nightstand.

[Duncan] Are you hungry? I can order some room service if you're not feeling to well.

CARA takes a deep breath and looks up at him. She stares at him for a couple of minutes, then shakes her head, "no" and looks away.

[CARA] You go ahead, though. I'll be alright in a few minutes.

[Duncan] All right. I'll go take a shower and I'll see how you are then.

CARA The tea is already starting to work and she slowly gets to her feet and begins the process of getting dressed again.

Duncan walks into the bathroom, removes his clothing, and gets into the shower.

CARA finishes dressing and picks up the cup from the nightstand and takes it into the small kitchenette and sets it in the sink. She walks to the large set of drapes on the far wall and opens them to reveal a hug sliding glass door which she opens and steps out onto the baloney She walks up to the railing and leans against it, closes her eyes and takes a deep breath of the ocean air. She opens her eyes and looks out toward the horizon.

CARA continues to debate whether she should back out of the mission or not. Finally she thinks, "Of course, I'm the only one who knows that place and Ashlyn doesn't know how to work the suspension harness. Amanda will need me for that." She sighs.

[CARA] In for a penny...in for a pound.

CARA says aloud.

Duncan quickly showers and then gets out. He grabs a towel and dries off. He wraps the towel around his waist and walks out of the bathroom. He sees Cara out on the balcony. He hoped that as a good sign she was feeling better. He goes over to their suitcase and pulls out a pair of jeans and a shirt and dresses.

CARA begins to think about Duncan. She is remembering some of the many happy times they have had.

Duncan walks out onto the balcony. He stands behind Cara and wraps his arms around her waist. "Feeling better?"

CARA turns in his arms and wraps her arms around him holding on to him as if for dear life. She had run through their history in her mind and had gotten to June 2005 when she had drawn a blank as far as the mental pictures were concerned. She could not conjure up any images until September of the same year. She had a vague knowledge of what had happened during that time but only remembered it as if she had been told about it....as if she wasn't really a part of it. What has upset her the most is that she knows that on July 6th she ad Duncan had had a beautiful wedding but she could not see it.

Duncan holds her tightly to him. He whispers, "I love you."

CARA swallows hard against the lump in her throat. She holds him tighter. The thought, "it's happening....already" keeps running through her mind.

Duncan can feel the tension in her body, knowing she was upset. He kisses her passionately.

CARA returns his kiss. She feels a desperate need to make love to him. Not so much from her passion (although there is always that) but out of a desperate need to "become one" with him and replace memories of him that she is losing rapidly.

Duncan without breaking the kiss he picks her up and carries her to the bed, where he lays her down gently. He had the feeling that this could be the last time he could be with her.

CARA looks up into his eyes as hers fill with tears.

****The part of Duncan MacLeod is temporarily being understudied****

MAC looks at her and asks softly, "What's wrong, sweetheart?"

CARA shakes her head and pulls him down to her.

[MAC] Is it your head still?

CARA shakes her head, "no" and begins to unbutton his shirt. Her hands are trembling slightly making it a little bit difficult.

MAC raises up and gives her a hand as he watches her face intently. He can see the look in her eye and he suddenly realizes that she is feeling the same fear he is and for the first time since he has known her he realizes just how real and strong their bond is.

[MAC] I love you, Cara. I will always love you.

MAC says ad his voice cracks from the intense emotion he is feeling.

CARA looks up at him and feels as though she is inside his head.

[CARA] I....

CARA swallows hard.

[CARA] I love you.

MAC proceeds to make love to Cara with more passion and love than he has ever before.

[cj]

****It's around 1:00am on a clear night in Otterburg, Germany.****

CARA drops the duffel bag she has been carrying next to the other bags that Ashlyn and Amanda carried.

CARA keeps watch while Ashlyn and Amanda set up to walk the wire across to the window.

Amanda slips on the leather gloves, her face is a picture of concentration. Though falling won't kill her -- permanently -- it will lose them precious time which meant there was no room for error.

Ashlyn follows Amanda's lead, putting on her gloves and tying her hair back, hoping that she still has the skill after so many years

CARA checks her watch. So far they are running right on time.

NICK speaks into his headset just softly enough to be heard.

Amanda sets up the wire quickly enough. She has had practice with her illegal exploits after all. There's just more riding on this working.

[NICK] Amanda? How's everything going, babe?

[Amanda] We're right on schedule.

Amanda murmurs.

NICK smiles and gives Duncan a thumbs up sign.

[NICK] Just be careful, hon. I love you.

Ashlyn glances at the wire, then to Amanda. "We golden?"

CARA presses her mic closer to her mouth and whispers, "alright you two. Quit all the mushy stuff." Then giggles.

Duncan gives a bit of a smile. He was still concerned something might happen.

Amanda flashes a charming grin. "Let us have our fun," she retorts before offering a nod at Ashlyn's question.

Ashlyn flicks a finger at the wire, testing it's tautness

Amanda glances at Ashlyn, "Like riding a bike," she quips, nodding at the high wire.

CARA checks her watch again and says into her mic, "Ready for me to go to the tunnel?"

Ashlyn nods and smiles. "I sure hope so!"

CARA looks at Amanda so she knows the question is to her.

CARA picks up the bag that has the harness equipment in it just in case Amanda's ready for her to take her position.

Ashlyn waits to follow Amanda's lead, just like in days past

Amanda nods again. "We shouldn't be long."

CARA nods and gives Amanda a thumbs up. She heads along the bank of the mote to the backside of the castle where she uses her night vision goggles to locate the hidden passage entrance.

Amanda takes a breath, before studying the wire and the window that she needs to reach. The concentration is back on her face as she steps up to do what she's done a hundred or more times before.

CARA pulls up the hidden trap door and crawls into the narrow tunnel, closing the door behind her.

Ashlyn waits for Amanda to get halfway across before stepping up and getting ready to follow her

CARA presses the mic to her mouth as she heads down the passage and whispers to the van, "I'm in the tunnel now."

Amanda treads carefully, her balance is impeccable. And after all these years it should be. Fortunately there is no wind so there is no problem with that knocking her off balance. Her arms stretched out on either side, she moves steadily across. The clock ticking does not make her rush, to do so will mean mess ups and she refuses to allow that to happen. Focusing on placing each foot perfectly in front of the other, she makes it across to the window in good time and without incident.

Ashlyn waits for Amanda to get fully across before stepping on the wire herself. "Left foot, right foot" She murmurs to herself images of the past surfacing as she keeps her arms out to balance. Amanda was right, it was just like riding a bike

CARA eases along the dark passageway until she gets to a dead end. From this side, it is nearly impossible to determine that there is a door in the granite wall in front of her. She once again presses the mic to her mouth and whispers, "I'm at the door."

[CARA] How's it going?

CARA asks as an after thought.

[Amanda] Well we haven't died yet -- so I would say pretty good.

Ashlyn carefully reaches the other side where Amanda is waiting. She grins at Amanda's response as she hops down

[NICK] I need a status report, ladies.

NICK whispers into his mic. He shouldn't have to ask but Amanda has always been so independent she tends to forget.

[Amanda] Patience darling. We're at the window. About to go in.

CARA crouches down, resting her back against the wall and waits. She rubs the side of her head as she tries to ignore the throbbing pain.

Ashlyn looks toward Amanda and points down the hall, "Ready?"[/i]

****The part of Amanda is temporarily being understudied****

Amanda nods. She uses a glass cutter to remove the glass in the small window then reaches inside and sets the piece of glass on the floor under the window.

Duncan glances out the window. "Are you doing ok, sweetheart?"

Amanda slips through the window, turns and pokes her head out and nods to Ashlyn.

Ashlyn grins at Amanda's skills, glances behind her briefly before following Amanda in through the window

CARA is startled out of her meditative state at the sound of Duncan's voice. She's not used to hearing him during one of her and Mand's capers.

Duncan is a bit nervous, knowing Cara was still getting headaches.

CARA presses the mic and whispers, "So far so good."

NICK looks over at his partner in the van and can see that MacLeod is worried.

[NICK] They're doing fine, Mac. They're right on schedule.

[NICK] Then into his mic he whispers to Amanda, "Got visual set up yet?"

Amanda dons a headband with night vision goggles and a camera on it and switches both on.

[Amanda] See anything yet?

Amanda whispers into the mic.

Ashlyn puts on her night vision goggles as well, and looks around quickly making sure they weren't being watched

NICK adjust a few knobs on the monitor in front of him and finally gets a picture. He motions for Duncan to scoot over so he can see, too.

NICK in the mic he whispers, "Visual good."

Duncan moves closer to Nick so he can see the monitor.

Ashlyn taps Amanda on the shoulder then points toward the elevator at the end of the hall

Amanda says into her mic, "check. We're both in and on our way to get CJ."

CARA hears Amanda's report and gets to her feet, adjusting her gear. She presses her mic to her mouth and whispers, "I love you, Duncan." She's not really sure why it was important to tell him that right now...but it seemed like it needed to be said....just in case.

Amanda heads for the end of the hallway and the elevator.

Ashlyn follows Amanda, frequently glancing behind to make sure that they were alone

Ashlyn says as they reach the elevator, "Going down."

Amanda steps into the elevator and presses the "B" button and they begin to descend.

Ashlyn looks toward Amanda. "Ready?"

[Duncan] I love you too, sweetheart.

Amanda whispers into her mic, "CJ? We're in the elevator. Should be there in a couple of minutes."

[CARA] Copy.

Amanda hopes no one on the graveyard shift decides to take the elevator while they're in it.

NICK watches his monitor closely.

Amanda feels the elevator slow and then come to a stop at the basement.

Ashlyn catches Amanda's gaze and looks toward her hopefully. "This is going to work." She hoped it didn't sound like a question.

Amanda looks over at Ashlyn and nods.

Ashlyn watches the elevator doors slowly slide open. "CJ?"

Amanda steps out of the elevator when the door opens.

[CARA] Here.

Amanda heads along the hallway in the basement, cautiously.

Amanda gets to the place she remembers they marked on the floor plans and reaches up to a row of granite bricks. She presses a couple and finally hears the grinding sound as the hidden door opens.

Ashlyn stands beside Amanda, wincing at the grinding noise

CARA hears the click of a latch and watches as the access panel slowly opens. When it is open enough for her to squeeze through she steps across the threshold into the hall and whispers into her mic, "I'm in."

Amanda leads the way back to the elevator.

[Amanda] How're we doing?

Ashlyn looks toward CJ. "Hey, how are you holding up?"

Amanda whispers into her mic.

[NICK] On schedule.

Amanda steps into the waiting elevator and waits for her partners to join her.

Ashlyn quickly follows Amanda

CARA gives a thumbs up to Ashlyn. She doesn't want to say much since she knows that Duncan is probably glued to his headset.

CARA steps into the elevator.

Ashlyn nods in understanding and smiles reassuringly at CJ

Amanda presses the button for the next floor up and steps back.

Ashlyn murmurs, "Here we go."

CARA removes her night vision headband and stuffs it in the bag she's carrying.

Amanda lifts the night vision portion of her headset. Since the lab floor will be well lit, the goggles will be useless.

Ashlyn follows suit, wondering if she'll need the goggles for the file room

Ashlyn looks toward her comrades as the elevator comes to a stop. "Show time"

Amanda feels the elevator slow. She shifts her back pack to her other shoulder and puts her hand on the butt of her handgun in her shoulder holster...just in case.

CARA takes a deep breath and glances at Amanda.

Amanda looks at CJ and gives her a wink as she cautiously peers past the elevator door into the hallway. When she is confident the way is clear, she uses hand gestures to direct Ashlyn to head for the file room.

Ashlyn nods and takes a deep breath and heads for the file room

CARA crosses the threshold into the hallway and steps to the side of the elevator door and waits.

Amanda steps into the hallway and glances at CJ.

Ashlyn glances back at CJ and Amanda while heading toward the file room, she offers a silent prayer that everything will go smoothly

CARA nods with a grin. It feels good working with Amanda again. She hadn't realized how much she had missed their little excursions.

Amanda moves silently along the wall of the hallway to the door that leads to the clean room.

Ashlyn* finds the door to the file room fairly easily, and quickly opens the door as soundlessly as possible and slips inside

CARA follows Amanda, her eyes darting back and forth keeping alert for any company they might have to deal with. The lab floor seems to be uncharacteristically quiet and vacant and she wonders if that's normal for this time of night.

Ashlyn* sighs softly to herself as she sees the shadows of the filing cabinets lining the walls, she went to the small table in the center of the room and turned on the lamp to avoid as much light as possible

Amanda gets to the door and takes her digital device out sticks the plastic card into the slot then watches the small screen as the device searches for the entry code.

CARA looks around nervously. She's beginning to remember being in this hallway a couple of times.

Ashlyn* starts opening the file cabinets searching for information on the Kwanlo Root, or anything resembling it

Amanda removes the plastic card after a set of numbers have appeared on the hand held device and punches them into the access panel. The door slowly slides open.

Ashlyn* rifles through an open cabinet growing frustrated that she can't find what she's looking for. She quickly closes that drawer and proceeds to the next one, squinting in the dim light

Amanda steps into the small entry room of the clean room.

CARA follows Amanda into the room and whispers into her mic, "we're in the entry room."

[NICK] Looking good, girls. You're right on schedule.

Duncan relaxes a it, but he knows it's not over yet. He prays to whoever might be listening that they all get out safe.

Amanda presses the button by the door, waits for it to close and then removes her backpack and sets it on the floor.

CARA sets the duffel bag on the floor and unzips it. While Amanda removes the hoist equipment, CJ removes her jacket and vest and anything dangling from her belt. She then squats down and removes her shoes.

Ashlyn* winces as one of the papers cut her finger, she didn't pay any attention to the cut, but the drop of blood that fell onto the paper caught her eye because it fell right next to the word Kwanlo

Ashlyn* 's heart beat sped up a bit, and she retrieved the paper to bring it under the light of the lamp to read

Amanda begins setting the hoist up. The clean room consists of a free standing glass room. Amanda uses what looks like a small cross bow to fire the lines that will hold CJ suspended over the floor of the clean room over the ceiling beam centered above the clean room.

Ashlyn* smiles and folds the paper to put it in her pocket before racing back to the file cabinet to see what else she can find about the drug

CARA steps into the harness and locks all of the clasps.

Ashlyn* found five more papers that mention the drug and the people that created it

Amanda hooks the back of CJ's harness to the cables she has just shot over the beam and begins to use the hand crank to take up the slack. Just before the cables are tight enough to actually start lifting CJ off the ground she reaches out and touches CJ's arm to get her attention.

CARA looks up at Amanda questioningly.

Ashlyn* skimmed over the papers hoping to find the word 'cure' somewhere, but she was in too much of a hurry and it was too dark to read properly, so she folded them up as quickly as possible and put them in her pocket to join the first

Amanda looks into the eyes of her friend and gives her an encouraging smile. She, too, is aware that they are not alone communication-wise, so she hopes that CJ is still able to "feel" her thoughts just as they have always been able to do.

Ashlyn* continued to thumb through the files, nothing else much catching her eye. She was quick but thorough, they only had so much time to do this

CARA winks at Amanda and leans over and gives her friend a quick kiss on her cheek then mouthes the words, "I love you."

Amanda swallows the lump in her throat and gives CJ a thumbs up and quickly begins cranking the cables again.

Ashlyn It wasn't until she had reached the last of the six file cabinets and she was about to head back to the others that one last file caught her eye. The paper was sketchy at best, but it had a description of CJ's symptoms. Not bothering to read it in depth, Ashlyn stuffed the paper into her pocket with the rest of the papers

Ashlyn* spared a quick look around the dimly lit room. Was she missing anything?

CARA feels her harness tighten as the cables begin to lift her off the ground As the harness pulls her up, she relaxes her body, letting the cables and harness take all her weight. Once she is suspended over the clean room, she leans forward and stretches her arms out to the sides so that her weight is balanced evenly as she assumes a position facing the room below her. When she is stable she looks at Amanda and gives her a slight nod.

Ashlyn* glanced toward her watch wondering how much time they had left. "Are we still on schedule?" She asked softly into her mic

Amanda sees CJ give her the go-ahead and begins to slowly turn the two hand cranks that control the cables and lowers CJ to the glass ceiling of the clean room. She watches CJ's progress closely so that when CJ is close enough to the glass to touch it, She can stop cranking. Too close could be as bad as too far.

[NICK] You're doing great.

Ashlyn* smiles assured, not sure if Nick's remark was toward herself or the picture that Amanda was sending...but was assured anyway. She moved silently toward the table to shut of the lamp.

CARA when the cables stop her descent about 6" from the glass ceiling, she reaches behind her and removes her glass removal device and carefully places the large suction cup on the glass just below her. Then she attaches the cutting tool to the swivel on the suction cup and tightens the cutting point to the arm. Then she carefully and slowly moves the point in a circle, cutting the glass. When she has made a deep cut in the glass (although not all the way through) she removes the point and arm from the swivel and places them in her waist band of her pants. Using a very small rubberized mallet, she gently taps the glass along the cut she just made. As she gets to the end of the circle, she takes one hand and holds onto the handle of the suction cup. When she has finished tapping the glass she puts the miniature mallet in her pants pocket and slowly lifts the four foot circle of glass.

Ashlyn* wonders how Amanda and CJ are doing, and peeks through the tiny window of the file room before slowly opening the door

Amanda watches as CJ lifts the large glass disk and begins to reverse the cranks, raising CJ up and away from the glass ceiling.

CARA looks to the side and sees the cable that is hanging free with a "D" ring on the end of it. she reaches out and grabs it and pulls it to her. She hooks the ring onto the handle of the suction cup and waves to Amanda.

Ashlyn* paused in the bright light of the hallway, very tempted to sneak a peek at the papers in her right pocket.

Amanda grabs a third crank and proceeds to haul the glass disk up and out of the way. Then she makes sure there is no slack in the cables and locks them down while she retrieves the glass disk and sets it on the floor. Then she gives CJ a sign, unlocks the cranks and waits.

CARA nods to Amanda and swings herself upward so that she is in an upright position.

Ashlyn* quelled the urge to look at the papers, noticed that Amanda and CJ weren't done yet, and decided to do a little investigating of some of the rooms on the floor. She wanted to learn all she could about this place to help CJ

Amanda waits until CJ is stable then slowly lowers her through the hole she just cut in the glass ceiling. Once she is sure CJ is clear of the ceiling and has enough room to maneuver she stops the cable's descent.

Ashlyn* headed away from the elevator and further into the compound, there were a couple doors that were locked as she passed, but the last door on the right opened to her touch.

CARA waits until the cables have stopped moving and she isn't swing at all and spreads out her arms, laying herself face down and balances her weight evenly in the harness. She looks at Amanda through the clean rooms glass wall and nods when she is ready.

[NICK] Sure would like a report from one of you ladies.

NICK reminds them.

Amanda grimaces at the reminder from Nick and whispers into her mic, "She's in the clean room. We're good. How's our time?"

NICK checks his watch and whispers, "You're actually ahead of schedule. Looking good, babe."

Ashlyn* adds after their exchange, "I've got some information that will knock your socks off."

Amanda begins to slowly lower CJ to the pedestal in the center of the room.

NICK glances at Duncan then whispers to Ashlyn, "can it be removed and brought with you?"

Ashlyn* grins, and pats her pocket. "Oh yeah, you'll be able to read it first hand."

Ashlyn whispers back

[NICK] Good girl.

Ashlyn* glances at the medium sized room she had just entered, there was a chair with leather straps attached to the arm rest and legs, curious to see more she stepped further into the room

NICK has a feeling that Ashlyn isn't in the file room anymore and has deviated from the planned part of the program. Under any other circumstances it would concern him...but he trusts Amanda and she trusts Ashlyn so he figures the woman must know what she's doing and is capable so he doesn't worry about it.

Ashlyn* wondered what horrible ordeals people had gone through sitting in that chair. She slowly tore her eyes away and had the feeling that she was being watched somehow.

CARA watches the pedestal below her as it gets closer. The pedestal itself is about 4' tall and 13-14" around. On top of it is a small glass case that has the chill from dry ice piped in from some other location. The top of the case is a hinged piece of glass. Inside the glass case, <>

Ashlyn* shook of prickly feeling on the back of her neck and turned to leave the room, she returned to the hallway and quickly glanced around, not seeing either CJ or Amanda she decided to check out another room. If they could get all the information they could while they were here they'd be better off

CARA resting in a special holder is a glass vial with a pinkish colored liquid in it. As she gets within reach of the glass case she gestures to Amanda to stop her descent.

Ashlyn* glances across the way and notices a dark room, she goes to and tries the door but it's locked like most of the others in the hallway. She scowls at the lock and reaches into her pack for her lock-pick, the one Amanda had given her a few years back.

Amanda stops lowering CJ and locks the cranks in place. She watches CJ intently through the glass wall of the clean room, keeping some attention behind her in case anyone approaches the room.

Ashlyn* glances over her shoulder as she has the prickly sensation on the back of her neck again, and quickly turns around expecting to see someone, but not seeing anyone or anything she turns her attention back to the lock.

Ashlyn* plays with the lock for a second before finally aligning the tumblers and unlocking the door. She smiled, one could learn so much when you're friends with Amanda!

Ashlyn* swiftly looks over her should again...why was she so nervous? They were doing just fine, Nick kept saying that they were ahead of schedule, they had this in the bag...so why did that uneasy sensation settle in the pit of her stomach?

CARA steadies herself and reaches down and gently raises the top of the glass case. When she has access to the vial she slowly reaches in and grasps it between her thumb and index finger.

Amanda watches CJ and holds her breath.

Ashlyn* shakes the feeling off and slowly opens the heavy door, wincing as the hinges squeak slightly. She slowly enters the room to find it pitch black. She inches toward where the light switch should be and loses her grip on the door. It shuts with a very definite 'click'

CARA carefully lifts the vial of pinkish fluid out of the case and closes the lid. She puts the vial in a small pouch attached to the shoulder of her black sweatshirt and gestures to Amanda.

Ashlyn* feels along the wall for the light switch, controlling her breathing...she never really liked small dark places very much...and why did it smell so weird in here?

Amanda whispers into her mic, "she's got it." She unlocks the cranks and slowly begins to pull CJ up and out of the clean room.

[NICK] Good girl.

continued on page 2

[cj]

Ashlyn* breathed in relief when she found the light switch, but when she flipped it, nothing happened. She flipped it up and down a couple of times to get rid of the deep deep black of the room, but to no avail...she was starting to feel suffocated in here.

NICK whispers and glances at Duncan as he breaths a sigh of relief. Then he whispers into the mic, "Ashlyn? Head for the elevator."

Ashlyn* shook her head when she realized how stupid she was and slowly put her night vision goggles on, and glances toward the door she had just come from. She heard Nick in her ear piece, but now that she had sight, she couldn't resist a look into the room.

CARA looks up and when she is a few feet from the opening in the glass ceiling she swings herself into an upright position. Once she has cleared the glass room she waits for Amanda to reel her in.

Amanda clears CJ from the glass room and swings her over then lowers her to the floor.

Ashlyn* breathed through her nose and about gagged, the smell was so suffocating! She slowly lifted her eyes from the floor toward the middle of the room...there was a table in the center of the room. Holding her nose she walked a little closer for a better look. "One second." She replied to Nick as an afterthought and crept closer to the table. The green tint of the goggles made the whole room seem surreal and dreamlike.

CARA begins unhooking her harness as soon as her feet touch the floor. Once the harness is removed, she puts her vest, jacket and shoes back on. She removes the pouch with the vial in it and hands it to Amanda.
NICK looks alarmed and whispers into his mic, "Ashlyn? What's up?"

Amanda replaces all of the equipment in the duffel bag and zips it shut. She puts the pouch in her back pack and slings it over her shoulders.

Ashlyn* gets closer to the table and realizes that there's a large mound under a sheet or something, she very carefully peeled the sheet back only to find the torso of a man lying there. "Oh God!"

Duncan is glad Cara got what she needed, but an icy chill went down his back when he hears Ashlyn's exclamation.

CARA picks up the duffel bag and slings it over her shoulder and presses her mic to her mouth and whispers, "Done."

Ashlyn* stumbled backward and fell down to the floor. She crab walked backward not able to take her eyes off the dead body.

Amanda is hearing the conversation between Ashlyn and Nick and whispers into her mic, "Is there a problem?"

CARA looks at Amanda questioningly.

[NICK] Ashlyn? Are you there?

[NICK] Ash?

NICK glances nervously at Duncan.

Duncan looks at Nick. "Ashlyn...what's going on?"

Ashlyn* finds herself up against the wall of the room and slowly stands up. She keeps her eyes on the body and slowly slips a hand to the cold door knob. She twists it, but to her horror finds that the door is locked

[Amanda] What's going on guys?

Amanda asks anxiously.

Ashlyn* finally tears her eyes away from the table and begins frantically twisting the knob. "I'm trapped!" She panics

[NICK] What? Trapped? Where?

CARA whispers into her mic, "Ash....don't panic. Stay calm. We'll come and get you. Where are you?"

Duncan bites back a curse, hearing her response. "Cara, Amanda...please be careful."

Amanda moves toward the door without hesitation.

Ashlyn* feels the prickling sensation as if she's being watched again, and she whips her head around searching the room. The green-dream-like image of the room fills her vision and the torso of the man on the table, eyes open staring at her

[NICK] Ashlyn? Where exactly are you?

Ashlyn* tries to stay calm. "I-I-I'm in the far room...it's dark, there's the torso of a-a-man on the table!!"

Amanda whispers into her mic to Duncan..."You know careful's my middle name MacLeod"

CARA whispers, "Ashlyn....listen to me. Can you hear me?"

Duncan wants to scream into the mic to get Cara out of there, but he couldn't live with himself if something happened to Ashlyn either.

Ashlyn* turns back to the door and frantically twists the knob again. "CJ? CJ what should I do?"

[CARA] Listen to me....stand still. Take a slow deep breath and listen to my voice. Let it out slowly. Keep doing that until you feel calmer. Panicking won't help. Just breathe and calm down. we're on our way.

CARA says in a soothing and extremely calm whisper.

Amanda opens the door and steps out into the hallway. She glances back at CJ who is right behind her and smiles proudly at her friend's amazing ability to remain perfectly calm in the worst of situations.

Ashlyn* tries to do as CJ said, but she felt she had to say why she was there. "I-I-wanted to get more information." She whispered frantically, still twisting the useless doorknob. "I-I'm sorry!"

Ashlyn* stopped prying at the doorknob and whispered into the mic, trying to stay calm. "I'm sorry I messed up guys."

CARA steps past Amanda into the hallway and assumes the lead as she head down the hall to the other end.

Ashlyn* glanced back toward the torso on the table...she knew it wasn't going to hurt her, but the fact that it was there was frightening enough...until she got a good look at the temple of the man on the table. Large bruises had formed on either side of his forehead. Even with just her night-vision goggles she could notice them. "He has bruises on his temple" she said softly out loud, not sure if anybody would hear or not

Ashlyn* crept a bit closer and reached into her backpack for her tiny camera. She had intended to use it if she couldn't take the files with her, now it would serve a different purpose.

Ashlyn* 's heart was beating quickly, but she approached the torso and snapped pictures of the bruising on his temple...was this a treatment room?

Ashlyn* winced at the flash of the spy camera, took the pictures and quickly backed up toward the door again.

[NICK] Bruises?

NICK glances at Duncan.

Ashlyn* nodded. "On his temple!" she whispered frantically

[Ashlyn] "I-I think this might be a treatment room!"

CARA approaches the last door in the hallway and gently taps on it.

CARA whispers into her mic, "Ash? Can you hear me tapping on the door?"

Ashlyn* jumps at the sudden rapping on the door. "CJ??" She asks frantically, whipping around. "Yeah, I hear you! Can you get me out?!"

[Ashlyn] "I had to pick the lock to get in...it locked behind me automatically!"

Amanda quickly takes her own lock pick tool out of a pocket and proceeds to pick the lock in record time.

CARA opens the door as soon as she hears the latch release.

[CARA] Come on. let's go.

Ashlyn* practically flies into CJ and Amanda in her rush to escape the dark and smelly room

CARA quickly glances inside the room at what Ashlyn had seen, and records the scene in her head so that she call describe it later.

Amanda whispers into her mic, "we got her. We're on our way out."

Ashlyn* took the lead toward the elevator, as eager to get out of this building as possible

Amanda heads for the elevator.

Ashlyn* still clutched the spy camera in her fist tightly, and then realized she still had goggles on. She set them up, and glanced at the two other women. "I'm so sorry!"

NICK breathes a sigh of relief and glances at Duncan again. He whispers, "Good girl, babe. Good work. Now hurry up and get out of there. We're running a little behind schedule."

CARA whispers to Ashlyn directly, "No problem. Amanda's always doing shit like that. If I had a nickel.." She grins mischievously

Amanda jabs CJ in the ribs and gives her a look that says, "Payback's a bitch".

Ashlyn despite her rapid heartbeat and adrenaline rush, she had to grin at CJ

[Ashlyn] "I just hope I didn't screw us over for time." She replies nervously

Amanda gets midway down the hallway when she hears the doors of the elevator sliding open and she stops in her tracks.

Amanda holds up her hand to signal the others to stop.

Ashlyn* skids to a halt as well

[Amanda] I think we're about to get company.

Amanda announces.

Ashlyn* glances around the empty hallway for a place to hide

[Ashlyn] "Uh oh"

Ashlyn says simply

Ashlyn* looks toward CJ for direction. "What should we do?"

CARA moves to the wall on the other side of the hallway, bends down and unsheathes a dagger with a 7" inch blade that she has had strapped to her ankle underneath her pant leg. She backs up against the wall assuming a position of readiness.

CARA looks at Ashlyn and whispers, "stay behind Amanda.."

Ashlyn* tucks her spy camera safely away in her sweater pocket, zips it up and stands beside CJ

Ashlyn* nods. "okay" and moves to follow directions

NICK straightens up and every muscle in his body tenses

[NICK] What's going on, ladies?

Amanda prepares for a confrontation. Not wanting any distractions she pulls her headset off, letting it hang from her neck and quickly removes the camera headband which she hands back to Ashlyn.

[NICK] Ladies?

[NICK] Amanda?

Ashlyn* takes the items and clutches them closely. "someone's coming up the elevator, Nick." she says softly

[NICK] Someone's what? Ashlyn....repeat.

Ashlyn "the elevator." she whispered. "someone's coming, Amanda and CJ are preparing for confrontation"
Amanda Four very large and buffed out men step off the elevator, guns drawn and turn to face the women.

[Ashlyn] "Ohhh crap."

CARA doesn't hesitate. As soon as one of the men have cleared the elevator doors she throws her dagger, which embeds itself in the throat of the man and he crumples to the floor gurgling.


Duncan curses aloud. If they got a hold of Cara again....that wasn't a thought he could take right now. He looks at Nick. He wanted to jump out of the van and run toward the compound to get the women out.

Amanda fires off two shots, one of which hits one of the men on the arm. She goes to fire a third shot and her gun jams. Frustrated she throws it at one of the men.

[Ashlyn] "Uh oh!"

CARA slips out of the duffel bag strap, steps up to one of the men approaching them and spins around in a round house kick which lands on the right side of his face causing him to stagger backward.

Amanda starts to take off her backpack to do battle.

[CARA] NO!!!

CARA yells at Amanda.

Ashlyn* watches intently as the two women square off against the guys. "I have SO got to learn how to do that!"

[CARA] Go on....get out of here. Get that out. Take it to Mac. Hurry.

Ashlyn* looks toward Cara with alarm. "And leave you?!"

Ashlyn* shakes her head stubbornly. "We aren't leaving you behind! No Way!"

CARA ducks as the man swings at her and swings her own leg around catching him behind his knees and bringing him to the ground.

Amanda looks at CJ. She knows that the vial in her back pack is important but she can't do what CJ's asked.

[Ashlyn] "I'll stay, I'm the one that got us into this mess!"

Ashlyn pleaded.

[Ashlyn] "It's my fault!"

Duncan looks at Nick. "I need to go in. They're in trouble." He is very tense with fear and frustration.

CARA jumps in front of Amanda and Ashlyn when she sees the other man level his gun in their direction. She blocks his clear shot at the other two women just as he pulls the trigger and she feels the burning hot pain of the bullet as it penetrates her chest.

[Amanda] CJ!!!!!!

Amanda screams.

[Ashlyn] "CARA!!!!"

Amanda grabs CJ as she stumbles backward.

Ashlyn* grabs for CJ's arm, "We have to carry her out of here. Come on! We gotta go!!"

CARA As if in slow motion she slips to the floor. She looks up at Amanda and says, "Go. get that stuff out of here. You have to. Please. Go on. I'll be right behind you. I promise. They won't be able to keep me this time. Get going.

Ashlyn* whips her head back to look at the guy who had shot her, memorizing his features

Amanda knows CJ is right. She glances at Ashlyn and stands up. She takes Ashlyn's hand and pulls her away from CJ's now unconscious body.

Ashlyn* tries to resist Amanda's pull to stay with CJ, but inwardly she knows she's right

Amanda runs dead on at the man who just shot her best friend and leaps up, kicking him in the chest with both feet and knocking him out of her way. She pulls Ashlyn into the elevator and pounds on the button that closes the door.

Duncan talks into his mic. "What's going on?"

Ashlyn* squats down once in the elevator her hands covering her face

Amanda runs out of the elevator, pulling Ashlyn behind her, when it stops on the main floor. Disregarding the shouts of the employees milling around in the "lobby", she runs out the front door and down the driveway.

Duncan is ready to jump out of the van to go in and rescue them, but he knows he can't unless absolutely necessary.

Ashlyn* follows Amanda as fast as she can, dread slowing her feet

Amanda fumbles for her mic and yells breathlessly into it, "meet us at the front gate."

Ashlyn* sees the van ahead as she and Amanda make a beeline for it

NICK slips into the driver's seat without a word and starts the engine. He speeds away from where they had parked and up to the front gate, blocking the driveway. He looks out of the window and can see Amanda and Ashlyn running full tilt toward him. There are no security guards at the gate so he backs up and drives head on into the gate, breaking the locking mechanism and forcing it open. He then backs up and pulls the van around so that the passenger side is to the women.

[NICK] Open the door.

NICK calls back to MacLeod.

Duncan pulls open the door so the women can hop in.

Duncan sees only Ashlyn and Amanda, but no Cara. "Cara isn't with them." Dread begins to fill him.

Ashlyn* is wheezing by the time they got to the van

Amanda turns sideways as she runs through the gate. She is only a few feet from the van when the side door slides open. She leaps into the back of the van and rolls out of the way so that Ashlyn can get in too.

Duncan looks at the two women. "Where's Cara?"

Ashlyn* stumbles in and crawls on her knees when her legs aren't so steady

Ashlyn* looks toward Duncan tearfully

Amanda lays on the floor panting....completely out of breath. She covers her face with her arm as tears pour freely down her cheeks. She can no longer hold in the sobs that now escape her.

Ashlyn* is unable to hold Duncan's gaze and looks away, tears rolling down her cheeks as well

Ashlyn* gasps for breath

Duncan clenches his teeth together as he slams to door of the van shut. He knows by the reactions of the two that Cara was in trouble, but he couldn't just go gung ho into the compound. "Drive, Nick."

Ashlyn* curls up in the fetal position with her face on her knees crying softly

Ashlyn* tears off the night vision goggles from the top of her head and wants to throw them, but instead sets them down and hides her face in her knees again

NICK can hear Amanda's sobs behind him and wishes he were back there instead of driving. Something must have gone very wrong.

Amanda keeps repeating through her sobs, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

Ashlyn* refuses to look at anyone, she just keeps her face on her knees crying softly

Duncan fights back his own tears. Cara was stuck in that hell hole again. If they hurt her again....he could feel his anger growing, overwhelming the tears he had wanted to shed only a moment before.

NICK hears Amanda's sobs and wishes he were back there with her instead of having to drive. He knows that something must have gone terribly wrong.

[Amanda] I'm sorry...I'm sorry....I'm sorry.

Duncan sits down next to Amanda and Ashlyn. He takes Ashlyn's hand and then Amanda's. "It;s going to be ok." He didn't know if he was saying it to convince himself or them

Ashlyn* sniffs and just wants to get away. If Nick wasn't driving so fast she'd probably try to jump out, just to be by herself...to take the time to figure out how she was going to make it right

Ashlyn* tries to smile at Duncan, but doesn't quite manage it. When she sees his misty eyes it starts a fresh round of tears

Amanda pulls her hand out of MacLeod's She remembers the last time she got CJ hurt. Duncan had hated her for months.

Amanda reaches behind her and under the console of the survey lance monitors and grabs her sword which she dramatically hands to Duncan.

Duncan pushes the sword away. "It's not your fault, Amanda. This wasn't your idea, it was Cara's."

Amanda slips out of the backpack, opens it and takes out the pouch. She opens the pouch and removes the vial which she hands to Duncan.

Duncan takes the vial and looks at briefly before putting it into his coat pocket. "What happened to her, Amanda?"

continued on page 3

[cj]

NICK speeds through the small nearby town and winds through the country roads on the other side until he is sure he is not being followed then gets onto the Autobahn and heads for somewhere to take cover and get some rest.

[Amanda] I think Ashlyn somehow triggered an alarm in that room she got locked in. We didn't even get to the elevator when they were on us. there were four of them.

Amanda takes a breath.

[Amanda] CJ killed the first one with her dagger and knocked the second one out.

Amanda closed her eyes as she remembered what happened next.

[Amanda] She.....she saw the third guy aim his gun at me and Ashlyn and dove in front of us, taking the bullet. She told me to get out because I had the vial and Ashlyn had the files.

Amanda said, then, in almost a whisper, "she said she would be right behind us. She promised."

NICK pulls off of the Autobahn and into another small village. He slows down and drives in the heart of the town. He locates a small Gasthaus (motel or inn) and pulls into the parking lot.

NICK turns and looks into the back. He can see the shape Amanda is in so he reaches down and touches Ashlyn on the shoulder and says, "come on. You're going to be my wife." He takes out his wallet and removes his ID and replaces it with the contents of an envelope which he gets out of his briefcase. Then he gets out of the van and he and Ashlyn go into the office and register. They return and get back into the van and he drives to the end of the long 2 story building and parks.

[NICK] Come on you guys. We have a room for the night. Lets go inside out of the cold and sort this out in there then try and get some sleep.

NICK gets back out of the van and goes to the room, unlocks the door and holds it open for everyone.

[Amanda] I'm so sorry, Mac.

Amanda begins to cry again.

[Amanda] You have no idea how sorry.

Duncan pulls Amanda into a hug. "I know."

CARA revives just in time to feel the two bruisers lift her up by the armpits and drag her into the elevator.

[NICK] Come on, you two.

NICK calls out softly, still holding the door open.

CARA When the elevator door opens again, the men drag her out of it. She begins kicking, biting and screaming as she tries to get free of their grasp, but she knows that her efforts are futile. She's been down this road before. One of the men warn her to make it easier on herself by not <>

CARA fighting them.

Duncan gets out of the van, helping Amanda out.

[CARA] Yeah, right, ass wipe! That's the one thing you can count on....I WILL NOT MAKE IT EASIER ON ANY OF YOU!!!!!

CARA yells.

Amanda gets out of the van and steps toward the room. When she sees Nick waiting for them she hurries to his side and into his arms.

NICK puts his arm around her while holding the door open for Duncan.

[NICK] It's okay, babe. It'll be okay.

NICK says trying to comfort her.

Duncan walks passed Nick and into the room. He had to get to Cara tonight. He wouldn't be able to sleep knowing she was trapped again.

CARA fights every inch of the way as the two men drag her into a room, put her on an examining table that looks like the kind they have in morgues and shackle her to the table. After a few minutes of enduring her ear piercing threats and profanity, one of the men tape her mouth shut and leave the room.

Horton hangs up the phone on his desk with a smile on his deformed mouth. He opens his Rolodex and takes out the card he has with Duncan MacLeod's cell phone number written on it and dials the number.

NICK jumps when he hears Duncan's cell phone ringing.

Duncan pulls out his cell phone and answers it. "MacLeod..."

[Horton] I just thought you'd like to know that we already have a fix on your location and will be there in a minute. Thought you might want a ride so that you can die along with your wife.

Horton chuckles.

[Horton] See you soon, MacLeod.

Horton hangs up.

NICK looks at Duncan.[/i]

[NICK] Who was that?

Amanda drops into one of the two motel chairs, exhausted.

Duncan hangs up. He looks at Nick. His teeth are gritted. "Horton...he knows where we are."

[NICK] Shit!!

NICK gets to his feet.

[NICK] Then we can't stay here. How long do you think we have?

Amanda stands up herself.

NICK doesn't wait for an answer but heads for the door, taking Amanda by the hand.

NICK opens the door and turns back to Duncan and says, "Come on, man. We have to get out of here."

Duncan grabs Ashlyn, pushes her ahead of him and then follows her.

NICK opens the van and gets into the driver's seat.

Amanda gets into the passenger seat and buckles up.

NICK starts the engine and waits for MacLeod to get in.

Duncan gets in and closes the door.

[Amanda] Where exactly are we?

Amanda asks Nick.

NICK backs out and drives out of the parking lot and heads back toward the Autobahn

[NICK] About 20 miles from Hamburg.

NICK answers Amanda's question.

Amanda tries to get her emotionally exhausted mind to think what their next move should be.

NICK glances at her and reaches for her hand.

[NICK] Give it a rest, hon. I'll take it from here.

Duncan sighs. He is worried sick about Cara. God only knows what they are doing to her right at this moment.

[Amanda] You have any ideas?

[NICK] A few. Trust me?

Amanda manages a smile.

[Amanda] I'm going to marry you. So I'd say...yes.

NICK gives her hand a squeeze then puts both hands on the steering wheel as he sees the sign announcing the entrance to the Autobahn Just as they start their turn onto the on ramp, several black military style hum vies speed past them going in the opposite direction. They are accompanied by two military style helicopters following from above.

[NICK] I'd say they mean business.

NICK says as he watches out of his rear view mirrors.

Amanda turns around in her seat so that she can see out the back window of the van.[/i]

[Amanda] Looks like Horton got some serious funding since the last time we met.

Amanda observes.

Amanda glances at Duncan and reaches across the back of her seat and places her hand on his arm.

[Amanda] She promised, MacLeod. And CJ doesn't EVER break her promises.

Duncan looks at Amanda with tears in his eyes. He needed to get Cara out tonight. "But they have her locked up somewhere. How will she be able to get out?"

Amanda says comfortingly. She only hopes that she's not lying, but she wonders if this time...

Duncan takes a deep breath to keep the tears at bay. "We have to get her out tonight."

Amanda works her mind at double speed trying to come up with something encouraging to say to him, but the truth was....she had nothing. She wasn't completely convinced herself.

NICK listens to Amanda and Duncan and wishes he could think of the right way to express what he was thinking.....what his gut was telling him, but he doesn't know MacLeod well enough to know how to put it into words that won't sound harsh, or falsely encouraging. He decides to leave the handling of MacLeod to Amanda since she knows Duncan much better than he does. He goes back to formulating a plan that will get them to safety. Unfortunately...in light of the latest discovery that Horton had upgraded his resources, the only safety they may be able to find would be back home.

NICK There he would have the resources of the agency and possibly law enforcement as well as their many friends. There he would know of and have options not available to them here in a foreign country. Besides....they needed to get the drug sample to a lab and get it analyzed so an antidote could be made. That way, should CJ escape, they could help her. It was the whole reason they went on this mission in the first place. Failure to do that would mean that their efforts tonight...as well as CJ's sacrifice would have been for nothing and even though he didn't know her that well, from what he did know about her, that would be the last thing she would want. It would be like a slap in the face.

Amanda looked at nick's profile. She had a feeling she knew what he was thinking, but she said nothing. She knew that going back to that castle tonight would be pure stupidity. Horton would have doubled...tripled...even quadrupled his security, expecting some form of rescue effort and/or retaliation. They66 would be walking into a trap....they would surely be killed themselves which wouldn't help CJ at all.

Amanda also knew MacLeod well enough to know that he would be stubborn enough not to listen to what he didn't want to hear and because his common sense would be clouded by his love for CJ...he would be set on storming the castle...even if he had to go alone....in total disregard to his own safety...and probably get himself and whoever went along killed....permanently.

Duncan sighs knowing it would be a foolish thing to go and rescue Cara tonight. He knew though that he wouldn't get a wink of sleep because of his worry for her.

Amanda had no idea how to make him see reason....or how to comfort him if he did.

NICK glances in the mirror at Ashlyn and Duncan then turns and looks at Amanda. The tension in the van could be cut with a knife. It was magnified by the awkward silence that everyone was observing. He wondered how he would feel if the situation were different and it had been Amanda that had sacrificed herself. The thought makes his stomach churn and he almost feels like throwing up so he switches his thoughts back to their escape.

Horton dials MacLeod's cell phone after getting the report that the motel room was empty.

Duncan answers his phone again, knowing who it probably is. "We were too fast for you."

[Horton] I assume you're either on your way here or out of the country. If you think I don't have all bases covered, MacLeod...think again.

Horton drives his wheelchair through a door in the sub-basement and up to an exam table where he stops waiting for MacLeod's reply.

[Amanda] Is that him?

Amanda asks turning around in her seat so that she can see Duncan.

Duncan looks at Amanda and gives her a nod.

[Duncan] Do you, now?

[Duncan] Know this, Horton. I *will* kill you.

[Horton] Oh...I'm sure you will try. You thought you killed me once before. just like you thought that you killed my dad a couple of times. But we're smarter than you. Maybe when you became immortal you lost some brain cells in the process.

Horton goaded.

[Horton] Let ME tell you what YOU WILL do, MacLeod.

Horton nodded to one of the men standing on the other side of the table.

[Horton] I will allow you and your little troupe to leave the country. But that's all I will allow you to do. If you try and do anything else.....

Horton holds the phone out in front of him and nods again to the man standing on the other side of the table. The man steps forward and places the electric probe that he's holding against CJ's head.

CARA screams in utter agony as her body is filled with searing hot electricity.

Duncan clenches his jaw hearing Cara scream as he pulls the phone away from his ear.

Horton has his man repeat the action two more times and then puts the phone back to his ear.

[Horton] Do you get my point MacLeod? You leave Germany....leave my property alone and I will stop playing with my new toy.

Amanda hears CJ's screams through the phone and reaches back trying to grab the phone out of MacLeod's hand.

NICK tightens his grip on the steering wheel when he hears CJ's screams.

CARA screams again as the man touches her with the probe two more times.

[Horton] Are we on the same page, MacLeod?

Duncan has the phone back to his ear. "Yeah, we are." But it didn't mean he would actually listen to the bastard.

[Horton] I mean it, MacLeod...I have men at every major airport within travel distance and you will be watched. Any attempt to deviate from the plan...which in case you forgot is that you and your band of deviants are to leave the country...any attempt at changing that and the little missus will suffer for your stupidity. I hope you understand that, MacLeod. Understand and believe it. I guess we'll see how much you love her. Make the right choice MacLeod. Be smart for once in your long life. Go home and leave me and mine alone and this little cute y pie will be spared a lot of Have a safe flight, MacLeod. Oh...and say hi to my dad's old friend and brother in law, when you get home...will you?

Duncan hangs up and shoves the phone back into his coat pocket.

Horton hangs up. he looks at a man standing next to him and says, "see that they get aboard a plane going to the states. If they don't contact me immediately." Then he places his hand on CJ's and says, "For your sake, my dear, I hope your husband loves you enough to spare you more pain and goes home." Then he turns his wheelchair around and leaves the room.

CARA turns her head away from him and closes her eyes. She weeps silently.

[Amanda] Well? What did he say?

[Duncan] He wants us out f the country or he'll hurt Cara.

NICK glances at Duncan through his rear view mirror.

Amanda puts her hand on Duncan's shoulder.

[Amanda] How will he know what we do?

[NICK] I would imagine he has us staked out. We're probably on his radar right now.

Amanda glances at nick. She knows he is probably right. She looks back at Duncan.

Duncan nods. He rests his elbows on his knees and then cradles his head in his hands. He just wanted to scream.

[Amanda] You know he will hurt her....beyond hurt. I think we should do what he says.

[NICK] Amanda's right, Mac. We'll have a better chance at planning a rescue effort or something back home where we'll have access to my agency's resources and our friends.

NICK says watching Duncan in his mirror.

Duncan fights back tears and looks at Nick and Amanda. "Then that's all we can do. I don't any more harm to come to her because of me."

[Amanda] And it will be easier to protect ourselves at home than over here. Besides...if he believes we are complying he will leave CJ alone and maybe slack up on his security of her giving her the chance she needs to escape.

[NICK] Just because we go home.....look at it as a tactical retreat. You're a warrior. you know the validity of a tactical retreat....but just because we go home doesn't by any mean mean it's over.

[Amanda] Hell no. Not even close.

Amanda agrees with Nick.

Duncan nods. He knows that, but it kills him knowing that Cara was in danger.

[NICK] If the shit head wants a war....we'll give him a war. A wart like he has never even dreamed of. That is a promise, Mac.

Amanda squeezes Mac's shoulder.

]Amanda] A war that even the best historians have never seen. You can count on it, Duncan.

Duncan voice is hoarse from the lump in his throat. "Then we do what we have to."

[Amanda] He....and his whole organization will not get away with this.

[NICK] Or the offspring of anyone that works for him.

NICK says with a tone in his voice that dripped with vengeance.

Amanda has never heard vengeance in Nick's voice. He had always been against revenge, believing it was a waste of energy and usually ended up backfiring on the one who sought it. It sounded strange coming from him, but it sounded good right now because she was mentally promising CJ that she not rest until she had either rescued her best friend (since she had sacrificed herself, saving Amanda's life) or until she had exacted revenge for her.

Duncan talks quietly. "Just remember, Horton's mine."

Amanda glad that Duncan was listening to the voice of reason, she turns in her seat and slumps down, resting her head on the seat back and closing her eyes.

Duncan looks out the window and prays that Cara will be ok.

NICK glanced over at Amanda as he heard Duncan's remark and he said quietly, "Don't worry, my friend. You'll get the pleasure of exacting whatever amount and/or method of pain you want on the piece of maggot feces." He turned his attention back to driving as he punched his location and destination into the computerized locater on the dashboard. "Next stop...a major airport," he thought to himself.

Duncan feels tears burning in his eyes once again. He lets the tears fall as he sat silently looking out the window, focusing on nothing at all.

NICK follows the locator's directions to the Hamburg International Airport. He pulls into the Long Term Parking garage and finds a spot and parks the van. "I'll send Phil over to retrieve the equipment," he explains to Amanda who has sat up and is looking around a little disoriented.

Amanda nods, stretches and yawns. She turns around and looks in the back. Seeing that Ashlyn had also dozed off and hasn't woke up yet she calls out, "Ashlyn. Rise and shine." She glances at Mac and her heart aches as she see how much pain he's in. "Come on, Mac," she says softly. "Let's go."

NICK grabs his brief case and gets out of the van. he removes his shoulder holster and places it in the case and holds his hand across the seat waiting for Amanda to hand him hers.

Amanda hands him her empty holster.

NICK looks up at her and raises an eyebrow.

Amanda shrugs and says, "It misfired so I threw it at the guy."

Duncan gets out of the van. It was tearing him apart that he had to leave Cara here, but what other choice was there?

[NICK] Which guy was this? The one that tried to shoot you?

Amanda nods.

[NICK] Oh...well...that plan worked out well didn't it.

NICK says sarcastically and closes his brief case. He then closes and locks the van up and puts his arm around Amanda's shoulders and guides her and leads the others to the garage elevator.

Amanda looks around the terminal as they exit the elevator. After giving it the once over she says softly to Nick, "dark blue shirt in the mezzanine."

Duncan follows behind the rather groggy Ashlyn, hoping she doesn't fall over.

NICK glances in that direction and nods. "Yellow turtleneck with brown tweed hat in front of the photo booth," he whispers

[Amanda] Gotcha.

NICK stops in front of the arrival and departure board and quickly scans the departing flights. The next flight to the States is in an hour and a half. He makes a mental note of the flight number and looks around for that airline's ticket counter. When he sees it he leads everyone in that direction. Then gets in line.

Duncan glances around and spots the same two people Amanda and Nick see. It seemed Horton was making sure they were leaving the country and back to the States.

Duncan follows Nick, helping Ashlyn keep up.

[Amanda] I don't know about everyone else but I sure could use a cup of coffee. Nick you want one?

[NICK] That sounds great, honey. I'll just get our tickets and meet you at the ex ray machines.

Amanda gives him a quick kiss and looks at Duncan and Ashlyn.

[Amanda] Staying? Or coming with?

Amanda asks them.

Amanda Ashlyn opts to stay and sits on a bench behind the ticket line.

Duncan looks at Amanda. "I'll go with you."

Amanda fakes a smile and nods. She looks around and sees a sign that points to the food court and she heads off in that direction. As they round the corner of the main terminal complex she glances at the top of the escalators that lead up to the food court, and says softly to Duncan, "Green coveralls and red baseball cap at the top."

Duncan glances at a store window display, in the direction of the person Amanda was pointing out. He gives her a nod. He talks quietly. "He's making sure I keep my word on leaving."

[Amanda] You doubted that he would?

Amanda adds as she scowls up at him.

[Amanda] Since when did you start underestimating scum bags?

Amanda steps onto the escalator.

[Duncan] No, I didn't doubt he would. I'm just surprised at how fast he worked.

Duncan gets on the escalator.

[Amanda] It will be interesting to see where he's getting all the extra funding from...he must have a benefactor somewhere. I'd like to find that out.

[Duncan] Yeah, that would be interesting. But I wonder if those that are funding him know exactly what he's doing.

[Amanda] I'm sure we'll know soon enough. It's definitely on the top of my list of things to do when we get home.

Amanda gets off the escalator and heads for the nearest food vendor and orders two large coffees.

[Amanda] You getting anything?

Amanda asks Mac.

Due to a computer glitch the rest of this Chronicle has been lost so to summarize..Duncan, Nick, Amanda and Ashlyn board their flight with out any further problems from Norton although they were watched until their plane actually lifted off the ground. Duncan was unable to sleep during the ten hour flight to New York where they boarded their connecting flight to Seacouver, and found no rest during that flight either. Nick and Ashlyn slept during both flights and Amanda napped fitfully, the last leg of the flight she spent watching Duncan, worried that this was a loss he might not recover from and she blamed herself. When they landed in Seacouver Nick and Amanda drove Ashlyn to her house and dropped her off and then drove Duncan to his father-in-law and Delwyn's house where they dropped him off and then they went home.

[cj]

***It's late afternoon. As always at this time in Joe's things are still a little slow as most folk are still working, students still in college and the like.***

Claire has heard this place needs help, and so looking up the address she found it was not far from home. If you can call where she stays a home. An abandoned construction site is hardly that, and she manages to avoid being spotted the few times someone has shown up there. Seeing the place open, but not too busy she enters and makes her way toward the bar, where she hopes to find the owner or manager, or someone who can help her.

Roux steps out of Joe's office, a glass of juice in hand. She moves hesitantly, as though unsure of her surroundings. As it is the young woman is simply apprehensive about meeting new people. The innate fight or flight response asserting itself in any type of situation with this one. Usually "flight" wins out, but with there being so few people in the bar she moves forward slowly, her brown-eyed gaze flicking to each newcomer to ensure they aren’t going to come over. When Claire does, Roux halts dead in her tracks.

Claire isn’t exactly shy; she can’t be after all those years of performing on stage. Raising a hand she waves down the woman. “Excuse me! Yes, hi. I'm here about the job?”

Roux tries walking forward again, hoping she will be ignored or better yet, become invisible so that no one can see her. Her attitude is utterly different to what it had been before the renegades, but no one knows that and so it could be forgiven if people think she is shy or, from the response she gives Claire, a bit stupid. "Job?"

Claire nods, holding up a scrap of paper. “Yeah, they said you needed a bar tender.. right?”

Roux frowns, reaching out to take the paper but pulling back at the last second. "T-they?"

Claire nods again noticing the woman’s strange behavior. OCD? She wonders. “Yeah, a couple of the students at the college...”

Roux nods, before reaching out and snatching the paper as if afraid Claire would do something should she get too close. "Oh," it’s hard to tell from her one word answers that Roux is French. With Joe's help she’s starting to speak English more and integrating those words into conversation.

Claire 's brow furrowed as she stared at the one word woman. “Are you alright, Miss?”

Roux nods quickly to try and ensure some normalcy. People would tend to nod at such a question, after all, they wouldn't admit to a stranger if something is wrong. "Yes," she studies the paper and notes that it does, in fact, state that the bar is looking for workers. "Umm... ID?"

Claire smiles and reaches into her pocket producing her ID and holding it out in an open upturned hand to the strange woman.

Roux looks at it, but really isn’t in any position to check to see if it is fake or not, or even to hire Claire in the first place. But that isn’t going to stop young Roux. She grabs the nearest cloth and puts it on the table in front of Claire. "Okay. B-bar needs cleaning."

Claire smiles brightly and grabs up the cloth, and her superb fake ID. “Thank you so much! You wont be sorry.”

Roux frowns again. "Why?" she pauses and starts again. "Why would I be s-sorry?" she questions. Despite the fact that a snail has more conversation skills than she does, the woman appears starved of any conversation. She needs more contact with people, yet fears it at the same time.

Claire glances at her curiously. “Well, I'm a hard worker, and I learn real fast.” Claire holds out her hand in greeting, “I'm Claire, Claire Constantine.”

Roux looks at Claire's hand as if it’s some completely foreign object. Instead of taking it, she gives a half-hearted wave. "Roux, is my name."

[Claire] Oh! You’re French? That’s great, I speak French.. I could help you with your English if you like?

Roux takes a step back, more than a little startled at the other girls exuberance. "Okay." She hasn’t gotten the hang of refusing things at this point, having become so used to being made to cooperate.

Claire smiles at the woman. “It’s alright, I don't bite. So what is it you do here? Are you the manager?

Her eyes widen at the mere thought, "No," she hastily replies.

[Claire] Oh…well. Are you another bar tender, or the owner or a cleaning lady or what?

Claire’s speech is likely to get faster, but as she speaks faster she begins to speak French so the woman can keep up.

Roux eases into the conversation at bit better as the conversation moves into her native tongue. It does make it easier to keep up, too, and she seems to relax her a little. "Joe's friend," though it is said with uncertainty. He had helped her when the renegades had tossed her away, and that was enough for him to gain her trust.

[Claire] Joe? That’s the guy who owns this place right? Is he cool? I have heard he plays guitar really well. Do you play too?

Roux nods and shakes her head where appropriate, it’s probably the fastest conversation she’s had yet. To her, it’s a little intimidating but in an attempt at acting normal, she remains frozen on the spot.

Claire stares at her a moment falling silent as she does so. A slow breath and she speaks once more. “Uhm, would it be possible to get an advance on my first weeks pay?” Claire looks a little guilty about asking, but she wouldn't ask if she doesn’t need it desperately.

Again a frown appears and she shrugs helplessly before studying the ground, completely unsure how to respond. She does so eventually, "I don't-I don't know."


[Claire] Oh, well…if its trouble don't worry about it…I’ll be alright..


Claire glances around then back to Roux. “So when do the crowd usually roll in?” She eventually stops questioning the woman and even heads home to the abandoned warehouse.