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Post by cj on Dec 1, 2007 0:46:59 GMT -5
Stockey takes a cab from his hotel, the Seacouver Hyatt, to a warehouse near the docks and meets with the other members of his team. After confirming their instructions he gets into the passenger seat of one of the humvies and they take the lead and head for their destination.
Stockey's vehicle pulls up in front of Wyn's house. Although it is in a “neighborhood” none of its neighbors are close giving him the confidence that they will have enough time to do what has to be done and get out before any law enforcement arrive. That and the fact that he has chosen this particular time of day because of the lack of residents that are home and the wind direction aiding in carrying some of the sound waves away from the other residences. The team exit the vehicles and approach the front of the house. When they are in position...even though Stockey doesn't sense any Immortals in the dwelling, he gives the word and the 6 men open fire on the front of the house. They empty one clip, load a second and empty that as well, sending chunks of wood and glass flying. When they have emptied their second clip, Stockey and two other men head for the remains of the front of the house and go inside. After a thorough search which confirms that no one, Immortal or mortal was inside, Stockey and his team leave the area and head for the warehouse that they started from, only moments before sirens are heard responding to a neighbor's frantic 911 call.
Stockey is becoming increasingly aggravated that his intended target has not been at either place.
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Post by cj on Dec 1, 2007 0:47:52 GMT -5
JOE gets off the phone in his office. He rubs his face with his hand then picks up the phone and dials Duncan's cell phone number and waits for an answer.
Duncan picks his cell phone up from the nightstand and answers. "MacLeod." [JOE] Mac? It's Joe. [Duncan] Hey, Joe. JOE is looking at the screen of his computer and the file that has just loaded up.[JOE] Have you ever heard of an Immortal named Robert Stockey? JOE asks.[Duncan] No, why do you ask? Duncan sits down on the bed.[JOE] I just got a call from Lance...one of my guys, assigned to Stockey. Seems his assignment has come to Seacouver with a specific target in mind. [Duncan] Who's he after? Duncan has a bad feeling Joe is going to it's him.[JOE] You, my friend. His target is you. Duncan sighs. "Should have known."
JOE tires to shut out the nagging voice in the back of his head that is saying, "there you go again, Dawson...breaking the rules."[Duncan] I'm guessing he's the one that decided to make swiss cheese of Cara's house. [JOE] Lance wasn't there when it happened but said that it most like was his guy because he over heard part of his plans at the airport in...I hope you're sitting down...Otterburg, Germany. Duncan sighs again as he runs a hand through his hair. "I figured it would be one of Horton's guys."[JOE] I'm looking at what there is of the guy's file right now. He's bad news, Mac. Real bad news. [Duncan] What else is new. Duncan says a bit exasperated.[Duncan] How bad is bad? [JOE] He has a head count of 267 and he's just barely over 100 years old. [JOE] You're quite familiar with his teacher. [Duncan] I am? [JOE] It was Kern, Mac. JOE says quietly.[Duncan] Why can't you call me with some good news every once in awhile. [JOE] Sorry, Mac. I just thought you'd want to know. [Duncan] Yeah, I know. Thanks for warning me. JOE wonders just how much any one person could take. He doubtes that if it were him that he'd be able to keep it together as much as his friend has, especially in light of the developements of the last few months.[JOE] That's what friends are for. Look...I have to get back to the bar. You watch yourself, my friend. Duncan wishes he could have some sort break from it, but that wasn't an option. Maybe things will quiet down enough so he can ask Methos about Bora Bora. "You too, Joe."
Duncan hangs up his phone.
JOE hangs up and stares at the phone for a few minutes then gets up with a sigh and goes back into the bar.
Duncan gets up from the bed and grabs his coat and sword, which he slips into the lining, and leaves his room. He walks down the hall and to the elevators as he puts his coat on. He gets into the elevator and goes down to the lobby. He walks out the back of the hotel and onto the beach. He just needed to get his head straight. He also needed to intensify his training. He walks along the shore looking out toward the bay, his hands shoved into his pockets.
KACEY is sitting in the shade of a large bolder outcropping on one of Seacouver's secluded beaches. Unable to find Dragon Swift the night before she had camped out here for the night. Now she sits and stares out over the Pacific ocean. Tears run down her cheeks although she isn't sure why she is crying since she never cries....or at least she can't remember ever crying....but for some reason...now she is unable to stop.
Duncan sees not to far off an outcropping of rocks and walks in that direction. As he gets closer, he feels the buzz tingle through him. He pulls his sword from his coat.
KACEY 's mind is reeling with thoughts of what she is going to do...how much trouble she is in and to complicate things....confusing thoughts...memories...whatever they are that are not hers.
KACEY is so engulfed with the jumbled stuff in her head and the fact that her head is splitting that she doesn't become aware of the Immortal buzz until it is too late.
Duncan approaches the rocks slowly and sees a woman sitting in the sand shaded by the rocks. He moves closer and recognizes her from Joe's bar, the one that looked a lot like Cara.
Duncan can see she has been crying. He lowers his sword. "are you ok?"
KACEY looks up suddenly feeling the buzz at the same time that she hears his voice. She jumps to her feet and reaches for her sword.
KACEY sees who it is and is overcome with conflicting emotions that leave her confused.[KACEY] What do you want? KACEY says trying to hide her emotional confusion and sound confident and steady.[Duncan] Just some peace and quiet to be able to think in. KACEY is unable to tear her eyes away from his.[KACEY] Then I suggest you just keep on walking, mister. KACEY says holding her sword out in front of her, hoping she looks threatening.
Duncan wants to move closer, but stands his ground. "I don't know if that's such a good idea. You didn't even realize I was here until I saw you."
Duncan keeps his sword down at his side.[KACEY] Yeah...well....it's not a mistake I will make again. Believe me. Let's just hope you don't make any mistakes right now. KACEY knows she should just get on with it and take his head...after all he is standing right in front of her....but she can't move...and she still can't tear her gaze from his.
Duncan watches her. God, she looked so much like Cara it was uncanny. "I don't mean you any harm. I'm sorry to have bothered you." He begins to slowly back away, but he really doesn't want to leave her.
KACEY stands as if frozen in place and watches him back away...her eyes locked with his.
Duncan stops where he is. Her eyes...they were just like Cara's. He feels a lump growing in his throat. His voice is a hoarse whisper, "Cara?"
Duncan looks deeper into her eyes and moves closer to her, unable to stop himself.
KACEY stares at him in silence.
KACEY sees him change his direction and moving closer to her and she instinctively takes a step back but does not raise her sword in defense.
Duncan swallows back tears. "Cara..." He moves even closer, never taking his eyes away from hers
KACEY steps back until her back is up against the boulder outcropping and she is trapped. Suddenly a sharp unbearable pain shoots through her head and she drops her sword as her hands go to her head.[KACEY] Agh! KACEY screams in pain and drops to her knees.
Duncan drops his sword in the sand as he quickly closes the distance between them.
KACEY "Get up you fool," a voice in her head is saying. "He'll take your head. Get up for God's sake"
Duncan kneels down in the sand next to her. "It's ok, sweetheart." He reaches out to touch her face.
KACEY reaches out blindly trying to find her sword.[KACEY] Leave me alone. Get away. KACEY scrambles back away from him still holding her head with one hand.
KACEY is unable to locate her sword and she begins to panic for the first time in her life...at least that she can remember.
Duncan lets his hand fall to his side. He felt a bit of panic go through him. What if this what Horton's trick? His father tried it with Tessa, but this *had* to be Cara. He could tell by her eyes. No one can recreate that.
KACEY huddles against the boulder and covers her head with her arms as though they will protect her from his blade that she is sure is aimed at her neck.
Duncan moves a bit closer. He says gently, "I'm not going to hurt you."
KACEY is overcome by another searing pain in her head and then a buzzing sound...like a million bees and a metallic taste in her mouth. Her eyes roll back in her head and she falls to the ground and begins convulsing in a full blown Grand Mal seizure.
Duncan watches her hit the ground and begin to go into a seizure. "Oh god..." He goes over to her and pulls her away from the rock, so she won't hurt herself.
Duncan feels tears come to his eyes. He had no way to help her. All he could do was watch and wait for it to end.
KACEY convulses for several minutes...then her body stiffens and then goes limp as she stops convulsing...stops breathing...and dies.
Duncan pulls her into his arms and waits for her to return to the land of the living.
KACEY lays limp in his arms. Her face becomes ashen as any remaining oxygen in her blood dissipates....something rarely...if ever....experienced by an Immortal when they "die".
Duncan watches her and he begins to feel a bit of panic yet again. He could see her face was getting paler. "Come one, sweetheart. Come back...come back." He speaks quietly.
Duncan pulls his cell phone out of his pocket and quickly dials Liam's number.
LIAM hears his cell phone ringing and fumbles through the papers and books on the desk in Lillith's library for it. He finds it and answers, "hello?"[Duncan] Liam, it's MacLeod. LIAM can tell by the sound of his voice that something is wrong.[LIAM] What is it, son? What's happened? Are you alright? Duncan touches Cara's face. "I think I found Cara. I need to bring her to Lillith's."
LIAM had just stood up. When he hears Duncan's announcement he drops back into the chair, the blood draining from his face.[LIAM] What did you say? [Duncan] I said I think I just found Cara. Horton succeed with her. She isn't dead. Duncan is starting to worry because she has yet to come to. "I'm bringing her over."
LIAM is speechless. He sits staring at the top of the cluttered desk in shock.
Duncan hangs up the phone and shoves it into his pocket.
LIAM continues to sit with the phone held to his ear, not realizing that Duncan has hung up.
Duncan picks Cara up and begins carrying her to the hotel and then to his car, making sure there weren't too many people around.
Duncan puts her into the back seat of the car, gets in and takes off for Lillith's place.
Finally the cell phone drops out of his hand and falls to the floor clattering loudly on the wood flooring and his hand drops limply at his side. he is white as a sheet.
Delwyn walks out of the kitchen with a mug of tea in her hands. She walks to the library to check on Liam.
Delwyn steps into the doorway and sees how pale Liam is. She rushes to his side, putting her tea on the desk. "Liam, are you ok? What happened?"
Lillith unlocks her door and steps in tossing her keys on the table and setting her brief case under the table before kicking off her heels and pushing them under the table as well with a relieved sigh.
LIAM looks blankly at Wyn.[LIAM] Duncan.... LIAM manages to say weakly.[LIAM] brining....C...C.... Delwyn her eyes widen. "What about Duncan?"
LIAM shakes his head.[LIAM] No. It's not possible. Delwyn touches his face as panic starts to run through her. "What's not possible, love?"
LIAM looks at her.[LIAM] He said he's bringing Cara Jean here. LIAM looks as if he's in a trance.
Delwyn shakes her head, not sure she heard him correctly. "What?"
LIAM staggers to his feet. He has to brace himself against the desk for a few seconds then slowly walks toward the library door.
Lillith a stretch and a deep breath and Lillith moves upstairs to change her clothing before interrupting her guests.
LIAM walks into the hallway like a zombie and stops, staring at the front door.
Delwyn follows him. "Did you say Duncan is bringing Cara here?"
Lillith is on her way down the stairs when she hears the remark and she stops at the bottom and stares at them. "Anything interesting I should know?
Delwyn turns to look at Lillith. "Liam said that Duncan is coming here with Cara."
LIAM is suddenly overcome with...what seems to be in his current state of mind...common sense and explodes, "Has he lost his mind? What kind of joke does he think he's pulling? That's it. He's completely lost his mind."
Lillith just nods as if it is no surprise to her, then turns and moves into the kitchen putting on a pot of coffee. "Its going to be a long night."
LIAM storms toward the front door, his face now red with anger. "It's time I forced him to see reality. The hard way."[Lillith] Liam, will you join me in the lab please to help with preparations? Lillith calls as she heads downstairs.[Delwyn] I'll help you. Delwyn follows Lillith, knowing Liam was not in the state of mind to do this right now.
LIAM stops just before reaching the door. He looks at Lillith and then back to the front door.[Lillith] No, you wait for Duncan, Liam needs a moment of peace before we start this with Cara. LIAM whirls around to face Lillith.
Duncan pulls to a stop in front of Lillith's house. He gets out of the car and opens the back door and gently pulls Cara's body from the car.[LIAM] Why are you people doing this? It's not Cara Jean. She's dead. Even Immortal's can't come back from being beheaded. Lillith stares evenly at Liam, a darkness in her eyes that is seldom seen. "Liam, I require your assistance in the lab... Now... please
Lillith says firmly
LIAM grumbles as he follows Lillith to her lab.[Lillith] Either way Wyn is correct he is bringing someone in need of help Lillith smiles at his behavior and descends the stairs to her lab[LIAM] You've all lost your minds. I guess I'm the only sane one around here. LIAM continues to grumble.
Delwyn sighs and goes to the front door as she feels the buzz come over her. She pulls the door open.
Lillith moves about accessing the files needed for this process and glances at Liam. "Just be silent and go prep the chair.
Duncan carries Cara into the house and heads for the downstairs.
Delwyn only sees a glimpse of the woman Duncan was carrying ad she didn't look like Cara. Maybe MacLeod had finally lost his mind. She closes the door and follows Duncan.
Delwyn only sees a glimpse of the woman Duncan was carrying and she didn't look like Cara. Maybe MacLeod had finally lost his mind. She closes the door and follows Duncan.
LIAM does as he's told but not without continual grumbling about everyone's sanity.
Lillith moves to the medicine cabinet and grabs a few vials and hypodermic needles and a IV and drip bag. "Thats it we're ready.
Duncan walks down the stairs and quickly walks over to the chair and places Cara in it.
Lillith moves over and immediately straps Cara's wrists, ankles and forehead so she can not flail around.
Duncan turns to look at Lillith. "Some thing's wrong. She had a seizure on the beach and she has yet to come back."
LIAM drops the tray of instruments he is carrying to Lillith when he sees the woman Duncan places in the chair.
Duncan stops Lillith where she is.[Lillith] Duncan, get me the Drip bag, IV and the vial with the red label. Don't worry about the seizure, she'll be alright, just do as I say Lillith stares evenly at Duncan.
Duncan a rather fierce look comes over his face. "She's dead, Lillith. Check for a pulse. Help her. Something is wrong. She's been out for over 15 minutes now."
LIAM stares at Kacey with his mouth part way open.
Lillith with a growls stands and moves back to the medicine cabinet and pulls out a portable dialysis machine and sets it on the floor next to Kacey and runs an IV switching the machine on
Delwyn moves closer to see what is going on. Her eyes go to the woman in the chair. As she looks she can see the similarities to Cara, but it still may not be her.[Lillith] This will make her blood flow regardless, [LIAM] Sweet Jesus. LIAM says crossing himself as he drops to his knees.
Lillith then grabs the IV and red labeled vial using a hypodermic needle to withdraw some of the liquid and inject it into the port to mix with the saline solution running an IV into Kacey's neck.
Delwyn walks over to Liam and puts a hand on his shoulder.
Lillith glares at them all. "If you aren't going to help me then get out of my bloody lab
Lillith growls angrily
Delwyn speaks quietly. "You need to move out of the way so we can work, love. Go be with Duncan."
LIAM manages to somehow get to his feet and move up against the wall. He cannot stop staring in shock at the girl in the chair.
Delwyn looks at Lillith. "What do you need me to do?"
Lillith moves about swiftly leaning over her keyboard and tapping a few keys to start audio. The audio files play cycling through read transcripts of her Cara's watcher files. Glancing over at Wyn she instructs.
Duncan goes over to Liam and pulls him out of the way, so the women have room to work.[Lillith] Get a second IV bag and the vial with the blue label and prep it for Cara. Delwyn does as she is instructed.[Lillith] Duncan, take Liam to the kitchen and get him and Wyn and I some coffee please. [LIAM] Sweet Jesus. LIAM repeats softly still staring at the girl in the chair.
Lillith continues working swiftly between the computer and Cara.
Duncan grabs Liam's arm and leads him to the stair.[Lillith] Wyn, grab the stethoscope and listen for a heartbeat. LIAM follows Duncan blindly.
Delwyn hands over the Iv and bag to Lillith and then grabs the stethoscope She puts it on and listens for a heartbeat.
Delwyn looks over to Lillith. "Nothing."
Duncan guides Liam up the stairs and then to the kitchen table, where he pulls out a chair for him to sit in.
LIAM sits in a chair at the kitchen table and stares at the door leading downstairs to the lab.[LIAM] Tell me. LIAM says simply.[Lillith] dammit Duncan grabs some mugs from a cabinet and pours coffee into each. He grabs one for himself and one for Liam and puts it in front of him.
Lillith moves over and pulls a little lever on the chair making it recline.[Lillith] Wyn, start CPR Delwyn looks at Lillith incredulously. "You actually think that's going to work on a dead Immortal?"
Duncan sits down across from Liam. "Tell you what? How I found her? How I knew?"
LIAM just nods.[Lillith] Do you think it will do any harm? Lillith asks in a flat even tone
Delwyn quirks a brow. "I think it may just be a waste of time. She'll come to eventually."[Lillith] What do you suggest? [Delwyn] I suggest we wait. KACEY suddenly gasps for breath. Because her lungs had been completely depleted of any air due to the time she was dead, they resist her first few attempts at filling them and she coughs and gasps desperately for air.
Delwyn smiles triumphantly at Lillith. "See..."
Lillith flicks off the dialysis machine and stares at Cara for a moment. "Cara, relax and stay calm."
[Lillith] Wyn, go hit the enter key on the keyboard.
KACEY Between not being able to get her breath and the fact that she is restrained cause Kacey to panic and she begins thrashing and fighting against the restraints.
LIAM hears the commotion downstairs and gets to his feet.
Lillith grabbed a vial and withdrew some of the contents with the hypodermic needle and injects it into the IV port.
[Lillith] That should calm her.
Delwyn goes over to the computer and hits enter.
Delwyn mutters under her breath, "Or maybe letting her move at least her head might help."
KACEY 's thrashing begins to slow down but she still is fighting to take one whole breath.
LIAM moves toward the door that leads downstairs.
Duncan looks at Liam. "We better wait until we are needed."
Delwyn walks over to the woman and puts a warm, gentle hand on her shoulder. She speaks softly, "You're ok. You are safe here," using her special little gift.
Lillith released the strap across Cara's head. "now calm down take slow deep breaths
Continued on page 2
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Post by cj on Dec 1, 2007 0:48:39 GMT -5
KACEY finally takes in a whole breath, filling her lungs with much needed air. Then another one...and another one and finally she is able to begin breathing normally. As oxygen once again begins to find its way into her blood stream, she becomes more coherent and realizes that she is restrained to a chair in a room filled with sounds of medical machines and smells of disinfectants and she suddenly sees herself in a similar situation only instead of Lillith standing over her it is Sherring with some sort of torture device in his hand.
KACEY screams and begins fighting to get lose from the restraints.
Lillith moved away seeing her presence was doing more harm then good.
[KACEY] NOOOOO!!!! GET AWAY!!!! NOOOO!!!!
[KACEY] STOP!!! NO MORE!!! NOOO!!!
[Lillith] Wyn, calm her
[KACEY] SOMEBOIDY HELP ME!!!!
LIAM hears the screams from downstairs and glances at Duncan and says as he heads downstairs, "Like hell!"
[KACEY] NO!!!!
Delwyn speaks softly, her voice melodic and hypnotic. "Hush now. You are safe. There is no one here to hurt you. Close your eyes and relax."
[Lillith] WYN! calm her!
[KACEY] PLEASE....SOMEBODY....HELP!!!!
[KACEY] D U N C A N !!!!! HELP ME!!!
Lillith was out of sight prepping a syringe of tranqs.
Duncan follows quickly on Liam's heels.
KACEY screams without realizing what she is screaming.
Delwyn focuses her energy into calming the woman, but she can see exactly what the woman is seeing.
[Delwyn] Hush, hush....we're here to help. Those men exist in your memory. They aren't here.
LIAM storms through the lab door and walks almost all the way to the chair but stops just a few feet away, looking down at the girl who is fighting for her freedom and looking more like a caged animal than a person.
Delwyn wants to pull her hands away to keep from seeing anymore, but this affirms to her that this woman is Cara.
Lillith looks to Liam if you can keep her from injuring herself, us or the equipment you may release her, but don't let her pull those IVs out
[KACEY] GET AWAY FROM ME!!! LEAVE ME ALONE!!! I'LL KILL YOU....ALL OF YOU!!! DUNCAN...HELP ME!!!
[Lillith] "if you can keep her from injuring herself, us or the equipment you may release her, but don't let her pull those IVs out"
Duncan rushes over to her, pushing Wyn out of the way. "I'm here, sweetheart. I'm here." He takes hold of her hand.
Delwyn stumbles away from Cara as Duncan pushes her aside.
Delwyn steps back and goes over to Liam, looking a little dazed.
KACEY leans forward and tries to chew at her wrist restraints.
Lillith assists Wyn to a chair."sit and rest."
LIAM looks down at Wyn and squats next to the chair Lillith has provided.
[LIAM] You saw....didn't you?
LIAM asks softly as he takes hold of her hands.
Duncan pulls the restraint off of Cara's wrist. "I'm here, sweetheart. You're ok. You're safe."
[KACEY] LET ME GO!!! LET ME OUT OF HERE. I'LL KILL YOU....I'LL KILL ALL OF YOU. LET...ME....GO!!!
Delwyn plops down into the chair. She tears her eyes away from Cara and then looks at Liam. All she does is nods.
KACEY manages to punch Duncan in the face and struggles to break out of his grasp.
[LIAM] Bad?
LIAM asks softly looking into Wyn's eyes?
Duncan stumbles backwards. His hand immediately goes to his jaw. He looks at Lillith. "Give her something to calm her. She's going to hurt herself."
Lillith watches this all with a calm gaze and orders loudly and firmly. "Cara, Kacey, who ever you are. sit down, or I'll knock you down.
Delwyn nods once again. She could feel the remnants of Cara's pain in her own body.
Lillith growls softly and grabs a tranquilizer gun from her desk and points it at Cara. "Sit."
KACEY glares at Lillith.
[KACEY] Try it bitch.
KACEY snarls.
[KACEY] I'll wake up eventually.
[KACEY] And then your ass will be mine.
[Lillith] Only in your dreams
KACEY spits on Lillith.
[KACEY] We'll see who's dreaming you stupid cow!
Delwyn is finally able to focus on Liam's face.
Lillith pulled the trigger aiming for Cara's thigh so she had very very little chance of missing given Cara's inability to move thanks to her ankles being restrained
Delwyn whispers. "There isn't a word to describe how bad."
Duncan walks back over to Cara. "Cara, we're trying to help you."
KACEY glares at the dart as it sticks in her leg. She reaches down and pulls it out tossing it to the floor and then glares at Lillith. As she melts back into the chair she says, with her last bit of strength, "Fucking cunt....you're dead. Do you hear me? Dead." Then she collapses into the chair
Lillith made no reaction just moved back to the computer and hit a few keys starting the visual and audio overload. The tranqs would allow Cara to be aware of the TV and speakers.
LIAM hears Kacey's threat and stands up and looks at her. Just before she slips back into the chair he says in a voice firm...yet not loud, "Cara Jean O'Wynl....stop it this instant!"
KACEY As she drifts into a drugged stupor she whispers, "MacLeod, daddy. It's MacLeod."
LIAM looks at Duncan
Delwyn rises from her chair, still a bit dazed, but steady. She goes to the stairs, turns to look at the now sedated Cara, and then goes up the stairs.
LIAM catches Duncan's eye and winks, a small smile on his face.
Duncan feels a smile come to his lips at that comment.
LIAM turns and follows Wyn upstairs.
Lillith moves up the stairs and into the kitchen closing the door behind her.
Duncan watches everyone go upstairs. He grabs a chair and sits in it watching Cara.
Lillith looks at them all then turns and moves toward the stairs. "Duncan, keep her sedated and watching that screen it has a 12 hour cycle so you don't have to worry about the computer.
Lillith pours herself a cup of coffee and moves out to the porch to sit alone.
LIAM walks up to Wyn and puts his arms around her.
[LIAM] Are you okay, baby?
Delwyn turns into Liam's arms, needing to feel his strength. She is shaking, the images still steadily flashing through her mind.
[LIAM] Okay, baby. Shhhhh. It's okay. I'm here.
LIAM whispers.
LIAM holds her tight against him.
[LIAM] Shhhhh. It's alright. Shhhhh.
Delwyn draws in a deep breath to help steady herself.
LIAM strokes her hair and kisses the top of her head.
Delwyn Those images would be burned into her memory forever. What was done to Cara was pure evil. No amount of cleansing and mediation could rid all of it from her system.
LIAM scoops her up and carries her to the couch in the den and gently lays her on it and sits on the edge of the couch next to her.
LIAM , still holding her, begins to gently rock her in his arms.
[LIAM] It's alright, my love. It's alright.
Delwyn looks up at Liam. "I thought the Romans were bad, but what I saw was far worse than any Roman general could inflict on a prisoner,"
LIAM places the palm of his hand against her cheek and nods silently, not knowing whether to encourage her to talk about it or not.
[KACEY] No....please....stop....please....no more.
KACEY mumbles in her drugged state.
Duncan holds Cara's hand. He speaks softly, "You're ok, sweetheart. I'm here with you. You're going to be ok. I won't let anyone else hurt you."
Delwyn leans back into the couch, closing her eyes.
KACEY 's mind is filling with conflicting thoughts....memories...feelings. She looks away from the monitor and turns to look at Duncan. Her eyes are filled with pain and fear and confusion as she whispers, pleadingly, "please? Let me go. I promise...I won't hurt any of you. Just let me go."
LIAM sits back with her, his arms still around her.
[LIAM] It's over now, my love. It's okay.
LIAM says softly.
Duncan places a hand on her head and strokes her hair. He wished he could let her go, but he couldn't. "You will be. Just relax and watch the screen, sweetheart."
Delwyn opens her eyes and looks at him.
[Delwyn] I'll be ok. Why don't you go see if MacLeod needs some help?
KACEY tears stream down her face. "Please let me go. Please. I promise not to hurt any of you. Just let me go. Please? Please?"
LIAM shakes his head.
[LIAM] Duncan is where he needs to be and I am where i need to be.
LIAM smiles at her and traces her jawline with the tip of his finger.
Duncan feels his heart tear at such a plea. "I can't. This is for you're own good. I want my wife back."
Delwyn smiles briefly. "I love you."
[LIAM] And I love you, Delwyn Caernarfon.
LIAM leans down and gives her a gentle kiss on her lips.
KACEY looks Duncan in the eye.
[KACEY] Your wife?
KACEY tries to clear her drug fogged mind.
Duncan nods. "Yeah, you're my wife, Cara."
[KACEY] Oh...yeah...your wife. Your wife is dead. I killed her. I took her head the way you too my husband's head. Blood for blood, MacLeod.
KACEY suddenly notices Duncan's wedding ring and grabs his left hand, holding it up.
[KACEY] You stole this. You stole it right off my husband's hand. That was his wedding ring. You bastard!.
KACEY begins fighting against her restraints again although with much less energy.
[Duncan] No, you gave me this wedding ring on our wedding day, Cara. You're my wife."
Duncan pulls the pendant and Cara's wedding ring from his pocket, both on a necklace.
[KACEY] My name is Kacey. Not Cara. Kacey Duggan. Cara's dead, MacLeod. Dead, dead, dead. I took her red head and threw it in the Rhine
Duncan shows them to her, ignoring what she's saying. "I gave both of these to you. Do you remember?"
KACEY slaps them out of his hand.
[KACEY] I am not her, you idiot. I'm me. Kacey Duggan and I have been for over 100 years.
KACEY lowers her voice and looks at him pleadingly.
[KACEY] Look, MacLeod. Maybe we can come to a deal here. If you let me go I can help keep Stockey off your back....I'll do anything....just please let me go.
Duncan shakes his head. "No, I can't let you go. I'll deal with Stockey when he comes for me."
KACEY manages a maniacal laugh through the drugs.
[KACEY] Dream on MacDuff.
KACEY says quoting Shakespeare
[KACEY] You don't stand a chance.
[KACEY] If you let me go I can help you. Otherwise...you're on your own.
Duncan stands up and looks down at her. "You aren't going any where. I'm not going to lose you again."
Duncan moves away from her and goes to pick up the ring and pendant and puts it back in his pocket.
[KACEY] Then I'll see you in hell!
KACEY hisses and turns her head away.
Duncan turns to look at her and mutters, "not if I can help it."
KACEY closes her eyes refusing to look at the monitors. She tries to figure out how she's going to get out of here before these crazy people can do anything weird to her with all of their machines and drugs.
Duncan goes back to his chair and sits back down, watching Cara or Kacey or whatever the hell she wanted to call herself.
Richie dials Duncan's cell phone but gets his voice mail so he calls Liam's number.
LIAM hears his cell phone ringing in the library.
[LIAM] You be okay while I go get that?
LIAM asks Wyn.
Delwyn nods. "Yeah, I'll be fine."
LIAM gets up and goes into the library and retrieves his cell phone from the floor where he had dropped it earlier.
[LIAM] Hello?
LIAM says as he heads back into the den and sits back down next to Wyn and puts his arm around her.
[Richie] Liam...it's Richie. Is Mac there with you? He's not answering his cell phone.
Delwyn leans against him, feeling drained, but at least the images were starting to dissipate
[LIAM] He probably has it turned off, Richie. He's kind of busy at the moment.
LIAM says not wanting to tell the kid about Cara Jean over the phone.
[Richie] Is there a television where ever you are?
LIAM gets a puzzled look on his face.
[LIAM] Yes. Why, son?
[Richie] Turn it on. To KCLA. Now.
[LIAM] What's this about?
LIAM says as he reaches for the remote and turns on the TV to the station Richie told him to.
Delwyn sits up and looks at Liam, wondering what Richie was calling about.
"Another home in a quiet neighborhood located on the lower west side of Seacouver has been destroyed by gunfire, this morning," the reporter is saying as the camera pans across the debris of what once was Wyn's house. Liam sits forward almost knocking Wyn off the couch.
Delwyn catches herself before she was able to fall off. Wonders what is up with people knocking her around today.
Delwyn looks at the TV and her mouth drops open.
Delwyn points to the TV. "Tha..that looks like it used to be my house!"
"Just as in yesterday morning's attack, several gunmen opened fire on this house which, thankfully was empty at the time. Police still have no leads as to the identity of the gunmen only that they are driving black military style humvies and dress in black fatigues. they have no clue as to the motive of the gunmen or why these two houses have been targeted. We will bring you updates as we learn them. This is Randi McFarland reporting live from Seacouver for KCLA TV. Back to you in the studio"
LIAM switches off the TV.
[LIAM] Richie?
LIAM says into his phone.
[Richie] Yes...it is. I drove by just to make sure. It ids definitely you guy's house.
Richie says anticipating Liam's question
[LIAM] Thank you for letting us know.
Delwyn sits there looking stunned.
LIAM says and hangs up the phone. He reaches out and pulls Wyn into his arms.
[LIAM] it is your house, baby. Or it was.
Delwyn wraps her arms around him. "I'm getting to old for all this, Liam." She sighs, "I guess it's a part of being friends with MacLeod."
[LIAM] I don't think we can shove the blame for this off on Duncan, Wyn. Let's be fair.
Delwyn was relieved at least that she didn't have anything in that house that was part of her past and irreplaceable Those things were all back in storage in Paris. "I'm not blaming him for this." She pushes away from him.
[Delwyn] He didn't blow my house to kingdom come.
[LIAM] This is Horton....I'm sure of it. And we'll get to the bottom of it and put a stop to it. I promise you that.
LIAM holds his hands up in surrender.
[LIAM] Hey!!! I'm not your enemy.
[LIAM] I'm on your side. Remember?
Delwyn sighs. "I'm sorry. I know you are."
[Delwyn] Just realize now that I have no home at the moment.
[LIAM] Who ever this is...they've done their homework that's for sure. What I'm worried about is who's next on their list.
[LIAM] I better go down and tell Duncan about this.
[LIAM] Want to come with me?
[Delwyn] Yeah, that would be a good idea.
Delwyn shakes her head. "No, I need to call my insurance company."
LIAM gets up and holds out his hand to her.
[LIAM] Okay. I'll be right back.
Delwyn stands up and walks to the library, where she pulls out her cell and calls her homeowners insurance company.
LIAM says and turns and heads downstairs. He steps quietly into the lab and stops just inside the door and watches Duncan and his daughter for a few minutes before whispering, "Pst....Duncan."
Duncan looks up at Liam. He gets up from his seat and walks over to him.
LIAM places his hand under Duncan's elbow and leads him out into the hallway.
[LIAM] Wyn's house has been hit just like Cara Jeans.
LIAM says quietly.
[Duncan] Dammit!
Duncan sighs. "I'm sorry about that. It's my fault."
[Duncan] I can't believe he found the place so quickly.
[LIAM] No one's blaming you, son. And don't you start to blame yourself. This has Horton written all over it.
LIAM says putting his hand on Duncan's shoulder.
[Duncan] It is Horton. He's sent out an Immortal named Stockey to take me out.
[LIAM] Obviously to finish what his little weapon in there...
LIAM says and gestures to the lab.
Duncan nods. "Yeah..."
[LIAM] was suppose to do and didn't.
[Duncan] I'm told he's one mean SOB and his teacher is someone I knew and killed.
[LIAM] I'm sure this guy is trying to flush you out. Question is...who would be next on his list? They have to be warned.
Duncan thinks and shrugs. "I'm not sure. He's following me. I'm guessing his next place to hit maybe here. I'm sure there is someone feeding him my whereabouts."
[LIAM] If that were the case I'm sure he would have found out that you were in the hotel and hit you there. I don't think he's actually following you. I think he's just hitting those that he knows you care about...to make you mad enough to come out in the open.
Duncan realizes who will probably be next. "Amanda and Nick..."
[Duncan] ...or even Connor.
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Post by cj on Dec 1, 2007 0:49:23 GMT -5
KACEY tosses her head back and forth and moans in her sleep.
LIAM is sitting watch...giving Duncan a bit of a break. He places his hand on hers to comfort her. [LIAM] Shhh, Angel. It's alright. LIAM says softly.
Gregor opens up all the IVs full bore and pulls out a syringe and a vial.
LIAM looks up at Greg.[Gregor] She's fighting it, this is an additional sedative, which will lower her resistance. [LIAM] Why doesn't she want to remember? Why is she fighting it? It's like she has this sense of loyalty to Horton. Why? [LIAM] Did he do something different with her than with you? [Gregor] I have a feeling that he gave her more "special attention," considering her importance. KACEY whispers in her sleep, "Duncan. Duncan."[LIAM] She calls for him in her sleep but when she sees him she has no memory of it. [Gregor] She's remembering. Her readings on the EEG are changing. LIAM says shaking his head.[LIAM] I know she's hating all of us right now. [LIAM] When she's not sedated she's like a caged animal. [Gregor] What else could we expect from scum like Horton and Sherring Liam? Delwyn walks down the stairs holding a tray with 3 mugs, a carafe, creamer, and sugar. She puts the tray down on a side table and then walks over to Liam and Gregor.[LIAM] I know. I guess I thought....I just thought it was going to be as easy as it was with you and Seumus. [LIAM] She's not suffering in any way is she, Greg? LIAM looks up at Wyn and smiles taking her hand and placing a kiss on the back of it.[KACEY] Duncan.....Duncan help me. KACEY whispers and rolls her head back and forth.[Gregor] She is going to Liam, you saw what Seumus and I went through. If she's been totally brainwashed by Horton, then we're in for a fight. LIAM looks up at Wyn.[LIAM] I don't know if I can watch that. [Gregor] I can't say that I blame you my friend. [LIAM] How's Duncan doing? LIAM asks Wyn.
Gregor checks EEG and heart monitors. Takes Kacey's blood pressure, notices that it is starting to rise a bit.[KACEY] No more...please...no more. KACEY whimpers.[Gregor] Her blood pressure is slightly elevated and her EEG is changing, but extremely slow. Delwyn moves her gaze away from Cara and looks down at Liam. "He's asleep right now."
LIAM nods.[LIAM] Good. He wouldn't leave her side all night long. Delwyn nods. "He took a small dose of a sleeping herb."
LIAM snickers and looks up at Wyn.[LIAM] Willingly? Delwyn smiles a bit. "No, I had to argue with him to take it. I told him I'd tell Cara how he's been abusing himself..." She shrugs, "That ended the discussion there."[Gregor] I can't give her any more drugs, because it will spoil the chemical reaction we need to release the root's hold on her brain. [LIAM] Well...at least you didn't have to sneak it in his tea. I think when he woke up he'd be a little ticked off about that. [Delwyn] The thought did cross my mind, but that was exactly the reason why I didn't. Gregor adjusts the clarity of the virtual reality monitor.[LIAM] As long as she's not in any physical pain, Greg....She's strong....she can handle anything else. And we're here to help her. [Gregor] The mental strain is going to mount, because I remember how much Horton abused her. Delwyn 's gaze goes back to Cara. she wished she could help her, but touching Cara again would only make those images pop back into her head again.
KACEY suddenly lets out a blood curdling scream and sits straight up...now wide awake. She looks around somewhat confused as to where she is for a few minutes.[LIAM] Easy, Angel...You're safe. LIAM says trying to comfort her.
Gregor moves to hold her down, should she try to get up.
KACEY realizes where she is and who theses people are and what it is they are trying to do and, forgetting her ankles are still restrained, tries to get up only to fall back into the semi reclines chair.[KACEY] LET ME GO!!! LET ME GO!!!! KACEY growls at Greg[Gregor] Sit down. Gregor says calmly[KACEY] I'LL KILL YOU ALL. LET ME GO...LET ME OUT OF HERE. KACEY yells at the top of her lungs.
Gregor grabs vial and syringe.
LIAM attempts to hold her in the chair.[Gregor] This is the max I can give her without getting the affect we need. [LIAM] Settle down. You're alright. we aren't going to hurt you. Gregor injects drug in to the IV port.
KACEY spits at Liam.[KACEY] LET ME GO YOU SORRY SACK OF SHIT! LIAM backs away fighting the urge to slap some sense into his daughter.
LIAM wipes his face with his hand.
Duncan wakes up, hearing screaming. He gets up from the couch and quickly goes downstairs to find out what is going on.
KACEY turns and sees Greg is putting more medicine into her IV.[KACEY] You son of a bitch....go ahead and drug me. It won't change a thing. I'm still going to get out of here and kill you. KACEY looks around at everyone.[KACEY] I'm going to kill every one of you. KACEY 's voice is getting weaker as the sedative starts to kick in.
LIAM shakes his head and turns away, closing his eyes and lowering his head.[Gregor] You can try, but I think you'll find yourself outmatched. Duncan pauses and watches what is going on.[KACEY] You just don't know who you're messing with. None of you do. I can take you all on and...and.... KACEY 's head lolls to the side as the sedative knocks her out.
Duncan walks over to Cara. "She's still fighting it?"
LIAM takes in a deep but unsteady breath and says, Aye, lad."[Gregor] Horton must've really put her through the ringer, this is going to be tough Mac. LIAM glances back at his now helpless daughter, closes his eyes for a second and says, "I can't watch this. I'll be upstairs if you need me."
Duncan sighs.
LIAM leaves the lab and goes upstairs and sits at the kitchen table his head in his hands.
Gregor checks readings on the monitors and EEG tape and waits for it to change.
KACEY 's face is wet with sweat from fighting both the drugs and the virtual reality images. She moans and rolls her head back and forth.
KACEY tries to open her eyes but is so sedated that they only open part way and then close again. She licks her lips as the sedative causes her to have a severe case of cotton mouth.
Gregor pulls out EEG tape from his own deprogramming and also from Seumus' deprogramming.
Delwyn walks over to Cara and lays a gentle hand on her arm. She whispers an ancient Celtic prayer over her. She moves away from her and goes upstairs to be with Liam.
KACEY slowly raises her hand to the side of her head. Even through the heavy sedation she feels the pain in her head.
Duncan watches Wyn leave and then returns his gaze back to Cara.
Delwyn sits down next to Liam at the table. She puts a hand on his back.
KACEY moans.
Gregor starts to compare the EEGs to Cara's.[LIAM] No father should ever have to go through anything like this. LIAM says to Wyn.[Gregor] Something is wrong, Cara's EEG is not changing as it should Mac. [LIAM] Maybe.... LIAM shakes his head.[LIAM] God forgive me for thinking that. LIAM says into his hands.
Duncan looks at Gregor. "Is there anything we can do?"[KACEY] NOOOooooo..... KACEY wails in her "sleep".[Delwyn] For thinking what? Gregor gets the necessary tools to take a blood sample.[Gregor] I'm working on it Mac. Gregor takes the sample and returns to the lab table across from Cara.
Duncan takes hold of Cara's hand. "It's ok, sweetheart. I'm here."
LIAM reaches out and pulls Wyn to him and buries his head against her abdomen.
Gregor puts a drop on a slide and places it under the microscope.
Delwyn holds him tightly. She speaks quietly, "Have faith, Liam. She'll get through this."
KACEY tries to open her eyes to look at Duncan. Through half open lids she attempts to focus on the man holding her hand.
Gregor puts some in a test tube.[LIAM] Maybe she would have better off if what they said was true. LIAM says and hates himself for thinking such a thing.
Duncan gives her a hint of a smile. "I'm here, sweetheart. Every thing's going to be ok."[KACEY] Please.... Gregor looks in the microscope.
KACEY whispers weakly.[KACEY] Please let me go. [Gregor] I wonder..... [KACEY] Please....help me. KACEY says pleadingly to Duncan.
Gregor takes a dropper and takes another vial with a chemical in it. Gets some of the chemical with the dropper and drips it slowly into the blood sample.
Delwyn sighs. "I wish I could help make it better, but what he did to her...."[Duncan] We are helping you. Gregor notices that the blood changes to a deeper red.
LIAM looks up at her and says, "Am I a horrible person...parent for thinking such things?"[Gregor] Ingenious, no wonder the treatment isn't working! [KACEY] Let me go...please.....please... [Gregor] This is a different form of the same drug Mac. [Delwyn] No, you just don't want to see her suffer. KACEY 's head is throbbing and she winces and lays her head back, her hand holding the side of her head.
Duncan looks at Gregor. "You mean he altered it so it would work better?"[Gregor] Not better, different. [KACEY] Oh...God....it hurts. [Gregor] Let me explain. KACEY moans louder.[Gregor] Seumus and I were just test subjects. KACEY 's body stiffens and she begins to convulse.
Gregor reacts immediately and injects another drug into her IV.
Delwyn takes hold of his hand. "She will be ok. It'll just take more time to do so."
Delwyn smiles softly. "Once she is feeling better, I think we should take a vacation. What do you think?"
KACEY 's body begins to relax and she slumps back into the semi reclined chair.[Gregor] When Lilith and I figured the treatment out, we needed the Immortal's adrenaline levels to spike. In her case we have to keep her adrenaline levels to a minimum for long periods and continue with the virtual reality and IV treatment. Delwyn is trying to be positive even though she is having her own doubts about Cara coming back.
LIAM glances at the door that leads downstairs and absentmindedly says, "sure. Where ever you want."[Gregor] We had the right door and the wrong key. Sherring is a serious ass, but he's creative. [Duncan] so, we just need to keep her sedated? [Gregor] Yes and we'll keep the audio for the virtual reality on. [KACEY] Duncan.....Duncan.... Delwyn sighs. She gently touches his face, wanting to wipe away the lines of worry on his face.
KACEY moans, tossing her head from side to side.[Gregor] I'm going to give her Ringer's Lactate so her blood sugar stays regulated though. Duncan looks down at Cara and gives her hand a gentle squeeze. "I'm here, sweetheart. I'm not going anywhere."
LIAM blinks back tears and leans into Wyn's hand.
Gregor changes IVs and opens them full bore again.
Delwyn talks quietly. "I said an prayer over her before I came up here."[Delwyn] I asked the gods to lead her back to us. That they comfort her when she is in the most need of it. [KACEY] Duncan...Duncan... Delwyn hopes the gods will listen to her. Maybe they weren't any stronger than she is in helping Cara.
LIAM , hearing Wyn's kind prayer for his daughter melts his heart and his resolve and the tears spill out.
Duncan places a hand on her head and strokes her hair. "It's ok, Cara."
Delwyn embraces him and holds him tightly.
KACEY opens her eyes part way and looks at Duncan.[KACEY] Make them stop....please make them stop. No more pain...please no more. Gregor goes back to watching the EEG and monitors for any change.
LIAM buries his head against her abdomen and sobs.
Gregor cannot hide the fact that he is shedding tears for Cara.
KACEY 's body stiffens again and, again, she begins to convulse.
Duncan swallows back tears and looks at Gregor.
Gregor grabs another vial and syringe and gives her something for her convulsions.
Duncan steps away from Cara as she begins to convulse again.
Duncan isn't sure how much of this he can take. He wanted to rip out all the IVs that had been stuck in her, but he knew they were her only saving grace.
KACEY 's body relaxes as the anticonvulsant takes effect.[Gregor] We became friends Mac, in that torture chamber. We held each other up as long as we could. Delwyn feels tears form in her eyes and allows them to fall.
Duncan grabs a chair and pulls it closer to Cara's chair. He looks at Gregor again. "I thank you for that, my friend." His voice is a bit hoarse from holding back his tears. "I'm sure it gave her a bit of comfort."[Gregor] She was the strong one Mac, she fought those bastards tooth and nail. KACEY 's hand unconsciously goes to the side of her head and a small bit of blood appears at the edge of one nostril.
Gregor sees the EEG change.[Gregor] Cara's in there fighting Mac, the EEG is changing slowly, but it's what we want. KACEY mumbles incoherently.
KACEY turns her head away from Duncan allowing him to see that there is also a small bit of blood in her ear as well.[Duncan] Gregor, she's bleeding from her ear and nose. [Delwyn] Why don't you go rest for a bit, love? [Gregor] I see that Mac, the intra cranial pressure must be very high. LIAM shakes his head as he gets control of his emotions.[Gregor] I suffered this when I was fighting the affects of the drug in Sherring's lab. [LIAM] No....I want to stay nearby...in case they need me. I couldn't rest. Duncan reaches for a tissue and wipes away the blood.[Delwyn] When was the last time you slept more than a couple of hours? Delwyn didn't want to be argumentative with him, but she is concerned for him.
KACEY lets out a loud moan. Her body twist and then slumps back down in the chair and the hand that Duncan is holding goes limp.
Gregor notices the flat lined monitors and takes Cara's vitals.[LIAM] I can't remember. But...I will when I know that she'll be alright. I promise. LIAM says and manages to smile at Wyn.[Gregor] She's dead Mac, but she'll be back. Gregor takes another blood sample.
Delwyn nods. "Ok and I'll make sure at that time I sleep more than a couple of hours myself."[Gregor] Sorry Mac, I feel like a vampire right now. Gregor takes the sample and puts it in the centrifuge.
Duncan looks up at Gregor. "You're helping her, there's nothing to apologize for."[LIAM] You have yourself a deal, my love. And thank you. Gregor shuts off the centrifuge and pulls the test tube out.
Gregor takes a sample of the separated blood cells and puts them on a slide.[LIAM] How about a cup of your tea? [Gregor] There is no sign of the root in this sample Mac, her Immortal healing process is starting to take effect. LIAM asks as he turns his back on the door to the downstairs lab. He rests his elbows on the table and looks out the window over the kitchen sink.
Delwyn gives him a smile. "Sure. Want something to help you relax a bit or to keep you awake?"
LIAM , to try and get his mind off of what might be going on downstairs he thinks about the "hits" that have been made on first Cara Jean's house and then on Wyn's.[LIAM] Something in between. Duncan looks back at Cara. What Gregor told him made the small piece of hope left in him grow. He whispers, "Come back to me."
LIAM answers absentmindedly.[Delwyn] All right. [Gregor] It may take awhile, the cranial damage must've been severe. Even our processes take a while to heal that. Delwyn gets up from her chair and grabs her bag of herbs and pulls out a couple. She puts the tea pot on the stove to boil the water and then grabs loose black tea leaves from one of the cabinets. She mixes it all together as she waits for the water to boil.
LIAM runs everything that they know about the man possibly responsible for destroying the 2 houses through his mind.
Duncan nods.
LIAM suddenly things become clear and he sits up straight and snaps his fingers. Then he looks around nervously.[LIAM] Ummm....baby? LIAM says quietly to Wyn.
LIAM gets to his feet knocking over the chair he was sitting in in the process.
Delwyn looks over at Liam. "What's wrong?"
Delwyn wipes her hands on her jeans.
[LIAM] Go upstairs and put whatever you can together. Don't ask any questions...just get us ready to leave. Do it now, please.
LIAM says calmly and turns and heads downstairs.
Delwyn looks a bit surprised by that, but does he says and goes to pack their things.
LIAM walks purposefully yet calmly into the lab and straight to Duncan. Without looking at his daughter he places his hand on Mac's shoulder.
Duncan looks up at Liam.
LIAM nods toward the lab door and steps in that direction.
Duncan lets go of Cara hand, gets up from his chair, and follows Liam.
LIAM Once in the hallway he turns and looks at Duncan.[LIAM] It's not you he's after, son. Duncan looks a bit puzzled by that for a few seconds and then realizes what Liam's talking about.[Duncan] Then who is he after? LIAM glances into the door of the lab then back at Duncan.[LIAM] He's after Cara Jean. I just figured it out. He has been hitting places that he thinks....or knows she has been. Horton probably sent him to terminate her because he somehow knows that her programming isn't holding. He can't afford for her, Seumus or Greg to remember anything. It makes them a liability. LIAM looks through the door into the lab and calls out quietly, "Greg? Come here."
Duncan looks over to Cara.
Gregor approaches Liam
LIAM looks back at Duncan.[LIAM] The next logical target is here. LIAM to Greg...[LIAM] How long will it take you to pack up the essentials you need to complete this ....whatever it is you're doing to bring her back? [Gregor] Not long maybe about an hour or so. [LIAM] I rather doubt we have that long. Make it faster if possible. we need to get the hell out of here....and as quickly as possible. [Gregor] Understood. [Duncan] I have to agree with Liam. [Duncan] I'll help you out, Gregor. Gregor immediately starts to pack essentials.[LIAM] No....I'll help Greg....you get Cara Jean and get her out of here....take her somewhere safe and call me to let m,e know where that is. At least you and she will be safe if we don't make it out. Duncan nods and goes to Cara. He looks at Gregor. "Should we take the IVs out or leave them in?"[Gregor] Thanks Liam. We can use an iPod for the audio of the virtual reality program. Can you download it and help me pack? Delwyn shoves everything they've brought with them into the two duffel bags they brought. She walks back downstairs and puts the bags near the front door. She goes downstairs to the lab.
LIAM begins gathering the medical tools and equipment that he has seen Greg and Lillith using.[Gregor] Leave them in for now, she'll get dehydrated without the Ringers LIAM sees Wyn at the lab door and says, Honey? I think i saw some large boxes outside the back door. Could you bring them down here to put some of this stuff in?"
Duncan nods and begins to pull the bags off of the holder. He rests them on Cara's abdomen and then picks her up. He carries her up the stairs, out of the house, and puts her in the back seat of his car. He gets in the car, starts it, and drives to the down town Marriott.
Delwyn goes back upstairs and opens the back door. She spots a couple of boxes. She picks them up and carries them back down stairs.[Gregor] I think that's everything, Liam. [Gregor] We should get the hell out of here. [LIAM] I saw a van in Lillith's garage. I wonder if she has the keys around here somewhere? LIAM grabs a couple of boxes and carries them upstairs and starts rummaging through drawers looking for a set of keys to the van.
Gregor sees keys on a hook.[Gregor] Are these it Liam? LIAM grabs them and hurries out to the garage and tries them in the van door. They work.[LIAM] Yes! Gregor grabs a box and runs it out to the van. LIAM calls out and opens the door. He goes around to the side door of the van and opens it then goes back into the house and starts carrying out boxes.[LIAM] Wyn....put in a call to Lillith's voice mail telling her what is happening so she doesn't come home tonight. LIAM calls out as he loads boxes into the van.
Gregor loads the last box.[Gregor] That's it! [LIAM] I wish I had realized this earlier. I only hope we're not too late. LIAM says to Greg.[LIAM] At least Cara Jean and Duncan will be safe. LIAM goes back in the house and grabs the duffel bags and takes them out to the van.
Delwyn nods. She pulls out her cell phone and calls Lillith, leaving her a message to not come home for any reason.
LIAM gets into the driver's seat.[LIAM] Greg get the garage door. Delwyn hangs up and goes to Liam. "I'll take my car and follow you."
LIAM starts the van and checks the gas gage
Gregor hits the button to open the garage door
LIAM leans over and gives her a kiss. He cups her chin in his hand and looks at her as if it may be the last time he sees her.
Gregor hops in the passenger seat.[LIAM] I love you Delwyn Caernarfon. [LIAM] Be safe, pretty lady. Delwyn smiles. "I love you too."
Delwyn nods and steps away from the van.
LIAM winks at her then sits up in the seat and closes the door. He looks over at Greg and says, "Ready?"[Gregor] Floor it old man. LIAM puts the van in reverse and pulls out of the garage. At the end of the driveway he stops and takes one last look at Wyn.
Delwyn goes back inside. She remembers the tea pot and turns off the stove. She goes to the front closet and grabs their swords and coats, then walks out to her car.
LIAM puts the van into gear, tears his gaze from Wyn and speeds off away from the University.
Delwyn puts everything in the back seat and gets into the car. She starts it and takes off.
Stockey and his team turn a corner putting them on the street that their next target is on.
Stockey pulls up to the house. He and the 5 other men get out of their vehicles and line up in front of the house and...just as the 2 times before...open fire on the front of the house until they have emptied two clips into it then Stockey and 2 other men go inside and search for bodies.
Delwyn looks in her rear view mirror and sees the humvees. She floors it, knowing if she wasted 30 more seconds she wold have been dead.
Stockey swears in frustration and disappointment when they once again turn up empty handed. He spends a few more minutes in the downstairs lab trying to figure out what the hell had gone on in it then leaves the remains of the house.
Stockey gets into the lead humvie and they take off and head for the warehouse district.Continued on page 2
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Post by cj on Dec 1, 2007 0:50:06 GMT -5
Duncan pulls out his cell phone as he's driving and dials Liam's number.
LIAM hears his phone and digs it out of his pocket.
[LIAM] Hello?
[Duncan] Liam, it's MacLeod. I'm heading for the downtown Marriott. I should be there in a few minutes.
[LIAM] Right. We're on our way.
[Gregor] Mac?
LIAM says wishing he had chosen somewhere a little more secluded but just glad that they had gotten out when they did. He decides to wait to tell Duncan just how close they had cut it for when he sees him.
[LIAM] He's going to be at the Marriott.
Duncan hangs up the phone and continues driving.
[Gregor] It's gonna be dicey, sneaking an unconscious woman hooked up to IVs is not exactly kosher.
LIAM tells Greg as he hangs up and puts his phone back in his pocket. He scans the rear view mirrors for signs of Wyn.
LIAM glances at Greg.
[LIAM] I'm sure Duncan will figure something out. I doubt it will be the first time he's had to sneak someone into a major hotel.
Delwyn Once she feels she's gotten a safe distance from the University, she pulls her car over to the side of the road as she starts to shake with realization she got out of there by the skin of her teeth.
[Gregor] Cara would just LOVE that story.
[LIAM] You can tell her when she comes back to us.
LIAM smiles at Greg and winks.
LIAM can no longer stand not seeing Wyn's car. he digs out his cell phone and dials her number.
[Gregor] I like my head where it is old man.
[LIAM] Come on Wyn...answer.
Delwyn feels her phone vibrating in her pocket and pulls it out. "Hello?"
LIAM says quietly.
[LIAM] Please...tell me that you are alright and on your way.
LIAM says to Wyn when she answers
Delwyn takes a steadying breath. "Yeah, I'm alright." She looks in her rear view mirror. "I almost wasn't. I made it out of there a few seconds before they pulled up to the house.
[Delwyn] I saw them pull up in my rear view mirror.
[LIAM] Do you know where the Marriott is?
[Delwyn] Yeah, I'll be there shortly.
LIAM realizes that he's holding his breath and lets it out.
[LIAM] Good girl. I love you.
Duncan pulls into the parking lot. He gets out of the car, grabs his coat, opens the back door and drapes the coat over Cara. He closes the door and goes into the hotel to get them a room.
[Delwyn] Love you too.
Delwyn hangs up and gets back on the road again. her nerves a bit calmer now.
LIAM hangs up and puts his phone back in his pocket as he says to Greg, "in the nick of time, my friend. In the nick of time."
[Gregor] You're smooth for an old timer, Mr. O'Dell and thank God she's okay.
[LIAM] Now it's Mr. O'Dell? You really do want me to feel old, don't you?
LIAM snickers.
Gregor laughs. "Hey I call em' like I see em' "
[LIAM] You call 'em like....
LIAM chuckles.
[LIAM] You know what they say about paybacks don't you?
[Gregor] They're a bitch, or so I'm told.
LIAM reaches over and grabs Greg's shoulder giving it a gentle squeeze.
Duncan goes to the desk and gets a room and key. He goes back out to the car and opens the back door. He makes sure that Cara is completely covered and that the IVs and bags are well hidden. He picks her up, closes the door and carries her inside.
[LIAM] Seriously....glad you are on our team, son. You're a good man. and a damn fine doctor from what i can see.
[Gregor] Coming from you Liam that's really an honor, thanks.
Duncan sees the odd looks from people in the lobby. He presses the call button for the elevator and mutters for the damn thing to hurry up.
[LIAM] I'm not quite sure why it's such an honor coming from me...I just call 'em like I see 'em.
LIAM glances slyly at Greg and smiles.
Gregor laughs out loud.
LIAM pulls the van onto the street that the hotel is on. The Seacouver Marriott looms ahead of them, towering over the buildings that surround it.
Duncan The elevator opens and a few people step out giving him, yet again, the odd looks. He knows that want to ask what's wrong with her, so he gives it to them with a smile, "She's had a bit too much to drink tonight. She does like to party." He sees people relax and chuckle and he steps onto the elevator and presses the floor number for their room.
LIAM pulls into the parking lot and drives around towards the back of the building. He sees a side entrance and parks as nearby as possible.
[LIAM] We'll wait here until Duncan calls us with a room number.
Gregor nods
LIAM takes out his cell phone and calls Wyn, again.
Duncan gets off of the elevator and walks down a couple of hallways to get to their room. He leans Cara against the wall, while he puts the key card in the door and then opens it. He gets her fully in his arms again and carries her in and puts her on the bed,
Delwyn isn't too far from the downtown area now. She feels her cell vibrate again. She smiles, knowing it's probably Liam. She pulls her phone out of her pocket and answers. "Miss me that much?"
[LIAM] More.
LIAM chuckles.
Duncan makes sure she's comfortable, arranging blankets and pillows.
[LIAM] We're on the west side of the building near the back. We're waiting for Duncan to call us with a room number.
[Delwyn] Ok, I'll be there in a few minutes.
LIAM hangs up and looks up the side of the building hoping his son-in-law is fairing alright.
Once he's satisfied that she's comfortable enough, Duncan pulls out his cell phone and dials Liam's number again.
[LIAM] Hello?
LIAM answers immediately.
Delwyn hangs up. She speeds up a bit.
[Duncan] We have a room. It's 1006.
[LIAM] On our way.
LIAM hangs up and text messages Wyn with the room number than glances at Greg as he gets out of the van.
[LIAM] 1006.
[Gregor] Okay let's go.
Duncan hangs up.
Gregor exits passenger side.
LIAM says as he heads around to the side door of the van and slides it open. He grabs a box and drags it out of the van and hefts it into his arms and heads for the side door of the hotel.
Delwyn sees her phone light up, letting her know she has a text message.
LIAM opens the door and shoves it open farther with his foot and holds it that way for Greg.
Delwyn can see the hotel straight ahead of her.
Gregor grabs a second box.
[Gregor] We can get the other boxes on our next trip down.
LIAM gives the door an extra shove and steps inside the building. Instead of heading for the main elevators he glances around and heads off in the opposite direction. He stops in front of one of the service elevators and presses the button.
LIAM steps in when the car arrives and waits for Greg then pushes the button for the 10th floor.
Duncan turns on a couple more lights and then goes back over to Cara, making sure she's ok.
Within a couple of moments, Delwyn pulls into the parking lot of the hotel. She drives to the west side of the building, spots the van, and parks next to it.
LIAM exits the elevator when it comes to a stop and looks around. He determines which way to go and hurries along the hallway to room 1006. He feels an Immortal buzz as he approaches it and knocks three times on the door.
[Gregor] I haven't had to sneak around like this since I stole my father's snuff box.
[LIAM] Did you get caught?
LIAM asks while he waits for Duncan to answer the door.
[Gregor] Oh yeah, and as I recall I couldn't sit for a week, I wasn't exactly healing well yet.
LIAM chuckles.
[LIAM] Bet you never did it again, did you.
Duncan moves away from the bed, goes to the door and opens it.
[Gregor] Nope, I tried for his secret stash of brandy instead.
LIAM steps inside and sets the box down by the table.
[LIAM] Sounds like you were a handful.
LIAM says to Greg and chuckles.
[Gregor] yep
Delwyn looks at her cell phone and sees the text message Liam sent her. She gets out of her car and walks over to the van, grabbing a lighter box, and goes inside the hotel.
[LIAM] Wyn should be on her way up. We have a few more boxes downstairs. How's she doing?
Gregor immediately checks Cara's pupils. "Has she awakened at all Mac?
LIAM says to Duncan.
Duncan looks at Liam. "She's been quiet."
Duncan looks to Gregor. "No, like I said, she's been quiet."
LIAM nods and gently pats Duncan on the shoulder then heads back out of the room and back downstairs...taking the stairs this time.
Delwyn pushes the button for the elevator and waits.
[Gregor] The iPod with the audio program is in the box Liam brought, can you get it and put it the earphones in her ears?
[Duncan] Sure
Duncan goes over to the box Liam had just carried in and opens it. He rummages through it for a few seconds and finds the iPod. He walks over to Cara, puts the ear buds in her ears, and turns the iPod on.
LIAM props the side door of the hotel open with a brick and goes to the van. he stacks two boxes on top of each other and slings a duffel bag over each shoulder and heads back inside. He goes to the service elevator and gets in the car when it arrives and pushes the button for the 10th floor.
Delwyn sighs and finally the elevator comes. No one is on it. She gets in and pushes 10 to go to the room Duncan is in.
Gregor goes and pulls the collapsible IV stand from one of the boxes, extends it, and rolls it next to the bed where Cara is.
Gregor hangs the IV bags.
LIAM gets out when the elevator stops and hurries down the hall to the room. He knocks once then two quick knocks on the door.
[Gregor] These work better with gravity helping out.
Duncan goes back to the door and opens it.
LIAM steps inside and sets the boxes on the floor and unslings the duffel bags letting them drop to the floor. He looks around.
[LIAM] Where's Wyn?
Delwyn As the elevator doors open, she can feel the buzz. She glances around for signs to point her in the right direction. She finds the direction she needs to go and walks down the hall.
Duncan shrugs. "I don't know. I thought you said she would be here soon."
LIAM gets a worried look on his face.
Delwyn stops at the door and knocks.
LIAM walks to the door and opens it and sighs in relief seeing it's Wyn.
[LIAM] There you are.
LIAM takes the box from her and moves aside so she can come inside.
Delwyn smirks. "You worry too much, love. I told I would be here."
Delwyn steps inside.
LIAM sets the box on the floor. He turns and gives Wyn a big hug and kiss.
[LIAM] There's a couple more boxes downstairs. I'll be right back. Stay here. Greg may need your help.
LIAM instructs and heads for the door.
Duncan smiles seeing the two of them and then walks back over to the bed.
[Delwyn] All right.
Delwyn walks over to Gregor. "What can I help with?"
Gregor starts unpacking the boxes with the EEG equipment, starts reattaching leads to the appropriate patches on Cara's head.
[Gregor] Wyn can you get out the EEG monitor and put in on the bed stand and plug it in?
LIAM leaves the room and goes back down to the van. He pulls out the last 2 boxes, stacks them on top of each other and sets them on the steps in front of the side door to the hotel. He walks back to the van and locks it up, then picks up the boxes and steps inside the door to the hotel, kicking the brick away from the door so that it will close. He goes to the service elevator and gets in and rides to the 10th floor, gets out and hurries to the room. He knocks one time on the door then two quick knocks.
[Gregor] Mac, can you take the drugs out of the other box and put them in the refrigerator. They all need to stay cold?
Delwyn goes to the boxes and looks for the monitor. She finds it and does what Gregor has asked
LIAM decides while he's waiting for someone to answer the door that Wyn's suggestion for a vacation sounds great.
Delwyn goes to the door and opens it for Liam.
LIAM gives her a quick kiss as he steps past her into the room.
LIAM sets the boxes on the floor and collapses in one of the chairs at the table.
Duncan unpacks the box with medications in it and stores them in the small frig.
Gregor starts to plug the leads in. When he is finished, he turns the machine on and looks for any activity.
KACEY suddenly gasps for air sending herself into a coughing fit.
KACEY grabs at her chest as she tries to fill her lungs with the air they have been without for far too long this time.
Duncan hears Cara awaken and goes over to the bed,
Gregor throws his fist in the air when he sees the EEG readout start to print.
KACEY begins to panic at not being able to take a full breath.
Duncan sits down on the bed. "It's ok. Calm down and breath slow."
Delwyn walks over to Liam and takes a seat in the chair across from him.
LIAM sits forward and watches the activity at the bed.
KACEY coughs and fights for even a small amount of air.
[Gregor] The EEG readout is normal, but it has a few anomalies to it. There may be a few residual effects from the drug. Her memories may not all be there, it took me a few days to get all mine back, it may take Cara longer. You'll need to be patient Mac.
[Duncan] I will be.
KACEY is just about to pass out from hyperventilation when she finally is able to take a full breath.
KACEY begins to breath, raspy breaths, and falls back against the pillows.
Duncan takes Cara's hand, watching her finally catch her breath.
KACEY looks around the room, confused about where she is.
KACEY sees Greg first, then Wyn and Liam and then she turns to see Duncan and suddenly remembers being tied to the chair in the lab.
KACEY realizes that she is no longer tied up and tries to scramble off the bed.
KACEY pulls the ear buds out of her ears as she tries to get away.
Duncan grabs her and pulls her back onto the bed.
LIAM stands up and heads over to the bed to help.
KACEY bites Duncan until he lets go and scrambles to the foot of the bed...running into Liam.
Gregor stands in the way should Cara make anymore bids for freedom.
LIAM grabs her by the shoulders and raises her off the bed, standing up and holds her at eye level.
[LIAM] Now listen here, young lady. There will be no more of this foolishness, do you hear me, Cara Jean?
LIAM says in a calm but very firm voice.
Duncan curse from the pain of being bitten.
KACEY simply blinks at Liam in disbelief. As she looks into his eyes...(not that she has a choice at the moment)...a flash of recognition crosses her mind.
KACEY nods sheepishly.
LIAM sets her back down on the bed and nods saying, "Good. Now lay back down and let Greg help you"
KACEY scoots back against the pillows, keeping her eyes locked with Liam's.
Gregor grabs a syringe and goes to the fridge. Pulls out one of the vials.
Duncan watches with a bit of amazement that Liam got through to her.
[LIAM] Now...you behave yourself Cara Jean O'Dell....understand?
[KACEY] It's MacLeod.
KACEY whispers and lays down.
[Gregor] This is B-1, this should help you regain your strength.
Gregor injects it into the port in her IV line.
Delwyn gets up from the chair and goes out onto the balcony for some fresh air. She was still a bit shaken about having been so close to losing her 2000 year old head.
LIAM turns away and walks back to the chair he was sitting in but doesn't sit. He stands with his back to everyone as tears stream down his face.
Duncan smiles hearing the response Cara gives Liam.
Gregor starts to unhook the drug IV, but leaves the Ringers hooked up.
[Gregor] I"m going to leave the EEG hooked up for a couple of more hours.
LIAM takes a deep breath and wipes his face. He goes out to the baloney to join Wyn and puts his arms around her.
KACEY glances up at Greg almost childlike.
[Gregor] I'm your doctor, Gregor Powers.
[KACEY] I.....I...know you....don't I?
Delwyn leans against him.
KACEY says in a small voice.
[Gregor] In a matter of speaking, but why don't you just relax now, can you do that?
[LIAM] Now....where would you like to take that vacation?
LIAM asks softly.
Gregor pulls out stethoscope and BP cuff and proceeds to take her blood pressure.
Duncan wants to take her into his arms but refrains, afraid he may break whatever spell she was under.
[KACEY] No more pain...please.
KACEY says not taking her eyes off of Greg.
[Gregor] Perfect, don't worry, no one's going to hurt you.
Delwyn smiles. "I was thinking Paris. I have a home not too far from there and it will be quiet and relaxed there."
KACEY glances around the room nervously.
[KACEY] Where is he?
[Gregor] Who?
[LIAM] Sounds perfect.
[KACEY] The other doctor. The mean one....the one who likes to hurt me.
[KACEY] Don't let him do it anymore.
KACEY says looking up at Greg as tears fill her eyes
[Gregor] He's not here, he's not going to hurt you anymore.
Gregor notices that a tear is forming in his eye.
[KACEY] Pro.....promise?
Delwyn turns to face him. "I know you'll like the place. I think you'll be in your element with the horses I have." She gives him a smile.
[Gregor] I promise Cara. LIAM looks out at the horizon and gets a far-a-way look in his eyes as he imagines how it will feel to be on a horse's back again.
Gregor steps aside to Mac.
Duncan feels tears come to his eyes as he watches her. Sure, her hair was too short and the wrong color, but everything else was his Cara.
[Gregor] Her Immortal processes are kicking in, that means she just needs rest and the love of good people.
Duncan looks at Gregor and then back at Cara and nods.
KACEY turns on her side and hugs a pillow to her and closes her eyes...exhausted.
Gregor goes back to his EEG readouts with his back to Cara and Mac.
Delwyn watches him and touches his face.
LIAM feels her touch and comes back to reality. He leans down and kisses her tenderly.
Delwyn returns the kiss.
Duncan strokes her hair as he gazes at her. "Welcome back, sweetheart. I've missed you more than words can say."
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Post by cj on Dec 1, 2007 1:01:38 GMT -5
Needless to say Lillith is exhausted from the prior night's work with Cara, while not attending to the girl she was grading term papers. Her guests had made themselves at home in her small two floor apartment, her bed was no longer her own, her collection of antique books had all been examined and put away in a neat, if disorganized, fashion. Around midnight she announced she was leaving and off to her classroom she went, finishing grading papers, sleeping on her desk and taking a shower in the girl's gym locker room before school opened. By class time she felt more like a zombie then an immortal, but classes continued as normal. Graded term papers were returned to their writers and class discussion took up the remainder of the class. Her second and third class went much in a similar way, and when school let out she gathered her things and headed to the faculty meeting.
By 7pm she had caught a taxi home having them drop her off a few blocks away. Lillith had all her messages forwarded to her home phone and thus had not received her guest's information. From a block away she can see the single black car lingering outside her home. Three men are leaning up against it watching her front door, which she notes upon closer inspection has been knocked off it's hinges. She scowls and tucks her shoes and brief case under a hedge and moves stealthily toward home, her long black duster being unbuttoned as she went. A short distance from the car she notes another man walking from around the side of her apartment and approaching the other three men near the car. She listens for a long moment to their conversation as she stays hidden behind a nearby tree. “Aye, the target escaped,” One man comments. “The boss ain't gonna be happy when he learns we didn't find nothing either,” The second adds Lillith feels no buzz from them telling they were immortals. Scanning her place a little more closely she notes all the gun fire damage. “Oh, that's it,” She thinks to herself as she looks upon her destroyed home. She has just gotten comfortable here too. Well apparently Wyn, Liam, Duncan, Cara, and any others who had showed up after she departed, had escaped these people. People she recognizes as Hunters. She had heard of them, mortals who hunt and take the heads of immortals. A vicious smile comes to her face as she draws her gladius and pugio and moves toward the four from the opposite side of the car. They all have their back turned toward her, and with the only light currently offered being from a street lamp they are highly unlikely to spot her. Until it was too late. She doesn't care much about the fact that they are mortal, they have attacked her home and are therefore enemies, and enemies are granted no mercy.
From the opposite back corner of the vehicle she comes, one foot on the back bumper, the other on the trunk, her bare feet make barely a sound but the men felt the slight shift of the car two of them are leaning upon as she runs up the back and across the roof bringing her gladius down through the top of one of their skulls and her pugio thrust forward and twisted as it enters the other's spinal column and severs it with a single fluid motion. The two other men fall back reaching for weapons as their two companions crumple to the ground, but Lillith is faster. Lunging forward off the roof of the car she pulls her pugio close to her body as she spins mid air her gladius swinging in a large arc and taking the head from the shoulders of one of the two remaining men. The final man growls in a rage brining his gun up to bare, a mistake that costs him his hand, that pugio shot out and takes it off just above the wrist. He howls in agony and falls to his knees. Lillith moves in pressing her gladius' tip to his chest.
“Run for your life, and if you make it to your boss before you bleed to death, tell him Nemesis is coming for him” She glares down at him a moment before he stands clutching the bloody stump of an arm under his arm and runs around the car to clamber in and speed away. She kneels wiping the blood from her gladius and pugio on the grass, stands and returns them to their hidden confines of her duster, then calmly turns and retreats to her belongings before heading downtown for a hotel room.
“Guess I have to find another place now.”
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Post by cj on Dec 1, 2007 1:02:32 GMT -5
****The part of Duncan MacLeod is temporarily being understudied.**** CARA is sitting out on the balcony enjoying the warm sunshine and ocean breeze.
MAC is on the phone with his contractor going over some final details about the new Dojo. He hangs up the phone and goes to the kitchenette and pours himself another cup of coffee. He looks out onto the balcony and watches CJ still afraid that he is dreaming and that she isn't really here.
Amanda pulls up in her car outside the Marriott, and tosses the keys to the valet for him to park, before striding into the hotel. Now inside, she heads to the elevator and depresses the button that will take her to Duncan's floor in the hotel.
MAC feels the buzz of another Immortal as Amanda approaches the room.
CARA feels an Immortal buzz and sighs, closing her eyes and laying her head back on the lounge chair. "Duncan can handle it," she thinks to herself.
MAC sets his coffee cup down on the counter and heads for the door.
Amanda raps upon the door and taps her foot impatiently on the floor whilst she waits for him to answer.
MAC opens the door. He grins when he sees who it is. [MAC] Amanda....how are you? MAC asks, holding the door open so she can come in.[Amanda] Don't smile at me, Duncan MacLeod... Amanda berates.[Amanda] Do you have any idea how many places I searched to try and find you? Amanda scolds, her arms folded .
MAC closes the door and turns around to face her. He gives her a big hug.[MAC] I'm sorry. MAC says still hugging her.[MAC] It's been kind of chaotic around here. Amanda smiles, in spite of her annoyance. "I don't know whether to shout at you, or forgive you," she answers half jokingly.[MAC] You know you can't stay mad at me for long. MAC says giving her a kiss on her cheek and finally letting her go.
Amanda rolls her eyes. "Next time, I will not be so forgiving," she warns, but doesn't really mean it. She sweeps her arm forward to indicate the room. "Are you going to invite me in?" she quips.
CARA hears a female's voice inside and curiosity gets the better of her. She gets up and walks to the doorway leading into the room. She sees Duncan hugging a woman. She can't see who it is yet but it's obvious that she and Mac are close by the way he's hugging her. She leans against the door jam and watches. When he lets go of the woman she gets a good look at her and several "memories" flash through her head.
MAC stands blocking Amanda's view of the balcony He looks down at her. He is smiling and there is a twinkle in his eyes that hasn't been there for sometime.[MAC] Before I do...I think i have a surprise for you. But you have to promise me to go easy....."it's" still kind of fragile. MAC is speaking in almost a whisper.
Amanda studies MacLeod with obvious suspicion. "What are you trying to keep from me, Duncan?" she queries.
MAC takes her hands.[MAC] Okay....close your eyes. Amanda narrows her eyes at him, and was about to protest before figuring she may as well go along with whatever he had planned. She duly closes her eyes.
MAC leads her into the center of the room. He lets go of her hands and steps aside.[MAC] Okay....you can open them now. CARA stands leaning against the door jam, her hands shoved in her jeans pockets and looks at Amanda.
Amanda starts to speak before opening her eyes. "This had better be worth it, Mac --." With that, her eyes opened and disbelief clouded her features. "Oh my God," she murmurs. It looks like Amanda cannot quite believe her eyes.
MAC puts his hand on her back to steady her and grins.[MAC] You okay? MAC says laughing
CARA may still have a lot of holes in her memory...but this woman she remembers. She smiles almost shyly.[CARA] Hi teach. CARA says simply.
Amanda blinks a few times -- obviously Amanda thinks she just could be hallucinating. "Oh my..." she shortens the distance between them and flings her arms around CJ.
CARA is surprised at first then she folds her arms around Amanda in return. Tears spring to her eyes and she says in a choked voice, "Yeah....It's really me."
MAC has to turn away overcome by his own emotions[Amanda] I knew you were alive... Amanda says in a whisper as she maintains the embrace, still completely wrapped up in shock.
CARA holds Amanda tight and rubs her back in comfort.
MAC turns back to look at the two women. He swallows hard against the lump that has formed in his throat.
Amanda pulls back, and almost bashfully, smiles. "All of a sudden I feel like a rhyme in a Hallmark card."[CARA] Must be one of those humorous Shoe box cards, then. CARA says teasingly.
Amanda A grin stretches across her face. "How? When?" She trails off and turns on MacLeod, hands on hips. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"[MAC] Like I said....it's been a little chaotic. [Amanda] Too chaotic to pick up a phone while you've been in here? CARA takes Amanda's hand and leads her over to the bed so she can sit down. Most of the drug is out of her system but she still doesn't have her usual energy..and what she did have she spent killing Stockey.
Amanda can't be too angry with Mac, though. How could she when her best friend was alive?
CARA sits on the edge of the bed and smiles up at Amanda.[CARA] I've actually been in town for a little over a month. CARA says trying to explain her part of the story.[CARA] I just....ummmm.....wasn't me. CARA shrugs sheepishly.
MAC pulls a chair over by the bed for Amanda and sits on the bed next to CJ.[Amanda] A month?! MAC points to CJ's severely short and brown hair.[MAC] She came to town as Kacey Duggan. One of Horton's "weapons". MAC explains.[MAC] She had no idea who she really was. MAC puts his hand over his wife's in her lap and smiles at her.[MAC] I found her on the beach just minutes before the aneurysm in her head from that drug they used ruptured. She..... MAC has to swallow hard again.[MAC] She died in my arms. MAC chokes up and squeezes Cara's hand.
CARA puts her other hand over his and gently rubs the back of it with her thumb.[MAC] I took her to Lillith's and Lillith and Gregor used their antidote. MAC looks at Cara trying to fight back the tears burning behind his eyes.[MAC] I still can't believe she's really here. MAC turns back to look at Amanda.[MAC] That's what all this equipment is. MAC says indicating the various pieces of medical equipment in the room.[MAC] She's still undergoing some treatments to help her regain what memories....her true memories that the drug and Horton's torture haven't destroyed MAC explains.[CARA] Duncan....don't overload her with everything at one. Give her some time to let it all sink in. CARA smiles at him.
Amanda does look a little overwhelmed with all the information... everything that she had missed the last month. "This is incredible."[CARA] Just to show you how much of an ass hole Horton is....He told me that Duncan was dead. Even had an identical wedding ring made that he brought to me. I became convinced that it was true and I guess i just gave up and let them give me the drug. I figured it didn't matter since Duncan was gone. MAC puts his arm around Cara's shoulders.[MAC] He did the same thing to me. He produced an Immortal to be beheaded so that your Watcher could see a Quickening and had placed your pendant and wedding ring on her finger. That and a clump of your hair was sent to Joe who had the wonderful job of telling me. [CARA] I guess he figured that it would be the only way to keep you from coming back for me and he knew enough about me from the last time to know that without you I would just give up. Diabolical...but smart. CARA smiles at Amanda.[CARA] So I guess now we're even. [Amanda] I can't believe I missed all this. Amanda retorts, a little annoyed at herself for having done so.[MAC] It was your choice to stay away. You may not have wanted to accept things as we thought they were....but.... MAC decides not to finish his thought.[CARA] Stayed away? CARA looks up at Mac and then at Amanda.[CARA] What do you mean she chose to stay away? CARA looks at Amanda.[CARA] You didn't .....You weren't there for Duncan when he needed his friends around? Amanda looks down at her hands, studying them as if she has never seen them before. "Everyone thought you were dead... and I couldn't handle that," she admits with a slight amount of reluctance
CARA 's voice has gone from questioning to disbelief (and a hint of disgust).[CARA] Amanda..... CARA leans forward.[CARA] One of the few clear memories I have is that last year I went through the same thing when we thought Charlie Donahue had killed you. But if Nick had been in your life during that time I sure as hell would have made sure I was there for him....to support him. And I've never slept with him. CARA says letting the innuendo hang out there in the air between them.[MAC] Cara.... MAC says softly but warningly.
CARA ignores him and stares directly at Amanda....her own stare somewhat piercing.[MAC] Amanda...i don't think she meant that the way it came out. MAC says trying to comfort Amanda and hopefully defuse a situation.
CARA 's gaze snaps to Duncan.[CARA] Don't do that. [MAC] Do what? MAC asks genuinely confused.[CARA] Don't ever apologize for me. I'm perfectly capable of apologizing for myself if an apology is warranted I said exactly what i meant and meant exactly what i said. Amanda holds back any anger she may feel, in honesty, she had thought she should have remained. But she wasn't good at dealing with stuff like this.
CARA turns her gaze back to Amanda and leans forward so she can look right into Amanda's eyes.[CARA] If anyone should apologize it's this lady. CARA says indicating Amanda.[MAC] She doesn't need to apologize to me, sweetheart. I think you might be over reacting just a tad. [CARA] Excuse me? CARA says and turns to look at Duncan.[CARA] Get over yourself, MacLeod. I wasn't talking about you. She owes the apology to me. CARA turns back to look at Amanda.[MAC] For what exactly? MAC is still trying to intervene and trying to keep his tome of voice calm and peaceful.
CARA feels like Mac is talking down to her and that irritates her more than she already is. She turns back to Amanda and says, "She let me down. That's what she did."[CARA] And she knows it. That's why she won['t look me in the eye. [MAC] How did she let you down? She believed you were alive even though everything pointed to opposite. How is that letting you down? CARA sits up and looks at him.[CARA] Just what is it that you're trying to do here, MacLeod? Because if it's to piss me off....you're succeeding nicely. Like I said...this has nothing to do with you so I'd appreciate it if you would stay out of it. Amanda lets out an exasperated breath. "Stop it! Both of you, right now," she demands irritatedly.
CARA turns back to Amanda. She folds her arms across her chest, holds her head high and halfway smirks, her eyes not leaving Amanda's face.[Amanda] You just came back to us, I am not going to be the reason the two of you start arguing. Amanda states firmly.
CARA continues to watch Amanda with the same expression on her face.
MAC gets up off the bed and walks over to the small kitchen counter and leans against it, his back to the women.[Amanda] I am sorry that I did not stay, but I felt the need to mourn your apparent death where nobody could ask questions. [CARA] And just what is that suppose to mean? What questions? [Amanda] I couldn't handle all the looks of sympathy when I thought there was a chance you could still be alive. Amanda responds, sighing heavily. She stands and walks a couple of feet away.[CARA] What has that got to do with what you've done? CARA gets up and follows Amanda so that she is only about a foot away from her.
MAC suddenly realizes what is really happening here and he turns around and looks from one female Immortal to the other.
Amanda pauses and turns to MacLeod. "What?" she inquires of his expression.
MAC wants to step up and explain things to Amanda but he knows that that would look like a challenge to Cara in her current state, so he is torn as what to do.[CARA] Don't pay attention to the man behind the curtain. CARA says imitating the old man in the Wizard of Oz pretending to be the Wizard.[Amanda] I want to know what he has to say. Amanda responds calmly.[CARA] Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. Amanda folds her arms, showing her annoyance.[CARA] Seriously....this is between you and me....leave the great and powerful MacLeod out of it. [Amanda] I'm done. Amanda retorts in exasperation.
CARA 's face is nearly expressionless except for a hint of a smug smirk on her lips. She is running it through her head. She looks into Amanda's eyes and, although she thinks she sees some form of regret, she is beginning to doubt that it is even for the major let down she is thinking about. Yes...it was a vow made over a century ago...but that doesn't make it any less important. And the fact that Amanda....the one person she thought she could count on no matter what had chosen to ignore it cuts deep. Tears spring to her eyes and before she can stop them they begin to roll down her cheeks. She turns her back to Amanda and storms out of the room.[Amanda] Don't give me that look. MAC starts to follow when he sees her tears, but rethinks it and stays put...still leaning against the kitchenette counter.
MAC looks at Amanda and raises an eyebrow.[MAC] Do you know what she's referring to? MAC asks not only because he doesn't know but he wants to see if Cara is right.
Amanda glances down at her hands. She knows that following CJ herself was only going to make things worse, she was afraid that "sorry" wasn't going to cut it. She pauses before looking up at Mac and slowly nodding guiltily. "I do."[MAC] Could you please enlighten me? MAC asks coming back over and sitting on the edge of the bed.
Amanda remains where she is standing, and casts a sidelong glance at the door before her attention returns to Mac. "A pact we made... a long time ago. By leaving, I broke it," she admits tentatively.
MAC can tell by the look in Amanda's eyes that he best not push for more details. It is obviously something between the two women and their friendship and that was not something he felt safe getting mixed up in.[MAC] Sooooooo....are you saying she's right? MAC asks gently.
Amanda nods again. "She's right," the Immortal confirms and gives a groan at her own stubbornness[MAC] Come here. MAC says and pats the bed next to him. He has a gentle smile on his lips.
Amanda moves over and sits on the bed. "I screwed up," she admits.[MAC] One thing you need to know about our..... MAC makes quotation marks in the air with his fingers.[MAC] ...new Cara, is that right now....her emotions are a little out of control. She's like a bad scrape. The new skin is exposed and extremely sensitive until it heals over. Do you understand what I'm telling you? MAC says as he takes her hands in his and looks warmly into her eyes.[MAC] She's either bottled up so tight I can't get through to her or she's all out there....like just now. Amanda swallows and nods. "Yes, I understand," she confirms.[MAC] She still has a lot of holes in her memory. She just recently remembered our love. She remembered that she loved me and that I loved her but now how it felt to love. I was beginning to doubt she would ever remember until a couple of nights ago. Horton really did a number on her this time around. I hate to think what would have happened or what might have happened if I hadn't found her huddled on the beach suffering from a second aneurysm. She was a completely different person. Or thought she was. She believed 100% that she was Kacey Duggan and that I killed her husband so she killed my wife in retaliation. MAC puts his arm around Amanda's shoulders.[MAC] When we had to restrain her she became like a caged animal. It was nearly impossible to watch. MAC lays his cheek on the top of Amanda's head.[MAC] I'm glad you weren't here to see it. Amanda sighs again and shakes her head. "See... I wish I could have helped." Which was the complete opposite of Mac's comment to be sure.
MAC sits quietly letting what he's said sink in.[MAC] I know that you love her, Amanda. She knows it too. Would you like me to talk to her about this thing she's upset with you about? CARA paces around the area in front of the elevators. She isn't interested in boarding one she just needed some time away from everyone to get control again. When she has calmed down she walks slowly back towards the room.
Amanda shakes her head quickly. "No, no this is something that I have to do."[MAC] Just be patient. Gregor and Lillith both agree that she will level out as she becomes more familiar with her surroundings and those of us that are in her life. She may never be exactly like she was....too much happened to her over there....but her essence is still there. Most importantly....she's alive. And....yes. You were right about that. Just like she was last year when everyone thought Donahue had killed you. She never lost faith. You two have quite a bond. To tell you the truth...I'm a little jealous of it. MAC gives her a kiss on top of her head and a squeeze.[MAC] You going to be okay? MAC asks softly.
Amanda smiles faintly and gives a quick nod. "I'm more worried about CJ," she answered softly.
MAC lets go of Amanda as he feels an Immortal buzz.
CARA has to knock on the room door since it automatically locks when it closes and she doesn't have the key with her.[MAC] That's probably her. MAC says and gets up. he goes to the door and opens it and step aside, silently so Cara can come in. As she passes him he reaches out and touches her shoulder.[MAC] Sweetheart? MAC asks simply.
CARA looks up at him and manages a small smile.[CARA] I'm okay. CARA answers trying to waylay the worried look in his eyes.
MAC nods and lets her continue into the room and he closes the door. He remains standing by it watching to see where she will go.
Amanda remains on the bed and studies CJ as she enters the room.
CARA walks to the middle of the room and stops She is looking out the large sliding glass doors that lead to the balcony..but not really seeing it.
MAC goes back to leaning against the kitchenette counter, his hands shoved into his pockets. He doesn't take his eyes off of his wife.
CARA turns and looks at Amanda then at Duncan. She walks over to Duncan and places her hands on his chest.[CARA] I'm sorry for the outburst. It's just that....I have been told from a couple of people how bad it was for you these last few weeks. And it kills me...it breaks my heart to know that you basically had to go through it alone. It shouldn't have been like that. I'm so sorry, Duncan. MAC looks at her a little surprised.[MAC] Sweetheart....there's nothing for you to be sorry about. You couldn't help it. MAC starts to put his arms around her.
CARA backs away.[CARA] It shouldn't have been like that for you because I thought you would be taken care of by the one person who knew you as well....maybe even better than I did. MAC isn't quite sure how to respond to that or the fact that she had backed away like she did. He shoves his hands back into his pockets and only smiles warmly at her.[CARA] You should not have been alone. CARA says shaking her head.[MAC] I wasn't really alone. I was staying at Wyn and your fathers.....and Richie came by to help out...and Connor. I chose to seclude myself. [CARA] Was Connor there all the time? [MAC] Well....no. [CARA] And my father and Wyn don't know you like I do...like.... CARA hesitates for a second.[CARA] Amanda does. neither does Richie. [MAC] Richie know me pretty well. [CARA] Not as well....as someone who has made love to you and you to them....or has loved you and been loved by you. MAC blushes.[MAC] Well.....probably not.....i guess. [CARA] I'm so sorry, Duncan. MAC reaches out and takes hold of her shoulders and pulls her to him. As he wraps his arms around her he glances over at Amanda and smiles giving her a small wink.[MAC] It's okay sweetheart. It's okay. MAC whispers.
MAC glances at Amanda again and mouths the words, "do you want to talk to her alone?"
Amanda stand and moves toward them. She nods almost imperceptibly at Duncan's question.
MAC lets go of Cara and smiles down at her.[MAC] I need to go down to the office to check on a FAX. I'll just be a few minutes, alright? CARA nods and backs away so that he can do what he has to do. She walks around the kitchenette counter to the coffee pot and pours herself a cup. She spoons in 2 spoonfuls of sugar and stirs it, staring at the dark liquid as it moves around the cup.
MAC gives Amanda a friendly pat on her shoulder as he passes her and then he exits the room.
CARA doesn't look up from the coffee cup as she says once she is sure Duncan has left, "this time Horton had me raped." She leans her head against the overhead cabinet.
Amanda winces and her eyes close, she pushes back the uprising of anger and overwhelming sadness. And still the guilt that she hadn't gone back to the castle in Otterburg to even attempt a rescue. Sickened was a good word to use.[CARA] But I didn't give up until he showed me Duncan's....or at least what i thought was Duncan's wedding ring and said he'd killed him. That's when I gave up and let them do whatever they wanted to do to me. CARA says matter of factly while still staring at the coffee she is still stirring. She finally turns and looks at Amanda.[CARA] But all of that pales to what Duncan went through.,, Why, Amanda? Why weren't you there for him? [Amanda] I'm sorry. Amanda says softly, it works for both comments; but it doesn't sound like enough.
[CARA] I trusted you to take care of my most prized possession And that is him.
CARA turns her back on Amanda again.
[CARA] You helped him through getting over Tessa.
Amanda remains in the same spot, and cringes at her comment. Her very true comment but, "It was different this time," she says in a quiet voice.
CARA turns back around and looks at her friend through vision blurred by tears threatening to show themselves again.
[CARA] Why? What was so different? Tell me. I really would like to know.
CARA is holding the coffee cup in trembling hands.
[Amanda] This time it affected me to. And I'm sorry if that sounds selfish --.
Amanda shakes her heads and cuts herself off.
[CARA] You mean to tell me that you didn't think you'd be effected by it when you made your half of the vow 100 and however many years ago we did that? We were best friends then. How could you think you wouldn't be effected by it if it happened?
[Amanda] It wasn't just what happened, it was how.
Amanda retorts, her voice doesn't rise though had she been speaking to anyone else she mightn't have been so calm.
[CARA] What exactly do you mean by that? Come on, Mand. I shouldn't have to feel like I'm pulling teeth on someone without anesthesia. If you can't talk to me....then we have a serious problem that goes much deeper than just a broken vow.
Amanda answers, sounding more than a little guilty. "It was my fault. I should have gone back to Otterburg after you were captured. I can break into any museum in the world, a castle should've been easy enough.
continued on page 2
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Post by cj on Dec 1, 2007 1:03:23 GMT -5
[CARA] That's what this is about? CARA asks incredulously.
Amanda shakes her head. "I admit, I should have honored our pact..." she answers after a short pause.[CARA] Amanda.....I never expected to be rescued. I knew that there wouldn't be enough time. I was already forgetting important things about my life and I had already had one seizure and died once from the aneurysm. I figured my destiny lied there. If I managed to escape...great....if not....then hopefully I wouldn't become too much of a threat and could be captured once I was set free on an assignment. I figured by then you guys could find an antidote using the sample YOU carried out of there. Of course if I had told any of you that tis was my plan you wouldn't have let me go and I knew it was the only way. As it turned out....I was right. So stop kicking yourself in the ass for something you weren't expected to do and start kicking yourself for NOT doing what was expected. Amanda.....Duncan didn't have to suffer like my dad and Wyn and Joe have all said he did. I trusted you to get him though it. I trusted you to take care of my possessions.....the ones that meant the most to me. I'll bet you never once visited Cresta, did you? Amanda just barely refrains from hanging her head. She was kicking herself mentally, quite hard too.
CARA shakes her head.[CARA] I sure glad I didn't have a kid I trusted you to care for. I never thought I would see the day that my teacher and best friend would let me down. Amanda looks up at that, absently wondering whether she remembered Merrin or not; recalled their meeting at the batting cages. CARA sets down the cup of coffee she's been holding but never drank and walks out onto the balcony. She stares out at the horizon. She starts listing of reasons that Amanda would have done this....trying to make excuses for her. Then she remembers the engagement. As she starts to form an excuse using that...she remembers that she, too was engaged and planning a wedding last year when they thought Amanda had been killed by Donahue so she casts that one aside. [CARA] How's Nick, by the way? CARA calls back over her shoulder to the inside of the room.
Amanda looks up to study CJ as her friend stands on the balcony, and she calls back in a raised voice so that the other woman will hear her. "He's fine..." Amanda answers, catching on fast enough. That there were similarities in what had happened has run through her head many times.
CARA furrows her brow as she tries to clear a foggy memory. Finally she knows who it is.[CARA] And what about Merrin? Is she alright? Amanda nods with a faint smile. "She is now," Amanda confirms a few seconds later. She stands and walks forward to the balcony, but remains just inside the doorway.[CARA] What do you mean now? Was she sick? CARA turns to look at Amanda concerned.
Amanda shakes her head, a brief frown furrows her brow as she mentally kicks herself for her phrasing. But she can't go back now and Amanda continues. "You death hit her hard," she answers.[CARA] So since you just found out that I'm not dead she doesn't know yet. How do you think she will react? CARA asks not wanting to cause the little girl anymore trauma. She'd been through enough in the past year.[Amanda] Shocked... of course. But...happy, definitely... Amanda smiles a little.[Amanda] She'll be overjoyed. [CARA] I can't wait to see her. She's one special little girl. Are you and Nick going to adopt her after you're married? CARA asks having just remembered that Amanda had gotten engaged before they went to Germany
Amanda hesitates. "We haven't really talked about it..." she answers, before the question reminds her of something and a smile lights up her face.[CARA] You've made it this far alright....you should consider it. I know that she must be pretty attached to you guys by now. Why do you look like the cat that just ate the canary? CARA asks raising an eyebrow.
Amanda nods at the previous before walking forward to shorten the distance. "Because," she replies and draws out the word until she comes to a stop again. "Now that you're back, I can finally ask you to be my maid of honor," she says with a touch of nonchalance.
CARA looks at Amanda shocked.[CARA] Really? I take it you've set a date? Amanda grins, quite pleased. "May 26th," she confirms.[CARA] Oh...Mand. That's wonderful. CARA steps up and gives her a hug.[CARA] Of course I will. I'd be honored. Amanda returns the hug, still looking very pleased; the expression growing as she accepts.[CARA] Wow... CARA says letting go of Amanda and returning into the room. She walks over to the night stand and opens the drawer and removes a small date book. She opens it and counts the days.[CARA] That doesn't leave much time. Is it going to be a big wedding? CARA asks returning to the balcony.
Amanda leans against the doorway, "I'm still planning," she answers before adding sneakily "Of course it will be easier now I have an expert at my disposal," she quips.
CARA rolls her eyes.[CARA] Oh yeah....some expert. If I remember correctly you and Cresta handled most of my stuff because I was enjoying the hospitality of our good buddy, Sidney Horton. [Amanda] Which we could not have done without your plans beforehand. You brought everything together. [CARA] I think you give me more credit than I deserve....but my self esteem can use the boost so...thanks. As your Matron of Honor I'll need a list of the things you have done and what you want me to do. Have you decided on colors? Done anything about your dress or any of that stuff? [Amanda] I will write it all up for you. Amanda nods, grinning.
CARA is already making mental lists of what she'll need to do. Her brow is slightly furrowed and she is chewing on her lower lip....(her "I'm thinking" habit).
MAC has stalled about as long as he possibly can and finally heads back up to the room hoping he doesn't find one of his ladies beheaded. He feels a fairly strong Immortal buzz as he approaches the room and breathes a sigh of relief.
CARA feels the buzz of an approaching Immortal and stiffens up, holding her breath. She grabs Amanda's arm.[CARA] Remember, Mand....he doesn't know about what i told you. Please don't say anything. I'll tell him when the time is right. Amanda says softly. "I won't tell him a thing."
MAC slips the card key into the slot and unlocks the door. he pushes it open cautiously.[MAC] Is the coast clear, ladies? MAC says teasingly from the doorway.[CARA] Depends. CARA calls back to him from the balcony.[CARA] What do you consider clear? [MAC] No head taking, throwing of objects....you know...that sort of stuff. [CARA] No more objects to throw. Already broke them all. And i don't have a sword so I can't take anyone's head. CARA winks at Amanda..[Amanda] Yeah... she really did a number on the place. [CARA] How about you, Mand? Amanda adds, feigning a serious tone.[Amanda] Well, I think that punch drew a bit of blood. Amanda carries on with a little smirk.[CARA] He didn't say anything about blood. CARA giggles.[CARA] So I guess that's a yes....the coast is clear. CARA calls out to Duncan.
MAC steps across the threshold and closes the door behind him. he looks at the 2 ladies questioningly.[MAC] You guys kiss and make up? [CARA] Oh damn. We forgot the kissing part. CARA steps up to Amanda and plants a kiss directly on her lips.
Amanda doesn't have time to smirk, and when she pulls back she sticks out her tongue at Mac. "Now are you satisfied?"
MAC looks around.[MAC] Am I in the right room? [CARA] What's the matter, dear? I thought men liked girl on girl action. CARA winks at Amanda.[MAC] Not when it's my girl. [Amanda] I think he might be jealous. [CARA] Must be talking about you, Mand. Because I'm no girl. Amanda quips.
CARA sachets into the room and over to the bed where she sits on the edge in a sexy pose.[MAC] My sincerest apologies, my lady. MAC says and bows gallantly.
Amanda laughs.[CARA] Did your FAX come through? CARA asks Duncan not seeing anything ion his hands.[MAC] Yes it did. But it wasn't what had been agreed upon so I FAXed it back. MAC plops down on the small davenport in the room.[MAC] I'm beginning to think this Dojo is never going to get finished. [CARA] Ahhh..poor baby. CARA gets up and walks behind the small davenport and begins to massage Duncan's shoulders. She winks at Amanda and gives her a look that says..."call me later" and nods toward the door.
Amanda moves further into the room, already on her way to the door. "I have so much to do, I'm going to have to get going," she excuses.
MAC gets to his feet and follows Amanda to the door. Once out of CJ's hearing range he says quietly, "Everything back to normal between you two?"[CARA] Don't forget to make up that list, Mand. CARA calls out as she heads for the bathroom. [MAC] List? What list? Amanda nods, smiling quite genuinely now. "It is," she nods toward CJ. "Take care of my Matron of Honor," she instructs.[MAC] Matron of....what did I miss? MAC asks Amanda.
CARA disappears into the bathroom.
Amanda pats him on the shoulder, and rolls her eyes theatrically. "Is it so hard to believe I'm engaged, that you forget so easily?" she queries. "CJ is my Matron of Honor"[MAC] I did not forget your engagement. I'm not that out of it. MAC says slightly offended.[MAC] And I figured you'd ask her I just didn't know things had progressed that far. Amanda lets her grin return. "It has, and I did," she confirms and put her hand on the door to open it.[MAC] Say hello to Nick for me. I'm glad things worked out. And I think you should make a point of bringing Merrin by. For both Merrin and Cara's sake. [Amanda] I will. She's going to be so happy to see her. MAC leans over and gives Amanda a quick kiss.[MAC] You be good....okay? I've missed you, you know. [Amanda] I'm always good... Amanda winks, but nods more sincerely at the latter comment.[Amanda] I'll see you soon. Amanda adds before opening the door and stepping into the corridor.
MAC waits until Amanda is a few feet down the hall before closing the door.
Amanda gets into the elevator and hits the button for the lobby. She had wedding rings to go look at.
MAC walks over to the bed and takes a seat on the edge and waits for his wife to come out of the bathroom.****two hours later**** MAC holds the door to the room open for Cara after their lunch in the restaurant downstairs.
CARA steps past Duncan and into the room. She walks over to the table and sits pulling a yellow legal note pad up to her and a pen and starts making notes.[MAC] What are you doing, sweetheart? MAC asks curiously as he gets a beer from the fridge in the kitchenette.
Amanda parks her car outside and closes Merrin's door after the little girl jumps out, and they make their way into the hotel and across the lobby to the elevators.[CARA] Just making some notes on things I need to do for Amanda's wedding. I wanted to get them on paper before I forget them. I still don't trust my memory completely. MAC walks over to her, bends down and kisses the top of her head.[MAC] You're doing fine, sweetheart. And you'll be a great matron of Honor. [CARA] Thanks. CARA suddenly has a craving for a cigarette. She chews on the end of the pen as she tries to remember if she smoked as Kacey Duggan.[MAC] I know that look. What's wrong? Merrin steps into the corridor once she gets out of the elevator and looks both ways, trying to guess which way they'll be going. She doesn't know why she's here, only that there's a surprise. She anxious to find out and practically bouncing off the walls and gets Amanda to hurry up.[CARA] Besides being a biker bitch from hell....did I have any bad habits when i was Kacey? [MAC] I'm not sure. Like what? [CARA] Like....did I smoke? [MAC] To be honest, sweetheart...I didn't know Kacey. I had only met her briefly at Joe's once and then on the beach when i found her....you....Damn. This gets confusing. [CARA] Sorry. I guess I must have because I'm sure craving a cigarette now. [MAC] Oh. MAC says hoping it's not something she's going to want to stick with.
Amanda takes Merrin's hand and leads her toward CJ and Mac's room, she has a sneaky smile on her face because she knows what Merrin's reaction is going to be like.
CARA shakes her head and returns to writing on the note pad.
MAC takes his beer out onto the balcony.
CARA finishes her notes and gets up and joins Mac on the balcony.[CARA] It's definitely a gorgeous day. Amanda stops outside their room, and knows they're inside from the buzz she feels once they're in range. She knocks on the door.
CARA says leaning against the railing and looking out at the horizon.
MAC feels the buzz of an Immortal just as he hears the knock on the door. He gets up and goes back inside. he sets his bottle of beer on the table and walks to the door. he opens it cautiously and peeks out. Seeing who it is he grins and opens the door all the way and steps aside.[MAC] Come in ladies. CARA felt the buzz too but lets Mac handle it as she continues daydreaming.
MAC bends down and holds out his hand to Merrin.
Merrin flashes a gap-toothed grin and peers around the door to see what this surprise is that Amanda has alluded to. But she doesn't spot CJ on the balcony, though with the different hair she won't notice her from the back anyway.[MAC] Good afternoon, Mademoiselle So good of you to stop by. Merrin lets go of Amanda's hand and takes Mac to shake it. "Do you know what the surprise is?" she queries.
MAC turns her hand so he can kiss the back of it...which he does gallantly. He lets it go and stands up and looks at Amanda pretending ignorance.[MAC] Surprise? What surprise? Merrin looks faintly disappointed, as Amanda chuckles at mac's display. The nine-year-old answers in a low voice. "She won't even give me a hint."[MAC] Now, Amanda Dariuex. What have I told you about abusing this lovely lady? I warned you what would happen if you were mean to her. [Amanda] I am perfectly innocent. Amanda answers and bats her eyelids dramatically.
MAC glances down at Merrin.[MAC] Should I believe her? Merrin smirks and shakes her head.
MAC grabs Amanda by the waist and starts tickling her mercilessly.[MAC] I warned you.....you mean old lady. [Amanda] That -- that is not fair, MacLeod! Amanda remarks as she wriggles to try and escape the tickling.[MAC] It's not fair that you are mean to such an angelic lady as this one. MAC says and continues to tickle Amanda.
Merrin is finding the display very amusing, and she giggles as she steps into the living room and looks around.
CARA hears the laughter coming from inside and curiosity gets the better of her. She turns around and steps up to the sliding glass doorway and stops in her tracks, seeing Merrin. Since the little girl hasn't noticed her yet she stands there in silence with a big grin on her face.
Merrin looks around the room and after a few seconds her gaze falls on the balcony. Slowly she looks upward to see the face of the woman in front of her; and Merrin's heart skips a beat. She sucks in a quick breath and her eyes widen.
MAC stops tickling Amanda and stands watching Merrin and Cara.
CARA smiles down at the little girl. After a couple of silent minutes she squats down and holds out her arms.[CARA] It's okay, sweetie. It's really me. Merrin It still appears as though Merrin cannot believe her eyes. Almost in a daze she steps forward. And then she flings her arms around CJ's neck, a wide grin on her face. It doesn't look like she'll let go anything soon.
CARA folds her arms around Merrin and hugs her tight. She rocks back and forth as she smooths Merrin's hair down. Just to set her realness in concrete for the little girl she begins to hum "Somewhere Over The Rainbow".
MAC has to turn away from the scene in front of him in order to hide the tears streaming down his cheeks. he swallows hard against the lump in his throat.
Merrin closes her eyes tightly, and then opens them as if trying to ascertain she is isn't actually asleep. A few tears run down her cheeks, this time though she's more than happy.
[CARA] Where happy little blue birds fly...away above the clouds so high...why, oh why can't I?
CARA sings the last phrase of the song softly in Merrin's ear.
Merrin whispers happily, "I knew you were alive."
MAC sniffles and hopes it wasn't noticed.
CARA glances up at Amanda and winks.
[CARA] Seems like you two had something in common.
CARA says smiling.
Amanda is leaning against the door, and watching the scene unfold before her. She gives a little smile. Now everything was getting back to normal. At last.
MAC feels a twinge of guilt at not having believed it himself. "I should have known," he thinks to himself. He hangs his head, still standing with his back to everyone.
CARA pulls Merrin back so she can look at her.
[CARA] So how are you, Angel?
CARA asks calling the little girl by her pet name for her.....the same pet name her father called her when she was little.
Amanda turns to look at Mac, and lays a hand on his arm in a gesture of comfort. "Duncan. Be happy, she's back," she urges. Nobody would want him to feel guilty, not now.
Merrin grins, and sniffles before she wipes away her tears. "I got my pictures in an art competition," she announces proudly.
MAC places his hand on top of Amanda's. he glances sideways at her and forces a small smile and a nod.
[CARA] You did? That's wonderful. I believe you still owe me one.
[Merrin] Uh huh. It's at home. I made a frame for it and everything!
CARA focuses on a memory that flashes through her mind of her showing Merrin a batting stance and realizes that as Kacey Duggan she had come in contact with the little girl.
[CARA] How's your batting coming? Getting any better?
CARA says with a smile and a wink.
MAC gets control of his emotions, squeezes Amanda's hand in thanks and turns back around to face the scene.
Merrin grins knowingly. "Tons better," she verifies with a firm nod.
[CARA] Glad i could help....even if I was a different me then. You doing good in school?
[Merrin] Yeah. I got a new teacher, too.
[CARA] Really? A man or a lady?
[Merrin] Lady. She's nice. Not like my math teacher.
Merrin wrinkles up her nose in distaste.
CARA laughs. She is suddenly over come with emotion and she grabs the little girl and pulls her back in her arms and hugs her tight.
[CARA] I missed you so much.
CARA says.
Merrin is more than happy to oblige, and she smiles again. "I missed you to."
[CARA] I'm sorry that you had to be sad for awhile. But I couldn't help it. I promise....I will never go away again. Okay?
[Merrin] I know.
Merrin Well she doesn't know the circumstances behind her disappearance, but knows enough that CJ would never go missing on purpose.
MAC swallows hard again and shoves his hands into his pants pockets and makes them fists.
CARA hugs Merrin for a few more minutes and then, reluctantly, she lets her go and stands up. She walks over to the small davenport and sits down. The day has been a roller coaster of emotions for her and it is starting to take its toll and she is beginning to feel tired.
MAC walks over and joins his wife on the davenport. He puts his arm around her and asks, softly, "You okay, sweetheart?"
CARA smiles up at him and nods.
Amanda walks over to Merrin and crouches next to her.
[CARA] Yeah....just a little tired is all.
CARA says quietly.
[MAC] How about I take the 3 most beautiful ladies in Seacouver out to lunch in a couple of days?
MAC says.
[MAC] When things have calmed down a little.
[CARA] Oooooo.....sounds like a wonderful idea.
CARA grins trying not to sound as exhausted as she feels.
[CARA] What do you think Merrin?
Merrin nods, feeling weary herself but still trying to look wide-eyed. "I think that's a great idea!" she answers enthusiastically.
MAC smiles and gets up. He gives Amanda a nod in the direction of the door.
[MAC] It's a date then. Amanda takes Merrin's hand, and nods at Mac, before looking to Merrin. "If I'm not mistaken, I promised you ice cream."
Merrin forgets her tiredness at that and answers straight away. "With chocolate sauce."
CARA sits forward on the davenport and smiles at Merrin, "I'll see you soon, Angel."
MAC walks to the door and stands with his hand on the knob.
Merrin waves. "At dinner," she notes.
Amanda steers Merrin toward the door, knowing the little girl would stay forever if she could.
CARA looks up at Amanda and mouths the word, "thanks."
Amanda smiles and answers with a mouthed, "No problem," before adding out loud. "We'll see you soon."
MAC opens the door and holds it open. He bends over as Merrin walks by him and says, "enjoy your ice cream. I'll see you soon." To Amanda he says, "Thanks. It did them both some good."
Merrin says quite cheerfully, "I will!" before practically skipping into the corridor.
[Amanda] It did, a lot of good.
Amanda replies in agreement.
CARA waves to Amanda and Merrin.
Amanda joins Merrin in the corridor.
MAC winks at Amanda. he watches her and Merrin as they walk down the hall toward the elevators, then closes the door.
CARA gets up and goes over to the bed and lies down.
MAC sits next to her.
[MAC] I'll be on the balcony. You get some rest.
MAC pulls the bedspread over her and gives her a smile before getting to leave her alone.
CARA happily drifts off to sleep.
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Post by cj on Dec 1, 2007 1:04:10 GMT -5
CARA waits until Duncan is in the shower and scribbles a note for him saying that she had some shopping to do and would be back in a couple of hours then she heads downstairs and hails a cab.
CARA tells the driver to take her to Seacouver Memorial Hospital front entrance. Once there she pays the driver with money Duncan had given her last night, gets out and goes inside the hospital. She takes out the cell phone that Duncan got for her and calls Greg Powers' exchange and asks if he is in the hospital. Finding out that he is she hangs up and goes to the information desk and asks the lady in the pink uniform to page Dr. powers. She sits in the main lobby and waits for Greg to answer his page.
Gregor walks into the main lobby in scrubs and a lab coat, a stethoscope hangs around his neck.
CARA sees him and gets up and starts walking towards him, smiling.
Gregor sees Cara and moves a bit faster.
[Gregor] Cara, this is a surprise!
[CARA] Please....Greg...call me CJ. I know that you';re probably busy, but I didn't know how else to get in touch with you. Have you had lunch yet?
[Gregor] No, but I'm famished. Let me get my coat.
[CARA] Want me to wait here for you?
[Gregor] Yes, give me a minute, ever since she found me again, my fiancée is hard pressed to let me leave her sight for very long.
[CARA] Okay.
CARA says and sits down to wait for him.
Gregor returns a minute later. "Ready?"
CARA nods and gets up.
[CARA] I hope you have a car because I came in a cab.
[Gregor] Where shall we go?
[CARA] You pick. I don't know what's close.
[Gregor] Okay, my car is parked outside.
CARA follows him.
Gregor leads CJ to his BMW and in a moment they are on their way to Chinatown.
[CARA] I hope you don't mind me looking you up like this.
CARA says as she sits in the passenger seat.
[Gregor] No, not at all. So to what do I owe this pleasure madame?
CARA looks out the passenger window and chews on her lower lip.
[CARA] Ummmm.....I guess I just needed someone to talk to...someone who understands what we went through....someone I know and trust.
[Gregor] I can understand that. I think you got the worst of what Horton had to offer.
[CARA] Have you.....Have you been having nightmares?
CARA asks softly still looking out the window.
[Gregor] Yes, but I'm finding that every night they get a bit less.
[Gregor] What kind of nightmares have you been having?
[CARA] It's like I'm there again....with Sherring and his toys....everything. The smells....the feelings....the sounds....they are so real. I'm scared to go to sleep because I know he's waiting for me in my dreams.
CARA says, her voice is almost a whisper.
Gregor pulls into the parking lot of the Lucky Dragon Chinese Restaurant.
[Gregor] I won't lie to you CJ, there are going to be nightmares. But I have a feeling that as our systems completely eliminate the remnants of the root we won't be as susceptible.
[CARA] I guess I could deal with things if it just that but....Let me ask you something.
[CARA] You've known Duncan a long time, right?
[Gregor] More than two centuries.
[CARA] Then maybe you can give me some advice.
CARA says as she unbuckles her seatbelt.
[Gregor] Shoot
[CARA] There are still a lot of holes in my memories of our relationship. I sort of remember that we loved each other but I don't really remember how it feels. when I do remember something it's like I'm watching it on television. Not in the first person...but rather like a bystander. Does that make any sense?
[Gregor] Yes it does. When you came back in he hotel room, your EEG was pretty much normal, with just a few anomalies. Normally, most doctors wouldn't think too much of these. But for us I think it is different. Somehow I instinctively knew that there would be some holes to fill and I told Mac that he would need to be patient. You can't expect that everything is going to go 100% back to normal.
CARA thinks about what Greg has said.
[CARA] He is being as patient as anyone could be under the circumstances.
CARA says.
[Gregor] Give it time.
[CARA] I mean...I can imagine how he must feel....but I can also see how disappointed he gets when i don't act like I used to or I react to something differently. I can see the hurt in his eyes when I can't remember things that were important to us.
[CARA] He's a good man and I can see that he loves me...or the me I used to be a lot. But....
CARA bites her lower lip and looks away.
[Gregor] I wouldn't give up, he knows. I told him the risks and he made the commitment. A promise is something Mac doesn't take lightly.
[Gregor] I know you have to remember that.
[CARA] Is he the kind of man who will live up to that promise...no matter what? Even if it makes him miserable?
[Gregor] I know so. He could've taken me out..twice. But he was committed to our friendship enough that he stuck with me and look where I am.
CARA closes her eyes and sighs.
[CARA] That's what I was afraid of.
CARA says quietly.
[Gregor] This is a scary time for you. Don't make any quick decisions.
CARA places her elbow on the passenger window "sill" and leans her forehead on her hand.
[CARA] I just feel like....
CARA hesitates for a minute.
[Gregor] Like what?
[CARA] I just feel like I'm under pressure to be more like I used to be. And to be perfectly honest....I don't think I will ever be that Cara again. Even if i were to remember everything. And I know that it's hurting him and I hate that. But I also hate that I don't feel comfortable being me. I feel like I have to pretend to be someone I'm not. And I know that I won't be able to do that forever. Not without losing my sanity in the process. Let's put it this way....this is the first time I have felt that i could relax and be myself...whoever that is. I definitely don't feel that way at....
CARA makes quotation marks in the air with her fingers.
[CARA] home.
[CARA] I just don't feel what I should be feeling as his wife, Greg. Does that make me a bad person?
[Gregor] You need to honest with Mac about all this. Somehow I don't think he will be entirely surprised.
[Gregor] It doesn't make you a bad person either
[CARA] I've tried. God knows I've tried. But he just keeps telling me that I will in time. I know that he's hoping that I will....and I know that he hangs on to that hope like it was a life raft. But, Greg....what if I never do? What if who I am today....what I feel today...is all I will ever be?
CARA closes her eyes and presses the back of her hand against her lips.
[CARA] I'm feeling smothered, Greg. You know?
[Gregor] I think you're worrying too much about the future. Take each day as it comes. Mac is a patient character.
[CARA] If I were to say that when I'm "home" the atmosphere feels extremely heavy....but here...right now...it doesn't...would you understand what I mean?
[Gregor] I can understand that, maybe you should get out and do something that makes you feel useful.
Gregor starts to get out of the car.
CARA thinks over what he has just said as she reaches for the door handle and opens the passenger door.
Gregor shuts his door and starts to walk toward the restaurant.
CARA follows close behind.
Gregor opens the door to the restaurant, the smell of frying pork wafts in the air.
CARA stands close behind Greg as they wait to be seated.
Gregor sees the waitress motion them to a booth.
CARA follows Greg and slips into one side of the booth. She fidgets with a corner of the napkin folded under the silverware.
[CARA] You know....I did get one memory back completely.
Gregor picks up the menu. "Which one was that
CARA looks around, leans across the table and lowers her voice.
[CARA] That I was a surgical nurse in both world wars and Korea. And a damn good one as i recall.
Gregor puts down his menu. "How much do you remember about the technical stuff?"
[CARA] Like it was yesterday.
[Gregor] Obviously there have been some advances, but I don't think anything that you couldn't pick up really quickly...
CARA shakes her head.
[CARA] It's strange that of all the things I need to remember....that's the only one that is perfectly clear. The rest....like I said are not really like memories but a movie playing in my head....like they happened to someone else and I'm just watching it. Is it like that for you?
[Gregor] Sometimes it is. I think my fiancée Rebecca said that there was an opening on her floor.
[CARA] Is that surgery?
[Gregor] No, it would be patient care. But that doesn't mean you can't get updated and get into a surgical nursing position.
[CARA] I'd have to find someone to update my credentials and probably take a couple of classes for refresher.
[Gregor] Not a bad idea, I could get that information for you.
CARA manages a small chuckle.
[CARA] I doubt anyone would buy the fact that I had most of my experience in the South Pacific theater of WWII.
[Gregor] We're Immortals inventing documents and identities is what we do.
Gregor sees the waitress returning for their order.
[CARA] Especially since I'm dead as far as the Army is concerned...seeing's how I deliberately rolled my jeep so they would list me as dead.
[Gregor] Somehow, you living dangerously doesn't shock me.
[CARA] You can only claim youthful genes for so long before someone starts to get suspicious.
CARA chuckles again.
[Gregor] I'll have the Spicy Chicken over noodles with a beer please.
CARA isn't really hungry. She was looking for a confidant more than lunch but she smiles at the waitress and says, "I'll have the egg foo young with steamed rice and tea please."
[CARA] See what I mean, Greg? This memory is so complete....as if I had never lost it. Why this one? Why not the more important ones?
CARA says when the waitress has gone. [Gregor] I'm thinking our minds have something basic, like an anchor, that keeps us grounded in the event of trauma.
[CARA] From everything I have been told by Duncan, my father, Cresta....that anchor for me should be my love for Duncan. It was supposedly my life before So why would it be something as simple as a career i had once? I mean....you remember the way i was in Germany, right? What seemed to give me my strength?
[Gregor] You once used medicine to heal, Sherring used it to hurt you. Wouldn't it make sense for you to want to find something positive in something you loved so much?
[CARA] So you're saying that I must have loved the work i was doing more than I realized I did? Because....if I am to believe what people have been telling me...I never loved anything more intensely..more completely than i loved Duncan Which is why this doesn't make any sense to me.
[Gregor] I think so, and Sherring using it so negatively, made you want to see the positive side of it.
[CARA] So maybe....I didn't love Duncan as much as people think I did.
CARA says thoughtfully. She furrows her brow.
[CARA] If that's the case....then I never will get back something i never had....I'll never feel what I didn't feel to begin with.
[Gregor] This is just an opinion, but I think that you guarded your love for Duncan so close, that you wouldn't let it be tainted by anything Horton or Sherring could do to you. I think your love for Duncan is still buried in there somewhere, waiting for the right moment to come out. Maybe you need to get out there and start doing something positive again for it to resurface.
[CARA] You know how I said most of my memories are like a movie? I can see myself the day that Horton brought in Duncan's wedding ring and hair tie and informed me that he was dead. I can see my reaction clearly....as a bystander....but I can't remember feeling it. I was obviously devastated...it was the reason I gave in and let them give me the drug. But I can't remember feeling devastated I have no clue what that kind of devastation...the kind that makes you give up wanting to live....feels like. Even though I know I went through it.
[Gregor] There is something far more important here, you're alive and you can make a difference again.
[CARA] And I don't have a clue what it feels like to love someone so completely or to be loved by someone that way...even though I know I did.
Gregor sees the waitress coming with their food.
[CARA] Yet I can smell the smells in an OR....I can feel someone's beating heart in my hands....I can hear it all....every sensation...as if I were there.
CARA sits back silently as the waitress sets their food in front of them.
[Gregor] Let's start from square one and find where it takes you.
CARA says when the waitress is gone, "Those things I can remember....I can feel. The only reason I know that I was deeply in love with Duncan and him with me is because someone has told me so....and this stupid movie that plays in my head.
CARA looks at Greg.
[CARA] Look....I know from my training that our personalities and emotions are formed in the frontal lobe of our brain, right?
CARA goes on without waiting for an answer.
[CARA] The aneurysm that the drug caused us to have was in the frontal lobe. And from what everyone has told me....mine was extremely bad and caused me to die twice from it rupturing.
[Gregor] That did happen, yes. The intra cranial pressure was extreme.
[CARA] So it is entirely possible that it effected my emotional capabilities....as well as my personality.
[Gregor] But I don't think the change is permanent.
[CARA] I remember a young GI that came through the MASH unit I was in in the South Pacific. He had been thrown 50 feet when a grenade exploded near him and he hit his forehead against a rock. His personality and emotions were seriously effected by the injury. He basically had no emotions or memory of emotions and his personality was completely altered. And it was as permanent as if he'd had a pre-frontal lobotomy. Brain cells don't regenerate. Even in us.
[Gregor] You're sure about that?
[CARA] If they did....I would have no memory loss at all.
[Gregor] Listen to my theory...
[CARA] About the even in us part?
[Gregor] Just listen...
CARA moves her food around on her plate without eating any of it while she listens to Greg.
[Gregor] In an Immortal, I think that something as complex as the brain heals, but at a much slower rate than other parts because of it's complexity--you follow?
[CARA] Yeah....go on. [Gregor] There are millions if not billions of connections in the brain, it is possible that yours are still healing and that in time those memories will start to return as more connections are repaired.
[CARA] Possible....but not for sure. Sherring and his "treatments" may have permanently destroyed those memories. it was, after all, their intention. I mean....you kept your memories of your past.....their memory erase was complete in my case. I had no memories other than the ones they gave me. At least not until the aneurysm started to form. And then they weren't really memories...more like movie clips.
[Gregor] I think Sherring underestimated our brains. I don't think he fully researched what the possible effects of deprogramming might be.
[CARA] I don't think they really cared. I know...because I have been told....that they tried it several times before us and they knew about the aneurysm...but they continued to use the drug.
[Gregor] Lilith and I knew that some things like this might happen, but it was the only chance to get you back.
[CARA] Oh...believe me....I am grateful for that. I don't think I would have liked being Kacey Duggan. She wasn't a very happy person. Nothing seemed to gratify her.
[Gregor] The spitting did give that away.
Gregor takes a bite of food.
CARA blushes embarrassed about the way she had acted.
[CARA] I blame that frontal lobe thing for the way i acted. I had absolutely no control over my temper. And that is so classic for frontal lobe injuries.
CARA shakes her head as she moves her food around her plate some more.
[Gregor] I really think you should pursue this nursing thing though, if you can control your temper.
CARA nods, staring blankly at the food on her plate.
Gregor sees the waitress bring the bill with two fortune cookies.
[CARA] I can sit here and logically make plans for my life....make goals to achieve which will give me some purpose....things I can do to build what self esteem I may have lost during this whole nightmare....but still ... One problem goes unsolved. And it's the most important one of all....at least it is to some people.
[Gregor] Mac.
CARA nods.
[Gregor] What do you think you should do?
[CARA] How do I be what he wants me to be...no matter how much it is NOT me? And how do i do it without it effecting my mental and emotional health? I just can't picture a life of being me only when I'm not around Duncan
[Gregor] As much as it hurts, I think you owe it to him to be honest and tell him what you're feeling.
[CARA] I have, Greg. Honestly...I have. He's just not accepting it. he is convinced that it will all come flooding back to me someday and that his Cara will be back just like she was. He will not hear anything to the contrary.
[Gregor] Denial, it's not just a river in Egypt anymore.
CARA smiles at his comment.
[CARA] Yeah...well....you know where I can find a good Asp?
Gregor laughs
[CARA] That's part of the pressure I feel I'm under.
[Gregor] Do you want me to talk to him?
[CARA] I doubt it will do any good, Greg. He's got his heart and mind set. And I'm learning something I probably already knew before....that a Scot can be damned stubborn.
[Gregor] Tell me about it. Makes you wish Sean Burns was still around.
[CARA] And I know that this sounds seriously co-dependent of me...but...
CARA swallows hard and takes a deep breath.
[CARA] I'd rather pretend to be what he wants me to be than to see the hurt and disappointment in his eyes when I'm not.
[CARA] Who's Sean Burns?
CARA says trying to remember on her own, but coming up blank.
[Gregor] The Immortal Psychiatrist and one of the only people on the planet who could make that stubborn Scot budge.
[CARA] I don't think even he could get through to Duncan. Greg....Connor even tried and failed. Which is another sore point. For some reason my memories of Connor are nearly what you would call complete. I knew who he was as soon as I saw him the other night. If you don't think that hurt Duncan....Seems like that's all I do. And I hate it.
[Gregor] Mac has a terrifying grasp of reality and I don't think pretending will do either of you any good.
CARA lets her fork drop back on her plate and sits back and stares blankly out the window.
[CARA] I may not feel the same way i did before Germany....but I do care. That was proven a couple of nights ago.
[Gregor] What do you want to do right now?
[CARA] What do I want to do right now?
CARA shakes her head. When she makes eye contact with Greg, her eyes are filled with a deep sadness.
[CARA] Can I allow myself the luxury of doing what I want to do? At the expense of other people's feelings?
CARA is feeling very trapped.
[Gregor] If Mac is being that stubborn, it may be the only way you're going to get through to him.
[CARA] But I don't want to hurt him, Greg. He's done nothing to deserve it. He's been nothing but loving and supportive...even if it is in his own way.
[CARA] God!!!
CARA growls.
[CARA] It's a vicious circle and there's no end to it.
[Gregor] Well, you know you can call me anytime to talk if you need to.
Gregor opens his fortune cookie.
[CARA] Greg...back to what you suggested earlier....
CARA says picking up her fortune cookie.
[CARA] I know that I would only get really bored working on a general med floor. Besides...it's going to take some time to get my credentials ready and all....but....if you hear of any openings at all in OR....I do think...no. Let me rephrase that....I definitely WANT to go back to work and will definitely take any OR opening that comes up. Do you think you can hook me up?
[Gregor] Let me talk to a few people and get some info. I think it's a possibility.
Gregor reads fortune.
[CARA] And you said you know someone who can do the paperwork?
[Gregor] Yeah, when I get the ducks in a row at the hospital, we'll go see him.
[CARA] What will he need from me?
[Gregor] Pictures mostly for documents. He'll let us know exactly.
[CARA] Okay. I'll get a couple of those done at a passport photo shop.
Gregor laughs at fortune
[CARA] What does it say?
CARA asks halfway smiling.
[Gregor] "A complicated situation arises, don't lose your head."
CARA actually laughs at that. She breaks open hers and pulls out the little strip of paper. She hands it to Greg
[CARA] Here. You read it.
[Gregor] Okay. "A new opportunity and an old one could make for an exciting future."
[CARA] Yeah...right. you're just making that up.
Gregor 's pager goes off
CARA chuckles.
[Gregor] Read it for yourself
[CARA] Is that the hospital?
Gregor looks at the number on his pager and calls the number on his cellphone.
CARA asks regarding the page as she takes the fortune and flips it around to read it herself.
[Gregor] Yeah. Hello? Okay, I'll be back in a flash.
CARA reads the fortune a couple of times and then folds it up and sticks it in her jeans pocket.
CARA smiles at Greg.
[CARA] Don't worry about me. I'll just take a cab from here. And thanks for letting me bend your ear.
Gregor leaves money for the bill and the tip on the table.
CARA gets up and follows him outside.
[Gregor] No problem, just keep cool and I think things will work out.
Gregor puts his arm around her
[Gregor] Anytime.
CARA turns and gives him a hug.
Gregor walks to his car and waves goodbye
Gregor feels a tear form in his eye as he starts his car
CARA waves sadly and watches him drive away.
CARA reluctantly asks the restaurant's doorman to hail her a cab.
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Post by cj on Dec 1, 2007 1:04:52 GMT -5
****The part of Connor MacLeod is temporarily being understudied.**** Connor gets out of his car and heads into the hotel, through the lobby and into the first available elevator car. he presses the #10 button and waits impatiently for the elevator to take him there.[CARA] Did I say something particularly funny? CARA asks innocently.
Connor exits the elevator and heads down the hall. When he arrives at room 1006 he feels no Immortals present but he knocks on the door anyway.
Connor doesn't get and answer so he starts back toward the elevators as he pulls his cell phone out of his pocket and dials Duncan's number.
Duncan nods. "If you think you can't walk, I can carry you?"[*Connor] Maybe they went downstairs to get something to eat. Duncan sighs as he hears his cell phone ring yet again. He pulls it out of his pocket and answers. "MacLeod."
Connor says to himself as a maid walks by and looks at him strange for talking to himself. He smiles and bows gallantly at her then continues on to the elevators.[*Connor] Well....there you are. Which is where exactly? Connor says into his phone when Duncan answers.[Duncan] Hey, Connor. "We're outside on the beach." [Duncan] We're outside on the beach* [*Connor] Why? Oh yeah....you always did like sand in your pants. Connor chuckles as he steps into the elevator.[*Connor] Who exactly is "we"? Connor asks.
Duncan shakes his head a bit. "Cara and I."
Connor frowns. He knows that he had been away for several days...but was it really long enough for his clansman to completely lose his mind?[*Connor] Say again....we must have a bad connection. Who is on the beach? [Duncan] Cara and I. And not I haven't lost my mind and I'm not hallucinating, either. [Duncan] And no* [Duncan] Come out to the beach and see doubting Thomas. Connor the elevator doors open and he steps out and heads for the back entrance that leads down to the beach.[*Connor] Duncan.... Connor says warningly.[Duncan] What? [Duncan] You're thinking I've lost it. Shouldn't I be the one getting upset here? Duncan glances toward the doors they just came out of. "We'll wait for you outside the doors."
Duncan hangs up and shoves the phone back into his pocket.
Connor looks at the his phone.[*Connor] I can't believe he just hung up on me. Connor says and puts his phone in his pocket.[CARA] Did I hear you say that was Connor? Duncan looks over to Cara. "Yeah, he's going to meet us out here."
CARA asks as she bends down and takes off her shoes so that she can walk in the sand barefoot.[CARA] Does he know about me yet? [Duncan] No, he thinks I've lost my mind. [CARA] Well...do me a favor. When you go looking for yours look for mine too, please? CARA giggles.[CARA] Are you waiting here for him? Duncan smiles. "Yeah, he should be here shortly."
CARA asks glancing down at the water rolling up onto the sand.[CARA] I'll just be down there. Duncan nods. "Alright, we'll join you there."
CARA says pointing at the waterline. She drops her shoes in the sand and walks down to the water, letting it wash over her bare feet She closes her eyes and suddenly remembers the sensation she is feeling from somewhere in her past. The memory is only of the sensation but she smiles because it feels like it would be a good one if she could remember it all.
Connor exits the hotel and follows the walkway that leads to the beach. Before he is 50 yards away from the beach he feels an Immortal buzz and starts looking around, hoping that it is Duncan
CARA kicks at the water splashing it high into the air.
Duncan feels the buzz and looks toward the hotel doors. He sees Connor and starts walking to him.
CARA feels the water spraying back on her and flashes on the waterfall....she can see herself in the water of a pool at the base of the falls and she closes her eyes. Suddenly she can feel someone put his arms around her from behind. They are warm arms and strong...and she feels safe with them around her. She opens her eyes and turns around to look at Duncan...trying to figure out if it is him she is remembering. And then she feels the Immortal buzz and at the same time sees the first really familiar face since waking up in the hotel room.
Connor sees Duncan and walks up to him. He reaches out and grasps Duncan's forearm and elbow and claps him on the shoulder.[*Connor] Duncan....now...what on earth were you going on about? CARA walks slowly toward the two men.
Duncan grasps his forearm. "Follow me and I'll show you."
Duncan turns and walks to way he came. He sees Cara coming toward them and he smiles.[*Connor] How many times do I have to tell you, brother...I do not like surprises. Connor shakes his head and follows Duncan
Duncan stops and let's Cara walk up the rest of the way. "It's not a surprise because I already told you what it is."[Duncan] It's not my fault if you don't want to believe it. [*Connor] Yeah right. Connor mumbles under his breath.[*Connor] Dead wife walking. Connor shakes his head and looks down at the ground.
CARA gets within a couple of yards of the two men and stops.
Connor looks up as he grumbles, "Alright...so what's the big....." His voice trails off as he finally sees Cara standing on the beach.
Duncan grins triumphantly. "See, I'm quite sane."
Connor stares in shock. He has seen a lot of shocking things in his life but never has he seen an Immortal come back from the death of a beheading. He stands frozen in place with his mouth hanging open.[CARA] That's a good way to catch flies...I guess if you're really that hungry. CARA says smiling. She takes a couple of steps closer.[CARA] Hello, Connor. CARA says her voice soft and sweet.
Connor looks up at Duncan in total shock.
Duncan smiles. "She remembers you more than she remembers me."
CARA takes a few more steps closer to where she is within arms reach of them.[CARA] I think I should at least get a hug....don't you? CARA smiles sweetly.
Connor looks back at her.[CARA] Close your mouth Connor....people will think you are right out of the home for idiot Immortals. CARA says softly and in a teasing tone
Connor manages a sort of laugh and looks at Duncan.[*Connor] It's her. It's really her. Duncan chuckles.
Duncan nods.[CARA] I guess if a girl wants something in this world....she just has to take it. CARA says and steps up to Connor, putting her arms around his neck.
Connor 's arms envelope her instinctively and as he becomes convinced that she is real he hugs her tighter. He suddenly breaks into laughter...fairly uncharacteristic of Connor MacLeod and lifts her off the ground and whirls her around.
CARA squeals as she is twirled around.
Duncan watches them and smiles.
Duncan is a tad jealous that she remembers more of Connor than she does of him, but he knew only time would help her remember their past.
Connor puts Cara down and places both of his hands on either side of her face and looks into her green eyes. CJ's mischievous twinkle is only a hint....but it is there all the same and so is the giving...open loving heart that he had always admired her for.[*Connor] It is you. It really is you. CARA feels a lump growing in her throat. Whoever she had been before...she must have been the luckiest girl in the world....she had been loved....and not just by the man who was her husband. She nods at Duncan as a tear trickles down her cheek.
Duncan gives her a gentle smile.[CARA] Yes....it's me. More or less.....maybe a little less than you remember...buy..yeah...it's me. Connor looks up at Duncan[*Connor] I never believed in miracles before. But this.....this.... Connor chokes up and has to stop speaking.
Duncan places a hand on Connor's shoulder. "I know. It's a bit of a shock." He looks at Cara. "She was never dead. Horton had successfully reprogrammed her."
CARA understands what he must be feeling and instinctively puts her arms back around him. As she is about to say something comforting her mind flashes on Duncan. If Connor is feeling this intensely...what must Duncan be feeling. She drops her arms and steps away from Connor, smiling. She steps back a couple of steps bringing herself to stand next to Duncan and she slips her hand into his.
Duncan takes her hand and gives it a gentle squeeze.
Connor hangs his head feeling ashamed.[*Connor] I'm sorry Duncan Connor says quietly.[Duncan] There's no need to be. [*Connor] Oh but there is. [Duncan] I thought I was losing it when I saw her the first time at Joe's. [*Connor] You never gave up hope.....you had faith and I didn't. [*Connor] I tried to force you to accept something that you knew in your heart wasn't true. For that I am so very sorry. [*Connor] I guess you were right, lass. Connor says looking at Cara.
CARA looks at Connor a bit confused.
Duncan gives his shoulder a squeeze and then let's his hand fall away.[CARA] Right? Me? About what? [*Connor] You always told me I had become to cynical....I guess you were right. [CARA] I said that? Really? To you? [CARA] Damn. I was a ballsy broad, wasn't I? CARA giggles trying to lighten the mood. (Definitely a CJ trait)[*Connor] I hope what they say isn't true. [CARA] What's that? Duncan smiles.[*Connor] That you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Connor looks up at Duncan.[*Connor] Whatever you do, Duncan....do not get like me. Keep your boy scout heart. [*Connor] Maybe we old ones can learn from it. [Duncan] Maybe, or you'll all just get upset with me about. [CARA] Okay...you two...entirely too heavy. Why don't we stroll along the beach and you can tell me more about me. CARA says smiling up at Duncan
CARA takes his hand and turns so she is standing between them and takes Connor's hand as well.
Duncan gives her a smile in return and then looks at Connor.[Duncan] I don't think she's giving us a choice in the matter. Connor shrugs.[*Connor] As always....whatever the lady wants... Connor chuckles softly.[*Connor] All of the fun and most...no...all of the good women. Connor mutters and winks at Duncan
CARA laughs and starts walking down the beach holding their hands.[CARA] So was I a ballsy broad? Duncan chuckles.
CARA asks looking up at Duncan.[Duncan] You could say that. CARA giggles.continued on page 2
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Post by cj on Dec 1, 2007 1:05:37 GMT -5
CARA lays back against the pillows and listens intently to Duncan as he tries to fill in the holes in her memory. She still can't remember how it felt to love him even though she knows that she did or she wouldn't have married him and she can't remember how it felt to be loved by him but she can see his love for her in his eyes. She still gets confused between some of Kacey's left over memories and hers but at least she knows why now.[Duncan] Do you remember how we first met? CARA tries to remember. She bites her lip as she racks her brain trying to force the memory to the surface. She finally gives up and shakes her head, sheepishly.
CARA looks up at him a little sad and says quietly, "No. I'm sorry."[CARA] Tell me. Duncan gives her a gentle smile. "It's ok. I'll tell you, then."
CARA pulls her knees up under her and leans against the headboard of the hotel bed and listens. She gets a warm feeling as she watches the love in Duncan's eyes as he relives their past.
****FLASHBACK**** ****Pacific Northwest, 1881****MacLeod was inside the General Store in a town in the mountains close to the cabin he had been living in since 1872. The store owner was loading supplies into a wooden box as Mac checked things off a list. Suddenly, Mac felt the buzz of another immortal, a feeling he hadn't felt in a long time, and hoped he wouldn't feel ever again.
Setting the pencil and paper on the counter next to the wooden box, he went to the window at the front of the store and looked out to the street. He looked up the street to the North end of town but only saw a few of the local towns people going about their daily routines. Then he looked the other way toward the South side of town. Besides the local smattering of people, he saw a lone rider slowly making their way into town. As the rider got closer, Mac saw that it was a female rider.
Instead of going out to the buck-board he had hitched in front of the store to get his sword, Mac stood watching the young lady. He was taken by what he saw. There was just something about her. She was not what some men would call a raving beauty, but her appearance was striking.
She was dressed in buck-skin pants, an olive colored blouse, and a pair of, obviously hand made "squaw boots". She had long hair that lay loose to below her shoulders, and the color was an eye-catching red that shone like glass in the sunlight. Around her waist she wore a belt with an 8" sheath that held a hunting knife with a hilt made from darkened bone. Her horse was a sorrel mustang (a little larger than most) with a blond mane and tail. She was seated on a saddle that Mac recognized as being custom made by the local saddlery which told him she was living here in his town, and he wondered why he hadn't "felt" her, or even heard about her before this. A rifle was holstered on one side of the saddle and on the other was a custom sheath with the familiar carved hilt of a Goddess of the Sun Katana.
The young lady finally reacted to her own buzz, slowed her horse and began to look around, her right hand dropping so that her fingertips were touching the hilt of her sword. Seeing nothing, she urged her horse forward and continued on, seemingly relaxed, but her eyes scanned the sides of the street.
She brought her horse to a stop in front of the General Store, dismounted gracefully, draped the rains over the hitching rail, said two words, silently to her horse, and walked into the store. She immediately sensed Mac's presence and turned to face him.
Her eyes were the mischievous green of a pixie, and she had just a hint of a few freckles bridging her nose. She stood facing Mac, knowing he very well could be an enemy and that she would, most likely, not make it to her horse and her sword before he overtook her, yet she held her head high, her shoulders back, and her eyes locked with Mac's. She wasn't daring Mac to make a move and she wasn't challenging him, nor was she showing any fear or backing down. Her inner strength and self assured confidence had Mac hypnotized. He could remember meeting only two other female Immortals with this same strength and tenacity, Rebecca Horne and her student, Amanda Darieux. He realized he was smiling, slightly.
The girl moved away, silently, and walked up to the counter, pulling from her shirt pocket, her own supply list, which she handed to the store owner when he returned from his store room with a couple packages he put in Mac's box.
The store owner looked up at the girl as he took her list, and smiled. "Hello, CJ," he said. "It's good to see you."
"Thank you, Mr. Tanner," she smiled back. Mac was aware that she was still "watching" him out of her peripheral vision, yet, to the store owner, her attention was 100% on him.
Mac couldn't take his eyes off of her. Her whole demeanor had him captivated. Finally, he was able to break the spell enough to move closer to the counter, doing so cautiously. At the counter, he looked into the box as if inspecting its contents.
"I'm sorry, Mr. MacLeod," the store owner said to Mac. "But I am out of two of the seasonings you requested. I can order them the next time I stock up, which will be in two weeks."
"That'll be fine," Mac answered.
"I regularly stock the more popular seasonings and spices, but I can take special orders if people don't mind waiting a couple of weeks to get them. Just let me know. I usually restock every three, three and a half weeks."
Mac looked at the man and smiled. "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."
"If you don't mind my asking," the store owner looked quizzically at Mac. "What do you use Rosemary for?"
"Potatoes," both Mac and the young lady answered simultaneously. They looked at each other then broke into light hearted laughter, which made the owner laugh.
"Potatoes." the store owner said shaking his head and he waved the young lady's list in the air as if to say, "I'm working on it."
"Potatoes?" Mac asked the young lady.
"Specifically, fried in bacon fat with diced onions," she said looking directly into his eyes.
"Sounds delicious," Mac said. He thought he recognized the faint hint of an Irish or Welsh accent. He extended his hand to shake hers, "I'm Duncan MacLeod," he said smiling. She took his hand firmly in hers and shook it once.
"CJ," she said simply.
"Are you new in town?" Mac asked.
"Actually, I've been living outside of town, permanently, for about a year, but I've been around, on and off, for quite some time."
"I'm surprised we've never run into each other," Mac said.
"I keep to myself," she said without hesitation or apology. "Only come into town to get supplies once a month, or when business requires it."
"Business?" Mac asked. "What business are you in?"
"I do some scouting for hire," she answered. "What about you? Been here long?"
"Since 1872. But not in town."
"Do you have a business?" she asked.
"Not at the moment," Mac answered and looked away for the first time. "I, too, stay to myself. Not much use for...", he said looking around to indicate the surroundings.
"Well that explains why we haven''t run into each other," she said matter of factly.
The store owner's return with the last of Mac's order and all of CJ's packed efficiently into two gunny sacks with long leather strings to tie them to her saddle, caused the two to fall into silence. "Here you are," the owner said as he handed a piece of paper to each of them which they both signed and returned to him.
"See you next month," the store owner said to both of them.
Mac smiled and nodded as he picks up his box. CJ slung her two bags over her shoulder and waved at the man behind the counter and began walking toward the door of the store. Mac followed. CJ walked straight to her horse and began tyeing the grocery sacks on her saddle. Mac walked to his buck-board and set the box in the back, then turned toward CJ. He wanted to say more to her but he couldn't find the words. He was startled when she broke the silence.
CJ looked around as if to see if anyone was listening, then leaned her face closer to the back of her horse and said just, loud enough for him to hear, "Psst," she looked around again and Mac caught himself doing it too. "You gonna take my head, Mr. MacLeod?"
Surprised by the question, Mac straightened up and looked into her green eyes. They were almost dancing with mischief and he realized she was being facetious. So he leaned against the tail-gate of his buck-board, folded his arms across his chest as if he were bored. Then he looked up into the sky.
"Ahh, I don't think so," he answered nonchalantly. "It's too nice of a day to make you work that hard."
When he glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, he saw her smile, ever so slightly, and nod her head, more to herself than him. She walked around her horse, pulled the rains from across the hitching post, placed her left hand, with the rains on the horses mane, the right hand on the saddle's horn and swung herself up and into the saddle without the use of the stirrup, "landing" into the saddle, light and gentle. Mac knew that only the Native Americans mounted their horses in that manner and so was convinced that CJ had spent some time either with or in the company of them.
As she gathered up the rains and turned her horse away from the hitching post she looked down at Mac and said, "I'm fixing my fried potatoes with some trout I caught in the lake tomorrow night. If you're interested, I'll set a place for you. I'm at the West side of Wolf Meadow. It's the only cabin out there. If you're interested, dinner will be ready at 7:00." Then she turned her horse completely away from Mac and nudged the horse into a fast trot and left without waiting for any kind of answer. Mac watched her ride away until he couldn't see her anymore, then got into his buck-board and rode away himself.****Present Day**** [/color] CARA tries to picture herself dressed like Duncan describes.[CARA] Did I ever act like a lady? Or was I always a tom boy? Duncan chuckles. "Yes, you have. It was the Valentine's day when I gave you that pendant." He grabs the necklace from the night stand.
CARA looks at the beautiful three stone emerald pendant in his hand.
CARA almost seem hypnotized by it as she tries to remember it.[CARA] It's beautiful. CARA whispers.
Duncan takes her hand and puts the pendant in it. "The top stone is for the past, the middle for the present, and the bottom for the future."
Duncan puts a hand on her cheek. "Not half as beautiful as you, sweetheart."
CARA closes her eyes. "Oh...god," she thinks to herself. "Why can't I remember. He loves me so much....and I must have loved him like that....why...why can't I remember?" She opens her eyes and looks at the pendant again. She closes her hand around it and holds it to her heart. Then she looks up at Duncan. Seeing the hope in his eyes wrenches at her heart and a tear es capes her eye and trickles down her cheek.
Duncan wipes the tears away. "You'll remember, eventually."
CARA looks at him seriously.
Duncan had to keep telling himself that over and over again. All he wanted to do was take Cara into his arms, kiss her, make love to her. He had missed her so much, and yet here she was in front of him basically a stranger to him.[CARA] And what if I don't? What if those memories are gone for good? Will you be able to accept that? [CARA] Will you be able to accept me that way? CARA asks her voice steady and calm.
Duncan nods. "If I have to, I will."
CARA looks into his eyes and shakes her head in amazement.[CARA] God...I wish I could remember. It must have been incredible to be in love with you....to be loved by you. [CARA] I would give anything to be able to be the Cara you knew and loved. Duncan smiles a bit. "If you can't remember, we'll just make new memories you will remember."[CARA] What if I stay just as i am today....if I can never remember. You will always look at me and wish i was her....you will always look at me and see her. You will never see me as I am...only how I used to be...how you want me to be. I will always be a source of disappointment to you. And I will see it in your eyes. No matter how hard you try and hide it. Eventually you will begin to resent me because I'm not her. And all that love that I see in your eyes now will turn to hate. Duncan sighs and gets up from the bed. All those questions she had asked, were questions he was asking himself and he wasn't too sure on his answers.[CARA] I don't know if I can live with that. Duncan turns to look at her. "I could never hate you or resent you."
CARA lowers her eyes[CARA] Everyone can hate, Duncan. Everyone can feel resentment. Duncan sits back down on the bed. "You'll never be the exact same Cara I knew. I know that." CARA raises her eyes to meet with his.[/i] [Duncan] Whether you remember your past or not. Too much has happened to you since the last time I saw you. [CARA] You know, Duncan....I wouldn't blame you if you decided you couldn't accept me as I am....if you left right now and never looked back. I would understand. CARA says matter of factly.[Duncan] If I did that, I wouldn't be able to live with myself. CARA there is a strange strength in her eyes.....one that was never there before.[Duncan] I gave you my word that I would be here for you. I can't break it now because things have gotten difficult. [CARA] And what if....down the road....you decide that you can't live with me? That I'm too different. [CARA] What if..... Duncan looks into her eyes. "I hope it never comes to that." Because he didn't know what he would do if it did.
CARA hesitates for a second and chews on her bottom lip as she decides just how to say what she's thinking.[CARA] What if....down the road....I do fall in love with you? Not that I remember being in love with you....not fall back in love with you...but fall in love with you as I am now.... If you decided you couldn't live with me anymore....that I would never measure up to the Cara you loved and married....Would that be fair to me? CARA doesn't know if she ever thought this logically before.
CARA looks into his eyes and can see his pain.[CARA] See? Even now I am hurting you. [CARA] And I hate that I am. CARA swings her legs over the other side of the bed and gets up. she walks out onto the balcony and looks into the sunset.
Duncan gets up and follows her to the balcony.
Duncan leans against the wall, watching her.
Duncan puts his hand in his pocket and feels the ring there. He pulls it out and looks at it.
Duncan remembers their wedding day vividly. He looks back at her and walks over.
CARA wipes tears from her cheeks, embarrassed by her public show of emotions.
Duncan takes her hand and turns her to look at him.
CARA looks at him questioningly.
Duncan looks into her eyes. "Not matter what, you are still my wife. If I have to, I will work for your love."
Duncan shows her the ring and then slips it on her finger. "This belongs to you. This is part of the promise we made to each other."
Lillith having settled comfortably in her room very late the previous night Lillith had taken advantage of the solitude and comfort and slept well. But morning and afternoon had passed and she needs now to get a hold of Duncan. Picking up the phone in her room she dials his cell number.
CARA 's hand starts to tremble. She looks down at the ring on her finger. A sudden flash of it being slipped on her finger once before jets through her mind but it is too quick for her to grasp it....she looks up at Duncan and somehow....she isn't completely sure why....she can feel his pain as if it were her own.
Duncan rolls his eyes and mutters about people and their timing. He pulls his cell out of his pocket and answers. "MacLeod."[Lillith] Well it is good to know you all escaped alive and hopefully unharmed Duncan CARA turns back toward the sunset and stares at the ring on her hand.[Duncan] Yeah, we're all fine. You alright, Lillith? [Lillith] Well as one can be when they come home to a destroyed house and assassins waiting outside. CARA is overwhelmed by everything. She decides that she needs to get out of this hotel room as the walls are seeming to close in on her. She decides that a walk on the beach will help clear her head. Besides....the beach below looks so inviting.[Duncan] At least, you're ok. [Lillith] How are the others? [Duncan] They're fine. Wyn got out seconds before they pulled in, but she's ok. [Lillith] And how is Cara? Duncan glances over to Cara. "She's trying to remember, but she's having trouble."
CARA walks back into the room and gestures to Duncan that she is going to take a walk and heads for the door.[Lillith] Alright. Well I have a room at the Marriott for the time being, if you need me you can reach me here, I'm room number 316. [Duncan] Ok, I'll talk with you later. Duncan hangs ups and follows Cara. "Care if I come along?"
CARA looks up at him wondering if he wants to come along as a companion or because she is really still just a prisoner...in a different camp...but a prisoner all the same.[CARA] Shrugs and says, "Sure." and opens the door and steps out into the hall. Duncan follows her into the hall, closing the door behind him.[CARA] You mentioned my name to whoever it was on the phone. Was it someone I'm suppose to know? CARA asks trying to keep the conversation somewhat light.[Duncan] You've met her a couple of times. Her name is Lillith and she helped make an antidote to Horton's serum. [CARA] Oh. CARA says simply. She vaguely remembers someone hovering over her but it's as if she is looking through a fog.
CARA gets to the elevator and presses the button. She looks around the hallway where the elevators are located.[CARA] Have we ever been in this hotel before? CARA asks.
Duncan nods. "Yes, we have. We came to visit Connor here "[CARA] Connor....Connor..... CARA looks confused. Then suddenly a light twinkles in her eyes.[CARA] Connor.....your clansman, right? CARA 's memory of Connor begins to clear.
Duncan glances over at her and smiles. "Yes. You remember him?"[CARA] He's always telling you that you had all the fun and most of the good women. CARA smiles and nods.[CARA] Yes....And it's probably the one really clear memory I have. Connor... CARA chuckles softly as she remembers something about Connor...something from her past. She smiles warmly at the memory.[Duncan] Well, it's a step in the right direction. CARA steps into the elevator when it arrives and moves to the back and leans against the wall. She watches Duncan as he presses the button and the doors close.[CARA] Duncan? CARA says almost shyly.
Duncan looks at her. "Yes?"[CARA] Where do we live? In all the things you've told me you've never mentioned our home. [Duncan] Well, at the moment we don't have a place to live at. The Dojo and loft are being rebuilt. It was burned down by another Immortal a while back. [Duncan] We've either been at the cabin or staying in hotel rooms. [CARA] The cabin? CARA closes her eyes trying to picture a cabin...but nothing rings a bell.[Duncan] The cabin has been the place we go to to relax. It's in the middle of a meadow, away from roads, and incredibly peaceful. [Duncan] We lived together in it back in 1882. I rebuilt it for you when you went out on a scouting trip. [CARA] Is...is there....a...waterfall? CARA says, her eyes still closed.
Duncan nods and smiles.
The fact she remembered a couple of things, gave him more hope that she would recover more memories of them as a couple and maybe she would eventually remember most of her past.[Duncan] Yes, it does. CARA opens her eyes when the elevator comes to a stop. when the doors open she starts to step out. The lobby is bustling with hotel guest. Seeing so many people all at once...all of the sounds....suddenly overwhelms her and she steps back against the wall...her eyes wide. Without realizing she reaches out for Duncan's hand.
Duncan slips his hand into hers "It's alright." His voice is gentle.
CARA 's eyes dart across the lobby and she tightens her grip on his hand unconsciously. She isn't sure why she feel like she does but it isn't something that is easily pushed aside.
CARA almost decides to go back upstairs but somewhere deep inside of her a voice is telling her that she's being foolish...that she is no coward and spurs her to take a step forward...then another until she is out of the elevator.
Duncan follows Cara, keeping his hand in hers[Duncan] We just need to get toward the back there and there are doors out onto the beach. CARA looks around for the nearest exit......seeing one she heads for it and is soon outside in the comfortably cool night air. She stops and takes a deep but unsteady breath.[CARA] Okay....have I always been afraid of crowds? CARA asks taking more deep breaths to calm herself.[Duncan] No, you haven't. [Duncan] It could be from when Horton reprogrammed you. CARA thinks to herself, "well great. So why am i now?" As she starts to walk toward the beach she tries to analyze her sudden fear. Through her foggy brain she remembers something as if from a text book about women reacting in a similar manner after having been sexually assaulted. She furrows her brow as she tries to pull more information out of the memory. "why would I know that?" she thinks to herself. "why would I know it in that manner?" She ponders awhile longer and is so deep in thought that she doesn't see the step down to the sandy beach and nearly tumbles over.
Duncan catches her before she falls to the ground.[Duncan] Are you ok? We can go back to the room if you're not feeling well. CARA laughs embarrassed by her klutziness.[CARA] Obviously I was no ballerina at anytime in my past. [CARA] I guess I do better with 4 legs under me than just 2. CARA says without realizing just what she has said.
Duncan chuckles.continued on page 3
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Post by cj on Dec 1, 2007 1:06:22 GMT -5
****The part of Connor MacLeod is temporarily being understudied.**** Gregor knocks on CJ's hotel room door.
Gregor knocks again and waits. There is no answer. He pulls out his cell phone and dials Duncan's cell phone.
Duncan hears his cell phone ringing and digs it out of his pocket. [Duncan] MacLeod [Gregor] Hey Duncan, where are you guys? [Duncan] Gregor? We're down on the beach. Are you in the hotel? CARA smiles as she hears who the caller is.[Gregor] Yeah, I'll head down to the beach right now. [Duncan] Go out the side door when you get back downstairs. Just head south once you hit the beach. We're just strolling so you'll catch up to us. [Gregor] Got it. Gregor follows Duncan's directions and comes out on to the beach. He sees Duncan and CJ in the distance.
Duncan hangs up and stuffs his phone back in his pocket.
Connor begins to regale a story about one of Duncan's youthful misadventures.
CARA has to sit down on a large piece of driftwood and hold her sides from laughing so hard at Connor's story.
Gregor catches up with the other Immortals. "Did I miss something?"
*Connor smiles victoriously at hearing CJ's familiar laugh.[CARA] Hi, Greg. Just Connor telling the funniest story about something Duncan did while he was training. CARA looks up at Duncan who appears to be pouting. She takes hold of his hand and smiles.[Gregor] I better not say anything, lest Duncan tells the story of me getting tangled in the reins of a coach when I got drunk over a girl. [CARA] It's good to know that you goof up like the rest of us. CARA glances at Greg and laughs.[CARA] Oh...I gotta hear that one. [Gregor] Better left to the annals of Immortal history. [*Connor] Of course one of my favorites is the time that Duncan was hanging around with this writer friend of his and acted in his little Shakespearean troop. If I remember correctly it was Taming of the Shrew and he played Kate. I understand he was quite fetching in a dress. CARA almost falls off the log from laughing so hard.[CARA] Duncan? In a dress? [Gregor] Wow, Duncan in a dress, I'm sorry I wasn't around for that. Gregor laughs out loud.[Duncan] Hahaha...yeah, it's hilarious. Duncan looks at Connor. "You have to remember back then women weren't allowed to be in plays."[CARA] I can't.....I can't picture you in a dress......but you must have been a sight. CARA tries to control her laughter.[CARA] And Kate no less. Did you also play Juliet? [Gregor] Dare I say Lady Macbeth? [CARA] Or Hamlet's Ophelia? Gregor can't contain himself and turns red with laughter.
CARA is fighting a losing battle against her laughter and busts out laughing heartily.
Duncan looks at Connor. "You just had to bring that up didn't you?" He gives Connor a dirty look.
CARA stands up and places one hand over her heart and the other she stretches toward the moon.
Gregor wipes the tears from his eyes.[CARA] But soft through yonder window breaks. It is the east and Juliet is the sun. CARA quotes Romeo's lines.
Gregor grabs his sides. "Stop...stop, I can't take much more than this!"
Duncan rolls his eyes.[CARA] She speaks:O, speak again, bright angel! for thou art As glorious to this night, being o'er my head As is a winged messenger of heaven Duncan looks at Connor. "See what you started?"[Gregor] Me thinks thou art making jokes at the Highlander's expense, fie on thee thou strumpet! *Connor chuckles.[*Connor] It's worth it just to hear her laugh again. [CARA] O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied? [CARA] I believe that's your line, Juliet. Duncan looks at Cara.[*Connor] I doubt he even remembers it after all these centuries. [Duncan] What satisfaction canst thou have to-night? [Duncan] I never played Juliet. [CARA] The exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine. *Connor grins at Gregor and says softly, "She does a damn fine Romeo." He snickers.[CARA] Yet you know the lines? Some would call that...unusual, my dear. CARA teases.[Gregor] Too bad you didn't play Juliet, Duncan, or we'd have had a real show! [Duncan] I like Shakespeare. There's nothing wrong with that. CARA smiles up at him admiringly.[CARA] Nope. Nothing wrong with that at all. Gregor snickers[*Connor] You know, young lady....I know a few stories i could tell about some of your misadventures. Connor chides.
CARA looks at Connor[CARA] Well....considering that I probably don't remember whatever they are..... CARA pokes him in the stomach playfully.[CARA] But you better not. *Connor rubs his chin thoughtfully.[*Connor] Hmmmm..let's see now. [CARA] Connor MacLeod....don't you dare. [Gregor] Do tell. [*Connor] I'd say it was all part of your rehabilitation....wouldn't you Gregor? Duncan smirks.[Duncan] Oh, I totally agree. CARA looks at Duncan a little surprised.[CARA] Hey.....you're supposed to be on my side. CARA pinches him playfully.[Gregor] Oh yes, very pleasant to have two Highlanders poking fun. Duncan folds his arms over his chest and gives her a charming smile. "What's good for the goose...well you know the saying, sweetheart."
Gregor snickers again.[*Connor] I could start with 1922....I think it was.....a Presidential cotillion and you were looking gorgeous in your Spring frock....that is until.... *Connor hesitates for the dramatic effect.[*Connor] That is until you fell in the fountain in front of the White House...not to mention the President, First lady, Vice-President and several foreign dignitaries. CARA remembers the incident as Connor tells it. She blushes bright red and covers her face with her hands.[CARA] Oh...god. Not that one. CARA groans.[Gregor] Wow, getting soaked in front of the Leader of the Free World, tsk tsk. Gregor waggles his finger.[*Connor] Our little Irish imp definitely made an impression that afternoon. *Connor chuckles.[CARA] I'll get you, Connor. when you least expect it. [*Connor] Of that I am quite sure, lass. *Connor bows gallantly.[*Connor] And then there's the time she stepped on Queen Elizabeth the second's train, tearing a huge chunk out of it. [CARA] Oh my god....Stop! CARA smiles up at Duncan.[CARA] Make him stop, Duncan. CARA buries her face against his chest, embarrassed.
Duncan chuckles.[Gregor] Oh man, I'd have paid money to see that! [*Connor] Now, brother.....do you consider yourselves even? *Connor asks Duncan jokingly.
Duncan puts and arm around her and looks at Connor. "Yeah, we're even."[CARA] My hero!!!! CARA says and fakes a swoon.
Duncan laughs.[Gregor] Race you to that boulder Duncan, what is it, about 50 yards? Come on old man, lets see if youth stands a chance. [*Connor] Hmmmm.....I lay odds on the younger Immortal. What about you CJ? [CARA] Oh...no. My money's on my Knight in Shining Armor here. CARA winks at Duncan.
Gregor gets down in racing position.
Duncan mimics Gregor starting position.
*Connor stands behind them and calls out, “On your marks...get set...go!”
Duncan takes the lead easily but when he gets to the boulder his momentum prevents him from stopping so he rounds the end of the boulder while slowing to a stop on the other side. He instantly feels the buzz of another Immortal.
Gregor feels the Immortal also and comes to a stop way before the boulder and looks around.
CARA skips behind the racers. As she approaches the boulder that Duncan has disappeared behind she feels an Immortal buzz and looks at Connor.
*Connor feels it too. He takes CJ's hand and cautiously leads her around the rock.
Gregor follows Connor and CJ.
Stockey stands behind another large boulder waiting for his prey to approach. He wipes the blade of his sword with a rag that he has dipped in a small bucket of solution. The smell of almonds is strong.
Duncan feels the buzz of another Immortal and stops in his racks, his hand immediately going to the hilt of his katana hidden in his coat.
Stockey steps out from behind the boulder so that he is bathed in the moonlight.[Stockey] Well.....look who has finally graced me with his presence. Stockey chides, pulling his sword into view.
*Connor comes to a stop behind Duncan.
CARA looks around Duncan and seeing who it is she lets go of Connor's hand and steps forward.
Gregor recognizes Stockey at the same time that CJ does. He has seen some of Stockey's handy work and is filled with fear. He backs into the shadows.[Stockey] And my, my....if it isn't the illusive Kacey Duggan. You're a hard lady....and I use the term loosely....to find. [Duncan] Since you know who we are, who are you? [CARA] My name is not Duggan. Or Kacey. It's Cara Jean MacLeod. [Stockey] Robert Stockey at your service....well not your service...my employer's service is more accurate. [CARA] He works for Horton. He's his hit man CARA tells Duncan.[CARA] What do you want Stockey? Duncan glance quickly over to Cara and then looks back at Stockey.[Stockey] Just doing my job....whatever you want to call yourself. The boss wants MacLeod's head on a platter and I intend to accommodate him. [CARA] You're nothing more than overly pumped up blow hard. You can't accommodate your own masturbation. CARA hisses.
Connor stifles a chuckle and tries to grab hold of CJ's arm to pull her back.[Stockey] My challenge is to the Highlander....you'll have your turn girly girl. I promise. [CARA] Don't give him the satisfaction. CARA says to Duncan.[CARA] Let's just walk away. Duncan keeps his eyes on Stockey as he shrugs off his coat and pulls his sword. "He challenged me, Cara. I won't walk away from it." He hears his coat falls to the ground and he gives it a kick to make sure it's out of his way.[CARA] No..... [*Connor] CJ....you can't interfere once the challenge has been made. *Connor grabs her arms and holds her back.
CARA struggles to get free and finally gives up.
Stockey gives his blade one more swipe with the rag and tosses the rag over Mac's head so that it lands on top of his coat.
Duncan balances his weight evenly between his feet and raises his sword, waiting for Stockey to come at him.
CARA reaches to remove the rag. It is saturated with something sticky and she sniffs it. She holds it up to Connor, her eyes wide with terror.
Gregor steps forward to see what CJ has found but doesn't need to get too close as he can smell the scent of almonds from almost 3 feet away. “His blade,” he says to Connor. “He's treated his blade with arsenic.”
*Connor sniffs the rag and starts to call out to Duncan but the battle has started.
Stockey thrusts his sword toward Duncan's head.
Duncan blocks the thrust and slashes at Stockey's right shoulder.
Stockey blocks the slash and slices at Duncan's right shoulder.
Duncan blocks the slice and swings his sword at Stockey's left shoulder
Stockey blocks and slices at Duncan's left shoulder.
Duncan blocks the slice and thrusts at Stockey's abdomen.
Stockey catches Duncan's arm and they come together, their guards locking.[Stockey] So you're the famous Highlander. I don't see what all the excitement is about. You fight like a wuss......like a woman. Duncan head butts Stockey then kicks him in the gut as he staggers backward.
Stockey manages not to fall. Instead he spins around slicing at Duncan's knees.
Duncan jumps up and over Stockey's blade. When he lands he cuts at Stockey's chest slicing open a gash across it.
Stockey staggers backward. He bends down and grabs a handful of sand and throws it in Duncan's face then lunges at him.
Duncan blocks the thrust, letting Stockey's blade slide along his as he steps up onto a boulder then leaps over Stockey's head putting himself behind Stockey. He quickly slashes at Stockey catching him on his right side.
Stockey grabs his side and whirls around. With one hand he slashes back and forth at Duncan once again driving him backward.
Duncan hits the ground and rolls toward Stockey colliding with his feet and sending him falling forward into the sand.
Stockey hits the sand and does a forward roll bringing himself to his feet and immediately spinning around.
Duncan gets to his feet and lunges at Stockey hoping to catch him before he regains his balance completely.
Stockey steps sideways avoiding the thrust and slices his sword downward connecting with Duncan's right side.
Duncan falls into a forward roll and gets to his feet and spins around to face Stockey ready to attack again, but the poison from Stockey's blade races through his body and everything begins to spin around him. He staggers sideways, drops his sword and falls a few yards from where CJ and Connor standing. He rolls onto his back just in time to see Stockey step up next to him and raise his sword over his head.
Stockey steps up next to Duncan and raises his sword over his head.[Stockey] Good by Highlander. continued on page 4
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Post by cj on Dec 1, 2007 1:07:02 GMT -5
[CARA] NOOOOOO!!
Gregor tries to grab for CJ but isn't quick enough.
CARA screams and breaks away from Connor's grasp. She takes a few steps forward hits the ground in a forward roll grabbing Duncan's Katana off the ground and thrusts it over Duncan's head blocking Stockey's fatal blow.
[CARA] Now you'll see how a woman fights you sorry son of a bitch.
CARA hisses at him, her expression going from fear to hatred to no expression at all and her eyes becoming cold and hard. She slashes and slices at him with such force that she drives him backward until he is up against the cliff wall with nowhere to go.
Stockey manages to bring his sword up between them and locks his guard with hers. He lets go with one hand and smashes her in the face.
CARA staggers backward catching herself before she falls and bringing her sword up to block any attack
Stockey their swords clash, the sound of steel against steel ringing in the night air. He slashes from left to right at her shoulders.
CARA ducks and spins around to her right. As she brings her sword more in front of her she grabs the hilt in both hands letting it continue its momentum in a left to right waist high slash.
Stockey , sword pointing toward the ground blocks her attack and steps forward allowing her blade to “ride” his as he steps past her. Holding his sword in front of him he forces her backward, his sword locked against her guard.
Gregor waits until CJ and Stockey have moved away from Duncan and kneels beside him. He monitors Mac's vitals until.....
Duncan can't fight the effects of the poison any longer. His vision darkens and he dies.
CARA steps back, taking longer steps each time so that she is putting distance between them, her blade sliding against his but “unlocking” it from her guard.
Stockey When his blade is nearly at the tip of hers he raises his sword bringing it around in a left to right slash.
CARA raises her blade high, blocking his slash.
Stockey swings his sword from right to left slashing just above her head.
CARA blocks his attack from on top of his blade and pushes downward forcing his downward, too, and immediately thrusts at his abdomen.
Stockey blocks her thrust in a downward action.
CARA allows his momentum to push her blade down and spins around slashing from right to left at his waist.
Stockey blocks her slash and locks guards shoving her backward.
CARA steps back a couple of steps, regains her balance and holding her sword in both hands at her left side, steps forward thrusting her blade in front of her.
Stockey turns to the side using his blade to try and push hers down and away. He swings from behind bringing it up over his head and slicing downward.
CARA ducks and nearly falls forward but catches herself with her left hand touching the ground. As she begins to right herself she turns toward him bringing her blade with her and slashing left to right at his neck.
Stockey blocks her sword and locks guards and pushes her backwards.
With her left hand CARA grasps the hilt of his sword, her hand over his and forces it sideways and away as her right hand pushes his left in the opposite direction.
Stockey places his left hand on her right wrist and tries to bring their hands together again
CARA steps back and pivots to her right throwing herself out of his grasp at the same time twirling her sword back around and her momentum positioning her with her back to him. CARA spins around, bringing her left hand back around and transferring her sword from her right hand to her left her blade pointing toward the ground.
Stockey thrusts forward at her abdomen.
CARA blocks his thrust and grabs the hilt of his sword with her right hand over his.
Stockey steps into her trying to knock her off balance.
CARA still holding on to his hand and sword, rolls sideways so that she is leaning (sort o) against his back as he steps by her and moves with him but as he gets past her she pulls his sword hand towards her... which is backwards for him...and thrusts her sword backwards into his kidney.
Stockey yells out in pain as his knees start to buckle.
CARA dislodges his sword from his hand ad before he drops brings it around her right side and thrusts it backwards into his back then as he drops to his knees pulls both swords out. Suddenly a picture, although blurred, flashes through her mind and the expression on her face hardens even more and is now mixed with pure hatred
Stockey drops to his knees.
CARA swings around to face him. She lifts her right foot and places it against Stockey's side and pushes, causing him to fall on his back.
[CARA] So...you like to rape women. Yes.....I remember you trying to rape me. I warned you then that you would regret it.
CARA plunges Duncan's Katana into Stockey's crotch, right through his penis and testicles. As he screams out in pain she holds his own sword high over her head. CARA looks into his eyes, her own cold and hard. “You f**ked with the wrong person, Stockey. No one tries to kill my husband and gets away with it. "If there can be only one...it sure as hell ain't gonna be you,” she says as she brings Stockey's own sword down and slices through his neck. She backs away and bends over and picks up Duncan's sword. With his in her right hand and Stockey's still in her left she takes a couple of steps toward Duncan A bolt of electricity slithers across the ground. Her muscles become tense. Then without warning the Quickening explodes. It manifests itself as hot blue lightning which engulfs her. It strikes deep into her soul. It feels like a hand is squeezing her to death, but somehow it also feels comforting. It is the ultimate pain, and the ultimate pleasure. It is accompanied by flashes of burning heat and freezing cold. It raises her from the ground and shakes her violently. Her body twists in agony as the strength the Quickening infuses her blood. CARA's eyes burn like fire, yet her body is shaking with cold. It holds her in it's grasp for what seems like hours, but is in actuality minutes. and it is as violent as an ancient Immortal's The Quickening dies down. CARA falls to the ground in a heap gasping for air. One last bolt of lightening engulfs her, forcing her to her feet. She is still holding both swords and her arms are being forced out to her sides. A bolt of electricity jumps from the tip of one sword to the tip of the other connecting them through red hot electricity. With every ounce of strength she has left she forces her arms inward and howls as her muscles are worked past their limits. When she is holding both swords in front of her she grits her teeth and forces them downward, thrusting them into the ground in front of her. The action acts like a ground and the lightening and howling wind cease. CARA drops to her knees bracing herself against the swords. Every muscle in her body aches and feels like melted butter. Suddenly it is deafeningly quiet as if in a vacuum.
CARA crawls to Duncan and cradles him in her arms as tears stream down her dirt stained cheeks. The shock of seeing Duncan almost get killed swept away the cobwebs that blurred her memory of her love for him.
Gregor kneels at Mac's head. “He'll revive,” he tries to console CJ who is obviously overwrought.
[CARA] Come on Duncan Don't you leave me now.....not after all we've been through...don't you give up....come on, baby....come back to me....
Connor steps up behind CJ and puts his hands on her shoulders to calm her.
CARA whispers in Duncan's ear as she cradles him in her arms, "Come back, my love.....Come on....you can do it.....Don't leave me....I love you...please, Duncan....come back."
Duncan gasps and takes air into his lungs.
Gregor rolls Mac's coat up into a pillow and puts it under his head. “Easy, Mac,” he says. “Slow and easy. Stockey's blade was treated in arsenic. It will pass through you.”
CARA looks down at him through tears that stream down her dirty and blood smeared face. She moves his hair away from his face and rests the palm of her hand on his cheek.
Duncan 's body feels like lead and his eyes don't seem to want to open.
[CARA] Duncan? Baby? Can you hear me?
Duncan hears a voice that is far off, a voice that is very familiar to him. He struggles to pull himself free from whatever is making him feel so heavy. His eyes open and they take a moment to focus. "Cara?"
Connor realizes that he is holding his breath and lets it out.
CARA smiles through her tears and nods.
[CARA] Yes, Duncan. It's me. It's really me. I remember. I remember us.
CARA whispers. She kisses his forehead.
Duncan closes his eyes again, but a hint of a smile crosses his lips.
[CARA] I love you Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod. Baby? Open your eyes. Please look at me. You have to fight it....it's arsenic. You can fight it, baby.
Connor walks around to the other side of Duncan and kneels down. He places his hand on Duncan's shoulder.
[*Connor] Come on, brother....you have every reason in the world to fight this. Sitting right here holding you. Now fight, damn it.
Duncan feels like sleeping, but he opens his eyes and looks at her.
[CARA] You have to stay awake, baby. It will dissipate soon. Don't close your eyes....keep them open. Look at me, my love.
“Keep talking to him. Don't let him go to sleep,” Gregor warns.
Connor gets to his feet then disappears behind CJ saying, “I'll start cleaning up your mess, Miss Pixie” And he chuckles.
[CARA] I love you, Duncan. More than life. I always have and I always will.
Duncan watches her. "You took care of him?"
CARA nods.
[CARA] In more ways than one.
Duncan nods.
CARA caresses his face.
[CARA] How do you feel?
Duncan 's mind is still a bit fuzzy, but he knew the poison's effects wouldn't last too much longer.
[Duncan] I'll live.
[CARA] You better.
CARA smiles.
[CARA] We have a lot of time to make up for.
Duncan smiles. "Yes, we do."
Connor pulls Duncan's Katana out of Stockey's groin and carries it over to him.
[*Connor] You might want to sterilize this before using it again.
Duncan pushes himself up into a sitting position.
Connor says with a small chuckle.
Gregor sees that Duncan is on the mend so he gets up and helps Connor with the post battle clean-up.
Duncan looks at Connor, arching a brow in question. "Why's that?"
CARA gives Connor a warning look that says, "Shhh...he doesn't know." She takes the sword and lays it on the ground next to them.
Connor shrugs as he turns back to his chore.
[*Connor] It took a head...just not the one on his shoulders.
Connor says as he walks away.
CARA can't help but snicker at Connor's comment.
[CARA] He's so bad, tonight.
CARA giggles referring to Connor's attitude.
Duncan looks at Cara. "You cut off his...?" He can't finish the question.
[CARA] Not off.....I just shishkabobbed it...them....the whole package. Before I took his head.
[*Connor] You would have been proud. It was a hell of a battle and your little woman had command from the start.
Connor calls out as he drags the headless torso to the water line.
I'll say that I was definitely impressed. I know I never want to get on her bad side.
Connor chuckles. “Just don't mess with her man and you should be alright.”
Gregor laughs.
Duncan looks at Connor and then back at Cara. "Why would you do that?"
CARA shrugs a little embarrassed by Connor's praise.
[CARA] Do what?
CARA asks honestly not understanding his question.
[Duncan] Why did you 'shishkabob' his ...?
[CARA] Oh....that.
CARA lowers her head, diverting her eyes from his. In a small quiet voice she says, "because he deserved it." [*Connor] Since Horton wanted a head on a platter....want to mail him this one?
Connor asks from near the water line. He is holding up Stockey's head.
[Duncan] Why did he deserve it?
[CARA] Ewwww..gross Connor.
CARA then to Duncan she looses her smile and tries not to make eye contact.
[CARA] Because he was an ass hole.
[*Connor] Just a thought.
Connor calls out and flings the head into the Pacific Ocean.
Duncan ignoring Connor at the moment. He lifts her chin so that she looks at him.
[Duncan] It has to be more than that. Tell me.
[CARA] He....he tried to rape me in Germany....twice. I remembered it just before I started to take his head.
CARA says in almost a whisper. She waits for Duncan's rage to flare and holds her breath.
Duncan clenches his teeth as he feels anger bubble up inside of him.
CARA lays her hand against his jaw.
[CARA] He's dead, now, Duncan. He can't hurt anyone anymore. And I said he tried....I didn't say he succeeded.
CARA bites her lip.
Duncan takes a deep breath and looks at Cara.
[CARA] Can we talk about this later....away from here?
Duncan nods.
[CARA] We need to get you back to the room....and I seriously need a shower.
CARA kisses his forehead.
[CARA] I do love you.
[Duncan] I love you too, sweetheart.
Connor smooths out the sand and carries Stockey's sword back over to CJ and holds it out.
[*Connor] Since you are currently weaponless, my lady....your trophy?
CARA manages a smile up at Connor.
[CARA] Thanks. I guess it will do until my Goddess of the Sun can be replaced.
CARA looks back at Duncan.
[CARA] Do you think you can walk, baby?
[*Connor] Aye....it would behoove us to leave before someone who might have seen the spectacular light show of the Quickening gets too curious.
Connor walks to Duncan's left side and puts his hand under Duncan's armpit to help him up.
Gregor follows close behind.
CARA drapes Duncan's right arm across her shoulders so that he can lean on her. She removes the swords from the sand where Connor had stuck them and picks up Duncan's coat, wrapping them in it. As they make their way back to the hotel, she asks Connor, "Will you be staying with us tonight, Connor?"
Connor smiles at her invitation but shakes his head.
[*Connor] I'm afraid I have to be leaving. It's the reason I stopped by in the first place....to tell you, Duncan, that I have to go back to New York to handle some business problems. I must say....I was worried about leaving you alone....but now I know you will be well taken care of.
Connor chuckles.
[CARA] How long will you be gone this time?
[*Connor] Hopefully not long....I'm beginning to feel like Seacouver is more my home than the Big Apple. I may even purchase a place here.
[CARA] Really? That would be great.
CARA says truly happy that Connor would be around more.
As they get to the service entrance of the hotel, Connor lets go of Duncan and reaches over and gives CJ a playfully flick on the end of her nose.
[*Connor] You did good tonight, pixie....even if you did break one of our rules.
CARA shakes her head and looks into Connor's eyes with out wavering.
[CARA] Last year....after Mac fought Regur in the meadow....I broke a couple of rules then too. And YOU told me that YOU would have done the same...if it meant saving Duncan. Do you remember?
Connor sighs.
[*Connor] Aye....I remember.
[CARA] Besides....Stockey wasn't obeying the rules....so why should I?
[*Connor] I'm not even going to argue the point. I'm in too good a mood. You two....take care of each other while I'm gone. I'll see you soon.
With that Connor turns and walks purposefully away and disappears around the building.
Gregor steps away from the couple as he says, “I'm afraid I need to head home myself. I have the early morning shift tomorrow. I'll check in with you two sometime tomorrow.” And then he disappears.
Duncan nods.
CARA turns to the service door and helps Duncan inside. She leads him to the service elevator and they ride to their floor, get out and head for their room. At the door she holds out her hand for the key.
Duncan pulls the key out of his pocket and gives it to Cara.
CARA unlocks the room door and holds it open for Duncan. She follows him inside and before closing the door slips the "DO NOT DISTURB!" sign around to the outside door knob, then closes the door and double locks it.
Duncan walks over to the bed and sits down.
CARA follows him and stops in front of him.
[CARA] How do you feel?
[Duncan] Better, but I still feel a bit funny.
[CARA] Then you lay back and relax while I take a shower. Okay?
CARA leans over and gives him a kiss on his cheek.
Duncan smiles. He pulls her toward him.
CARA gently tries to resist.
[CARA] I'm filthy. I need to reacquaint myself with a bar of soap.
CARA protests...but only half heartedly.
Duncan pulls a bit harder. "So? I'm not looking so hot myself."
CARA falls into his arms as he pulls her off balance. She really wanted to wash Stockey off of her before letting Duncan touch her, but she is beginning to think that was just a wish that wasn't going to come true.
[CARA] Then maybe we should share the shower.....hmmmm?
CARA suggests hopefully.
[Duncan] Maybe
Duncan smiles and then gently kisses her.
CARA feels all her reserve melt away ands she returns the kiss. She feels like Duncan is holding her as if she might break so she smiles at him and says in a soft voice, "You can hold me tight if you want. I won't break you know." She pulls him close and holds him tight not only for herself but for him as well.
[CARA] Was it....was it bad for you, babe?
CARA asks quietly.
Duncan wraps his arms more firmly around her. He sighs glad he's holding his Cara again.
CARA rubs his back with one hand.
[Duncan] Which part? Thinking you were dead or finding you and you not remembering me?
CARA swallows against a lump forming in her throat.
[CARA] All of it.
CARA already knows the answer from talking to her father and Wyn but wants to hear it from him. She is giving him the opportunity to let it out and let it go so that they can move on.
Duncan speaks softly. "I wanted to give up. I felt like I had nothing else to live for." He pauses for a moment. "If it wasn't for all of my friends, I wouldn't be here holding you."
CARA holds him tighter.
[CARA] You were stronger than I was, then. I feel guilty.
[Duncan] Don't feel that way. You didn't have all the support I had. You did what you had to do to survive.
CARA tears stream down her dirty cheeks as she remembers the day that Horton brought her what she believed was Duncan's wedding ring.
[CARA] That's just it....once Horton convinced me that you were dead....I just gave up and let them do whatever they wanted to me. I had no reason not to. My life was over.
[Duncan] You're here with me now. That's all that matters.
[CARA] I gave up on us....on you. I should have known better. Maybe.....maybe Horton wouldn't have been so successful at erasing me. I'm so sorry.
[Duncan] Maybe, maybe not.
CARA says and a small sob escapes her lips. She fights the rest of them back as she holds Duncan close.
Duncan holds her tightly. "What happened happened. We can't change it. Don't beat yourself up over it. I gave up, too. I just had a very stubborn Celt tracking everything I did or didn't do."
[CARA] I feel guilty for another reason, too. One I never told you before we left for Germany.
CARA says her voice husky with emotion.
Duncan releases her and pushes her away so he can look at her face.
[Duncan] Which is?
CARA hesitates...her courage to confess beginning to falter.
[CARA] I know that you feel guilty about not coming back for me and I'm sure Amanda does, too. But you shouldn't because....
CARA clears her throat.
Duncan watches her.
[Duncan] Because...?
[CARA] Because I never planned on being rescued. I knew there wouldn't be time. I did what I did so that Amanda could get the sample here. My memories were already disappearing and I had had the seizure....and knew it was just a matter of time before the aneurysm ruptured again.
CARA takes a breath before continuing.
[CARA] I never planned on leaving the castle, Duncan. I figured that...hopefully you guys could find an antidote and then when I was released to go on my first mission for Horton....you would capture me and use it on me. If not....then I was willing to take the consequences.
CARA feels a little less burdened having confessed but she knows that she has just hurt the man she loves and hopes that he can somehow forgive her for her deception.
[CARA] I'm sorry. CARA whispers and looks down and away from Duncan's gaze.
Duncan sighs.
[Duncan] You knew if you told me the full plan I wouldn't have let you go.
CARA nods. She starts to ease toward the edge of the bed.
[Duncan] At least you're back where you belong and we accomplished what you wanted us to.
CARA stops moving to the edge of the bed and looks back at him astonished.
[CARA] You're....you.....you're not mad?
CARA asks incredulously. She had convinced herself that he would be incensed and would never forgive her. She wonders now whether that had been because it would have been his M.O. in the past or if it was one of Horton's left over memories that had convinced her that she would be thrown to the curb.
Duncan looks at her. "I'm upset that you didn't tell me." He takes her hand. "But, I don't want to argue right now. I thought I wasn't ever going to get my wife back. But, I did."
CARA moves into his arms and enfolds him in hers....holding him very tight.
[CARA] I'm here, baby. I'm here and I swear...on everything that is Holy and just....that I will never leave you again. I love you.
Duncan holds onto her tightly. "I just want you. I need you. I'm not going to waste time by arguing with you."
[CARA] From now on....if we can't do it together....it doesn't get done.
CARA vows. She places several kisses on his neck and holds him even tighter.
[CARA] I love you, Duncan. I hope you believe that.
[Duncan] I do. I love you too, sweetheart.
Duncan closes his eyes. He's almost afraid he may wake up and it will all have been a dream and Cara would still be lost to him.
CARA releases him so that she can kiss him...which she does passionately. She feels a slight hesitation on his part and senses that he is afraid of pushing her....so she puts one hand behind his neck and begins to unbutton his shirt with the other. She looks lovingly into his eyes.
[CARA] Make love to me, Duncan.
[Duncan] Are you sure?
[CARA] Please? Like you used to. I've never been more sure of anything in my entire life. It's okay, baby. Make love to me.
Duncan caresses her cheek and smiles.
[CARA] So I can make love to you.
Duncan makes love to her.
CARA makes love to him.
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Post by cj on Dec 1, 2007 1:07:47 GMT -5
****It is sunset on April 23, 2006**** Delwyn walks toward the hotel, after taking a long run on the beach. She wipes her face with the towel she had carried with her as she walks back into the hotel. The only thing on her mind right now is taking a nice hot shower. She pushes the call button for the elevator and the doors open immediately and she steps on, pressing the number for her floor. She leans against the wall in back of the elevator watching the numbers go upward. The elevator hits the floor her room is on and she steps off. She feels the buzz go through her as she walks down the hall. She pauses at the door and slips the key card into the lock. She pushes the door open and steps inside. She walks into the room.
LIAM looks over the room one last time to make sure everything is perfect. He takes out the pictures of the the Tudor house and the "castle" and set them on the table where her dinner plate will go. He turns on the stereo provided by the hotel and dims the lights. He moves the serving table closer to the dining table and opens the curtains over the sliding glass doors to reveal the vivid sunset. He goes into the bathroom and checks his face for stubble. Deciding he doesn't need to shave again he goes and sits on the bed to wait.
Delwyn quirks a brow, noting that the lights are dimmed and music is playing. She looks at Liam. "I'm I forgetting a relationship milestone here?"
LIAM gets up and walks up to her and pulls her into his arms.
Delwyn smiles. "You do realize I am sweaty and a total mess, right?" [LIAM] Your wish is my command, my lady? Would you like me to prepare you a shower? Draw you a bath? [Delwyn] A hot shower would be nice. LIAM gives her a quick kiss and heads into the bathroom where he turns on the water, checks the temperature and sets out her shampoo and other shower things. He then returns to the main part of the room and leads her into the bathroom. It's all yours, my dear. I shall await your squeaky cleanness in the other room.
LIAM kisses her again and leaves her to her shower. He looks over the pictures he set out and removes the "castle", sticking back in his brief case. He calls down to the desk to inform them that they are not to be disturbed this evening.
LIAM waits until he hears the water turn off in the bathroom and pours 2 glasses of champagne and meets Wyn at the bathroom door and hands her one of the glasses.[LIAM] I hope you didn't wash your appetite down the drain in that shower. LIAM says with a twinkle in his eye.
Delwyn takes the glass of champagne. "No, I didn't." She looks at him a bit suspiciously. "What exactly are you up to?"
LIAM leads her to the dining table and pulls out her chair for her.[LIAM] I talked the chef downstairs into letting me have the run of his kitchen so I could make you dinner. LIAM smiles as he pushes her chair closer to the table.[LIAM] Oh...and that envelope in front of you? Go ahead and look it over. Tell me what you think. Delwyn pulls at her robe and ties a bit more tightly around her, so it will stay closed. She picks up the envelope and opens it.
LIAM lifts the dome over the roast leg of lamb and begins dishing up lamb, O'Brien potatoes, candied carrots and a dollop of mint jelly and sets the plate on the table in front of her. He then dishes up the tossed green salad in a small shallow bowl and pours a vinaigrette dressing over it and sets that next to the dinner plate. He then pours her a glass of sweet Chablis and begins dishing up his own plate. He sits down across from Wyn and begins nibbling at his food.[LIAM] So? What do you think? LIAM asks after a few minutes.[LIAM] The yard is big enough so you could have a fantastic garden.....one room could easily be turned into a music studio....with good sound equipment...acoustics....you name it. And the neighborhood has its own private security and assures me that nothing like what happened to your house could ever happen there. There's a pool and jacuzzi in the back yard and two gold fish ponds. One in back and one in front. LIAM waits for a few more seconds.
Delwyn looks at him. "It's all beautiful. But you didn't put how much it'll cost."[LIAM] I believe the agent said that the annual property taxes averaged $1500 give or take.. Delwyn puts the pictures and floor plans on the table. "This house will cost quite a lot of money."[LIAM] Simple question, woman.....do you like it? Yes or no? LIAM sighs exasperated.[Delwyn] Of course, I like it. It's beautiful. LIAM removes a small black box from his shirt pocket and smiles at her.[LIAM] Then there's just one question left to ask. Would you live with me in that house? Delwyn smiles. "Yes, I would."
LIAM raises up out of his chair and moves around to the side of the table so that he is next to her and nearly in front of her. The twinkle in his eyes is brighter than ever. He gets down on one knee, takes her hand in his and presents her with the black box. He opens it. As he does he says, looking into her eyes, "Delwyn Caernarfon...would you do me the honor of sharing this house as my wife?"
Delwyn bites her bottom lip as she looks at the ring. It had been along time since she was married last and the Immortal she did marry ended up beheaded by Romans because of her. But that was the past, this is now. She takes a deep breath and looks into his eyes. "Yes."
LIAM blinks in surprise.[LIAM] Yes? You did say yes, right? Delwyn nods.
LIAM sings out his praise and joy in Gaelic. He slips the ring on her finger and moves in close and kisses her passionately. Delwyn wraps her arms around his neck and returns the kiss.
LIAM gets to his feet and pulls Wyn up to hers. He lifts her off the floor and twirls her around laughing and exclaiming, "She said yes....she really said yes!"
Delwyn laughs. She is a bit nervous about making a total commitment, but she had been on her own for so long it was only natural.[LIAM] Now you get to make a choice, fair lady. [Delwyn] My choice? For what? [LIAM] Dinner....or me. LIAM grins as he sets her down.
Delwyn glances over at the table. "It would be such a waste not to eat what you made." She looks back at him, "But, you are much more appetizing."
LIAM scoops her up and carries her to the bed and gently lays her down and unties her robe.[LIAM] As I said when you walked in....your wish is my command. You can have me....and then eat dinner. LIAM grins.
Delwyn smiles. "Who said I'd want dinner? I think I'll just have dessert tonight."
LIAM pulls off his shirt, unbuckles his pants and slips out of them, leaving them on the floor at the foot of the bed and crawls up onto her...kissing her passionately.
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