Duncan gently placed her on his bed. He took her bloody shirt and tossed it in the trash. The wounds had already healed. Richie handed him a washcloth and he proceeded to clean the blood off. Richie shook his head. It was just yesterday that she had done the same thing for him.
That done, Duncan walked over to where his friends were sitting around the coffee table.
"Joe, you have some explaining to do. Why did you shoot her? She was leaving," he said gruffly.
The three immortals had been stunned as they heard the gunshot. Dawson told them that it had been necessary. Take her upstairs and tie her up he told them. No, Duncan wouldn't do that. She must have had a reason for what she did.
"It was necessary. Someone is using her to get to you or maybe the other way around. Apparently, they know what happened in Paris. One or both of you are in danger."
He was being evasive on purpose. Joe did not want to say anything else in front of Richie. He had already been through a rough time with Duncan.
"Spit it out Joe. What's going on? And what do you mean by what happened in Paris," Duncan said.
They all knew Joe must have had a good reason for shooting her. They remembered to well the last time he had shot an immoortal. He had shot Duncan to prevent him from taking Richie's head.
"Mac, you remember. Paris last year, after you tried to take Richie's....." he paused glancing at the young immortal.
"Joe, it's ok," Richie said, "Mac and I worked through all that."
"I remember, Joe. I remember the anger, the captain and his wife. I remember Sean Byrns and Methos and the cave. What has that have to do with her?"
"You honestly don't remember? Do you remember anything at all about her," he said pointing over to the bed.
"Of course I do. I met her when she was 6 years old. She'd been adopted by some friends. I knew what she was to become so I kept tabs on her. When she died the first time in 1965, I came back and told her what she was. I sent her to Cierdwyn to train her and then....." he stalled.
"Then.....what?" asked Methos.
He related the story of how they had met again in 1979 and had been together for almost a year. Duncan had heard Kuyler was in Paris and had left to track him down. He didn't see her again until 1982 in Paris. He told them what had happened. Tessa and Maria became instant friends. He never saw her again, until now.
So, thought Methos, another one of Duncan's many women. They always came back with problems.
Joe Dawson didn't say anything. How was he going to tell Duncan what he knew? Duncan still felt guilty about Richie. What would this do to him?
"Out with it Joe. I want to know why she thinks I'm her enemy. Why did she threaten to take Methos' head?" Duncan stood up and looked over to where Maria still lay. He heard her moaning softly. "Joe, I want to know before she wakes up," he demanded.
"Alright, alright. Somewhere between the time you arrived in Paris and Methos found you, you were with her. Ed, her Watcher, said you met while she was walking along the Seine. You seemed not to recognize her at first. You spoke with her for a while, then you headed over to the cottage she was renting. Ed stayed knowing that you had taken a Dark Quickening. He figured you wouldn't hang around after you took her head. Two days passed and neither one of you came out. He figured you two were.....busy. He left and came back the next day. McCormick showed up......"
The Highlander interrupted. "Matthew McCormick? I don't understand."
Duncan had come between McCormick and Carl just a few months ago. Methos offered the information. "Apparently, she was Mrs. McCormick, although not at that time. They divorced before that."
"Anyway," continued Joe, "McCormick showed up. Still no quickening. Two hours later he came out carrying her. Ed, said she was covered in blood. He never saw you. Figured you had left while he'd been gone."
"Maybe it was McCormick then," Richie suggested.
"Comparing the chronicles it wasn't McCormick. His watcher was on him the whole time. He had just arrived in Paris."
"I don't.....' The scream interrupted Duncan. All four men looked at Maria. She was once again covered in sweat and screaming.
"Nooo! Don't. Please, Duncan, don't!"
At the sound of his name Duncan reacted. He rushed to the bed and held her. Maria opened her eyes and screamed. "Duncan, please don't do this, please." She struggled in his arms fighting him off.
So that was it, thought Richie. Duncan was the nightmare. No wonder she had flipped.
She clawed at his face and kicked him square in the chest, knocking the breath out of him. He fell to the ground stunned. Richie and Methos immediately made a bee line for her. Richie caught her and held her tight, looking into her eyes. It's ok, he told her over and over. She continue to struggle, but Richie held tight. Focusing, she turned around, still in Richie's arms. Seeing the object of her nightmare approaching she started to struggle in his arms again.
"Stay away from me! Richie, please make him stay away!" she begged. Her terror of him cut Duncan to the core of his soul.
"Mac, don't. Whatever happened between the two of you in Paris has her scared."
Duncan paused and retreated. The kid was right.
Maria glanced down. She realized she was not wearing her shirt. She was wearing only her bra. Where was her shirt? What happened?
Joe saw the question in her eyes. "I'm sorry. I shot you. We....uh....had to clean you up."
"Why? Were you going to *watch* as Duncan......." she didn't finish.
Methos handed her a sweater. She took it but wouldn't look at him.
"Maria, I don't know exactly what happened in Paris. But I can explain why he did what he did?" Joe said quietly.
"How can you possibly explain?" Her voice full of poison. She didn't move away from Richie. Right now she felt safe in his arms. He had kept Duncan from getting to close to her, and for that she was grateful.
"We're not going to hurt you. Let Joe explain." Richie finally understood. The Dark Quickening had made Mac a different person. Who knows what he had put her through. Glancing over at Duncan, who sat on the edge of the bed, he couldn't help but feel sympathy for his teacher and friend.
"Only if you give me back my sword," she replied.
"I don't think that's a good......." Methos did not finish.
"Give it to her," ordered Duncan.
Maria gave him a surprised look. She saw he had his head in his hands. She could see he was as shaken as she was. It was not my fault! She could not, would not feel sorry for him!
Richie released her, watching as she quickly put on the sweater. Methos' handed her the sword and stepped back. He was not taking any chances. That sword had come too close for comfort. Methos knew she would have taken his head without hesitation.
"Do you want them here?" asked Joe.
"No.....only you.... and Duncan."
Duncan looked up, surprised. Richie and Methos left leaving the other two men with Maria.
Joe sat down. All this emotion was wearing him out "Maria, sit down." She did as she was told. Through the corner of her eye she saw Duncan approaching and gripped her sword tighter. She relaxed when she saw his hands raised in the air, showing her he was not armed. He sat down across from her in the arm chair.
Joe began. "Maria, have you ever heard of a Dark Quickening?"
Maria did not keep her eyes off Duncan."Yes, I have. It's just a story." She saw a slight reaction from Duncan.
"No, it's not. It happened.... to Duncan."
Joe told her about Coltec, Duncan and the Dark Quickening. How Mac almost took Richie's head. How Duncan took revenge on the captain by seducing his wife. How Methos managed to get the old Duncan back. He left out Sean Byrns on purpose. No sense telling her that she might have met the same fate.
The Highlander sat quietly while he relived the ordeal. But why can't I remember about her?
Maria sat back and closed her eyes. A Dark Quickening? It would explain things. But....he had seemed fine. It was just Duncan. They had laughed and reminisced about old times. Only at the end had she witnessed this *evil* Duncan Joe was telling her about.
" I don't understand why he doesn't remember about you. Maybe he blocked it out. But we'll figure it out. Maria? Are you ok? Do you believe me?" She could only nod.
"Maria," Joe said, "It's not over. Someone is setting you both up. I don't know who or why. You're both in danger....Did you tell anyone about what happened between you and Duncan?"
"No, no one."
"Well, someone knows. Someone hoping that you would take his head or vice versa. I don't think you should leave town....not yet, anyway."
"I'll stay. Will you keep me posted, Joe?"
Joe nodded. She stood up and headed towards the lift. Gone was the distraught woman who had held on to Richie, begging him to keep Duncan away. The woman before him stood tall, her eyes betraying no emotion.
"Wait," said Duncan, "I want to know what....what I did."
She turned around and shook her head. Her eyes for the first time, met his without anger. The nightmares would end here.
"Another time, Duncan. Another time." She grabbed her jacket and headed downstairs.
JUNE 1997
Two months had passed since Joe told Maria about Duncan's Dark Quickening. He had not seen Maria since then. Richie had run into her at the park. They had spoken briefly and Richie suggested she talk to Mac. She'd think about it, but would make no promises. That was two weeks ago.
Duncan had gone to the island to think. He blamed himself. No matter what they told him, he refused to listen. Maria could ease his pain by telling him the truth, but she had her pain to deal with.
All had been quiet. The Watchers reported nothing unusual. No one had been following Maria or Duncan. Joe strummed his guitar and continued to tune it. 12 noon. The place would open in a few hours. He looked up when he saw the light filtering in from the door. He smiled.
"Maria! It's good to see you. What brings you here? How have you been?" He motioned for her to join him at the table where he sat.
"I'm fine Joe. No more nightmares. Matthew was right. I had to come face to face with my nightmare. I thank you for that. If you hadn't *stopped* me who knows what I would of done."
She related to him what had happened to Matthew.
He had returned to her apartment to find it empty. He had figured she had disappeared again. So he left. Through the Watchers, she found out where he was, called him and told him everything except the fact that someone might still be out there waiting for her. Matthew wanted to go to her, but she told him that she was fine. If she needed anything he would be the first one she'd call.
"So, what brings you around?" Joe had sensed she wanted something from him.
"I want to see Duncan," she said quietly.
"Maria.....he really needs to know what happened. He hasn't been doing so well since that night. He needs to know."
"I know, Joe. Methos and Richie told me. That's why I want to see him. I don't want him to go on wondering. It's not fair to either one of us. I've tried the dojo, but there hasn't been any answer. Can you tell him to meet me at the cemetery, tomorrow, 10 am?"
"What makes you think I know where to reach him?"
"First, because you are his watcher and friend. Second of all, I know him. He would tell you where he is in case I wanted to reach him," she smiled.
"Why holy ground?" he asked.
"Just a precaution, Joe. No one has come after me, yet. If they *are* after both of us.....well.....no sense in taking chances while I'm with Duncan."
Did she want to protect him? Interesting. He told her he would pass the message along. He called Duncan at the number he had left. The person who answered said he would have Mr. MacLeod call back. When he did call back, he noted the strain in the Highlander's voice. Relief or uncertainty. No one knew exactly what happened in Paris except for Maria. Could his immortal friend handle whatever it was?
It was a warm day. Maria sat on the bench facing the headstone of Charlie DeSalvo. A sudden breeze made her hair flow behind her and she smiled. The healing had begun. She had come to terms with the Dark Quickening and what Duncan had done. The nightmares had ended for her, now she would end them for Duncan. The sundress she wore came to just a bit above her knees. The dark green color accentuated her dark hair.
Sensing an immortal's presence, she stood and saw him walk towards her. He was wearing black jeans and a blue t-shirt. His hair loose. Her heart jumped when he stood before her. "I'm glad you came, Duncan," her voice was low.
"It's the least I could do, after what I put you through," he said, his voice low.
"Did you remember?" she asked with raised eyebrows.
"No. I was there when you had the nightmare remember, and Richie told me about the one he and Methos witnessed. I'm sorry."
He wouldn't look at her. She reached for his hand. Her other hand reached up and touched his face.
"I'm sorry, Duncan. I should have told you what happened two months ago. I never wanted you to think....."
"I know. Tell me now."
PARIS 1996
Maria walked along the Seine, when she felt the buzz of another immortal. She drew her sword and slowly approached the man who was staring at the barge. He didn't seem to notice her until she stood four feet away from him.
"Are you alright?" she said in French.
The man turned around and she smiled.
"Duncan! What are you doing here?' He glared at her. Then his face softened.
"Well, well if it isn't Maria. Still using that name or...."
His voice sounded a bit strange, she thought.
"It's still Maria. So, what brings you to Paris?" She did not put her sword back in her trenchcoat.
"Nothing in particular. And you, why are you here?" He moved towards her smiling.
"Vacation. Had to get away from New York for awhile. Connor is watching things until I get back." She noticed how he frowned when she had mentioned Connor.
"Connor? He's always been willing to lend a hand."
"So have you Duncan. Two of a kind you and Connor." Something was wrong, she thought.
Suddenly his demeanor changed."It's good to see you, Maria," he said as his lips met hers in a brief kiss.
She broke the kiss and looked up at him."It's been a long time, Duncan. About 14 years or so?"
"How about dinner? We can fill each other in on those 14 years?" he said.
She relaxed and put away her sword. Must have been my imagination. Same old Duncan. That night they became lovers. On the third morning after having had their fill of each other, he headed for the bathroom to take a shower. She lay in bed relishing the past couple of days. She knew it would end. That's why she had called Matthew. He would prove to be a distraction for her. Duncan would never make a commitment to her or with any immortal woman.
She smiled as she saw him come towards her, towel wrapped around his waist. He bent down and kissed her, his wet hair caressing her face. She felt intoxicated, his mouth on hers, teasing and firm. Releasing himself from her, she noticed his eyes looked strange. The next thing she saw was her sword in his hands. He raised it over her. That was when she begged for her life. He plunged it in her chest. His last words to her had been, ‘Mi amor, my love'. His smile and his raised sword were the last thing she saw.
"I'm sorry. I betrayed your trust. I don't deserve your forgiveness."
Taking his hand she said, "It's over Duncan. It wasn't you. I've already forgiven you. I should have told you sooner. I can't even guess what you must have been thinking."
"I thought I had forced myself....."
She shook her head. "No, you didn't. I willing took you into my bed. After all those years, I....It had been what....over 17 years since we'd last....been....*together*. Seeing you plunge my sword in my chest and then raising your own to take my head....it was too much. I tried to forget, but the nightmares wouldn't let me. You didn't take my head, Duncan. Some part of you must have known that you had once....." she let the sentence trail off.
It was over. Her nightmares were over and so were Duncan's. Standing on her tiptoes she placed a kiss on his lips.
"Goodbye, Duncan."
He held her back, his hand holding on to hers. He knew it would be a long time before she could trust him completely again, but he didn't want it to be goodbye.
"Maria?"
‘No more apologies Duncan," she smiled at him, " It's over. It's in the past. I forgave you the night Joe told me about the Dark Quickening. Still friends aren't we?"
"Yes. Of course. I was....was... just wondering.... if....if I could take you to lunch," he stammered.
"Lunch?" she was surprised.
"Friends do take each other to lunch occasionally."
How could she say no? This would be the beginning of his forgiving himself. "I'd love to."
They walked hand in hand toward the Thunderbird. The cemetery was quiet except for their voices. Each being careful of what they said to the other. This would be a new beginning for them. Whoever had wanted them as enemies had failed. The opposite had occurred; a brand new start for their friendship.
So absorbed were they in each other, they did not notice the three people watching them.
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