The concepts of Immortality, and the characters used in this work are from HIGHLANDER: THE SERIES which is the property of Davis/Panzer Productions, Inc., Rysher Entertainment and Gaumont Television, and are used without permission. This is an amateur publication intended solely for the entertainment of its readers. No copyright infringement is intended.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Please send all comments to me at the address above. The only *pay* an amateur writer receives is the feedback from readers like you. Please don't let me down. Permission is given to distribute this work, including hard copy, as long as all disclaimers, notes, and my name and address are included. Just let me know where you are putting it and make no money from it. Please do not publish in any fanzine without my consent.
This story takes place in series time several months after "End of Innocence", and "Messenger." Richie and Duncan have come to terms with their estranged relationship and have established a stronger friendship having gone through the Dark Quickening and its aftermath. This is an alternate universe story as things that happen contradict some events in the series. At the end of the story, I will discuss from where the idea for "Mistaken Identity" came. This story was essentially finished in February 1997, long before "Duende" aired. The similarity between the battle here and in that episode are purely coincidental.
CREDITS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
I want to thank all the people who edited "Mistaken Identity" and helped me with suggestions and technical advice. Those people are: Sonja van den Ende, Linda Ratoff, Jackie Lang, Lynda Sappington, Joyce Fossek, Joan Mann, Mary Baker, Todd Andrews, Bouquet.
I want to thank Georgiana Ellis for help with a phrase from the Eurominutes of "Counterfeit I" used herein. "Tough Guy" has become a common "pet name" given to Richie, but I wanted to know if there was a canonical reference for it. There is.
DEDICATION:
This story is dedicated to the memory of Richie Ryan and to Jackie Lang. Without Jackie's love of Richie, and her able assistance, this story would not be as full and complete as it is. Many of the feelings and emotions shown by the characters towards Richie came from Jackie's suggestions. It is because of her deep feelings for the young Immortal that "Mistaken Identity" has become what it is today. I hope I've accurately translated her love for Richie onto these pages. Thank you Jackie.
Harry treasured each day of the ten years he and Em had been together. On every anniversary they did something special, but tonight's celebration would be different. Yesterday's call from the adoption agency meant the months of waiting were finally over. By this time next year, they would be parents. Harry had loved children for centuries, but never imagined his dream of raising a child of his own would be fulfilled. Harry smiled to himself and tried to imagine what it would be like to be called "Daddy". He knew his best friend Marcus didn't approve of bringing a child into the Game, but if he couldn't have happiness, what was the point in living forever?
As Harry pulled into the driveway, his smile faded when he sensed another Immortal. He pulled his sword and called, "Marcus, is that you?" When he received no answer, Harry gripped his sword tighter and rushed into the house.
Hearing her husband, Emily tried to scream but all she managed was a strangled groan.
The man on top of her tightened his grip around her neck and laughed diabolically. "Too bad we were interrupted. You were good, while it lasted." He rolled off the bed and calmly zipped his pants.
Harry's Immortal sense told him the intruder was near. The muffled sounds coming from the back of the house sent him running down the hall.
Emily struggled for breath and managed a weak "Harry", but her cry was cut short as the sword pierced her body.
"Em!" Harry shouted as he burst into the bedroom. Sparing only a quick glance at the back of the other Immortal as he leaped from the window, Harry ran to his wife's side. Emily's crimson blood pumped from her chest, staining the white sheets red. Harry put pressure on the wound with one hand and dialed the phone with the other. As he mechanically answered the questions from the emergency dispatcher, Harry watched Emily's life fade.
"Har...Har...," Emily gasped.
"Don't try to talk, sweetheart. Help is on its way." Harry brushed a strand of hair from his wife's face.
"Du...Du...," Emily said weakly.
"Shhh," Harry said. "You can tell me later."
Emily coughed and blood trickled from the corners of her mouth.
Using the edge of the sheet, Harry wiped his wife's face. The knot in the pit of his stomach grew as he recognized the pallor of death come over the one he loved most in this world.
With her last bit of strength, Emily grabbed the front of Harry's shirt and drew his face close to hers. In a barely audible voice she whispered the name of the Immortal who attacked her, then the light faded from her eyes.
Harry cradled Emily's lifeless body in his arms, rocked back and forth, and cried.
"I'm what?" Duncan MacLeod asked as he brushed past Richie and walked to the closet.
Deciding against making a crack about Duncan taking forever to get ready, Richie said, "You're looking pretty good for a guy who was dead a half hour ago." Richie shook his head as he remembered the vicious battle he had witnessed and his struggle to get Duncan's limp, lifeless body into the back seat of the T-bird. "I thought that guy had you after he stabbed you in the side."
Duncan smiled ruefully. "So did he."
"What happened? You seemed to be holding your own up until then."
"I was, Rich." Duncan sorted through several hangers holding his pants.
"I still can't see how he got close enough to hurt you like that."
"We were evenly matched and I had to do something to gain an advantage."
"So you let him run you through!" Richie exclaimed.
"Yes, and it worked, didn't it?" Duncan selected a pair of dark, navy blue slacks and placed them on his bed. "I let him get him over-confident. With his sword in my side, he was very close to me and had no room to maneuver. I was in a position that made it easy for me to take his head."
Richie ran a hand through his hair. "Geez, Mac, you never showed me anything like that."
"That move takes timing, practice and the utmost concentration if you're going to survive it. You weren't ready." Duncan picked up a sweater, tossed it aside, and picked up another.
"And now?"
Studying his young friend's face, Duncan saw some hesitation. In the months since the dark Quickening had almost cost Richie his life, the two had rebuilt their relationship. However, they were no longer teacher and student, but equals on the playing field of the Game. The elder Immortal said quietly, "And now, you are." Duncan had been almost two-hundred when a master taught him the move, but he thought Richie was ready now.
The smile on his mentor's face made Richie realize how much this friendship meant. "Thanks, Mac."
"Tomorrow I'll show you how it's done and also a counter move to it."
"Great!" Richie said with enthusiasm, then his smile faded. "I guess if I'm going to learn this, it means I'll have to get sliced up."
"Just a bit," Duncan agreed.
For an instant Richie hesitated, then laughed nervously, "What a great thing to look forward to."
As he put a royal blue sweater next to his pants, Duncan continued, "But now, I've got to get my shower and dress. We're late."
Richie glanced at his watch. "Is that ever the truth. Susan is going to kill me. She doesn't like to be late for anything."
"You could go on ahead."
"This is supposed to be your birthday celebration. Why would we want to go without you?"
"It's okay, Rich." Duncan went back into the bathroom. "I've had lots of birthdays."
"Tell me something I don't know," Richie laughed.
Duncan pulled his bloody and cut-up sweater off and tossed it in the trash. "Seriously, why don't you take the T- bird and get Susan. I'll take your bike and meet you at Joe's."
"Are you sure, Mac?"
"Yes. In the time it takes you to pick up Susan, I can get ready." Duncan removed his pants and inspected them. Deciding they only need stain removal, he placed them in the clothes hamper. "If you go now, we'll all arrive about the same time."
"Okay, I'll see you there," Richie said excitedly. He dumped his keys on the table as he scooped up Mac's and sprinted from the room.
Marcus Chen peered through his binoculars at the man driving away in the Thunderbird. Certain that it was the Immortal he had seen earlier in the evening, Chen put the Jeep in gear and followed, being careful to stay out of sensing range.
"Why don't you go to the parking garage on Stewart Street?" Susan asked. "There's always room there."
"But, it's a mile away!" Richie groused.
"I know." Susan put her hand on Richie's arm. "We can walk back," when he glanced at her she smiled, "together."
As he turned the corner again, Richie double parked in front of Joe's. He placed his hand over top of Susan's and said, "Yeah, then we'd both be late for the start of the show."
"I'd rather be with you," Susan said.
"Me, too." Richie leaned over and kissed Susan. "We'll be alone afterwards," his fingers caressed her cheek, "but it would be a good idea to be here when Mac shows up. After all, this is supposed to be his party." He kissed her again. "You go inside. I'll park the car and jog back." Richie admired Susan's figure as she climbed out of the car. It was still hard for him to believe how happy and fulfilled he felt when he was with her. He didn't remember feeling this good at any time during his short twenty-two years. Richie thought about the night he met Susan...
Last New Years Eve, Seacouver
..."Ohhh, I'm so sorry!" the pretty brunette said apologetically, as half the contents of her glass landed on the young man next to her.
Richie looked at the red wine spreading on the front of his shirt like a crimson flower opening in the morning sun. He gave the woman his trademark killer smile, and said, "It's not that bad." Not nearly as bad as a blood stain, Richie thought.
"Yes, it is." She placed her glass on a table. "You should blot out as much of it as you can and then soak it in cold water." As she picked up a napkin, her hand knocked against the glass, and it crashed to the floor. "I don't believe this!" she exclaimed. "I'm not usually such a klutz."
Grabbing the woman's hand as she stooped to clean up the mess, Richie said, "I'm sure you're not." She was short, only coming to Richie's shoulder, with clear green eyes, and shoulder length hair.
"Well, you wouldn't know it by my performance tonight." She looked into the face of the young man holding her hand and wished she could disappear into the floor. Her heart skipped a beat as she noticed for the first time the deep blue eyes lighting up his handsome face.
"My name is Richie, Richie Ryan."
"Susan Price." Becoming conscious that Richie was still holding her hand, Susan blushed. She thought she should probably pull away, but she liked the feel of his hand over hers.
"Do you come here often?" Richie asked.
"No, it's my first time." Susan looked around the holiday decorated blues club, finally finding her companion across the room. Nodding towards the other woman, she said, "It was my sister's idea to come. She said we needed to ring in the New Year in style."
"That explains it, then," Richie said emphatically.
"What?" Susan asked curiously.
"Why I've never seen your lovely face here before." Richie thought of some of the things Mac had told him about how to treat a woman. Richie looked into Susan's eyes, raised her hand to his lips and gently kissed it.
The act was so out of place and unexpected, Susan laughed. In an instant she wanted to take it back, but instead, she pulled her hand out of Richie's as her blush deepened to match the color of the spilled wine.
"I'm sorry," Richie said quickly. "I shouldn't have been so..."
"No, no," Susan interrupted. "I'm the one who should apologize. You were just being kind." She smiled shyly. "It's just that I've never had my hand kissed before."
"I suppose it is a bit out of place," Richie agreed, "but a friend of mine said it would impress the ladies." Did you blow it, Ryan? Richie thought. He didn't want her to walk out on him before he had a chance to get to know her.
"It did, Richie Ryan." She smiled broadly. Several seconds passed as the two young people studied each other. Susan was attracted to this stranger, yet was nervous about how to proceed. She knew nothing about him. Glancing at the floor, Susan finally said, "I better see if I can find something to clean up this broken glass and wine."
"Just a minute." Richie walked to the end of the bar, nodded at Mike, then ducked in behind the counter. He came back to Susan with a broom, dust pan and bar rags.
As Richie started sweeping up the glass Susan commented, "I take it you're a regular here."
"Yeah. The owner, that's Joe up there on stage, and I have known each other for about three years."
Susan used the rags to soak up the remaining wine, then put them in the dust pan Richie held. They looked at each other awkwardly for a moment. "I guess I better get back to Janice," Susan said. "She'll think I got lost."
"Okay," was all Richie managed to get out. He didn't want her to leave, but she had already walked away before he could think of anything more to say. Richie watched her cross the room, then went back to the bar, dumped the trash and replaced the broom. He took a stool at the counter and asked Mike to give him a beer.
Several minutes later, Richie had barely touched his drink but he'd made a decision. "Mike," he called, "give me a glass of red wine."
"What kind, Rich?" the bartender asked.
"Whatever that pretty brunette over there is drinking." Richie nodded towards Susan and her sister. "Also, give me one of whatever the other lady is drinking."
With a little knowing smile, Mike poured the drinks and placed them in front of the young Immortal.
Richie downed a big swallow of his beer; for courage, he thought. It took a bit of juggling, but finally he managed to get all three glasses in his hands and made his way across the crowded floor. As he approached the table where the two women sat, Richie said, "It's almost midnight, ladies, and I think we should be prepared to toast in the new year." He placed their drinks on the table and kept his own in his hand.
Susan smiled broadly. "I think that's a wonderful idea." When Richie didn't sit, Susan realized he was waiting for an invitation and was impressed with his manners. "Please, join us," she said. "This is Janice, my older sister."
As he took a seat, Richie shook Janice's hand. She had long, straight black hair, and dark eyes to match. In some ways, she reminded him of Amanda. "I understand it was your idea to come to Joe's tonight."
"It was." Janice took a sip of her drink. "I wanted to do something special with Little Sis before my husband and I leave for South America."
"South America?" Richie raised his eyebrows in curiosity.
"Carl and Janice are doctors," Susan explained. "They are going to run a clinic, deep in the Amazon jungle, for the native people who otherwise would have no access to medical care."
"That sounds...," Richie wasn't quite sure what to say.
"Strange?" Janice asked. "That's the mild reaction I usually get."
"No, I don't think it's strange," Richie said. "It's just...commendable."
"Or crazy, depending upon one's point of view," Janice looked at her sister. "Susan and Mom and Dad, don't want us to go."
"It's not because we don't think what you're doing isn't right," Susan explained. "It's just that you'll be completely out of touch for months at a time. What if something happens to you, or Mom or Dad?"
"And what if Little Sis needs me and I'm not here?" Janice and Susan locked eyes but neither spoke.
"Maybe I could take care of her while you're gone," Richie offered. Focusing solely on Janice, he continued with a straight face. "I'm honest, dependable, strong, fearless, and...I've had all my shots."
The three young people dissolved in a fit of giggles.
"Reliable?" Susan asked when she caught her breath.
"Trust...wor...thy," Richie finally managed to get out between giggles.
"Faithful?" Janice gasped out.
"Like your favorite dog," Richie responded before succumbing to laughter again.
"Brave," Susan managed to say.
"Loyal," Janice agreed, then giggled.
"Daring and heroic," Richie got out before losing it again.
"But res...pon...ponsible," Janice tried to say with sincerity but the mirth took her again.
"Steady." Susan panted trying to catch her breath.
"As a rock," Richie agreed. For a moment, he stopped laughing, but with one glance at the ladies' faces, he was going again.
"Cour...courage...ous," Susan rasped out before grabbing her stomach as another fit of giggles overtook her.
"A defender of truth, justice and the American way," Janice said with some clarity having finally gotten better control of herself.
With several deep breaths, Susan stopped her laughter. She looked directly at Richie and after several seconds, when he also had controlled his mirth, she said, "My chivalrous knight in shining armor."
Standing, Richie bowed first to Janice, then Susan. "I'm at your service dear ladies." Taking Susan's hand in his, he brought it to his lips and while looking into her eyes, kissed the smooth skin on the back of her hand. "Healthy, too."
The three new friends dissolved into giggles again and laughed in the New Year.
...As the memory left, Richie considered what he was going to do. He hadn't rushed into this was ready to ask Susan to marry him...he was ready to tell her about his Immortality. He thought of Tessa and Mac. The two of them had been so right for each other and Richie hoped he and Susan could have that kind of special, long term love. Tessa and Mac were together three years before Duncan told her what he was. Richie wondered if maybe he should wait.
But then, he thought of all the strange things Anne saw that Mac didn't explain. It drove her away from him. Richie didn't want Susan to leave him because he was Immortal, but he also didn't want her to leave because she didn't realize what life with him would be like. There had already been misunderstandings when Richie had to leave suddenly and he couldn't tell her it was because he sensed another Immortal. Richie decided that tonight, when they were alone, he would tell her everything.
Susan stared until she could no longer see the car. She crossed her arms in front of herself and hugged. She couldn't believe how lucky she was to have found such a special man as Richie. They'd been dating for almost a year. At first Richie was very distant, but lately things were getting serious.
"Where's Richie?" Duncan asked.
Jumping, Susan turned to the tall, dark man standing behind her. "Scare the life out of me, why don't you?"
"Sorry." Duncan smiled sheepishly.
"It's all right, I just had no idea you were there. You walk like a cat."
Duncan shrugged.
"We couldn't find a place to park, so Richie went to the garage on Stewart."
"I guess we should go inside and..." Duncan paused as he felt another Immortal. Turning his head he located the sensation coming rapidly from behind him.
"What's wrong?" Susan asked.
The Jeep slowed slightly as it passed, but Duncan was unable to see the driver.
"Duncan, are you all right?" She'd seen the same look on Richie's face, and he never explained it.
Continuing to stare at the departing vehicle as the buzz faded, Duncan said, "I'm fine. Let's go inside." He opened the door and held it for Susan to enter.
"Mac," Joe Dawson said as the Immortal entered the club, "I see you're moving in on Richie's girl."
Susan laughed. "Not a chance." Slapping Duncan playfully on the shoulder, she said, "He may be okay-looking but he's not the man for me."
"Just 'okay-looking'?" Joe smiled. "I think you're losing your touch, Mac. Or maybe, you're getting too old."
With a 'please stop' glance at Joe, Duncan helped Susan into a seat at a corner table. "I'll be right back. You go ahead and order something." Duncan went to the bar, leaned close to Joe and said quietly. "Someone was just outside."
Years of experience with Immortals allowed Joe to read the expression on his friend's face as more than just a general statement. "Is he still here?"
"No, and that's what's strange. He slowed, but didn't stop when we sensed each other."
"Richie?"
"He can take care of himself, but..."
"I know, you have to go anyway." Joe watched the four hundred year-old man walk away with long strides.
Duncan stopped for a moment at Susan's table. "I forgot something. I'll be back as soon as I can."
Laughing, Susan said, "Am I going to be stood up by both you guys?"
"No," Duncan said with a forced smile, "we're just going to be a little late." As he walked away, he thought to himself, 'I hope'.
Joe's Watcher oath was at war with his friendship. Just as Duncan put his hand on the door handle, Joe shouted, "MacLeod, wait!"
Turning back towards the bar, Duncan waited for Joe to reach him. "I really need to leave."
"You took the head of an Immortal named Harry Olsen earlier tonight," Joe said quietly.
A shiver ran through Duncan as he again had to come to terms with the fact that his kills were watched and recorded. "Your point?"
"Olsen always traveled with a friend, Marcus Chen."
"I didn't sense anyone else until a few minutes ago."
"It could be Chen, because he won't be far behind. They'd been together at least six hundred years."
"I have to leave, Joe." Duncan pulled open the door, then turned to his friend, "Thanks for the information."
Susan watched the whispered exchange between Duncan and Joe and wondered what was going on. She recognized the far away expression Duncan had earlier as the same one she had occasionally seen on Richie's face. Whenever it happened, Richie disappeared with a promise to return in a little while, but usually, it was the next day before he came back. Susan remembered one of the times he left her...
August 18, Seacouver
...Susan pulled herself out of the pool and sat on its edge with her feet dangling in the water. The brilliant full moon cast a soft glow over the back yard, reflecting off the water and getting swallowed up in the shadows under the tall trees that lined the fence. She watched the smooth glide of strong muscles in Richie's back as he approached. When he turned and pushed off to make another lap, she marveled at his stamina. The next time he came towards her she said, "Hey, don't you think it's time to quit?"
Grabbing the edge of the pool, Richie tread water beside Susan. "You're the one who wanted to go swimming."
"Yes," she brushed her hand against Richie's cheek, "but I didn't think that's all we'd do."
The thrill that ran through Richie at Susan's touch made him glad he was still in the water. "It's too hot to do much of anything else."
Susan leaned down and kissed Richie. "I can think of one thing I'd like to do."
Getting out of the water, Richie sat beside Susan. Taking her in his arms, they kissed passionately. "You mean like this," he said when they broke for air.
"Yeah," she agreed. Susan scooted away from the edge of the pool, gently pulling Richie's arms to show him she wanted him to follow.
"Where are we going?" Richie asked as he slid along with Susan.
"Away from the water." Susan ran her fingers through Richie's hair, brought his face to hers, and kissed him. With her lips against his, and her arms around his neck, she laid back and drew Richie down with her. "We wouldn't want to fall in."
Richie looked into Susan's eyes so close beside his. "And what might we be doing that would put us in danger of that?"
Susan moved her head and nestled it in the crook of Richie's shoulder and arm. She rubbed her hand across his chest and down his other arm. Finally, she said, "Make love to me, Richie."
Catching Susan's hand in his, he kissed her palm. He wished he could see her face as he asked, "I thought you told me you wanted to wait."
Susan rose up and looked directly at him. "I said I wanted to wait for the right guy." She leaned over him and her breasts brushed against his chest. With only the thin fabric of her bikini top between them, she pressed herself against his bare skin, and kissed him again. When they pulled apart, she whispered, "I've found him."
"You're sure?" Richie touched her face.
Susan nodded.
Just as his hands found the clasp on the back of her top, he felt it. "Damn!" Richie exclaimed.
"What?" Susan asked.
Gently rolling Susan off him, Richie sat up and tried to locate the other.
"What is it Richie?" Susan saw a distant look in his eyes and watched him turn his head from side to side.
"I've got to go do something," Richie stood quickly. "You stay here." When Susan began to follow him, he turned back. "Please, Susan, stay out here," he snapped more sharply than he intended.
"Why?" She furrowed her brow in puzzlement. "I'm just going in the house."
Richie calmed his voice so he didn't sound like he was commanding her. With a forced smile, he said, "There's no reason for you to leave the pool. It's cooler out here." He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss. "I'll be back before you know it." With that he sprinted to the door and disappeared inside.
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