Disclaimer: The characters of Gargoyles are property of Disney. The characters of Dr. Marianne Ellis and Cameron Ellis are property of me, Trynia Merin. Charles Quin Cassidy and Michelle Jennfer Cassidy as well as the magical sword Wavedancer are property of Javagoddess which I use with her permission. Our characters mean no harm to the show. Mummies Alive characters mentioned are property of DIC. My thanks to Jade for html coding and editing, and to Javagoddess for her inspiration in this one! This was written back in 1999 and is reposted here.
To Slay the Dragon or Not to Slay:
By Trynia Merin/Janeth Rhian
Part 1: Fired in San Francisco and Hired in New York
Plot synopsis: Mary faces yet another challenge under St. George. After she and Chas go forth from Avalon, they find themselves back in New York. Mary calls home to find that she has lost her job due to cutbacks. She sets about trying to find a new job.
June 1999, San Francisco New Museum:
Let go. The phrase had such mixed connotations to the young scientist. Instantly her cozy world at the San Francisco Museum had been shattered by the phrase. The blow hit her hard and personal.
"What am I going to do?" she lamented, as she stumbled out of the office. Someone helped her to pack her stuff into a cardboard box. One or two were put on a dolly, and crated out as somebody took her arm. In the front lobby her eyes fell upon that familiar figure in the black leather jacket and comfortably snug blue jeans. Ponytail flipped over his shoulder, he moved quickly to her side. And grabbed one of the cardboard boxes a woman was carrying.
"What's goin' on here?" he asked, with a hint of protectiveness.
"I've been sacked," she said, in a daze.
"Excuse us sir, this is company business... if you would kindly not interfere."
"What do ye mean sacked?" Chas exploded, his temper getting the better of him. "What fool idjit said that of her?"
"Mr. Cassidy, kindly vacate the premises or a security guard will escort you off the property."
"Chas, please, don't make it any worse than it already is," Marianne moaned. They had reached the front door, and the photojournalist was still hot under the collar about the whole thing. Here he had come to surprise Marianne pleasantly by picking her up from work. To find her being escorted out of the building with cardboard boxes of her stuff.
"I'm being let go," she said. "Termination of employment."
Chas gripped up the stack of boxes, forcefully pulling them off the luggage cart with a snort.
"Let's get out of here," Marianne sighed as the doors clanged shut behind them.
"Aye it's high time," Chas muttered. Marianne promptly sat on the front step, hugging her knees. Chas put the two boxes down, and slipped his arm around his love. Her body temperature dropped precipitously as she hugged against him.
"Musha it's no the end of the world." he soothed as she began to shake.
"It's the end of mine," Marianne said, feeling the reality sink in. "That's the career then."
"But ye said termination of employment. Ye weren't fired were ye?"
"No, but it's as bad as that!" she exploded. "You know how difficult it is to get jobs like this for a scientist like me?"
Chas hugged her even closer. "I have an idea. I may not be a scientist, but I do know it's hard t' find work nowadays. But don't ye despair. We'll sort this out... I promise."
"You are remarkably too good to me," she sighed. And pushed back angry tears that threatened to form. A sick feeling rose in her stomach as the emptiness clouded her thoughts. "Damn these museums and their budgets," she spat.
Gently Chas raised the scientist to her feet. "Let's go now... easy... musha... let's get y' home nau," he soothed, helping to pick up her boxed items. The other things such as lab journals and the lot would be sent to her house post haste they said.
Chas stacked her boxes on the rack of his motorcycle. Rather violently Marianne pulled at the elastic clips and yanked them over the cargo. AS she took her seat in the sidecar, and they slipped their helmets on, she glanced sidelong at the museum. Would she ever see it again? Chas rode past the Sphinx annex. Marianne took another glimpse at it, the emptiness continuing to consume her. A chilling numbness set in, washing out her anger. It seemed as if she were seeing a chapter in her life closing down.
First Rath and she had parted ways. And she slowly distanced herself from the Guardians of Rapses. Then she had met Chas, and slipped into a world of pubs and Irish intrigue as she discovered a side of San Francisco that she had not before. It was soon after that she had the strange visitation with the demonic Gargoyle in the museum... And here she was now. Unemployed. With the man she loved dearly, but with no means of support for herself. Dare she ask Chas for any more help? It seemed so hard to tell. Of course he would help her in any way he could. Yet she felt proud of her career, her independent life.
She sighed as Chas helped her move the boxes into her basement entrance. Cameron opened the door, and helped them. "Rum luck, sis," he sympathized. "I got the news as soon as I heard that board meeting. I mean to lodge a protest of that! They need a good chemist."
"Cameron, what's done is done. They don't have it in their budget for a forensics lab anymore."
Marianne sighed. Cam shot a concerned look to Chas as they wrestled her stuff inside his downstairs apartment. "But I assure you I'll do everything to help you Mary. Don't worry about the rent for the next few months... I'll..."
"You're a brick Cam," she sighed. "But somehow I don't want to owe you."
"Don't be ridiculous, Mary," Cam said. "After all, I am your brother."
"It will all work out, Musha," Chas assured her. With the two main men in her life on her side, how could she fail? Marianne grinned ruefully at this thought. It had taken a bit of doing for both to get along. But the fact that Chas was a living breathing man and not a 3500-year-old mummy did make it easier to explain than her previous love.
"It's just frightful the mess this is," Cameron muttered as they gathered in Marianne's apartment.
"I'll put the kettle on," Cameron offered.
"I think I need something with alcohol in it," she grumbled. "Chas, be a dear and get a Guinness and make it two. On second thought have we any whisky?"
"Easy now," Chas laughed softly. "It's no the end of the world. Just the beginning of another phase in life."
"Easy for you to say," she muttered. Gratefully she sipped the bitter ale. Chas joined her, sitting close beside her on the mission style sofa. Cameron selected a beverage, sitting across from the two in the easy chair. His close cropped blonde hair he ran a hand through as his gray eyes fixed upon the couple. She really was lucky to have found such a man as this fellow, he thought. Even if he was a bit rough, and Irish to boot. Still Cam had a thing about the Irish. Ancient prejudices. Considering he was half-Scots himself. Cameron almost went blind tracing the Celtic spirals on Chas shirt as they sipped in silence.
"What now?" Cameron asked her. "Surely the San Jose museum would have need for a scientist like you Sis. I know a fellow..."
"Cam, I appreciate it. But somehow I am sick of this whole city. The West Coast... it's maddening... somehow I feel as if this happened for a good reason."
"That's ridiculous," Cameron said. "Why you could..." A warning look from Chas stopped him. "Why do you want to move away?"
"I don't feel as if I belong here anymore."
"If this is about the rent... don't worry, I can absorb it!" Cameron said.
"Cam, you and I have lived together for a long time. It's time that you had your own place. We're thirty-one years old! You may be my little brother, but you have to live your own life!"
"But you are my sister, I cannot just leave you in the lurch!"
"That's not what I mean Cameron. I need... to have a fresh start. I might have to face the fact of moving again."
"Where? Back to England?"
"If need be," she sighed. "But I doubt the British museum is looking for scientists."
"There's always New York," Chas offered softly. "Plenty of museums on the East Coast. And in most cities... And there is also all of Europe itself."
"I'd miss you," Cameron sighed. "But let's not cross bridges before we come to them, eh? Or burn them for that matter either."
"I'll join ye in that metaphor," Chas said. "Mary? What do ye want t' do?"
"I don't know..." she sighed. "I just don't know."
Mary slowly woke from a sleep. She lay there in her bed, pillow moist with tears. The phone was ringing, and it was early in the morning. Hastily she scrabbled to get the phone in the morning light.
Her hand tipped a lamp, sending it flying onto the carpet. Cursing under her breath she finally clasped the phone and put it to her sleepy ear.
"H-hello?" she muttered.
"I am trying to reach a Dr. Marianne Ellis," said a crisp voice at the end of the phone.
"Mm, speaking," she muttered. "This is the human resources department at Gen-u-Tech. We received your resume from a placement service... and we would like you to come for an interview."
"Gen-u-Tech?" she asked, rubbing her head.
"Yes, Dr. Ellis. WE would like to fly you out for an interview... in New York City... all expenses paid."
"What?"
"How would in one week be... are you busy then?"
"Yes... uh no." she stammered. And sent her glasses flying as she struggled to get out of bed.
July 1999, New York City:
A week later Marianne Ellis walked out of the door of Gen-u-Tech. It wasn't what she'd hoped for. Genetic research conjured up images of Dr. Moreau. It really wasn't the case, but their cloning project scared her. That man, who had interviewed her, had given her the creeps too. Dr. Anton Sevarious was a noted man in his field, but this just didn't seem right... She had told them she'd think about it. As Marianne wandered down the street she glanced left and right. It hadn't been too long ago that she'd been here in NYC on a different matter. That involved some strange creatures, as strange as Mummies.
"Hey lady, can you spare a dime?" asked a man as he slipped out of an office building. Marianne kept on walking.
"What's your hurry sister," said another, a woman as she stepped in Marianne's way. That gleam in their eyes stopped her cold. Instantly Marianne swung her briefcase into the woman's arms, stepping on her foot. The man lunged, but Marianne spun, her fist connecting into his jaw in a sharp uppercut. But then another two had joined them. They grasped Marianne's arms, pulling her back into an alley. Heart pounding she tried hard to think of what next to do.
As she muttered and wrestled to mind, she realized she didn't have the Egyptian bracelet in her hand. Worse, the gauntlet for her armor she had left behind in San Francisco! Already the evening was coming. Marianne struggled valiantly, screaming, "FIRE!" at the top of her lungs.
Perhaps the noise would alert someone. She hated to play the maiden in distress, but foolishly she had forgotten her means of protection. Suddenly she heard a hiss that came as she saw a flash of steel. And a fast kick to one of the men as he spun around, swinging his chain. Marianne used the distraction to drop, and flip the two men holding her as she backed away. One good sharp kick to the groin of one, and she gripped her high heeled shoe. Marianne turned the heel up, slashing at the other's face with her pump. With spectacular results. He clutched his cheek, snarling. She then followed through with a knee to his stomach.
Another held a baseball bat. There was a bloodcurdling scream as a glistening arc sliced through the wood in one stroke, and the flat of the sword hit against the man's legs, cutting him down. A hand grabbed Marianne's, pulling her away as she was extracted from the alley. A long sword and a dirk swung in glistening arcs as Chas faced off against the two remaining thugs.
"Who do you think you are, sword boy? The highlander?" one joked.
"Let's see if he's immortal like that guy on TV!" the other laughed. But instead of attacking with his blades, Chas let fly with a kick. As one pulled a gun, his weapon slashed the muzzle, blooding the other's hand.
"Now git, ye amadons!" Chas growled, hooking the strap of Mary's briefcase over his sword arm. Behind him Mary put her shoe back on, still breathing in anticipation. Deciding it was better to flee than fight, the thugs took off, leaving their friends behind, out cold.
"Mary, are ye all right?" Chas asked, swinging both weapons as they vanished in a blaze of energy beneath his jacket.
"They scared the devil out of me, if that's what you want to know," she breathed. His hand closed on her shoulder as they moved quickly out of the alley. "What... in the name of... are you..."
"Doing in the middle of New York?" he asked. "I found yer hotel, and they said ye were here... 'Twas a simple matter indeed t' track ye down..."
"You could have called," Marianne sighed, as she struggled to fix her hair up into its French braid again. Strands had worked themselves loose in the struggle. They rode upon a bus, headed uptown to Mary's hotel.
"Yer welcome fr me saving yair life," he said.
"I'm sorry, luv," she sighed. "I really do appreciate it but it was a surprise seeing you just show up like some dratted knight in shining armor."
"Face it, ye don't hate me rescuing you as much as yer letting on," Chas said, nudging her in the side. At his touch she jumped, for it was that spot just under one rib that was most ticklish.
"Hullo, that's not fair," she squealed, as he began to tickle her a bit. All the events of the past few minutes rushed away at this simple childish game.
"You louse!" she laughed, unable to catch her breath. "I'll get you for this."
"I k'n hardly wait," he chuckled, as her hand slipped under his jacket, to a spot just beneath his arm. It was his turn to laugh. His baritone voice, deeper than Rath's, echoed in musical laughter throughout the bus. Yet few noticed, for the wailing children and the chatter of people on cellphones drowned it out. A few amused smiles fell on the couple as they tickled each other mercilessly.
"So what really brings you here?" she asked him. "Did you have to twist your sister's arm or something?"
"Hmm, she sent me here on a story," he said. "T' renew some business contacts... fr' don't forget that she and I lived here a while ago. Seeing as yer looking her fr a job, I thought I'd check up on ye."
"That was sweet of you to come after me," she said. "I know that's the real reason you are here... so what do you owe Shelly this time?"
"I don't think she'd take t' being called that nickname," Chas smiled. "Where are you staying?"
"Michelle still is renting an apartment in Queens... in an auld friend's house of ours. Niver had th heart t' give up the lease... and besides, it's handy fr doing business in the City. Sometimes she or I come out here t' sample the local community. I'll be staying here fr a while anyway."
"But what about 'being near your family?'," Marianne asked him.
"That can wait fr' now," he said, taking her hand. "So what's the story about the big interview?"
"To tell you the truth, it leaves me a bit cold," she sighed. "A lot of genetic research there."
"Cloning any sheep are they?"
"No Chas," she shook her head at his weak joke. "But it's not what I want to do... I want to keep doing my analytical... but not as a QC chemist... or just anything else... I just..."
"Hmm, how about yuir friends?"
"Xanatos?" she asked. "I think they were the ones who got me this. I wouldn't put it past Fox to have 'convinced' them that I was a good scientist for the job. But no. Even though they said they were opening a new facility in three months in England... and there was a chance I could be going back there."
"Where in England?" Chas asked. "A small town, in the Midlands. So quiet I've never heard of it... and I'm from England."
"I niver asked where ye were from?"
"I was born in Cairo. But my ancestors... lived up in Scotland. My mother's family... the Linsays and MacLarens, they were from the Hielands as you know. Living in Glasgow. My mum met my Da on a lecture tour at University. She was studying Arthurian legends. Hmm it's funny how that all works out. Anyway, they met, fell in love and married. Although Mum was fair near 30 when she had me, and Cameron."
"How about yer Da?" he asked.
"Well, hmm, he was even more diverse in his past. Father lived in London, and managed to pass his A-levels in history. He came from a working class family, and it was Granda's wish that he be educated as a proper gentleman... so when he got a scholarship to Cambridge, he took it and left far behind. That and elocution lessons all but erased the Welsh from his voice."
She said this with a sigh. "He had Gran t' thank for that," she muttered, slipping into a bit of Scots burr, which evaporated when she coughed. "Granda was a Londoner... married a Welsh coalminer's daughter. Funny, eh? Met during the War."
A faraway look came over Marianne's face as she told Chas about her family. She had not done much of this before, respecting his need for secrecy at first. But he had waited till the right time for her to reveal her own heritage. And now seemed the right time. She went on speaking of it as they returned to her hotel room, and sat quietly on her double bed simply talking.
A week later found Marianne hard at work in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Having taken a bit of a pay cut she now ran a carbon 14 machine in house. It was a busy job, but rewarding. She remembered how Chas had brought her a sack of groceries to that new apartment that Xanatos had rented her. And they had a small dinner together. The Upper West Side apartment was rather ostentatious, furnished with lavish modern pieces, and tall paintings that David Xanatos so loved. Where their friends often stayed, if they were not liking the Castle.
"Don't worry about the first month's rent," Xanatos had told her. "Just enjoy the view."
She didn't look a gift horse in the mouth. Even though Xanatos often had his own agenda for doing something philanthropic. She was just coming down the steps of the MOMA when she saw the sun beginning to set. All around her bustled the night of the City, as it never slept. She walked along the edge of Central Park, simply absorbing the sights and sounds of the City singing into the evening. There came a sound of something softly gliding, as she glimpsed up. Winged shapes passed over the face of the Moon. And she smiled. The last missing piece of her new life had been filled. A mystery to which she was privy.
Moving into the Park, she knew a secret path that was a shortcut to her apartment building. Although Chas had warned her against walking in the City alone at night, she strangely didn't feel at risk. Even when a trio of dark shapes suddenly appeared out of the forest, by the carousel. Eyes blazed white-hot fire in their faces. She boldly strode up to the trio.
"Hey there!" came a friendly voice from the slender reddish figure, folding his wings. "Long time no see!"
"What brings ya to the big apple?" asked the largest of the three.
"You're the last person we expected to see here!" came the highest pitched voice.
"Brooklyn, Lexington... Broadway," she smiled. "You're a sight for sore eyes... how is everything? Goliath, Angela, Elisa?"
The trio surrounded her, clasping her hands and asking a million questions at once. They all knew her as a friend to Elisa and Goliath. Thus she was a friend of the Clan.
"One at a time chaps," she laughed.
"You really shouldn't be out alone this time of night," Brooklyn told her.
"Yeah," Broadway added.
"We saw you walking alone, and were keeping an eye on you, just in case some thugs were going to jump you," Lexington said. "But we're glad to know you're okay."
"Where were you three yesterday," she laughed.
"What! What happened yesterday?" Brooklyn asked, eyes beginning to flash with anger. She told them of her encounter with some street gangs. And the timely rescue by her boyfriend.
"Good thing he showed up," Lexington said to her. "But why are you here in Manhattan?"
"Thought you lived in 'Frisco," Brooklyn said.
"It's a long story. And I'd be glad to tell you over a cup of tea."
"C'mon let's give you a lift home," Brooklyn offered. All three of them surrounded her as they walked her back to the edge of the park. She gripped Brooklyn about the neck as he climbed the nearest building's side. And closed her eyes. Soon she was flying through the air on the slender Gargoyle's back. Lexington and Broadway dropped into formation at his left and right, gently soaring in the nighttime breezes. Till they alit on her balcony, and she fished out her keys to let herself in the 20th floor suite.
Broadway sniffed the air as she climbed through the window. "You're welcome to come in and have a cup of tea. I wouldn't mind."
"You don't have to," Broadway started.
"It's no bother really."
"Come to think of it I am a little hungry," Broadway said, with a cautious look from Brooklyn. "One thing, I hope you like treacle... I've loads of it left when I tried to make it for Chas..." The three cautiously slipped in. "Man this is sure a ritzy digs," Broadway muttered. His eyes fell hungrily on the sets of bookcases loaded with her books. Lexington glimpsed her computer set up nearby. "Wow, what model is that?"
"A power book. But the CD ROM's been packing up."
"May I look at it..." Lexington volunteered, as he moved quickly to the small device. Before long he was lifting it, sniffing it as he turned it this way and that.
"Tell me where the stuff is, and I'll set up the refreshments..." Broadway offered. "You've had a rough day."
"You sure have it nice here, Ms. Ellis," Brooklyn commented. "Do you mind if I ask... how you can afford to live here? Elisa said something about Fox."
"Yes," she said. "I tried to tell them I didn't need their help, but you know how they are when they have their mind's made up."
"Yeah," Lexington said, shaking his head. He heard the clangs and bangs coming from the kitchen as Broadway hunted for the cocoa. Before long he had been the one to actually set things up for tea and hot chocolate. Lexington was busily pulling the CD out of her computer as he fiddled with the ejection mechanism. Brooklyn stood near the open window, as if ever vigilant.
"Brooklyn, do you chaps know anyone named MacBeth?" she asked. Brooklyn's ears pricked up at the sound of the name. Lexington looked up from his puttering. In one clawed hand he held a screwdriver, the other clutched her CD-ROM.
"Yeah. He's okay with us now," the gargoyle Second in command said. "Actually he stood up for us on TV."
"Yeah with those dumb Quarrymen everywhere," Broadway said from the kitchen. "You should have heard him calling that one Assistant DA a witch!"
Lexington grinned as he slipped the component back into her computer. Marianne marveled as the CD door opened and shut without sticking. "You really have a way with machines, don't you?"
"It's a knack," he said, claws flying across the keyboard as he installed the new drivers. "You just had the wrong driver installed."
"Who wants marshmallows?" Broadway asked, shuffling in with a tray of mugs steaming hot.
"Have a seat, and take the load off," Brooklyn said, as he pulled up a footstool for Marianne. The others perched on sofas and fine chairs. Lexington continued to work his own brand of magic on her PC.
"You chaps are sure one warm- welcoming committee... you don't have to."
"Well, to tell you the truth, Elisa asked us... to keep an eye on you," Brooklyn said, voice lowered. "Yeah. She was worried you might feel... nervous... since you told her about that street gang attacking you on your first day," Broadway said. "I wish we were there."
"It's quite all right. Chas was there," she said. "I know. He really kicked some tail," Brooklyn said, helping himself to some of Marianne's pastries. "Did he really pull his weapons on them?"
"Actually he gave them a larruping... I mean a stern spanking."
"Hah I would have loved to see that," Broadway smiled. "Did he haul the bums in?"
"No such luck. They..."
"They rabbited," Broadway muttered.
"Darn!" She chuckled at his TV cop slang. And for the first time didn't feel quite so lost. For part of the unique mystery of Elisa's friends was here. When they had finished their cocoa they set out to leave.
"Take care, and do stop by again," Marianne said. "Give Goliath and Elisa my thanks!"
"Take it easy," the Trio waved as they alit one by one off her balcony.
August 1999:
A whole month had passed, and Marianne slowly settled into her new life. She had briefly gone back home to send her belongings to her new address. It was a bittersweet time for her, leaving the old behind. But as she saw Cameron's wistful face as she boarded her flight, she sighed. It was necessary. Something awaited her there. And she had to go. To leave the Mummies, the Museum, and her old life far behind.
Little did she know of what awaited her around the corner? One particular day she walked home from her museum job, groceries in hand when she accidentally bumped into a museum patron walking up the stairs. "Oh, excuse me ma'am," came the Scottish accented voice. Marianne looked into his face, seeing the silvered hair and beard of a familiar countenance.
"MacBeth," she whispered.
"It's Lennox MacDuff here," he whispered back, lips close to her ear. "And what pray tell would ye be doin' in the City?"
"I might ask you the same question... Mr. MacDuff," she said. "I happen to work here."
"And I happen to live here, not far," he answered, taking the groceries in his arm. "A pleasure to see you again, lass..." His powerful hand gripped hers, and she felt a thrill of excitement in his touch. This was crazy! He was once an enemy, when last they met. Yet he had proved to be under the influence of Morgan le Fay's enchantment from afar!
"So ye live here, eh?" he asked. "As I recall, you had quite a position in San Francisco."
"It's a long story," she sighed. "And not one for the open air."
"Aye. Care to tell me over a bit of dinner?"
"Er, I don't know," she said, and felt herself blushing a bit. How silly! She had a boyfriend! Chas! Who was perhaps this man's old enemy! Whatever had passed between the Erin born reporter and MacBeth, she shuddered to think. For they had met with intense hatred that comes with centuries of feud.
"I... don't think that would be a good idea," she said. "I am meeting... someone."
"Hmm, yair man no doubt," MacBeth said, a thoughtful look on his face as he stroked his beard.
"Whatever business you two have... doesn't concern me. But if you are planning to hurt him... I will not be party to it."
"Lass, whatever makes you so suspicious?" he asked, and smiled a most disarming smile. She shook her head. "For that is something betwixt him and me. And need not involve the present. It will be settled in its own time. And in an honorable fashion, as gentleman should. Not in games... I come to you as one who fought by your side... and wishes to greet you and welcome you with his hospitality."
"I am flattered, Mr. MacDuff, but I really must decline."
"The offer still stands. And to my friends, I am Lennox."
"Hmm, very well," she said. "Perhaps... if you happen to drop by the museum again."
"You have quite a selection of artwork, well preserved and maintained. No doubt your skills are praised here."
"It's a living," she shrugged, as he hailed her a taxi for her ride home. And bade her farewell.
Marianne kicked herself at the sudden shivers that came over her. Shame! She was in a relationship! Lately it seemed many men were attracted to her! Even older ones such as this MacBeth! He was attractive and debonair. Mischievous, and mysterious. Much like her own love. Perhaps that was the appeal. What had MacBeth seen over the centuries?
She was just getting in the door when she came across Chas. He was waiting for her, as he often did lately, carrying a plastic sack, which probably had some ingredients for a wonderful dinner. She felt shame flush her face as she realized she had spoken to his ancient enemy. Marianne thanked goodness that Chas would not read her mind without being asked. Still he was a bit suspicious as she said little, and pressed a kiss to his cheek.
"Are ye all right, Mary?" he asked. "Ye look as if ye've seen a ghost."
"Just... a long day," she said evasively. "I'm dead tired... and ravenous."
"All the same why I should come," he said, handing her the sack, which appeared to have frozen beef, fresh cabbage, and onions. "There's a three course dinner fr' two in this here... and all that separates us from it is a good hour."
"Sounds wonderful," she said, unlocking the twin dead bolts as she swung free the door. Modern furniture greeted them, and the smell of fresh vanilla and cinnamon. Mary's favorite sachet was poured into a small bowl near the entry table. Fresh air seeped in through a half-opened window, wafting the scent into their noses. A nice combination to come home too.
"Ye've added yuir touch to the place right enou," he said, helping her remove her coat.
"Yes. Amazing what a few things can do. I'm sorry I've been distant. It's just that the museum is taking so much tim."
"As it should," he smiled, with a wistful look in his eyes. Did he suspect something had cast a pall on their cozy relationship? What would he say if she had mentioned MacBeth?
"Have ye been practicing what I taught ye?" he asked, as he wandered into her kitchen. She carried the fixings for dinner to keep up with him.
"Yes. But there is so much to learn."
"That wuild take a long time indeed," he joked with her. "Even so I've seen the fire in your eyes. Yer a born warrior. A fighter with the blood of Hielanders in your veins."
"But if that is the case, I was wondering if you knew of any masters I could continue to take lessons with... after you... go back."
"What makes ye ask?"
"Well, you admitted yourself you weren't the master of swordplay. That perhaps once I mastered what you taught me..." Chas sighed deeply. "I don't think it would be a guid idea to force so much so soon. I don't... want... to."
"You don't want me to learn? What is that?" she asked, a bit angry with him.
"It's not that I don't want you to. It's... just that I don't want to take the risk of letting someone else... teach ye t' kill."
"Chas, what is going on here?" she asked. Slowly he took her hands in his, and kissed them.
"Mary, it's nowt t' do with my love for you. And everything t' do with it. But a sword isn't the only solution."
"St. George called me for a purpose! And I owe it to him and myself to be the best there is. I want to know as much as you can teach me."
"And ye will learn! We will have our times together... and I promise you will be the best I can make you. But I don't want all our time to go t' fighting. For I only have a month here."
"Chas I know."
"Humor me, Mary. I've been trying t' convince my sister to let me stay on here."
"But what about being near your family?" she asked.
"Mary, you are like family to me," he said softly. "And there are some things that I would share with you that I cannot with Michelle, or Mum or Da. I've been looking for work here... it won't come overnight... and it may be a few months before I can come out her for permanent."
"I know... but when you are gone... there must be someone who can help me keep my skills sharp."
"Hmm. Maybe," he said. "We'd best be moving along... there's a concert at the Lincoln center I thought I'd take you to see."
"Not tonight Chas," she sighed. "I'm sorry... but I've been overdoing it... enjoy yourself."
"As ye wish," he said, kissing her hand as he left. Leaving Mary feeling a bit distanced at his confused demeanor.