Chapter Three

Duncan turned to the woman in the shadows waited for her to make the first move. A familiarity asserted at once. Each knew of the other but in person the caution flags went up.

She took a few steps forward and looked amused. A half smile played on her face in the faint light she said, "I wondered why you didn't have your sword and I was curious to see how you would manage."

He did not return the smile instead he frowned at her saying, "You could have least thrown me a sword."

Disposing of the cheap sword by breaking it and throwing it into a trash bin, he watched her step closer until the lamp shown clearly on her face.

He asked her, "Were you following me?" Looking intently at the features he had already memorized.

She asked her own question, "Why did you take my picture and the rose off of Richie's grave?" Stepping closer she held out her hand demanding, "May I have them back?" Appearing annoyed, she watched him closely.

He noticed everything about her in that brief moment. She wore a soft blue woolen blazer, tight denim jeans and short brown boots. Her figure was athletic and compact. He could see she wore no jewelry of any kind. Her sword strapped to her back in the open.

He reached into his pockets then handed her back the two items. He explained, "I was curious about you. Richie didn't talk about you but there you were at his grave site."

Looking at him with an annoyed expression, she pointed out, "All you had to do was ask me while I was there but that doesn't explain why you took the rose." Holding the now wilted rose she looked at it with a sad expression and folded it inside her handkerchief.

"I'm not sure just impulse I suppose," He replied and then asked, "How did you find me?"

"After checking around I simply waited for you to show up." She told him as she tucked the picture back in her pocket.

He told her, "I was hoping to find you and tell you about the last year Richie was alive if you care to walk with me." He turned and indicated his car at the end of the street.

Walking with him Elizabeth said, "I could find no official record of his death just a grave stone."

He then asked her, "What name can I call you?"

She looked sideways at him then held out her hand saying, "Beth."

He shook it and told her, "I'm Duncan MacLeod."

"I know," she said simply. Then she asked, "How long did Richie live with you?"

He shrugged replying, "Off and on over the years."

Glancing his way she mentioned, "He said you and Tessa took him in."

Duncan explained, "Yes, I knew him even before he was an Immortal. We became good friends."

Stopping abruptly and grabbing his jacket sleeve for him to face her, Beth asked bluntly, "Were you there?"

He hesitated for too long and then told her, "Yes, but it's very complicated."

She demanded, "I want to know the truth about how he died. Which immortal killed him?"

Opening the car door MacLeod insisted, "What I have to say can wait until we get to my home."

She looked uncertain but then taking off her sword she nodded her head and got in.

Paris is a wondrous city at night especially after the rain. A light reflecting off the wet streets and for a while the air is so fresh.

As the riverfront came into view, lights from across the city sparkled brightly making the old barge seem magical.

The time was past 1:00 am when he parked in front and before he could go around and open the door, she was already stepping out. Seeing the barge moored on the River Seine, she looked puzzled and asked him, "You live on a boat?"

He told her, "It's a renovated barge and it's my home." He frowned a little asking, "Didn't Richie tell you that I lived on a barge?"

He prompted her forward as she shook her head explaining, "No he didn't but he talked about your exploits." She smiled back leaving him to guess what she meant by that.

Walking towards the old barge, he said fondly, "I've lived in a lot of interesting places in my lifetime but this place holds special memories for me."

She admitted, "I must say it's one I haven't tried."

Putting the sword back to where she felt comfortable Beth followed him as he led her up the small gangplank to unlock the door and showed her inside. He turned on some lights and gestured to a chair.

She looked around the tasteful yet simple interior and she could see that this man was still a bachelor. First removing her sword and coat, she sat down.

He asked her, "Why do you keep your sword there on your back? Doesn't anyone question you about it?"

She smiled faintly for a moment then said, "It does come up often but I carry the credentials for sword training and exhibition. When other Immortals see it I think it deters them somewhat."

Duncan took off his leather jacket and examined the cut sleeve. "Another jacket ruined." He commented to himself tossing it on the bed. He rolled up the shirtsleeves and covered the slow healing cut with a bandage.

He asked, "Would you like a drink?"

When she nodded, he poured a drink for each of them handing her one that she accepted. He sat down opposite her and took a few sips thinking about what he would say.

Then he began to tell her the truth.

"A little over two years ago an old man approached Richie and I walking home from the Opera late one night. The old man was an archeologist by the name of Professor Landry. He discovered that a great evil was once again free upon the earth after 1,000 years of imprisonment. When that time recurs, one chosen Immortal becomes a Champion to battle for the world and defeat the evil demon called Ahriman.

I happened to be the one chosen however before Professor Landry could tell me how I was to do this epic battle; Ahriman's influence caused his death.

Finding the answers took some time and during that time I was tricked into doing battle with my sword."

He stopped his narration to finish his drink and refilled his glass. Looking to see if she wanted more she shook her head no.

Then he continued, "I was fighting apparitions of past enemies as they circled and taunted me at the old racetrack. Also Ahriman took on the face of Richie and was testing my loyalty; tormenting me, shooting me with a gun and making me fight him."

Beth interrupted him asking, "How could it take the image of Richie? And why should it do that?"

"Because it's a demon and he used a sword to make me battle terribly enemies of the past. That is when the real Richie Ryan walked up too close. He could not see what I was fighting because it was invisible to him. I killed him before I realized it wasn't Ahriman."

He finished his drink still hating that moment and looked at her in time to see her reaction.

There was shock and then rage. Jumping up she smashed the glass down and it shattered into pieces. She quickly drew her sword out and advanced on him throwing the sheath as well.

In anger she accused him, "You're telling me a demon used you to kill Richie? Well I don't believe you!"

Duncan backed away defenseless except for his words. He spoke in a soothing manner. "He was my best friend you have to believe me. I could never intentionally kill him."

She came closer her face mirroring her pain. Beth kept her sword up saying, "I've sworn to avenge his death. I know he was your friend."

"I was his teacher. I brought him into my home!" he said with passion.

She countered with, "You killed your friend and yet you still live?" With tears in her voice she asked, "You took his Quickening? How do you deal with that?" She waited for his answer.

He searched his heart and told her, "I know you want your own justice but I can't give you that!"

She came closer still holding him at blade point. "That is just an excuse. I should kill you," she said ending her sentence in a whisper.

Throwing his glass against the wall and shattering it, he held his arms wide and asked her, "Do you want to see how much guilt I've carried around because I was the one who killed him?" he cried out. Stepping forward he felt the metal blade against his chest.

"Yes! I want to see that you still pay for your betrayal!" said Beth with vengeance but she held tight control of her sword.

He nodded his head admitting, "I pay for it every day. Sometimes I leave myself open like tonight, like now. I don't know when my last battle will come but part of me wants it!" He stared her down until she looked away.

He asked her quietly, "Do you want my head now…by the rules?"

She looked back to him with her eyes showing the battle going on inside. She was fighting the desire to give in and kill him now. They both stood there unmoving each trying to figure the other out.

Beth was slow to put her sword away. She was trying to absorb it all and said, "I'm not ready to believe you. I'm not sure Richie would have."

Relief showed as Duncan agreed, "No I don't think he would believe me either."

They both took a moment to cool down. Beth went over to pick up the sheath and cover her sword. Duncan picked up the pieces of the broken glass.

Only the sound of rapid breathing as each brought their emotions under control.

She turned around and asked him, "How were you able to defeat this demon because your story is beyond belief."

Duncan threw the pieces of glass away in the trash and could feel the adrenaline slowly melt away. He went to get another glass for himself and poured something stronger.

Clearing his throat he saw that she was still waiting standing there watching him. He collected his thoughts to recite the moment exactly how he described it to Joe Dawson.

"Ahriman could be defeated but only by non-aggression. It was useless to fight it with a weapon. When I learned how to control my anger, I realized how powerless Ahriman was. I needed to accept evil as being a part of me. I had to become one with it. Without my fury, it had no substance. Without my pride, it had no form. Without my hate it had no being." He felt the memory still fresh after almost a year.

She was hearing what he said but it was too strange. "You became one with evil?" That thought made her shudder. Her mind tried accepting his fate. A demon used a friend to kill Richie. She struggled with feelings of betrayal in her heart. She held back tears in her eyes.

Trying to change the subject he asked her, "So how have you managed to go 200 years without ever I assume, taking anyone's head?"

She looked at him startled. Her eyes narrowed when she asked him, "How could you know that?"

He leaned back and answered, "I found out a few things about you too."

She did not answer for a while looking out the porthole and Duncan wondered if she would. Then controlling her voice she said, "I learned to fight like hell and I don't take heads."

He asked out of curiosity, "Then you've never had the Quickening?"

"Why should I?" Sitting down and crossing her arms she added, "Richie also talked to me about the Quickening until I told him my reasons."

Trying to understand her fear he told her, "I know it seems a little scary but there's nothing to it after the first time it's like having a little something extra inside."

She laughed aloud stating, "Is that all you think I'm afraid of to receive the Quickening that all Immortals wish for?"

She leaned closer to him clarifying her statement, "You first have to behead another immortal right? I cannot do that."

Crossing his arms, he questioned her, "You were ready to take my head a short while ago. What is the difference?"

She answered quietly, "That was just rage. It is a difficult thing to control you should know that."

Then standing up again to look out the porthole she explained, "I came to Paris to see Richie because I missed him. Instead, I find you and an incredible story. Not what I was expecting."

With a measure of kindness, he said to her, "We never get what we expect."

She went to the door buttoning her coat and strapping on her sword saying, "I knew only another immortal could have killed him. I have some of the answers so if you will excuse me but it's almost morning."

"So where are you staying in Paris?" He asked standing up as well.

She answered, "Just a hotel a few miles from here." She looked away reaching for the doorknob.

"I'll drive you back." He insisted getting his jacket then seeing the cut sleeve again.

"No! Thank you," said Beth. "I need to be alone right now."

She paused by the door and looked at him with an expression of pain.

He nodded his understanding and held out his card with his cell number he indicated, "If you have any more questions."

She took his card looking at it and put it in her pocket. Instead of opening the door, she seemed to change her mind. She asked him, "Could I see the katana?"

Looking surprised he said, "Sure it's right here." He went over to a small trunk and opened it. Taking out his sword and removing the cloth Duncan showed it to her with mixed feelings of pride and remorse.

She scrutinized it carefully and then she asked him, "I would like to challenge you to a friendly combat."

Containing his surprise MacLeod had to ask, "Well, I don't know. Do you still want revenge?"

She answered back, "Maybe yes, maybe no. Tell me are you afraid?" She stared at him without blinking.

Tucking the sword under his arm and leaning on the doorframe He replied, "No, I accept your challenge."

She nodded briefly saying, "Until then." Firmly closing the door behind her, she walked down the steps as tears fell onto her cheeks.

Duncan stood there by doorway and watched her walking away until she was out of sight. He wondered if that was a mistake but at the same time, he was sure he was right about her motives.