Disclaimer: Don't own, don't sue.

Runaway



Chapter 1

Slowly Duncan opened his eyes; something had woken him. He listened to the silence. There it was again, a faint sound, as if someone was there. Duncan silently moved to the side of his bed, rolled off and waited. His senses told him there was only one person in the room with him; silently Duncan made his way towards him. When he moved closer he could faintly make out a shape. He was small, a teenager or a young woman; Duncan couldn't quite make it out. Duncan moved closer and closer, until he was standing right behind the stranger.

"What do you think you're doing?" He said in a loud voice.

The stranger's reaction was quite funny; he jumped and yelped, turned and ran for the fire escape.

"Oh, no you don't." Duncan raced after him, tackling him before he could reach it.

"Umpf." The stranger twisted and turned in Duncan's grasp. "Get off me!"

Duncan noticed the stranger had a very young voice, "Not until the police get here lad."

The stranger stopped moving. "Please let me go, I didn't take anything. I swear!"

"Doesn't matter. You broke in, you're trespassing."

That caused the stranger to start moving again, he managed to get one of his hands free and started to hit Duncan where he could.

"Stop that! You're not going anywhere." Duncan bellowed, and got hit again.

The stranger tried desperately to get free, hitting whatever he could. Suddenly Duncan hit him back and the stranger went limp. Cautiously Duncan released his grip, the stranger didn't move. He stood up and retrieved a rope from one of his trunks. He tied the stranger up and switched on the lights. The stranger turned out to be a young girl. He picked her up, laid her on his bed and studied her while he waited for her to regain consciousness. Her clothing seemed to be picked out of a dumpster; she wore black sweatpants and a black oversized t-shirt. He noticed she didn't have any shoes on; her bare feet were filthy. He looked up at her face; she had a heart shaped face, a small pug nose and full lips. Her skin was extremely pale, almost white; she was very beautiful, even though she had a fresh bruise on her left cheek. She had a very slim figure, almost boyish. Duncan couldn't determine her age; she could be any age between fifteen and twenty- five. He reached out to wipe a strand of auburn hair off her face; she was burning up! Quickly he got up and went into the bathroom to get a damp washcloth. When he got back he saw she opened her eyes and as she looked at him he could see the fear in her eyes.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you." He tried to make his voice and facial expression as unthreatening as possible.

She didn't answer; instead she rolled over and fell on the floor.

Duncan moved to her and picked her up, that was enough to provoke a response; she started to scream. He put her on the bed and tried to quiet her, but nothing worked. Finally he placed one of his hands over her mouth, leaned in closer and whispered; "I am not going to hurt you. Be still. You have a fever and I will not let you go until it's gone. Do you understand?" When he felt her nod, he let her go. "Now, let's start again. I am Duncan." He waited for an answer, when she didn't give him her name he shrugged, "All right, you don't have a name. I will call you Lass, until you tell me, okay?" He picked up the washcloth he'd dropped and gently wiped her face, softly talking. It didn't take him long to sooth her fears enough to stop her from shaking. Duncan leaned back and stood up. He went back into the bathroom and filled the tub, the girl needed a bath! He laid out a towel and some sweats. He came back in the room and sat down on the edge of his bed, "I've run a bath for you." Upon seeing the flash of fear in her eyes he raised his hand, "I told you I am not going to hurt you. I mean it. I've left a towel and something for you to wear." He leaned over and untied her, "I will be waiting right here. Are you hungry?" She nodded. "I'll make you a sandwich while you take your bath, okay?"

She got up and, with one last puzzled glance, disappeared into the bathroom.

Duncan first changed his sheets, put on a pair of black pants and then he went into the kitchen to start on the sandwiches. He also made a fresh pot of coffee. She took her time; she'd been in there for half an hour now and Duncan was getting worried. Just as he got up to ask her if she was all right the door opened.

The girl stood in the doorway and looked around; when she saw him she quickly made her way to him. "Why?" She asked, looking him in the eye.

Duncan couldn't quite make out the color of her eyes, just that they were very dark, almost black. He could see her fear and smiled reassuringly, "You need help."

She bowed her head, "That I do," she whispered.

Duncan studied her while they ate in silence; there was something about her that reminded him of the royalty of his childhood. A certainty in her eyes and movement that only came naturally to someone who was raised to rule. Even in her fear she didn't lose it, it came as natural to her as breathing. He wondered who she was and where she came from, he could tell she hadn't lived on the streets for long.

She felt his stare and looked up, raising an eyebrow.

"Who are you?" Duncan asked softly.

She shook her head, "You would not understand if I tell you. Even if you would, knowing won't change a thing." She looked him in the eye and seemed to reach a decision, "I can see you are an honorable man, Duncan. May I request a favor?"

Duncan nodded.

She stood up and walked to him, when she stood in front of him she kneeled down and bowed her head. "I, Rhiannon, ask you Duncan; be my Shield and Sword. Be my Warrior until I am strong."

Duncan couldn't believe his ears, had she just asked him to protect her? What was she thinking? That he would fall for the helpless act? She wasn't helpless, his jaw still hurt from the punch she'd given him. Had someone sent her? What kind of game was she playing? He felt his anger rising, he would not be played for a fool again! He'd learned his lesson. Duncan knelt down and raised her chin so he could look her in the eye. What he saw there shocked him; she wasn't playing a game, she was dead serious. He could see pain in her eyes, pain and fear. But there was also a determination that he'd never seen in anyone so young. She just sat there and allowed him to study her. As soon as Duncan realized this he stood up and walked to the window, with his back turned towards her he said; "It's late and we both need some sleep. You can sleep on the couch, but I want you to go in the morning." He waited for an answer and when she didn't say anything he turned around. Rhiannon was still kneeling down in the same position; she hadn't moved a muscle. Duncan sighed and walked back over to her, "Rhiannon get up, I am not going to play this game of yours."

Rhiannon looked up, "I am not playing a game Duncan, I need your strength. Do you think it is easy for me to admit I need help? It is not! I have never accepted help from anyone and now I am here on my knees asking you to help me. You have no idea what an honor that is." She got up and stood in front of him. "I thank you for the use of your bath and the meal you've prepared. I will send you these clothes as soon as I find something to replace them." She took a deep breath and Duncan could see tears forming in her eyes, he opened his mouth to speak but was cut of, "Duncan MacLeod of the clan MacLeod I thank you for your time." She curtseyed, turned and headed for the fire escape.

Duncan couldn't believe it, this girl knew who he was! How could she know? He hurried after her, "Wait just one minute! How do you know my full name? I only told you it was Duncan, I never told you anything more."

She stopped and turned, "You really don't know anything of the world you live in do you?" She took a step closer towards him, "You Immortals think you are alone? You are not. The world is full of beings other than humans; you are only one of many." She stopped and sighed, "I can't tell you any more, I wish I could but I vowed I would never reveal our kind to the humans and I can not trust you with that knowledge." Rhiannon looked away and smiled sadly, "I need to learn so much, I wonder if I'll ever be ready."

Duncan looked her in the eye and saw that she was very serious, again he wondered who she was. He reached out and lifted her chin up, "So, you know about Immortals and you claim that we are not alone. You say Immortals are not human and neither are you. Do you really expect me to believe you? I have never seen or met anyone that wasn't either a human or an Immortal, and I have met a lot of people."

She smiled, "Humans do not know of your existence. Why would you know of us?

Duncan had no answer, if she was telling the truth.... He shook his head, no there were no 'others'; surely he would have met them.

Rhiannon titled her head, "No Duncan, I am breaking every decree possible by telling you of us. My life is in danger merely by talking to you." She chuckled, "Not that my life hasn't been in danger from the moment I was born." Rhiannon shivered, "I will go now Duncan MacLeod, I am honored to have met you. Live and love." She turned and headed down the fire escape.

Duncan stood there for a moment, unsure on what to do, shaking his head he shrugged and went after her. "Rhiannon wait!" He caught up with here and grabbed her arm, "Stay."

Rhiannon stiffened and looked down at his hand, "Release me." She said in a cold tone of voice.

Duncan quickly removed his hand, "Sorry." He sighed, "Look, you can stay here tonight. You have a fever and we both need sleep. Stay."

She shook her head, "No Duncan, I cannot stay. Vow to be my Shield and I will, no sooner." When she saw he couldn't make that vow she nodded, "Goodbye." And continued to go down the stairs.

Duncan couldn't believe how stubborn this girl was. He watched her go down the stairs and saw her shivering again. He rolled his eyes and went after her again, picked her up and headed up the stairs.

"Release me." Rhiannon said.

"No Rhiannon, not this time. You are ill and I wouldn't be able to sleep knowing you would be outside in the cold, and besides," he looked down and grinned, "you are not the only one who is stubborn."

"I am not stubborn." She replied coldly. "I cannot stay with a man who is not related to me or is not my sworn protector. My people would never forgive me."

Duncan stopped dead in his tracks, "That's what this is about? Your honor?" He put her back on her feet and looked her in the eye.

"Yes, my honor is a part of my refusal to stay."

A small part of him was amused by the fact that someone in this day and age still lived by the old codes of honor but another, bigger part admired them. He quickly reached a decision and kneeled in front of her, took her hands and said; "I, Duncan MacLeod of the clan MacLeod, am your Shield and Sword, I am your Warrior until you are strong. This I promise."

Rhiannon smiled, "Thank you."

Duncan saw she was still shivering and picked her up again, "You're going straight to bed now. You may sleep in my bed tonight I will take the couch." He laid her down on his bed and tucked her in, "Sleep now Rhiannon, you are safe." He walked back into the kitchen and poured himself another cup of coffee. He settled himself on a barstool and picked the phone up.

"Joe." Came the scruffy voice.

"It's Duncan."

"Hey Mac, what's up?"

"You won't believe this but, a young girl broke into the loft and now I'm sworn to protect her." The silence on the other end seemed to last forever, then Duncan heard some muffled sounds, "Joe?"

"Ahum...yeah Mac still here..." He heard Joe taking a deep breath, "What's her name? Maybe I can find something out."

Duncan described her and ended the conversation saying he was going to get some sleep. He walked over to the bed and took one of the sheets and a pillow and made himself comfortable on the couch.



Chapter 2

"No! Please don't! No!"

Duncan bolted upright.

"No, please..."

He turned his head and what he saw seemed to be like scene out of a film; Rhiannon was tossing and turning, in mid-air! Duncan rushed over to her, but when he got there he had no idea on what to do. When she started to scream again Duncan jumped on the bed and grabbed her. The moment he touched her, her screaming stopped and she fell, taking him down with her. As he looked at her he saw her eyes were still closed, he couldn't tell if she was unconscious or still sleeping. Duncan gently touched her face, her fever had gotten worse. When Duncan pulled his hand back he saw blood on it, he looked at her again, but she didn't have any blood on her face, he carefully unwrapped her from the blankets and stared at her body in shock; there were numerous cuts on her arms, legs and stomach. She looked as if she'd been attacked by some kind of animal, one with big sharp claws. He stood up and called Joe again asking him to meet him at the hospital. He went back to Rhiannon, picked her up and carried her to his car.

The ride to the hospital seemed to last forever, at least that's what it felt like to Duncan. He kept looking back and forth between Rhiannon and the road. Her bleeding had gotten worse, much worse and now small cuts were appearing on her face as well, by now she was practically covered in blood. They arrived at the hospital and Duncan jumped out of his car, shouting to the nurses standing outside. They immediately raced toward him and when they saw Rhiannon one of them ran inside to get a stretcher. The other checked Rhiannon's vitals and assessed her wounds, she reported to the doctor who'd rushed to them. Duncan stayed as close as possible, trying not to get in the way.

"Mac!"

Duncan looked around and saw Joe standing near the entrance. "Thanks for coming," he said as he approached him.

"Don't mention it. So, that's her? What's wrong with her?"

"I don't know Joe; I was sleeping when her screaming woke me. She was floating mid-air and screaming. When I touched her she fell and that's when I noticed the cuts." Duncan followed the doctors inside, "Did you find anything on her?"

"No, I haven't, not yet."

"I'm sorry Sir, you'll have to wait outside." One of the nurses said, "Please wait in the waiting room, someone will come and get you when the girl is stable enough. In the mean time you can fill-out these forms." She handed them over and left.



(Where am I? Oh, yes, safe...) She stirred a little, immediately regretting the movement and moaned.

"Shhh, don't move."

She heard the soft, gentle voice but didn't recognize it. Rhiannon slowly opened her eyes and looked at the stranger, "Who are you?"

The stranger gave her a reassuring smile and said; "I am Joe Dawson, nice to meet you. Duncan told me what happened. I heard you broke into Mac's loft."

(Duncan!) "Yes, I did. Where is Duncan? He said I was safe." She looked around but didn't see him.

"He's at home, taking a shower and changing his clothes. He spent the past week by your bed, not leaving your side for more than an hour at a time." Joe replied.

"A week? I need to go." She threw the covers off her and swung her legs over the side of the bed.

"No you don't, you're not going anywhere." Joe stood up and put his hands on her shoulders, preventing her from standing up.

Rhiannon stiffened a little and looked him in the eye. "Take your hands off me." She said in a cold tone of voice. When Joe pulled his hands away she nodded, "You are Duncan's friend?"

Joe stared at her, he couldn't believe the coolness that had been there not a second ago.

"Joe, I asked you a question."

He nodded, "Yes, I am Mac's friend."

She offered him her hand, "I am Rhiannon."

Perplexed Joe took her hand and shook it, "Hi."

She pulled her hand back and tilted her head, looking intently into his eyes, "You have such old eyes, how unusual for someone so young."

"I..."

"What are you doing?"

They both looked up at the newcomer.

"Duncan!" Rhiannon jumped of the bed and walked over to him. "Can we go now? I don't like this place, feels of death."

Duncan looked down at her, "We'll talk to the doctor first, if he says you are fit to go we'll go, okay?"

"No, I don't want to stay here. I am fine Duncan, a little sore yes, but I'll be fine." She turned, "Where are my clothes?"

"In here." Joe walked to one of the closets and opened it, "Here you go. I hope they'll fit. The clothes you were wearing were beyond cleaning, so we bought you these."

Rhiannon nodded her head in appreciation, quickly got out of her hospital gown and started to put them on, she hoisted the jeans up to her hips and stopped, looking at the zipper. "What is that?" She looked at Duncan. "I need your help my Warrior." She said with a twinkle in her eyes.

"How come you don't know what a zipper is?" Duncan asked.

"Because we don't have them back home." Rhiannon played with the zipper.

"And where is that?"

"Like is said before, you wouldn't understand." She looked up, "I am not a part of your world Duncan, let it be. You cannot afford to be distracted, you need to keep your focus on The Game." Rhiannon shivered, "Although there has been debate weather or not our people will know one another again, I feel it is not time yet." She got a determined look in her eyes. "And no matter what my Mother says, it is still my decision to make!"

Duncan and Joe exchanged worried glances; the past week they'd been trying to find out who this girl was and came up empty handed. There was no record of her, anywhere. Hearing her talk like this didn't help either, all she did was raise more questions.

"I am sorry, I should not trouble you with these things." Rhiannon grinned, "Now, will you show me how this 'zipper' works or shall I go outside wearing this..." She gestured down at her hospital-gown.

Duncan looked at Joe, silently asking him to leave.

"I'll give you two some privacy. I'll get the release forms ready." He said and left.

Duncan walked to Rhiannon and explained her how the zipper worked.

"Clever." She reached for the blouse and cringed, "I don't think I'll be able to put this on by myself." She held it out to Duncan.

Duncan took the blouse and held it up; she carefully slid one arm into it but couldn't get the other in without wincing in pain. Sighing Duncan grabbed her arm and carefully slipped it in, then he turned her around and started to button the blouse.

She looked down, watching him buttoning the blouse. "I don't like this." As Duncan stopped she looked up, "Not that, I don't like being this weak. I can't even dress myself. How am I going to..." She stopped, tears forming in her eyes. "Oh Duncan, there's so much I have to do, so much I have to learn."

Duncan wrapped his arms around her and whispered in her hair; "Remember my oath?" He felt her nod. "Good. I won't leave your side until you are strong." He gave her a gentle squeeze and resumed buttoning her blouse. "Why is it your decision weather or not Immortals and your people know one another?" He asked as casual as he could.

Rhiannon laughed and tapped him on the nose as he was a child, "No, no, no Duncan. I will not tell you." She stopped and thought for a moment, "Not yet. I may change my mind, but for now please do not ask any more questions."

Duncan finished buttoning the blouse and took a step back, "I can't help myself, everything you say raises more questions. And the fact that we couldn't find any record of your existence isn't helping either."

"Record?"

"Yeah, a birth certificate or a missing persons report, some proof of your existence."

"What is a 'birth certificate'? Rhiannon asked walking towards the door.

"A document stating when and where you were born, and who your parents are." Duncan replied.

"Why would I need that? My people know all that." Rhiannon stopped by the door and turned around to look at Duncan, "And I am not 'missing' Duncan, I am right here."

Duncan couldn't help but smile, "I noticed that. No, when a person, a child or friend, goes missing you go to the police and file a report so they can help you look for them." He saw the puzzled look in her eyes and sighed, "It doesn't matter, and there isn't one on you. Come on, Joe must have the release forms ready by now." He offered her his arm.

She graciously accepted it and together they walked out of the room. As they walked down the hallway Rhiannon watched all the people they passed, "There is so much pain here, so much death, how can they live here?"

"They don't, most are here because they are ill or injured, like you, and here they can get treatment. After they are treated they go back home, some however will never go home they are here to die."

Rhiannon's eyes filled with tears, "Die? Why?"

"Why what Rhiannon?" Duncan looked down.

"Why are they here to die? Do they not love life? Is it so painful for them to live?" She shook her head, "Life is love, and I cannot believe these people are not loved." Rhiannon pointed to an elderly couple sitting closely together, "Their love is so strong, than why is he dying? Does he not love his wife, does he not love his children?" She released Duncan's arm and walked to the two people, "Do you love your wife?" She asked the man.

He looked at her, surprised. "Yes, I love my wife."

"Then why are you dying?" She asked, softly touching his cheek.

The man backed away, "You say that as if I have a choice in the matter."

"Child, my husband and I are old, our lives are coming to an end." The woman softly said.

Rhiannon looked them both in the eye, "Why?"

The woman smiled at her, "Death is a part of life, we do not fear it. Our lives have been filled with love and adventure, and now it is almost time for one last journey."

"But...."

"You are young, child, and needn't worry about death. When you are as old as we are you will welcome it as a long lost friend."

Duncan listened to their conversation with amazement, he'd expected the elderly couple to have gotten angry or insulted, but instead they or rather the woman was answering Rhiannon's questions as if it was the most normal thing to ask. He saw Joe coming towards them and walked up to meet him, "You have the release forms?"

Joe held them up, "Yup, it wasn't easy though, the doctor wanted to keep her here another day or so. He said she'd been too badly injured to be up and about so soon." He looked around, "Where is she?"

Duncan pointed to where Rhiannon was kneeling.

"You let her talk to strangers?" Joe asked surprised.

"Joe, we are strangers to her too." Duncan said smiling.

"Yeah, I guess we are. So, you found out anything new?" Joe looked at him expectantly.

"Well, she seems to think that dying is a matter of choice, at least that's the impression I got." Duncan frowned, "She is raising more questions than she answers, and she asked me not to ask any more."

"Let me guess, you gave in." Joe said with a smirk.

"Can we go now?" Rhiannon had ended her conversation and was now very eager to leave the hospital. She looked at the two expectantly.

"Yeah, just sign these and we can go." Joe held out the release forms.

Rhiannon looked at them, then at Duncan.

With a sigh he took them from Joe and signed them. "I take it you can't write?"

She wrinkled her nose, "I can write."

"Then why...?" He saw her stare at him, "I know, I promised."

"Let's go guys. Mac, can you drop me of at the bar?" Joe said as they were heading towards the exit.

"Sure." Duncan looked at Rhiannon, "Are you coming with me? Or are you taking of?"

"You vowed to protect me until I am strong. Do you intend to break your word?"

"I am a man of my word Rhiannon." Duncan said a little insulted.

"Than I will come with you."