Chapter 13
It was mid morning by the time they reached the hospital, this time Duncan went with Dani to Maria's room. Dani pushed the door open, the room looked much the same way it had the previous evening, the bed was still surrounded by machines some making quiet noises, some with just lights. Dani walked over to the bed and lent on the rail, Duncan followed her standing beside her. "Maria.it's me Dani" she said as she took hold of Maria's hand but there was no movement from Maria, her eyes stayed shut. Duncan went to the foot of the bed and picked up the chart that was hanging there; flipping it open he read all the notes. "Dani, they have her sedated.she won't answer but she can probably hear you"
Still holding Maria's hand Dani looked down at her friends battered and bruised face "I'm so sorry.I wish I could tell you why this happened.but I don't really understand it myself" Dani lent in closer to Maria and spoke softly so Duncan couldn't hear clearly "You know your always telling me that I should try and meet a nice guy.well I have and he's here too.I wish you would open your eyes so you could meet him.you'd like him". Dani look round as the door opened and a nurse walked in "I'm sorry but your 5 minutes are up.you can come back tomorrow.but she will be sedated for a few days." Dani turned back to Maria "I've got to go now.but I'll be back soon.I am so sorry Maria" but before she could move away she felt Maria squeeze her hand "I promise"
Duncan went over to Dani and put his arm around her shoulders, this was the first time he could clearly see Maria's face. He felt the anger building inside him 'how can anyone do this' he thought, he silently made Maria a promise to look after Dani and get the man who did this. "Come Dani we need to go" Duncan said as he guided out the door. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- Cristo's Apartment
Cristo threw his cloak over the chair and rounded on the other two men in the room "How could you send such incompetent fools on something so important" the two grey suited men shifted nervously under his intense gaze "How were we supposed to know she knew all that" the taller of the two men moved his hands in Kung Fu moves through the air "and a man came to help her.he knew all that stuff too" said the smaller thick set man. Cristo moved closer to the smaller man "Describe him to me"
"Err.well the kid said he was tall with dark hair.in a ponytail I think he said.but it doesn't matter the kid said he put a bullet in him" Cristo walked around the two men which only seemed to make them even more nervous "Some times thing aren't what they seem" Cristo knew there was another Immortal in the alley that night but he hadn't seen him clearly, as he had only had eyes for Louisa but from what he just heard it sounded like someone from his past, he walked over to the table and poured himself a drink, then a smile crossed his face as the details fell into place "So Highlander.you're here as well". The other two men look at each other and shrugged their shoulders, what Cristo just said made no sense to either of them. "This time you do it yourselves.bring her to me" as the two men turn for the door "Wade.Clark" Cristo called the two men turned back to face him "Don't let me down again, Gentlemen". Both men swallowed hard, they knew that wasn't just a threat, both nodded as they left the room.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------
The Dojo
They both decided that they could do with a workout after returning from the hospital and this time Duncan allowed Dani into the Dojo, as he didn't want to have to rearrange the furniture in the loft again. Duncan showed Dani some new techniques, he smiled at her as she ran though what he had just shown her "Good.now let's try it with an opponent?" A look of concern came into her face "It's OK you won't hurt me" he said taking up a fighting stance. Dani launched her attack and Duncan blocked them with easy but then Duncan became distracted by the approach of another Immortal.
Just as Richie entered the Dojo one of Dani's kicks connected with Duncan sending him crashing to the floor Richie grimmest "Oh.that's gota hurt". Dani rushed over to where Duncan lay on the floor "I'm so sorry, Duncan" Richie walked over to them and held out his hand to help his friend up "So Mac.getting a little slow in your old age?" Richie said laughing "No.I was distracted.by someone" he said as he took hold of Richie's hand. "So what brings you here?" Duncan asked, "I want to ask it you guys have anything planned for this evening?" Dani looked over at Duncan who shook his head "No plans.why?" Richie's eyes sparkled as a broad grin broke on his face "There's a fairground in the park.and I thought it would be a bit of fun"
"Thanks for the thought but.I don't think so" Duncan said turning to look over at Dani, he thought with everything Dani had been through that she would just want a quiet evening, but one look into her eyes told him she was just as excited as Richie "Oh, please Duncan.I love the fairground.It will be nice to just have some fun" Duncan raised his eyes to the ceiling he didn't really want to go and he might have been able to dampen down Richie's excitement but just one look at Dani's face, which had lit up with excitement and he knew it was a lost cause. "OK.OK.You two win were go.we need to grab a shower Richie so you get to make the coffee" Dani flung her arms around Duncan "Thank you" she said kissing him, Dani pulled back a little embarrassed "Oh.Err.Sorry got a little carried away" the look which they exchanged between them was not lost on Richie but he could see that they were both fighting a loosing battle with their emotions.
The fairground
Duncan finally managed to find a place to park the TBird; Richie was climbing out the back as he brought it to a stop. Richie opened the door for Dani "Welcome Madame to the house of fun" Dani took the hand Richie offered, "Why thank you, kind sir" she said as she got out of the TBird. As Richie was about to close the door Duncan said "Don't slam it", Duncan walked round to join them at the entrance to the park, Dani stepped in between them linking her arm with one of theirs "OK guys.let's have some fun".
Try as he might Duncan wasn't let off any of the rides the more he protested the more determine Dani was that he was going on. Slowly, Duncan felt himself relax and start to enjoy the rides and the company. As Richie and Duncan waited for Dani to get some candyfloss Duncan noticed that Richie was grinning at him "What are you grinning at?" Richie put on his most innocent face "Nothing.it's just seems a long time since." Duncan tilted his head to one side "Since what?"
"Since I've seen you this relax.and actually having fun" Duncan couldn't help but smile "It's hard not too with Dani.and you around" Richie knew that Duncan's recent change of mood had a lot more to do with Dani, than it did with him but if Duncan didn't want to admit it, that was fine with him.
Dani had originally only gone to get herself some candy floss but she returned with three large pink clouds of sugar on sticks "And who are the other two for" Duncan asked "Well, one is for Richie" she said handing it to Richie "Thanks" then Dani turned back to Duncan "And this one is for you" Duncan was about to protest when she hit him on the nose with the candy floss taking it from her he lowered his eyes "Why you little." Dani squealed as Duncan playfully dug her in the ribs.
"Oh look" Dani said pointing to the shooting gallery "Let's all have a go on that" they both knew that there was no point in arguing as Dani linked her arms through theirs making sure that she could still eat the candyfloss she pulled them over to the stall.
Richie and Dani went first and both managed to gain 10 tokens each for which was greeted with a lot of congratulations from each other. Turning to face Duncan their faces dropped slightly as he didn't seem very impressed "Not bad I suppose" he said. "Not bad.Not bad" said Dani playfully hitting Duncan on the arm "Well, show us how it's done then".
"Well.if you two amateurs would care to stand aside," Duncan said as he walked up to the stall, he paid his money and the man behind the stall gave him 20 pellets. Duncan carefully loaded the gun and took aim, target after target fell, all 20 shots finding their target when he had finished he turned to the others who were applauding his achievement, bowing he said "Here endth the lesson". Duncan was awarded 200 tokens for the clear round which he handed to Dani "Here you choose something" Dani looked at all the prizes and calling the stall owner over, she whispered in his ear, Duncan groaned as the man handed Dani a teddy bear dressed in a kilt "I couldn't resist him.he reminds me of someone" she said holding the bear up to Duncan's face. Richie tried to keep a straight face but failed bursting out laughing.
Duncan turned to him pointing his finger at Richie "Don't say a word.I'm warning you" he said before bursting out laughing himself and putting his arms around Dani "I'll get you back for that later" Dani pulled back enough to see his face, her eyes sparkling "Promises.Promises". Richie was beginning to feel they needed to be alone "I'm going to grab a hot dog" but his plan didn't work when Dani said that she was hungry too, so they a started to walk through the crowd to the hot dog stand but in the crush Dani became separated from them.
Dani had dropped the teddy bear and had stopped to pick it up when two figures peeled themselves away from the shadows where they had been waiting.
It was mid morning by the time they reached the hospital, this time Duncan went with Dani to Maria's room. Dani pushed the door open, the room looked much the same way it had the previous evening, the bed was still surrounded by machines some making quiet noises, some with just lights. Dani walked over to the bed and lent on the rail, Duncan followed her standing beside her. "Maria.it's me Dani" she said as she took hold of Maria's hand but there was no movement from Maria, her eyes stayed shut. Duncan went to the foot of the bed and picked up the chart that was hanging there; flipping it open he read all the notes. "Dani, they have her sedated.she won't answer but she can probably hear you"
Still holding Maria's hand Dani looked down at her friends battered and bruised face "I'm so sorry.I wish I could tell you why this happened.but I don't really understand it myself" Dani lent in closer to Maria and spoke softly so Duncan couldn't hear clearly "You know your always telling me that I should try and meet a nice guy.well I have and he's here too.I wish you would open your eyes so you could meet him.you'd like him". Dani look round as the door opened and a nurse walked in "I'm sorry but your 5 minutes are up.you can come back tomorrow.but she will be sedated for a few days." Dani turned back to Maria "I've got to go now.but I'll be back soon.I am so sorry Maria" but before she could move away she felt Maria squeeze her hand "I promise"
Duncan went over to Dani and put his arm around her shoulders, this was the first time he could clearly see Maria's face. He felt the anger building inside him 'how can anyone do this' he thought, he silently made Maria a promise to look after Dani and get the man who did this. "Come Dani we need to go" Duncan said as he guided out the door. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- Cristo's Apartment
Cristo threw his cloak over the chair and rounded on the other two men in the room "How could you send such incompetent fools on something so important" the two grey suited men shifted nervously under his intense gaze "How were we supposed to know she knew all that" the taller of the two men moved his hands in Kung Fu moves through the air "and a man came to help her.he knew all that stuff too" said the smaller thick set man. Cristo moved closer to the smaller man "Describe him to me"
"Err.well the kid said he was tall with dark hair.in a ponytail I think he said.but it doesn't matter the kid said he put a bullet in him" Cristo walked around the two men which only seemed to make them even more nervous "Some times thing aren't what they seem" Cristo knew there was another Immortal in the alley that night but he hadn't seen him clearly, as he had only had eyes for Louisa but from what he just heard it sounded like someone from his past, he walked over to the table and poured himself a drink, then a smile crossed his face as the details fell into place "So Highlander.you're here as well". The other two men look at each other and shrugged their shoulders, what Cristo just said made no sense to either of them. "This time you do it yourselves.bring her to me" as the two men turn for the door "Wade.Clark" Cristo called the two men turned back to face him "Don't let me down again, Gentlemen". Both men swallowed hard, they knew that wasn't just a threat, both nodded as they left the room.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------
The Dojo
They both decided that they could do with a workout after returning from the hospital and this time Duncan allowed Dani into the Dojo, as he didn't want to have to rearrange the furniture in the loft again. Duncan showed Dani some new techniques, he smiled at her as she ran though what he had just shown her "Good.now let's try it with an opponent?" A look of concern came into her face "It's OK you won't hurt me" he said taking up a fighting stance. Dani launched her attack and Duncan blocked them with easy but then Duncan became distracted by the approach of another Immortal.
Just as Richie entered the Dojo one of Dani's kicks connected with Duncan sending him crashing to the floor Richie grimmest "Oh.that's gota hurt". Dani rushed over to where Duncan lay on the floor "I'm so sorry, Duncan" Richie walked over to them and held out his hand to help his friend up "So Mac.getting a little slow in your old age?" Richie said laughing "No.I was distracted.by someone" he said as he took hold of Richie's hand. "So what brings you here?" Duncan asked, "I want to ask it you guys have anything planned for this evening?" Dani looked over at Duncan who shook his head "No plans.why?" Richie's eyes sparkled as a broad grin broke on his face "There's a fairground in the park.and I thought it would be a bit of fun"
"Thanks for the thought but.I don't think so" Duncan said turning to look over at Dani, he thought with everything Dani had been through that she would just want a quiet evening, but one look into her eyes told him she was just as excited as Richie "Oh, please Duncan.I love the fairground.It will be nice to just have some fun" Duncan raised his eyes to the ceiling he didn't really want to go and he might have been able to dampen down Richie's excitement but just one look at Dani's face, which had lit up with excitement and he knew it was a lost cause. "OK.OK.You two win were go.we need to grab a shower Richie so you get to make the coffee" Dani flung her arms around Duncan "Thank you" she said kissing him, Dani pulled back a little embarrassed "Oh.Err.Sorry got a little carried away" the look which they exchanged between them was not lost on Richie but he could see that they were both fighting a loosing battle with their emotions.
The fairground
Duncan finally managed to find a place to park the TBird; Richie was climbing out the back as he brought it to a stop. Richie opened the door for Dani "Welcome Madame to the house of fun" Dani took the hand Richie offered, "Why thank you, kind sir" she said as she got out of the TBird. As Richie was about to close the door Duncan said "Don't slam it", Duncan walked round to join them at the entrance to the park, Dani stepped in between them linking her arm with one of theirs "OK guys.let's have some fun".
Try as he might Duncan wasn't let off any of the rides the more he protested the more determine Dani was that he was going on. Slowly, Duncan felt himself relax and start to enjoy the rides and the company. As Richie and Duncan waited for Dani to get some candyfloss Duncan noticed that Richie was grinning at him "What are you grinning at?" Richie put on his most innocent face "Nothing.it's just seems a long time since." Duncan tilted his head to one side "Since what?"
"Since I've seen you this relax.and actually having fun" Duncan couldn't help but smile "It's hard not too with Dani.and you around" Richie knew that Duncan's recent change of mood had a lot more to do with Dani, than it did with him but if Duncan didn't want to admit it, that was fine with him.
Dani had originally only gone to get herself some candy floss but she returned with three large pink clouds of sugar on sticks "And who are the other two for" Duncan asked "Well, one is for Richie" she said handing it to Richie "Thanks" then Dani turned back to Duncan "And this one is for you" Duncan was about to protest when she hit him on the nose with the candy floss taking it from her he lowered his eyes "Why you little." Dani squealed as Duncan playfully dug her in the ribs.
"Oh look" Dani said pointing to the shooting gallery "Let's all have a go on that" they both knew that there was no point in arguing as Dani linked her arms through theirs making sure that she could still eat the candyfloss she pulled them over to the stall.
Richie and Dani went first and both managed to gain 10 tokens each for which was greeted with a lot of congratulations from each other. Turning to face Duncan their faces dropped slightly as he didn't seem very impressed "Not bad I suppose" he said. "Not bad.Not bad" said Dani playfully hitting Duncan on the arm "Well, show us how it's done then".
"Well.if you two amateurs would care to stand aside," Duncan said as he walked up to the stall, he paid his money and the man behind the stall gave him 20 pellets. Duncan carefully loaded the gun and took aim, target after target fell, all 20 shots finding their target when he had finished he turned to the others who were applauding his achievement, bowing he said "Here endth the lesson". Duncan was awarded 200 tokens for the clear round which he handed to Dani "Here you choose something" Dani looked at all the prizes and calling the stall owner over, she whispered in his ear, Duncan groaned as the man handed Dani a teddy bear dressed in a kilt "I couldn't resist him.he reminds me of someone" she said holding the bear up to Duncan's face. Richie tried to keep a straight face but failed bursting out laughing.
Duncan turned to him pointing his finger at Richie "Don't say a word.I'm warning you" he said before bursting out laughing himself and putting his arms around Dani "I'll get you back for that later" Dani pulled back enough to see his face, her eyes sparkling "Promises.Promises". Richie was beginning to feel they needed to be alone "I'm going to grab a hot dog" but his plan didn't work when Dani said that she was hungry too, so they a started to walk through the crowd to the hot dog stand but in the crush Dani became separated from them.
Dani had dropped the teddy bear and had stopped to pick it up when two figures peeled themselves away from the shadows where they had been waiting.