Chapter 16
St Mark's Shelter
Duncan parked the TBird across the street from the shelter and waited for Richie to arrive. There were a lot of people queuing outside, Duncan hadn't realised that there was so many homeless in the city. When Richie arrived Duncan crossed the street to speak to him "I'll send Dani out.don't wait for me take her back to the Dojo". "OK, Mac"
As Duncan entered the dining hall he felt the strong presence of another Immortal, the room was crowded, his eyes searched the room but couldn't see the other Immortal in the sea of faces, but he could see Dani behind the counter serving. He moved quickly towards her, a large lady in an overall tried to stop him as he went behind the counter "You can't come behind here" Duncan side stepped her and grabbed Dani's arm spinning her round, she dropped the serving spoon, she was holding and it clutter onto the counter spilling its contents onto the floor. "What the hell are you doing, Duncan?"
Duncan pulled her away from the counter "I thought I told you to stay at the loft.Dani.He's here" Duncan said pointing to the crowded dining hall, Dani noticed that Duncan's eyes were scanning the room. "Richie is outside.Now Go"
"No.I'm working.he won't try anything here" Dani pulled her arm from Duncan's grasp.
"This isn't a good time to debate this!" Duncan glared at Dani, taking hold of her arm again trying to move her towards the door "I'm not leaving!" Dani shouted. The whole dining room had become eerily silent; all eyes were looking directly at Duncan and Dani.
Duncan moved her to the rear of the serving area, turning to the lady who had tried to stop him earlier he said "Please.carry on serving.this shouldn't take long" he move closer to Dani lowering his voice he said "Dani, please do as I ask.this man is dangerous.he wouldn't think twice about killing everyone in this room to get what he wants". A look of horror filled Dani's eyes "He wouldn't really do that.would he?" Duncan put his hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes "Believe me.he's done it before".
Dani could see from his eyes that he was serious, she couldn't let anyone else get hurt, "Sally.I'm sorry but I have to leave.I'm not sure when I'll be back" Dani said as she took off her apron.
"If you leave now Dani.I can't guarantee that you'll have a job to come back to" Sally said angrily, going to where Dani had been serving.
Duncan sighed, "Now, please go". Dani kissed him, she then turned to leave "Take care.please" and with that she went outside to Richie.
Duncan surveyed the room and saw a figure leaving by the rear door, it had to be Cristo, weaving his way around the tables and followed the figure out into the alley. "CRISTO" Duncan shouted as the door closed behind him, a figure came out of the shadows "I'm Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod" the figure walked closer "I'm Benjamin Cristo and I believe that you have something that belongs to me MacLeod.and I want it back".
"She's not a possession.she's a person, Cristo.and she's not Louisa.Louisa died over 200 years ago" Duncan noticed the glint of metal as Cristo produced his sword.
"It seems to me that you want her for yourself, MacLeod and I can't have that". Cristo brought his sword up in front of him; Duncan brought out his sword matching Cristo's challenge. "When I've dealt with you.I'll take back what's mine, MacLeod".
Duncan grinned, "We'll see who deals with who shall we". Their swords clashed and sparks flew, they paced around each other, just as Cristo lunged at Duncan and their swords clashed again, a door in the alley opened and a man carrying garbage sacks entered the alley. They both stopped and returning their swords to their coats. "I will take what's mine, MacLeod.and if you interfere in my business again.I'll have your head"
Duncan walked up to Cristo and lean over talking quietly into his ear "If you go after Dani.it is my business". Duncan then walked passed leaving Cristo standing in the alley.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ Duncan's Loft
Duncan arrived at the loft to find Richie pacing the floor "Mac, what happened?" Dani rushed over to Duncan and flung her arms around him.
"He lived.we were interrupted" looking down at Dani he ran his hand over her face "and trust me you won't be able to talk sense to him.He really believes that you're Louisa and there is nothing anyone can say that will change it" Duncan moved to the kitchen and poured himself a coffee. He then walked back to Dani and took her face in his hands "I don't want you going out on your own until this is over.understand?"
"You mean you until you've killed him.is that the only option we have?" Dani looked deep into his eyes "I don't enjoy killing Dani but sometimes it's the only way to stop someone like Cristo".
"But maybe I could get through to him" Duncan dropped his hands and lifted his eyes to the ceiling "It won't work.he might kill you".
"But we don't know that he wants me dead.but if you face him there is a chance that he'll kill you.I don't think I could live with that." Duncan threw up his hands and walked over to the window. Richie got down from the counter where he had been sitting and put his hands on Dani's shoulders "Dani.Mac's been around a long time.he knows what he is doing.listen to him, please." "OK.OK.I won't go out alone, satisfied?" walking over to Duncan she prodded him in the ribs, he turned to her and pulled her into his embrace kissing her hair. Richie noticed the way Duncan looked at Dani and knew that he needed to leave them alone. "Err.I'm going to get going Mac.meeting Angie later" Duncan turned to Richie but he didn't let go of Dani "OK, Richie.thanks for that" Richie picked up his jacket "No problem.anytime" Richie went over to the elevator "Richie, watch your back" Duncan called after him.
"Always do Mac" Richie replied as he closed the gate.
Duncan could see from her face that all this serious talk was getting to her; it was then that he remembers the other reason he had gone out "Have you ever been to the ballet?" Duncan asked
"Err.No I've never been asked" Dani replied. Duncan smiled and produced two tickets from his pocket "Well I have two tickets to Romeo and Juliet and one has your name on it.I thought if you can't go out alone we could go together" Dani flung her arms around Duncan's neck and kissed him passionately but then she jumped back "But I've nothing to wear.I mean what do you wear?" Duncan smiled at her; he could feel her excitement it seemed to be contagious, he then danced round her saying, "Well, your fairy godmother.wait that should be godfather.will provide" he extended his arm and Dani slipped her arm though and then they went out the door laughing.
They arrived back sometime later laden down with at least a dozen different coloured bags "Your crazy, Duncan.you didn't have to buy everything I liked" Duncan put the bags down by the sofa catching her by the waist he spun her round "If I hadn't you couldn't do I don't know what to wear routine.you ladies are so fond of" he then lent her into a dip, holding her there while he kissed her. The passion behind the kiss took Dani by surprise and when Duncan finally allowed her up she was a little light headed. Duncan took his watch from his pocket "Only 4 hours.you had better start getting ready" he said grinning at her. Dani tilted her head to one side and narrowed her eyes "I can get ready in 2.any ideas what to do for the other 2 hours?" Duncan put his arms around her waist "I might have an idea or two" he said walking her backwards towards the bed until her legs made contact, "Only an idea or two.but what will we do with the other hour" Dani laughed as Duncan lowered her onto the bed.
Duncan showered first leaving Dani to sleep, when he had finished he went back to the bed sitting on the edge, he gently stoked her face until her eyes flickered open and she smiled warmly at him "Time to get ready sleep head" Dani reached up pulling him forward so that she could kiss him, he unlinked her hands from behind his neck "You need to change.or we'll be late" reluctantly Dani got out of bed, put on her robe and collected several of the bags and disappeared into the bathroom.
A while later she came back into the room, Duncan was sat on the sofa reading a book, he looked up as Dani walked over to him, she was wearing a figure hugging black dress with flecks of silver which glinted in the light. "Wow, you look stunning!" Duncan said getting up. "Is this OK.I mean for the ballet?"
"I'll be envied by all the men there.you look fabulous," He noticed that her face lit up and her eyes sparkled, he took her arm and lead her to the waiting cab.
St Mark's Shelter
Duncan parked the TBird across the street from the shelter and waited for Richie to arrive. There were a lot of people queuing outside, Duncan hadn't realised that there was so many homeless in the city. When Richie arrived Duncan crossed the street to speak to him "I'll send Dani out.don't wait for me take her back to the Dojo". "OK, Mac"
As Duncan entered the dining hall he felt the strong presence of another Immortal, the room was crowded, his eyes searched the room but couldn't see the other Immortal in the sea of faces, but he could see Dani behind the counter serving. He moved quickly towards her, a large lady in an overall tried to stop him as he went behind the counter "You can't come behind here" Duncan side stepped her and grabbed Dani's arm spinning her round, she dropped the serving spoon, she was holding and it clutter onto the counter spilling its contents onto the floor. "What the hell are you doing, Duncan?"
Duncan pulled her away from the counter "I thought I told you to stay at the loft.Dani.He's here" Duncan said pointing to the crowded dining hall, Dani noticed that Duncan's eyes were scanning the room. "Richie is outside.Now Go"
"No.I'm working.he won't try anything here" Dani pulled her arm from Duncan's grasp.
"This isn't a good time to debate this!" Duncan glared at Dani, taking hold of her arm again trying to move her towards the door "I'm not leaving!" Dani shouted. The whole dining room had become eerily silent; all eyes were looking directly at Duncan and Dani.
Duncan moved her to the rear of the serving area, turning to the lady who had tried to stop him earlier he said "Please.carry on serving.this shouldn't take long" he move closer to Dani lowering his voice he said "Dani, please do as I ask.this man is dangerous.he wouldn't think twice about killing everyone in this room to get what he wants". A look of horror filled Dani's eyes "He wouldn't really do that.would he?" Duncan put his hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes "Believe me.he's done it before".
Dani could see from his eyes that he was serious, she couldn't let anyone else get hurt, "Sally.I'm sorry but I have to leave.I'm not sure when I'll be back" Dani said as she took off her apron.
"If you leave now Dani.I can't guarantee that you'll have a job to come back to" Sally said angrily, going to where Dani had been serving.
Duncan sighed, "Now, please go". Dani kissed him, she then turned to leave "Take care.please" and with that she went outside to Richie.
Duncan surveyed the room and saw a figure leaving by the rear door, it had to be Cristo, weaving his way around the tables and followed the figure out into the alley. "CRISTO" Duncan shouted as the door closed behind him, a figure came out of the shadows "I'm Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod" the figure walked closer "I'm Benjamin Cristo and I believe that you have something that belongs to me MacLeod.and I want it back".
"She's not a possession.she's a person, Cristo.and she's not Louisa.Louisa died over 200 years ago" Duncan noticed the glint of metal as Cristo produced his sword.
"It seems to me that you want her for yourself, MacLeod and I can't have that". Cristo brought his sword up in front of him; Duncan brought out his sword matching Cristo's challenge. "When I've dealt with you.I'll take back what's mine, MacLeod".
Duncan grinned, "We'll see who deals with who shall we". Their swords clashed and sparks flew, they paced around each other, just as Cristo lunged at Duncan and their swords clashed again, a door in the alley opened and a man carrying garbage sacks entered the alley. They both stopped and returning their swords to their coats. "I will take what's mine, MacLeod.and if you interfere in my business again.I'll have your head"
Duncan walked up to Cristo and lean over talking quietly into his ear "If you go after Dani.it is my business". Duncan then walked passed leaving Cristo standing in the alley.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ Duncan's Loft
Duncan arrived at the loft to find Richie pacing the floor "Mac, what happened?" Dani rushed over to Duncan and flung her arms around him.
"He lived.we were interrupted" looking down at Dani he ran his hand over her face "and trust me you won't be able to talk sense to him.He really believes that you're Louisa and there is nothing anyone can say that will change it" Duncan moved to the kitchen and poured himself a coffee. He then walked back to Dani and took her face in his hands "I don't want you going out on your own until this is over.understand?"
"You mean you until you've killed him.is that the only option we have?" Dani looked deep into his eyes "I don't enjoy killing Dani but sometimes it's the only way to stop someone like Cristo".
"But maybe I could get through to him" Duncan dropped his hands and lifted his eyes to the ceiling "It won't work.he might kill you".
"But we don't know that he wants me dead.but if you face him there is a chance that he'll kill you.I don't think I could live with that." Duncan threw up his hands and walked over to the window. Richie got down from the counter where he had been sitting and put his hands on Dani's shoulders "Dani.Mac's been around a long time.he knows what he is doing.listen to him, please." "OK.OK.I won't go out alone, satisfied?" walking over to Duncan she prodded him in the ribs, he turned to her and pulled her into his embrace kissing her hair. Richie noticed the way Duncan looked at Dani and knew that he needed to leave them alone. "Err.I'm going to get going Mac.meeting Angie later" Duncan turned to Richie but he didn't let go of Dani "OK, Richie.thanks for that" Richie picked up his jacket "No problem.anytime" Richie went over to the elevator "Richie, watch your back" Duncan called after him.
"Always do Mac" Richie replied as he closed the gate.
Duncan could see from her face that all this serious talk was getting to her; it was then that he remembers the other reason he had gone out "Have you ever been to the ballet?" Duncan asked
"Err.No I've never been asked" Dani replied. Duncan smiled and produced two tickets from his pocket "Well I have two tickets to Romeo and Juliet and one has your name on it.I thought if you can't go out alone we could go together" Dani flung her arms around Duncan's neck and kissed him passionately but then she jumped back "But I've nothing to wear.I mean what do you wear?" Duncan smiled at her; he could feel her excitement it seemed to be contagious, he then danced round her saying, "Well, your fairy godmother.wait that should be godfather.will provide" he extended his arm and Dani slipped her arm though and then they went out the door laughing.
They arrived back sometime later laden down with at least a dozen different coloured bags "Your crazy, Duncan.you didn't have to buy everything I liked" Duncan put the bags down by the sofa catching her by the waist he spun her round "If I hadn't you couldn't do I don't know what to wear routine.you ladies are so fond of" he then lent her into a dip, holding her there while he kissed her. The passion behind the kiss took Dani by surprise and when Duncan finally allowed her up she was a little light headed. Duncan took his watch from his pocket "Only 4 hours.you had better start getting ready" he said grinning at her. Dani tilted her head to one side and narrowed her eyes "I can get ready in 2.any ideas what to do for the other 2 hours?" Duncan put his arms around her waist "I might have an idea or two" he said walking her backwards towards the bed until her legs made contact, "Only an idea or two.but what will we do with the other hour" Dani laughed as Duncan lowered her onto the bed.
Duncan showered first leaving Dani to sleep, when he had finished he went back to the bed sitting on the edge, he gently stoked her face until her eyes flickered open and she smiled warmly at him "Time to get ready sleep head" Dani reached up pulling him forward so that she could kiss him, he unlinked her hands from behind his neck "You need to change.or we'll be late" reluctantly Dani got out of bed, put on her robe and collected several of the bags and disappeared into the bathroom.
A while later she came back into the room, Duncan was sat on the sofa reading a book, he looked up as Dani walked over to him, she was wearing a figure hugging black dress with flecks of silver which glinted in the light. "Wow, you look stunning!" Duncan said getting up. "Is this OK.I mean for the ballet?"
"I'll be envied by all the men there.you look fabulous," He noticed that her face lit up and her eyes sparkled, he took her arm and lead her to the waiting cab.