Disclaimer: I own nothing save for the MacDonald Clan, and the circumstances.

Author's notes: 1. Methos/Adam refer to the same person ""= Dialogue, ''= thoughts To write a sequel, or not write a sequel, that is the question. just let me know.

Summary: see first Chapter Reviews: Yes, please.

Chapter #17

The gunman walked back, and climbed into the waiting limo: "It's done boss" Andrew turned to the gunman: "Great," he instructed the driver to pull over. By taking his revenge, he would finally restore his family honour, and good name. With this in mind, he opened the car door, and strode purposefully over to where Duncan's car was parked. Anne was sitting on the sidewalk nearby, with the traitor's head lovingly in her lap. She looked up, as she heard footsteps approaching, a hopeful like that it might be someone come to aid her, and to all appearances slain fiancé. When recognition dawned on her, the look of hope turned to a glare of contempt.

"You know, it figures you would do this, come and make an attempt on his head. Only a man that attacks defenseless young girls would do something this cowardly." Anne said insultingly

"Coward? You're calling me a coward? Do you even know why I want his head? I want it in order to avenge a wrong done my family many years ago, in Scotland. There, his ancestor killed my ancestor's one and only heir. It has taken this long, for me to avenge that death. And if by avenging it, I kill MacLeod instead of his child, then so be it. " Andrew said.

"Only a coward keeps to something that old. A true man, would learn to put his past aside, and try and focus on the here, and now. Because believe me, I've learned the hard way, that's all you have." Anne responded.

" 'Ow can I make ya understand, it's the 'ighland code." Andrew replied in frustration, letting his Scottish accent shine through.

"That's funny, because Duncan lives by that same 'highland' code. Except, to him it's one of honour, and one of integrity. It's one where you let your past stay in the past, and not interfere in the present." Anne told Andrew. At the mere mention of his name Duncan began to regain consciousness.

"Ah, Duncan, at last you're awake. I was just educating your lovely wife- to-be- on our 'highland code' and she informs me, that you see it a different way." Andrew began.

"If you mean, that I see it as one of honour, dignity, and respect, then yes, we do see things differently." Duncan said.

"Do you want to take care of our differences, here, and now?" Andrew got right to the point.

"Later, out by the docks, at dusk." Duncan said.

"Fine, I've waited this long to take your head, I can wait longer" Andrew said arrogantly walking away.

"Are you okay?" Anne asked Duncan

"A little stiff, but I'll be fine." He told her, as he climbed to his feet. 'I'm getting too old for this.' He thought to himself, as he let her help him to the car.

"I'll drive." Anne told him resolutely, as she walked around and climbed in the drivers seat. The pair were silent for a while.

"I don't know what I should do Anne." Duncan said, with an exasperated sigh.

"You'll figure something out." They drove up, and parked in front his apartment.

"Come up for a coffee?" Duncan asked.

"Yeah, that would be lovely." Anne answered, as followed him up the back stairs. She made herself comfortable while he made the coffee. He brought the steaming mugs over to the sofa, and sat down with a heavy sigh.

"I haven't come up with anything, other than the simple fact, that I can't kill him." Duncan stated.

"So don't kill him. Meet him, and tell him, that as far as you're concerned he doesn't exist. You feel nothing towards him. And, you're giving him one last chance to leave past in the past." Anne suggested.

"What did I ever do to deserve you?" Duncan asked rhetorically, as he leaned in to kiss her. She reached a hand up and stroked his face: I was wondering the same thing about you." She responded. They deepened their kiss. Suddenly, Mac broke off the kiss, as he sensed another immortal presence. The elevator door opened to reveal Methos.

"You will not believe the day I just." He stopped mid-sentence

"Bad time Methos, this is a very bad time." Mac reprimanded, as he glared at his friend.

"I think I should go. I'll walk back to Joe's. Good luck Mac," Anne said, as she turned to leave. Mac's glare softened.

"I'll come by later." He told her.

"Okay, bye." Anne left through the backdoor.

"I have the distinct feeling I'm interrupting something." Methos said.

"What was your first clue?" Mac asked sarcastically turning his glare back on the unwanted visitor.

"Why are you here, anyways?" he finally asked.

"A report that came over the watcher wires this afternoon, about someone being shot outside a restaurant this morning. I had a feeling that you might be involved." Methos explained.

"He wants to meet me, tonight by the docks." Duncan said.

"And there's a problem with this." Methos asked.

"Yes. Even though he's an attempted murderer, and an all-round psychopath he is a father. And as a father, I have to respect him." Mac said.

"Oh screw your code of boy-scout ethics. You know he plans on taking your head, not spouting some nonsense about 'being a father'." Methos said angrily.

"I have to give him the benefit of the doubt, if he does come at me, I will take his head." Duncan said resolutely.

"Whatever you say, Highlander, whatever you say. Just know, I won't be there to watch as he takes your quickening." Methos said, as he turned to leave.

C.O.S: the docks

The sun had just set, as Duncan walked resolutely to his meeting. He had decided on what he would say as he drove, and he was just going over it all in his head. He held his head high, as he walked looking for any tricks that his opposition might pull. He caught sight of MacDonald walking towards him.

"I COME UNARMED" MacDonald shouted, holding both arms out as proof. Duncan didn't believe it for a minute.

"Father to Father: You have one last chance to back down. You don't matter to me anymore, and neither does some old vendetta between our families. Let's put the past to rest. I won't kill you, if you won't kill me." Duncan said.

"What brought this on?" MacDonald asked suspiciously.

"Didn't you hear me, I said Father to Father." Duncan said.

"I know you're Mary's father. But I never considered Katie my daughter. I considered her, a means to an end. You know I had the option of giving her up, after her mother died. I didn't, because the poor miserable little thing came to me, and begged me not to send her back out to the streets. She said she'd do anything. And I took her at her word, and kept her. So you see, I never cared about her, the way you cared about Mary." In that instant Duncan realized just how right Methos was, in his estimation of the situation. Duncan drew his sword, as his opponent drew his. The fight was on.

Duncan patiently met his opponent blow for blow, as he waited for his opportunity. It came, as MacDonald began to let his frustration show on his face, and in his mannerisms. The sweat poured off MacDonald's forehead, as he began panting.

"Getting tired, I see." Mac commented.

"Never." MacDonald returned, as he swung at Duncan's head and missed. That was the opening, and Duncan took it, slicing his sword upwards, letting his opponent's guts spill out in front of him. Then quickly swinging his sword back up over his head, glanced the final finishing blow. MacDonald's headless corpse tumbled to the ground in front of him, as clouds began to grow around him. MacLeod braced himself for the quickening by holding his sword in the air. The lightening was naturally drawn to him, as he absorbed MacDonald's knowledge accumulated over the centuries, his hatred, bitterness, and regret. Also, the realization came to him, that although, he said all the mean, and hurtful things about Katie, he did in his own way love her. That counted for something. With this thought, MacLeod slumped to the ground in fatigue, and passed out.

When he awoke the sun was out, and it was clear and sunny. He had a light heart as he pulled to the front of Anne's house. Anne came to stand on the veranda, as she heard a car pull into the driveway, and sighed with relief, as Duncan got out of the car. As he started across the driveway she ran to him. He opened his arms and picked her up, as she started crying.

"Duncan, I was so afraid. I was afraid you were dead." She said between sobs.

"It's okay, it's over. It's over my love." Duncan comforted as Anne cradled her head on his shoulder and continued sobbing. He lifted her head up so she looked into his eyes.

"Now we get to plan a wedding." Duncan said as he kissed her passionately.

Another Chapter written.

Reviews are much appreciated either here, or e-mail them to: angelsbabe15@hotmail.com

Thanks. A.B.