Standard Disclaimer. Thanks to everyone who reviewed so far! It is so nice to know someone is actually looking at what I've written. I did want to respond to chrisrp, but you posted anonymously, so I couldn't. You made a very good point, and I have to say I do agree with you. But, since I've already committed myself to making it a romantic rather than mentoring relationship, I'll just have to see where it goes. (When planning this story I think a little bit of self-insertion slipped in. Would I want a romantic relationship with Duncan? Um…Yeah.) At any rate, thanks for the con-crit. I really appreciate it.

As much as I wanted to, I couldn't spend all my time over the next few weeks with Duncan. My first semester of college was ending and with finals approaching I needed to buckle down and get studying; especially since Professor Leville was still asking stupid and pointless trivia questions. I needed to make sure I read every footnote in our book if I wanted to get a decent grade on that test. I would, of course, see Duncan in class and sometimes on campus, but as Anne pointed out, dating a professor is probably against the rules, especially since I was his student, so it was all kept fairly casual. We still had moments at the Dojo, and he took me for dinner a couple of times, but overall the relationship didn't change that much from what it was before 'The Kiss'. I tried not to let it worry me. I told Duncan I didn't expect anything from him, and I mostly meant it, but made things like shopping for his Christmas present especially difficult. I didn't want to go for anything too sentimental that might scare him off, but I didn't want to get anything too boring, either.

Anne, Maggie and I took another movie montage trip to the mall, since we all three had men to buy for. Maggie was in a similar predicament to mine, as she and Lord...Marcus hadn't been dating that long, and she didn't want to scare him off, either. Anne, on the other hand, knew exactly how Richie felt about her, and wasn't afraid of scaring him off with anything mushy. So naturally she bought him a coffee table book about motorcycles. Maggie eventually settled for a fake bar sign that had "Free Beer" written in neon blue lettering; she said it would look nice in his room at the frat house. And that left me. It's hard to buy something for a man who's lived for over 400 years. He pretty much has everything. I was beginning to really hate the mall when I finally found something in one of those kiosks they put up during the holiday seasons. I'd passed it a couple of times, not really giving it too much of a glance because it was just plants, and plants were boring, but eventually I went to have a closer look out of sheer desperation. It turns out the kiosk sold little bonsai trees, bamboo in pretty vases, little Buddha statues and things like that.

"Hey, this is a good place; you said Duncan was really interested in Japanese things," Maggie said, picking up a Buddha statue and looking at the price. "We could have stopped here first thing."

"Thanks," I said dryly, "Rub it in why don't you." The stall was run buy a small but muscular looking Asian man. He had one of those big mustaches, and looked kind of how I pictured Genghis Kahn would look. Only Genghis Kahn wouldn't be asking me politely if I needed any assistance. "I'm looking for something for a guy. He's into art and antiques and, um, Japanese things."

The man smiled at me and offered to show me some wall scrolls. "They are hand painted and hand crafted," he said in a smooth voice, opening a cabinet below the kiosk and pulling out a scroll that he unrolled and showed to me. "The calligraphy is painted on rice paper, and is bound to wooden scroll rods with, as you can see, brocade paper around the edges."

It was really pretty, and looked just like something Duncan would like. "What does the symbol mean?" I asked.

"It means long life."

I almost laughed out loud. Could that be more perfect? Better still, it only cost twenty dollars, so I wasn't going into debt. A Christmas miracle.

Next came the question of when I would give it to him. Like I said, with finals and things, I didn't have that much free time, and I was leaving the day after classes ended. So, when he told me to wait for him after class because he had something he wanted to ask me, I was pleased. I was even more pleased when it turned out he wanted to take me to this exhibit that was happening the evening before I had to leave. "It's an exhibit of a recent archeological findings in Greece that I think you might find interesting," he said as he packed up his books.

"I'd love to," I said happily. "And if anyone from school sees us together we can say it's a field trip." He smiled, but then his face tensed, and I saw him reach under his desk where I knew he kept his sword. "Duncan, what..." before I could finish a man came sauntering into the room, and I gave a little gasp of surprise. "It's Genghis Kahn!"

Duncan looked at me, "What?"

"From the mall. He runs a mall stall." I relaxed, figuring anyone who ran a mall stall couldn't be dangerous. Duncan, however, didn't seem to think the same, and gently pushed me behind him as the man came forward.

"I'm looking for the one they call The Highlander."

"I'm Duncan Macleod of the Clan Macleod." I noticed his accent deepened when he said that. "Who are you?"

"My name is not important. You can call me the Executioner."

I couldn't help but give a little snort of laughter. They both turned to me. "I'm sorry. That's like a wrestler's name. It's like you should say 'let's get ready to rumble', or something."

"Flora, leave now." Duncan said sharply. I raised my eyebrow at his use of my given name, and turned to go, but Genghis stopped me.

"No. She doesn't have to leave. I simply wanted to give you fair warning that I am here, and I will be coming for you." He looked at me, "Perhaps you should give him the present sooner rather than later." He bowed formally then left, his air of menace slightly lessened by the fact he tripped on the top step right before the door.

"Way to ruin my surprise," I said, then noticed Duncan wasn't smiling. "What?"

"Molly, this is not a joke, it's not a television show. The game is serious. Deadly serious."

"He works in the mall. How threatening can he be?"

"Do you honestly think that matters? This is the Gathering, Molly. It is always threatening."

Duncan looked so fierce, I felt really horrible for being so glib. "I'm sorry. I just wasn't thinking, I guess. It's hard for me to remember it's real, that you're well, immortal. To me you're just Duncan. I'll be careful, I promise."

He came around the desk and gave me a quick hug. "Good."

"Why did you call me Flora?"

"So you would know I was serious." We started walking out of the classroom. "You're right, though. He did sound like a bit like a wrestler."

After that, with finals, and studying and everything, Genghis Kahn slipped to the back of my mind.

I was particularly excited about the exhibit for several reasons, not the least of which was I got to wear my green dress again. The night started out wonderfully. I met Duncan at his apartment, where we exchanged presents. He loved the picture, and he gave me a beautiful silver necklace with a Celtic knot charm. Then we took an actual limo to the show, which was mad romantic.

The exhibit itself was really interesting, and Duncan introduced me to the man who headed the expedition, Dr. Anthony Cartwright. He was a tall man who looked to be in his early forties, and was kind enough to answer my questions about what it was really like being an archeologist, and what my odds were of actually finding a lucrative job in the profession when I graduated.

"Well, I don't want to get your hopes up young lady. It is a very hard field to get into with any degree of success, but if you are willing to work for almost no pay, and take any internships that might come along, you may have a chance."

"Oh I totally understand that. I know it's hard, that's why most people think I picked a stupid major, but I don't care. It's what I've wanted to do since I was ten years old."

"Indiana Jones?" Dr. Cartwright asked, smiling

I nodded. "Indiana Jones."

"I'll tell you what. I'll keep you in mind, and if we need a 'gal Friday' on my next trip, I'll let you know."

"Would you really? Wow." I was thrilled. "Thank you. I'd work really hard." I wasn't sure if he was really serious, but before he left he took my cell phone number, so that was a good sign. He and Duncan shook hands then he moved off to speak to the other guests and I spent the next half hour gushing over the fact I might actually have the chance to go on a real dig. "How do you know him, anyway?"

"He's an old friend."

"Old, old?"

Duncan grinned. "I'm not at liberty to say."

"You're no fun."

It happened right outside Duncan's apartment. The limo had just driven off, and Duncan started to say he would take me home when the expression on his face hardened, and he reached into his coat for his sword. "Is it Genghis?" I whispered, but he just glared at me.

"Flora, go inside," he handed me his keys. "Go straight upstairs, and don't open the door for anyone but me."

"I wouldn't..."

"Go!"

I turned and ran into the building, not even pausing to watch him disappear down the street. I wanted him to know I could follow directions. It wasn't until I got into his apartment and paced around aimlessly for a few minutes did the fear hit me.

In all the stories I'd heard about him, Duncan was always the victor, always emerged triumphantly from the battle, but as I stood there in his darkened apartment it I realized that I had no guarantee he would win this time. This wasn't a story told to me at bedtime, it was really happening and I didn't know how it was going to end.

"There can be only one." I whispered, feeling suddenly very alone.