Under a blanket, against a pillow propped up against the caves stony walls, leaned the Immortal, Hugh Fitzcairn. Here he was, in the midst of cosmic events, raging about. And, despite himself...well, the story of his life repeats itself. Key plot points? One devastatingly charming, handsome, irresistible to women, son of the crown, finds himself beset by yet another female. And an angry father is expected to enter the picture at some point. Oh, the father in question doesn't know, not yet. But he will. That's how these things usually go.

The funny thing? The father is a very close friend. This is uncommon, but not unique. The girl in question, he helped raise from childhood. Ok, that's a first. But the kicker? Time from birth to present, where said female was a physically mature woman? Two months, give or take.

And the final spice? She doesn't have much time left, her or her brother.

"Ah, this is a fine kettle of stew cooked up," he murmured to himself. The naked girl draped over his chest murmured softly and hugged him sleepily. He kissed her on top of the head, drinking in her fragrance.

"Shouldn't be long now, luv," he said sadly.



Duncan MacLeod surged through the forest, frantically calling for Rebecca. His companions had fanned out in pairs, also calling. No answer.

"She shouldn't be out here. This shouldn't be happening," he said in frustration.

Joe touched him on the shoulder, "That news would have been a shock for anyone. You can't blame yourself, Mac."

"Oh yes, he can," Amanda seethed. "Please, Duncan, continue."

Duncan whirled on Amanda, angry, "I was only doing what I thought was right!"

Amanda roared," You thought! YOU THOUGHT! I don't think you REALLY thought this out at all, Duncan! You and your damn code! Hasn't it ever occurred to that dense Scottish mind of yours, that there are situations that will just not be covered by your code? That to be so rigid, would be to hurt more than help?!? WELL?!?"

"It's all I've got," Duncan said, softly.

"Look around you, idiot! It's clear that's NOT all you have. You have friends, you have family. People who need you, not your code!"

"I have to go with what I know," Duncan said with stubborn determination.

"Then you had better prove that cliché' about old dogs wrong, Duncan," Amanda said, her arms folded, chin high. "You are needed now, your love and compassion, not a rigid world view. Your daughter needs you. To hell with that cosmic crap."

Duncan sighed and looked around. He looked at the others. They looked at him expectantly.

He opened his mouth....

"I know where she is," said a voice. The group turned and saw the face of Darius lit up by lightning. His blond hair was tossed about by the wind. His dark eyes took in the group expectantly.

"Where is she, Darius?", Duncan asked.

"Follow me," he said mysteriously, a strange smile on his face.

They did. After a bit of walking through the storm tossed trees, lightning and lantern light revealed a cave. A light could be seen around bend within.

The group entered, led by Darius and Duncan. And they saw...

...a shirtless Fitz with an equally shirtless Rebecca hugging his chest. He saw the group, picked out Duncan, saw the rapid run of emotions spinning on the Highlander's face, like a wheel of fortune of moods, setting on rage.

Amanda saw it, too, and rolled her eyes, her own anger surfacing again.

Fitz stood up, a sheepish grin on his face, as Duncan slowly stalked towards him, "Steady on, lad...(to a wide eyed, frightened Rebecca, handing her the blanket, "Cover up, lass...") I seem to have misplaced my trousers. With the wind whipping up like that, you have to tie everything down...oh, bugger..."

Duncan's fist connected with Fitz's jaw and he bounced back against the cave wall, but managed to steady himself. Fitz just stood there, and steeled himself for another blow. No defense offered, he just prepared to absorb the strike.

Methos, Ritchie and Joe were suddenly on Duncan. Amanda stood in front of him, and then a shrieking Rebecca was clutching him, pleading for him to stop hurting Fitz.

"It was MY IDEA! MINE! I WANTED IT!"

Duncan grabbed her forearms, not noticing her wince, and yelled, "It was NOT RIGHT!"

Amanda looked at Duncan and said, "She doesn't have much life left, Duncan. Do you expect her to spend her remaining moments as a nun?"

Duncan let go of a tearful Rebecca, and muttered, "Get dressed." He stalked out of the cave, passing a shadowed Darius.

Darius looked at the scene, and murmured "Sinners." He then vanished into the shadows.