Disclaimer: Still the same – I don't own 'em and I'm not getting paid to use them. They are purely for my own amusement.

Thanks to my reviewers. I'll keep writing of you keep reading.

The evening had gone well. Gwen had enjoyed herself immensely            and had even sung lead on a few songs. She wished Duncan a happy birthday from the stage and the group had performed the Beatles' "Birthday" for him. They had also done a few Christmas songs along with their regular fare. While Duncan was pleased to see Gwen having so much fun, she and Adam had been right – this really wasn't his kind of place and it was much louder than he preferred.

Adam was quite intrigued by this woman that so obviously had Duncan MacLeod wrapped around her little finger. He watched her on the stage, dressed in loose, low-rise jeans and an emerald green V-neck T-shirt that barely came to the top of the jeans. She handled her guitar as if it were a part of her. He had a hard time imagining her in front of a classroom discussing ancient Sumerian myth.

In between sets Gwen came to their table to say hello and Adam had gotten a better look at her. Her hair was very thick and because she was sweating had become wavy. He could see that while not big in any way, she was muscular. But it was her eyes that captivated him. They were the most unusual shade he had ever seen – a bright, clear teal. He also noticed something that Richie and Duncan had both failed to mention – she was pre-immortal.

One of her band mates motioned that they were going to start the next set. "Well, gotta go," she said. "It was very nice meeting, Adam. Have fun everybody." She bounded off toward the stage.

Richie had been warned by Duncan not to call Gwen too early in the morning. At eleven-thirty, he phoned to tell her that they were having dinner at the loft that night for a more private birthday celebration. He also raved about the performance the night before, "You guys really rock!" he exclaimed. "Andrea had a lot of fun. She goes to Joe's with me, but it's a little slow for her."

"I'm glad you had a good time. Duncan looked a little uncomfortable, though," she remarked. "I told him that it would be loud."

"Yeah, sometimes he really acts his age," Richie said. "I've been trying to lighten him up for years. You've had more success in a couple of months than I've ever had."

Gwen reflected on that for a moment before asking, "So, what do I need to bring tonight?"

"Well, Andrea's cousin works in a bakery, so she's having a cake made. Mac actually wants to cook. We tried to talk him out of it, but he's being stubborn." Richie paused. "Since Adam is going to be there, I'd say bring beer. There is never enough when he's around."  

"That sounds easy enough, "she told him. "I'll see you around seven."

"Okay, bye!"

Later at the loft, Duncan worked in the kitchen while Adam sat on the sofa, beer in hand flipping channels. The sound of the elevator motor startled both of the immortals, since neither had sensed another of their kind.

"Must be Joe," Adam yawned. "I hope he's bringing more beer. We may run out before the evening is over."

Duncan shook his head at his friend and chuckled, "You mean, I might run out of beer, since you never manage to provide your own."

The elevator stopped and Duncan went to help Joe raise the gate. Joe hugged is friend and wished him a happy birthday. He limped over to a chair and sat down. 

"How's it going, Joe?" Adam asked, not moving from his spot on the sofa.

"Can't complain," he replied. "How have you been, old man?"

Adam took a long pull on his beer before answering. "I've been all right, I guess. I'm glad to be back amongst friends."

"Well, we're glad to have you back." Joe looked up at Duncan, "How is Gwen's training coming along?" 

The oldest immortal looked up in surprise, "Training? Does she know what she is?"

"Not that I'm aware of," Duncan replied. "She just came in looking for a place to work out and when she saw the training swords on the wall, she asked if she could have some lessons. It seems she had done some fencing and other martial arts and wanted to add to her workouts. She's pretty good."

"And it will give her an advantage if she needs it," Joe added.

Duncan nodded, "Let's just hope that she doesn't need it any time soon."

A timer went off in the kitchen and he went to check on the dinner. A few minutes later, he and Adam felt the warning that an immortal was near and the elevator motor roared to life signaling Richie's arrival. The gate opened revealing Richie, Andrea and Gwen. There were hugs and greetings all around. Richie went to the refrigerator to store the beer that he and Gwen had both brought. Adam smiled appreciatively.

As they ate dinner, Gwen was seated between Duncan and Adam. She and Adam discussed the goings on in the Near Eastern studies department, myths and translations until Richie asked them to consider that they were boring the rest of the group and to "speak English for Pete's sake!"

"Sorry, Rich," Gwen apologized. "I tend to get a little carried away when I talk about my work sometimes. Let's pick a new conversation topic."

"Okay," Richie said, "what's the plan for Christmas? Are we coming back here or what?"

Duncan started to speak, but Joe interrupted him. "Why don't you come to my house? I already have a tree up. I'll do a turkey, if everybody else will bring the rest of the stuff."

Richie and Duncan started planning what they would bring and what time to start their celebration. Adam noticed that Gwen was being very quiet. He managed to catch Joe's eye and cocked his head in her direction. Luckily, Joe took the hint and asked, "Hey, Gwen, are you going to Atlanta for Christmas?"

She looked up in surprise and cleared her throat before she answered, "No, I can't really it afford it financially or academically this year. My dissertation won't get written if I don't spend some quality time in the library."

"Well, then," the older man replied, "you have to spend it with us. But you can only come on one condition."

"I hope it doesn't require me cooking," she said warily, "because that could be fatal to all involved. I have trouble making toast."

"No. I think we can leave that to Duncan since he is the self proclaimed expert." Everyone at the table laughed. Joe continued, "You have to bring your guitar and play some with me."

"I think I can do that," she said smiling. "Thanks."

Duncan was at a loss for words. He had no idea that Gwen was planning to spend the holiday alone. Now he was kicking himself because he had not thought to ask. Richie stepped in to save him.

"Isn't it time for the birthday boy to open his presents?" he piped up. "Then we can have cake!!"

Gwen laughed, "Leave it Richie to be thinking of more food right after all this!" She indicated the leftovers on the table.

The group made quick work of clearing the table and assembled in the living area. Andrea had piled the gifts on the coffee table. Duncan protested that no one had to get him anything, but he was enjoying himself quite a bit.

Adam had found a first addition collection of Robert Burns for him while he was in London. Joe gave him a coffee table book of some great photos of blues and jazz artists. Richie and Andrea got Duncan a subscription to Gourmet magazine. Gwen's present was a CD by a group called Keltoi.

"They play Scottish Gaelic music," she explained, " and some English language stuff. They are from this area, so there are also two tickets to a concert they are having at the end of January."

"I'm going to put it on right now," Duncan said as he went to the stereo.

Richie looked at Gwen and said, "Please tell me there are no pipes!"

She laughed and replied, "Not on this CD. I did look at a couple that were only pipes, but I didn't want the neighbors to complain."  

"For that we can be eternally grateful," Adam commented.

"Yeah," Gwen teased, "people might think we're sacrificing cats or something up here and call the police."

The Scot turned indignantly and began a tirade about the instrument of his native land.

Gwen leaned over to Adam and whispered, "You know, I actually kind of like bagpipes, but it's so much fun to watch Duncan get all 'up in arms' over this."

Adam laughed, "He gets bent of shape about a lot of things. This won't be you last chance to amuse yourself. Stick with me. I love to have fun at his expense."

Duncan's rant faded as he noticed Adam and Gwen giggling on the sofa. He frowned and started to say something, but was interrupted by Andrea and Richie calling everyone to the table for cake. The evening wound down after dessert and coffee and eventually his guests left.

After he put the remaining cups in the sink, Duncan turned off the lights, started the CD again. He poured himself a scotch and sat down on the sofa and closed his eyes.