Two Years Later
August 30, 2001
Outside in the brilliant sunshine, Duncan worked on cutting some of the underbrush that crowded the cabin all summer. Little Evan toddled around the yard picking up small branches asking his father, "Here?"
Duncan would answer him, "Yes Evan, put the branches over here."
As he worked, his thoughts wandered over the past two years and how much Evan had grown and changed. While he read to him every day and told him names of all the animals, Evan rarely spoke more than a few words and occasionally he doubted his parenting skills.
Every week Evan loved the trips to the Chinook village. He played well with the other children his age and listened intently to the stories. Duncan suspected that there was more going on inside the child's head then he could imagine.
On the next visit to pick up supplies from town, Duncan went first to the post office. Upon reviewing his mail, he had a telegram from Connor and a letter from Frank McFadden. The cryptic message from Connor read, "He escaped the gathering and now he has found me. I need to see you."
"Who escaped the gathering," thought Duncan becoming alarmed, "Who has found you Connor?"
With a feeling of dread, he opened up Frank's letter and read, "Dear friend, the evil forces have joined together sooner than expected. They are seeking out every immortal. Expect our visit by week's end. Your clansman is in danger."
Duncan folded the papers up and put them in his pocket. Evan had been banging on his leg for attention. He bent down to pick to him up. A shadow of concern crossed his face as walked back to the boat. Looking into Evan's bright little face he said, "We're having company."
That Friday, Frank and Deahna arrived in Seattle, Washington. Frank chartered a small boat equipped with GPS tracking. They soon located the tiny island.
As he approached the log cabin, Frank could sense Duncan and Evan inside. The door opened and a child's laugh greeted him.
Deahna stepped inside first and hugged Duncan briefly before leaning down to pick Evan up and swing him around causing more giggles. Frank held out his hand saying, "It's nice to see you both are safe."
Duncan shook his hand bringing him inside. He said, "Please sit and tell me what happened to Connor?"
Sitting on the small sofa, Frank nodded to Deahna who nodded back and took the child outside saying, "Show me where you like to play Evan."
When he saw the door shut, Duncan asked, "What is the news from Connor?"
Frank pulled a paper from his pocket and said, "I have found some immortals that escaped the judgment of the gathering and here are the names." Handing the list to Duncan he explained, "Jacob Kell is now after Connor and we think he may come for you as well."
Duncan read the list trying to remember if the names sounded familiar. Connor revealed very little to him about ancient personal vendettas.
He asked Frank, "What can I do about it?"
Taking two plane tickets out of his coat pocket, he said, "Come with me to New York. You must find Connor before it's too late."
"I cannot imagine leaving Evan right now, but if Connor needs me then I will go with you." He stood up to look out the window as Deahna played with Evan. He remarked to Frank, "I'm guessing Deahna was all for staying with him while we are gone."
Frank stood up and went to clap him on the back saying, "She practically dragged me across the country."
A serious look settled on Duncan's face as he contemplated what he would find in New York. How he could help Connor and how dangerous was Jacob Kell. He told Frank, "We'll leave in the morning." Grasping his forearm tightly, he said, "Tonight we will dine as old friends."
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By dawns light, Duncan held Evan close whispering in his ear, "I need to go with Frank for a few weeks but I will be alright. I want you to not worry and be good for Deahna."
Evan leaned back in his father's arms and touched his face. His little eyebrows scrunched together giving him a stern look he said, "Don't be sad."
Duncan smiled to reassure him and kissed his face quickly before putting him in Deahna's arms. He said, "You have my phone number so call me if anything happens."
"And you'll do what?" she questioned, "Fly back here in a moment's notice?"
Picking up Duncan's luggage Frank said, "Let's go MacLeod."
Duncan nodded and went out the door and shut it firmly. Both men climbed in the small boat and started the little engine. The mist rose around them as they crossed the small body of water back to the mainland thus beginning a journey that would take them across the country and into peril.
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Duncan's Journal
After the plane landed, I made many attempts to find Connor. Then I heard the dreaded news. Connor was dead. Next, I searched for the grave of Connor in a small cemetery. As I stood there and grieved, I made a promise to find the immortal that killed him. The sensations that I might not be alone caused me to glance around. I looked intently through the fog until a shape moved. I knew it was an immortal and taking out my sword, I stopped short certain that I looked upon the ghost of Connor MacLeod.
He seemed so afraid. Something I had never seen in him before. All too soon, the presence of Kell interrupted our reunion. This immortal talked as if Connor wronged him to the point of vengeance. Connor saw it differently and keenly felt the death of his mother at the hands of Kell's religious teacher who led her persecution.
Kell's wretched speech made me ready to kill him for Connor, but with Kate watching, I tried to show control and advice my clansman. Kate. Such love, pain and regret I felt just seeing her again. My memories flashed back to when I fell in love and married Kate only to lose her after I made her an immortal. She really hated me.
They moved just off holy ground and began fighting like angry school-boys. Kate and I watched until Kell ended the combat knocking Connor to the ground and seemed to gloat long enough. When Jacob Kell left, he pointed to me and said, "Call ya."
After the two enemies departed, I tried to question Connor about the exchange with Kell. He would not tell me everything. Afterwards I left him at the hotel and I went to see Kate to question her loyalty to Kell, however seeing her again inflamed up old feelings we both still shared.
Later that night she came to see me and we spent a few hours in passion's embrace forgetting for a little while the outside world and the worries that went with them. When I attempted to ask forgiveness, she left my room. I followed her down the hall of the hotel and tried to explain but as the elevator door closed, I saw sadness in her eyes.
I sought council from Joe and Methos about if it were possible I could beat Jacob Kell. They were doubtful. This was something I had to conquer on my own.
The next evening, I knew it was time to challenge and defeat Kell on the rooftop. Instead, it was Connor there waiting for me. He was in a melancholy mood and talked as if he saw no future. He challenged me and we locked swords until he forced me to behead him.
Even though I had Connor's quickening, the grief that I killed him lay heavy on my soul. I should have walked away. Will I be able to slay Kell for Connor's soul to rest?
In the morning, alone with my feelings, I went through a series of sword katas trying to clear my mind.
One day passed before Kell came looking for me. His irritating dribble seemed to drone on until I had an even better reason to kill him. We began fighting and it was as treacherous as any battle I have ever encountered. Just when I felt my strength was near an end, a force inside, pulled me up and held my sword high. Attacking Kell with Connor's energy, I was finally able to overpower him. The quickening left my head buzzing with a hundred immortal voices crying for justice.
A few days later, I arranged to take Connor's body back to Scotland and bury him near Heather and Ramirez. It was the beginning of fall, the hills were still green, and the air was crisp and cold. I think his spirit was at peace. It was time for me to go home.
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Duncan MacLeod finished writing in his journal about the experience while McFadden sat near-by. The boarding area at the Edinburgh airport bustled with activity as the two immortals waited for the flight from Scotland to the United States.
Frank McFadden interrupted him asking, "Did you tell Kate about Evan?"
Duncan shook his head replying, "No, she didn't need to know." Looking up at the grand immortal, he smiled ruefully saying, "It might have made her angry again."
Shifting his position in the uncomfortable seat, Frank told him, "This is only the beginning, Duncan. When we get back to Seacouver, you much get in contact with Joe Dawson and report to him what happened with Jacob Kell."
"So we are exchanging reports in the open?" he questioned.
"Yes," Frank answered, "The alliance is going well and the watcher trust is in good standing."
Duncan commented solemnly, "Egan's execution cannot fix all the bad blood that came about from Amy's treason. She could have stopped the murder." He looked at Frank reminding him, "Some of those immortals were good friends."
Putting his hand on Duncan's arm in a consoling manner, Frank said, "You should see him as soon as possible and give him a firsthand account."
Duncan nodded slowly and said, "Maybe I'll go see him when the new bar is finished. Right now I'm not ready."
As delicately as possible Frank told him, "Do you realize we just missed the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers? Four Watchers were killed and the new Watcher Headquarters was badly damaged?"
Leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees, Duncan thoughtfully rubbed the calluses on his hands. He finally spoke, "So you're saying go see Joe and cheer him up?"
"Yes, that's exactly what I am saying," Frank agreed. He added, "It will be good to see him and take Evan. It will be good for him too."
Hearing the announcement of their flights boarding call, both immortals picked up the carry-on bags and walked to the gate.
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