Highlander: The Avenger Book 1: The Son Chapter 10: The Lady and the Tiger, a highlander fanfic

Disclaimer: Highlander belongs to Davis/Panzer Productions, I don't own anything, just my original characters.

I was born before 1600 in the Highlands of Scotland, and I am still alive. I am Immortal and I am not alone. For four hundred years, I have fought, loved, wondered, explored and avenged. Now, I have found the woman of my dreams, but we are always in danger. For centuries, I have battled the Dark Immortals, with Holy Ground my only refuge. Soon will be the time of the Gathering, when the stroke of a sword and the fall of a head, will release the power of the Quickening. I am Owen MacLeod, the Highlander. In the end, there can be only one.

(Cue Princes of the Universe)

Starring

Jack Turpin

Kehli O'Byrne

Adrian Paul

Alexandra Vandernoot

Stan Kirsch

(Princes of the Universe ends)

The Lady and the Tiger

Guest Starring

Elizabeth Gracen

Jason Issacs

Owen was the only one besides Duncan who knew what was going to happen this day. Duncan was taking the crew to the Paris circus. He knew Lynn was in for a treat as she knew what a circus was like in America, but she assumed that a circus in Paris was just the same as any other circus in the world, but she wasn't entirely sure.

For the past couple of weeks, Owen was longing for a break from Immortal encounters and today was appearing to be a well-deserved day off.

"Hey babe," he called to Lynn, "You ready for our little trip to the circus?"

"Yeah," said Lynn, "I think it's going to be quite interesting, given that it's a circus in Paris, instead of back at home."

"Oh, it will be."

After finally reaching the big tent and finding a spot, the five made their way toward the circus entrance.

"Ah, the roar of the crowd, the smell of..." Richie stated before smelling something, "What's that smell?"

"Peanuts, animals, it's practically up to you," answered Owen.

"I love the circus," Tessa spoke up, "But why would anyone send you tickets?"

"I'm not sure," Duncan replied.

"But you can guess."

"I'm actually going to a circus," Richie stated in awe, "Unbelievable!"

"It IS unbelievable," agreed Lynn.

"You can say that some more," Owen smirked.

She pecked his cheek as they walked into the circus tent, preparing for the show. Owen, Lynn Duncan, Tessa, and Richie ended up seated side by side with each other.

"Merci, messieurs et mesdames!" the announcer spoke through the microphone, "Thank you, ladies and gentlemen! And now, please direct your attention high overhead, to the high wire...and give a big round of applause...to the dazzling, the electrifying, the death defying, the Amazing.. Amanda!"

Owen smirked, "Amanda Darieux."

Moments later, he saw the constant nuisance in his father's life approaching the high wire as he felt the Buzz. Owen knew Duncan had felt it too, due to the three of them being Immortals. Owen saw Amanda take part of the high wire act, and felt dizzy as he could never picture himself doing something like that.

Owen watched as Amanda saw him and Duncan, who was smiling at her. He knew Amanda had felt the Buzz too. A momentary distraction caused Amanda to wobble briefly, and the crowd gasped. Luckily, Amanda regained focus and continued her act.

"Friend of yours?" Tessa asked.

Duncan wryly responded, "Just a bad habit."

"He'll explain after the show," Owen soothed.

Richie looked at him, intrigued at what he was going to say regarding this Amanda. Lynn had already learned a lot and wanted to meet her too.

After the show, Owen was chuckling while Lynn looked in surprise as Duncan was talking a little more about Amanda, including their history together and an incident in 1804.

"You mean the Amazing Amanda is like a thief?" asked Richie.

"Not like a thief," Duncan answered. "She IS one. A master thief who steals when it suits her."

"You mean whenever she needs the money."

"Yeah," Owen replied. "Or when she just needs a little excitement because she's fucking bored."

"But she could have gotten you killed," Tessa interjected to Duncan.

"Or worse," replied Owen's father. "When I finally caught up with her, she swore she hadn't meant to get me into trouble."

"A thousand years old and she still acts like a kid," joked Owen.

"Hey, wait a minute," cut off Tessa. "You mean you tried to see her again?"

"Uh-oh," teased Richie.

"Well... yeah," was all Duncan could say.

"Duncan! Owen!" Amanda called out as she arrived outside the tent.

"Speak of the Devil," said Owen.

"Yeah, well, who wouldn't?" Richie simped.

Amanda waved and walked over to them.

"This is a welcome surprise," Owen spoke first.

"Well look at you, you've 'grown up' well," teased Amanda, kissing him on the head, leaving lipstick markings.

"Not again."

"Hi," Duncan greeted his old girlfriend.

"It's been ages," Amanda replied as they kissed each other's cheeks, European style.

"Barnum and Bailey, 1926. Tour of the Southwest, as a matter of fact."

Amanda glanced behind him and Owen at Lynn, Tessa and Richie.

"They know," Duncan assured her.

"Oh," Amanda replied. "Well, I'm sure they don't know everything."

"You'd be surprised," challenged Tessa.

"I'm sorry. I hope he didn't bother you. After Bavaria, I never forgave myself."

"You don't look like someone who would worry about forgiveness."

"Tess," Richie stated, "You do know that they all carry big swords with them."

He glanced off Tessa's look, "Hey, it's just a thought."

"He has a point," added Lynn, "You should be careful with what you say to an Immortal, let alone one who's a burglar."

"Hmm, I like you already," teased Amanda. "Both've always had a taste for beautiful and spirited women, Duncan."

"And modest," Tessa interjected, "Don't forget modest."

"Stop acting like she's Catwoman, girl," said Owen.

"Time to go," Duncan told the group. "It's been thrilling."

"It's been over sixty-five years," begged Amanda. "A girl might think you're trying to avoid her."

Owen noticed that Tessa looked like she was insecure with Amanda being an old lover of Duncan's. He shook his head.

"Now how could you think that?" Duncan asked before saying, "Goodbye, Amanda."

"If you ever want to run away with the circus again, look me up," Amanda told him.

She leaned in to kiss him, but he brought her hand up between them and kissed it instead.

"I will," Duncan replied, before joining Tessa and walking away.

"It was good to see you again, Mandy," Owen teased as he walked away with Lynn.

"Four hundred years and you still call me that?" asked Amanda.

"A thousand years and you're still a kid, ha-ha!"

"Listen," Richie glanced at Amanda, "You know, you should, uh, stop by...you know, maybe say hello, something like that."

"I'd love that," replied Amanda.

Richie reached for something in his coat pocket.

"I've, uh, I've got a business card somewhere around here..."

He searched jacket pocket until he managed to pull out his wallet, "Here you go. Just, uh, feel free, drop by…. anytime...love to see you."

"Come along, Richie," said Owen, grabbing Richie by the collar and pulling him away.

"Bye-bye," Richie chimed as the two left, meeting back with Duncan, Tessa and Lynn.

"So, now you've met Amanda," Duncan told his girlfriend.

"Yep," Tessa replied shortly, "Now I've met Amanda."

Lynn couldn't help but agree that Amanda was like the Catwoman to Duncan's Batman. But that sounded wrong, Tessa was Duncan's girlfriend. She took a deep breath and walked along with her boyfriend.

Night soon fell upon the circus grounds. Amanda strolled out of her trailer, when the ringmaster came up to her.

"Hey, Amanda... there's a guy waiting for you in the tent," her said. "Says he knows you."

"Oh, thank you, Jules," replied Amanda. "I was expecting him."

"Okay, fine."

Amanda walked over to the circus tentand entered.

"Hello?" She called, before sensing a buzz. "So you couldn't stay away."

No reply came.

"Hello...? Where are you?"

"You haven't changed a bit," said a gruff English voice from behind a curtain.

Amanda's eyes widened, "Zachary."

"Amanda."

Amanda dropped to her knees and reached under a bench to find her sword... only to find it was not there. An evil laugh was heard by her as Zachary Blaine emerged from the curtains, holding her one-handed broadsword.

"Finders, keepers," he said. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. You've become a creature of habit."

"You escaped," she guessed.

Blaine waked toward her, "Yes. You know, it wasn't easy getting out of a maximum security prison. Even for me. I had to play crazy to get outside the walls. After that... pff. and you know what I missed most?"

He then creepily ran the tip of the sword along her breastbone.

"It was the feeling... of a good... old fashioned... Quickening."

He raised sword the sword to do just that.

"Wait!" pleaded Amanda.

"No. After what you did to me, you can't come up with a reason good enough."

"I can give you ten million reasons. In American dollars."

"Funny... you'd think that would be enough."

He got ready to swing sword once and for all.

"I can give you the head of Duncan MacLeod!"

Now interested, Blaine lowered the sword.

Next day, Tessa was in the barge, sketching a charcoal portrait of Amanda's face, with Lynn watching. Just then, Amanda entered, setting her folded umbrella by the door.

"Knock-knock," she called, causing Tessa to look up.

"Amanda," said Lynn, quite surprised to see her again.

"Hi, Lynn. Sorry to barge in, no pun intended. This is quite charming, in a claustrophobic sort of way."

"Well, we can't all live under the Big Top and wear rhinestones on our bodysuits," said Tessa, standing up. "Can I help you with something?"

"Yes, I was hoping to catch Duncan at home."

"No pun intended."

Lynn felt a feeling of déjà vu. She hoped at least Duncan would show up before things go tout of hand.

Amanda smiled as she saw a sketch, "So you're an artist?"

"I do sculpture, mainly," Tessa replied, closing her sketchbook. "This is just a preliminary sketch for something."

"Ah, sculpture. I knew Rodin. He seldom used sketches. He preferred to go directly to the clay. He liked to work it with his hands. Very sensual man. I modeled for him... among other things."

"Well... You'll have to tell me about those 'other things' sometime, but right now I have to go."

Amanda sensed a buzz and sat down on couch as if she owned the place.

"Well. Just in time to say goodbye to Duncan," she teased.

Duncan and Owen entered the barge, carrying some bags.

"Why am I not surprised?" Duncan immediately asked.

"The ghost of Christmas past came to pay you a visit," said Tessa. "Don't unwrap any presents while I'm gone."

She gave him a quick kiss and left.

"She's quite refreshing in a gauche sort of way," Amanda said."I think I like her."

"What do you want, Amanda?" asked Duncan, placing the bags on a table.

"I need your help."

"I'm sorry, I don't do second-story work. Or maybe you need a getaway driver."

"And we don't do getaway driving," Owen added.

"I gave up my life of crime, guys," complained Amanda.

"That's what you said in Constantinople, two hundred and fifty years ago," Duncan retorted.

"I succumbed to an impulse."

"I was nearly flayed alive when they came looking for you."

"But you got away. You always do."

"But one day, that might not be the case," Owen cut in.

"Look, someone's after me."

"The police?" asked Duncan.

"No. One of us. I felt his presence last night."

"Who was it?"

"I don't know. But he's not a fan. Could you just... I don't know, keep an eye out for me? I need someone to hold my hand."

"That's a switch. I usually end up holding the bag."

"Not this time, I promise."

"Mandy, you've cried wolf too many times," Owen said. "Dad's getting sick of it."

Amanda held up a sketch of her face, "Look. I think she's caught me, don't you?"

"Flattery's not helping."

Lynn hoped Amanda was not about to do anything stupid.

At the circus, Amanda led the MacLeods around the trailer area. "He's not here," she said.

"Yeah, so I see," Duncan deadpanned as they reached the steps of Amanda's trailer.

"Why don't you come inside? I have a Veuve Clicquot '76 on ice. As I recall, it's your favorite year."

"That was EIGHTEEN seventy-six. And my tastes have matured since then."

"You know, I know you won't believe this, but... there've been a lot of times when I missed you. I know it isn't mutual."

"There never was another Immortal, was there?"

"You just... you think I made it up to get you here?"

"Huh, well it had crossed my mind."

"I'm not that hard up. Goodbye, MacLeod."

Amanda stormed up the stairs and entered the trailer. Duncan turned around and saw Owen was missing. He groaned, knowing Owen wondered around when bored.

Next to the tiger cages, Owen was walking around the circus grounds. Suddenly, he sensed a buzz, as Blaine leaped over a stack of hay bales lunged at him with three jabs and a missed right swing. After deflecting the jabs and dodging the swing, Owen twirled his katana. Blaine held out his briquet saber in a threatening way as he looked to the right as Amanda was watching from a distance. Duncan also showed up to see the exchange.

"I'm Owen MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod," introduced Owen.

"Zachary Blaine of the... Wilhem Court," Blaine retorted. "I was hoping for Duncan MacLeod, but I suppose you'll be first."

They exchanged one-handed strikes with their swords, with Owen gaining an opening and forcing Blaine to dodge. Sensing the aggression, the nearby tigers in their cages began to growl. Blows continued to be exchanged with neither fighter gaining an edge.

"Hah, come on!" barked Owen, goading Blaine.

"Hey, you! Hey, you!" called a voice as several circus workers arrived. "Hey, what the hell's going on here?"

Owen and Blaine stopped fighting, and Owen quickly slipped his katana into his jacket.

"We'll meet again, Highlander," warned Blaine as he hurried away.

Owen turned to look at Amanda, who shrugged slightly. Annoyance crossed Duncan's face.

Later, the MacLeods interrogated Amanda as they walked through the circus grounds.

"And you're sure you've never seen him before?" Duncan asked.

"If I owned a bible, I'd swear on it," replied Amanda.

"Would you?"

"She would literally write swears on them," Owen laughed.

"You know, a girl could get used to having someone like you two around," teased Amanda.

"Don't get too used to it," Duncan replied as he walked away.

"Hey! Where are you going?"

"Home."

"Well, what if he comes back?"

"Well, now that your friends know who to be watching for, I doubt you'll have any more trouble."

"But... you haven't let me thank you properly for saving my life."

"Send me a card."

Duncan walked away, while Owen waited a little longer.

"Look, he's taken right now," he said. "Let it go."

And he walked after Duncan, leaving Amanda behind.

Back at the barge, Duncan was working on his laptop, getting information.

"What's up?" asked Richie.

"Just checking on a prison break I saw on the news," Duncan replied.

"Why?"

"Well, Owen said the Immortal that attacked him said his name was Zachary Blaine and he resembles the guy who escaped."

"What's it say?"

"Seems like he tried escaping twice before by... walking out on a telephone wire," answered Owen.

"Telephone wire?" Lynn asked. "Like a circus guy?"

"Just like a circus guy."

"You think there is a connection between this Blaine and Amanda?" asked Tessa.

Duncan sat back in his chair.

"Maybe there is," Owen replied.

Hours later, Tessa returned to the barge, having gotten information on Amanda from Henry Lamartine, a retired performer and agent. Amanda Darieux, then Amanda LeFauve, was the partner of Blaine. And it seemed she still was on this day.

"Okay, okay," said Duncan, calmly. "They're in it together. But what are they after?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Tessa asked, baffled. "They're after your head."'

"Not Amanda."

"She's no headhunter," Owen added. "She prefers to run."

"Maybe this Zachary fellow is forcing her," suggested Richie.

"That woman doesn't get forced into anything," Tessa scoffed.

"You don't even fucking know her!" snapped Owen.

"Enough!" Duncan said firmly, shutting everyone up. "I'm just as worried as you both, but there's got to be something else going on."

"Why don't I follow her?" offered Richie. "See what she's up to."

"I don't think so."

"Aw, trust me, Mac. She'll never know I'm there."

He tossed Duncan a basketball, which Duncan tossed back.

"No."

"I'll go with him," offered Lynn. "I have more experience keeping silent around danger. Please, Duncan?"

On a sidewalk outside a local museum, Amanda was walking along, wearing a scarf and sunglasses. Suddenly, she stopped as she sensed a buzz. Then Blaine appeared behind her, grabbed her arm and dragged her over beside the building.

"You're hurting me," Amanda snapped.

"Good," Blaine snapped back. "I should do more than that. What kind of game are you playing? You only said only Duncan MacLeod would be there and the boy almost took my head."

"It's your own fault. If you would have come an hour later, both would have been drugged and unconscious. It's not my fault the kid wanted to come. Now they know you're around, it's going to be that much harder."

He then grabbed her by the throat.

"I told you before, I'd have his head or yours."

"Just relax, okay? You're gonna get it. You still want the ten million, don't you?"

He tightened his grip.

"Well?"

After a pause, Blaine let go of her and they both walked toward the museum. However, neither noticed Richie and Lynn following closely behind.

Richie and Lynn followed Amanda and Blaine into the main exhibit room.

"These books are worth ten million dollars?" Blaine asked, not convinced.

"This one is," replied Amanda, leading Blaine to a display case that contained a beautiful old manuscript.

"How the hell are you going to fence a thing like that?"

"I already have a buyer set up. There are two alarm systems. The Fortrin 303 is the mainline and the 122 is a sonic backup. Now, the little box controls the sonic sensor."

She indicated a small black jewelry box in the corner of the display case, "If you turn it to the right, it deactivates it. Or is it to the left?"

"Don't be funny. You tend to fall behind in prison."

"We work it just like the Gottsburg museum. We do it tonight."

She turned to her left and noticed Richie and Lynn in the crowd before they slipped in.

"What? What is it?" asked Blaine.

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing."

The two exited the museum, while Amanda looked back one last time.

Back at the barge, Richie and Lynn told the others everything.

"Zachary and Amanda didn't go into the museum because they're art lovers," stated Duncan.

"They're planning to steal something," Lynn added.

"Bingo," agreed Owen.

"You're both walking into a whole lot of trouble - and for what?" Tessa asked.

"Zachary's motor is running," replied Duncan. "He won't rest until he takes my head."

"Or mine," added Owen.

"Yes, and don't forget about Amanda," Richie reminded. "From what I could see, she's not a very happy camper."

"After all she's done to you, why do you care whether she's happy or not?" Tessa demanded to Duncan.

"I don't know, Tessa," he replied. "She made me laugh when there weren't too many things to laugh about. Maybe that doesn't seem important, but those are the things I remember of her."

"She makes me feel like I have to compete with her. Maybe if I'd been a lady pirate or something…"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute. Wait a minute. Kids, give us a moment, would you?"

"I was just leaving," replied Richie.

"So were we," Owen added as he led Lynn out.

"Hey," Duncan greeted kindly as he kissed Tessa. "Listen to me, young lady. She's no competition. Hm?"

"Duncan... be careful."

They kissed again.

"Always."

Duncan pecked her one more time on the forehead and departed. Tessa sighed with a small smile on her face as she watched him go. She was relieved to know the assurance that Duncan would never leave her. Then Lynn reentered and walked over to her.

"Are you okay?" Lynn asked as she walked over to her friend.

"I will be," Tessa nodded. "Amanda just made me a bit insecure."

"I don't blame you, but you do know that Duncan chose you over her, right?"

"Yeah, it's just that feeling. You may not experience it yet, but when an old lover of your current flame returns to the picture, you're bound to be insecure too."

"I have no doubt I'll experience that myself. But one thing is for certain, I've had a missing piece in my life when I lost my mom. I had so many people, including Owen help me through it. I never wanted someone to replace my mom, but you filled the void that was left behind when she died. And I'm so grateful for that."

Tessa looked at her in awe, feeling touched by the comment.

"Thank you."

She leaned forward and gave Lynn a hug, in which she accepted.

"I should have known I could never fool you two," complained Amanda as she walked with the MacLeods through the circus grounds.

"Well, how'd this shit happen?" Owen demanded.

Amanda sighed, "We were partners. You know, a little high wire, a little burglary. He started to get annoying, very greedy... So, I needed to get rid of him. I staged my own death, and he was convicted of the murder."

"Oh, how convenient," said Duncan sarcastically, taking a rope from Amanda and tossing it aside. "So, when he escaped, he came looking for you, and you offered him my head instead?!"

"No! That was his idea. He's detested you for centuries."

"And why is that?"

"Because he's always felt second best. I guess that's because I told him he was."

"Thanks a lot," said Duncan wryly.

"I would never let him take this head; it's much too pretty," Amanda said sweetly, stroking his cheek.

"You should leave town."

"I will. Come with me."

"No, I'm sorry. I've already had that pleasure."

"We could split the money, we could... we could get rid of Zachary, we could-"

"If I were you, I'd stop wasting my time talking. Because when he finds out that you're not going to show, he's going to be very angry."

Amanda then gently pushed Duncan into a nearby tent. Owen walked inside, suspicious.

"Are you sure there's nothing I can do to make you come with me?" Amanda asked.

Duncan pecked her hand, "Sorry."

"Me, too."

She claps her hands, and several circus workers appeared, surrounding the MacLeods.

"Why am I not surprised?" asked Duncan.

"A girl's got to do what a girl's got to do."

Duncan sighed and took off his coat and gloves. Owen left his on.

"Okay, let's get this over with."

Duncan tossed his coat to Amanda and fought the workers. Working together, the MacLeods easily took them all out.

"A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do."

Then more men ran into tent. Owen contemplated going for his gun, when a suspended rope net landed on top of him and Duncan. As they struggled to get out from under the net, the men surrounded them and held them down.

"Amanda!" shouted Duncan.

"They promise not to hurt you if it isn't necessary, so just be good boys and they'll let you go in the morning."

She waved and walked away.

"Amanda! Amanda! Amanda! Grrah."

"This won't stop us," Owen whispered to himself.

Duncan and Owen found themselves tied to chair in the ring. Duncan decided it was time to screw with them.

"How'd she get you guys to do this?" he asked, before muttering to himself, "Like I didn't know. You know what she's doing right now? She's committing grand theft."

"You expect us to believe you, rube?" asked a clown performer.

"Is that what you think I am? A rube? The circus has been in my family for generations."

"Yeah, right."

"My grandmother was Zazel the Great."

"The human cannonball?"

"Yeah. She traveled with the Silbon family aerialists. Even played for Queen Victoria."

"And what was your act?"

"Did an equestrian bit. They called me The Great MacLeod."

"Never heard of you."

"I played the Orient. Hey, look, I can prove it."

"How?"

"Test me."

The clown shook his head, "Amanda wouldn't lie to me."

"Oh, trust me. You wouldn't be the first man she's made a clown of," Duncan chuckled.

"Besides, she didn't lie, she omitted," added Owen, before muttering to himself, "Like that's any different."

The clown smiled hesitantly, considering what he said.

On the building next to the museum, Blaine, on the roof, aimed a crossbow and fired a grappling hook across to a small balcony. He made sure both ends of the line were secured, then walked across the wire toward the museum. He opened the balcony doors, then waved for Amanda to follow. She carefully made her way across the wire and joined him on the balcony.

Back at the tent, the clown had just finished untying Duncan.

"Okay, Rube, show us what you can do," he dared.

"I might be a little rusty," warned Duncan.

"Ha! Excuses from the Great MacLeod," the clown said loud and sarcastically as Duncan walked over to a horse being led into the ring. "At a full gallop, you're going to hit each of these targets."

"That's right."

Duncan mounted the horse as the clown indicated a man loading a revolver.

"Now, you see that man over there? That's Henry, the lion tamer. He's a crack shot, and they're not blanks he's loading."

Henry pointed the gun at Duncan, who smiled and saluted him. Owen smirked, knowing what Duncan was up to. He knew Duncan was never a circus performer, but after hundreds of years of one fighting on a horseback, they become very good at it. Secretly, Owen had slipped his hidden knife from his sleeve into his hand and began cutting the ropes.

"Anything you want to say?" asked the clown.

DM held up three throwing knives in his left hand, "Yeah. It's show time!"

He kicked the horse into a lope around the ring. He tossed the first knife, which hit the dead center of the first target.

"Lucky!" called the clown.

Duncan threw the second knife, hitting the second target dead center as well. The clown shrugged. Then, Duncan rose to his knees on the horse's back, and then stood on his feet. Two of the circus people exchanged a look, rather impressed by what they were seeing. As the horse continued around the ring, Duncan took aim with the last knife and threw it. But instead, it hit the fuse box on the wall. Sparks erupted from it and the lights went out. Instantly, Owen jumped to his feet and leaped onto the horse as Duncan rode it out of the tent.

"Hey! Come back here! Come back here. Get after 'em!" the circus people shouted after them.

Henry fired and Owen fired back, but he had already fled with Duncan.

"I hate clowns," Owen muttered.

Inside the museum, Amanda and Blaine found their target below them.

"The Fortrin 122 kicks in on the next floor," said Amanda.

"How long till the guard clears rounds?" Blaine asked.

"Twelve minutes."

"Alright."

Amanda put on a harness, stepped over the railing and into position.

On the building next to the museum, Duncan and Owen, having recovered their equipment, found the wire strung across to the museum. Carefully, they each wrapped their arms and legs around the wire and pulled themselves across.

A rope was strung across the area directly over the display case, from one side of the room's second floor walkway to the other. Amanda, wearing harness, hooked herself to a zip-line and dropped down along the rope to hang over the display case. As the MacLeods watched from the shadows, Blaine used a second rope-and-pulley system to lower Amanda down to the display case. She carefully lifted up the glass cover, twisted the black jewelry box control slightly to the right, then picked up the manuscript.

Suddenly, the lights came on. Amanda and Blaine looked up, startled, as Duncan and Owen stepped forward across the walkway from Blaine.

"How predictable," laughed Owen.

"You know, you're really good," Duncan said sarcastically. "We should let you get away with it. You know what? I'm gonna toss a coin. Heads, I let you go; tails, I call the police. Okay?"

He pulled out a coin and flipped it, pretending to put his hand out to catch it but very obviously missed it. Blaine and Amanda watched helplessly as the coin fell to the bottom and hit the floor next to the display case. When it hit, the sensors were tripped the alarm began to ring.

"Oops."

"Run piggies, run," teased Owen.

Amanda winced and signaled for Blaine to let her down. He did so, then raced downstairs to join her. Owen and Duncan hurried on the opposite direction. Amanda handed Blaine the manuscript, removed her harness, and they ran out of the museum as the police cars started to arrive.

Amanda and Blaine broke into a closed restaurant nearby and paused to catch their breaths.

"Well, it wasn't the smoothest job I've ever pulled…" said Amanda as she took the book from Blaine. "…but it worked. Where the hell are those MacLeods?"

"I should have known this was a setup," Blaine said suddenly.

"What?"

"I help you steal the book, Duncan MacLeod takes my head, and the two of you live happily ever after."

"Okay, Zach, old pal... if that's the way you want it."

Amanda reached to the back of her vest and pulled out her sword.

"Let's get this over with, once and for all."

"My pleasure," he replied, pulling out a revolver. "I was saving this for MacLeod, to slow him down, but as they say: 'All's fair in love and…'"

The sudden buzz stopped him and made him look around. Suddenly, Duncan emerged from the shadows, grabbed Blaine's gun away from him, and punched him in the face, knocking him to the ground.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk," he clicked in disapproval.

"I knew you'd come," said Amanda.

"Why? Did you miss me?" Duncan asked sarcastically.

"Anyway," said Owen, as he emerged from the shadows and stabbed Amanda in the side, "That's payback."

Amanda fell to her knees nursing her wound, while Duncan shook his head in disapproval. But Owen did not care. Blaine got back to his feet and pulls his saber from the back of his vest. Duncan removed his katana from his coat.

"Why try to save her, MacLeod?" Blaine asked the elder. "She's betrayed you before."

He lunged at Duncan who blocked the blow and retaliated into a lock.

"At least I'm smart enough to stay out of jail," sassed Duncan.

He pushed the blades around, causing Blaine to growl in anger. After exchanging some more blows, Blaine knocked Duncan into the doors and out into the nearby alley. Blaine charged at Duncan but was flipped onto his back. The rivals recovered their blades and reengaged, training blows equally. Owen followed, sword drawn and waiting for a victor.

Sparks flew from the blades, until Duncan kicked Blaine back. Blaine responded by throwing a garbage bag at Duncan, distracting him long enough to cartwheel over to his saber. He also grabbed a garbage lid can, using it as a shield. More sparks flew from the blades and lid, with Blaine hitting Duncan in the face with it. However, Duncan recovered quickly and knocked the lid away. After blocking four more strikes, Duncan swung downwards, strong enough to knock the sword from Blaine's grasp. Blaine backed up, looking at the one who beat him. Then he looked to his right, only to see Amanda swing for his head.

Duncan glanced at Amanda, shocked at her for breaking the Rules of the Game. Amanda gave an apologetic shrug. If it were Owen, the shrug would have been indifferent. Mist and lightning left Blaine's body as Amanda received his Quickening. Lighting bounced around, sparks burst from windows and surfaces. Amanda swung her arms up and down, screaming in the strangest way Owen ever heard. Telephone windows shattered and the phone itself burst. One more surge of lightning went through Amanda, and she fell to her knees. The MacLeods walked over to her.

"What's a girl to do?" she sighed, collapsing into Duncan's arms.

"I keep telling you to practice," said Owen, annoyed.

"I'll keep that in mind," she promised, then sat up, looking at Duncan. "Look, I have a beautiful villa in the Greek islands. We could bask in the sun for a hundred years."

"Amanda…"

"She's going to get old."

"I don't care."

"She needs him, just like Lynn needs me," adds Owen.

"Oh, well. It was worth a shot."

She stood, still holding the book, "I'll see you in a circus someday."

She turned to leave, but Owen spoke again.

"Amanda."

Amanda turned back, "Yes?"

"Leave the book."

He took the book from her, and Amanda simply departed.

"She'll be the death of us one day," swore Owen.

That would not be the last time Amanda would be seen, but that is another story.

(Cue Princes of the Universe)

Co-Starring

Fred Pearson as Pierre

Pierre Gerald as Henry Lamartine

Bertie Cortez as Ring Master

Michael Hofland as Bavarian Officer

David Lowe as Clown

(Princes of the Universe ends)

Meanwhile, on Earth N1...

After the show, Owen was chuckling while Lynn looked in surprise as Duncan was talking a little more about Amanda, including their history together and an incident in 1804. Tori looked in surprise as well as Duncan did so.

"You mean the Amazing Amanda is like a thief?" asked Richie.

"Not like a thief," Duncan answered. "She IS one. A master thief who steals when it suits her."

"You mean whenever she needs the money."

"Yeah," Owen replied. "Or when she just needs a little excitement because she's fucking bored."

"But she could have gotten you killed," Tessa interjected to Duncan.

"Or worse," replied Owen's father. "When I finally caught up with her, she swore she hadn't meant to get me into trouble."

"A thousand years old and she still acts like a kid," joked Owen.

"Hey, wait a minute," cut off Tessa. "You mean you tried to see her again?"

"Uh-oh," teased Richie.

"Well... yeah," was all Duncan could say.

"She never told me any of that," Tori quipped quietly. "Or the extent of her knowing the MacLeods."

"You act like you know her too," Richie spoke up.

"You might as well know," Tori sighed before speaking up. "Amanda was my first teacher."

"What?!" Duncan, Owen, Lynn, Tessa and Richie simultaneously replied in surprise.

"Surprise," replied Tori before explaining, "Amanda was able to save me from being beheaded by the creep who made me Immortal in the first place while I was at Central City. Then, she trained me the next day while the Defenders went to look for something regarding their home base."

"That'll do it," stated Owen.

"Duncan! Owen!" Amanda called out as she arrived outside the tent. "Tori?!"

"Speak of the Devil," said Owen.

Amanda waved and walked over to them.

"Hi, Amanda," Tori smiled as she hugged her teacher. "It's a surprise to see you again."

"I know," Amanda replied. "You seem to be doing better since I last saw you."

"Thanks to my friends," replied Tori.

"This is a welcome surprise," Owen spoke next.

"Well look at you, you've 'grown up' well," teased Amanda, kissing him on the head, leaving lipstick markings.

"Not again."

"Hi," Duncan greeted his old girlfriend.

"It's been ages," Amanda replied as they kissed each other's cheeks, European style.

Tori and Lynn couldn't help but think that Amanda was like the Catwoman to Duncan's Batman. But that sounded wrong, Tessa was Duncan's girlfriend.

"Barnum and Bailey, 1926," Duncan replied. "Tour of the Southwest, as a matter of fact."

Amanda glanced behind him, Owen and Tori at Lynn, Tessa and Richie.