Disclaimer: The Highlander franchise is owned by Davis/Panzer, in addition to Rysher Entertainment. So, that'll be part of the disclaimer from now on. For all other disclaimer, see chapter one.
Plot: Set during "For Tomorrow We Die"; Tori and Duncan have encounters with the immortal Xavier St. Cloud while Richie is dating an older woman.
For Tomorrow We Die
Xavier was walking down the streets of Paris, the city of romance. He walked over to the jewelry store and saw the guard lowering the security grille across the front door, locking up for the night.
Xavier tapped on the glass and pointed at his watch, then at the clock on the wall behind the guard, which read 5:55. The guard stopped lowering the grille and opened the door to let him in.
"I'll only be five minutes," Xavier told the guard.
"Bonjour, monsieur," a woman greeted him as she walked towards him, "May I show you something?"
"Anything you wish," Xavier replied, "I'm looking for a pendant."
"Oh yes, certainly," the woman replied as she walked to a display case.
"Something you would like," Xavier told the woman as he saw the security guard beginning to lower the grille again and then returned his attention to the woman, who shown him a necklace, "I'm sorry to keep you after closing. I wish I could make it up to you by buying you dinner."
He pulled a thin, silver cylindrical object from his coat pocket and unscrewed the end.
"Who says you can't?" the woman asked, flattered by his charm.
"I'm afraid you won't be available," Xavier answered before he tossed the metal cylinder into the carpet.
"What's that?" the woman asked. The cylinder began emitting yellow smoke and flames. Xavier leaned forward and kissed the woman lightly on the lips. She began to cough and fall to the floor. The security guard fell as well.
"Monsieur Gerard!" a woman shouted from nearby.
Xavier fell to the floor as the other employees are overcome with the smoke as well, but as he was immortal, Xavier recovered and he stepped over the sprawled bodies on the floor and he opened the door, allowing his partner in a gas mask enter the jewelry store as he was carrying two briefcases.
"They look dead," Francois inquired, "What happened?"
"They'll wake up in a few hours with a heck of a headache," Xavier lied before telling his partner, "but otherwise, they'll be fine. Clean out the manager's safe."
Francois handed Xavier one of the briefcases, "Here."
He ran up the stairs to the second floor while Xavier emptied jewelry from the display case into his briefcase. He quickly returned, still wearing the mask.
"Look!" Francois exclaimed, "We're rich!"
He laughed and handed Xavier the handful back into the case.
"You can take your mask off," Xavier told his partner, "It's safe."
"You're sure?" Francois asked.
"It's only potent for a few minutes," Xavier answered, "Trust me. You're safe."
"Well, if you say so," Francois took off the gas mask, "That's better."
Xavier smiled and nodded.
"Hey, I'll take these, boss," Francois reached for the briefcase.
"I think not. I lied," Xavier declared before Francois started coughing, "You're dead."
Francois coughed as he collapsed to the floor, speaking his last words, "I'll see you in hell."
"Probably," Xavier replied, still smiling.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
"My mother doesn't know she's breaking my heart," a girl vented as she was talking to Darius via the confessionals.
"Well, it's not a sin for your mother to date your ex boyfriend," Darius told the young woman, "Bad taste, perhaps, but no sin."
"I guess you're right."
"I am," Darius affirmed. Then he sensed the Buzz before telling the woman, "Go with God, my child…..and God bless you."
He looked on as the girl left the confessionals and someone else entered.
"The Lord be in your heart and on your lips so that you may freely and sincerely confess your sins," Darius said.
"So, is God as good a business as they say, Darius?" Xavier asked.
"Xavier…." Darius called out as he recognized the voice.
"I'm flattered you remember me," Xavier replied.
"Why are you here?" Darius asked.
"I've come to confess, same as everyone else," Xavier answered, "Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned."
"I will not hear this," Darius told him.
"You are a priest and I am a sinner," Xavier interjected, "Isn't that how it goes, or have you reinvented the position?"
"Why do this?" Darius asked, "It means nothing to you."
"Because it means everything to you," Xavier answered, "Here I am, humiliating one of the world's greatest warriors, and what does he do? Nothing. God, I love religion."
"I pity you."
"Let's not get maudlin. Are you going to hear my confessional or not? I bet you hear MacLeod's all the time," Xavier insisted.
"If I must, yes," Darius replied.
"I've been a very bad boy," Xavier confessed, "I've killed six people."
"Why?" Darius asked.
"Money. There's never enough," Xavier answered, "Looks like I'm gonna have to do it all over again."
"Nothing touches you, does it?" Darius inquired, "Where is your heart, Xavier? Where is your soul?"
Xavier laughed, "Who needs a soul?"
He then left the confessional. Darius could tell that this man was the evil version of MacLeod.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
Darius was sitting at the desk at the rectory in the chapel when he sensed the Buzz. He looked up and saw Duncan entering the chapel.
"So, my friend, how are we today?" Duncan greeted his friend as he entered the room.
Darius shrugged, "Mmph."
"You ready for our game," Duncan asked, walking towards his friend, "or are you afraid I'll finally beat you?"
Darius doesn't answer and Duncan moved a chair and took a seat, "What's the matter?"
"Sometimes being a Catholic priest is easier than other times," Darius answered.
"Anything you want to talk about?" Duncan asked.
"Would that I could, my friend," Darius answered, "Would that I could."
He stood up, "Now….to our game."
"I won't press, but if there's anything you need….." Duncan told his friend.
"Yes, I know, but…..some things must remain unsaid," Darius replied.
"Okay," Duncan relented before asking, "Who's move is it?"
"It's yours," Darius answered.
Duncan took off his jacket and sat opposite of Darius, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, very. Good move now, huh?" Darius chimed in.
Duncan and Darius were about to begin their game when they were interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Come in," Darius called out.
"Father Darius?" LeBrun entered the room.
"Yes?" Darius replied.
"MacLeod, what are you doing here?" LeBrun asked, noticing Duncan in the room.
"Playing chess?" Duncan answered before introducing Darius to the detective, "Uh, Father Darius, this is Inspector LeBrun of the Paris Police."
"Inspector…...Can I help you?" Darius asked the inspector.
"I hope so…." LeBrun answered, "There was a robbery last night in a jewelry store a block away from here."
"Yes, I heard," Darius replied, "It's a terrible thing."
"From the security video, we learned the robbery happened around six," LeBrun explained, "Now, just after six, a man saw someone leave the store and enter this chapel."
Duncan glared at Darius.
"He was a handsome black man, early thirties, well dressed," LeBrun continued, "Do you remember seeing anyone fitting this description?"
"Yes, I do," Darius answered.
"Who was he?" LeBrun asked.
"I'm sorry. I can't tell you," Darius answered.
"The man is a murderer," LeBrun told him.
"Whatever he is, I can't discuss it with you," Darius replied.
"And why is that?" LeBrun asked.
"He came to confession," Darius answered.
"He told you about the murders?" LeBrun asked.
"He told it to him in the confessional, LeBrun," Duncan told the detective, "He wants to tell you, but he can't."
"At least tell me his name," LeBrun insisted.
"I'm truly sorry, my son," Darius refused again.
"MacLeod, he's your friend…..talk to him," LeBrun urged Duncan.
"He's also a priest," Duncan replied.
"The poison he used could have killed hundreds and that son of a bitch…." LeBrun paused for a second and apologized, "Sorry, Father – He didn't even wear a gas mask."
"He was immune?" Duncan asked.
"He enters the store, releases the gas – collapses – just like everyone else," LeBrun explained, "but two minutes later, he's back on his feet again like nothing happened….."
Duncan stood up and moved away from LeBrun to Darius as the former said, "He's probably going to kill again."
"I would do anything I could to stop it," Darius replied.
"But you won't," LeBrun replied.
Duncan stared at the cross on the Bible stand, reflecting on his encounter with Xavier St. Cloud in Soissons, France in 1917, something which involved death and destruction.
"I can't," Darius insisted.
"I beg you, Father…..talk to me," LeBrun insisted, "Help me."
Darius sighed, saying nothing. LeBrun turned to go, "This is on your head."
With that, the detective left the chapel.
"It's Xavier, isn't it?" Duncan asked.
Darius nodded, "I think I need a drink now."
-DCH-Side-Stories-
"So tell us about her," Tori stated as she glanced around the barge, eyeing Tessa working on her sculpture and Richie mostly.
"She's beautiful. She's…..she's smart, she's sexy and she's classy," Richie explained, "She's like you and the thing is, I really think she's nuts about me."
"Oooh, aren't you the lucky one?" Tori quipped.
"Yeah. It's great you've found someone you like," Tessa added, "How long have you known her?"
"Well, just a few days. In fact, I'm supposed to meet her for lunch and I do not want to be late. I will….." Richie answered before he kissed Tessa's cheek and then Tori's cheek, "see you guys later."
Richie hopped up to the step door, "Goodbye, au revoir!"
"Hey, you didn't tell me her….." Tessa tried calling out but she saw that Richie was already gone, "Name."
The phone rang and Tessa went to answer it, "Hello?"
Tori started sensing the Buzz as her friend was talking on the phone, "Mac? Darius?"
She stepped out of the barge and looked to see a new immortal. He seemed charming and appeared with a charming smile.
"Can I help you?" Tori asked the man.
"My name is Gerard Fleuret," the man introduced himself, "and in fact, my dear, I'd like to talk to Miss Noel about something important."
"What would that be?" Tori asked, on guard with the man.
"Something about her beautiful art to put it on display," Gerard insisted.
Tori looked nervous around the guy, but remained on guard as if to tell him she was keeping an eye on him, "Um, sure, come on in."
Reluctantly, Tori led Gerard into the barge where Tessa was waiting for them after she hung up the phone.
"Forgive the intrusion, my dear lady," Gerard apologized.
"It's all right," Tessa replied, "I was…"
"Tessa, this is Gerard Fleuret," Tori replied, "He wants to talk to you about something."
"Oh, can I help you?" Tessa asked.
"Actually, it is I who can help you," Xavier replied.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
Duncan entered the barge, "Tess? Tessa?"
"I'm here!" Tessa came out of the galley, "I was just about to cook lunch. What do you feel like?"
"Oh, nothing right now," Duncan answered, "I just came back to pick the speed boat up."
Tessa kissed him as she walked past him. Duncan stated, "You look happy about something."
"That terra cotta Fanti piece I was looking for….." Tessa replied, "just walked into my collection."
"All by itself?" Duncan asked.
"Some guy named Gerard Fleuret came by here this morning," Tori spoke up as she was sitting on the couch, appearing rattled.
"Exactly. He's a big collector," Tessa added, "and he specializes in – guess what?"
"Seventeenth century African sculpture," Duncan guessed.
"Exactly. He read that interview I gave," Tessa replied, "He's offered to lend us a Fanti Queen."
"Not bad," Duncan replied.
"I agree there," Tori replied, "He seems very convincing."
"I thought they were all lost, but he came across this one in Ghana," Tessa continued, "Said it cost him an arm and a leg."
"Did he say whose?" Duncan asked.
"Very funny, Duncan and it's come at the perfect time," Tessa replied, "The showing for the Refugee Relief fund is at the gallery tomorrow night."
"Tomorrow night?" Duncan asked, surprised.
"Did you forget about it?" Tessa asked.
"'Bout what?" Duncan asked in turn.
"About the show," Tessa answered.
"No, I didn't forget," Duncan answered.
"Richie has a date and Tessa has an art of display," Tori quipped, "Ah, man. This is come to be an eventful week."
"Did you remember to have your tuxedo cleaned?" Tessa inquired.
"Yes, I remembered to have my tuxedo cleaned," Duncan teased, "You know, the last time I wore a tuxedo…"
"Was on the deck of the….." Tessa leaned forward to kiss him and he toppled backwards, taking her with him, "Ah! Of the Titanic."
"You saw the Titanic, huh?" Tori inquired.
Duncan looked over at her, "I'll tell you later."
Tori chuckled and nodded before going back to read a book that was nearby.
"You know what?" Duncan looked back at Tessa, "You've got an awful mind."
"And you love it," Tessa replied.
"Mm, I know. Come here," Duncan pulled her head down for a kiss.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
"Welcome to my lovely home," Richie led Renee into the barge, "Do you like it?"
"Yeah, it's nice," Renee replied, noticing the barge.
"Very nice, huh?" Richie stated before he sniffed her again, "Oooh, you smell great."
He shown Renee around, "We got the kitchen area back there, a little work area here, an area for chess, and this…..is the bedroom area."
They shared a kiss.
"Can I help you?" Tori walked into the area.
"Hey Tori," Richie greeted his friend.
"Hello," Tessa sat up after lying on the couch.
"Tessa, Tori, I didn't expect to see you two here for a little while," Richie replied, nervously, "Um, I'd like to introduce you to Renee."
"Renee, nice to see you again," Tessa noticed the woman right away.
"You guys know each other?" Tori asked as she looked surprised and noticed Richie's surprised expression as well.
"Mm – hmm," Renee answered.
"We've met," Tessa answered, "Renee is one of our patrons."
"Oh, well, that's great!" Richie replied, "You guys are friends. Excellent. Well, listen, we were just about to take a little stroll along the Siene – you want to join us? Tori?"
"No thanks," Tori shook her head.
"Well, I'm sure Tessa is much too busy to tag along with us," Renee replied.
"Maybe next time," Tessa told the pair.
"Okay," Richie replied before asking Renee, "Shall we?"
"Come on," Renee replied.
"Bye – bye, Tessa," Richie told his friends, "Tori."
"Later, Romeo," Tori quipped at her friend.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
"He doesn't know," Tessa said as she was talking to Duncan and Tori.
"It's not something he'd tell you, even if he did," Duncan replied.
"Doesn't know what?" Tori asked.
"I called Renee. She hasn't told him he's married," Tessa answered, "For her it's all a big joke…..a fling with a young, virile lover. She was laughing. You don't look shocked."
"I do," Tori retorted, seething as well, "and I'm kinda mad about her right now."
"What do you mean?" Duncan asked.
"What do you expect, Mac?!" Tori replied, "I plan to keep my mouth shut for Richie's sake, but that gold digging…...ugh!"
"I get the idea that you're not happy about Renee being with him, huh?" Tessa chimed in.
"That doesn't even do it justice," Tori replied, "I hate that she's using him!"
"There's not much we can do about it for now," Duncan told her.
"Yeah, yeah," Tori rolled her eyes.
"If it wasn't for this situation," Duncan then chimed in, "I'd think you were jealous of Renee."
"Now you're just be ridiculous!" Tori replied, "Why would I want to be jealous of a bloody gold digger?"
"I know how you feel, Tori," Tessa affirmed, "She's using him and he's taking it seriously. I know this woman…...she's not going to leave her rich, influential husband for Richie."
"Exactly!" Tori exclaimed.
"Okay, I guess he ought to be told," Duncan replied.
"So…..when are you going to tell him?" Tessa asked.
"Me?" Duncan asked. Tori nodded and then Tessa smiled and nodded. In turn, Duncan chuckled nervously.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
Darius was holding Francois' funeral, reciting the 23rd psalm, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the lord forever. God bless you, Francois."
He then addressed the mourners, "And God bless all of you."
Darius signed the cross in front of him.
"Is everything all right?" Dalou asked Francois' mother, Anne, who looked at him sadly and walked away. He followed and was stopped by Duncan and Tori, "I will never forget what you did today."
"Well, anyone would have…." Tori started to say.
"Buried him in a pauper's grave and been done with it," Dalou cut her off, "It's because of you, MacLeod that he will rest in holy ground. Your father would have been proud."
"See you around, Dalou," Duncan called out as he walked away.
"How does he know your father?" Tori asked.
"We're friends," Duncan answered quickly.
They met with Anne, and then Duncan handed her an envelope with money in it.
"Oh no," Anne looked at the money, "you've done enough already."
"It's from your son," Duncan told her.
"Bless you," Anne replied before she sat down.
"Maybe you can help us," Duncan joined her.
"What can I do for you?" Anne asked.
"Tell us all you know about the man that killed your son," Tori answered as she approached the pair.
"All I know is…..Francois came home one day and said he'd met a man who was going to make him rich," Anne told the pair, "and they were going to meet again that night."
"Where?" Duncan asked.
"In this cafe near Saint Michel," Anne answered.
"Le Picotin?" Tori then asked.
"Yes, that's it," Anne answered.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
"Thanks for fixing it with the Archbishop," Duncan told Darius.
"I may have neglected to ask his permission," Darius replied, "Use caution. Xavier is ruthless."
"He'd better be," Tori replied before she walked off with Duncan in tow.
"MacLeod," she heard Darius call out, "Tori."
They didn't listen, but instead, they hurried to look for Xavier St. Cloud and they found him at the cafe upon sensing the Buzz.
"There he is!" Tori exclaimed, "Man, I was such an idiot for falling for his act!"
"He's good for that," Duncan replied, "Let's move!"
Xavier turned to run and both Duncan and Tori jumped from the window to chase him, not paying attention to the shouting people as they were running after him. They ran past a man holding a box of fruits and past a kitchen as well, with the chef shouting, "You tourists!"
Duncan and Tori continued to chase Xavier down the streets, past a traffic cop and then past some construction workers. Xavier turned to throw a canister at them, but it landed on a pile of sand by the construction workers.
Duncan thought fast and climbed on the cement truck nearby and dropped it in. Tori looked on in disbelief as Xavier got away.
"He got away," Tori stated, "Such a clever man."
-DCH-Side-Stories-
"You said Darius had been a Buddhist and a Hindu," Tessa told Duncan and Tori as the three of them were talking, "Why is it so important that he now respect this rule about the confessional?"
"Well, you said it, respect," Tori replied, "I don't think Darius believes in religion or a set of rules, and neither does Mac."
"Then what do you believe?" Tessa asked.
"Being your brother's keeper," Duncan answered, "I think Darius, if he if he has to help mankind, he has to honor their codes."
"Even when they protect a murderer?" Tori asked.
"Exactly!" Tessa exclaimed.
"The courts protect murderers and innocents alike," Duncan answered, "No one suggests that we destroy them."
"Why do I argue with you?" Tessa asked.
"Because you are contrary by nature," Duncan answered.
"I am not!" Tessa argued.
"Yes, you are," Duncan argued back.
"No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are."
"No, I am…...not," Tessa smiled at her lover.
"Um, Mac," Tori informed the Highlander, "We have company."
"See what I mean?" Duncan asked Tessa before leaving the barge with Tori. Tessa growled with a smile as they left.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
Duncan and Tori met up with LeBrun.
"LeBrun," Duncan greeted the inspector.
"Who is he, MacLeod?" LeBrun asked.
"Who's that?" Tori inquired.
"The guy you two were chasing," LeBrun answered, "Talk to me. It was the same guy who confessed to the priest, wasn't it? His description matches. Where's he hiding?"
"I don't know," Duncan answered.
"Neither do I," Tori added, "He took off before we could catch him."
"You always know more than what you're saying," LeBrun replied before he eyed Tori, "Both of you evidently."
"His name won't mean anything to you….and even if I did tell you where I met him, you wouldn't believe me," Duncan replied, "Trust me on this."
"If this man kills again because you're holding out on me….." LeBrun warned the pair, "I will personally have your heads."
"Well, I think you're gonna have to wait in line," Duncan replied.
"Precisely," Tori chimed in.
"Remember what I said," LeBrun told the pair before he walked down the gangplank.
"LeBrun!" Duncan called out, causing the detective to turn, "We're on the same side."
"That's what worries me," LeBrun replied before he drove off.
Duncan and Tori looked at each other before Tessa arrived from behind.
"Maybe you should have told him," Tessa suggested.
"Told him what exactly?" Duncan asked, "That I met Xavier in 1917 and he was wearing a gas mask, but I'm not quite sure? How's that going to help him?"
"Makes logical sense there," Tori quipped.
"How are you going to find him?" Tessa asked, "You know he's not going back to that cafe."
"Well, my guess is Darius has known Xavier a lot longer than either of us have….." Duncan answered, "maybe he can tell us something."
-DCH-Side-Stories-
"Long ago I found him hiding from the police in my church," Darius explained as he walked with Tori and Duncan outside the chapel, "He was a…...he was a petty thief then. They would have guillotined him for stealing a piece of jewelry. Now, that's hardly a crime to die for, and later I had news of him robbing, murdering…...he was sentenced to life, but he escaped."
"I still felt like a fool for falling for his charm," Tori stated. Duncan gently pat her on the shoulder before asking Darius, "Where did he go?"
"Well, he fled to West Africa, India – he lived there like a king," Darius answered, "and he must have his fortune and now he's here in Paris to collect more. I should have stopped him. I should have stopped him. LeBrun was right. People will die because of me."
"Don't blame yourself, Darius," Tori assured her friend, "You…..you did your duty as part of the confessional."
"She's right," Duncan added, "it's not because of you. It's because of him."
"Perhaps it's time that…...Perhaps it's time that I should leave my sanctuary," Darius declared.
"Darius, no," Tori interjected, "I mean, if you want to leave, don't leave because of this."
"She's right," Duncan added, "Xavier's mine. Besides, he's killed too many."
The three suddenly stood up as they sensed the Buzz as Xavier arrived at the scene.
"I'm afraid the three of you together is more good news than I can take," Xavier stated before eyeing Tori, "and it seems your tastes in women have improved."
"Excuse me?" Tori got out her sword, "I'm not falling for your charm again."
"What do you want?" Duncan asked, motioning Tori to lower her sword.
"Actually, I've come to make another confession," Xavier answered, "You see, I enjoy the company of my own kind. I find humans, um…..limited."
"We're humans too, you know?" Tori retorted, "except we are immortal, not mere mortal."
"So in your arrogance, you kill them," Duncan told Xavier.
"No, I kill them because…...what's the difference?" Xavier answered, "They all die anyway."
"So can immortals," Duncan pointed out.
"True, but not today," Xavier replied.
"Really?" Tori quipped.
Xavier pulled out another canister, "I wouldn't try following me. You may not find any fresh cement this time."
"I'll be seeing you real soon, Xavier," Duncan replied.
"Sooner than you think, MacLeod," Xavier replied before he left the area.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
Duncan and Tori arrived at the barge to find Richie lying on the couch.
"What're you doing in here," Duncan asked, "practicing to be a politician or something?"
"Mac, you ever been…..you know…" Richie tried to ask.
"A fool for love?" Tori muttered.
"What do I know?" Duncan asked.
"You ever had it bad for an older woman?" Richie asked.
Duncan chuckled, "Well, the situation hasn't come up recently."
"Ha, ha, ha, very funny," Richie replied as he sat up from the sofa, "You know what I mean. You know I've been seeing this woman, Renee, recently, and it's like she's….."
"Married," Tori cut him off.
"What?" Richie replied.
"Renee is married," Tori answered, "and she is using you for some whack reason as she doesn't want to leave her rich lifestyle and….."
"Easy there," Duncan grabbed her arms, cutting her off.
"What are you talking about?" Richie asked, "Is that what Tessa said?"
"I'm sorry partner," Duncan sighed melodramatically, "Hasn't she told you?"
"No, she didn't tell me that she was married!" Richie answered in disbelief as he stood up, "Okay, yes, yes, she said that she was married, but…...but I thought that was like, as in the past. You know, ancient history. You're putting me on."
"Do we look like we're putting you on?" Tori asked as she and Duncan walked over towards him, "Look, whether you know or not, I am looking after your well being. I also can't stand gold diggers and those who cheat on their spouses."
"She's married. Oh man," Richie replied as he sat back down on the sofa, "Well, I mean, it's not like it really matters, right? You know, I mean when two people are tight….it's gonna be tough on her husband when she tells him though."
"Richie, don't you think you're taking this a little fast?" Duncan asked.
"Fast?" Richie answered as he sat at the table next to where Duncan was sitting, "Mac, Tori, you guys have no idea what's gone on between me and this woman. It was like, she saw me, I saw her – boom."
"Boom?" Tori quipped.
"Yes," Richie replied.
"Richie, sometimes when you meet somebody, there's an attraction, but….." Duncan started to say.
"No, no, no, no, Mac," Richie replied, turning and pacing a bit, "I am not talking about 'attraction'. I am talking about the real thing. I feel sorry for her old man."
Duncan gave him a look. Richie shrugged, sat back down, playing with a plaster model of a hand for a moment and then looked at Duncan and Tori, "What?"
They waved it off as nothing. Suddenly, Richie groaned in pain.
"Richie, are you okay?" Tori asked in concern.
"Maybe you should stay here instead of attending tonight's event," Duncan suggested.
"Nah, I'm fine," Richie assured the pair, "It's just a burning sensation. Nothing serious."
"You sure?"
"Yeah," Richie nodded.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
"It's spectacular," Tessa stated, admiring the Fanti statue, "I don't know how to thank you, Monsieur Fleuret."
"Gerard, please," Xavier spoke to the Frenchwoman, "I hear you've invited some of the more prominent philanthropists of our fair city."
"That's right," Tessa replied.
"Excellent, and I will finally be able to meet your boyfriend – what was his name?" Xavier asked.
"Duncan MacLeod," Tessa answered, "He promised faithfully to be here."
"I'm so glad," Xavier replied, "and what time is this event?"
"Eight."
"That means everyone should be here by nine," Xavier laughed before continuing, "The French are never on time."
Tessa heard the phone ring, "Excuse me a moment."
Xavier picked up the Fanti statue and lifted a cover from a hollow base, revealing a bomb inside. He set the timer for 9:00:00 before he replaced the cover and set the statue back on top.
"I'll see you this evening," Tessa said as she walked back into the room.
"I may be a few minutes late," Xavier declared, "but I wouldn't miss this for the world."
-DCH-Side-Stories-
Richie arrived at the gallery, seeing Renee nicely dressed with her husband in tow.
"Richie," Renee greeted him.
"Madame de Tassigny, how good of you to make it," Richie replied, "and this, I presume, must be your husband. It's a pleasure to meet you, sir."
He shook Renee's husband's hand.
"How do you do?" Renee's husband asked.
"Very well, thank you," Richie replied, "I'm Richard Ryan, Tessa Noel's associate. I can't tell you how much we appreciate your generous contribution. Oh please, don't let me keep you. Have a wonderful evening."
"Thank you, Mr. Ryan," Renee replied.
"Uh, Madame Tassigny," Richie called out as the couple started to walk away, which in turn, Renee turned, "If I may have one small moment, please?"
"Go and talk with your friends," Renee told her husband, "I'll be right in, Cheri."
Renee walked over to Richie, "Richie, I meant to….."
"It's okay," Richie cut her off, "He seems like a nice guy."
"Well, he is," Renee replied.
"Renee, I've been doing a lot of thinking," Richie started to say.
"I see," Renee replied.
"We can't keep seeing each other," Richie told her.
"We can't?" Renee asked.
"Ah, maybe if we met in another time…..or another place…...I don't know," Richie answered, "but he's your husband."
"Yes, he is," Renee replied.
"Well, I'm glad you understand," Richie stepped back, "Goodbye, Renee."
He kissed her cheek before he walked down the steps.
"Goodbye Richie," Renee replied. He looked back, "Another time, another place."
Richie looked out as he started to leave the gallery, but he was startled upon feeling a touch on his shoulder. He turned around to see Tori.
"Tori," Richie smiled at his friend, startled.
"You did good, Richie," Tori replied.
"You know, um, that wasn't the only reason I couldn't be with her," Richie implied.
"What do you mean?" Tori asked, confused.
"Can we talk about something private?" Richie asked.
"Sure," Tori nodded, "I guess…...what about Mac?"
"Let him be with Tessa," Richie insisted, "I can't really tell him this."
Tori nodded, reluctantly, "All right."
The pair left the gallery.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
"So, what do you think of our fertility goddess?" Tessa asked.
"I think she's wasting her time around me," Duncan answered as he held up his glass of wine, "Here, you want it?"
Tessa accepted the glass.
"Where's the donor?" Duncan asked.
"He said he might be a few minutes late," Tessa answered before she quietly stated, "Take a look at these people. Have you ever seen so many diamonds?"
"Once – King Solomon's mines," Duncan answered, "but that's a long story."
"Some other time," Tessa replied.
"MacLeod."
Duncan looked up and saw LeBrun who asked, "Can I have a word with you?"
"What is it?" Duncan asked as he followed the detective to an empty corner.
"It's time to go downtown, MacLeod," LeBrun answered.
"Is that really necessary?"
"A witness saw you throwing something into a cement mixer," LeBrun answered, "We dug it up…..it was a nerve gas canister. The same kind of gas used in the jewelry stone."
"Was anyone hurt?" Duncan asked.
"No. You guessed right," LeBrun answered, "The concrete deactivated it."
"Then you don't need to talk to me," Duncan then started to walk away.
"We also ID'd the guy you were chasing," LeBrun told him, "We think his name is Xavier St. Cloud. Where is he?"
"If I knew, you wouldn't have to worry about him," Duncan replied.
"This is no time for personal vendettas, MacLeod," LeBrun affirmed, "Let's go."
"Give me a moment," Duncan relented. The detective nodded.
"What does LeBrun want?" Tessa asked as she joined her lover.
"Me. Downtown. I'll be back as soon as I can," Duncan answered before he kissed her cheek.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
Duncan was riding with LeBrun in the backseat of the patrol car.
"We believe this man…..this Xavier St. Cloud, came from West Africa," LeBrun informed the Highlander.
"Why?" Duncan asked.
"InterPol reports a similar crime fifteen years ago," LeBrun explained, "A drug lord was found gassed in his mansion. The place had been looted. The guy got away with millions in cash and a priceless collection of seventeenth century African sculpture."
"West African sculpture?" Duncan remembered the sculpture at the gallery.
"Yes, why?" LeBrun asked.
"I would take me too long to explain," Duncan answered. He opened the car door and ran for the gallery, ran past the crowd and he grabbed the Fanti statue and looked at it.
"What are you doing?!" Tessa demanded, "What are you doing?!"
Duncan shoved the statue at Tessa and started examining the base. He removed the cover, pulled out the bomb and yanked the black wire away. Then, the timer stopped at 9:00:00.
"Fleuret is Xavier," Duncan sighed in relief knowing everyone in the gallery was safe. Moments later, he hurried out of the gallery and found Xavier at the barge, where he was waiting for him.
"I've been waiting for you," Duncan declared as he spotted his opponent creeping around the deck, "Don't bother with the gas. There's nobody home."
Xavier held up the gas canister, "You do turn up unexpectedly, MacLeod."
"I think we both expected this," Duncan replied.
"I'm just trying to earn a few francs," Xavier replied before he put the canister in his pocket, "After all, a man's got to live."
He drawn his sword.
"Not necessarily," Duncan replied before he attacked and the duel began.
As the fight progressed, Xavier pulled out the gas canister again and held it aloft in his left hand. Duncan responded by slicing the hand from Xavier's arm, causing his opponent to scream in pain and run for the river, dropping his sword and diving into the water. Duncan followed him to try and track him down.
One Year Later
"So, did you bring the caviar?" Xavier inquired, with a hook for a hand.
"I left it downstairs," Duncan answered.
"That's a shame," Xavier replied, "I thought we might share it."
"You mean like a like supper?" Duncan asked.
"Mm. Exactly," Xavier stated, "I'll eat it on your grave."
"I doubt it," Duncan replied before he dueled with Duncan winning the duel, taking his head and quickening and then walking away.
-DCH-Side-Stories-
"So, what is it that you wanted to show me?" Tori asked as she and Richie were at a cliffside.
"Is it normal to…..well, you know…." Richie tried to ask, but he acted as if he didn't want to ask the actual question. He felt his arm burning for the past couple of hours, actually since yesterday, but he didn't want to tell anyone, much less Mac or Tessa. He felt Tori was the only person he could ask.
"You can tell me anything," Tori assured him, "Remember don't hide things. People get hurt."
Richie nodded, "Is it normal for my arm to burn?"
Tori pursed her lips and looked away for a moment before she answered, "When you were attacked, the cut was deep, but I'm sure it wasn't that bad."
"Okay…...but what about this?"
He removed his jacket, showing Tori what had been burned into his skin. Tori grabbed his arm and examined it.
It was a slash on his arm and it was glowing bright blue.
Author's Note: I enjoyed watching "For Tomorrow We Die" as well as writing my Earth N take on the episode. I seriously wish I had written Xavier St. Cloud in the main story, but I am glad I have written him here. It was amazing that he was supposed to be a one time character but fans and writers liked the character to where he came back for the two parter episode "Unholy Alliance". Roland Gift played a brilliant character, and I'm glad I finally got to write him.
As for Renee, I don't even have the words for her. I don't know if she's worst than Maya or not, but I think Felice and Gilles are both worse than either girl are. I just find Renee, I don't even have the words for her. What she did just brings a bad taste in my mouth, rubbed me the wrong way. Enough said there.
Author's Commentary
One Year Later
"So, did you bring the caviar?" Xavier inquired, with a hook for a hand.
"I left it downstairs," Duncan answered.
"That's a shame," Xavier replied, "I thought we might share it."
"You mean like a like supper?" Duncan asked.
"Mm. Exactly," Xavier stated, "I'll eat it on your grave."
"I doubt it," Duncan replied before he dueled with Duncan winning the duel, taking his head and quickening and then walking away.
This is from the second part of the two parter episode "Unholy Alliance Part Two" as people will probably wonder what happened to Xavier St. Cloud as Richie and Tori are not around Duncan MacLeod when he takes out St. Cloud. So, there you go!