Studies In Life
by Beth Arritt
Copyright 1995
"Not again!" Richie Ryan exclaimed, as he fell to the floor.
"'Fraid so," Duncan said with a grin. "You do the cleaning -- again!" Duncan walked over to the office, grabbed the big broom, and dropped it onto the floor next to Richie.
"This isn't fair! I'll never beat you, so I'll have to clean up forever."
"Nah, not forever. Just another couple hundred years or so -- until you can beat me." With those words, Duncan headed upstairs.
*****
Richie had just finished cleaning up when a beautiful redhead walked into the dojo. He stared at her for a moment. About his height, she had long curly hair, and the most incredible blue eyes.
"Hi! I'm looking for Duncan MacLeod. Is he here?" she said, glancing around the room.
"Umm...he's upstairs. Can I tell him who's here, or is there something I can help you with?"
"Maddie? Is that you?" Duncan's voice came from behind Richie. He hurried down the stairs and crossed the room to hug the girl. "How have you been?" He pulled back, studying her. "I haven't seen you in ages! How long has it been?"
"Eight years," Madison replied. "My folks told me where to find you. I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not. But what are you doing in Seattle?"
"Ahem," Richie cleared his throat loudly, reminding them he was there.
"Sorry." Duncan stepped back from her to make introductions.
"Maddie, this is Richie Ryan. Richie, Madison Carne -- 'Maddie,'" he said with shrug and a raise of his eyebrows.
"Nice to meet you." Madison held out her hand.
"The pleasure is all mine," Richie replied, as he shook it.
"So, Maddie, what are you doing in Seattle?" Duncan repeated his question.
"Well, I've been hired to teach history at the university."
"That's great! Congratulations! But I thought you were teaching back east."
Maddie walked towards a window, looking out. " I was, but I needed a change of scenery. So when they offered, I accepted, and here I am." She looked over at Duncan. "I just moved in yesterday, and I'm getting settled in before classes start in a couple of weeks."
Duncan sensed something wasn't right. She was hiding something, but he was n't sure what. "Well, it's nice to have you in the city," he said. "Come on upstairs where we can talk."
"Actually, I need to get going." She walked back over to Duncan. "I just wanted to stop by and surprise you." She paused. "You know, there's a faculty cocktail party I have to go to tomorrow evening -- how about escorting me?"
"Sure, I'd love to," Duncan replied.
"Great! Thanks a lot. Here's my address and phone number." Maddie handed Duncan a piece of paper out of her bag. "I live right off campus, so we can walk from my place. Pick me up at 5:30 tomorrow?"
"I'll be there," Duncan promised. Madison kissed him on the cheek, then turned to Richie and smiled. "It was nice meeting you Richie," she said as she shook his hand again and headed out the door, calling out a good-bye as she left.
"Wow!" Richie said after she was gone. "Nice looking friend you got there, Mac. All those long red curls and blue eyes you could drown in. Not bad at all. How do you know her?"
"I've known her parents for a while." Duncan replied distractedly, still looking towards the door Madison had just exited. "They lived in Seattle until about ten years ago, then they moved to New York. Her father is an art dealer."
"And you haven't seen them since they moved?"
Duncan looked back at Richie. "I've seen her parents a few times, but I haven't seen Maddie since she graduated from high school, except for some pictures. Last I heard from David a couple of years ago, she had just started teaching at Columbia. She's a bright girl." Duncan headed upstairs, pausing at the elevator and pointing to the floor. "You missed a spot."
*****
Madison heard the knock on her front door as she was finishing her lipstick. She hurried to the door, picking up her purse on the way. After a quick check through the peephole to assure herself it was Duncan, she opened the door and stepped outside. They headed down the street to the party.
"I really appreciate this, Duncan. I don't have any other friends in the area, and I hate going to these things alone."
"No problem. I don't mind -- it gives us a chance to catch up. So, what have you been up to?"
"Not much. After I got my degree at Columbia, they asked me to stay on as a part-time teacher. I was there for two years; then the university here came along with a full time position, and I took it."
"No boyfriend to consider?" Duncan teased.
"Nope, not yet," Maddie stopped and turned to face him. "Duncan...I heard about Tessa." She paused. "I'm really sorry. She was a great lady."
"Thanks Maddie. She was." He looked off into the distance, controlling the emotions that still flared up at times when he thought of that loss. "I still miss her sometimes, but I've gotten on with my life."
"Do you ever get used to losing people?"
"No. It never gets any easier." He was silent for a moment. "If anything, it gets harder."
Duncan offered her his arm. "Shall we?"
They walked the short distance to the hall where the party was being held. When they entered the room, Madison looked around.
"See anyone you know?" Duncan asked.
"Umm... there's the dean. I don't know anyone else. I guess I should go say hello." She started to head towards the dean. "Come on, I'll introduce you. Then we can grab a drink and mingle."
"Okay, let's get it over with." They spoke with he dean briefly then headed for the bar. Madison introduced herself to a few people and stopped to talk with a professor who had taught at Columbia for a semester.
A little while later, they were making their way toward the exit when Duncan felt it -- the presence of another immortal. He stopped quickly, looked around, and spotted the other immortal out on a balcony alone, watching him. Kostas!
Madison had stopped when Duncan stopped and followed his gaze toward the ob ject of his attention. When she saw the man, she went pale.
Duncan came to his senses in time to hear Maddie say, "Damn! He found me."
"What do you mean he found you?" Duncan turned to stare at her.
"Let's just get out of here, and then I'll explain," she said, dragging him towards the door.
They hurried out the door and down the street to Madison's apartment building. But Duncan pulled her towards his car. "If he's following, hopefully he'll think I just parked here and won't know this is where you live. We'll go to my place. And you can start explaining now," he added as he started the car and pulled out onto the street.
"Well, he's the main reason I left New York." She stopped, and Duncan glanced at her, silently urging her to continue. "I was coming home from a show one night when I heard clanging swords coming from an alley. You know me -- I'm way too curious for my own good. So I checked it out -- just in time to see him chop off someone's head. I was so stunned I didn't even think to run until it was all over. Then he saw me, and I ran. But not before he'd gotten a good look at me. He found me, so I moved away. I was lucky this new job. I didn't think he knew my name or where to find me. Obviously, I was wrong."
"And you didn't think this was something you should tell me about?" Duncan asked, glancing at her again, his face set in hard lines.
"I didn't think you would need to know so soon! I would have told you later. I honestly didn't think the guy would find me. I don't even know his name!" She covered her face with her hands and just sat there for a moment. "Oh, God! What am I going to do?"
"Well, for starters, you can stay with us."
"Us?"
"Richie and me," Duncan replied. "One of us will be with you at all times."
"You mean Richie is immortal?"
"Yeah, he's immortal."
****
They arrived at the dojo, and hurried up the stairs. Duncan was pretty sure Kostas hadn't followed them, even to the car. But it was a safe bet he would be able to find Duncan's place easily. And that would be where he would look as soon as he realized Madison wasn't at her apartment.
As they came into the loft, they saw Richie standing there, looking tense. He relaxed as soon as he saw Duncan. "What's up?" he asked. "You guys look tense."
"I'm going to splash some cold water on my face," Madison said, taking off her coat and hanging it on the coat rack.
"Bathroom's that way," Duncan said, pointing towards the other side of the loft.
After she'd gone, Richie wanted to know what happened.
"Someone's after her. One of us." Duncan said, hanging up his coat.
"Oh, man! Why?"
"She saw him take a head."
"Damn! Anyone I know?"
"His name is Kostas," Duncan supplied. "He has a *real* problem with mortals knowing about his immortality. He won't rest until she's dead."
"So does she even understand what she saw?" Richie wanted to know as they walked into the kitchen.
"Yeah. She knows about immortals." Duncan poured a glass of wine. "She's known for a long time."
Richie stared. "Excuse me?" Duncan didn't answer. "How did that happen?"
"About fifteen years ago, she stumbled upon a fight I was having with an immortal named Khristos. She saw me take his head, and she saw the Quickening. I explained everything to her - I didn't have much choice." He smiled, remembering. "She was very understanding for an eight year old."
"Woah, what a story. And she never told anyone?"
"Nope." He walked back towards the couch. "I trust her. I've had to trust her for a long time."
Madison came back out into the main living area of the loft. "So, Duncan, what's the damage? Think he'll give up if he knows you're protecting me?"
"No, I don't." Duncan handed her the glass of wine. "I know Kostas," he said. "He won't rest until you're dead. Or he is."
"Gee, Duncan, don't sugarcoat things. Give it to me straight," Madison said.
"What do you know about him, Mac?"
"I met him in the late 17th century. He was engaged to marry a woman who saw him killed. When he woke up, she pretended to accept his explanation, then as soon as she could she ran to get the local priest. The next morning they burned him at the stake as a witch."
"Oh," was all Richie could say. Maddie said nothing.
"Richie, stay with her," Duncan said as he picked up his sword. "If he shows up, call me on the cell phone and get her out of here. Got it?"
"Got it," Richie replied, picking up his sword and leaning it against the sofa.
"Give me the keys to your place," Duncan said to Madison. She fished them out of her purse and handed them over. "Stick with Richie, Maddie, he'll take care of you. I'll be back," Duncan said as he left.
After Duncan had gone, Richie sat down at the table with Madison. "Can I get you anything else?" he asked.
"No, thank you, I'm fine," she replied, and then she laughed. "I'm not accustomed to being waited on by someone wielding a sword."
Richie smiled. "Yeah, well, hang out with immortals long enough, you get used to it."
Maddie smiled. "So, how long have you known Duncan," she asked him.
"About four years. I guess you've known him most of your life, huh?"
"Pretty much."
"So, what was he like when you first met him?" Richie asked.
Maddie sat her glass on the table and walked over to the window, then answered. "A lot like he is now, as far as I can tell. Gorgeous, a real knight-in-shining armor type. A nice guy, easy-going, great sense of humor." She came back over to sit on the sofa. "How did you two meet, if you don't mind my asking? A battle?"
"Not exactly. I wasn't immortal yet when I first met Mac. I was just a punk trying to rob his store." Richie briefly related the rest of the story about the attempted robbery, and the immortal battles that followed. "Anyway," he finished, "he took me under his wing after that. I don't know what would have happened to me without him."
"Duncan saves the day again, just like he's trying to do for me now." Maddie took a sip of wine, then sighed. "They don't make many men like that anymore."
*****
Duncan went back to Madison's apartment building. He doubted he would find Kostas there waiting, but he wanted to see if Kostas had found Maddie's apartment. Duncan went into her apartment, but found nothing to indicate anyone had been inside. He decided to walk back to the location of the party. He made it almost to the building when he felt the presence of another immortal. As he pulled out his sword, he spotted Kostas walking towards him from the side of the building, sword in hand.
"Well, MacLeod, this is a surprise."
"Kostas. Always lovely to see you," Duncan replied sarcastically. "What brings you to town?"
"Where's the girl?" Kostas demanded.
"What girl?" Duncan answered with a shrug.
"The one you were with at the party." He circled around Duncan. "Don't play games with me MacLeod."
"What do you want with her, Kostas. She hasn't done anything to you." Duncan kept turning as Kostas circled.
"She knows what we are - did you know that? She cannot be allowed to live."
"Why? She hasn't told anyone, she hasn't done anything. You don't even know if she understands what she saw, do you?"
"She found you, didn't she? Strange coincidence, don't you think?"
"She's an old friend of mine," Duncan replied. "I know her, Kostas, she won't say anything. Now let this go."
"NO!" Kostas roared. "She knows. No mortal can know - sooner or later they'll cause trouble. She has to die." He raised his sword. Just then, a group of people came out of the building.
"Come after her and you'll have to deal with me. Let it go, and you keep your head." Duncan said, quickly concealing his sword. "This is the only warning you'll get." He walked back to his car, and headed back to the dojo.
*****
Back at the dojo, Richie and Madison were playing chess, when Richie looked up sharply, then tensed and reached for his sword.
"What is it?" Madison asked. Is someone here?"
"Stay back," Richie ordered her. The elevator began to move, bringing Duncan into view. Richie relaxed.
"Well," Madison asked, sitting down on the sofa. "What happened? Did you see him?"
"I went back to your place," Duncan answered, taking off his coat and sitting down next to her. "I don't think anyone's been there. I retraced our steps, and ran into Kostas outside of the party."
"And?"
"And... he wants you."
"What did you do, Mac?" Richie asked.
"I told him to leave Maddie alone. That she wouldn't say anything." He sat back against the sofa. "I couldn't do much else - it was too public."
"Did it work?" Maddie wanted to know.
"I don't know," Duncan answered, then after a moment, "I doubt it. Kostas is fanatical about secrecy. If he has to go through me to get to you, I think he'll try anyway. You should stay here for a while."
"Why? You said he doesn't know where I live."
"No, I said I didn't think anyone had been in your apartment." Duncan put his hand on her arm. "It's a good bet he knows where you live, where your classes are going to be, and your schedule. Kostas is very resourceful, and very thorough."
"Great!" Maddie slumped back into the sofa. "So, either I become a prisoner for the rest of my life, and run every time he finds me, or I let him kill me?"
"I'm not going to let that happen," Duncan replied. He touched her cheek. "Don't worry. You'll stay here, and if he comes after you, I'll handle it."
Madison stood up and began pacing the floor. "Duncan, no offense, because I really appreciate this, but I hate having to rely on someone else to constantly protect me."
"The situation is a little unique, and you don't have a lot of other choices."
"True." Madison was silent for a moment. "Thanks, Duncan. I appreciate this."
"Don't mention it." Duncan rose from the sofa to stand beside Maddie, who had stopped pacing. "Look, it's getting late. Do you want to take a shower or something?"
"That would be great." She started towards the bathroom, then stopped. "I just remembered - I don't have any of my stuff."
"There's a robe on the back of the door. I'll find you something to wear. We can go to your place tomorrow to pick up some of your things."
"Thanks again," Madison said, then she turned and left the room.
Richie stood up and reached for his coat. "I guess I'll get out of here."
"Could you come back in the morning?" Duncan asked. "I want to check on a few things, and I don't want to leave her here alone."
"Sure. Anything you need, just ask." They both took the elevator down into the dojo. "You care a lot about her, don't you?" Richie asked.
"Yeah, I do," Duncan replied. "I may not have seen her for a while, but she's kept my secret all this time. She's always been very mature - even at eight." He smiled. "Not many eight year olds would have been able to handle what she saw, much less keep it quiet. But that's Maddie."
"Sounds like quite a lady." They reached the door. "I'll see you tomorrow, Mac," Richie said as he left. Duncan went back up to the loft.
****
A little later Madison came back into the room wearing Duncan's robe.
"Hope these fit," Duncan said, handing her a t-shirt and some sweatpants.
"They should be okay." She went into the bathroom to change, leaving the door open a little so they could talk. "Duncan... do you really thing he'll keep after me?"
Duncan was quiet for a moment. "Yes, I really do," he finally answered. "But don't worry about it tonight."
"Yeah, right," Maddie said as she came back into the room. "You try having someone after you who you can't kill and you can't call the police on for the rest of your life."
"Oh, I think I can empathize," he said with a smile.
Maddie thought about if for a second, then gave a slight smile. "I guess so," she said. "But I'm not used to dealing with this." She looked exhausted, and almost ready to cry.
Duncan took her in his arms. "It'll be okay."
"You're that certain you can beat him?" Her voice was muffled against his shoulder.
"Nothing's ever certain," he said carefully, "but I think I can beat him." He turned her around and guided her towards his bed. "You take the bed, I'll sleep on the sofa."
She started to protest, but he stopped her. "You're obviously exhausted, and you'll sleep better here. Besides, I've slept in more uncomfortable places than that sofa in the last 400 years," he said with a grin.
Madison laughed and got into the bed. Duncan sat down on the edge of the bed, holding her hand. "Are you going to be okay?" he asked.
"I think so. I feel safer here than I did in New York when he was after me, I know that."
"You're safe here tonight, just keep remembering that."
"I will." She snuggled deeper in the covers. "Thanks again, Duncan. Goodnight."
"Goodnight." He kissed her hand and went over to the sofa to get some sleep.
*****