When they got back to the dojo Timothy was waiting inside.

“Well he’s right on time, I guess he got our invitation,” said Amanda grimly. Duncan looked deep into her dark eyes.

“Are you sure you want to do this?”

“How many times do we have to go through this? I’m ready, I can handle it.”

“You’re sure the Quickening hasn’t drained you too much?”

“I’ve never felt better in my life. MacLeod you need to stop worrying, you sound like my mother.”

“What mother?”

“Oh you know what I mean,” Amanda said throwing Mac an exasperated look. She tugged the sleeve of his coat as she walked toward the entrance of the dojo. “Come on.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Duncan whispered smiling despite the anxious tension he could feel beginning to choke him. This was the moment; he just hoped they were ready. The two immortals entered the dojo together, and faced the tall immortal that stood in the middle of the wooden floor, sword ready.

“I want Amanda,” he said angrily.

“Oh darling, doesn’t everyone?” Amanda answered calmly as she stepped forward, sword in hand. “Let’s get it done.”

Timothy swung his sword in a wide arc and the fight began. Amanda danced just out of reach using her sword as a distraction while Duncan crept around in back of Timothy.

“I see you MacLeod. You can’t interfere!” said Timothy as he realized what Duncan was doing.

“Oh I’m not going to fight you,” answered MacLeod. Amanda set Timothy slightly off balance with a desperate slash at his knees, and Mac seized the moment, grabbing Timothy and tackling him. Amanda rushed over and stabbed Timothy through the heart. Quickly the two dragged the Timothy’s lifeless body to a training dummy and tied it securely to him. Then they waited until the man’s eyes flew open and he gasped with new life. When Timothy saw what they had done he began to struggle at his bonds, attempting to free himself, but the exercise was futile. He screamed in frustrated anger.

“Oh stop struggling, we aren’t going to take your head,” chided Amanda.

“I don’t believe you. And you,” Timothy said looking at Mac, “you, weren’t supposed to interfere.” Duncan shrugged.

“I think the rules only apply when you gang up to take a Quickening, as you’ll notice your Quickening is still intact.”

“Then why tie me up?”

“Well you wouldn’t listen when you were untied. You kept swinging your sword around like a madman,” answered Amanda. She leaned forward conspiratorially, “You should really be careful with that sword, you might put someone’s eye out.” Timothy struggled against his bonds and she leaned back, laughing.

“Don’t taunt him Amanda, just tell him what you came to say,” said
Duncan.

“Okay, okay. I was only kidding. He’s much too sensitive.”

“Amanda,” said Duncan threateningly.

“Sorry.” Amanda walked over to Duncan and kissed him teasingly. “Now to the important things.” She walked over to Timothy. “I know you’ve assumed the worst about me. That I’m a heartless monster who kills mortals for sport or pleasure. But I swear that it was an honest mistake. When I stabbed your wife it was only because I thought it was you.” She paused thoughtfully. “That didn’t come out right. What I meant was, I got set-up. My so-called friend Janie, was following me around for months just to make me jumpy. Then she told me you were the one following me, so I tracked you down. I only wanted to find out what you were up to, that’s why I didn’t swing for the head. If it had been you I stabbed, you would’ve lived. You see that it’s just a horrible mistake. I didn’t mean to kill your wife. I never kill mortals intentionally. I’m a very nice person, really.” Amanda glanced at MacLeod. “I AM a nice person Mac.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You were thinking it I could tell. So what do you say Timothy?” Amanda looked at Timothy warily. He had stopped struggling during her speech.

“You’re a liar,” he said.

“Well sometimes yes, but not now.” Timothy looked to Duncan.

“Do you trust her?” he asked.

“No,” said Duncan. Amanda glared. “But she is telling the truth this time.”

“How do you know?” Timothy asked.

“Because I love her.” Amanda smiled at Duncan.

“I do love to hear you say that,” she said as she kissed him deeply, running her hands through his hair.

“I don’t mean to interrupt but I’m still here.”

“Then tell me the truth, do you still want my head?” Amanda asked.

Timothy sat silently, tears in his eyes.
“I want to kill someone, but it’s not you anymore.” Timothy looked up at Amanda into her eyes. Eyes that pleaded for forgiveness. “I see it in your eyes, the love you two share. You remind me a little of her. I won’t kill you, but don’t ask me to forgive because I can’t. Not yet.” Amanda took his hand.

“I am so sorry,” she whispered. “I joke, but I do care. I will carry her memory my whole life, and I will never forgive myself.” She quickly untied Timothy’s bonds and stood unarmed before him. His hand rested on the sword hilt hidden out of sight. He hesitated, then turned and rushed out of the dojo. Amanda looked at MacLeod. With tears in her eyes she ran to him. He held her tight as she sobbed on his chest. Stroking her hair he comforted her with meaningless words. Slowly the storm of tears subsided. She pulled away wiping at her wet cheeks.

“I couldn’t have done it without you MacLeod.”

“I wouldn’t have wanted you to.” They smiled at each other. Then MacLeod looked down at his tearstained sweater. “This was my favorite sweater,” he complained.

“Oh I got it all wet,” said Amanda remorsefully, eyeing his muscles with pleasure. “I think you’re going to have to take it off, you don’t want to catch cold.” She ran for the elevator, laughing with MacLeod close behind.
****

Epilogue

Duncan lifted the elevator gate and walked into the loft. He tensed as he felt the presence of another immortal then relaxed when he heard Amanda call from the other room. He took off his coat and went to find her. When he entered the bedroom, she was nowhere to be seen. As he turned to leave she jumped out from behind the bed, with a sword in hand. His instincts kicked in as he grabbed the sword, stopping its downward swing. He grabbed her wrist and flung her onto the bed, stripping the sword from her hand as she fell. He put the sword to her throat, looking into dancing eyes.

“What the hell is going on here?” he asked.

“It was just a surprise I thought you’d like.”

“You thought I’d like getting my head chopped off, well then let’s see how you like it.”

“No you dimwit, look at the sword.” Duncan looked down at the sword he clutched in his hand. It was his Katana, he had almost forgotten how it felt to hold the ancient sword, but memory returned quickly.

“Where did you get this?” he demanded, letting go of Amanda’s arm. She inched away from the sharp edge as she answered.

“Timothy sent you a package. I found it right outside the door while you were gone.”

“You opened my mail?”

“The package looked suspicious I thought it was a bomb. I figured I’d do you a favor since you have an aversion to being blown up, by disarming it for you.”

“So it had nothing to do with you being a nosy little bitch.”

“A nosy little bitch?! Why what a foul mouth you have.” she laughed. “I don’t know where you come up with these crazy ideas about me, Mac.”

“Me neither,” he said as he nuzzled her neck. She grabbed his head and pulled him down onto the bed.

“Well then I guess I’ll forgive you.”

“For what?” he asked pausing for a moment.

“Never mind,” she said pulling him close again.

the end

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