Chapter 7

Heather and Rachel--New York--1989

It never stopped amazing Rachel at how fast time could fly by. It seemed like only yesterday that Heather had been deposited into her living room by some young lawyer after Brenda had died suddenly. Eight years of laughter courtesy of her adopted daughter. Heather was like a breath of fresh air or a whirlwind, depending on what moment you happened to catch her. A soft chuckle escaped Rachel as she tallied up the day's receipts at the store. Many times Heather came with her to the store after school, and each time Rachel brought Heather with her she kept a firm eye peeled on her daughter. Heather was, if anyone looked at her, a picture of sweet innocent youth. Ten years old and full of vitality and energy. What most didn't see was Heather's zest for the unknown. She was always exploring, and often finding herself in trouble. Rachel set down her ink pen a few moments. Something was wrong. It was way too quiet in the store. She couldn't hear Heather's soft humming as she talked to the old portraits or as she hummed to herself while coloring. "Good heavens," thought the still attractive middle-aged woman "What has Heather gotten into now?"

Rachel stood up and turned slowly, her eyes seeking out every corner or area a petite child could hide. Seeing Heather no where she began to look in earnest. A few moments later she noticed that the hidden doorway to her fathers special room had somehow opened. Walking quickly to the entrance she looked inside, her eyes looking about in the dimness for her daughter. Rachel couldn’t decide whether she was totally furious or if she should laugh hysterically when her eyes finally found Heather. There she was, curled peacefully up in what Heather thought to be a plaid blanket, her head pillowed by a set of old bagpipes.

Rachel couldn't help but smile at the coincidence however. That blanket her daughter was so firmly wrapped in was really Connor's family tartan. It was just another of the many things Rachel found to be so like her father. "Strange she would pick that of all things," Rachel thought to herself as she stood watching the sleeping child. Over the last eight years there had been so many moments that Rachel fancied she caught a glimpse of her father in the child. But she knew that was impossible. Connor had explained once to Rachel about what he was, and that he could never have children. It boggled her mind even to this day, but she didn't doubt him. Connor was one of the most admirable honorable men she knew. She missed him so much. That is probably why she saw so much of Connor in a child that Brenda swore was his. Rachel knew it wasn't possible, but a little piece in her wished so hard that it was.

Rachel had never told Connor much about Heather, only that the mother had died when the baby was 2 years old, and that she, Rachel, had adopted her. Strangely, one of the final requests of Brenda in the days before her death was to not tell Connor. Rachel figured that even Brenda knew that Connor probably would take responsibility for the child, and given his circumstances, maybe Brenda was trying even then, to protect Connor and the child both.

Rachel pulled herself back to the present and walked in closer to her daughter. It was time to go home after all so she was going to rouse the child and close up. Her heart dropped into her shoes when she saw what else the child had cuddled up too. Nestled firmly beside Heather was a sword, an old broadsword, one of the best Rachel could tell. Connor was the weapons expert not her. Heather's small hand was clasped tightly around the handle of the sword, as if she were prepared to use it. Rachel shook her head of such fanciful thoughts and begin to walk over to Heather to wake her from what seemed to be a deep sleep and a rather nice dream to judge by the smile on the little girls face.

Chapter 6

Chapter Six

Jacob Kell--New York--1981

He had been watching this woman for months, off and on. Just as he had watched the women in Connor's life before this. It didn't seem unusual to him at least for Connor to have gone missing. It made him laugh though to think this woman had at one time cheated on the Highlander, but that in and of itself would come to be useful to him one day. He wasn't sure when or how, and right now it didn't matter. The only thought in his mind was to wreak pain and anguish on Connor MacLeod, in the only way he knew how. He had to pay, Macleod did for what he had done. And pay he would the man thought, yes Connor would pay and pay and pay.

Connor--New York-1981

New York. It was good to be back in New York. The letter he had received in New Orleans was certainly cryptic. The note held few words or clues as to what was up or who the sender was. It was a curiosity. The note simply said BE There along with the address where he was supposed to. It was typed in bold face print. You'll find this fun! That was all that was written.

Hell, it was probably Duncan up to some weird joke. Duncan for all his charm could be a practical jokester. His thoughts turned inward as the plan begin its journey towards the city he had called home for over a century. New York, home to his adopted daughter Rachel. He had missed her so over the last two years. Although he had called her regularly, he missed seeing her. Hell he missed the shop. His thoughts turned to Brenda. Maybe he would stop in to see her. Hopefully she wouldn't hate him too much when he appeared. First off however, he had to take care of this meeting, and see what it was that Duncan might want. He knew as well that it might not be Duncan. He would be careful. It is how he'd kept his head for so long.

Connor looked at his watch. Right on time, an unusual thing for him usually. He glanced up and down the boulevard, expecting Duncan or some other immortal from his past to just pop up. He extended his senses far out and felt nothing. His soft hazel eyes scanned the surrounding throngs slowly and fell upon a lady in red. Lady in Red.. not just any lady, Brenda. A soft smile lit his face. "How fortuitous," Connor thought as he lifted his hand to call a greeting to her. At just that moment a black car came speeding from nowhere and rammed into Brenda, catapulting her 20 feet away. Once again as in times past his immortal sense caught wind of something strong, something that made him sicker than the immortal buzz usually did.

"Dammit!" Connor thought as he turned and quickly went the other way, his thoughts a jumble as yet another person he loved met a untimely and violent death. Connor faded into the crowd, his face tormented, his soul crushed. It had happened again. So many times in his past a loved one died tragically. He had began to feel cursed, but not by witches or demons. No, this was too thorough. he knew his curse had a name. And until now it had not found Rachel. And wouldn't if he had anything to do with it. The reunion with his daughter now canceled, Connor made his way back to the airport.

Chapter 5

Heather and Brenda--New York--1981

Two years flew by. Brenda didn't keep track of the days. She had her life and it was full. Her days were taken up with her job, her new novel she was working on, and her daughter Heather. Heather was such a beautiful child. Her hair now more a reddish gold than blonde, her eyes such a soft green, and always crinkled up in a smile, as long as her favorite teddy bear was near. For days upon end now Brenda's mind could be kept off Connor and how she missed him. In some ways though he was always present, in the hint of a smile on Heather's face, or certain ways her little laugh would echo. There could be no doubt in Brenda's mind, that if anyone saw Heather, and if they knew Connor, that they could tell whose child she was.

There was a dark shadow in her happy full days though. She wasn't sure exactly what it was, but things just didn't feel right. She couldn't quite put a finger on it, but things were off somehow. She felt followed, as if eyes were on her everywhere she went. She tried to put this unease down to over worked nerves, or stress over her new book. She always got a bit panicky when in a dead heat to finish a book according to schedule. But it was there... that presence, whatever it was, and it made her feel uneasy. It also made her more cautious, more mindful of the future, both for herself and for Heather. Her thoughts turned often to what would happen to her small daughter if something was to happen to her.

As she sat by her window, watching the New York street below, much as she had done for months in hopes that Connor would return, Brenda thought she saw someone watching her apartment. Blinking her eyes rapidly she looked again at that shadowy place again and saw nothing. An icy chill ran up and down her spine. She was sure someone had been standing there."Just nerves old girl. Nothing there." It was enough however to spur her into action. Brenda began to make plans for Heather's future. She wouldn't worry over much, but she would make sure that her daughter was always taken care of, just in case.

The next morning Brenda placed a call to her attorney, setting up an appointment. She explained in a few short sentences that she wanted to set up a new will with provisions for her daughter, and to set up god parents or guardians for Heather should something happen to her. Although the attorney was glad to do this for her he kept trying to assure Brenda that she had plenty of time to take care of such things. Brenda was adamant about it. The meeting had to be today no later. She wanted this taken care of. With a soft chuckle the attorney agreed and named a time after lunch for Brenda to meet him in his office.

Brenda then placed a call to Rachel. It had been years since she had spoken to Connor's adopted daughter. Mostly because she was sure that Rachel would never believe that Heather was Connor's daughter. Right now however she had no choice, and Rachel was just going to have to bloody well deal with it.

Rachel and Brenda--New York--1981

Brenda stood before the doors of the restaurant, mentally preparing herself for this next meeting. It was not going to be an easy one. She was pretty sure of that. She was so engrossed in her own thoughts, she didn't see the man dressed all in black watching her from across the street. Taking a deep breath she walked into the restaurant, her eyes restlessly moving over the room. Seeing Rachel, whom she'd come to meet, she walked over to her.

"Hello Rachel, long time no see."

"Hello Brenda. You look well. But how are you, really? I'm fine by the way. Still married to Jake quite happily.. Have a seat if you will. I've ordered tea already but waited for you to arrive before placing any other order."

"Tea is fine Rachel," said Brenda, "in fact, after I start talking you may not even want to wait to order."

Rachel looked at Brenda curiously. She wondered what on earth would suddenly have Brenda Wyatt contact her after all these years. She had assumed after the first few months, when all contact drizzled off that Brenda had moved on with her life, had gotten over Connor. In thinking that Rachel had decided to never tell Brenda that Connor had been contacting her, his daughter from time to time.

Brenda took a deep breath and looked Rachel square in the eyes. "I have a favor to ask of you. Trust me what I am about to tell you is going to blow your mind. Then you are going to doubt me and then Rachel, if we are lucky.. you are going to look at me and realize I am telling the truth. It is not easy what I am about to say. I have carried this secret for over 2 years now. But recently I have decided I need to take care of things and get my life in order.

Rachel looked at Brenda a bit surprised. She remembered Brenda as being a very forthright type of lady. But after she removed herself from Rachel's life, Rachel wasn't so sure what Brenda was all about. Taking a deep breath she muttered softly, "Why don't you just tell me then Brenda? I'm sure whatever it is is't so terribly awful."


Brenda looked at Rachel and smiled. Reaching over for the pot of tea that the waiter had just brought to the table she poured herself and Rachel a cup. "In for a penny, in for a pound," Brenda thought to herself as she began to speak.

The story Brenda told Rachel had Rachel reeling. In some ways she simply did not believe Brenda. The idea was totally impossible. But Brenda seemed so sure, so damned assured of what she was saying. Rachel listened intently, her eyes on her cup of tea that she kept stirring and stirring without ever taking a sip.

The next words that Brenda Spoke stopped Rachel completely, stunned her so badly that it took many long minutes to react.

"I want you to take care of Heather if something should ever happen to me Rachel. I've written a little journal for my daughter, well I've started one really, and I want you to be the guardian of both." Brenda watched Rachel closely as she slide the manila envelope towards Rachel.

For many long moments Rachel simply stared at Brenda, not knowing what to say. Finally she looked up and with her soft cultured voice replied, "Well Brenda she is family, and we always take care of our family. I'll be glad to take over the care of," Rachel hesitated for just a brief second, "Father's little girl, if something should ever happen to you."

Brenda let out a sigh of relief. Although she was quite sure that Rachel didn't quite believe her, she hadn't refused to do what was asked of her. For now Brenda knew this was all she could hope for. She stood up and held out her hand to Rachel. "Thanks Rachel. You have relieved a great burden for me."

Rachel smiled and stood up. "I am honored that you considered me worthy to be a guardian of Heather should something happen to you Brenda.

The two ladies made their way out of the restaurant. "Well Rachel, who else would I trust? You are her sister you know."

With those words Brenda headed to the curb to hail a cab. She was at peace within her self that she had gotten things arranged. Now if something ever happened in the future she wouldn't have to worry about her little girl.