Suddenly he stopped and staggered briefly, reaching out to support himself on the building nearby. A wave of pain swept over him with a wave of disorientation that left him feeling nauseous and dizzy. He must be close to the source of this walking nightmare he was going through. So he moved on, and with each step the pain seemed to intensify, letting him know that at last he was heading in the right direction.

At first he did not notice what seemed to be a filthy pile of trash mounded into a corner of a little blind alley. But a soft whimper stopped him in his tracks. Whipping around, he ran back and knelt, carefully removed the pile of newspapers and shredded clothing and revealed what at first glance seemed to be a frail bag lady lying face down in a pool of blood. It was when he turned her over that he gasped out loud. He knew this girl. In fact he had know her for a long time. Now that he was touching her he could feel very faintly the warning buzz that always alerted him of another immortals presence. But hers was very weak, almost nonexistent.

"Oh, Kat! What has happened to you now?" he whispered softly. There was no response from the limp bundle in his arms. Most of the blood appeared to be coming from an ugly sword wound that started at the base of her neck and extended downwards into her chest. Someone had obviously tried to take her head but had hit her at the wrong angle, slicing downwards instead of a clean stroke across the neck. Why that person had not finished the job, Connor had no idea. He ran his hands quickly over her, trying to determine if that was the only injury. It wasn’t. He could feel the depressed skull fracture and broken jaw and her right arm lay at an impossible angle. He thought there might be some broken ribs and internal bleeding but he wasn’t sure. Laying beside her in the pool of blood was the broken blade of a sword and a bag with a tattered tartan hanging out it. He grabbed the bag, wrapped her in the tartan and lifted her off the ground, grateful that he did not have to carry her far. Another wave of pain swept through him and he wavered and had to search for balance. She wasn’t heavy, but he knew it would be a difficult trip back to his place if he was going to feel the pain she was going through with every step. Gritting his teeth, he staggered out of the alley in the direction of his home.

By the time Connor arrived home with his burden and had laid her down gently he was shaking with the effort to control the pain and nausea coursing through him. He stepped back gasping for breath and tried to clear his head. He did not remember her emphatic abilities being that strong when he first met her. He was beginning to understand why not very many immortals had actually challenged her over the years. It looked like any pain they caused her would be immediately broadcasted right back at them. Grabbing a knife and his first aid kit from the cabinet he gritted his teeth and proceeded to cut off the blood soaked layers of clothing from what looked to be her entire wardrobe. Concentrating on his task, he noticed and then ignored the vivid bruises all over her body as the clothing was removed. But when he carefully cut off the last layer from her broken arm, the sight of it made him lose what tenuous control he had. He turned, gagging and retching despite the lack of food in his stomach. The bones in the upper arm were completely shattered and it had been twisted completely around and was torn so badly that only a small bit of skin and muscle connected it to her body. Her lower arm was a sickening gray color from the lack of a blood supply. Gingerly he took hold of it and twisted it back in place and then tried to piece the shattered bones as close to normal position as he could. Then taking a needle and suture material from the first aid kit he proceeded to repair as much of the damage as he possibly could, hoping it would be enough for her body to repair on its own later. Once done he then turned his attention to the sword wound. She was still loosing a great deal of blood from it and there was no sign of healing taking place in it yet. As he washed the wound he felt something sharp protruding slightly from the base of the wound. Raising her up from the floor he could see the broken sword tip in the middle of her back. Grasping it with a pair of forceps he slowly pulled the piece of steel out of her. Her eyes flew open while he was doing it and she screamed out in pain. He could not help put cry out himself as he felt the pain as well, just as the blade was being removed from his own body.

She sagged against him, unconscious again, and he sighed in relief when he saw the weak sparks of her quickening starting to work in the gaping wound. Laying her back down he removed the rest of her clothing and determined that there was nothing more he could do to help her. The rest was going to have to be totally up to her. He had to slap down a feeling of burning rage when he determined from the damage inflicted upon her that she had probably been raped as well. It would do her no good to pick up on that emotion once she did come too. So he finished washing the blood off her and then wrapped her in a soft robe and carried her to his bed. He checked her arm after he laid her down and noticed with some satisfaction that her arm was now more of a normal color and there was a little warmth in her fingers. Apparently at least some of her blood circulation in the arm was being restored, which meant she might not lose the arm as he had first feared.

Covering her up, he then turned and collapsed in a nearby chair as total exhaustion suddenly overcame him. As he sank into a deep sleep his mind tumbled back through the years to the time when he first met her. A long time ago.............

To the Highlander the bustling city of Edinburgh seemed incredibly huge. He had to repress the urge to turn back the way he had come and flee back to the life he had left. But now that Heather was gone, there was no possibility of that. If he was to move on with his life, he needed to be here. So he plunged forward, not really sure where he was going, but knowing that his future lay somewhere in this city. At least for the time being, he thought.

A group of children playing games in the middle of the street caught his eye and he stopped to watch them. One of the things he regretted most was the fact he had not been able to give his beloved Heather the child that she had wanted so badly. Lost in thought and bittersweet memories, he did not notice the one little lad standing behind him until he tugged on the side of his kilt.

"Please, sir, would you be needing a place to stay?" the boy asked. Connor smiled and nodded so the boy grabbed hold of his hand. "Me mum has a nice place just over there, sir, good food we have, and the bonny lady sings and tells the most marvelous stories after supper for us all! Come with me and I will take you there."

"Lad, how did you know that I would be needed a lodging place?" He asked as he allowed himself to be led down the street by this engaging youngster.

"Herself told me." he replied.

"Herself? and who would that be, pray tell?" Connor questioned.

"Naught but the bonny lady herself! Who else would you think it might be, sir?" Intrigued now, Connor just laughed.

"I see no bonny lady around - just where might this lass be?"

" Hasn’t she gone ahead to be preparing your bath? And herself

knowing that you had a long tiring journey after all?" With that, Connor came to an abrupt stop, throwing the lad momentarily off balance.

"And just how would herself know that, lad?" he asked. The boy just shrugged his thin shoulders.

" The bonny lady knows everything, kind sir. She even knows how to read!" The last part was spoken in a tone of awe - a feeling that echoed in Connor. That was to be his first goals that he wanted to accomplish here in this city, and to think a mere lass already had that ability startled him. He shook his head in wonderment of it all. This he would have to see.

The small boarding house that the lad led him to was indeed a nice, presentable establishment and the smells of food being prepared in the kitchen area made it even more inviting. The stout landlady looked him up and down with undisguised distaste.

"I don’t know what she be seeing in the likes of you, but if she thinks ye will do, ye will. Me Joseph here will take ye to yer room. But I wil’na have ye laying on me clean linen till ye bath! Do you hear what I’m saying to you? And it will be the weeks board paid in advance!" Connor smiled and agreed to her terms, reaching in his bag and pulling out the appropriate coin. "At least yer not penniless, though heaven knows ye look it. Now go on with you and get yerself clean or you’ll no be sitting at me table tonight!" The last was shouted to his back as young Joseph pulled him down the hall to his room.

The room was small but comfortably furnished. A bed with what appeared to be a wonderfully soft thick mattress took up most of the space. A small desk sat under the one window and on it was a jar with a few springs of heather and some wild flowers. Several towels were laying on the end of the bed where a tub half filled with steaming water lay waiting for him. He was suddenly aware of a rank odor being emitting from the clothing that he had been wearing every day for several weeks now so he decided that perhaps a bath would not be a bad idea after all and started to strip the clothing off.

It was just as the kilt hit the pile of clothing he was making on the floor that the door opened and a small lass carrying several more buckets of water marched in. Connor froze where he stood as did she, both staring at each other intently. She glanced up and down him, appraising him, and then laughed sweetly. He had the feeling he had just been tried and judged, found guilty as charged, but set free on probation.

"Do ye not think it might be a good idea to get into the tub before the water gets cold, Captain?" she said in a low, melodious voice that echoed with a trace of laughter. Grinning back, he did as he was told. She brought the buckets over and poured one in.

"Do ye not believe in knocking, lass?" he asked, relaxing in the warmth of the water. She just shrugged and shook her head as she lifted the second bucket and poured it over his head without warning. Shaking his head and sputtering with indignation he roared at her, "Why for did ye do that!"

"Your hair in sore need of a good cleaning, Captain. Now hush your mouth and ye will no be getting water in it!" she gently admonished him. From somewhere in her apron she produced a small bottle and poured the contents of it onto his wet hair, then proceeded to work up a lather.

"I’m no bairn, lass! I can wash meself!" he complained but the only response was a slight smile and giggle. Apparently he was not going to have any choice in this matter. So resigned to the fact that he was going to have to endure her administrations, he relaxed again and turned his eyes to the girl, studying her intently. She was young, very young. But she had an air about her that somehow spoke of one that was used to being in charge. Her long golden hair was tied back in a braid down the center of back. Her clear blue eyes danced in merriment, and she hummed a wordless tune as she concentrated on her task. A spattering of freckles lay across her slightly upturned nose. She somehow managed to give the impression of both childish innocence and worldly wisdom. She was very small, and had the delicate bone structure of a noble lady, but the hands scrubbing away at his hair were strong and obviously used to work.

Connor suddenly became very aware that she was a very attractive young thing and was extremely glad of the soapy water hiding his automatic reaction. But somehow she seem to know it anyway and shook her head, laughed again, and told him to be a good boy and behave himself. She was facing him and her firm little breasts just a few inches from his face were a pleasant sight indeed to behold. Without thinking he reached up with a wet hand and cupped one, grinning broadly as he did so. He was rewarded with a small gasp of surprise but she made no move to remove his hand. So encouraged, he then reached up with his other hand and gently squeezed the other one as well.

"I’m a man, lassie, not a wee lad!" he said hoarsely. The need in his voice surprised him a little. This time the lass responded by standing up and shoving his head firmly under the water. He came up spiting out the soapy water, choking and coughing to the sound of her once again laughing at him. She then turned around, gathered up his pile of clothing and left the room with a jaunty sway of her hips as she walked away. He just sank back in the tub, joining in the laughter as well. Edinburgh was going to be a very interesting place!

When the girl finally returned, Connor was out of the tub and sitting at the desk with the towel wrapped around his loins, staring wishfully out the window.

"Is it the Highlands that ye would be wanted to see out yonder window, Captain?" she asked gently, her hand resting on his bare shoulder.

" We canna have everything we may wish for, lass", he replied sadly, not looking at her. He felt the hand squeeze his shoulder and he somehow knew she understood that all to well, even at her young age.

"Did you bring me clothes back?" he asked with a sigh.

"I did not! They are in an awful state! I did bring you something that ye can wear until ye get more of yer own." Connor shrugged. It didn’t really matter to him at the moment. When he started to rise she pushed him back down in the chair. "Not until I do something to this tangled briar patch that ye call hair!" she firmly stated, brandishing a comb that she had pulled out from her apron. He made a snatch for it but she deftly evaded his grab and then standing behind him started pulling through the knots and snarls. He complained loudly with every tug but was mostly ignored except for a firm whap on the back of the head after one particularly painful pull on his hair when he had changed the complaint to a curse.

"Be quiet, you!" she admonished him and then pulled out a pair of scissors.

"And just what are ye going to be about with those, woman?" he yelled, trying once more to rise from the chair.

"I said sit down, Captain!" Her voice rang with authority and too his surprise, he sat down immediately and stayed there, glaring unhappily at her all the while as she proceeded to cut off the worst of the tangled mess. She did not have to look so pleased with herself! She worked steadily and swiftly away until most his once long hair lay scattered on the floor.

"Now! That is much better! Ye dinna look so much like a highland savage!"

"But I am a highland savage!" he growled deep in his throat and grabbing her around the waist spun her about and deposited her on his lap. Her eyes widened in surprise but she did not struggle, instead she sat calmly on his lap looking at him in anticipation. He snatched the scissors from her hand and laid them on the table and then took her face in his hands.

"What’s yer name, lass?" he demanded.

"And why wa’ ye be wanting to ken that, captain?" she answered in small, quiet voice, looking steadily without fear into his eyes, though he could feel her trembling slightly in his grasp.

"Because I would like to ken the name of the lass I am about to kiss!" he responded fiercely, caressing the line of her jaw with the palm of his hand. She hesitated for a moment, then closed her eyes, and sighing softly she leaned into his hand.

"Katherine. Me name is Katherine", she said in a soft, barely audible whisper that was soon lost as Connor pulled her head closer and covered her mouth with his own. Katherine reached up and draped her arms over his shoulders as she surrendered completely to his kiss. It seemed that time stood still as they held each other. At first she seemed unsure of herself but responded willing to him as the kiss progressed she soon became a very active participant. When at last it was over she seemed a little surprised to once again finding one of his hands cupping her breast.

"Yer a bold one, aren’t you?" she asked as he massaged it. His only reply was a laugh as he lowered his mouth to the soft mound in his grasp, gliding his tongue over it. She shivered and moaned. "Please, sir, stop! tis not seemly!"

He stopped what he was doing and looked deep into her eyes and her flushed face for a long moment.

"You’ve never had a man do this to you, have ye no?" he asked gently, not surprised at all when she shook her head. "Do na worry then lass, I will na hurt you!"

"Don’t you ken that I already have the knowing of that already, sir? Now let me up so I can clean up this mess!"

Reluctantly Connor released her, watching her as she knelt down and swept up the hair on the floor with her hand and deposited it onto her apron. When she told him that he had better be getting dressed for the supper as she was leaving the room he rose to do so. He did not see the wicked grin her face as yelled to her retreating back, "Trousers! I will na wear trousers! I want me kilt, woman!" But her only response to his lament was her sweet musical laugh echoing in the hall..........

Connor awoke with a start and sprang up from the chair, searching for his bearings. Then as memory fading back into the present he laughed softly to himself. That little hoyden had thoroughly enjoyed his immense discomfort of having to wear trousers that first supper at the boarding house. Looking back he was amazed at how well she had managed him that day, though he had on occasion managed to throw her a little off balance. It wasn’t until later that he had found out that the last man who had tried to take the same liberties that he had gotten away with had ended up with a couple of loose teeth from a hard right fist.

Walking over to the bed he sat down beside her and inspected her wounds. The sword wound had completed closed up and appeared to be healing well but her arm still worried him some even though it appeared that circulation had been restored. Gently stroking her temple he found out that the skull fracture was healing as well. Her breathing was deep and steady and she seemed to sleeping without pain and in relative comfort. His finger tips lightly traced down her jaw line, down her neck and then onto her chest...

"You always did have a thing about playing with me boobs, didn’t you?" Her quiet announcement just about made him jump out of his skin. He withdrew his hand and stared at her in amazement. Her eyes were still closed, and she was making a soft snoring sound. Even sound asleep she somehow still managed to get the upper hand with him! As she always had, even back when he had played at seduced her while she was still an innocent lass and inexperienced in the ways of men. Or was she the one who had actually seduced him? After over 400 years of knowing her he couldn’t be sure anymore. He laughed again and after shedding his clothes he crawled into the bed beside her and enfolded her in his arms.......................

Connor awoke to sunlight streaming through the small window onto his face and the sound of giggles from the foot of his bed and a tiny voice saying, "Shhhh! ye’ll wake ‘im!" and a torrent of more giggles. Forcing open one eye he saw what seemed to be a small herd of children. "See, now ya gone and done it!" the little boy called Joseph said. Connor growled deep in his chest and the crowd scattered, shrieking in mock terror amongst another spat of giggles as they fled his room. He sat up, trying to remember where he was and what he was doing there and trying to decide whether or not it would be worth the effort to get up.

The copious amount of whiskey he and the landlord had consumed the evening before had led to some strange dreams. In them he had been back in the highlands and he had been making joyous love to his wonderful Heather when she had changed before his eyes to little vixen who had so completely befuddled him the day before. Connor shook his head, trying to clear the vision from his head. He wasn’t ready to love again. Maybe he would never be. If he had any sense at all he would gather up his things and flee this place while he still could.

It was then that he noticed on the desk the little handwritten book she had given him the night before. The landlady and Katherine had served a wonderful meal to himself, the few other boarders present, and the landlady’s talkative husband. A torrent of words flooded from the man's mouth as he insisted on telling Connor all that he knew about his bonny serving girl. "Wasn’t her name Katherine Patricia Maire Ann Dixon and that being quite a name for such a wee thing as herself? And she being born to be a grand lady with her grandfather being none but Lord Keith himself. A terrible shame it was that her father having died and all, and that her kin had shamefully turned her

away from their gates without two pennies to rub together like they did simply because her da had done service for the English crown. Poor wee thing, she had to take employment here in exchange for room and board so that she might keep body and soul together on speaking terms! And could you believe a lass like herself knowing how to read? But hasn’t she had a multitude of suitors willing to have her despite her lack of kind? And wouldn’t they be celebrating her 16th birthing day in just a few weeks and surely wouldn’t they all be knocking on the door again to try to win her favor!"

Good lord, Connor thought, that man could have talked the ears off a donkey! It was a wonder that he had ever managed to finish off his supper in the midst of all that talk. At one point Katherine had whispered in his ear to not believe the half of what the good man was telling him. When he had asked which half, she just laughed, ruffled his now short hair and returned to her serving shaking her head in amusement.

After the supper was cleared everyone retired to the gathering room along with the children who arranged themselves around on various laps and arms of chairs in the crowded room. Then Katherine had appeared. He remembered how wonderful and ladylike she had looked in her simple dark blue gown, with a golden sash tied around her slender waist. She proceeded to tell some roaring good stories that had everyone in room brushing tears of laughter from their eyes. And then she sang, her voice so soft at first it could barely be heard then slowly increasing in volume until her voice filled the room. As she sang it was as if he had been transported back home to the highlands and it had filled his heart with joy and wonder. He had never heard music such as this in his entire life and it had left him longing for more. But when the song was finished she then gathered up the children to ready them for bed. But as she passed him, she paused and handed him the book. He looked up at her in amazement when she said that if he wanted to learn to read this was a very good place to start. How in the world had she known that he wanted to learn to read? But before he could ask her how she knew that, she left the room and between her duties with the children and the landlord kept Connor occupied with a steady stream of drinks and mostly one-way conversation, he had seen her no more that night. He barely remembered crawling underneath the warm covers and as he drifted off to sleep he could have sworn he could feel her sweet lips brush his forehead and hear her laughter echoing in the room again.

It was his body reminding him that he needed to take care of a certain business that caused him to finally leap up out of bed to snatch up the clothing he did not remember removing the night before. Laying on top of the neatly folded clothes was his kilt, now clean and presentable. With a sigh of relief he dressed quickly and went out into a small garden located in back of the house where the small privy was located. Once finished, he stepped out and paused to smell the wonderful aroma of the many flowers in full bloom. Looking around he saw that there was enough room for him near the back of the garden to go through the sword movements that his teacher had taught him. Even

though he yet to meet another immortal since Rameriz had died, he still needed to maintain his skill in preparation for the day that he would. It was then he noticed Katherine standing by the door of the house, looking him over intently. He grinned at her and rapidly closed the distance between them, pressing her up against the wall with his body. But as he leaned down to kiss her, she pushed his face away with her hand and asked if he was hungry for some porridge and bread.

"That’s no wa’ I be hungry for, lass!" He growled and reached out and pinned her hands up on the wall beside her head. She resisted briefly but then relaxed in his grip as he kissed her. The kiss started out gentle and soft as her song the night before but then built in intensity. When at last he broke contact with her mouth they were both breathing hard. Her eyes were luminous as she looked up at him.

"Yer a terribly desperate man, are ye no?" she asked, a solemn expression on her face. He just nodded, managed to look a little sheepish, and with great reluctance released her.

"Later?" he asked, with a hopeful look on his face.

"Maybe" she replied, and then ducking under his arm, fled back into the safety of the house.

The next two weeks were busy ones. It became his habit to accompany her on her daily trips to the market place. It seemed that his little friend was well liked by many of the people throughout the city and she seemed bound and determined to introduce him to them all. One of them, a ship merchant, had expressed great interest in taking Connor on and he was seriously considering taking the offer. It also seemed that wherever Katherine went she attracted a crowd of children around her. She would laugh and joke with them, stopping occasionally to tell them a story or to lead them in a song.

He was learning to read as well. The little book she had given him was filled with wonderful Scottish sagas and ballads that roused and stirred his Celtic soul. Katherine, or Kat as he now called her, was teaching him by first reading it to him, then pointing out the sounds of the letters of the words she had just read. There were times he allowed his attention to wander as well as his hand, she would gently remove the offending member and make him resume his lesson.

After her evening duties she would come to his room and they would talk for hours, he about the highlands and she about some of the wondrous places she had been with her father as he had served the English crown during her childhood years. He could tell she was proud of her father, despite his falling out with his family. She did not like talking about them and how after her father’s death when she was just twelve they had refused to take her in. He could not help but admire the courage of the girl who somehow had survived on her own at such a young age in a world that did not have much room for females without a father or husband. Connor knew from first hand experience what it was like to be cast out of his clan. When he told her about it she did not seem surprised at all. He was beginning to believe that Joseph had the truth of it when he had said that she knew everything. Somehow she even knew about him losing his beloved Heather, though she did not push him to talk much about it as if she knew the pain was still to fresh.

He also had a sneaky suspicion that she knew about him being an immortal, though the subject never came up. He would not have denied it if it had. Somehow he felt that he was making a lifetime friend in this mere slip of a girl, and he treasured that more than he would have a tumble in bed with her. Not that the pleasant idea had not crossed his mind. But for the time being she had set limits to their play and he was content not to cross them. At least not yet.

The morning of Katherine Dixon’s sixteenth birthday began early for Connor MacLeod. He was outside in the crisp predawn air concentrating intently on the movements of his daily sword drill. Normally he was not up quite this early but he had made some special plans for this day. It wasn’t until he was finished with the drill that he noticed that Katherine was outside as well. She wasn’t paying any attention to him, instead she was leaning on her folded arms on the garden wall engrossed in the beautiful sunrise, it’s golden glow reflected on her face. He walked quietly up behind her and enfolded her in his arms. Katherine sighed deeply and snuggled back up against his chest and they stood there in silence watching the spectacle together until it was up over the horizon. Connor buried his face in her hair, breathing in it’s fragrance. One of his hands worked its way down from her shoulder and into her blouse until he was successful in capturing one of her firm young breasts. She stiffened slightly but soon relaxed in his hold as he played with his prize, gently rolling the nipple between his fingers. After a long moment of this, she reached up to remove his hand, chiding him as usual.

But instead of backing off as she was now used to him doing, he whirled her around, placed his hands around her tiny waist, lifted her up and sat her firmly down onto the wall and held her there while he reached up and untied her blouse.

"And just wa’ would ye up to this fine mornin’, Captain?" she asked as she vainly tried to push him away and retie her garments at the same time. His answer was to hold her close as he rested his chin on the breast his hand had caressed just moments before, looking up at her with his eyes sparkling with mischief and desire. She tried again to push him back but standing steadfast he reached up and pulled the loosened shirt down off her shoulders, exposing her bare breasts completely

to his view. He opened his mouth and began to hungrily devour them as she struggled in his grasp. He ignored the hard clout from her right hand on the side of his head as his mouth closed upon a now hard nipple and sucked it hard, drawing a gasp from her as he did so.

"Please, Captain! Please stop this now!" she cried out. Releasing her nipple he glanced up and grinning wickedly said, "Connor, me name is Connor! I willna stop until ye call me that!"

"But Captain...." she began, but the rest of what she was going to say was lost in a squeal of surprise when he began to gently nibble on the object of his attention. She swung at the side of his head again but this time he grabbed her hand before she connected and bit a little harder, and then saying, "all ye have to do is say me name, Kat and I will let ye go" Her face was flushed and she somehow managed to look angry, frightened and excited all at the same time. When she stubbornly refused to comply with his request he turned his attention her breast, his free hand squeezing the other one hard. She cried out again in frustration but then biting her lip she steeled herself to endure what he was doing to her. It wasn’t till his hand left her breast and started moving up her leg under her skirt did she finally relent.

"Connor! For the love of God, please!" she whimpered. He immediately stopped what he was doing and took hold of her face, and gently kissed away the tear running down her cheek. His lips then covered hers with gentle kisses until she began to eagerly respond. He then stopped, adjusted her blouse to where it should be, retied it and lifted her down from the wall.

"Now go and fix me breakfast, woman!" he said in a stern voice. She meekly nodded her head and started for the house and Connor gave her a loving swat on her bottom as she went by. She instantly turned and launched another blow at him which he easily evaded and delivered another swat, harder this time, while roaring in laughter at the outraged expression on her face. She stood there glaring at him for a second, then suddenly a smile that rivaled the sun’s light spread across her face.

"Yes milord!", she dropped a curtsey and turned and fled into the house before he could respond.

........................................

Later that afternoon, Connor returned to the house after accomplishing his errands and obtained the landlady’s permission to borrow Katherine for the rest of the day, it being her birthday and all. With a great show of reluctance and a stream of complaints, she finally agreed and told Katherine that she would not need her services anymore that day. Keeping a wary eye on Connor, Katherine left the kitchen and headed to her own small quarters at the rear of the house to change out of her work clothes. She was a little surprised when Connor followed her into her room, sat down her bed and told her to hurry up and change. Standing there with her hands on her hips he could tell she was not liking this one bit. Several times she started to say something but stopped each time, apparently thinking better of it. Then to his surprise and delight she tossed her head back and with a regal manner turned and removed a dress from her wardrobe. He watched her in undisguised amusement as she stripped out of the stained work dress till she was wearing nothing but a thin shift.

"Stop." he said, rising up and crossing the few feet that separated them. He lifted her chin which was set in a firm and defiant scowl and kissed her on her forehead. "I want to you to wear this." He then pointed to two packages that had gone unnoticed on her pillow. Her eyes opened wide as he opened one and pulled out a lovely new gown. Tears moistened her eyes and her face softened into another radiant smile as he slipped it over her head and laced the front of it up till it conformed tightly to her slight body. He then produced a small package that he had tucked into the kilt he was wearing and bade her open it. She eagerly did so, revealing a small handmade pewter cross that he had made for her on a knotted cord.

"It’s not that good. But I wanted to make something for you." He said softly. The tears now ran freely down her face as he placed it around her neck giving the opportunity to kiss them away as he had earlier in the day. "And ye will be needing something to keep ye warm when yer out in the night air", he said handing her the final package. With trembling hands she opened it. When she saw the soft Keith clan tartan shawl laying in it she broke down and sobbed out loud. Connor took her in his arms and embraced her as she cried uncontrollably, releasing some of the pent up grief she had been holding inside. How well he knew the pain of losing a family and home and it sorrowed him to know that this young lass knew what it was like as well. But there was something he wanted to say to her, a concept he wanted to somehow engrave forever on her heart. Hoping he could find the right words, he once again held her face in his hands, tilting her chin up so she was looking up into his own face.

"Just because yer family wants no more of ye, it does na make ye any thing less than what ye are. Trust me on this, Katherine Patricia Maire Ann Dixon, granddaughter of Lord Keith himself, trust me. For this is one thing I ken with all me heart. Ye are Lady Keith and will always will be, just as I am Connor MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod. And no one can take that away from either one of us."

Connor held her until the sobs subsided. After awhile he felt her straighten up in his arms and stand tall. He released her and wrapped the shawl around her as she stood proudly upright in front of him.

"That’s much better", he said with a smile. "Much, much better."

. . . . . . . . .

Katherine’s hand was tucked into the crook of Connor’s elbow as they walked down the street. They were both keenly aware that they were attracting a great deal of attention. Kind hearted greetings were offered by many as they went their way, and many was the lad that cast a wistful look at his companion. Several folks complemented them on what a grand looking couple they were or how beautiful she was today. One wee lad tugged on his mother’s skirts and said loudly, "Look at the grand lord and his lady, mum!" Katherine glanced at Connor and they both could not help but laugh out loud.

After a hour of walking they returned back to the boarding house and to Katherine’s great surprise, a multitude of her friends were there waiting for their arrival. She looked accusingly at Connor but he just shrugged and tried to look innocent. The party that followed was far from subdued. The landlord’s prediction that all her suitors would come knocking on the door came true, and Connor eventually lost count of how many hopeful young men approached her with some little favor to give her. Most of these small gifts she accepted with ladylike grace and a smile. One lanky youngster barely in his teens earned a kiss on the check when he presented her a ragged bouquet of flowers which caused his face to become flame red. Then she refused to accept an expensive necklace of amber from one well-to-do young noble whose outfit would have made the clothes that Ramirez had worn look almost plain.

Throughout the evening there were many not very subtle hints from all present that it was time that she took a husband. Indeed, many of the girls that came to bid her happy birthday who were around the same age as Katherine already had a babe in arms or one in the belly. Drinks flowed freely, conversation was loud and boisterous and everyone was enjoying themselves immensely. It was well into the evening before all the guests had left. Katherine was no where to be seen, so Connor assumed she had gone to bed already. The one glass of wine she had been persuaded to drink had pretty well floored her. Connor bid a good night to his drunken landlord, took a candle to light his way, and staggered a little unsteadily down the hall to his room. It had been a grand party!

Once in his room, he lit the lamp and started to undress, humming one of Katherine’s songs to himself. He was quite pleased with himself about how well the day had gone. It was when he turned around to pull back the covers and crawl into bed that he noticed the bed already had an occupant. Katherine lay sleeping soundly with her golden hair spread out on the pillow. Connor stood there a moment, admiring her slim young body that was faintly visible through the thin shift she was wearing. She stirred a little, opened her eyes for a moment, then closed them again. All of a sudden she sat upright and grasped the bed linens to hide herself from his intense gaze.

"Captain! What are ye doing in me room!" she cried. Connor threw back his head and laughed.

"Look around you, lass, tis in my bed ye are lying!"

She looked around in panic and saw that what he was saying was true and with a contrite look apologized, saying it must have been the wine that had confused her mind like that. She jumped up to find her clothes and leave, but Connor blocked her way and took the clothes from her arms. He took her face in his hands again.

"Stay", he said softly. She looked confused for a moment, but

recovered quickly.

"Do you really want me too?" she asked in an unsure voice.

"Yes, I do" he replied, with one hand gently caressing her face, the other one reached down and slowly untied the front of her shift. He watched the conflicting emotions cross her face while he was doing so, but she stood completely still and unresisting. Her breathing quickened and she blushed deeply as the shift slid off her body and onto the floor at her feet.

"Conn..nnner" she stammered.

"Yes, love?" he replied gently as he drank in the beauty of her body in the flickering light of the lamp with his eyes, trying hard not to reach out and touch just yet. Her eyes dropped down and she gasped out loud when she saw his obvious response to her. Looking up quickly, with a little fear in her eyes, she struggled to ask something but the words did not want to come. Connor waited patiently, knowing instinctively that if he was to move too soon she would bolt and run. She swallowed hard and found the words at last.

"Will it hurt much?" she said in a voice so quiet that he could barely hear her.

"Just a little, lambkin, but only at first. Then never again", he assured her, being as truthful as he could.

She looked up and down him once again, and then shyly said "I wa’ like to stay then." He reached out his hands to her, smiling in encouragement. She hesitated just a moment then placed her hands in his. He drew her close to him and held her naked body against his until he felt the trembling stop, then sat with her on the bed. She sat with her hands folding on her lap, waiting for his next move. He took one of her hand and kissed her palm, sending a shiver down her arm. He placed it on the side of his face and said, "It’s all right if ye touch me!" Her eyes opened wide and she made a surprised ohhhh sound. He could tell she was having conflicting thoughts again but after a moment she made her decision and tentatively raised her other hand to his face. He caressed her back and shoulders as she moved her hands down to his neck and chest, her touch so light he could barely feel it. He had to refrain from laughing at the intense look of concentration on her face as she lightly traced her fingertips on the tight muscles of his belly. She stopped and looked up with a questioning look on her face and he nodded in encouragement, closing his eyes in pleasure as her feather light touch explored the lower regions of his body.

With a groan he then laid her back on the bed and with gentle kisses worked his way up and down her body till he had her gasping for breath. Trapping her body under his own, he kissed her deeply, exploring her mouth with his tongue until she kissed him back with a desire that matched his own, while his hand wandered over her body. Raising up on his elbow he looked into her eyes and smiled.

"Are ye ready now, Katherine, me dove?" She sighed softly and nodded her head. He could feel her tense up a little when he pushed up against her inner barrier, so he made little soothing noises and gently nibbled on one her earlobes until she started giggling and he could feel her start to relax. Her giggles turned to a sharp gasp and her eyes opened wide in surprise when without warning he drove himself deep inside of her and lay still for a moment.

"Is that all?" she asked, a puzzled look on her face.

Connor just laughed wickedly and kissed the end of her nose.

"Not hardly! Hang on, little one, yer fixing to go on a ride ye will no soon forget!" He soon had her moaning in pleasure as she arched up under him and moved in rhythm to his thrusts. The waves of pleasure finally overwhelmed her and Connor collapsed on top of her when he cried out in release as well.

"Captain?" she asked, nudging his shoulder gently at first then harder until he responded by sleepily raising his head off her chest and looking deep into the solemn expression on her flushed face. "Can we do that again? Please?"

. . . . . . . . . . .

The almost inperspectable touch of Katherine’s fingertips tracing the contour of his ear roused Connor from his sleep and back to the present. The corners of his mouth turned up slightly but he made no other response as he lay still, anticipating what he knew would come next. He could help but laugh out loud though when her butterfly like touch was replaced by her tongue probing his ear.

"Don’t", he said, breaking the silence

"Don’t what?" she replied, her voice muffled against the side of his head as she took hold of his earlobe and sucked on it gently.

"Don’t bite......." The rest was lost in a yelp as she nipped his ear sharply. She had never let him live down the way he had succeeded in distracting her from what he was about to do that first night together so long ago.

He rolled her over onto her back, pinned her down and proceeded to pay her back for that little indignity she had inflected upon him by a systematic attack with his mouth and tongue on her ears and neck. He ignored her protests and pleas for him to stop until he had reduced her to a state of helpless laughter. Revenge complete, he turned back onto his side and lay watching her with a satisfied expression on his face.

"Connor?" she asked, after the laughter subsided. She turned onto her side as well, grimacing a little as she did so.

"Yes, Katherine", he replied, waiting patiently as she struggled to collect her thoughts.

"As much as I enjoy waking up in bed beside you, could you please be telling me just how in the hell did I get here!"

"You don’t remember?" he asked softly. She just shrugged and shook her head no, a confused look on her face.

" I found you in an alley near here. You were in really bad shape. Looked like someone had tried to break every bone in your body before trying for your head." He traced the now thin scar that extended down from her shoulder with his finger. "Lucky for both of us, he missed." Katherine shuddered and struggled stiffly up into a sitting position. Connor rose as well and sat beside her, gently running his hand up and down her bare back, letting her have the time she needed to assimilate what he had just said. She sat quietly, her eyes closed, and her head cocked slightly as if she was listening to some inner voice. She stiffened under his hand for a moment, shuddered again then turned to face him.

"I think I have some of the knowing of it now. Not all. The rest will come back in the night times I’m sure."

"Nightmares?" he asked, "Like the ones you use to have?" She nodded her head and leaned unto his chest and he held her.

"Worse, Captain Connor my love, much, much worse", she said sadly in a soft whisper.

"I don’t suppose you happen to know the name of the bastard who did this to you?" Connor asked, a dangerous edge to his voice. Katherine sat up, looked him straight in the eye and laughed at him.

"And just what would you be doing if I was to tell you that? I will not have you putting yourself on the line for me, you big amadon. I like your head attached to your body." She laughed again as Connor in an indignant and offended voice informed her he had no intention of losing his head.

"That’s good! Because now that I just happen to be sharing a bed again with me favorite man person, it would be a bloody shame for him not to be able to enjoy what I planned for him."

Connor laughed his wicked laugh back at her and reached out to touch her. She just slapped his hand away and laughed again. "Not now, silly. I need a good hot bath first and some food to fill my belly. I’m starving of the Hunger!" she teased.

"Yes, milady!" he replied grinning broadly, "Shall I be running your bath for you now then?"

"As you wish, wise guy. And make it hot the way I like it!"

"Let me take the bandages off your arm first then." Katherine’s face drained of color as she watched the blood stained bandage on her right arm being removed. It still had vivid bruising and did not appear to have healed completely straight. The muscles around her upper arm had a wasted appearance to them.

"The last thing I clearly remember was the awful sound of me hearing the bones break, Connor. He had me face down and he stomped on it and then started twisting it. After that there is nothing. Just blackness"

"Why, sweeting? Why would he do that to you?" Connor asked, trying hard to control the fierce anger rising up in him.

"Doesn’t matter now, does it? What is done is done. Water under the bridge. Nothing can change what has already happened so it does no good to get tied up in knots about it. Now if you would be so kind, could you be helping me up? I’m not sure if my legs are quite up to supporting me just yet."

Connor supported her as she slowly rose to her feet and was able the catch her when they collapsed out from under her. She grimaced in pain, but stubbornly stood up again. It took four efforts before she managed to stay upright without falling and he guided her slowly towards the bathroom. When they reached the bloody pile of clothes and bandages on the floor that he had forgotten about the night before, she stopped and stood quietly for a moment, before looking up at Connor.

"Guess you weren’t kidding about me being a mess", she said in a hoarse whisper. "I’ll help you clean it up after my bath." Connor had no intention of letting her do so but said nothing. They walked the rest of the way into the bathroom in silence.

After settling her in the hot bath, Connor left and quickly disposed of all that he could and did a swift mopping job on the floor. He then went and took out some food from the fridge and started it cooking before returning to the bathroom. Katherine had her head back with her eyes closed and was humming softly to herself. Connor sat on the edge of the tub and informed her that he was going to wash her hair for her. That merited one eye being opened and a sarcastic snort but she made no move to resist him. The process took a little longer than expected because he kept stopping to kiss her. Her hair done, he soaped up a washcloth and proceeded to wash the rest of her as well, lingering over certain favorite areas as he did so.

"Connor?"

"Yes, love?" he replied as the cloth having been applied to her breasts and belly descended even lower.

"Do I smell something burning?"

Connor said a bad word and dropped the washcloth and ran quickly to the kitchen to see if he could rescue the food with her laughter ringing in his ears. He was scraping off some of the overcooked areas when she appeared at his side wearing a sweatshirt of his that had been left in the bathroom.

"You look kinda cute in that, Kat" he said, grinning broadly. It was so big it hung down around her knees and she had rolled up the sleeves to make them manageable. "How do you feel now?"

"Much better. Do you want me to take over?" she asked, reaching for the pan.

" I most certainly do not!" he grumped. "Go sit down and behave yourself, woman!" She did so, but not without sticking her tongue out at him and making a few choice comments about his cooking abilities. Despite her opinions on his culinary talents, she devoured all that he gave her and asked for seconds and then thirds.

"You’re going to make yourself sick if you don’t slow down." Kat just ignored him and continued wolfing down the food.

"I told you I was starving of the Hunger!" she said when the last of the food was polished off.

"How’s the arm feel?"

"A little better maybe. I can use my fingers and wrist some but it hurts too much to do much else. Looks like it’s going to take a little longer than normal to heal." All of sudden she stopped and cocked her head to the side again, the listening expression on her face again. She sat that way for quite awhile before sighing deeply and closing her eyes.

"Would you be knowing a place I can go until it is healed, Connor? It won’t be safe here for me and I will not put you in danger as well."

"Another one of your visions, Kat?" he asked. She just nodded, and sighed deeply again. He just shrugged and told her to put her feet up and rest while he made the arrangements. When and if she was ready to tell him what she saw, she would. There would be no getting it out of her until then. That he knew from past experiences.

When he returned he found her instead sitting at the piano, playing a lovely old Scottish ballad with mostly one hand, and singing the words softly to herself.

"It’s beautiful, Connor!" she said wistfully when her song was finished. "One of the best pianos I ever played in my whole life." Then grinning wickedly at him, she asked if it was just for decoration or did he actually know how to play it himself. Connor just laughed and told her to move over. He then played a couple of tunes for her. She listened intently as he did, and when he was finished rewarded him with a kiss that went on for almost as long as his playing had. When they broke apart for air, she patted his check lovingly.

"I told you there was music in you, sir! And you did not believe me!" Connor just looked a little embarrassed and said nothing.

"So where are you sending me off too?" she asked.

"I’m not sending you anywhere. I’m taking you to a friend who have a dojo out of the west coast. He agreed to put us up for the duration."

"And just why are you going? Don’t you trust your friend with me?" she teased.

Connor just grinned broadly and told her that it was her that he didn’t trust.

"Just how so?" she laughed. "Is he that good looking?"

"I will let you decide that. But mostly I want to be there when you two meet up again. My friend’s name is Duncan. Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod."

Katherine sat bolt upright, and covered her mouth as she gasped out loud.

"The bonnie laddie! Are you taking me to see me bonnie laddie?" The look of joy on her face was something to behold.

"Aye, lass, I am. It’s about time you two hooked up again. And for him to know who and what you really were."

Katherine looked thoughtful for a moment and then said that he would not remember her.

"You would be surprised what Duncan remembers."

"Did you tell him who I was?"

"No, just that you were an old friend of mine who needed help. Uh oh. I don’t like that look on your face - just what are plotting in that busy little head of yours now?

"I don’t suppose you would be willing to make a little wager on whether or not he manages to remember me?" Connor had the feeling he was about to step into a pit of quicksand, but he told her he would, depending on what they were to wager.

"OK! If he doesn’t remember me in 3 days, you must promise me that no matter what happens, you will not go headhunting the man who did this to me. Even if he succeeds in taking my head", she said solemnly. Connor thought for a moment and countered her offer.

"And if he does, you must agree to finally learning to use a sword. Duncan and I will teach you." Katherine looked pained for a moment, then with a sigh agreed.

"We leave in the morning then. I want you all to myself tonight!" With that he swooped her up into his arms and carried her back to the bed, her laughter filling him with joy. After Connor had deposited her on the bed, Katherine tried to rid herself of the sweatshirt but had a lot of difficulty because she could not raise her arm beyond chest level. He gently helped her ease it off but even that little movement brought a sharp intake of breath from her.

"Are you all right with this, Kat?" he asked, his eyes full of concern.

"And just why would I not be? As long as we don’t do anything too crazy I will be fine!" Kat exclaimed, a wild, desperate look in her eyes as she struggled with one hand to remove Connor’s shirt as well. He took her hand and stopped her.

"I will understand if you don’t really want to do this, sweetheart, I really would." She took a deep breath and sat quietly for a minute while he played with her hair and gently rubbed her shoulders, lost in her thoughts.

"Connor, if it was anyone else but you I could not bear to have them even rub my shoulders the way you are doing. Which by the way, feels heavenly!" She sighed deeply as he began to kiss her neck and shoulder, working his way down the thin scar. "Just take it slow. I will be ok, I’m sure of it."

"Slow it tis then, Kat, slow it tis." He then proceeded to kiss her gently but thoroughly before standing up and removing his clothes. Katherine sat and watched him intently, giggling softly with a glint of mischief in her eyes.

"And just what is so funny?" Connor asked as he sat on the edge of the bed beside her.

"Oh, just thinking of something", she said, still laughing.

"And that would be?" Connor said, trying to look offended.

" I just remembered that time when I walked in on you just as you had dropped that nasty kilt of yours on the floor. You were the first totally naked man I had ever seen", she said, a wide grin on her face. "I wanted so much to touch you, but I didn’t dare!"

"Where?" Connor laughed. "Just where did you want touch me?" He took her hand and guided it to his face.

"Here?" he asked as he kissed the palm of her hand. She giggled again and shook her head no. "Here?" He moved her hand to his chest and she ran her fingers across it, pinching his nipples gently. Again she shook her head. He lowered her hand to his stomach and sighed as she traced the hard muscles of his belly and legs with her fingers, teasing him as she moved her hand all around the area he now ached to have her touch.

"Here?" Again the shake of head and a giggle. He made like he was going to move the hand to the next obvious place but at the last moment brought his foot up and crossed it over his leg and placed her hand around the ball of his foot. "Here? Was it here you wanted to touch?" Her only response was to throw her head back and roar in laughter. She tried to get control of herself but every time she looked at him, she would break out in laughter again.

"You were a terribly desperate man then and you still are today! Oh Connor, I’ve missed you so much!" All of a sudden the laughter stopped and was replaced with sobs as she collapsed into his embrace. He let her cry herself out as he just held her, saying nothing. Gradually the storm of emotion subsided and she lay snuggled in his arms, hiccuping slightly, his chest wet with her tears. After several long minutes of silence, he gently laid her back and began to caress her whole body with his hands and mouth, not leaving a single part untouched and kissed. Returning to her mouth he kissed her deeply, then tenderly kissed her on the forehead.

"Do you want me, Kat? Do you really want me?" he said in a low voice, as she tilted her head up in search of his mouth again. "Oh yes! Take me now!" she replied breathlessly. But in response he just sat there on the bed, his arms wide open in invitation. Kat stared at him wide eyed for a moment, then laughed again as she got up and straddled him, showering him with kisses as he drove himself up into her. He let her control the rhythm of their lovemaking as she rode him slow and easy till she reached the point where she shoved him back on the bed and increased the tempo and intensity until she cried out in release. She then sighed deeply again and collapsed in happy exhaustion on top on him. He rolled her over onto her back and kissed her soundly again.

"Hee Hee. Katherine, me darling?" he asked, a wicked grin on his face.

"What Connor?" she replied lazily.

"I don’t suppose you would be wanting to do that again? Please?" Her snort of laughter was smothered as he covered her mouth in a fierce kiss that she responded to eagerly as she wrapped her legs around him. Somehow he had a feeling it was going to be a long night. And it was.

...............................

The morning after their first night together dawned clear and bright and went, turning into another lovely late summer day. Connor woke up and stretched, then turned over to the spot where Katherine had laid, not really surprised to find the spot empty. He might be able to enjoy a lie-in but Katherine had duties she had to perform. Upon rising he found clean clothes neatly folded on the chair and a basin of water waiting for him. Humming one of her songs happily to himself, he washed himself quickly and dressed. It had been quite a night, full of one wonderful surprise after another. He had been amazed how quickly she had learned, and he had found her an incredibly satisfying lover. He smiled, remember how she had demanded at one point during the night to know just how to pleasure him the way he brought pleasure to her. Admidst spatters of giggles on both their parts he had somehow managed to impart the information she wanted, which she immediately insisted to his utmost delight on trying out on him. It was only when she had to leave to go attend to her morning chores that total exhaustion overcame him and he had slept.

Still humming, he strode down to the kitchen to see if there was anything to eat. The landlady wasted no time berating him on him wasting half of the day sleeping when any decent man would be up earning an honest wage. Her husband sat sullenly in the corner, holding his head and groaning, apparently still suffering from his overindulgence the night before.

"Where’s Katherine?" he asked as he snatched a small loaf of bread from the table. She roared at him and threatened him with her wooden spoon, which he ignored.

"Gang to the market wi’ the children! Get ye out of me kitchen!" Connor bowed to her slightly and fled smiling from her wrath.

The market place was crowded and noisy but Connor was able to pinpoint his lady friend’s location just by listening for the laughter of children. Sure enough, he found her surrounded by several dozen youngsters all eagerly participating in a clapping and singing game with her. She saw him coming from the other side of the square and rose to meet him half way, her pint size escorts dancing and singing in glee around her.

He was still a good piece away from her when suddenly he froze where he stood, every nerve in his body instantly alert. The sensation he had gotten whenever he had approached his teacher now demanded his full attention for the first time since his death. He scanned the occupants of the square, searching the crowd around him for the other immortal he knew was around.

Then he saw him, a huge red headed man on horseback barreling his way through the crowd heading not towards him, but towards the happy knot of children surrounding Katherine. Connor broke into a run screaming her name as the rider rode straight up to where she stood frozen in horror, grabbed her by the hair and yanked her up and over his horse in front of him. He then galloped away, knocking down anyone who was unable to scramble out of his way.

Connor yelled at the landlady’s children to go home as he passed them and chased after the disappearing pair, cutting through sections of the crowded streets and rows of buildings that the rider was forced to go around. He arrived at the edge of the town gasping for breath just in time to see which direction Katherine’s abductor was heading before he was lost to sight in the woods. He then lost a few minutes more having to forcibly convince a young dandy that he needed to borrow his mount before he was able to start off in hot pursuit after them.

Connor tracked the rider though the forest and glens throughout the rest of the day until there was no longer enough light for him to see the trail. His rage at this stranger’s actions was quickly being replaced by a horrible feeling of loss and grief that threatened to completely overwhelm him. As he stood at the fork of the trail in the growing dark, he forced himself to calm down and focus as Rameriz had taught him.

Connor reached out with all his senses, trying to catch any

trace he could of the other immortal. Instead he found Katherine. Frightened and hurting, but still very much alive. It was as if he could hear her calling for help and screaming his name inside his head. Breathing deep, he turned inward even more and sharpened the focus until he had a sense of where she was from him. Mounting back up, he plunged the tired horse forward, praying to God that he was heading in the right direction.

The more he rode, the stronger the connection became. He could feel her terror and pain. He called out once for her to be strong, he was coming; not knowing whether or not there was any way that she could feel him as well. A stab of hope and joy flooded over him momentarily before being replaced by a new wave of pain and he knew that she had somehow received his message.

Then in one horrible moment the thread that connected him to her broke, leaving not a trace of her in it’s place. Connor cried out again in anguish but there was no response, only a terrible emptiness inside him. He kept riding blindly on though, until a few minutes later he once again felt the tingling presence of one of his own kind.