Cross of Swords: Part 3:
The loft above the dojo
September 1995

The next morning, Cat woke up at a friends' house and wondered how she got there. She remembered the fight with Richie about going to a movie and then to a friends house where there was going to be a party. Now she was lying next to a guy she didn't even know. Knowing Richie would probably take her head for this, she got up, got dressed and headed for the dojo. When she got there, she received the buzz not only from Duncan but someone else.

Feeling Cat's buzz, Duncan woke up and looked at Chris lying next to him. The buzz had affected her to only causing her to roll over in his sleep. He stood up and put on his jeans that were in a pile on the floor and made some coffee.

Duncan heard the elevator jolt to a stop and the gates rise. He ignored Cats presence and sat down on the couch waiting for her explanation.

"Morning Mac." she said as she looked for the other Immortal there. "Who else is here?" she questioned acting as if nothing happened.

"Wouldn't you rather answer my questions first? Like where were you last night? Richie's been worried sick about you."

"I was out with some friends, no big deal." she answered as she poured herself a cup of coffee and sat on one of the barstools.

"You were told not to be out all night, and you deliberately disobeyed all of us."

"Richie wouldn't let me go to a movie and I got mad. I met some friends at a party and tried to call you guys but there was no answer."

"Richie was searching for you all night."

"And you?"

"I didn't hear the phone ring."

Just then, Chris walked out of the bedroom wearing one of Duncan's T-shirts. "Good morning Duncan, Morning Cat." she said as she was not quite awake. "Cat!?" she said again this time in half fear half amazement.

Cat wasn't sure whether to laugh or scream. Duncan was sleeping with the Watcher who was who was suppose to be taking care of her. then she thought 'hold it. If Chris was a watcher, then why was there a buzz?'

"Would someone like to explain what in hell is going on?"

Duncan looked at Cat and then at Chris and was about to answer when they all got the buzz.

"Great!" Cat said. "Richie's here. What else could happen this morning?"

Richie came up the back steps and knocked before entering and then letting himself in. "Hey Mac." he said not noticing Cat or Chris. "Have you seen Cat? I know she's around here somewhere." He turned around and saw the two female Immortals and then turned back towards Duncan. "Would someone like to explain what is going on here?"

"I asked first." Cat said.

"I'll deal with you later."

"I think now is a good time for me to change my clothes." Chris said as she turned around. She didn't want to be caught in the crossfire between Richie and Cat, nor did she exactly want to be there when Duncan explained why she was wearing his clothes.

"Well, good morning everyone?" Duncan said going for his second cup of coffee. He realized he was wrong yesterday when he thought things couldn't have been more awkward.

"Mac, is Chris an Immortal or is there someone else wearing your clothes back there?" Richie asked with a weird look on his face. He knew Duncan had many woman, but it was rare for him to sleep with one on the first date. If you could even consider meeting to discuss Cat a date.

"Can she be a Watcher and an Immortal? Wouldn't that sort of like be interfering?"

"I know there are a lot of questions, and they will be answered. But first, you have a lot of explaining to do yourself Cat."

"I already told you. I was mad at Richie and went to blow off some steam. I tried calling both of you but no one answered."

"Then why didn't you leave a message?" Richie asked. He had heard Cat use that excuse before.

"I did. Honest Richie."

"Well, I'll just check and see." he said as he picked up Duncan's phone and called his apartment. He pressed a few buttons and stood there amazed as he heard Cat's voice telling her where she was and where she would be staying. "Well, that doesn't excuse the fact you disobeyed everyone's orders."

"I'm sorry." Cat said. And for the first time in several months, Richie believed her.

"Apology accepted. Now that we have that settled, Mac, care to explain?"

"Ok. Yes Chris is Immortal, yes she is a Watcher, and no it's not interfering." Duncan answered as if he had prepared it in his mind a few times.

"So the two of you did know each other." Richie said.

"If they didn't before, they sure as hell do now." Cat said smiling, talking about the fact Chris was wearing Duncan's clothes.

"Yes we do know each other. Amanda and I found her after she died. We trained her and when she left, we tried to keep in touch. She was married for 200 years, and when her husband lost her head, she dropped out of the game. Now she's back and dealing with her problems."

"So she's sort of like me." Cat said.

"In a lot of ways yes." Duncan answered. "You're both trying to find your place in the world and deal with your problems. I think you two would be good for each other." Just then there was a knock on the door. "How much does anyone want to bet it's Joe." Duncan said as he went to open the door. He was right.

"Good morning. Has anyone seen Chris? I went to her hotel, but she wasn't there."

Cat and Richie looked at Joe and then at Duncan and debated silently about saying anything when Chris walked out of the bedroom. "Morning Joe." she said as she walked over to the coffee pot and fixed herself a cup. "Is everything settled?"

"Is what settled?" Joe asked. He hated to walk into the middle of things.

"Cat and I had a fight last night but we've worked things out." Richie stated. "Well, we better get going. I'll see ya later Mac. Chris, it was nice seeing you again.

"Chris?" Cat asked. "Do you think later we could get together and talk?"

"I would like that very much. How about around 3?" Cat nodded. "Well, I better get going as well. I'll see you later Mac. Bye Joe."

"Bye Chris." Joe said as she left. "Mac, we need to talk."

"Ok, coffee?"

"No, I'm fine. I've been thinking since the meeting yesterday. I'm not sure Cat and Chris would work out together."

"Why not, they seem to be getting along great together."

"I'm not blind Mac. I may not have two good legs, but I'm not blind. I also may not be able to sense other Immortals, but I know what Chris has done."

"I think you should be talking to her about this, not me."

"I will, but first I would like to talk to you. After all, you and Amanda were her teachers."

"Don't get upset Joe, she's not the first Immortal to go into hiding as a Watcher."

"Methos is different."

"No he isn't. Chris just needed some time away from the Game. We all do now and then. She just chose an easy way out."

"There is no easy way out for you guys other than loosing your heads."

"Gee Joe, for someone who knows so much about us, you don't know shit."

Joe got right into Duncan's face. "I know you better than you know yourself. I know what you're thinking before you do."

"Then you know I'm thinking it's time for you to leave and go bug someone else." he said as Duncan walked towards the bedroom and slammed the door.