Passover: Tag

Present Day: Seacouver- Warehouse by the docks

"It's over." Joe said as he hung up his cell phone. "A watcher just reported a Quickening coming from the warehouse district. It's the last place Corinth was spotted."

"Duncan?" Anne asked as she swirled a spoon in her morning coffee, now cold.

Joe shook his head. "They didn't see who walked out. We have someone going to investigate now."

"Joe, I can't wait any longer. I haven't slept since Mary disappeared. I have to know how she is."

Just then, Anne heard a cry coming from outside, and ran to open the back door. Coming from the woods, Duncan walked out holding Mary in his arms. Anne rushed out engulfing both of them in a big hug, not wanting to let go. When she remembered why she was doing this in the first place, she pulled back and took Mary from Duncan's arms.

"Anne, look. I'm sorry..." Duncan started.

"Don't." she said walking back to the porch with Mary.

Duncan held back as Anne fussed over Mary and debated with Joe about taking her to the hospital. Finally Anne sat on the swing and Joe walked over to Duncan and placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Are they?"

Duncan nodded. "He tried fighting dirty, but I put a stop to it. All of it." He said pausing. "I dropped Becky off at her house, she's still in shock, not quite sure what happened. How's Anne?"

"A nervous wreck and pissed as hell. I'll be surprised if she doesn't go after your head herself." Joe noticed the expression on Duncan's face change from relief that the whole ordeal was over with, to a smile. "I'll go and let you guys talk. I have to go finish things up."

Duncan nodded and watched Joe walk away and turned his attentions back to Anne and Mary. He walked behind Anne and looked over her shoulder at Mary. She had fallen asleep in her mother's arms smiling. "I didn't mean for her to get involved in this. I hope you believe that."

Anne nodded. "I was so worried about her. She's all I have and I can't imagine what I would do without her."

Duncan crossed in front of her at sat beside her gently, not to wake Mary up. "You know I'd never let anything happen to her."

"But you did, Duncan. You knew that Corinth would try to take her. Maybe not consciously, but you knew."

"I swear Anne, had I known, this would have never have happened. I hope you know I'd never allow Mary to be used as bait. I'd give my life to save hers." He paused, "and yours. I want the two of you to be part of my life. We both know the feelings we once had are still there, and I don't want that to change."

"But they have Duncan. You will always be a part of our lives, we owe you that much. You've done so much for us, especially Mary, but I can't allow her to be in danger every time another Immortal comes looking for you. Until you can promise me, that won't happen..."

Duncan looked at Anne and then at Mary. He knew what Anne was asking was impossible. "I can't guarantee that. But if it were ever to happen again, I'd give my life to protect her." Mary stirred in her sleep and Anne watched as Duncan played gently with her hair. "Mary means the world to me, and I don't want anything to happen to her. But that doesn't mean it won't."

Anne nodded. "I know how much she means to you, but you have to understand where I'm coming from. I'm her mother and it's my job to protect her... to keep her safe. But if you're involvement in her life compromises that... "

Duncan knew she was right. He stood up and looked at Anne and tried to smile. "I'll go now. I guess I'll see you around." He said as he turned and started to leave.

Anne nodded. She was still mad at Duncan, but part of her felt as if she'd seen him die all over again. "Duncan?"

Duncan paused, but didn't look back. "When Mary wakes up, give her a hug and a kiss for me." He took a deep breath and left.

Mary woke up in Anne's arms and struggled to sit up in her mother's lap. She looked towards Duncan's shadow fading behind the trees and pouted. "Unky Dunky bye?" she asked her mother.

Anne nodded and as promised, gave her a hug and kiss from the one person who would be the closest thing to a father Mary would ever have.