From: martin@abacus.mc.duke.edu (Michele Martin) Message-Id: <9504100026.AA10195@abacus.mc.duke.edu> Subject: XOVER: The Witness part 15 Date: Sun, 9 Apr 1995 20:26:39 -0400 (EDT) scene 20 Downtown Toronto 11:45pm In order to overcome the sleepiness that kept threatening to overwhelm him, Scott rolled down the windows and turned up the radio. He tapped his left hand along with the music as his right hand controlled the steering wheel. He was glad that he was _finally_ out of the station. Now he could try and make sense of the evening's events. On second thought, maybe he'd better not dwell on it too much. It'd just end up keeping him awake all night. He had to think of what to tell his mother, though. He was sure she'd be worried. Especially when he told her that they should begin to pack. He hoped his father would be okay. Agent Mulder seemed alot different from the other federal agents he'd met--okay, most of them had been associated with the obsessive/compulsive George Fox who'd dedicated his life to hunting them down. If Mulder did suspect who they were, Scott was sure he was the kind of man who would listen to reason--and would understand why his father was really here. At least, Scott hoped he was. As he turned the next corner, Scott glanced at the rear view mirror. There was a van some distance behind him. Hmm. Scott had a thing about vans--after all, Fox had a van. And given the events of the evening, it would probably be a good idea to be careful. And over the years he'd acquired a pretty good sense of when someone was following him. He was a bit suspicious. It was probably nothing--his nerves were probably shot. Still, it wouldn't hurt to be careful. Scott carefully took the next turn, deciding to use the old "turn the block" trick. The driver of the van behind him consulted the map taped to the dash board. This street Hayden had taken was not enroute to the apartment registered to Paul and Jenny Edwards. He turned to the man in the passenger seat. "I think he may be on to us. He's turning the block." The man nodded. He spoke into a portable radio. "Unit One to Unit Four, do you read?" "Yes Unit One?" "Hayden may be on to us. We're abandoning our tail. If he heads for the apartment he should be passing you in five. He's driving a blue Toyota Corolla, license RIW 269. Pick up the tail when he passes you. You know the drill." "We copy, Unit One." As Scott made the next turn up ahead, the dark van drove straight on. At the next light, they turned left and headed for the rendezvous point. Scott sighed in relief as the van continued on at the next turn. *You're just too jumpy tonight, Hayden. Gotta get some sleep!* He made his way back to the apartment. On one corner, a small truck with the logo of a local video store sat, looking for all the world like another parked vehicle. As Scott drove past, the headlights came on. The truck pulled out behind him, careful to let two other vehicles between it and the blue Corolla. After all, it already knew Scott's destination. Jenny Edwards waited impatiently by the window of their second story apartment adjoining her husband's business. She hoped Scott and Paul would finish their business at the police station quickly. Even though Paul had called and told her they would be delayed, she was worried. So many things could have happened. Things she didn't want to ponder. It was close to midnight now. As she peered anxiously out the window, she spotted Paul's car approaching. *Finally!*. From her vantage point she could see only one occupant--Scott. She wondered where Paul was...perhaps he'd stayed at the station for some reason? Not surprising, really. She'd caught the tone in his voice that told her there was something going on there that had piqued his rather ample curiosity. She tried not to think about the axiom regarding curiosity and the cat. As the car pulled into a vacant space near their apartment, she left the window and hurried to the door, hoping to meet Scott outside. As Scott parked the car, he rubbed at the wounds on his neck. They'd stopped hurting a while ago, and even the numbness was fading. Maybe nothing would come of that after all. Though he really dreaded trying to explain _that_ to his mother. They'd avoided going into specifics about the attack on Scott earlier. It wasn't the sort of thing guaranteed to comfort an anxious wife and mother. Scott opened the door and got out. As he did so, a video truck pulled up beside him. The driver called out, "Hey kid? Can you give me a hand here? I'm kinda lost?" "Sure. Where're you headed?" Scott asked as he came closer. The driver looked to a clipboard he held in his hand. "Um, 136 Decapent Avenue." "Okay, you just got a little turned around. If you go down this way," Scott turned to point down the street. Suddenly the driver grabbed him tightly by the arm. "Hey!" Scott yelled. At that instant, two man came around the side of the truck. One had a gun. Scott reached for the sphere in his pocket, but another man grabbed him from behind. He dropped the sphere and saw it roll over to the curb. Someone put their hand over his mouth as the two men grabbed his arms and dragged him to the back of the truck. As he was swung around to face the back, he caught sight of a familiar face. "Hello, Scott," said George Fox as Scott was hauled into the truck. The driver pulled out quickly as the back of the truck closed on the captured young man. Jenny Edwards watched the proceedings in horror from the doorway of the apartment building. She didn't recognize any of the men in the truck, but she was sure they were government...or military. And from the US, no doubt. Unless someone had managed to convince the Canadians to get involved. She was surprised they hadn't come after her as well...unless... they'd _wanted_ her to see. And wanted her to tell Paul. It was just like them, using Scott as a bait for the bigger catch. Paul Forrester, the alien himself. Not, of course, that they didn't want Scott. They wanted them both. What should she do? She had to tell Paul, of course. But then what? They'd be waiting for him. As she walked slowly out to the street, her mind in a daze, she caught a glimpse of silver by the curb. Scott's sphere. Her eyes clouded with tears. How could Paul even _find_ Scott without that? She picked it up slowly and cradled it to her chest as the tears flowed freely. *Not now, not yet--you can't break down now. Paul will know what to do...* She hurried back into the apartment. It was likely they wouldn't be able to stick around once Scott was rescued...she didn't consider the possibility of failure. She spent the next 15 minutes tossing as many essentials as she could into suitcases. Then she carefully made her way out the back to her own car, half expecting to be grabbed at any time. She tossed everything into the back seat, then drove as quickly as she could to the Metro Police Station. As she drove, she prayed for Scott's safety...and for help to get him back. scene 21 Coroner's Office 12:25 am Duncan considered his next move. He should've left when he had the chance. Now the situation was totally out of control. He didn't recognize the Immortal who'd attacked Connor and couldn't figure out why he was here. Had he known about Connor's imprisonment? That would make Connor a target, of course, since without his sword he was almost defenseless. Almost. Though in a small cell with not much manuevering room and no makeshift weapon, even a fighter as skilled as Connor would be hard pressed against anyone with a sword. Duncan was almost grateful that the alarm had been pulled and Detective Schanke had moved quickly enough to save Connor's life...though, of course, Schanke didn't _know_ he'd done that. He thought Connor and his attacker were both dead. But Duncan could sense them both...well, he could sense the presence of at least one other Immortal--the two were too close together for him to identify them as seperate Immortals. And if he could sense them, they were awake. And waiting... Which lead to another problem. How to get Connor out and neutralize the evil Immortal who'd attacked him. And how to get these policemen and the FBI off his back. With Connor "dead", he was the only lead they had on what was going on. And the fact that Connor's attacker had made a point of addressing Connor as "MacLeod" really didn't help Duncan's situation. He was under no illusion that that remark had been missed. He doubted Agent Mulder missed much of anything. And he _knew_ Knight, whomever or _what_ever he was, wouldn't let the opportunity to question Duncan further slip out of his grasp. So now he'd been dragged to the Coroner's Office with them. Mulder had gone with Scully down to examine the "body" of the assailant, but Duncan knew he'd be back. And then they'd all be after him with more questions. And his arsenal of evasive answers was rapidly wearing thin. Even now, Schanke and Knight were shooting him suspicious looks. Even Edwards...whose presence here Duncan was at a total loss to explain...was eyeing him strangely. Duncan eyed him back...and got a raised eyebrow in response. Now Nat was giving him looks. Knight was probably relaying the other Immortals' words to her. Great. On top of everything else, he'd probably have to come up with a really good story to tell Anne. "Okay, MacLeod. Do you mind telling me what this is all about?" began Schanke, obviously not interested in waiting for Mulder's return in order to begin the questioning. So much for his breathing space. Knight also approached, leaving Edwards with Natalie. "Yeah. I think it's about time you gave us some answers. Let's start with your friend's _real_ name..." Knight added. Duncan backed up a bit towards the door. Compared to these too, Mulder might be easier to deal with. He searched his mind for an explanation, meanwhile wondering what Connor and the other Immortal were up to. As if in answer, a gunshot rang out. *Uh oh* thought Duncan, even as he turned to race down the hall. He had a bad feeling about what had happened. Even as he ran to the examining room where the FBI agents had gone, he reached into his long coat and felt for his katana, glad for the mysterious "katana-space" that concealed it except for when he needed it. He hoped he wouldn't need it. This was NOT a good place for a beheading, especially not in the midst of a group of people already very suspicious of him. What a lovely evening _this_ was turning out to be. As he reached the doorway, ahead of the detectives, the very sight he feared greeted his eyes. Agent Mulder lay in a heap against one wall, blood coming from a wound in his stomach. The other Immortal held Scully against his chest with a gun to her temple. Connor stood in the far doorway, his own katana in his hand. He heard Connor challenge the other Immortal, Murdoc. But Murdoc refused, obviously intending to use Scully as a shield in order to escape. What to do....obviously Murdoc had no intention of letting Agent Scully live, and Duncan had no doubts that she wouldn't be the only other casualty of the evening if Murdoc escaped. There wasn't time for any other option. Duncan pulled out his own sword as Murdoc said, "...because I really hate people named 'Mac'" "We're not very fond of you either," Duncan answered, as he heard the detectives arrive behind him. *Better act quickly, before this turns into a standoff.* At the sound of his voice, Murdoc turned quickly, shoving Scully into Connor's arms. He tried to aim the gun he held at Duncan, but Duncan was already swinging. He looked right into Murdoc's eyes for an instant before his sword connected with Murdoc's neck and separated his head from his body. "What the..?!" exclaimed Schanke behind him, as Murdoc's body fell. He knew their guns were now pointing right at him. He'd _really_ have a hard time explaining this. Or what was going to happen next. "Everyone, get _down_!" Connor yelled, even as Duncan felt the first touches of the Quickening. Paul hurried down the hallway behind everyone else. Duncan MacLeod had been the first one out of the room when the gun had gone off. Sam had been behind him. Nick had turned to Paul and Natalie with the orders "Stay there!" before turning to follow. Natalie had paused for less than a second before muttering, "Forget _that_" and heading out herself. Paul decided he'd better follow, partly out of curiousity and partly out of concern for whomever might have been shot. He might be able to help the victim, as he had the guards in the cell block. He gripped his sphere as he arrived at the examining room. Everyone else was frozen in shock...apparantly Duncan MacLeod had just beheaded the man Schanke had earlier shot. The man who was supposed to be already dead. Paul's was stunned...not only by the fact that this supposedly dead man was alive but at all the violence. Duncan MacLeod had not seemed to him to be the kind of man who'd go about cutting off people's heads. He hoped this behaviour wasn't contagious. Paul noted all this in a fraction of a second. He also noticed something no one else did--Agent Scully. She was hanging limply in the arms of another supposedly dead man, Robert Greene. Unlike everyone else in the room, she was not looking at Duncan MacLeod and what he had just done. Her attention was focused on the other side of the room. Paul followed her line of vision and saw Agent Mulder leaning against the wall of the room. He'd been shot...and from the look in Scully's eyes, he was sure it was fatal or nearly fatal wound. He couldn't help the man who'd lost his head, but he could do something for Mulder. He gripped his sphere tighter in his hand even as he heard Greene tell everyone to get down. At that moment he felt...something. Some sort of energy. He recalled what Scott had said had happened after the murder he'd witnessed. Paul crouched down as Green pulled Scully with him to the floor. Nick and Sam stayed standing, with there guns aimed at Duncan MacLeod. "Drop the sword, MacLeod...," Sam began. Before he could get any further, the lights above him shattered. Sam dove to the floor. Nick grabbed the stunned Nat and pulled her down as well. Paul noted the eerie blue haze rising from the headless body even as he crawled quickly to where Mulder lay. The glass door of a medicine cabinet nearby shattered as well, and Paul felt the energy force rising. Sparks of energy now seemed to come out of nowhere, and bolts of apparant lightening began to strike MacLeod, who dropped to his knees. Paul pulled his attention away from the spectacle around him to concentrate on the dying Agent in front of him. The energy force coming from the body would interfere with his healing, but at least he could keep Mulder alive until the energy had dissapated...or done whatever it was going to do. He activated his sphere as he reached Mulder. He pulled the unconscious Agent's body toward him and attempted to shield him from the debris that was beginning to fly around the room. As he touched him, he could sense Mulder's dwindling life force. If he could just keep Mulder from slipping away... He decided to try something. Paul mentally spoke. Paul was confused. He sensed that Mulder desperately wanted to know the answer to that question, that the need to know what somehow the driving force of his whole existence. But he didn't understand why Mulder was asking _him_ about it. In response to this query, Mulder's mind dumped a confusing array of images. Some were recognizeable as other species he'd encountered. He was amazed at the number of extraterrestrials this agent had encountered. And he understood why Mulder demanded answers of him. He just wished he had the answers to give. And he also understood now why George Fox had been so insistent on pursuing him. If what Mulder had seen, had heard, was any indication, there _were_ others who wanted to do exactly what George Fox had accused _him_ of--colonizing the Earth and eventually taking it over. He felt dismayed that there were those who would want to do something so wrong. No wonder there were humans who were so frightened. Paul told Mulder his own story, the reasons he'd come the first time and what had brought him back. He hoped the agent would believe him. Mulder mentally laughed ironically. Their conversation, taking place at the somewhat faster speed of mind-to-mind communication, had lasted the duration of the Quickening. As Paul felt the interfering energy die down, he began the healing process. Sam huddled on the floor as the force of the mysterious energy storm grew in strength. Peeking out from the arms that covered his face, he saw MacLeod drop to the floor as the bolts of lightening began to strike him. *What the heck is going on around here!* Sam thought. He barely heard the sound of the imaging chamber door open as Al reappeared after trying to figure out there next course of action after Greene's death. He clearly heard Al's gasp of shock, and turned to see Al's cigar drop out of his mouth as he gaped at the scectacle before him. "Sam?! What the hell's going on here? What happened...oh," Al noticed the headless body on the floor and the sword that was slipping from MacLeod's grip. "Al, can Ziggy get a read on this....this disturbance?" Sam hissed at Al. Al shook himself out of his stupor and began to type on his handlink. He shook his head negatively. "Ziggy hasn't the faintest idea what this is. What happened...wasn't he, " he pointed at the body on the floor, "supposed to be dead already?" "Yeah, well, so was he!" Sam replied nodding his head in the direction of Greene and Scully. Al strode over to where they were also crouched on the floor, giving MacLeod a wide berth. Even though he was hologramatic, he flinched every time something shattered or blew past. Even though Sam thought it was impossible, Al's eyes widened further as he recognized Greene. He turned to stare incredulously at Sam again, and Sam recognized that look of panic. It reminded him of Al's reaction when he'd leaped into...into...darn, that swiss cheese memory. Anyway, he'd seen that look before. Al scanned the rest of the room, trying to ascertain who was also there. His eyes froze as he looked off towards the side wall. "Oh, no...Sam..." Sam tried to focus on where Al was pointing to. The storm, or whatever it was, seemed to be dying down. He raised his head a little bit, and caught sight of Mulder and Paul in the corner. There was blood down the front of Mulder's shirt, and Paul was cradling his inert form, apparantly trying to protect the agent from flying debris. Apparantly, Mulder had been the one who'd been shot. And judging from the amount of blood, it didn't look good. But there was something else....now that the lightening was dying down, Sam swore there was another bluish light coming from that corner. Coming from Paul's hand.... He slowly rose to his feet, distantly noting that MacLeod seemed to collapse to his hands and knees. Knight and Natalie beside him were also getting up. "What was that?! What's going on...I want some answers..." Knight began. Sam glanced back at Knight, then at Greene, whom Knight seemed to be addressing. But neither Greene nor Scully were looking at him. They were, like Al, mesmerized by what was going on along the side wall. Greene released Scully, as he replied to Knight, "What I want to know is...what's going on over _there_". Sam had to agree with him. Because now the eerie blue glow was getting even brighter. And there was no doubt now where it was coming from---from the small sphere in Paul Edward Forrester's hand. {Author's note: Special thanks to James Holman for the video truck idea. I know I didn't use it in _quite_ the way you'd suggested. And extra special thanks to Lisa Kadlec, my "creative consultant", for discussions on katana space and all things Highlander...and for putting up with my rantings about this story so far... I'd also like to mention that the idea that Starman is familiar with at least some of the aliens believed to have visited our planet is an idea I borrowed from the excellent Starman fanfiction written by Lynda Sappington. Specifically, a story called "The Visit", where Scott and Paul meet up with one of those aliens you always see pictures of--the ones that apparantly terrified Jorge (pronounced: "Hor-hay") in the X-files episode "Little Green Men". Anyone interested in finding out more about this and other great stories, let me know.}