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Disclaimer: Xena, Warrior Princess and the names, titles, and some of the characters are the sole property of Renaissance Pictures and MCA/Universal. Highlander and the names and titles are the sole property of Davis/Panzer Productions, Rysher Entertainment and Gaumont Television. This story, all other characters and action sequences are the property of the author. No copyright infringement is intended and the story is meant to enhance our love for both TV shows. This story may not be sold. Or archived without the author’s permission.

Sex/Violence: Implied sex, usual Xena fighting, usual Highlander beheading, cursing

THE MAN FROM THE HIGHLANDS

It’s another beautiful, sunny morning, with Xena and Gabrielle walking towards a village, when Xena hears something in the bush. "Gabrielle, hold Argo a minute" she instructs, and without waiting for a response, she enters the woods. In the clearing on the other side, Xena sees two heavily armed men staring down another man with a pearl handle, long blade sword. The man, with long hair tied back in a ponytail, is breathtakingly handsome, wearing a royal blue kilt with matching sash. The two men attack and the man is killed before Xena can intercede. The men run off and as Xena is about to check the dead man, he comes back to life. She pulls back in shock. The man hesitates for a moment, regaining his strength and then picks up his sword and leaves. Xena returns to Gabrielle and the two continue their walk. "Anything wrong, Xena?" Gabrielle asks. "No, nothing" she answers.

"I do not wish to fight you", the handsome young man with a heavy brogue accent tells a crowd of villagers surrounding him. "Tell me, w’at ‘ave I done?" he asks, brandishing his pearl handled sword. "You’re wearing a dress for one thing", a villager offers, looking at the man’s royal blue kilt and sash that drapes across his broad shoulders. "Tis’ no dress I’m wearing! Tis’ but a kilt and where I come from, tis’ the style!" the foreigner rebuffs.

Xena and Gabrielle come up on the scene and Xena recognizes the man from this morning. Gabrielle gasps, "Whoa, he’s gorgeous." Ignoring her, Xena immediately goes and stands beside the foreigner. "What’s the trouble here, boys?" she asks. "He’s not from around here" a villager answers. "Well, neither am I" she hisses, drawing her sword. The foreigner looks at her in shock. "A woman who fights?" he asks. "A man who wears a dress?" Xena answers, looking at his knees. "I’ll nar ‘ave a woman fighting for me." Xena looks at him with disbelief and backs away. "As you wish."

The villagers attack the man and he deflects them, blow for blow, with choreographed moves of style and elegance. "Xena, did you see the size of his sword?" Gabrielle asks in awe. "Gabrielle, that’s just an old centaur tale", Xena quips, never taking her eyes off of him. Soon enough, he starts to lose ground, "Per’aps I was a wee bit ‘asty" he says to Xena. "Perhaps", she repeats with a smile, and she and Gabrielle join the fight. Xena is impressed by the foreigner’s expertise with a sword. The foreigner is impressed by Xena’s expertise in combat. Gabrielle is impressed with the obvious chemistry between the two. Soon the villagers give up the fight and disperse.

Turning to Xena, the foreigner offers his hand and introduces himself. "I’m Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod, and I owe you me t’anks. May I repay you fer your kindness?" "Your thanks is all I want", she responds. "I’ve nar ‘eard of a woman fighting with such skill and grace as I’ve witness t’is day", he exudes. "You aren’t from here are you? This is Xena and I’m Gabrielle." "Gabrielle, I’ll be t’anking you as well then."

"What brings you so far from your people?" Xena asks. "I’ve been traveling for weeks, chasing the bastards w’at stole a sacred artifact from my land", Duncan explains. "I caught up with them just this morning, but they jumped me and I ‘ad to fight them off." Xena looks at him, knowingly. "They joined up with an army to large for one to fight", he finishes. "Where are they now?" Xena asks. "They’re camped on the beach, o’er yon ‘ill." "I know that army. The warlord’s name is Abimelech, and he’s particularly nasty", she explains. "Tis’ why I came to solicit ‘elp, but you saw the results." "Well, I’m offering mine." "I can nar ask a woman to risk her life", Duncan refuses. "What is it with you and women?" Gabrielle quips to herself. But Xena’s eyes almost sparkle at the challenge as she replies, "You’re not asking, I’m offering. Now show me where the camp is."

The day dissolves into night as the three of them lie on a cliff over looking the beach. "By the gods, Xena, there must be hundreds of them", Gabrielle exclaims. "To many for the likes of us", Duncan replies. "Oh, you don’t know Xena. She’s fought off more than that single handily AND saved my life in the process", Gabrielle brags. "Gabrielle..." Xena reprimands from embarrassment. "I ‘ould be interested in ‘earing the story", Duncan encourages, but Xena interrupts, "Some other time, right now we need to set up camp and get ready for tomorrow."

That evening, as Xena, Duncan and Gabrielle quietly finish their meal, Gabrielle asks, "Duncan, what do you have on under that skirt?" Duncan spits out his drink as Xena rolls her eyes in disbelief. "I’ll tell you lass, if you’ll be telling me w’at you ‘ave under yours", Duncan laughs. "Enough said!" Gabrielle concedes. "It’s just that I’m fascinated by your customs. Can you tell me about some of them?" "I’ll be doing better t’an t’at, lassie, I’ll be showing you", Duncan says as he goes to his knapsack and takes out his bagpipe. "What is that?" Gabrielle questions, moving closer. "Tis but a musical instrument", he answers and inhaling, he blows into the bagpipes resulting in a horrible, screeching noise. Gabrielle jumps back in shock as Xena does a double take. Holding her ears, Gabrielle shouts, "I think it’s broken." Duncan laughs at her and continues warming up.

As he begins to play and the beautiful music fills the air, Gabrielle, being the bard that she is, asks, "That’s beautiful. Does the music tell a story?" "Aye, tis’ of unrequited love, but most folk make up their own words", he explains. "Please, play more?" As Duncan plays again, Xena, moved by the music, begins to hum. Soon she joins in, making up a love song as she goes along. The two stare deeply into each other’s eyes as Xena delivers a hauntingly, beautiful aria.

Afterward, they sit in silence for what must seem like an eternity to Gabrielle, who looks first at Xena, then at Duncan and says, "Let’s all just take a moment, shall we…" "What? Oh yeah, we better turn in" Xena says.

"Xena, ‘ow will we be getting pass t’at army?" Duncan asks as they make their beds. "We walk in the front door", she states matter of factly, and then walks over to Argo. "I’ll nar understand you Greek women", Duncan exclaims under his breath. "Don’t worry, Duncan, it means that Xena has a plan", Gabrielle explains as she starts to lay her bedroll to the right of Xena’s, as usual. But then, seeing that Duncan has laid his to the left of Xena’s, she changes her mind and moves to the other side of the fire, away from them. Gabrielle has a sly smile on her face as Xena comes back and sees what she has done. Whispering to her, she asks, "What do you think you’re doing?" "You can thank me in the morning" Gabrielle says as she lies down. Xena, almost shyly, lies down beside Duncan and the two spend the night trying to avoid each other.

"Good morning, Xena, did you sleep well last night?" Gabrielle laughs. "No, and I’ll be ‘aving you to thank for it", she smiles and says in brogue. "Now you’re even starting to sound like him" "It’s part of the plan", she says. "Of course", Gabrielle smirks. Ignoring her, Xena turns to Duncan, "I need you to teach me your accent, but you only have a few hours. Can you do it?" "Aye, lass, twill be an ‘onor" "Good, in the mean time, Gabrielle, I need you to go into to town and get a few things."

Morning dissolves into mid day to find Xena and Duncan sitting on a log, facing each other. "Good, now remember, you nar pronounce the ‘H’. Try it again", Duncan instructs. "Aye, laddie" she says, clearing her throat. "‘ere, w’at are you saying, tis’ a fine morn’ in the glen", Xena struggles with the pronunciation. "Very good, now, tis’ comfortable you must be with the accent. Just relax and let it roll off yer tongue", Duncan encourages her as he gently strokes her arm. Xena smiles and says, "You’re a bonnie lad, with a good ‘eart, Duncan MacLeod", and unconsciously, softly, tucks a stray strand of his hair back in place. Duncan takes her hand and looks long into her eyes, "I t’ink you’ve got it!" The attraction was too much for both of them and Duncan slowly leans closer, locking eyes with her until he kisses her, gently, sweetly, fully, on the lips. Xena responds with the same, slow tenderness.

Finally, she brings them back to reality by saying, "We have to stay focused. It’s time to go." Duncan corrects her, "Winch, ‘ave you not been listening?" Xena laughs and corrects herself, "Aye, tis right you are, laddie."

Suddenly, Duncan goes rigid. He scans the horizon, sensing danger. Xena instinctively looks around as well, then she asks, "What is it Duncan?" "Xena", he says as he stands and draws his sword, "T’ere’s somet’ing I ‘ave to do and I nar want you caug’t in the middle..." "I’m already in the middle..." she quips as she stands, then stops, also sensing danger approaching. She draws her sword as a man steps out of the woods with his sword drawn. "Stay out of t’is Xena, tis not w’at you t’ink it is."

Duncan approaches the stranger, who closes the distance between them, until finally, they circle each other as they talk. "I’m Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod." "I’m Artimius of Greece." "I’m not ‘ere for you, we don’t ‘ave to do t’is", Duncan offers. "Oh, but I’m here for you, foreigner. Your head will be one more trophy on my list", he boasts as he thrusts his sword at Duncan, who easily deflects it. "And after your quickening, I think I’ll add your woman to my conquests" Artimius adds. Duncan’s eyes turned to rage, "I’ll nar let you lay a ‘and on ‘er or anyone else." He thrusts his sword at Artimius who deflects with such power that sparks explode between the swords. The two fiercely parry back and forth, as Xena watches, ready to help. As their swords clash, bringing them face to face, Duncan makes one last gesture, "Walk away, w’ile we still can." "Coward, don’t worry, your death will be quick, so to speak.", and with that Artimius pushes Duncan back and kicks him in the stomach, causing him to double over. Artimius raises his sword over head, preparing to strike when Xena screams, "Noooo". The distraction was enough for Duncan to drive his sword through Artimius’ stomach. As Artimius doubles over, Duncan stands, raises his sword and slices off Artimius’ head.

Duncan weakly walks away and Xena comes to his aid. "STOP!" Duncan commands and Xena stops, watching as Duncan falls to his knees. Then suddenly, lightening bolts crackle out from the body of Artimius. The white-hot electricity repeatedly strikes Duncan, who is jolted and jarred about. Lightening crackles everywhere and Xena instinctively dives and rolls away from a rock, just as a bolt strikes it, exploding it into a million pieces. She rolls back onto her feet, and again watches as the lightening travels down Duncan’s sword, through his body, illuminating his eyes, his teeth, his heart. Finally, the quickening is over and Duncan bows his head, dropping his sword and placing his hands on his knees for support.

Coming over to him, Xena kneels and quietly asks, "Are you all right?" "Aye, tis sorry I am t’at you ‘ad to see t’at", Duncan replies. "Don’t worry about me, I’ve done worse. Can you stand?" Xena helps Duncan up and he takes a deep, strong breath, regaining his strength. "What was that all about?" she asks. Duncan tells her the story of the immortals as they walk back to camp.

Gabrielle is there, waiting on them. "Did you see that lightening, it came out of nowhere, not a cloud in the sky. The Gods must be angry at some poor soul." Duncan looks at Xena as Gabrielle continues, "How’d you do?" Xena, not wanting to let on that anything happened, replies in full brogue, "Tis fairing well, lass. Now, did you find the t’ings you were about?" "What?" Gabrielle asks in confusion. "Did you get the stuff?" Duncan repeats in plain English. Xena and Gabrielle look at him and laugh as everyone relaxes.

Taking the bag from Gabrielle, Xena goes behind some bushes. "I’ll be ri’t back", she says in character. Duncan turns to Gabrielle and asks, "‘ave you been knowing Xena for long, lass?" "It seems like all my life", Gabrielle replies proudly. "She ‘as a focus t’at’s unpenetrable, but she ‘as a gentle soul w’at’s undeniable", Duncan describes. "You see that too?" Gabrielle asks, looking at him with renewed respect.

Xena returns, wearing a short skirt and sash that match Duncan’s royal blue colors. She hands her sword to Gabrielle. "Me lord, will I be passing for the proper Gaelic lassie, t’en?" she asks. "Aye, but much more beautiful than a mere lass", he compliments. Duncan straightens Xena’s sash, as Gabrielle watches both of them watching each other. Preparing to leave, Xena turns to Gabrielle and asks, "You know what to do?" "Yes, I’ll meet you back here in the morning", she answers. "Be careful" Xena mothers.

Xena and Duncan mount their horses and ride off as Gabrielle walks in the opposite direction.

Reaching the encampment, Xena and Duncan dismount and walk straight in. "Halt, what do you want here?" a guard asks. "I’m Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod, and I’m ‘ere to claim w’at’s mine." The guard looks at his kilt and laughs. "Just take us to see Abimelech", Xena demands, out of character.

The guard leads them into the tent and tells Abimelech why they are here. Abimelech, a large, fat man, looks at Duncan and laughs until he looks at Xena and drools. "Your woman has bought you enough time to tell me what you want, before I kill you", he states. "You’ll be ‘aving an artifact of mine t’at’ll I’ll be wanting back", Duncan explains, "Tis’ rightfully mine, but I’m offering to pay for it". "An artifact?" Abimelech doesn’t know what the word means. "Me lord, tis’ but a cross with many jewels, w’at was stolen from the ‘igh lands of our clan", Xena explains. "How much is it worth to you?" Abimelech asks Duncan. "Twenty thousand of your dinars", Duncan offers. "That’s impressive, but not enough", Abimelech states. "Throw in the girl and you have a deal" "I’ll nar be selling my woman to the likes of you." Duncan was not prepared for that, but Xena was. She turns to him and suggests, "W’at if ‘e only buys an ‘our of me time?" then turning to Abimelech she asks, "Would t’at not be intriguing to ya, Abimelech?" "An hour’s not very long", he complains. Moving closer to him, Xena explains in a husky voice, "Aye, but an ‘our wit me can be an eternity." She smiles at him, running her fingers down his fat chest.

Meanwhile, as the sun is going down, Gabrielle, in a small boat, rows in sight of the encampment. She throws the anchor over and sits back, waiting.

"Stop, I’ll nar be doing this!" Duncan reconsiders the plan. Xena looks at him sternly and says, "Duncan MacLeod, tis’ not YOU who is doing t’is. Am I not me own woman who does w’at she pleases?" Duncan looks from Xena to Abimelech and finally concedes. Xena turns her attention back to Abimelech. "Feisty to boot. I’m going to enjoy this", Abimelech decides. "Me lord, tis only the beginning. But mi’t we ‘ave a wee look at the cross first. Just to set ‘is mind at ease?" Xena asks, nodding towards Duncan. "Bring in the cross", Abimelech commands over his shoulder as he rubs his large, fat, hands along Xena’s arms.

"There is your cross, which you can have as soon as I’m finished with her. Now, leave us alone." Abimelech pulls Xena closer to him, until she is almost lost in his bulge. Duncan looks at her, ready to complain, but Xena nods for him to go on. As he leaves the tent, Duncan looks toward the sea.

Gabrielle leans back in the boat, rocking to the motion of the waves. She taps her wrist several times to ward off seasickness; then she drapes her arm over the side, gingerly tapping the water, looking up at the stars filling the night sky. Suddenly, something bumps her hand and she jumps, almost tipping the boat over, losing her oar in the process.

Xena stalls Abimelech’s approach with questions, "Tis’ a fine t’ing you’ve done ‘ere tonight. Will you not be telling me w’at your plans are?" He looks at her as if she were stupid, "First, I’m going to make mad passionate love, then I’m going to kill that friend of yours and then we’re going to make more love." "I thought as much…", Xena says in her normal accent. "What?" Abimelech asks. "Tis’ nothing, me lord", she responds in Gaelic. "But w’at of the ship?" "How’d you know about that?" "Tis’ simple, me lord, why else would you be camped on a beach?" "You’re very perceptive. That’s good, since you’ll be coming along for the ride. The ship will be here shortly to transport my treasures to Crete, where I have a buyer waiting. He’ll be especially generous when he sees you."

"Son of a bacehe!" Gabrielle exclaims as she reaches over the side to retrieve the oar. Paddling with her hands to keep up with it, she doesn’t notice the shark circling around toward her. Just as she grabs the oar, the shark attacks, narrowly missing her hand. "What in Tardes…?"

Abimelech pulls Xena to the bed and as just as he was about to climb on top of her, a horrific screech blares from outside. "What in Zeus’ name was that?" he yells, and goes out to see. Suddenly, another screech pierces the air. The men start running, first right and then left and then into each other. Grabbing one of the frighten soldiers, Abimelech asks, "What is it?" "A monster coming from over there", he answers, when, hidden on the opposite cliff above, Duncan makes another screech on his bagpipe. "Agggh", Abimelech grunts in frustration. "Send every last man to the hills and find this monster. And don’t return until you do." As Abimelech directs his men, Duncan sneaks back into the tent with his bagpipe in hand.

Gabrielle hears Duncan’s bagpipe and grabs the oars, preparing to row toward shore. She is distracted though, when the shark bumps the boat several times with its snout. Gabrielle try’s to keep from getting seasick by pumping her wrist repeatedly, but it doesn’t help this time. Groaning, she gives up and leans over the side, just as the shark rises out of the water.

Xena takes the cross and places it in a sack, tying the rope securely around it while Duncan removes the bag from the pipes and blows into it. Tying it off so that it is fully inflated, Xena ties the cross to the bag. "Ready", Duncan takes the cross and crawls under the tent, just as Abimelech enters. "Now, where were we?" he asks.

Walking to the edge of the beach, Duncan tosses the cross and bag into the water. "Lass, I ‘ope you’re out there", he says.

Gabrielle can’t contain her stomach anymore and lets it go just as the shark opens his mouth. This seemed to satisfy the shark, because it swam away. "Better the second time around, I guess" Gabrielle quips as she brings in the anchor and paddles closer to shore.

"Me lord, w’at was t’at awful noise?" Xena asks, stalling for time. "Nothing to worry your pretty little head about, just some monster running around." Xena begins to wail, "Ewwo, I’m afraid twill eat me!" "It’ll have to get in line, now come here!" Abimelech demands. Xena runs around the bed wailing and bawling as Abimelech chases her, yelling and pleading. Duncan walks in and after subduing his laughter, draws his sword, and shouts, "Stop, you’ll nar be laying a ‘and on me woman."

Abimelech, panting for air, goes for his sword and prepares to fight. "Guards" he shouts, "Guards, where is everybody?" "Me lord, you sent them away", Xena hisses as she drop kicks his sword out of his hand, and elbowing him in the face, catches the sword. Duncan bows to her expertise. Xena laughs and says, "‘urry, we ‘avn’t much time before the ship arrives", but as they turn to leave, ten guards come rushing in. "You tak’ the ‘igh road and I’ll tak’ the low road…" Xena suggests and maneuvers five of them towards her. "And I’ll be there afore ye", Duncan concludes and moves toward the rest.

Gabrielle retrieves the bag from the water and places it in the boat. As she rows away, a ship approaches from the opposite direction.

While Xena and Duncan battle for their lives, more guards rush in. Xena battle’s seven of them at once, when one got the upper hand and was about to strike the fatal blow. Duncan rushes over and blocks it with his sword, and with a skillful move, plunges his own sword through the soldier’s heart. Xena bows to his expertise. They fight side by side until finally the tent becomes full of soldier’s. "Let’s get out of here!" Xena shouts. With a fierce blow of her sword, she slices the tent pole in half, causing it to collapse around them.

Xena and Duncan crawl out from under the tent flap and run toward their horses. Several guards rush them, but the two easily defeat them. They mount their horses and escape towards the cliffs just as Abimelech makes his way out of the tent. "After them" he orders as one of his men runs up and points towards the ship. "Wait," he commands, "we have more important things to deal with than the loss of one little cross and a pretty girl. Prepare to greet our friends from Crete."

Xena and Duncan slow their horses to a walk and Duncan asks, "Do you t’ink they will follow?" "No, I saw the ship on the horizon, that will keep them busy. I just hope Gabrielle made out all right, she doesn’t do well on water", Xena says, dropping the accent. "Not to worry, she’s a fine lass, with a good ‘eart, w’at kin tak’ care of ‘erself", Duncan offers. "You see that too?" Xena asks. "Aye, you’re a good team, and I’m be ‘oldin to you both"

Night falls as the two set up camp. Duncan turns to Xena and says, "Xena, I owe you me life." Xena looks at him and smiles, "But, you’re an immortal." "And does t’at matter to you, Xena?" he asks. "Not tonight" she replies. As their bagpipe love song fades in, Duncan takes her hand in his and says, "I’ll be returning to my ‘omeland in the morn’, but I’m t’inking I’ll be making love to you tonight, if you’ll ‘ave me?" Xena softly strokes his rugged cheek and smiles, "I’ll have you." They kiss, soft and tenderly at first, but as the passion rises, the kiss becomes harder, deeper, hotter. Duncan takes her in his arms and Xena embraces him with her whole body.

The next morning, Gabrielle walks up to find the two asleep in each other’s arms. Touched by the tenderness of the moment, she turns to leave, as they wake up. Realizing her vulnerable position, Xena quickly gets up and moves apart from Duncan. "Did you have any trouble?" she asks Gabrielle. "None worth repeating in mixed company", she jokes as she hands the cross to Xena, who in turn, hands it to Duncan.

"Xena, I nar ‘ave the words to t’ank you proper, but tis’ t’anking you I am", Duncan says as he caresses the cross. "And I also rescued this…" Gabrielle says and hands Duncan the bag to his pipes. "And will you be playing t’is and t’inking of us t’en?" she asks with a Gaelic accent. Laughing, Duncan replies, "Aye lass, and I’ll be t’anking you as well", and kisses her on the cheek. Gabrielle puts her hand to her cheek and sighs.

As their bagpipe love song fades in, Xena and Duncan walk, with his horse in tow, a short distance up the road. Duncan turns to Xena and says, "Yer a wee lass, Xena and I leave you my ‘eart." And Xena replies in his accent, "And you’re a bonnie lad, Duncan MacLeod, and I’ll nar be forgetting you." He kisses her tenderly, then mounts his horse and slowly rides toward the horizon. Gabrielle walks up to Xena, who touches her fingertips to her lips, then raises her hand in good-bye as Duncan looks back at them. She whispers, "And yer a bonnie lad, Duncan MacLeod, and you ‘ave my love." A tear makes its way down her cheek as the love song plays on and it fades to black.

~The End~

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