Ladies of the Board

Bond

The mists rolled in off the water obliterating the stars and moonlight completely. Rats! My prey was out of sight. I'd only been tracking him across 3 continents and this was the first time I had come so close. I shivered, pulling my coat around me a little tighter. This assignment was making me crazy. Who'd have thought it would be so hard finding the sexiest man alive. The thought of those strong muscular arms wrapped tenderly around my body brought another shiver - but this time it wasn't from the cold.

He knew he was being followed. His actions were too deliberate for him not to know. I strained my eyes hoping to catch a glimpse of his form in the mist. A slight gust of wind came up and for a brief second I saw him. He was facing me - eyes boring into my soul. An oh, so slight smile played on his lips, just enough to start my heart pounding - then the misty curtain fell again and I was left to ponder the completely unprofessional sensations left in his wake. He would be gone. But the game was not over. He had been playing this cat and mouse game with me for the last six months. He was always one step ahead of me. I would miss him by minutes. Something told me, though, that he was letting me come closer. If only I could guarantee I wouldn't lose my cool... Duncan MacLeod was capable of making the blood run hot in anyone. But I couldn't afford to let him affect my senses this way. I couldn't jeopardize the assignment like that. After all, people were counting on me to find him and bring him back.

I had mixed emotions about bringing him back. I knew that by bringing him back I could be putting him in danger, yet too much depended on this. Too many lives hung in the balance. Too much time had already passed. I had to bring him back now or it would be too late.

But how was I going to bring him back? That was the question. I had mulled over it for days and days. And then it hit me, like a quickening out of the blue. Yes! Yes! I knew now exactly what to do. I must be cool, I must be clever, I must be witty. Yes, I must use my womanly charms to weaken his defense and lure him back were he needs to be.

Just as my revelation dawned on me, I felt a hand land softly on my shoulder. I spun around in the darkness, swallowing a scream, and was face to face with the very man I had been chasing all this time. I opened my mouth to speak but was silenced by the look in his piercing brown eyes.

I was a bit dazed. Then the question entered in my mind, "Just who is tracking who?". Had this man been tracking me tracking him? Then I thought to myself, "Girl get a hold of yourself! You're supposed to be the one who is to win him over with your charm, not him winning you over with his!". Just then, I could see his lips part to say something....

"Sssssshhh," he whispered quietly. "Do you realize that you are not the only one following me and that we are not alone out here? Neither of us is safe. I don't know what you want with me but now is not the time to discuss this. The further you have followed me the further you have put us both in danger." Again I started to speak but he turned his back to me, suddenly alert to something I neither saw nor heard.

"What is it?" I whispered quietly as I peered around him. He gave me a warning glance.

"Another immortal," he replied "Now be quiet!" he growled. "He's following both of us".

Just then I heard a noise... "What? What is it?" I asked...
Just then he grabbed my arm and said, "I must get you out of here and some place safe!" He started to lead me off to an unknown destination. I asked him where he was taking me but got no response. And what is even more weird, I didn't care where he was taking me. All of a sudden I felt strangely safe. I didn't really know this man, but he made me feel as if I could trust him. As he walked me down the fog and mist filled street I asked him what was going on and who he saw. The only reply I received was " I'll explain later." I thought to myself, who is this mysterious man, and I had a feeling that I was fixing to find out.

Duncan put his arm around me and together we walked down the street. "Who was that?" I asked again.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"I asked first,” you say with a grin.
Duncan pulls you into a doorway and looks down the dark street. "He's someone who'd like to see me lose my head". "Now it's your turn," he said. "Who are you and why have you been following me for so long?"

" I am someone you need I work for the Bring Them Back Alive Foundation. I have been instructed by my superiors to bring you to the Cyberbiotics Foundation for genetic testing and cell analysis..... The Anthrax company is also out to capture you and destroy you...it is not safe here. We must....."

"Okaaaayyy. So, I'm supposed to be some sort of guinea pig? Yeah, right - now tell me what you really want."

His eyes were stone cold. They cut through my nerve like steel. I felt my mouth go dry and a chill run up my spine all at the same time. "Uuumm," I swallowed hard.

"Tell me!" he demanded. I felt his hand tighten around my arm.

"Okay, okay - I really work for them, but they don't want you for testing. It's a front for a secret organization that's been trying to recruit you to work for them. You ever hear of James Bond?" His eyebrows shot up with a sardonic look. "The organization needs you to fill in for a while. They've been watching you for years, keeping you in mind for just such an emergency. You have to help us. There are a lot of lives at stake - a lot of women's lives."

Suddenly he clamped his hand over my mouth. "We're in trouble if we don't find somewhere fast. Come on. I know a place...". We were running again and I was glad I had the sense to wear runners for a change. My feet were cold, but I at least managed to keep up to his pace. What a bizarre turnout! I knew I was going to catch h@$% when my superiors found out I had spilled the beans, but after putting in so much effort to catch up to the man, I wasn't about to lose him again. If I had lied, who knew what MacLeod might have done? He was obviously not about to put up with any crap.

We ran down the steps to the subway platform. Jumping the barricade, we hurried across to the edge where a train was just pulling up. We stepped aboard the train and strained our eyes down the platform to see if anyone else boarded. The station was virtually empty. As the train pulled away, Duncan slumped into a seat and took a deep breath of relief. I felt my knees give out and plopped rather unceremoniously into the seat across from him. We sat there looking at each other...

We both were huffing and puffing trying to catch our breath........ Finally, Duncan told me of his plan."Well, I think if we disguise ourselves...We'd have a better chance of escaping. I have some things at one of my places...Why don't we head over there now. What do you think?"

"OK, let's go now, so we can find something that will disguise our appearances."

"But first we must get something out of the way" he said as he pulled me closer.
"Get what out of the way?" I asked.
"I've been wanting to do this since the moment I saw you," he said as he began nibbling on my ear, then moved to my mouth.
"What took you so long?" I sighed.

Nothing could describe the sensation of his warm lips on mine. I felt my bottom lip tingle, making me catch my breath. I looked into his dark, smoky eyes feeling very much like a schoolgirl with her first kiss. I felt giddy... then a little dizzy... I looked at him again feeling a little nauseous and bewildered.
"What did you do to me?" He held up something that looked like a pen. "Look, I'm really sorry I had to do this. The effects will wear off in a few hours." A sharp tip protruded from the cylinder.
"You drugged me?" I asked dopily. Then everything went black.
"I am sorry," he whispered. "I couldn't take the chance of you seeing where we're going."

When I came to, I found myself in a very large bed covered with soft comforters. My head felt groggy and if I moved too fast, I felt like puking. It was much nicer just to lay there.

I heard low voices nearby, but my head hurt when I tried to turn it. "What, are you crazy, MacLeod? Do you know what you've done by bringing her here?"
"What, Methos? What have I done?"
"The rest of them will follow and then none of us will be safe!" Methos said angrily.
"They're only after me," Duncan replied.
"That's because they don't know about the rest of us!" continued Methos.
"I couldn't let any harm come to her," Duncan said quietly "I've grown rather used to her shadowing me all over Europe."
"Always the boy scout!" Methos muttered under his breath.

"Excuse me!" I said irritably, as I struggled to a semi-sitting position, my head splitting and my vision somewhat blurred. "To the best of my knowledge drugging someone and kidnapping them are not requirements for a boy scout merit badge. I demand to know what is going on here." Even as the words came out of my slurring mouth I realized that I might not be in the best position to make a demand of any sort. Two sets of intense eyes turned on me.

"You didn't tell me how beautiful she is," Methos said giving me an admiring glance.
"You didn't ask," Duncan said irritably. "Besides what does that have to do with anything?"
"Well, it explains why you've let her pursue you all over Europe," Methos said with a grin.
"Shut up both of you!" I yelled. "Why am I here and what are you going to do to me?"
"I know what *I'd* like to do with you," Methos replied.
"I saw her first," Duncan growled as he shoved Methos out of the room.
"I saw *you* first," I said with a sneer. "Now what is going on!"

Duncan approached the bed with an apologetic expression on his handsome face. He reached out and gently took my hands and said, "I'm sorry I had to drug you but it was the only way to ensure your safety. There's an immortal out there that isn't playing by the rules and unfortunately you are now a part of something much bigger than you ever anticipated." His tender, caring manner was beginning to break through the drug induced haze encircling my brain. I touched his cheek as though to assure myself that he was real. Just at that moment there was a frantic pounding on the door.

"What now?" Duncan asked angrily as he walked to the door. Flinging it open he groaned when he saw who it was. "Amanda, what are you doing here?"

"Geez, it's nice to see you too, MacLeod!", she said as she sauntered into the room. "You drugging them now? I didn't think you'd sink *that* low." she said with a smile.

"Right, like I have to drug women to get them to come with me!" Duncan replied sarcastically.

"Actually he did drug me and I believe I'm still tied to this bed!" I snarled.

"Duncan you must have learned a thing or two since we were together last time", Amanda said with a wink.

"Amanda...!" Duncan sighed. "That's not... I mean I didn't...oh hell!"

Duncan unties you and rubs your wrists to get the circulation going. Amanda shrugs and leaves the room. "It was more interesting with her tied," she tosses over her shoulder.

You are now untied, but still furious. "What do you mean, another immortal!" you demand.

"I let someone go once with a warning and he's never forgiven me for besting him," Duncan explained. "Now where did James Bond go and why do I have to replace him?"

"I told you earlier. The fate of many women rests in your hands," I told him earnestly. "I have to bring you back!"

"Women in my hands--sounds good so far," he said with a devilish grin.

There's a knock on the door.

You both turn to watch as Methos brings in a tray with some tea and cakes. You're hungry and glad for the snack.

"I don't suppose you could find some of those fussy little sandwiches," you ask imploringly. "I just love finger foods!"

"As you wish, milady." Methos turns and leaves with a slight bow and a boyish grin.

Duncan rolls his eyes and turns to look at you again. "You were telling me about this 'mission' of yours. Where is it, and why me?"

"Have you ever heard of the Sultan of Sunai?" I asked Duncan as I wolfed down a scone.

"Hasn't everyone?" he replied.

"Well, his bodyguards search the world for the most beautiful women to take to the Sultan's Harem," I added as I reached for a cup of Earl Grey.
"They drugged several women at an embassy party and kidnapped them, taking them to Sunai. These women are related to very high powerful world leaders and it is imperative that we get them back. Bond was on another mission that didn't go so well and will be in the hospital for several months. We need your help now!"

"Drugging women? I don't know anyone who would do something like that," Duncan said with another one of his devilish grins.

"Yeah, well, regardless," you answer, raising your eyebrow at his remark and brushing the crumbs from your mouth, "those women need to be rescued, and with your military record...you were the only choice."

Duncan sits, thoughtfully stroking his chin. "Wel-l-l-l... I've always wanted to play at being James Bond. Always thought I could do the job pretty darn well, too." He pauses for a moment. "I'll do it!"

Just then Methos returns with the sandwiches. "What have I missed?" he inquires.

"We're going to Sunai!" Duncan announces.

"I don't know MacLeod, the last time I went to Sunai I got myself into a bit of a spot," Methos says uncomfortably.

"Everywhere you go you get in a bit of a spot," retorts Duncan.

"Boys, boys, boys, stop this infernal arguing!" you say as you take a bite out of a cucumber sandwich.

"You have an appetite like a young friend of mine," Duncan says watching you reach for a petit four.

"Are you talking about Richie?" I ask. (In this story Richie is alive and well).

"You *have* done your homework!" Duncan says with a grimace. "What else do you know about me?"

"I know you're our only chance to get those women out of the Sultans hands. I have to get you to headquarters right away so they can brief you on the plan. Q will set you up with everything you might need for an arsenal."

"You don't have to worry about providing me with a Sleepy-time pen. I already have one. Look - I'm really sorry about using it on you. I didn't want to put my friends in danger any more than they already are. I'll blindfold you to take you out of here. You don't mind do you?"

"Of course, I mind!" He looked at me with his puppy eyes and sweet smirk, very sheepishly. In that moment I forgave everything he'd ever done wrong - setting me up to pay his lunch bill in Paris while he ducked out the back way, arranging for my ticket to have the wrong flight number so I wasn't allowed to board the flight to Amsterdam, having the kids from the school fieldtrip bombard me with questions in China, getting the cowboy to tie me up with his lariat in Calgary. I melted.

Sobriety hit me like a cold glass of water in the face when Amanda's voice piped in, "Don't get any ideas about Duncan. He's a boy scout. I'm sure he will save the ladies from the harem - but he's a one woman man, and at the moment, I'm that woman."

"Amanda!" Duncan complained.

She's right, I thought, but time moves on and moments change. I wonder what I can do to get her out of the way for a while? I smiled, and from the looks on everyone's faces, it must've been devious. A plan was beginning to hatch in my mind.

"Amanda, I'm so glad you're here,” I said with a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes. "We're going to need bait to get into the Sultan's Harem and that's where you come in".

"Where are you going to be?" she asked suspiciously.

"Duncan and I will be undercover,” I said trying to keep an innocent look in my face. Duncan shot me a glance that said he knew what I was up to but that he was going to go along with it for now.

"Undercover--that has possibilities" Methos added. "I think I'll go along just to see the fireworks...I mean to help out."

"Did someone say fireworks? I love fireworks" said the handsome young man standing in the doorway.

"Richie, you know the only reason you want to go is harem women!" Amanda said wickedly.

"Fireworks, harem women, paradise, sounds like my kind of party! I'm there." Richie exclaimed.

"Let's go then. Get me out of wherever we are. There's a jet on standby at the airport." I was in a hurry to go now that Duncan and his friends had agreed to do the job.

"Blindfold on first," Duncan said as he started to put it on me.

"That's not fair, MacLeod! You've never put the blindfold on me!" Amanda protested.

Then it was off to the the airport and on a jet bound for Sunai...

Once we were in the plane things got a bit chaotic. Amanda kept vying for Duncan’s undivided attention. She seemed unconcerned about the kidnapped ladies as well as the Immortal after Duncan. Methos tried to convince Duncan to change his mind about rescuing the women. Richie seemed content to sit back and enjoy the flight. I asked Duncan if he felt we had lost the Immortal that was after him. He replied "No, he will be waiting for me in Sunai." I tried to get him to tell me why the Immortal was after him. All he would tell me is that my objective was closely tied to his.

The jet landed on a secret air field and we prepared to go the rest of the way to the Palace on foot.

Methos would take Amanda to the Sultan and would collect the usual finder's fee for bringing him a beautiful woman. With Amanda and Methos inside the Palace they could hopefully help the rest of us rescue the kidnapped women.

I stumbled over a tree root and Duncan took my hand to steady me. Richie followed behind us making sure we weren't being followed...

I stopped and stared up into Duncan's deep brown eyes. "How can we possibly concentrate on this rescue if there is an Immortal out to take your head?" He and Richie exchanged a glance and he said,"That is not for you to worry about. Richie will take care of that while we sneak into the palace. I only hope Amanda will not get caught up in her role and forget that we are out here." Just then Richie stiffened and said, "Duncan, he's here..."

Suddenly out of the bushes jumped a man swinging a large sword. "I am Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod!" shouted Duncan as he pulled his katana out from under his long leather coat.

"I know who you are," the evil immortal cried "and I'm going to take your head!"

"Not bloody likel!" Duncan retorted as the two engaged in a deadly duel.

Richie grabbed my hand and told me to come with him out of the line of fire, but I was fascinated by the deadly beauty of MacLeod sword fighting. I couldn't look away. All of a sudden MacLeod swung the fatal blow and lightning erupted all around us as he took the quickening...

When the quickening was over, Duncan joined us and the three of us headed toward the palace. I had seen something that very few mortals get to see and was still dazed a bit by the experience. I wanted to ask him how it felt but when I looked at him the question must have been evident in my eyes because he shot me a forbidding glance. So I held my tongue (which is totally out of character for me).

We decided to enter the palace at night so we waited outside and donned our black outfits and gear before breaking in. Amanda and Methos were inside waiting for us...

"Glad you could join us, MacLeod!" Methos greeted. "Although..." he added with an impish grin, "I could get used to things in here!"

Amanda jabbed him in the ribs.

"Ow!! What...Sultan got your sense of humor?"

"Methos," Duncan whispered "Quit fooling around! If we're found in here the accepted method of dealing with us in this country is beheading!"

"Beheading! Don't even think that!" Methos replied with a horrified look on his face.

"What is that you have on Amanda?" Richie said with a grin.

"Oh this old transparent thing? This is what all the harem women get to wear. How do I look?"

"Yummy", Richie responded with a lick of his lips.

"Knock it off! We're here to do a job," Duncan growled.

Duncan turned his less than gruntled face to me. "This is your mission. Tell us all that you know about the palace and where the ladies are being kept. What kind of security is here and how can we get Amanda to create a distraction?" My stomach lurched as I admitted that I hadn't a clue as to the necessary details. For just a moment the expression on Duncans's face frightened me. Ritchie slapped Duncan on the shoulder and said..." We'll wing it, right Mac? We've done it before!"

Duncan continued to give me the evil eye as I tried to explain that there were no blueprints of the centuries old palace on record. After security was installed in the palace they had killed the guys who installed it so it would remain top secret.

"I know how to distract the guards," Amanda said "My famous belly dance should do the trick. Just don't take too long because the more veils I lose the more trouble I'm going to be in if we don't get out of here!"

"Ummmmm I'll stay with Amanda and..ahhhh.. guard her while she's dancing," Richie offered.

Methos chuckled "Yeah right, you're going to guard Amanda while she's dancing half naked."

"Well hey, I deserve *some* fun on this assignment," Richie complained "It's been a drag so far."

"We're not here to entertain you Richie" Duncan said sternly. "We're here to get those women out! Ok , Amanda do your dance and Methos you can guard her since they've seen you with her already. Richie, you come with us."

Richie, Duncan and I followed Amanda and Methos to the Harem area and waited for her to start her dance. From somewhere music began and Amanda started to perform the age old dance to the guards' delight...

It didn't take long for her to command their full attention. Duncan touched my arm and motioned with his head for me to follow him. We slipped out into a hallway elaborately decorated with paintings and suits of armor complete with lances and swords.

"Should we split up or stick together?" Richie asked. Duncan replied, "We haven't much time, so we better split up. She comes with me." After a short whispered conversation, Richie turned to his left and began walking down the hallway. Duncan took my hand and we started up a long staircase.

At the top of the stairs we saw the entrance to the harem guarded by two sword wielding eunuchs. I looked at Duncan and he motioned for me to stay behind him. I shook my head 'No" and drew my sword at the same time that he drew his.

The eunuchs put up quite a fight but Duncan and I were able to wound them and then knock them out.

"I'm impressed," Duncan whispered as he sheathed his sword.

"You should be," I replied "I've been taking lessons for years! You're pretty good yourself!"

We opened the ornate doors of the harem and were amazed at the sight that awaited us...

We gazed into a large, open room filled with women. There were pillows on a floor covered with beautiful rugs. On the rugs were five women, obviously not native to this country. Each woman seemed to be attended by a native woman. Ten pairs of eyes stared at us in surprise. I'm sure the last thing they expected to see was a man and woman wielding swords appear at the door. As Duncan and I took in the scene, one native woman darted quickly to a large gong and hit it with a hammer. A resounding boing sounded through the palace.

The sound of the gong was deafening and we were dismayed to see several more eunuchs with swords running towards us.

Luckily, just at that moment Richie, Amanda and Methos came through the door behind us. With an almost gleeful grin Richie shouted "One for All and All for One!" and the fight began.

All five of us were soon engaged in a battle with the guards...The excellent swordsmanship of the Immortals soon became apparent. As I battled close to Duncan he shouted,"I'll handle these fellows- you get the women outside." I spun and headed for the captive women huddled in a corner watching the battle. I skidded to a stop in front of them and tried to catch my breath. "Ladies," I gasped," Last call- this party is over!" As I herded them towards the door, I glanced over my shoulder and to my satisfaction saw that Duncan, Amanda, Methos, and Ritchie had the situation well in hand.

The ladies were thrilled to see us. "You are a gift from God!" the blonde exclaimed.

"Actually, I'm more of a gift from the U.S. Government here with a little help from my friends," I said modestly.

"Whatever" the tall brunette said as she guided us toward the exit. "I've been studying the layout of this place so I could make a break for it one of these nights."

The other three ladies ran along behind me their diaphanous outfits floating around them. Looking behind me, I noticed that the fight was over.

The Immortals had, of course, defeated the eunuchs...

I reached the door to the outer courtyard and hesitated. The blonde nervously urged me forward. I turned and put out a reassuring hand, "Honey, it's over. You're all safe now. Look behind you." The women turned and saw a tired but triumphant group of Immortals running towards us, smiling and congratulating each other. As they reached us they stopped and a silence fell over the palace.

Duncan smiled that heart stopping smile and said, "Let's go home!"

The ride home in the jet was quiet. Methos was napping, Richie talking to the women who had been kidnapped (still in their harem outfits) and Amanda was watching a James Bond movie on the monitor.

Duncan was seated next to me. He reached over and took my hand, kissing the palm of it lightly. "I think I'm glad I let you catch me," he said quietly.

"You *let* me catch you?" I scoffed. "I tracked you and caught you fair and square and I'm *not* throwing you back!"

"Well a woman who's good with a sword and looks like you do doesn't come along every da,y" he said with a smile.

"Oh really?" Amanda said, looking over at us indulgently.

"Well, you know what I mean." he said to me sheepishly.

"Where to next?" I asked Duncan giving Amanda the "do-you- have-your-brand-on-the-guy-or-is-he-free-to-roam" look that all women recognize.

With a quirk of her eyebrow she released him to me probably knowing that I, as a mortal, could only claim him for so long and then she'd have him back.

"Ever been to the highlands of Scotland?" Duncan asked with a wistful look in his eye. "I haven't been home for along time."

"Will ya be wearin a kilt, laddie?" I asked in what I hoped would pass for a Scottish burr.

"Yes, I will," he said with a wicked smile.

"Sounds good to me," I said returning the lusty glance.

"First we'll drop them off," he said gesturing to Methos, Amanda, Richie and the women. "And then we're off to the most beautiful land in the world!"

THE END