[A thunderstorm rages outside.]

Alec - [disembodied voice whispers, echoing] Jennifer. Jennifer. Jennifer, I need you.

[Jennifer sits up in bed, tries to turn on bedside light but the power is out.]

Alec - [disembodied voice whispers, echoing] Jennifer. Come to me. Jennifer.

[Jennifer turns on flashlight, goes down hallway, opens a door. Parrot in birdcage squawks quietly.]

Bird - Awk. Jennifer.

[Piano music can be heard from downstairs, playing "Aura Lee" as a man's voice hums along.]

Jennifer - Alec? [Piano & humming continue as Jennifer goes down stairs.] Alec. [A ghostly Alec sits at the piano, but when Jennifer enters the room, it is empty. She closes the lid over the piano keys. A branch crashes through the window. She screams.]

Alec - [disembodied voice whispers, echoing] Come, Jennifer. I need you.

Jennifer - [sees Alec's reflection in mirror] Alec? Alec, is it you? [Lightning flashes & reflection disappears.] Alec. No. [grabs coat, leaves house]

[Jennifer drives along a dark road in the rain, crying. ¹ She pulls off road, gets out of car & enters cemetery. Crying, she kneels by gravestone: ALEC HILL / BELOVED HUSBAND]

Jennifer - Alec? What do you want? What do you want?
 

[RR steps forward, then ^A back and pivots, performing slow moves with a wooden bokken. As he continues, Jennifer enters dojo, <sees fuzzy image of Alec's face on RR's back.] CUT

Alec - [disembodied voice whispers, echoing] Yes, Jennifer, I'm here. [Face disappears.> RR turns, sees Jennifer.]

Jennifer - [smiles at him] You're pretty good.

RR - Uh, thanks. It, uh -- It looks pretty stupid unless you picture the other guy.

Jennifer - Did you get him?

RR - Always do.

Jennifer - And the winner, new champion is...?

RR - [face morphs briefly into Alec's, voice into Alec's (CUT)] Richie Ryan.

Jennifer - [shakes his hand] Jennifer Hill.

RR - [normal voice] Nice to meet you.

Jennifer - I'm here to see Duncan MacLeod.

RR - Lucky guy. [shares a smile with her, walks over to bench]

Jennifer - You play?

RR - The harmonica? [picks up harmonica from bench] Just learning. Mac's upstairs.

Jennifer - Oh, thanks. [starts toward elevator]

RR - You, uh, you need a key. [holds his key up]

Jennifer - Oh.

RR - Can I give you a lift?

Jennifer - Well, I usually don't take rides from strangers, but I'll make an exception in your case. CUT

<RR - All right. [enters elevator with her] So, uh, friend of Mac's for a long time?

Jennifer - Yeah.> ²

CUT

<DM - [polishing an antique mirror while talking into phone] Yeah, I picked it up at an estate sale. Actually, I don't know if I want to give it up yet. ³ [senses buzz while listening to person on phone, chuckles] Yeah, okay. All right, all right, I'll have it to you by Saturday. All right, bye. [disconnects call]>

RR - [exits lift with Jennifer] Mac.

DM - Yeah. [stands, turns to face them]

RR - Look who I found.

DM - Jennifer. Hi. [hugs her] Oh, it's been two years. Where's Alec?

Jennifer - [quietly] Gone, Duncan.

DM - Oh, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

Jennifer - He wasn't supposed to die before me.

DM - Yeah, I know. When did it happen?

Jennifer - Last summer. July. After a hundred and ten years, he finally found Gerard Kragen. (CUT)

DM - Kragen.
 

[Super: San Francisco, 1886]

Alec - Hey. [hands DM some nails]

DM - [hammering on wooden framing of a house] Ah, I didn't think I'd see you west of the Mississippi.

Alec - San Francisco was Genevieve's idea. She wanted a fresh start. When could I ever deny her anything?

DM - Yeah. You're a lucky man, Alec. Any fool can see why.

Alec - Took me a hundred and fifty years to find the right woman. The first time I saw her, I knew we'd be together, whatever it took. Even moving to the end of the world.

DM - Well, this is California, Alec, not Timbuktu.

Genevieve - [carries picnic basket from horse-drawn wagon toward building site] Anybody hungry?

DM - Oh, yes.

Alec - [singing] "Aura Lee... Aura Lee. Maid with dark brown hair. Sunshine came along with thee, and swallows in the air." [to DM] It's her favorite song.

Genevieve - [applauds] Bravo. Bravo.

Alec - [walks down front steps of house] Your front parlor, my lady.

Genevieve - Ah, you promised you'd only smoke in the study.

[DM & Alec look at their cigars. Alec tosses his to the ground. DM hides his behind his back. Alec goes to Genevieve & kisses her.]

Genevieve - Oh. [Alec reaches for picnic basket.] Uh-uh-uh! Wash.

DM - Oh, yes, ma'am.

Alec - But I'm starving.

DM - It does no good to deny the lady.

Genevieve - [looks them over] On second thought, scrub. [tosses bar of soap to Alec]

Alec - [to DM, who has his cigar back in his mouth] Hey, where'd you get that cigar? [They move off. Alec starts singing again.] Aura Lee, Aura Lee...

DM & Alec - [singing & dancing together as they leave] Maid with dark brown hair. Sunshine came along with thee, and swallows in the air.
 

<Alec - What is it with women and cleanliness?

DM - Beats me. What is it with women and cigars?

Alec - When the house is finished, you can smoke all you want.

DM - Ah, yes. [They crouch by the stream to wash their hands.] She's quite a gal, Alec.> CUT

Alec - I used to worry about the difference in our ages.

DM - Well, what's a hundred and fifty years between friends?

Alec - [chuckles] A blink in God's eye. Sometimes I look up at the stars at night, and I wonder, "How long have they been there? How much have they seen?" I'm not so old. ⁴
 

[Genevieve is setting out a picnic lunch on a blanket by the campfire - a roasted chicken, some cheese, a loaf of bread. The horse whinnies. She looks over her shoulder, sees Kragen.]

Genevieve - Oh, my God.

Kragen - Hello, Genevieve. You're looking a little haggard.

Genevieve - What do you want?

Kragen - Have you lost your manners already? It would be more polite to offer me a cup of coffee.

[She picks up a cup and the coffee pot, hands him the cup, pours some coffee.]

Kragen - Here, let me help you. [puts his hand over hers on coffee pot. She pulls away.] You used to like it when I touched you. Do you remember when I first found you, Genevieve. Outside that sweaty little tenement. You were wasting away. Your family could barely afford to feed you.

Genevieve - I was fine.

Kragen - You were nothing.

Genevieve - I was thirteen.

Kragen - And now my portraits of you hang in New York's finest galleries.

Genevieve - You used me.

Kragen - [throws cup down] I made you. Your walk. Your talk. You are who you are because of me. And you ran away.

Genevieve - [backing away] Alec is going to be here any moment.

Kragen - Well, it's a pity we can't stay.

Genevieve - What are you talking about?

Kragen - Our ship leaves in four hours.

Genevieve - What ship?

Kragen - We're going to China. [Genevieve runs for the wagon. Kragen chases her, grabs her around the waist.] Now that's not very friendly. Did you really think California was far enough away, Genevieve? Did you think I wouldn't find you? There is no place on earth I won't find you. You're mine.
 

[Alec hears Genevieve scream in distance.]

Genevieve - [in distance] Alec!

[Alec & DM exchange a look, run back up bank of stream to building site.]

Genevieve - [in distance] Alec!
 

[Kragen senses 'buzz', pulls Bowie knife out, threatens Genevieve with it.]

Kragen - Not another sound.

Alec - [runs toward them] Genevieve!

Genevieve - Alec!

Kragen - [holds blade to Genevieve's neck] Don't be foolish.

Alec - Let her go, Kragen.

Kragen - And I thought we were such good friends.

Alec - [grabs his sword] I'll kill you for this. Draw your sword.

Kragen - Do you take me for a fool? I take your head and then your friend takes mine while I'm down.

DM - Well, if it's a fight you want, CUT just let her go.

Kragen - The woman is mine. She always has been.

Alec - She's my wife.

Kragen - But I had her first.

Alec - Son-of-a-bitch! [lunges toward Kragen]

DM - Stop, Alec!

Kragen - [backs toward edge of bluff, pulling Genevieve with him] Listen to your friend, Alec.

DM - Just let her go, and you can walk away.

Alec - It's too late for that.

Kragen - Stay where you are!

Alec - There's nowhere to go.

Kragen - [looks over edge of bluff at ground below ] Oh yes, there is.

Alec - No, Kragen! No! No! [Kragen throws himself and Genevieve off the edge of the bluff.] Genevieve! No! [jumps off after them]

[moments later, base of bluff]

[Alec coughs, groans, climbs shakily to his feet and clambers over rocks & tree limbs to where DM crouches by Genevieve's body.]

Alec - [sobs] No. No. Not yet.

DM - Easy.

Alec - She was my life, Duncan. My life. I'm going to see that bastard dead, even if I have to come back from the grave to do it. Swear to me. If I die before I can kill him, you'll finish it.

DM - I swear.

Alec - [cradles Genevieve's body, crying] No.

(resume previous scene)

CUT

<RR - So what happened to Kragen?>

DM - He could've gone anywhere in the world. Then we went back and finished Alec's house. He never lived anywhere else.

Jennifer - He was waiting for Genevieve's spirit to join mine.

RR - You mean like reincarnation?

Jennifer - Alec believed in the eternity of the soul.
 

[Super: San Francisco, 1888]

DM - [knocks on front door] Alec?

Alec - [inside, playing "Aura Lee" on piano] Go away.

DM - [outside on porch] It's me, Duncan. [enters house as Alec continues playing] Alec.

Alec - [stops playing] Hello, Duncan. Did you feel her?

DM - You know, Amanda's in town. She just won Kit's saloon in a poker game. She'd love to see you.

Alec - She was here.

DM - What do you say we, uh, we get you shaved and dressed and go down to the Double Eagle for some dinner, huh?

Alec - I can't.

DM - Alec, listen to me. You don't sleep. You don't eat. [re: dress hanging on dress form] You put her clothes out as if you expect her to wear them.

Alec - She was right there, listening to me play. [sees ghostly image of Genevieve next to DM]

DM - Genevieve's dead. We buried her together two years ago.

Alec - Only her body. [perks up] Read this. It's in Aramaic. [gets up, goes across room] Or-- [brings small book to MacLeod] Or this from China. [lifts other books up] Or this from India or this from Greece. [shows DM passage in book] They all speak about one thing -- the transmigration of the soul. But when we take another Immortal's head, what do you think we get? All souls are eternal, Duncan. Not just ours.

DM - Oh.

Alec - Genevieve's out there waiting to come back to me.

DM - Well, maybe she will come back to you. Maybe she's waiting for you, but how long can you wait before you go mad, huh?

Alec - As long as it takes.

DM - What if she doesn't?

Alec - She will. She has to.

DM - It wasn't your fault.

Alec - It was my pride that drove them off that cliff. [changes the subject] Genevieve loved this piano. In New York, I would sit in the parlor and play it for her every day. Tell Amanda I'm sorry. I can't make it for dinner.

<DM - Oh, yes, you can. Come on, Alec. Let's go. The night is young.> CUT

Alec - Good night, Duncan.

DM - Alec? [Alec starts playing "Aura Lee" again.] Good night, Alec. [leaves]

(resume previous scene)

Jennifer - <Alec and I just really connected.> CUT From the first day we met, it was as though I'd known him all my life.

DM - Yeah. He loved you very much.

Jennifer - He still does. Duncan, I think Alec is still here.

DM - Jen... death is death, even for us. Alec is gone.

Jennifer - How can you be so sure? Maybe Alec was right.

DM - Alec believed what he needed to believe. You know what our lives are like. The people we lose. It was Alec's way of coping, of... keeping in mind the spirits of those that he loved.

Jennifer - What if it was more than that? I've heard his voice, Duncan. I've seen him.

RR - You've seen him?

DM - Look, if Alec's spirit lives, it's in your mind. It's in your heart.

Jennifer - No. He comes to me. I think there's something he wants. Something he left unfinished.

DM - You mean Kragen?

Jennifer - I know your promise. Will you keep it?

RR - You really believe that stuff? That you've got a woman who died a hundred and fifty years ago living inside you?

Jennifer - When Alec first told me about Genevieve, about him, I thought he was crazy. I wasn't raised believing in ghosts, or spirits.

RR - Or Immortals, I'm sure.

Jennifer - Exactly. But you're real.

RR - Yeah.

Jennifer - So why not this?

RR - Mm-hmm. What about what Mac said, though? That maybe -- maybe Alec believed because he needed to believe.

Jennifer - Maybe. Maybe he did. I don't think I could handle being one of you, Richie. The fear, the fighting. Everything you care about, everyone you know, dying.

RR - I guess I try not to think about it too much.

Jennifer - Well, you're very brave. All of you.

RR - CUT Maybe you are the brave one. I mean, you knew what Alec's life was all about, and yet you chose to stay with him.

<Jennifer - Maybe I didn't have a choice either. ⁵ Sounds stupid, but our souls connected, Richie. There-- There was no fighting it. CUT

RR - I don't think that sounds stupid. Do you think that could ever happen again?

Jennifer - I don't know. It would have to be someone very special, very kind... Someone... [sees flicker of Alec's face over RR's, gasps] Oh! [stands]>

RR - [stands] Oh. Um, I'm sorry.

Jennifer - Um, uh, there-- Is there a ladies' room around here?

RR - Yeah, yeah. It's back over there. [points offscreen]

[Jennifer walks past bar toward restrooms. Joe, seated at bar, watches her go.]

RR - [sitting at table again, lights a cigarillo] Damn.

Joe - [goes over to him] You're smoking now?

RR - Yeah, a little. [smiles] Joe, I need some advice.

Joe - [looks over his shoulder toward restrooms] Tell me about it. [sits at RR's table] What is this? You and Alec Hill's wife?

RR - No, no, no. It's not like that. She's a little shaky right now. Mac asked me to keep an eye on her. You know, try to cheer her up.

Joe - He what?

RR - Yeah. He went out of town. He went to San Francisco to whack the son-of-a-bitch who killed her husband. [off Joe's reaction] What? [takes a drag on the cigarillo, blows out smoke]

<Joe - [sighs] Richie... you're the son-of-a-bitch who killed her husband. [off RR's shocked reaction] Don't freak out, okay? Come over here. I'll buy you a drink. [to bartender] Terry, pair of tequila. CUT

RR - [follows Joe to bar] Joe, this just can't be. I mean, I never even met the guy.>

Joe - No? Try San Francisco, the beginning of July. Brown hair, carrying a U.S. Cavalry saber?

RR - That was Alec Hill?

Joe - That was Alec Hill. [drinks his shot]

RR - Oh, my God. [drinks his shot] I never knew his name. It was live or die, Joe. I -- I certainly had no idea he had a wife.

Joe - Richie, everyone leaves someone behind. Everyone.

RR - Mac is going after the wrong guy.

Joe - Well, let's pray to God that he doesn't have a bad day.

Jennifer - [joins them at the bar] Richie. Maybe you should take me home.

RR - [still in shock] Jen, um, I think Joe's going to call you a cab. I... I really got to go.

[Jennifer watches as he leaves. ^B]

RR - [trying to play "Aura Lee" on harmonica, hears knock at door] It's open. Come in. [Jennifer enters.] Hey.

Jennifer - Hi.

RR - How're you doing?

Jennifer - Uh-- Well, I couldn't sleep.

RR - Yeah, I know. Me neither.

Jennifer - Yeah.

RR - I didn't mean to leave you like that. I'm sorry.

Jennifer - No. No, it's okay.

RR - Um, please, sit down. [She sits on the couch.] Can I, uh, can I get you something?

Jennifer - No. I'm fine.

RR - Are you sure?

Jennifer - Come here. [pulls him down next to her on the couch] Sit down. Richie, I'm sorry.

RR - No, Jen. I'm sorry. Listen, there's -- there's something I have to tell you.

Jennifer - No. You don't have to say anything. I know.

RR - You know?

<Jennifer - That something happened back at that bar. CUT

[According to 'Music Clearance Report', "I'll Be Waiting" by Philip Steele is playing over the car radio as DM drives up.]

[DM parks red convertible, gets out of car.]

Men - [talking in background] Hey, {Paul}? / Yeah. / {??} / All right. I'll be right there.

DM - [to stage hands] This the way to the sound stage?

Stage hand - Yeah. [points]

(resume previous scene)

RR - You totally blew me away.

Jennifer - I knew you felt it, too.> I knew it wasn't just me. Richie... I've only felt this way once before. [They kiss.]

RR - Jen. This isn't a good idea.

Jennifer - Don't you think I know that? You think I want to get involved with an Immortal again? But I know in my soul that this was meant to be. That we're meant to be. [They kiss again.]

[Blonde actress in pink robe kisses man on couch passionately, moaning.]

Kragen - Cut! I said cut! Cut! Cut! [Bell rings.]

Woman - [offscreen] That's a cut.

Kragen - [to Actress] What the hell is that? [mimics sexual moans] My dear, this isn't Mary Poppins. Take off the robe.

Actress - I don't have to.

Kragen - Oh, is that so?

Actress - My contract says no nudity.

Kragen - [to the crew] That's a wrap!

<Bobby - Okay, wrap it up. Let's go home, everybody.

Kragen - Get everybody back here by eight o'clock, Bobby.

Bobby - Yes, sir.> CUT

Kragen - [to Actress] Listen, uh, why don't you just stay for a few minutes, okay? [calls out to crew] Okay, thank you, everyone. Be back bright and early.

[Outside soundstage, DM climbs steps to entrance door.]

Kragen - [sits on couch by Actress] Now, why don't we talk about this contract of yours.

Actress - Talk to my agent. [moves to stand up]

[Kragen pulls her back down, then senses 'buzz', stands.]

DM - Still shoving women around?

Kragen - [to Actress] Get out. Be back in the morning.

DM - Don't bother. This production's shut down.

Kragen - Duncan MacLeod... I remember you. This time you're alone.

DM - Yeah. And there are no cliffs.

Kragen - You should have seen the look on your face when I jumped.

DM - Really? [They begin to fight.]

[RR & Jennifer move down hallway, still kissing.]

Alec - [disembodied voice whispers, echoing] Kiss me, Jennifer. Kiss me, sweet.

(resume previous scene)

[Swordfight continues.]

(resume previous scene)

[RR & Jennifer remove each other's clothing, still kissing.]

Alec - [disembodied voice whispers, echoing] Jennifer. I will always love you, Jennifer.

(resume previous scene)

[Swordfight continues.]

(resume previous scene)

[RR & Jennifer reach the bedroom, lie on the bed, still kissing.]

(resume previous scene)

[DM climbs through prop window. Kragen runs around the end of the set instead of following him through the window. ⁶ Swordfight continues. DM cuts at Kragen twice. Kragen falls to his knees with a groan.]

DM - Oh, you should see the look on your face. [beheads Kragen, takes Quickening]

(resume previous scene)

[RR rolls off Jennifer, out of breath. She snuggles against him.]

Jennifer - [whispers] I love you, Alec.

(resume previous scene)

DM - Cut, print. That's a wrap. [walks away] ^D
 

RR - [senses 'buzz as DM enters dojo, carrying duffle bag] Mac.

DM - Hey. How're you doing?

RR - You got a second?

DM - Look, can it wait a minute? I really need to take a shower.

RR - Uh, no, Mac, um-- This can't wait. CUT Well, it's, uh, it's about Jennifer.

DM - What about her? Is she okay?

RR - No, she's fine. She's, um-- She's at my place.

DM - She's at your place. CUT

<RR - You asked me to take care of her. I went home. She showed up. I couldn't stop myself.

DM - You and Jennifer.

RR - Look, I know it wasn't the smartest thing to do.

DM - It's okay. [turns toward elevator]

RR - Uh, Mac, there's, um-- There's -- there's something else, too. Um, you see, Kragen didn't kill Alec Hill.

DM - [gives him a look, drops his bag on the floor] Then who did?

RR - I did.

[Super: Anchor Studios / San Francisco]

RR - [voice-over] It was last July outside Anchor Studios. My bike was broken down and I was in no mood for hassles. Neither was he. He must have been on his way to find Kragen.>

[RR, kneeling by motorcycle, senses 'buzz', stands as car stops in front of him, tires squealing.]

Alec - [sticks head out driver-side window of car] Move the bike, kid.

RR - Find another way in.

Alec - I said move the bike. I've got an appointment to keep.

RR - Yeah, well, life's full of little disappointments, ain't it?

Alec - [gets out of car] I'm not going to tell you again. Out of the way!

RR - You want to move the bike? Move it yourself!

Alec - [grabs sword out of car] You should've moved the bike, kid.

RR - [shakes his head] Oh, brother. [grabs his sword. They fight.]

Alec - Come on. [Fight continues. RR dodges Alec's lunge & guts him.]

DM - [exits elevator, angry] You could've walked away. You killed him over nothing.

RR - That's not true, Mac. It was a fair fight. I won. Hey, what have you been teaching me all these years? What did you honestly expect me to do, let him kill me?

DM - You slept with his wife.

RR - I told you, I couldn't stop myself.

DM - Yeah, obviously not. [starts unpacking his bag]

RR - Mac, she said it herself. Something was drawing us together. Something stronger than either of us. Would you stop doing that and listen to me?

DM - [turns toward him] Would you save it for the romance novels?

RR - You know, I want to fix this thing.

DM - You can't fix it.

RR - Well, you're the guy with all the experience. Why don't you tell me what to do. I'm just going to tell her the truth.

DM - You're not telling her the truth.

RR - Maybe she'll understand.

DM - She's not going to understand. You killed her husband.

RR - Well, then what do you want me to do?

DM - I want you to get out of town for a while.

RR - Fine.

DM - Now.

RR - And what about Jennifer?

DM - I'll deal with Jennifer.

RR - You do that. [walks toward elevator]

DM - I'll let her believe the man that killed her husband is dead.

RR - I'm sorry I killed your friend.

DM - Yeah. So am I.

Jennifer - You can't know what it means to me, knowing that Alec's spirit can rest... in you.

DM - Jen, it's not exactly like that.

Jennifer - Alec told me that when you take an Immortal's head, you get his soul.

DM - Alec was wrong. It's different. You have to let this go. It's over.

Jennifer - But it still hurts. When does it go away? When -- when do I stop seeing him in strangers?

DM - That's different for everyone. Maybe you have to give yourself a little time.

Jennifer - How much time? I don't know what I'm doing anymore.

<DM - [re her plate of food] Are you finished with this? [flags unseen person] Excuse me. [hands (completely untouched) plates of food to someone offscreen]> ⁷ CUT

Jennifer - [rubs her arm nervously, confesses] I was, um, with Richie last night.

DM - Jen...

Jennifer - I know. It's insane. God, I don't know how I feel.

DM - When it's right, you'll know it. You'll not doubt it.

Jennifer - I think of Alec, and I feel so guilty.

DM - Well, maybe-- Maybe it's not the right time.

Jennifer - I saw him again last night. He was there. What if I hurt him? What if he feels betrayed?

DM - Jen, you can't hurt Alec. Maybe you think-- [interrupts himself as waitress leaves check at table] Thanks. Maybe you think you saw him, but the reason for that is maybe you're not ready to let him go. That is okay. You've got plenty of time. There's no rush.

Jennifer - [smiles] Thanks for not thinking I'm crazy. There's a lot of Alec in you right now, even if you don't believe it. Thanks, Duncan. Thanks for everything. [kisses him on the cheek, leaves]

DM - You take care. [sits at table a moment after she leaves, then grabs check & goes to bar] Oh, boy. What a mess.

Joe - [behind bar] So what else can you do?

DM - I lied to her, Joe.

Joe - No, you didn't actually lie to her. You -- you withheld some information.

DM - Yeah. She thinks Kragen killed Alec.

Joe - And she left feeling better. And you don't like breaking your own rules. So, why'd you do it?

DM - [folding check into paper airplane] Like you said. It made her feel better. Because she needs to move on with her life, to heal. To do that, she has to know this is finished. ⁸

Joe - So you let her think Alec's killer's been punished. It's a white lie. CUT

DM - So I don't feel good about it. [looks down makes a face]

Joe - Because your friend is dead and Richie killed him.

DM - Yeah.

Joe - [looks down, shakes his head, sighs, looks back up, ⁹ shakes his head again] You can't make any sense out of it, Mac. You just got to go through it.

DM - Yeah. Thanks, Joe. [holds up paper airplane, looks at it a moment, drops his hand again] Here. [starts to unfold paper airplane]

Joe - No, no, no. It's on the house.

DM - I'll see you around. [leaves] ¹⁰

[RR is packing a bag, hears knock at door, answers door. It's Jennifer.]

RR - Hey.

Jennifer - Hi. Can I come in?

RR - Sure.

Jennifer - Where are you going?

RR - Um, I, uh-- I gotta go out of town for a while.

Jennifer - Because of me?

RR - [continues packing] Kinda. Yeah.

Jennifer - Richie, don't go. Please. I had a long talk with Duncan. It's going to be okay.

RR - Did he send you?

Jennifer - He helped me to understand a lot of things.

RR - What-- What-- "Understand"?

Jennifer - That I've been holding on to Alec's ghost because I was afraid of moving forward. But it's okay. It's time to move on. To live again. And Duncan said when it was right, I'd know it. And with you, I know.

RR - Jen, no. No. This can't happen.

Jennifer - Richie, I know how you feel, because I feel it, too. Don't do this.

RR - Jen, I have to. I have to go.

Jennifer - Why? I don't understand.

RR - Jen, listen. I am sorry. I am really, really sorry. It's not you. I swear to God, I would do anything to be with you.

Jennifer - Then be with me.

RR - I can't.

Jennifer - Why? Why? ¹¹ Why can't we be together?

RR - Because I killed Alec.

Jennifer - What are you talking about?

RR - It wasn't Kragen. It was me. He never got to Kragen. Jen, he picked a fight with me. I did what I had to do. I had no idea who he was. I didn't know about you. Jen, I'm -- I'm sorry.

Jennifer - This isn't happening.

RR - Jen...

Jennifer - You murdering bastard! Oh, God! How could you touch me!

RR - Jen, I was just trying to help. I wanted to do the right thing. Jen, please.

Jennifer - You killed my husband. Then you made love to me. You sick son of a bitch! [runs out of apartment]
 

RR - Mac was right. I should never have told her. What the hell did I think was gonna happen? She was gonna rush into my arms? "Oh, that's okay, Richie. You killed my husband, but I love you anyway." I mean, what was I looking for?

Joe - Absolution. Richie, I mean, you thought you were doing the right thing.

RR - Yeah, I know, but did I have to sleep with his wife?

Joe - [to patrons offcreen] See you later, you guys.

Man - [offscreen] Yeah, see ya', Joe.

RR - It was crazy, Joe. It was like a part of me was screaming, "What the hell are you doing?" And the other part of me couldn't stop.

Joe - People make mistakes, Richie.

RR - But it was more than that. It was like -- it was like there was something inside of me, driving me, I mean, just pushing me.

Joe - Like a part of Alec Hill, maybe?

RR - What do you mean?

Joe - You say you were drawn together.

RR - Right.

Joe - What if she was drawn to him, to Alec, in you? You took his Quickening. Maybe you got his love for her, too.

RR - Maybe.

Joe - Well, it's a theory.

RR - Yeah, well, I got a much simpler theory. I'm an idiot.

Joe - Well, there's always that.

RR - Yeah, there sure is.

Joe - What are you going to do?

RR - Exactly what I should have done in the first place. Get the hell out of Dodge. See ya, Joe.

Jennifer - And you're not going to do anything about it?

DM - Jen, I've thought long and hard over this. I can't get over the fact that Richie's still my friend.

Jennifer - [leans over desk toward him] Alec was your friend for a hundred and fifty years. Damn it, Duncan, doesn't that mean anything to you? [off his reaction, sighs, stands back up] ¹² You vowed to avenge his death.

DM - I swore to him to get Kragen. Kragen is dead.

Jennifer - And Alec's killer is still alive.

DM - Look, Jen... Richie's not Kragen. You know that. You had feelings for him.

Jennifer - I screwed him! My husband's killer! And you let it happen!

DM - Jen. ¹³ When two Immortals fight, one dies. That's not murder. That's the way we live. Now, I'm not going after Richie over this. Okay?

Jennifer - Then you're worse than a liar -- you're a coward. CUT

<DM - Jen, you-- [She storms out of office.] Jen, you're being unreasonable!

Jennifer - "Unreasonable." You have no idea how I feel. [leaves dojo]>

[RR carries duffle bag & coat through empty apartment, opens door to leave. Jen is standing there.]

Jennifer - Leaving so soon?

RR - I don't have a choice, Jen. [sets bag down] Look, I told you I'm sorry. I know that's not enough. Jen, please believe me. I never wanted any of this to happen.

[DM parks T-bird on street outside apartment.]

RR - I wouldn't do anything to hurt you.

Jennifer - I had some time to think. Figured out what I need to do... to put this behind me. To move on.

RR - Good. [Jennifer pulls gun out of coat, points it at RR.] Jen, don't do this. [Jen shoots him.]

[DM hears gunshots, runs into building.]

DM - [runs into apartment] Jennifer, don't do this. Put the sword down. Please, put it down.

Jennifer - [standing over RR's dead body, holding his sword] Don't try to stop me. CUT

DM - Richie didn't mean to hurt you. He's not like that.

Jennifer - He killed Alec.

DM - Yeah. And killing him won't bring Alec back. If any part of Alec still lives, it's in Richie.

Jennifer - No.

DM - It's what Alec believed. It's what you wanted to believe.

Jennifer - No... You don't understand. Alec is here.

Alec - [disembodied voice as ghostly image appears in front of her] That's right, Jennifer. I'm here. [DM sees/hears nothing.]

CUT

Jennifer - He needs me to do it so he can rest in peace.

DM - Killing doesn't bring peace. When you kill, it haunts you for the rest of your life. [Jen stares at Alec's ghost.] ¹⁴

Alec - [disembodied voice as ghostly image raises ghostly sword over his head] Do it, Jennifer. Do it for me. Take his life! [Jennifer raises RR's sword.]

DM - [to empty air] Alec! Do you want her to do this? Is that what you want? You want her to know what it's like to kill, to hold on to Richie's death for the rest of her life? It haunted you. Is that what you want for her? CUT

Jennifer - [still holding sword raised, crying, whispers] Alec.

Alec - [disembodied voice as ghostly image lowers sword] Goodbye, Jennifer. Goodbye. It's time to go. [Image fades out.]

[Jennifer lowers sword. DM goes to her, takes her in his arms.]

DM - It's okay.

Jennifer - [looks down at RR's body] Let him carry it. Let Alec haunt him forever.

DM - He will.
 

[RR coughs, sits up, looks around.]

DM - She's gone.

RR - You stopped her.

DM - Yeah. But she had a choice. She could walk away. We can't.

RR - She going to be okay?

DM - In time. She's dealing with her demons.

RR - What about us, Mac? You and me?

DM - You screwed up, Rich... but it happens... to all of us.

RR - [gets to his feet, coughs again, groans] Oh, man. I swear, if I live to be a thousand, I'm still going to see that guy coming at me again and again, just wondering if there was something I could've done different.

DM - I know, and he won't be the last. They all stay with you.

RR - I didn't know you believed in ghosts.

DM - I believe in the kind you carry with you. Everyone you've loved and everyone you've killed. They never leave you. When you stop feeling them, when you stop hurting -- that's when you're dead inside. And that, my friend, is when I'll worry about you. [hands him his sword]