Teresa C

Author at http://archiveofourown.org/users/Teresa_C.
See Also: ?MojaveDragonfly

Better Part of Valor (Highlander)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 31st March 2003 (10)
Tags: Short Story
(36K)

This is a "missing scene" -- actually several scenes -- set near the end of "Indiscretions"; following what happens to Amy and Joe after they leave "Dr. Benjamin Adams" to fight Walker. This serves as a very good expansion of the episode, covering the tension of Watchers and Immortals interacting, complications, and explains more why Amy is really annoyed at Joe.

Also at http://www.seventh-dimension.com/

Darling Boy (Highlander)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 12th January 2003 (2)
Tags: Novella
(122K)

This is a good, solid Highlander story, almost like an episode. The summary says: "MacLeod investigates an art mystery while Methos tries to help star-crossed lovers." This is a Methos before his past is revealed in "Comes A Horseman", though there is some foreshadowing of that. I think Duncan comes off worst here, though not badly, just a little... staid. The characters that shine here are Amanda and Joe, so if you like them, this is a good story for you. Methos is fairly good too, erratic and quirky with a few hints of other things. The main original character starts off strongly, but I think lapses later on. Oh, and the title is a good double-meaning one.

I think maybe Amanda and Methos get most of the best lines...
    Amanda turned to Methos, who presented his cheek and fluttered his eyelids. She kissed him anyway. "Methos," she murmured.
    "Adam Pierson," he corrected archly. "Say, Amanda," Methos asked with exactly the right tone of astonished confidence, as if it had only just occurred to him, "did you hear MacLeod has just acquired a bunch of valuable art?"

Empire of Dirt (Highlander/Quantum Leap)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 31st March 2003 (17)
Tags: Short Story
(26K)

This is a short but vivid piece: "Sam is sent to save a despairing Duncan's head, after Archangel". Not your usual QL crossover.

Hostages to Fortune (Highlander)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 31st March 2003 (18)
Tags: Novelette
(82K)

And after all that Methos, something completely different: a story set in 1980, with the fellow who started it all off: Connor Macleod, aka Russell Nash, adopted father of Rachel. The plot revolves around this: what if the father of the real Russell Nash turned up on Connor's doorstep? As always, things aren't plain nor simple. This had such a good portrayal of Connor and Rachel that it made me want to go back and rewatch the movie (the original and best!). Brava!

Also at http://www.seventh-dimension.com/

Fighting Shadows

(1) Three Pound Eight Ounce Warrior (Highlander)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 31st March 2003 (11)
Tags: Short Story
(37K)

This is set just after "Archangel", and proposes a very interesting turn of events regarding what might have happened to Methos after Richie's death; why he was nowhere to be seen for the rest of the Archangel-Avatar-Armageddon sequence. It also has a delightful cat's-eye view of what is going on.

Also at http://www.seventh-dimension.com/

(2) Get Well Soon (Highlander)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 31st March 2003 (12)
Tags: Novella
(140K)

This is plonked into the middle of the Archangel-Avatar-Armageddon sequence, during the time when Duncan is off in Tibet and nobody knows where he is. The summary says: "After Archangel, Connor is looking for his missing kinsman. Joe is trying to stay out of Connor's way, and just what is Methos doing?" Poor Joe is caught in the middle of a dangerous game, with Connor threatening him, Methos being extremely cryptic and behaving rather oddly, and then there's John Kirin... Very good Connor, Methos and Joe; with confusion, misunderstanding (some of it hilarious, and some of it near-disastrous), tension, angst and anger. We get to see some little insights into Watcher ways, oh, and there's fighting too (grin).
    "It's unlocked," said a sibilant accent to his right. "You should go on in."
    Joe snatched his hand back and looked over into the malevolent gaze of the sneaker-clad man who appeared around the side of the cabin. A shiver went through the Watcher as he tried to hide his recognition of the immortal. Not MacLeod. Uh, not _Duncan_ MacLeod.
    "Oh, I ... didn't know ..." Joe fumbled. "I was looking for ..." He faltered again. He found his thoughts were numbed by the foolish shock of a fan meeting a celebrity. This was, this was ... Connor MacLeod! In the flesh. Looking as real and solid as the grocer. But not as friendly, Joe managed to observe. The immortal wore his reputation like a mantle of office, whether he knew it or not. Paranoid, volatile, _dangerous_. Connor MacLeod. Shit.

I like the double meaning of the title. "Free cryptic" indeed!

It would be nice if Methos could actually explain what he'd been doing; next story please!

Also at http://www.seventh-dimension.com/

Yom Kippur

(1) Yom Kippur (Highlander)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 31st March 2003 (13)
Tags: Short Story
(25K)

Yom Kippur is the Jewish "Day of Atonement" and that is a very fitting title for this piece. Set after "Revelation 6:8"; when Methos encounters an old and dear friend, he is caught on the horns of a dilemma, and it bites. The truth that slays and saves at the same time. Really good.

Also at http://www.seventh-dimension.com/

(2) Communion (Highlander)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 31st March 2003 (14)
Tags: Short Story
(24K)

After the events of _Yom Kippur_, Macleod goes to see an incommunicado Methos, and ends up with empathy rather than anger. The way this describes how Duncan reads Methos' body language is fascinating, as well as just the insights and thoughts and actions... Very good again.

Also at http://www.seventh-dimension.com/

(3) Kaddish (Highlander)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 31st March 2003 (15)
Tags: Novelette
(91K)

The Kaddish is the Jewish prayer for the dead, and with a title like that, I was expecting someone to die... This has got to be one of the most serious and intense stories I've read regarding the question of the possible reconciliation of Cassandra and Methos. There is absolutely no attempt to whitewash Methos's past (hooray!); neither is Cassandra demonized, nor is her pain belittled. (Warning: bad words are said and awful things are described.)
    "I was willing to let David help her! I am not willing to eviscerate myself for her!"

The other cool thing about this story is that it points out that Cassandra isn't the only one who needs things to be resolved.
    "It's just that ..." MacLeod stopped, wordless. What was it about the oldest immortal that irritated him so? Aside from the slaughter, torture, and terrorism, that is. The ferret appropriated the warm spot MacLeod had left on the sofa. That was it. "He's like a stray cat I used to feed. When you want him, he's not there, and when you don't want him, he's all over whatever you're doing and you can't get rid of him."
    Grossman seemed to find this description of his friend very amusing, and after a moment, so did MacLeod. "You can just stop feeding them, you know," Grossman advised, smiling.
    "I know. But then they might starve."
    Now Grossman wasn't smiling. "That's right," he said softly.

Highly recommended (but read the earlier ones first).

Also at http://www.seventh-dimension.com/

(4) Pacing the Cage (Highlander)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 31st March 2003 (16)
Tags: Short Story
(14K)

This follows on immediately from the end of "Kaddish", and needs to be read with that in mind. Again, we have this wonderful Duncan and Methos interaction (even without words). Comfort, yes, but also some unexpected and sharp truths. I wish I could write Duncan and Methos like this.

Also at http://www.seventh-dimension.com/