Chapter Seven As Duncan paddled back to his cabin by the light of the full moon, he thought about Caitlin Taylor. He was only half kidding at dinner, when he told her he didn't know he if really wanted to get acquainted. The isolation and sanctity of the island was why he'd come. Even Joe Dawson didn't know he was here. When he landed at the airport to make sure he wouldn't be followed, he rented the black Mustang and came straight to the island. He needed a place to rest and heal his battered soul. Everything he'd believed in over four-hundred years had been challenged, and he'd almost lost it all, including not only his sanity, but his life. That's probably why his Immortal instincts were gnawing at his insides, forcing him to seek answers about the cabin and the real owner. He knew Caitlin Taylor wasn't a Watcher. The flowing sleeves of the belted tunic top she'd worn, made it easy to indiscreetly scan her wrists for a tattoo, there was none. Even though the question of whether she was a Watcher or not had been answered, there were still others and, he might as well admit the true reason he was still interested. He felt incredibly drawn to her. The last thing he expected when he decided to come back to the states and seek sanctuary on the island, was to meet a woman who stirred him the way she did. She had awaken deep emotional feelings in him that he hadn't felt for a long time. He didn't know what it was about her. She seemed so lost, so vulnerable, and so emotionally fragile. He was usually attracted to women who were just opposite. He didn't know who she was or why she was really here, he just knew that some unexplainable force was driving him to find out. Jack Morrison's behavior towards her, and the reason he so interested in where she was going when she left the store, also puzzled him. But, he knew whatever he told himself, he just simply wanted to see her again. Leaving her on her own for the next several days to give her time to sort out her feelings, he bided his time by making minor repairs around his cabin, and mulling over his unanswered questions. Deciding he had waited long enough, he paddled to the opposite side of the lake. Walking up the steps to the front porch he realized how anxious he was to see her again. Noticing the inside door was open, he knocked several times. When she didn't answer, he opened the screened door and entered, while calling her name. Silence was all that greeted him. Turning to leave, he heard the sound of Tanya's barking and Caitlin's laughter as they emerged from the woods beside the cabin. As he stepped out onto the porch, the movement caught Tanya's attention, and she ran ahead of Caitlin to greet him. Wondering why the dog had run ahead, Caitlin quickened her pace and then stopped dead in her tracks at the sight of Duncan MacLeod standing on the porch. Surprised, she stared at him for several seconds before joining him. "Duncan?" She said, breathlessly, while a myriad of emotions raced through her mind. Aware of her shock at seeing him, he said. "I just happened to be in the neighborhood, so I thought I'd drop in– and see if you'd like to go for a canoe ride around the lake?" He added, as the idea suddenly popped into his head. "Canoe ride? Are you sure? After the other–" Cutting her off before she could finish, he added. "I'm afraid it'll have to be just the two of us though, dogs and canoes aren't very compatible. Sorry, Tanya you'll have to stay." He said, as he looked down at the dog and smiled. Rooted to the porch in amazement, Caitlin was still to stun to answer, so Duncan repeated the question. "Caitlin, would you like to go?" Mentally shaking herself, she answered quickly, "Yes, I would very much like to go. Just give me a few minutes." Duncan waited on the porch while she scooted Tanya inside and took the time to freshen up and change her clothes. When she was ready, they headed down the path to the shore where Duncan had left the canoe. After helping her get seated, he stepped in, grabbed the paddle and stroked it deeply into the water as he guided them smoothly out into the rippling surface of the lake. Bracing her arms on either side of the seat, Caitlin leaned back, closed her eyes and let the warm sun play against her face. Shaking her head slowly from to side to side, she felt the soft breeze dance through her hair while she enjoyed the gliding sensation of the canoe as it slid through the water. Watching her obvious pleasure, Duncan was glad he gave her time to revive her lagging spirits. "Are you enjoying yourself, Caitlin?" "Umm, yes, this is wonderful, thanks for asking me." Tilting her head to one side, she watched him quietly for a few seconds from behind the shield of her sunglasses. "You're quite a remarkable man Duncan MacLeod", she said. "After my behavior the other evening, most men would have written me off as a boring neurotic and never darkened my door again. Yet, here you are giving me one of most enjoyable afternoons I've had for a long time. Why?" Duncan's eyes moved over the shoreline before answering. "Maybe, that's because I don't think you're boring or neurotic." Studying her for moment, he said, "I think you're just someone who's been through a rough patch lately and needs a chance to heal, as we all do when life throws us a curve. And, because I actually enjoy your company." Surprised by his answer, Caitlin threw her head back and laughed. "You're also very unpredictable." "Really? Someone once told me just the opposite." He said, as James Horton's words, "You're so predictable MacLeod," flashed through his mind. "Well, you're still an unknown quantity to me, so you get the chance to impress me with the many sides of your personality." "I'll do my best." He said, and continued paddling. Gradually making their way around the lake, they stopped to watch a Great Blue Heron as it leisurely waded through the reeds by the shore looking for tasty tidbits of aquatic animal life to feed on. After several minutes they moved on again, stopping now and then to watch whatever caught their interest. As they proceeded around the shoreline, Duncan decided on the spur of the moment to take her around the island where his cabin stood. He explained briefly about its history of being a sacred place to the Lakota indians, and about the ancient stone marker that still stood like sentinel guarding the island. Caitlin was touched by the reverence in his voice as he spoke of the people who once lived and worshipped there. It was clear he had great respect for their culture and felt a fierce pride in being allowed to have his home on their land. By the time they leisurely completed the last lap of their journey, the sun was setting, so they decided to go back to shore. The sound of Tanya's barking greeted them as Duncan walked Caitlin to the front door. Holding the screened door open while she unlocked the door, he moved closer. Placing his hands on her shoulders he gently turned her around, and said softly. "Caitlin, I want to see you again, will you have dinner with me tomorrow night?" Hesitating for a moment before answering, she looked up into his warm brown eyes. "Yes." She murmured. Pulling her towards him, he lowered his head and tenderly kissed her. Feeling her willing response, the kiss deepened as they embraced each other tighter, melting together in a mutual need to get closer. Lost in the moment, Tanya's shrill barking finally penetrated their consciousness and Caitlin breathlessly broke contact and stepped away. Reaching out to pull her back, he placed his hands on either side of her slender neck, and tilted her head back with his thumbs, and kissed her again passionately, thoroughly. "I'll see you tomorrow at eight." He murmured, before giving her another quick kiss before leaving. Caitlin stood unable to move as she watched him disappear down the steps to the path. Still caught in the spell of their mutual passion, she raised her slightly trembling hand and lightly ran her fingertips over her lips, still pulsating from his kiss. "What am I doing" she whispered, "I don't know if I'm ready for this."