Chapter Twenty-eight That night as they made love for the last time, their joining was bitter-sweet. Their love for each other was strong but not strong enough to span the gulf between the needs of a mortal and an Immortal. In the morning as they lay in each others arms watching the sun come up, they knew the time had come to part. Duncan rose first, and quietly moved around the cabin as he packed his belongings for the trip back to Seacouver. He wouldn't be coming back to the island for a while. Maybe he'd go back to Europe. The last time he heard from Methos, he was in London. Maybe he'd drop in and drink his beer for a change. When he finished, he found Caitlin waiting for him in the kitchen, her hair still tousled from sleep. "Would you like breakfast before you go?" She said, smiling, a smile that didn't reach her over-bright green eyes. Torn between wanting to stay, and not wanting to prolong their shared agony at parting, he declined. "No, thanks, I'd better be leaving." He didn't feel much like eating anyway. As he bent down to pick up his duffle bag, Caitlin rushed forward and he opened his arms and caught her tightly against him. Without words, they said their last passionate farewell, until it was spent. They stood silently facing each other, their hands clasped together gazing into one another's eyes. Duncan pulled Caitlin forward, and rested his forehead against hers, then kissed her tenderly. Stepping back, he released her hands slowly and picked up his duffle bag and walked out the door. Caitlin watched tearfully, as he walked down the porch steps and headed for the stairway. Just as he reached the top step, Tanya came bounding out of the woods to greet him. He talked to the dog for a few minutes, then bent down to ruffle her fur and give her a long hug. Waving goodbye to Caitlin, he turned to go down the steps, but Tanya started to follow. Already pushed to the limits of his self control, he couldn't stand the idea of her following him any further, and turned to plead with Caitlin. "Call her, -please, and make her stay." Understanding Duncan's distress, Caitlin stepped out onto the porch and called to the dog to join her. It took several tries, before she reluctantly came to sit beside her. Reaching down Caitlin gently took hold of the dog's collar and quietly ordered her to stay. Duncan paused to take one last look at Caitlin and Tanya before starting down the steps. Watching until he disappeared from sight, and she could no longer hear the sound of his car, Caitlin murmured to herself. "I love you, I'll always love you Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod and I'll miss having you in my life." ***** Epilog. Soon after they parted, Caitlin saw to it that cabin was razed and the bridge leading to its former location was dismantled. She wanted to give Duncan back the feeling of freedom he valued above anything else whenever he visited his only real sanctuary, the island. A few weeks later a packaged arrived at the dojo, with no return address. Inside was the journal with the envelope of pictures tucked inside. The note attached simply read. For your eyes only. Do with these what you wish. They belong to you. C. ***** As for Jack Morrison, he was removed from his cushy post as store manager and is reported to be working somewhere in a remote area of Alaska. The End Well that's it. I hoped you liked it. As I said comments of welcome.