Title: The Unfallen
Author: Matrya
Feedback: Is like old friends in new places.
Disclaimer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer does not belong to me. Nor does Highlander.
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Highlander
In Canon: Post-series for both.
Characters/Pairings: Buffy Summers, Duncan MacLeod
Word Count: ~1750
Summary: Buffy and Duncan suck at this.





Buffy lit as she saw the tall figure strolling into the studio. She strode toward the man purposefully, a grin firmly in place. "Welcome to Unfallen Combat Arts. How can we help you?"

"I..." He looked at her, smile small and unconvincing. After a moment, he seemed to pause in thought. "Do I know you?"

"Do you?" she asked, laughter tugging at her lips. "Do you know me, Uncle Duncan?"

His eyes went wide, turning into countryside puddles, large and muddy brown. "Buffy or Dawn?"

Buffy had to admit her relief that he remembered Dawn. Other than Hank, Duncan was the first person she had seen from her pre-Sunnydale life since Dawn began to exist. "Buffy. Dawn's a head higher and a university degree heavier," she offered. "But, wow, Duncan MacLeod. I can't believe...what are you doing here?"

He looked around the small studio. Buffy watched him take in the breeze block walls and displays of armaments. "I was looking for a place to...practice."

"I didn't know you practiced martial arts," she said, a tilt of her head indicating the wrapped katana on his back. "Are you experienced in sword play?"

"A little," he offered in discomfort.

Buffy nodded and smiled. After a minute of awkward silence, she asked, "How's Aunt Tessa?"

His face crumpled and his puppy-dog eyes drooped. "She was killed."

"I'm so sorry." She looked away, uncomfortable. "I'm so sorry."

"It was twenty years ago," he said softly before his face seemed to register surprise.

Shaking her head, she crossed her arms. "I never knew. I'm sorry, for...how tasty my foot is."

Duncan cracked a weak smile. "You're fine, Buffy. On to happier things. How are Dawn and Joyce doing?"

"Uhm, well, Dawn is good. She just graduated-wait, do you graduate in England?-from Cambridge.

"And mom...died. About twelve years ago." She gave him a sad, sheepish smile. "We suck at this."

Duncan nodded. "We do." He looked around at the empty reception room of the studio. "Can I take you for a coffee?"

"Uh, coffee. Uhm, sure. Just let me tell Rona I'm leaving."