AN: I don't own any characters except Andrea Macleod and Melissa.  This is something that just came to me one night so I thought I'd see what happens.   How much trouble can Richie get him self in between two women?

Chapter One: Engaged or Not?

Richie Ryan walked into the Dojo where he worked with Duncan and turned on the lights.  He almost didn't come in today because of what happened between him and Andrea the night before.  He was angry at her for what she'd said about him and Melissa his girlfriend for three years almost.  They'd broken up and gotten back together, but they were really happy.  Andrea apparently though didn't want them to be.  She'd told Richie that he should really think about what he was doing and to make sure that he was ready to take this step.  Richie didn't understand why Andrea couldn't just be happy for them.

            Upstairs Andrea was laying in bed thinking about the same things.   She knew that Richie loved Melissa very much, but she didn't see the need for them to go off and get married.  Andrea cared about Richie and she wanted what was best for him.  Richie of course would take her advise the opposite of what she had intended it to go just because he was Richie and usually he hated when she said that he should stop and think. He usually ended up not doing what he'd originally planned on doing.  Not that this was a bad thing Andrea's thinking had saved his life a few times here and there.  She just wished that he hadn't of kicked her out the way he did. 

            "Morning angel." said her father sticking his head in the door.

            "Hi."

            "I'm going to go run some errands and then I'm going to stop over at Anne's.  There's eggs and bacon on the stove.  I suggest that if you want some that you get up before Richie comes."

            Andrea wanted to say that she didn't think that Richie was coming, but she wasn't ready for her father to get involved because Richie hadn't told him probably because they were so much alike that what one said the other wasn't too far off.  She also just wanted to talk to Richie alone.

            "Thanks." she said not noticing her lack of enthusiasm in her response.

            "Is everything alright?"

            "Yeah I'm just not awake."

            "I'll be back later."

            When Mac had left Andrea got up and started to get her breakfast and to her surprise Richie didn't show up.   She ate what she wanted and stored the rest in the fridge for later or Richie whatever came first.  Then she went downstairs where she found Richie looking through some papers.  She walked into the office and did what she needed to do and walked out.   Richie though stopped her at the door just as Charlie walked in.

            "Andrea I want you to know that I'm going to marry her with or without your approval."

            "Richie I know that and I'm happy for you I just wish that you'd not jump into this without thinking of what this might do to her."

            "Why can't you just let me be happy?  Andrea how many times have I done things for you that I didn't necessarily agree with, but I stood behind you all the same?"

            "Richie those weren't the same and they can't compare to this.  I just want you to ask yourself is she's ready to know the whole story and if she can handle it then are you ready to protect her from yourself."

            "I can't believe that you are saying that, of course I am.  I love her and I'd do anything for her?  You sound like you are jealous.  Andrea we are just friends and I love you like a sister, but I have my own life.  I'm sorry that Brian took off on you the way that he did, but that doesn't mean that everyone else has to have that same out come."

            "Richard Ryan, take that back right now!" said Andrea almost ready to cry. He'd been there and he knew how hard that it was to say goodbye to Brian.  She couldn't believe that he had the nerve to throw that in her face.  What happened to her and Brian was irrelevant to him and Melissa.

            "Richie that isn't the same or the reason and you know it."

            "Well, I'm not so sure that you do."

            "Hey guys what's going on I can here you all the way outside mind keeping it down?"

            "I'm leaving I can't work here with someone who can't be honest with me let alone themselves." Richie said walking out.   

            "I'm going upstairs Charlie just call if you need me" said Andrea almost in tears going to get on the elevator. 

            Later that morning around ten Duncan got back and found Charlie alone in the office.   He was surprised that Andrea and Richie weren't there. 

            "Morning there Charlie."

            "Morning, Macleod."

            "Where's Richie?"

            "He left awhile ago."

            "Oh, ok, have you seen Andrea?"     

            "She was here, but she ran upstairs when I came in and Richie took off.  What's going on with them?  I could here them arguing from outside."

            "They are probably just arguing over who got the last part of the bacon."

            "I don't think so cause Andrea was definitely crying and Richie had definitely been yelling."

            "Andrea was crying?"

            "Yea she went upstairs."

            "You didn't think to check on her to see if she was alright?"
            "I figured you were up there."

            "Charlie didn't you read the not saying that I'd be in later?"

            "Yeah, but I figured that you were coming from upstairs and that you wanted to sleep in."

            "When do I ever sleep in?" he said grabbing some papers and going upstairs to see Andrea.

            When he got off the elevator Andrea wasn't in the main room.   He wanted Charlie to be wrong, but Duncan lately had sensed tension between those two.  He found her on her bed crying and the sound made his chest hurt.  Usually Andrea would just be angry at Richie, but for him to actually make her cry meant that something serious was going on.   He walked over to the edge of the bed and sat down.   She looked at him sat up and hugged him still crying.  They sat like that for a few minutes.

            "Sweetheart what's going on Charlie said that Richie and you were having an argument.  What did he say that made you this upset?"

            "This is between Richie and I Dad."

            "Andrea I don't care what this is about he has no right to say something so horrible to upset you like this.  Now tell me what did he say?"

            "Dad, please don't do this.  Richie was upset and I was angry and things got said that we both didn't mean."

            "Andrea…"

            Andrea just hugged him and he just held her until she feel asleep in his arms.   Duncan walked out the room and grabbed the phone and dialed Richie's number.   This wasn't something that he was going to take lightly and whether or not they liked it he was involved.   Nobody has the right to make Andrea cry like that and then not explain them self.  Richie answered the phone half expecting it to be Andrea wanting to talk some more, but he recognized Duncan's yelling and he didn't say anything.

            "Richie Ryan what is the world are you thinking?!  Do you have any idea that Andrea has been crying ever sine you left here?  What is going on with you that you would make her cry?"

            "Mac, this is between Andrea and I.  Please just let it go.  She's not the innocent party in all this anyway and she should have told you that.  We just can't agree right now.  We just need sometime and this will all be over. "

            "You mind telling me what this is about?"

            "Not right now this is complicated already.  Don't worry my point wasn't to make her cry, but she is being stubborn and I got angry.  I'm sorry that you got caught in the middle."

            "Richie, I want an explanation.   No guy has a right to hurt her and that includes you."   

            "I know Mac and I love her to death and would never intentionally do that to her.  This just needs to run its course."

            "Alright, for now, but next time it won't be so easy."

            "I got to go Mac."

            "Bye Richie."

            When Duncan hung up the phone he went over to the fridge and found the leftovers from breakfast and was confused because they never had leftovers.   He just grabbed a drink and closed the fridge.  Something was definitely up with those two and Duncan would get to the bottom of it.  He decided to go down and ask Charlie about it.

            Richie though was with Melissa trying to talk to her about what was going on, but he was still upset about Andrea. Melissa had only met Andrea once and she didn't realize that Richie and Andrea had a long history behind them. 

            "Mel."

            "Richie what is going on?  What has you so upset?"

            "Andrea and I had an argument last night and this morning I continued it I shouldn't have."

            "Work related?"

            "Not really we just can't see eye to eye right now.  I went too far and said something's that I knew were wrong, but they are there now."

            "Richie what's the story behind Andrea and you?  You've never really explained that to me and the way that you talk about her it sounds like it's a pretty serious one that maybe you haven't gotten over."

            "Mel, don't worry Andrea and I were never dating serious.  See I lived with Mac, Tessa Duncan's then girlfriend of 12 years, and Andrea for about three years.  Andrea and I have more of a brother/sister relationship.  We are best friends and we've been through a lot.  We fight like siblings and this time I just took it too far."

            "Then go apologize to her."

            "I can't until we both have a chance to cool off.   See Andrea takes after Mac in the respect that she has a Scottish temperament.  I love her to death though and I just hope that we can get through this before the wedding because having her not there would be unthinkable."

            "I'm sure that you can get her to understand.  She isn't upset that she's not in the wedding is she?"

            "No she understands that, but there are other complications then that."

            "Could you be more specific?"

            "Not right now, but later. Listen I need to go for a workout."

            "Richie I love you."

            "I love you too."

            "Charlie tell me everything that you heard.  I'm not sure that this is just simple argument."

            "Mac I've seen Richie get angry and I've seen Andrea get angry back.  I'm sure that this is something silly like it usually is."

            "No, this doesn't feel right."

            "All I heard was Richie yelling something about being happy and then Andrea said something and Richie said something about Brian or someone and that's when I walked in."

            Mac wasn't sure what was exactly going on with them, but he knew that they would tell him eventually even if they had to have to pry it out of them.  Something was up and he would find out.  The only question was which one of them was going to tell him?

            Andrea cleaned up and she finished the paper work that needed to be done and then she decided that she wanted to workout and go for a run.  The phone rang though and Andrea answered it.  To her surprise it was Adam/Methos. 

            "Hello Methos what's going on?  You want Mac I'll go get him for you.  What you want to talk to me?  Yeah I'll meet you there in a few minutes."

            Andrea hung up grabbed her jacket and her dad's keys off the table and she went downstairs.  When she got off the elevator she saw Richie working out and she saw her father standing there.  She wasn't about to get trapped now.  She walked over to her father without even looking at Richie and she told him that she was going over to Joe's to meet with Adam about something.  Duncan told her that she could go and he then looked at Richie as she walked out of the Dojo. 
            "You want to tell me anything about this fight that apparently has you two not talking to each other?"

            "Mac I said that we need to work this out first.   I need to take care of something before you get involved.  I promise that you will find out soon."

            "Would you talk to her before tomorrow though we are having guest over and you are both going to be there and act like civil people."

            "Who's coming to see us?"   

            "Some old friends a good friend of Tessa's and his wife are going to be in town for a few days and they are coming for dinner.  I don't want any problems from you two."

            "That I can do Mac." said Richie

            "Good."

            Andrea drove over to Joes' and even though it was locked Joe had given her a key that let her in the back door in case of an emergency that they needed a place to hang out.   Adam hadn't come yet and so she opened the bar and made herself a glass of scotch on the rocks.   Even though she wasn't technically able to drink she still did with her father and Richie on occasion and when she was with Adam. 

            Adam came ten minutes later and he sat down at the bar and Andrea served him a drink.  Normally Andrea would love to see Adam, but under the circumstances she didn't want to know the reason the he'd wanted to talk to her and not her father.   Even though he was her watcher and that the only reason came from the fact that if anything were to happen to Mac he'd be in charge of her.  Adam was someone that Andrea trusts to keep a secret even if it was from her father.   As a watcher he isn't allowed to share any information about his charge. 

            "What is it that brought you all the way here?" said Andrea

            "I wanted to see what is going on?  I heard a couple of thing that I didn't like to hear about what's been going on around here.  I want to check in with you first and make sure that what is going on is really true.  Are you and Richie getting married?"

            "Richie and I marry each other?  Someone has gotten their wires crossed.  I mean Richie and I are great friends and I love him but marriage for us is the last thing that we are going to do at the moment.   Considering that we aren't even speaking to each other."

            "So where would someone pick up this information thinking that you two are getting married if you aren't?"

            "That depends on who you've sent to spy on me."

            "Well since you two aren't getting married which I'm very happy to hear who is getting married and when?"

            "No one or at least for now."

            "Then can you answer me this question?  Why aren't you and Richie speaking?"

            "That's not the greatest way to start you first day home.  Besides it's nothing that Richie and I can't workout."

            "So then you can't tell me anything?  Andrea I thought that we had an open line of communication."

            "Trust me Methos.  Once Richie and I get this figured out then we'll let you know what's going on.  Right now we just need to talk this out."

            "Alright so what's for dinner tonight?"

            "You'd have to ask Dad that one.  I'm not going to be around for dinner tonight."

            "Well you're not good for much are you?"

            "Hey you're lucky that I came.  I'm very busy."

            "Who is the hot date?"

            "There is no hot date."

            "Brian?"

            "That's another long complicated story that Richie and I still haven't gotten over either."

            "You aren't going to tell me about that either?"

            "Nope, sorry, I mean if Dad knew I'd be more likely to say something, but Dad thinks that he's on a business trip in New York.  He doesn't know that things aren't well.  I just need more time for myself right now.  Then I promise that you will all know what's going on."

            "Do I dare ask this next question?"

            "I guess."

            "Can you tell me about anything that's been going on in the last three weeks since I've been gone?"

            "Not really."

            "Some help you are."

            Back in the Dojo Richie and Charlie were talking and Charlie didn't want to pry into Andrea and Richie's relationship but he didn't understand exactly what was going on.  He too had heard somewhere that they were getting married.  Richie laughed at him for what he'd thought was true and then what was really true. 

            "So there is no wedding for you and Andrea?"

            "Charlie you've seen Andrea and me together do you really think that we are the two people who are most likely to get married?  We fight over everything and then we can't decide whose fault it really was so that leads to another argument.  Really Andrea and I couldn't be more wrong to marry each other."

            "I think that when you really look at everything that you two have been through though there's more there then you think."

            "Charlie, trust me it's not going to happen.  Could we please get back to this workout?"

            "Sure I'm jut saying is think about it.  You two need each other." 

            "Charlie there is a lot that you do not know about Andrea and me.  I'm sure that one day Mac will explain it to you, but I don't think that you should be involved in our match making."

            Andrea didn't know exactly what to make of what Methos had told her, but when she saw her father down the street she talked to him for a little bit.  He wanted to know what was going on with her and Richie just as much as everyone else did.  The only thing that she was thankful for was that he hadn't gotten the word that Richie and she were getting married. 

            "What is going on?  I thought that you were going to meet someone?"

            "I did it was just Methos.  He wanted to make sure that things were alright.  I asked him if he wanted to talk to you and he said that he wanted to talk to me only, but I'm guessing that he'll show up at the house one of these days."

            "So are you alright?"

            "For now I'm alright.  We just need to sit down and really talk about this.  I know that Richie didn't mean to say what he said.  He was angry and so was I and it happened.  Trust me though that once we get this figured out that we will tell you.  I'm thinking that Richie isn't going to listen to me much longer.  I know that he feels that what he's doing is right but I think that once he's really had a chance to look at every single part of it that he'll realize this isn't the right choice."

            "Yeah so we are having company tomorrow night the Huntington's are coming over for dinner."

            "Oh."

            "Yeah and I expect that by then you two will have this worked out.  I'm not sure that they are bringing any of their kids with them but if they do then I expect that you are civil."

            "Yeah I got you. So exactly how did you get here?"

            "I took a cab mind giving me a lift back?"

            "Sure."

            When they walked into the Dojo they found Richie dressed and ready to go home.  Andrea wanted to talk to him so he told her to stop by later that night.  She agreed and he left leaving her and Charlie downstairs.  She saw the look that Charlie had in his eyes and she walked away, but she knew that wouldn't work.  Charlie had something to say and he was going to make sure that Andrea heard it.  Andrea of course knew that he wanted Andrea and Richie to get back together.  She also knew that Charlie knew nothing of their relationship except what he'd seen on a daily basis out in the open which consisted of a lot of joking around and teasing like kids and that occasionally they kiss, but they knew that it didn't mean anything serious.

            "Andrea I know that this is none of my business I just want to know what exactly your relationship to Richie is cause from what I've seen…"

            "You'd think we were an old married couple."

            "Yeah and you can't tell me that there is nothing but a friendship there."

            "Richie and I have been through a lot together in the last four years Charlie and being that Richie and Mac are such good friends and that his like the brother that I'd never had.  It's complicated, but our relationship though it may look like more isn't really more then friends.   Richie and I have different ideas of what we want in life and to mix our lives into to one would be more problematic then anyone would want.   I love Richie and he loves me and as long as I have his word and trust and love I'm alright with our friendship that way that it is."

            "Then this argument isn't anything other then a small lovers spat?"

            "It's more complicated then that though.  We'll tell you when the time is right and right now we aren't even sure where we are in it."

            "All I can say is that you two sure fool a lot of people by saying that you are not more then friends."

            "Well sorry to disappoint you that there isn't a wedding planned for the Mrs. Andrea and Richie Ryan  anytime soon."

            "No problem I'm going home goodnight."

            "Goodnight Charlie."

            Andrea went upstairs to find Melissa waiting for her in the living room of the loft.  Duncan was talking to her and she was scared as to what they were talking about.   If she told him about her and Richie then she would jump out of the window right there.  Melissa just sat there and Duncan seemed alright so she continued.

            "Hello Mel what brings you here?"

            "I just thought that we could talk."

            "Is everything alright?"

            "Yeah I just wanted to talk."

            "Sure why don't we go out?"

            "Don't bother I should go find Adam and talk to him.  You girls have fun." said Duncan getting up to get his coat.   Andrea threw him the keys to the T- bird as he walked out.   Andrea offered her a drink and then Melissa started to talk and by her first sentence she wished that she hadn't come home.  

            "I know that we haven't really gotten a chance to get to know each other.  I want you to know that I really love Richie and that I would never so anything to hurt him."

            "I know that and I know that he loves you.  I'm more concerned about other things though about what this marriage is going to mean for you."

            "Well I'm not going to try and take him away from family.  He made it clear that you and Duncan are his family and that he wanted to stay as close to you guys as he could."

            "Yeah Richie means a lot to us."

            "I'm more interested in your relationship with Richie.  The way he talks about you and the things that you two would do when you were teenagers is incredible and I'm wondering if maybe there is something more there than either of you are willing to admit."

            "Melissa don't worry I'm not about to steal Richie from you because I'm jealous.  Our relationship is not like that."

            "I want to know everything if that's alright with you.  He mentions living with you and Tessa and I wonder why he hasn't gone into more detail."

            "Tessa…is a hard subject for us to talk about especially Richie.  She was like a mother and a really good friend.  Tessa was the sound board for Richie and me when we couldn't get my father to agree with us.  She was a wonderful woman and I'd never seen my father more in love then he was with Tess.  She brought something out of him that I'd never seen anyone else do.  He was willing to give up everything to be with her."

            "She wasn't your mother?"

            "No, but everyone thought so since we had so much in common and we somewhat looked alike.  Tessa was one person that I could talk to besides Amanda whom I don't think that we've ever seen eye to eye.  Loosing Tessa so soon for Richie was hard since he'd only know her for a short time, but the way that we lost her you could say that Richie blames himself for not being able to do more.  Mac and I have never once blamed Richie for what happened to Tessa."

            "Sometimes I'll hear him call her in his sleep and I've always wondered if it was him mother.  He didn't talk about his past."

            "Well, we only know what Richie's told us and what his been able to tell us when he feels that he's ready.  There is a lot about his past though that we aren't sure of.  Someday he'll tell it, but probably not for awhile."

            "So you and Richie never dated even though he was just the hired hand?"

            "I actually hated Richie when he first came into out lives.  First for what he'd done to us and for what I saw as him taking away my father from me.  I took almost a year before I realized that all he really need was a family to love him and to be there for him.  Richie and I from that point on were inseparable.  We did everything together we even got matching motorcycles on my seventeenth birthday from dad.   Yeah and the trouble that we'd get into was unbelievable.  Dad once threaten to put bars on the windows because we used to sneak out and go raid the town late at night."

            "Wow it sounds like you two had a great childhood together."

            "Yeah and every year gets better despite the occasional invasions and obstacles that we face on a daily basis."

            "I understand now why he wants to say so close to home."

            "Yeah Richie never really wanted to go very many places that didn't include Mac and I, but after Tessa's death we all kind of went out separate ways.  Each of us needed to grieve.  The funny thing was that after that we all found ourselves here in this building starting over.   I thought that dad would want to go back to Paris, but I guess he wasn't ready to let it all go and the fact that Richie needed help."

            "Now I know why he's always calling here to see if you guys are here."

            "Hi," said Richie himself in the doorway.  Andrea had felt him as he got off the elevator.

            "Hi, Richie."

            "Hey honey I was just talking to Andrea."

            "I can see I hope that she hasn't bored you to death," teased Richie from behind Andrea squeezing her shoulder.

            "Nope she actually told me some interesting things about you.  I now know that you are a sensitive caring man."

            "You didn't know that before?"

            "I did but now I know what made you that way and why you and Andrea are so close.  I had no idea about Tessa Richie."

            "Yeah Tessa meant a lot to us.  Can I give you a lift home?"
            "No, I got my car, but I'll call you tomorrow." she said kissing him and then leaving.

            "Richie, before you get mad I just want you to know that she asked and I didn't mention a thing about immortals or anything that I knew that you would want her to know right now."

            "I know Andrea I heard most of it.  I'm so sorry for getting angry at you and hurting you the way that I did.  After hearing what you told Melissa I realize that I do have a lot to think about.   I love you so much." he said taking her face in his hands.

            "Richie, I love you too.  I'd never say anything wasn't true about you to her."

            "What you said about me not wanting to leave you was true I hope that you know that you weren't making that up."

            "I know Richie." she said with tears in her eyes.

            "Come here." he said kissing her. What he didn't know was that Melissa had come back inside to say something to him and she saw him kissing her and holding her and she left. 

            "Richie I love you so much and I'm sorry for what I said about you not being able to know what you want."

            "I'm sorry for what I said about Brian.  I felt terrible for it."

            "Would you just hold me?" said Andrea in tears.

            "Forever." he said hugging her as she cried.

            Richie and Andrea ended up falling asleep on the couch with Richie's arm around Andrea.  When Duncan came back he almost wanted to take a picture.  Instead he woke up Richie so that he could go home and get some sleep. 

            "Mac, hi."

            "Hey there tough guy go home and get some sleep."

            "Alright, Mac, goodnight."

            "I take it that things between you and Andrea are alright?"

            "Yeah everything is great."

            "I'm glad I'll see you tomorrow."

            "Night Mac."

            Duncan picked up Andrea and carried her into her own bed.  Even though she was almost 21 she wasn't that heavy and he liked doing it.

            "Hey dad." said Andrea waking up

            "Hello princess go back to sleep."

            "Richie and I are better."

            "I know he told me."

            "Dad I love you."

            "I love you too sweetheart," he said as he turned out the lamp and shut the door

            In the morning Richie stopped by to see Andrea and take her out to breakfast.  Andrea wasn't sure but this had to be the easiest fight to forgive that they'd ever had.  Andrea knew that Richie would make the right decision and that no matter what that was that she'd support him all the same.  The only thing was telling Mac exactly what that plan of action was.

            "Have you talked to Mel since last night?"

            "No I couldn't get through on the phone.  She's probably on the phone with her mother."

            "I know that what I said to Mel was a lot of the stuff that we ourselves haven't talked about lately.  I guess after it happened that was it.  I know that it's been almost four years."

            "Andrea is there something that you want to talk about or tell me?" said Richie noticing her nervousness

            "Yeah there is."

            Meanwhile Duncan was making breakfast for himself and Methos walked in the door. 

            "Hello Highlander."

            "Hello Methos.  I guess that you would show up sooner or later to come rob me of what little I have left.  Help yourself." he said opening the fridge.  Methos grabbed a beer and walked over to the couch and sat down.  Duncan grabbed his glass and sat across him in the chair. 

            "So what's new in the world of the great Macleod?"

            "Nothing really I guess.  You should want to tell me since you are so interested in talking to my daughter before me.  I'm the immortal am I not?"

            "Yes, but I'm not your watcher.  Andrea didn't say anything about you so no need to worry."

            "That's nice to know.  So how long are you back?"

            "Until I feel like I need to go travel the world again."

            "Andrea didn't mention anything about her and Richie did she?"

            "No, she just said that they were having an argument and that as soon as they figured it out she'd let me know if I needed to.  Don't you by now trust her?  I know that the last few months for her have been hard with what happened to Brian, but I'm sure that it's nothing really serious."

            "Brian was a good kid and I really thought that they were going to be it.   I would have let her marry him if he'd asked me.  I just wish that she would be able to have the life that she deserves."

            "What are you thinking? You are not sending her to live with Connor.  Mac that would not be something that you'd be able to live with."

            "Methos relax we've disused this and she knows that she has the option of leaving when ever she wants."

            "At least she knows that she's not forced to stay."

            "I never wanted this kind of life for my children.  I hate having to look over my shoulder to know that they are alright.  Andrea is all that I have left.  If I can't protect her then what's the point?"

            "You taught her everything that you could possibly teach her.  It's up to her to apply it."

            "I know I just hope that it's enough."

            "It's more then enough."

            Melissa had stopped by Richie's that morning to talk to him about the wedding and everything.  When she got there she found Andrea crash out on the couch with Richie.

            "Is everything alright?"

            "Yea she just has had a rough couple of days hang on." he said carrying Andrea into the bedroom and shutting the door and walking out. 

            "Is everything really alright?"

            "Yeah Andrea and I just have a lot of unsolved issues that we haven't finished.   No matter how much people would like to see us together and happy that just isn't going to happen.  It's just not the same as the relationship that we have."

            "What kind of relationship is that?"

            "This kind," said Richie kissing her.

            "Rich we need to talk. I was thinking about it and we haven't exactly decided on the place we were going to live after we get married.  I had an idea though and I wanted to run it past you."

            "Go for it."

            "I was looking around and in a town not too far from here about twenty minutes there is a house for sale.  It's a god price and of course we need to go look at it, but it's a house."

            "I was thinking more something in town like studio apartment or something."

            "Richie it's not so far from Mac and Andrea.  It's just that I think that we are going to need our space without them barging in at all hours of the day."

            "I know and I will go look at it with you."

            "That's all I'm asking."

            "Oh Mac is having some people over for dinner and so I'm going to be over there tonight.  They are good friends of Tessa's.  Andrea hasn't talked to them since Tessa's funeral so she's been a little uneasy today.  I need to go take care of something's but I'll stop by before I go over there."

            "Alright."

            Once Mel had left Richie went to check on Andrea and found her sleeping still.  He went over to the bed and sat down next to her stroking back a few pieces of hair.

            "What are you thinking?" questioned Andrea opening her eyes

            "Nothing go back to sleep."

            Richie spent the next four hours as Andrea slept thinking about what he was going to do if he had to leave Andrea.  The thing is that he still had to tell Melissa that he was immortal and he wasn't sure what a good way to do that was.  The thing that haunted him the most was what Tessa would think of Melissa.  How much was he willing to give up for her?  Did they really have that much in common?  What about Mel's parents.  They didn't know hardly anything about him and they sure hadn't met Duncan and Andrea.  That was what he decided that needed to happen was for both families to get together.