A/N: If you forgotten who Tilly is check out her origins in I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues. Otherwise this is mostly Methos centric because I wanted to do something different with him and I was wondering when his birthday was myself when I popped in my Highlander DVDs.

Chapter Two: Party Pooper:

In Paris Tilly and Amand were at a little café' enjoying a much needed break from the shopping, well at least in Tilly's case. She wasn't much of a shopper that Amanda was. She wasn't use to having money to burn. Tilly was about to take a sip of the wine that Amanda ordered for them when her cell rang. She smiled when she found it was Dawson calling.

Amanda didn't have to ask who it was. She could guess by the grin on Tilly's face. It had Dawson written all over it.

"Hey," she greeted.

After his own greeting, on the other end Dawson told her about the Richie's idea. "You mean Richie thought of that?"

Amanda tried not to be nosey but one really couldn't help it. She was just a few inches across from Tilly. She wasn't sure what was going on because she couldn't hear Dawson's side. Yet she figured if had something to do with Richie trouble really wasn't far behind but in her case that was never a bad thing.

"Do you want us to pick up anything while we're here?" Tilly asked. She dug out a pin and started to jot down things that Dawson began to list.

Amanda let her eyes "accidentally" drift over to the napkin. She saw that decorations were on the list, presents, and the rest she couldn't see. The list was growing larger and Tilly's scribbles were hard to make out. "All right, I think we can get most of it and don't worry we'll be back in time for the party." Tilly promised.

"Party?" Amanda asked hearing loud and clear. Now, she was even more interested. Parties were always fun to crash.

Tilly put her hand letting her know she would explain everything when she was finished with Dawson. "Man, I can't wait to get home. I miss you Dawson," Tilly whispered hoping that Amanda wouldn't hear her but she did. "It's like the Chinese Water Torcher. We're still not done shopping for Amanda."

Amanda wouldn't her live that one down when she was done.

Tilly unwillingly said goodbye to Joe then turned her attention back to Amanda who looked innocent across from her. Tilly wasn't buying that for a second. "Don't even think about it," Tilly warned her with a pointed finger. "Besides, we got a party to help set up for."

"Whose?" Amanda asked.

Tilly would explain her way on towards the next store they stopped at.

Back home in Seacover at the bar Joe hung up. "Well, what did she say?" Richie asked him.

"She's going to help us." Dawson answered.

"Great because I know you get things in Paris that you just can't get here." Richie made known. Richie looked up at the clock on the wall. It was getting late and the people were starting to smooth out. "I think I'm going to get out of here and see what Mac will think of this."

"I'm sure he'll go for it," Dawson said. "This isn't a bad thing Richie."

"I know, but still." Richie said. "Mac is one of his friends. He should be in on it too."

Dawson said goodbye to Richie before he jetted out.

When Richie got home to the loft he could see that the thunder bird parked in front. "Excellent, means Mac is home." Richie came in knowing good and well that his Immortal Buzz would let Mac know of his coming.

Mac was home, but he wasn't alone. He was in the company of one of Fitz's "friends" that he could spare for the night. When the Buzz hit him he shot up. The lady was not pleased. She pouted at him. "Why did you stop?" she asked, a French accent coming along with her speech.

"Sorry, excuse me." Mac hated to keep a lady waiting but it would be better to see who this was before either one of them ended up dead.

The Highlander put on his pants and when the red head wasn't looking he pulled out his katana and made his way towards the Buzz.

"Hey Mac!"

Mac grumbled when he heard Richie. When Richie saw him he put up his hand. "Whoa, I don't want to lose my head tonight thank you."

"You could've warned me," Mac argued and put away his sword before the red head came in and started to ask questions he wasn't ready to explain to her just yet.

"What?" Richie asked. "You're not busy are you?"

"Duncan," a woman's voice called from the bed room. "I'm getting pretty lonely."

Richie gave a nervous laugh. "I would take that as a yes."

"Yeah," Mac answered awkwardly.

"Right, okay." Richie said. "You know, don't worry about it. This can wait until morning."

"First thing," Mac promised and dashed back into the bed room before anything or anyone else could interrupt them.

Richie laughed. He had to work on his timing.

"So, who was the red head?" Richie asked the next morning over coffee. He managed to catch her escaping before the sun came up.

"Molly," Mac answered with a smile. "Fitz introduced us."

"Why does that not surprise me?" Richie asked with a shake of his head.

Mac took a sip of his coffee before he could answer that. "Anyway," he said wanting very much to change the subject. "What did you want to talk to me about last night?"

Richie smiled and showed him the napkin he gotten from Joe's. Mac looked over it and it was very clear that it was a party list but the last he checked there was no holiday coming up or a friend's birthday that he could think of anyway for a reason to celebrate such an occasion.

"Here me out on this one Mac," Richie began. "I want to throw a surprise party for Methos."

"But we don't even know when his birthday is." Mac reminded him.

"I know, all ready got that covered." Richie gave him the new date for The Old Man's date of birth.

Mac shook his head. "I don't think that's a good idea Rich."

"Why not?" Richie asked.

"Well, you can't really change a man's date of birth, it's a little defensive." Mac said.

"Aw, c'mon!" Richie argued. "I'm being creative here."

"Besides, I don't think Methos would go for the idea."

"How do you know?" Richie asked. "It's a party right? Everyone likes those and there will be beer."

"He's not one for that situation." Mac informed. "Methos hates surprises."

Richie sighed. "Why do you always do that?"

"What?"

"Rain on my parade!" he yelled. "Seriously, I can't believe Dawson thought you would've gone along with it." Richie shook his head. "I should've known you wouldn't!"

"Richie…" Mac didn't mean to make him so upset but it was the truth. Methos was a introvert at heart.

"No way," Richie wouldn't let Mac have this one. "I know you like think you know what's best but I think everyone should have at least one good birthday celebration, and I'm doing this rather you like it or not. You can show or not show. It's up to you." Richie told him the date of the party before storming out.

TBC…