Highlander
"Hearth and Home"
Summary: Duncan learns some surprising news about Richie, which only makes his resolve to give the boy a home and family that much stronger.
Author's Note: For the purpose of this story, Richie is only fifteen; takes place in season one just after "Family Tree".
Warning: This story will contain spanking of a teenager. If this offends, PLEASE don't read it.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, nor will I ever. I am simply writing this story purely for my personal enjoyment.
Chapter 2: What Matters Most
Duncan found Richie (of course) in the kitchen. The boy's seemingly never ending appetite had become a source of great amusement for him and Tessa over the last few weeks.
"Hey, Mac," Richie said, in-between bites of his sandwich.
"Hey, Rich," Duncan said, coming to lean against the counter. He studied the boy closely for a few moments.
He and Tessa had always thought he looked younger, but who were they to say anything? After all, Duncan himself appeared much younger than what he really was, so…but it still bothered the Scot that they hadn't seen it before. Although, what REALLY bothered him was that Richie hadn't trusted him enough to tell him the truth.
Richie looked up at him. "What?" he asked, wondering why his Immortal employer was staring at him so weirdly. "You aren't mad about that "old" joke I made, are you?"
Duncan grinned. "Of course not, Rich," he said, coming over and sitting down next to the boy, "but there is something I need to talk to you about."
Richie started to worry, and more importantly started trying to remember what it was he'd done wrong today…besides the whole hitting the old bat in the face with a feather duster while break dancing in the store thing, that is.
"Tessa and I were wondering," Duncan said, "even though we celebrated your birthday, you never really did tell us how old you were?"
Richie planted a smile on his face, hoping to hide the fact that his stomach had just plummeted into his feet. "Come on, Mac," he said, "you know how old I am."
"I know how old Powell said you were," Duncan corrected him, "but I really want to hear it from you." He eyed the teen, wondering how much rope he needed before he hung himself.
Richie had most definitely lost his appetite. He had never out right lied to the Immortal before; sure, he'd been evasive but hadn't ever told the man an actual bold-faced lie. If he told him he was eighteen, that'd be a lie and he didn't think he could live with himself after that and knew Mac wouldn't be happy with him either.
"Mac, I…" he faltered, unable to say anything at all.
Duncan reached over and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Its okay, Tough Guy," he told him, "I already know."
Richie's eyes widened at that. "Y-You do!?" he asked before he could stop himself. "Uh, I mean know what?" Again that fake smile of his was plastered all over his face.
Duncan raised an eyebrow. "Richie," he said, warningly.
Richie could not for the life of him understand how the man did that. He always managed to convey several different emotions in just one word. It was down right scary at times. He slumped, pushing his food away from him. "H-How did you find out?" he asked, hesitantly.
Duncan reached over and lifted the boy's chin so that he was looking him directly in the eyes. "Mrs. Harrison from the Orphanage paid us a visit a few minutes ago," he explained.
The blood drained out of Richie's face. "T-They know," he stammered, "but that means…"
"That means they know you're only fifteen years old," Duncan told him, firmly, "and that you're living here with me."
"Mac," Richie said, "you don't understand. They'll—"
"They won't do anything, Rich," Duncan told him. "Mrs. Harrison had me sign some forms that make me your legal guardian while the adoption is being processed."
"Adoption?" Richie asked, puzzled. "You're adopting someone?"
Duncan rolled his eyes. "Yeah," he said, grinning, "a certain fifteen year old former thief who loves to eat and had a thing for motorcycles."
"You're gonna adopt me!?" Richie asked, not sure whether to be excited or indignant. "You didn't even ask me—"
"Of course not, Richie," Duncan told him. "Parents are the one who decide to have children. No child should ever have to decide whether they are adopted or not. Don't you want to be adopted?"
Richie didn't know and he said as much. "I don't want parents anymore," he said, not looking into the man's eyes.
Again, Duncan reached over and pulled the boy's chin up. "Maybe not," he said, "but you need them. Do you really think I'll be that bad of a dad?"
Richie's eyes widened at that. "HLL no!" he exclaimed. "After everything you've done for me, Mac, you'd make a great dad. I-I just don't know if I'll make a great son."
Duncan grinned, putting his arm around the boy and giving his shoulder a squeeze. "Rich," he said, "you don't have to be great. All that matters is that you be yourself. I'll love you no matter what. I promise."
Richie felt tears sting his eyes and he looked away so the man wouldn't see them. "And Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod always keeps his promises," he said, quietly.
Duncan chuckled. "You'd better believe it, laddie," he said, ruffling the boy's hair. "Come on, let's go. I think I want take my boy to the park for a little while. We can go play a little one on one."
Richie smiled. "You'd really play basketball with me?" he asked, grinning.
Duncan nodded. "Yep," he said, "I most certainly will. Go grab your coat."
"Sure," Richie said, starting that way. He jumped when he felt a sharp smack land on the seat of his jeans. He spun around, rubbing his stinging posterior and looked at Duncan.
"That," the Highlander told him, "was for the swearing. Got me?" He leveled him with a very pointed look.
Still rubbing his butt, Richie nodded. "Yeah, boss," he said, "I gotcha."
Duncan smiled. "Good," he said, "now grab your coat. I'll meet you at the T-Bird." Richie nodded and went to get his jacket from his room. Duncan couldn't help but smile, thinking that after all these centuries he was finally going to have a son of his very own.
I can't wait to call Connor!
Whistling to himself, the Highlander headed downstairs to grab his own jacket and give his beautiful Tessa a kiss before they left. He was taking his kid to the park, and no Immortal had better dare interrupt them.
TBC…