Author's Note: Thanks to all of you that have left me wonderful reviews! :)
Chapter Six
Duncan was the first to wake in the household, he went out for his daily run and when he returned Tessa was already in the midst in cooking breakfast.
"Smell's great!" Duncan announced once he entered the kitchen. Tessa smiled at him and gave him a quick peck before continuing on cooking.
"Oh Mac I almost forgot to tell you I won't be able to go with you to Richie's school this morning, I have a meeting with a potential buyer for one of my sculptors."
"That's great love! I hope it goes well for you."
"I hope so too." Tessa smiled.
Duncan went and took a much needed shower then dressed for the day before he went to check if the teen had woken up yet. It was no surprise to Duncan to find the teen still asleep dead to the world.
As Tessa finished cooking some eggs she heard the door bell ring, she put the cooked eggs in a serving bowl and went to see who could be visiting so early in the morning. She opened the door and was surprised to see both Connor and Methos at the door.
"Good Morning Tessa, I just stopped by to pick up my luggage."
"Good Morning, come in."
"Always a pleasure to see you Tessa, It doesn't look like it's been five years since I last saw you, you haven't aged a day, are you certain your not an Immortal?" Methos joked.
"Yes I am most certain." Tessa laughed. "I was in the middle of cooking breakfast, would you both like to stay and eat?"
"Thanks for the offer but we just ate before stopping by here." Connor answered.
Duncan watched Richie sleep peacefully for a couple of seconds before he decided to wake the teen.
"It's time to get up Tough Guy!"
Richie moaned and rolled over onto his back then his eyes widened and he instantly rolled back onto his belly, his bottom was still sore from the night before.
"Come on Rich, rise and shine go on and take a shower, I'll leave your uniform out on your bed." Richie glanced up at the Immortal and the memory of the previous night's punishment came flooding back to him, he visibly flushed as he miserably got up from the bed and rubbed his behind.
"Mac...Please… I don't wanna go back-" He whined petulantly.
"It's not up for negotiation, you're going to school today, you got 20 minutes to be dressed and downstairs, don't make me come get you." Duncan spoke sternly as he walked out of the teen's bedroom.
Richie couldn't help but pout at his predicament, his slightly warm bottom reminded him not to push the Scot any further. He went into the bathroom and undressed; he couldn't help but take a peep at his butt in the reflection of the mirror. He was surprised it didn't look half as bad as he had expected it to; it was just a light shade of pink and still a little tender. He was for sure going to have a rough time sitting down that day that was for sure. He then showered and was dressed in his school uniform that Duncan had so thoughtfully laid out for him on his bed.
As Richie made his way to the kitchen he heard voices that were neither Tessa's nor Duncan's, he froze not wanting to face either older Immortal. Unfortunately for Richie Duncan had sensed his presence and called out to the boy.
"Richie, come eat breakfast."
Richie sighed deeply and slowly walked to the kitchen. He found the adults seated at the table chatting away.
"Good Morning...Tess...Mac...Connor...Methos." Richie greeted politely.
The adults smiled at him and bid him Good Morning as well, Tessa stood up from her chair and went to the teen and gave him hug and sweet kiss. Tessa took his hand within hers and led the teen to the table to sit then she went and to prepare him a hot plate.
Richie gingerly sat unable to hide the wince that escaped his lips.
"So as I was saying my place is a mess and I think it would only be only fair to have the kid clean it all up." Methos told Duncan.
"I'll think about it." Duncan then switched his gaze to the sullen teen at the end of the table. "Rich don't you have something you would like to say to Methos."
Blue eyes looked up in surprise as he noticed the adults looking at him expectantly.
"Uh...Yeah...I'm really sorry Methos." Richie remorsefully expressed .
Methos fixed the teen with a hard glare the turned to Duncan. "Have the kid at my place by five."
"Methos the boy just apologized to you aren't you going to accept his apology?" Connor demanded after seeing a sad look on the fidgeting teen.
"Yes...I will accept it once my place is in order." Methos stood up and gestured for Connor to do the same.
Tessa glanced at Methos as she set a hot plate before the teen. "Leaving already?"
"I'm afraid so, thank you for your hospitality." Methos gave Tessa a goodbye peck on the cheek the turned to Duncan. "I'll see you later and the boy too.
Connor said his goodbyes and retrieved his luggage bag and then left with Methos.
After Richie finished his breakfast, he and Duncan made their way out to the car.
Richie never expected to find Jason of all people waiting for him outside the antique store.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Richie demanded hotly.
"Chill dude I want no trouble! I just stopped by to let you know we're even now...you don't owe me a dime anymore."
"But I didn't-"
"Sir...uh thanks for saving my life...I won't bother Richie again." Jason ignored Richie and looked to Duncan.
Richie gave Duncan a puzzled look. "What? Mac you saved him?"
"I'll explain in the car...Jason I expect to not see you anywhere near Richie again and what happened in the warehouse never happened, clear?"
"Yes Sir." Jason left speedily.
Duncan drove and told Richie all about Lenard leaving out the fact that he was after pre immortal children.
"Man! I can't believe that Mac, I'm so sorry I made your day so much worse yesterday."
"It's been forgiven Tough Guy."
Duncan pulled the T-Bird at the front curb of the school and the duo went inside the school to the front office.
"Hi I'm Duncan Macleod, Richie Ryan's guardian I would like to speak with the principle for a moment please." Duncan told the front desk school secretary.
"Please have a seat I'll get a hold of Mr. Capone for you."
As Duncan sat and Richie paced Mr. Johnson passed by the front office.
"Richard so nice of you to return, we were all pretty worried by boy."
"Maybe I wouldn't have run off if you didn't want to beat me."
"Richie, sit down and hush your mouth." Duncan stood and pushed Richie to sit on his vacated seat and Richie still couldn't help but wince and it didn't go by unnoticed by Mr. Johnson.
"So you must be Mr. Johnson, mind telling me why you were going to paddle my kid."
"I gave the boy fair warning more than once to calm down and he only got wilder, he was horribly mouthy and also insulted my whole class."
"Is this true Richie?"
"Kinda... I didn't get wilder but I guess I kinda did insult the class."
"What did you say?"
When Richie didn't answer Mr. Johnson answered for him. "He called the class a bunch of rich snobs."
"Richie did you say that?"
Richie sullenly nodded affirmative.
"Richie you can't go around insulting people." Duncan scolded.
"Well it's true." Richie muttered and received a firm glare from Duncan.
"Mr. Capone is ready to see you now." The secretary informed them.
Both Duncan and Richie went into Mr. Capone's office.
"A pleasure to see you again Mr. MacLeod, but it's due to an unfortunate matter we meet again, we simply can not have boys run off from this school it's downright dangerous."
"I agree and I promise you Richie will never run off again from your school."
"It's not you that I need the promise from Mr. MacLeod." Mr. Capone pointedly looked over at Richie.
"I am sorry...I really hate this school-."
"Richie! Show some respect right now."
"Mr. MacLeod I feel this school might not be the best match for the Richard."
"Yes! You are absolu-"
"Richie shut up right now." Duncan growled then turned to the principle. "Mr. Capone, Richie is a good kid, please give him another chance."
"I'm not sure that's a good idea, I have never had a child run out of this school before, I will not tolerate such behavior, I really do feel expelling him from St. Passels will be the best option.
Richie couldn't be any happier and he couldn't wipe off the smile that crossed his face.
Duncan on the other hand was not at all happy, he now knew Mr. Capone already had his mind set up and there was nothing he could do or say to change it.
"I see you have already made up your mind Mr. Capone so I won't waste anymore of your time, we will be on our way then good-bye."
"I'm sorry it had to come to this Mr. MacLeod, I wish you all the luck with young Mr. Ryan here."
Richie was already by the door ready to leave; Duncan walked the teen out of the school building and into the T-Bird.
The ride home was silent; Richie wisely kept his mouth shut knowing the Scot was not too thrilled he was expelled.
Richie noticed that Duncan had missed a turn to go home and wondered where the Immortal could be driving to.
"Mac you missed the turn to go home."
"I know."
"Where are we going?"
"Don't think for a second that just because you got yourself expelled that you won't finish high school, I will not allow that, you are going finish high school then go to college whether you want to or not do you understand?"
"Aw man! You're not taking me to another school now are ya?"
"Not yet, you have some unfinished business that needs to be taken care of."
"What?"
Duncan pulled the T-Bird up in front of a house. "Does this house look familiar to you?"
Richie looked at the home and visibly flushed. "Uh Yeah…"
"Good lets go." Duncan exited his car and waited for Richie to follow.
Richie meekly followed Duncan to the same house he was at the day prior stealing from.
Duncan went and knocked at the door while Richie practically hid behind him.
Methos opened the door and was surprised to find Duncan and Richie standing in his doorway.
"I thought you took the kid to school?" Methos inquired.
Duncan reached back and grabbed Richie's forearm and pushed the door further open and let himself in pulling the teen in as well.
"Richie you did all this?" Duncan looked around Methos's messing home.
"I guess..." He muttered as his cheeks flamed not able to make contact with any adult.
"Well, you're going to clean it all up right now, understand?"
Richie nodded affirmatively.
"Let me guess...the kid got suspended?" Methos asked.
"The boy was suspended?" Connor asked stepping towards them.
Duncan shook his head. "No...More like expelled…"
"Oh my you've got quite a handful in your hands." Methos laughed.
"Expelled? That's ridiculous I thought at most he would get suspended for a few days." Connor expressed.
"I know it's ridiculous but I can't force them to teach Richie."
"Ya know it's really not all that bad..I mean that school totally sucked big time."
All Duncan did was give the teen a hard glare that made the boy shrink back.
"Methos, Richie is here and is going to stay here until he is completely done putting everything in its rightful place."
"Great he can start from where he started and end at where he ended."
Duncan glanced at Richie still standing beside him. "Go on what are you waiting for."
"My life sucks" The teen muttered walking away.
"What was that?" Duncan called out.
"Huh? Um nothing." Richie continued to walk off not wanting to further upset the man.
"Duncan you mind driving me to the airport? I'm getting pretty tired of Methos." Connor slightly joked and Duncan laughed. "I can understand the feeling."
"Hey I'm right here you know?" Methos complained then proposed. "Why don't you two head off? Go do whatever you clans' people do and I'll stay here and put the living fear of Methos into the boy."
"He's already been punished enough so please try and go easy on him."
"Duncan that's your problem, you're too easy on that kid."
"I think Richie feels differently."
"Don't tell me you actually gave the boy a spanking?"
"That's none of your business."
"You did, didn't you?" Methos goaded.
"Duncan lets get out of here, the boy will be fine."
"Richie, come over here."
Richie did as asked and walked over to Duncan."
"I'm going to head out with Connor he's flying out tonight I'll b back in a couple of hours."
"You're leaving me here."
"Lad you will be fine Uncle Methos here will take good care of ye." Connor eased.
Richie made a face to that.
"Well you know Duncan is like a really distant... distant brother to me." Methos wirily expressed and Connor couldn't help but laugh and Duncan quirked a quick smile.
"Alright Rich behave and finish cleaning up all this mess."
"No problem Mac, I'll finish this in no time." He expressed with a confidence he did not feel.
Richie turned to Connor and gave the older man a tentative smile. "Bye Connor." Richie extended his arm out to shake the man's hand trying to be as proper as possible.
Connor grasped the offered hand and pulled the boy into a hug. "It's not good bye lad, it's until next time which shouldn't be too long if you come visit me in New York soon."
Richie pulled out of the hug. "New York! Cool...Mac when can we go?" He was practically jumping on his heels.
"Sometime later this year...go on and get to work Rich."
"K, Later Mac." Richie walked off to the back of the home to start cleaning up.
Methos walked Duncan and Connor out the door.
Richie cleaned while Methos sat back and relaxed ever so often pointing certain things the teen might have missed. Once the teen was finished with the downstairs, Methos had him go upstairs and clean up there too. As Richie was setting away a few items back into a drawer in one of the bedrooms, he came across a few pictures and was surprised to find Methos in a particular picture with the Rolling Stones.
"Methos! You actually played with the Rolling Stones?"
"Yes I played drums for about a year or so with them, they were alright."
"That is so cool! I play drums too, well whenever I can, Mac kinda bitches if I play too late at night... Oh man I never thought you would even be into that kind of music, Mac is all into opera and chick music."
"I hate opera! Queens and Bruce Springsteen are my favorites right now."
"Cool! Me too! I never would have thought I'd have anything in common with you." He laughed.
"I have a music room down the hall that you never got a chance to get into with a drum set, come show me what you got kid."
Methos led Richie into his music room filled with different instruments, a piano, guitars, drum set and even a saxophone.
Richie was in a state of awe the moment he stepped into the room that was also decked out with posters all autographed by different famous musicians that he was a huge fan of.
Richie showed Methos a little of what he knew on the drums.
"Wow kid not bad, not bad at all." Methos was impressed the kid had talent.
"Thanks!" Richie goofily smiled before the door bell rang. "Aw man, Mac's back and I'm still not even done up here."
"Don't worry about it kid."
Methos went and let Duncan into the house.
Duncan had brought back some lunch to eat from a local sub place. "Brought lunch if you're hungry I know Richie must be starving by now."
"You brought food awesome! I'm starved!" Richie bellowed from the stairs as he made his way down.
They went and sat in Methos dining room and ate lunch.
Duncan glanced around. "Wow Richie great job, the place looks much better now."
"Yeah it was pretty easy...but I am really sorry about how it got so messy to begin with." Richie couldn't help but squirm in his seat due to his still sore behind that reminded him of why he was sitting there to begin with.
"I know Tough Guy and you've been forgiven."
"Yeah kid everyone makes foolhardy mistakes even Boy Scout here has not always made perfect decisions."
THE END
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