RICHIE'S SURPRISE - CHAPTER 14
Note: Sorry it took so long to update, but I'm working on a Blue Blood fic that just won't leave me alone. Thanks so much for all the kind reviews, story alerts, author alerts, favorites and the like. I'm forever grateful.
Duncan finally got the chance to be alone. Tess had gone to the grocery store and the kids were sitting on the couch watching a movie. He knew that both kids would be out like a light in no time at all. They were both tired. He walked into his room and closed the door. He rung Conner.
"MacLeod." he heard.
"Hi Conner, it's Duncan."
"Ah Duncan me lad, how you be?" asked Conner.
"Fine. Fine. Conner, did you find out any more about the Ildari?"
"Yeah, lad, I did, I talked to Methos."
"Well, what did he say?" asked Duncan impatiently.
"Patience, boyo, patience. You don't have to bite me head off."
Taking a deep breath, Duncan said, "Sorry Conner, I just think I've got some other troubles. In fact can you come for a visit? I could use a little help protecting the family."
Conner's eyebrows went up, he could only think of a hand full of times in the last 400 years that Duncan had asked for his help. Duncan was of the opinion that he could protect what's his and do whatever he needed to by himself. "Sure lad, I'm on the next plane. I'll call you when I get to the airport."
"Conner, the Ildari?" Duncan groaned.
"We'll talk when I get there, lad." Conner assured him.
"Ok, call me with your arrival. I'll pick you up." said Duncan.
Duncan clicked off and went to check on the kids. Just as he suspected Richie and AJ were on the couch sound asleep. He couldn't believe his eyes, AJ had conned Richie into watching "Barbie Fairytopia" or some such nonsense. He chuckled. His big tough boy was watching Barbie with his little sister. AJ was curled into Richie's lap and Richie's arm was hanging protectively around his sister. What a picture. Duncan sighed, he was going to do whatever it took to keep his family intact. That included battling Francois Sonnier or Frank Sommerville or whatever that monster called himself. Duncan was tired himself and decided this was the perfect chance for a nap. His household was calm and would be until the meeting with social services tomorrow. He returned to his room. He dozed fitfully.
Tess arrived home an hour later. She walked into the loft seeing Richie and AJ asleep on the couch. She went in search of Duncan and found him dozing on their bed. She quietly walked out to the kitchen to put the groceries away. Once done, she returned to the bedroom and watched Duncan toss and turn. She strode to the side of the bed and placed her hand on his arm. "Duncan, Duncan." she called as she rubbed his arm up and down.
Duncan woke with a start. "Tess?"
Tess smiled, "Have a good nap?"
"Well, it was kind of disturbing. Where are the kids?" Duncan asked as he sat up, scrubbing his face with his hands.
Tess laughed.
Duncan eyed her suspiciously, "What's so funny?" he demanded.
"Duncan, have you noticed that we already refer to AJ and Richie as 'the kids', like we've had them all their lives, like they just belong to us?" Tess smiled.
Duncan returned her smile, "Yeah, even though we've only had AJ 2 days, I feel like she's as much ours as Richie is. It just seems right, you know?" Duncan said smiling back and pulling Tess down on the bed with him.
Tess leaned into him and sighed. "I know, me too. But to answer your question, they're both still passed out on the couch."
"Tess, I've got to tell you something…" Duncan started.
Tess was leaning into his chest, she turned her head to look up at Duncan's face. "What is it Duncan, what's wrong, I know something is bothering you."
"I think that AJ's foster father is an immortal. One I met many years ago."
Tess widened her mouth into an "O". "And that's bad because….?"
"I think it's Francois Sonnier. I met him in about 1730. He was the head of a French workhouse."
"And?" Tess prompted.
"I threatened to kill him because I saw him raping a girl about AJ's age named Lizette."
Tess stared wide-eyed, "So, that's why you looked so funny when AJ mentioned Lizette to you."
"Yeah. I'm not sure. But, it's just got to be. I don't think he's going to leave AJ alone when we try to adopt her. I think he's going to come after her, the sick SOB."
Tess sobbed a little, "Oh Duncan, what are we going to do?"
Duncan rubbed her arms and hugged her, "Darlin', I've sent for Conner to help watch out over you and the kids until we get this settled. I'm going to have to engage him in battle and behead him. It's the only way that AJ can be safe. That you and the kids can be safe."
"Oh Duncan, I wish things could just be easy for once." sighed Tess.
Duncan laughed, "Would be a dull life, me lass."
Tess batted him with her hand, "Oh you!" She checked the clock. It was about 5:00. "Let's get he kids up, they won't sleep tonight if we don't get them up now. Heh, what are we going to do about school. I won't be able to register AJ until we have custody and I don't want to give her foster father any kind of access."
Duncan smiled, Tess was back into full mother hen mode. "We'll just keep her home with us and then take her with us to social service. I had asked for a meeting with the director at 4:00 to discuss Richie's stealing files. However, I think with all of this information, Richie will get off without any problem."
Tess nodded her head in agreement. She got off the bed and leaned down to kiss Duncan, "I love you Duncan."
"Love you Tess." he responded.
Tess walked into the living room to find the kids awake and stretching. "AJ, now that you're up, why don't you help me make dinner. Richie, I'm sure your father has something for you to do."
AJ jumped up. "Really? I love to cook. Can I cook, Mama? I'll be really careful I promise."
Tess laughed, "Of course, come on."
Richie groaned, "Awww…Mom." he whined.
Duncan heard the whine. "Come on son, let's go downstairs and figure out your space for your new furniture. We need to move the bed downstairs into another storage area for a guest room."
"Guest room? Why do we need a guest room?" asked Richie.
"Because your Uncle Conner's coming for a visit and he has to sleep somewhere." Duncan said offering his hand to Richie to pull him off the couch.
"Cool. I love Uncle Conner. Are you guys going to spar? Can I watch?" asked Richie enthusiastically.
"Yes, come on. I'm calling a contractor to install a full bathroom down there. So, we'll have a mini apartment down there. Two bedrooms and a full bath."
Richie and Duncan headed downstairs to assess the space. Before he knew it, Duncan's phone was ringing and it was Conner. "MacLeod?" Duncan answered.
"It's Conner."
"I know." smirked Duncan.
"I'll be in about 7:30, you cheeky brat." grouched Conner.
Duncan just laughed. "Be there to pick you up, Conner."
"Brat!" said Conner clicking off.
Duncan just chuckled. "Richie, come on, we better go see if dinner is ready. I've got to go get Conner at 7:30."
The family finished dinner in short order and Duncan headed out to get Conner. He saw Conner impatiently waiting at the luggage pick up area. "Conner." Duncan greeted.
"You're late!" Conner growled.
Duncan just laughed, "Conner, it's just 7:30 now, give me a break."
Conner got in the car and they headed for home. Once Conner was settled in the car, Duncan asked, "Ildari?"
Conner took a deep breath. "I talked to Methos, but you know this is mostly legend. The Ildari were strong when Methos became an Immortal, but they were still a legend then."
Duncan eyed him, "Go on."
Conner took a deep breath, "The legend goes that there was a tribe from the beginning of time, an entire tribe of pre-Immortals. I know that Immortals can't have children. But an Immortal can have a child if he or she is pre-Immortal. So, the story goes that in this tribe, they all had children as early as possible. So, they were children having children. Their tribe grew to be a pretty big tribe. Somewhere along the way, they discovered the women had certain special abilities. You've heard about oracles, witches, women who could do certain things, read minds, see the future, whatever."
"Yeah," Duncan agreed.
"Story is, all these women were Ildari." Conner continued.
"How come we don't hear more about the Ildari or they're aren't more of them?" asked Duncan.
"Don't know boyo. The legend goes that they started killing each other because if you kill an Ildari woman, you acquire her powers. So, the battles raged. You know the men protecting the women and such. Methos said that the story is that they killed each other and that they were all gone. Obviously that's not true since we have AJ."
"Conner, she can't control what she does." said Duncan seriously.
"I don't know what to tell you about that." Conner said shaking his head.
"Did the Ildari women have more than one power?" asked Duncan worriedly.
"I don't know that either. But I will tell you that Methos said if she has power at this young age, she's going to be a very powerful Ildari. Legend is they didn't come into their powers until later in life. If she's already got it, she's probably one of the most powerful Ildari in legend."
"Great," muttered Duncan.
"Duncan, lad, you can't let anyone know about her powers. She would be one of the most sought after pre-Immortals. Methos also told me that the powers only develop as a pre-Immortal and once the power manifests it doesn't grow any more once the Ildari become Immortal."
"Great," said Duncan again. "Conner, how can we train her to keep her powers in check? I mean she's just a baby and she can't control it."
Conner shook his head. "Can she control it at all?"
"Yeah, but it's really hard. It's much easier for her if you try and block her. You know you have to imagine a wall in your mind that she can't get through."
They fell silent, each to his own thoughts as they arrived at Duncan's. Duncan and Conner ascended the steps to the loft to find Tess, Richie, and AJ cuddled up on the couch watching TV.
"Tess, we're here." called Duncan softly.
Richie jumped up, "Uncle Conner!" he yelled.
Conner held his arms open, "Come give your uncle a hug laddie." he said chuckling.
Tess and AJ stood up. AJ tried to melt into Tess. Duncan nodded toward AJ, "Conner, this AJ, Richie's little sister."
AJ just looked at Conner.
"Nice to meet you lass." he said gently, still cradling Richie in a one armed hug. Conner nodded to Tess. "Greet ya in a minute lass."
Tess laughed. She knew how much Richie loved his Uncle Conner. As soon as Richie released himself from Conner, Conner drew her into a warm hug. AJ stood back. She clearly did not trust Conner.
Duncan whispered to Conner, "Conner let her into your mind for a minute. She won't trust you if you don't."
Conner said, "Duncan she can't go getting into people's minds just because she's scared."
"Give her permission Conner. She's just a baby. She can't control it."
Conner sighed and turned toward AJ. "AJ, I'm going to let you in my mind for just a minute, but just a minute mind you."
"Yes sir," she said softly. She closed her eyes and searched Conner's mind. She only saw peace and no harmful intentions toward her. She relaxed considerably and withdrew quickly.
"Ok, everyone, I think it's bedtime," said Tess glancing at the clock, it was 9:30.
"Aww, jeez mom, it's 9:30." whined Richie.
Duncan raised his eyebrows. "Richie, mind now, son."
"Aww Dad…."
"Richie!" Duncan warned.
"Oh, ok." scowled Richie.
AJ was still clutching Tess's hand. Tess looked down at her. "Go on honey, go take a shower and Papi and I will come and say good night."
AJ just nodded her head and followed Richie to her room.
"Conner, the couch is yours tonight. We'll have you in a room in a couple days. We ordered furniture for the kids and it's coming Wednesday." Duncan said.
"Room? I thought this was a 2 bedroom?" he asked.
"We're converting some of the storage rooms in the back of the store to a mini apartment with two bedrooms and a full bath. That way we have a guest room and Richie can have a bedroom downstairs. We wanted to keep AJ up here with us."
Conner just nodded.
The three adults sat down on the couches. "Well, lad, what else is on your mind?" asked Conner knowingly.
Duncan looked surprised at his clansman. "What makes you think there is something else?" asked Duncan innocently.
"Come on boy, you didn't ask me to fly in for no reason. You're worried about protecting AJ and Richie and not from them being Ildari. Remember, I've been around longer than you, plus I've known you for 400 years. You think I don't know when you have something on your mind."
Duncan sighed, "I think AJ's foster father is Francois Sonnier."
"Francois Sonnier, isn't he that bastard that ran the French workhouses and was abusing the young girls?"
"That's him." said Duncan.
"Why do you think it's him?" questioned Conner.
Duncan quickly related the story of what AJ saw in her foster father's mind.
Conner whistled. "You're gonna have a fight on your hands me lad."
"I know, that's what I want you here for, in case something happens to me," said Duncan.
Tess had just sat there listening. She looked at Duncan. "Come on Papi, let's go say goodnight to the kids."
Duncan grinned. "Coming." he said standing up and offering his hand to Tess.
Tomorrow was going to be a long day.
Next up: The meeting with social services. Frank finds out where AJ is.