AN – Apparently there was originally a character in The Gathering who paid Richie to follow Duncan and Conner, but who got cut out before the episode aired – I always wondered why he would have such an unhealthy interest in sword wielding maniacs – so this is my take on that!
To everyone – thanks for the reviews. It means a lot that people are actually reading this and it is a great incentive to update (hint!). To Spike's Girl and Shady Lady, - like Mac's going to let Richie just walk outta there! To Southern Chickie – teasing a bit more but real story soon I promise! To Frek – again, much longer, much.
Usual French bits – Certainement pas! - Certainly not! Bien sur – Of course. N'est pas? In this context .. weren't you?
***
"What have we done?" Tessa worried.
"Shh. Sweetheart. It'll be fine." Duncan soothed, wrapping his arms around her.
"How can you say that? He does not want this. He does not want us. We are pushing him away like all those other people."
"He's just a little upset right now." Duncan allowed. "My guess is he doesn't want us to see him as nothing more than a file on someone's desk. Lord knows. I wouldn't want my entire life documented for strangers to read."
"Why?" Tessa smiled. "Do you have so many secrets?"
"Well. Let's see .." Duncan nuzzled her neck. "Would you like the ladies at the Art Society to know that you and I .. " he whispered in ear.
"Duncan!" she pushed him away, laughing. "Certainement pas!"
"Richie, hasn't had that luxury Tess, its only natural that he feels a little .. awkward about what we might find out about him."
"Awkward?" Tessa spluttered. "He wants to run away. To live God knows where .. with no one to take care of him .. and you call this awkward?"
"Tessa, do you trust me?"
"Bien sur." She replied instantly. "You must ask this?"
"Then don't worry." He smiled. "Richie's ours now and he's not going to get away from us so easily."
"How can it be?" Tessa wondered. "It has only been a few, short, weeks. Yet I feel as if he has always been with us. Like he belongs here."
"He does have a way with him, doesn't he?" Duncan mused fondly.
"He has you wrapped around his little finger." Tessa smiled.
"He does no!" Duncan objected.
"Oh. So he has always done just as you tell him ..?" Tessa shook her head.
"Not even close." Duncan sighed.
***
Conner walked across the warehouse to pick up a rag to wipe his sword. Then he paused.
"Did I hear you tell the boy to go home?"
"Uh huh." Duncan glanced up. "I'm no slave driver Conner. I don't intend to work him to death. Lord knows he's thin enough .."
Before he could finish the sentence the distinctive buzz of a pre-immortal washed over him.
"It seems our little thief has a little trouble following orders." Conner smirked.
"Don't start." Duncan glared. He strode over to where the boy was hiding. "You can come out now."
"How did you know I was here?" Richie protested.
Duncan ignored that. "I thought I told you to go home? I know I told you not to follow us."
"Yeah. Well. I came to warn you." Richie gave a cocky grin.
"Warn us?" Conner arched a brow.
"There's this Lady Reporter sniffing about. Turns out she has seen the police report on the other night. You know. She tracked me down. She wanted me to follow you guys. Find the real story."
"And what kind of incentive did she offer you for this service?" Conner asked.
"$100 now and $100 when I go back to her with the information."
"You gave your word." Duncan reminded him.
"Hey. I haven't said anything." Richie protested.
"But you took the $100." Conner guessed.
"Hey if she wants to give her money away." Richie shrugged. "I never promised her anything."
"So long as you don't expect us to give you the other $100." Conner smiled thinly.
"Or think you can stop working for me." Duncan added. "We have an agreement."
"Hell no." Richie held up his hands. "Its all part of the service."
"But .." Duncan prodded.
"But I did have to come all the way back across town to find you guys. Then you weren't at the Store. It has taken me nearly all afternoon to find you". That has to be worth something." Richie gave what he hoped was a winning smile.
"You think?" Duncan hid a smile as he caught Conner's eye. The kid was good.
"You could teach me how to use a sword." Richie hinted.
"Not a chance." Duncan bit back a grin. This one would be a joy to teach.
"Aw come on Mac." Richie protested.
"Its worth a sandwich." Duncan decided, leading the way out to the T-Bird.
"Mac?" Conner muttered. "What kind of a name is Mac?"
***
"Mac?" Richie's voice was soft, hesitant. As if he was unsure of his welcome.
"Hey Rich." Duncan smiled warmly at him.
"You're not mad at me?" Richie looked confused.
"You think I should be?" Duncan asked.
"Yes. No. I don't know." Richie came to perch on the desk. "Look, I don't want to seem ungrateful or anything .."
"You don't." Duncan assured him
"Ookay.." Richie said warily. "So .. what happens now?"
"Today now?" Duncan smiled. "How about lunch?"
"Lunch?" Richie nearly fell backwards off the desk in surprise. "First you guys .. then I .. then we .. and you want to talk about lunch?"
"No. I want to eat lunch." Duncan pointed out, standing up. "and I want you to help me cook."
"Oh. I get it." Richie slid reluctantly off the desk. "KP duty."
"Richie. I'm not punishing you." Duncan told him. "I just thought .. it would be nice to do something together. I .. look about before .. I shouldn't have yelled ..I didn't mean to .. "
"Is that an apology?" Richie looked like he wasn't quite sure.
"Yeah. I'm sorry. OK?" Duncan made a face at him and tousled his hair.
"Well, that's a first." Richie shook his head, a slight smile on his face. "Its usually me doing all the apologising."
"Really?" Duncan smiled.
"Yeah. Whatever." Richie grinned. "So what are we going to cook?"
"I dunno." Duncan shrugged. "What can you cook?"
"Do you have any fresh tomatoes?"
***
"Richie that was wonderful." Tessa put down her knife and fork. "Where did you learn to cook like that?"
"Teresa taught me." Richie looked bashful. "She said anyone who ate as much as I did needed to learn how to cook."
"And it's a great way to attract the ladies." Duncan put in.
"That too." Richie grinned, with a blush.
Tessa reached over the table and covered Richie's hand with her own.
"You were very happy there? N'est pas?"
"Yeah." Richie smiled softly. "Teresa was great. She just treated me like one of the family, and Maria was like having an actual sister, you know?"
"I know." Tessa smiled.
"How long were you there?" Duncan gathered up his and Tessa's plates, trying not to look too interested.
"Um. Real long time." Richie popped his own plate into the sink. "Almost a whole year."
Duncan and Tessa exchanged a glance over his head.
"What happened?" Tessa asked softly.
"Doesn't matter." Richie scrubbed a little too hard at his plate.
"Richie. It matters." Duncan came to stand beside him.
"No. Look, why are you so interested anyway?" Richie's voice rose. "Its ancient history." He slammed the plate into the drainer so hard that a crack blossomed across the fine porcelain.
"Oh man." Richie looked up at them in dismay. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to .."
"That's alright." Tessa soothed. "Sometimes when we are upset we all say and do things that we do not mean ..."
"Oh, he meant it alright." Richie muttered darkly.
Tessa looked up at Duncan, her face full of concern.
"Meant what Rich?" Duncan asked calmly, keeping his tone carefully neutral.
"That Richie Ryan wasn't the type of kid that any father could ever be proud of." Richie spat.