AN: Hey guys thanks so much for the reviews!! Here's the next part.

Joe arrived at the hospital at seven in the morning. True to his word he wanted Richie to be able to get some rest. Dri would be out of it for a while, so there was no point in him being there twenty four seven. The kid was immortal, he wasn't superman.

Joe walked over and gently put a hand on Richie's shoulder. He was surprised when the younger man jumped out of the chair, knocking the notebook to the ground.

"Take it easy, Richie. It's just me."

Richie looked a little disoriented at first, but then his eyes focused on the watcher.

"Oh, hey Joe."

"You okay kid?"

"Yeah, yeah," Richie said quickly. "Just a bad dream."

Joe wasn't sure he believed the kid, but he let it go. Richie reached down and picked up the notebook.

"What have you been writing in that thing?" Joe asked.

Richie shrugged. "Nothing much. Just some stuff."

"Oh that clears things up."

Richie smiled.

"Okay, kid I won't push," Joe sighed. "But I'm going to be really stern on you going home and getting some rest."

"No problem," Richie replied. "I could use a shower."

Joe raised an eyebrow. He had expected Richie to put up a little more of a fight. He was so attached to the girl. However he wasn't about to argue with him about it.

"Well then go. I'll stay here with Dri."

Richie walked over to the bed and kneeled down to Dri. He caressed her cheek and she opened her eyes groggily. She turned her head slightly to see who had woken her. Dri smiled when Richie came into site.

"Hey beautiful."

"Mmm Richie."

"How are you feeling?"

She swallowed and took a deep breath before answering. "Horrible." She smiled.

"You're going to be all right."

Her face suddenly became serious. "I'm scared Richie."

He was still caressing her cheek. "Don't be. You're going to be fine."

"Promise?"

Richie smiled. "I promise. Everything is going to be all right."

She smiled weakly at him.

"Listen beautiful, I've got to go for a little while, but I'll be back soon."

"Don't go," She whispered.

"Hey I'll be back," He bent up and kissed her forehead. "Besides you've got Richie Jr. and Joe to keep you company. I don't want the room to get too crowded."

"Mm come back soon," Dri told him.

"Real soon," Richie replied. "Get some rest."

She slightly nodded and closed her eyes. Richie got up and turned back to Joe.

"Dr. McDugan was here earlier. She said Dri was better, but she's not out of the woods yet."

Joe knew where he was going with this. "Don't worry kid; I'll call you if anything changes."

The watcher pulled out his cell phone and handed it to Richie. "Just in case."

"Thanks Joe." He spared one last look at Dri and then walked out of the room.

When Richie arrived at his apartment he immediately went into the bedroom and grabbed his guitar. It had been so long since he played it that it was covered in dust. Tessa had loved hearing him play. When Richie first realized she was listening he became self conscious, but Tessa encouraged him to play.

They would sit there day after day and she would listen to him play. Giving him suggestions and constructive criticism along the way. Mac never knew. Richie was a little embarrassed about it and didn't' want the Highlander to know.

When Tessa died he couldn't bring himself to play again. It wasn't the same without her sitting there, drinking tea and smiling at him. It wasn't the same without her beautiful laugh and soft voice encouraging him to do what he loved.

Richie didn't throw out the guitar because he thought he owed it to Tessa to keep as a memory. So it always stayed in its stand in the corner of his room. No one could play it, no one could touch it. It was a memory, nothing more.

Richie wiped the dust away and sat on his bed. He opened the notebook next to him and started playing with the cords. He was a little rusty at first, but then it started coming back to him. He had to admit that it felt strange without Tessa there, but he also knew that Tessa would want him to do this for Dri.

Tessa had always wanted a daughter, but immortals couldn't have children, so there was no chance of her getting pregnant with Duncan. Richie thought about Tessa for a moment and how much she would have loved Dri. She would have spoiled and smothered her to death.

Richie smiled thinking about the two of them going at it. Dri was pretty independent, but he could also see where she could have used the motherly love Tessa would have so willingly provided. They never found the guy who shot Tessa. It wasn't fair. They could have been one big happy family if Tessa would have been alive. Not that they weren't now, but at least Dri would have had a mother.

Richie shook the image from his mind. No use dwelling on what will never be. He leaned back over his guitar and began strumming the cords. If anyone was worth playing for it was Dri. She had brought something to his life. He never thought he'd be able to love someone more than himself, but he did and he does.

TBC..Please, Pretty Please, Review!!!