The medical team and Richie were the first ones to reach Andrea. She wasn't moving and she was lying almost under her bike. They moved the bike and rolled her over so she was on her back. They kept saying that it didn't look good and by then the entire group was standing over her. Richie kept thinking about what happens when she doesn't wake up. Eric was furious with Richie and wouldn't let him near her. The medics said that they needed to get her to a hospital. They removed all her equipment and her helmet. They placed her on a backboard and carried her to the ambulance. Duncan told them to follow and got inside. Eric took one look at Richie and almost punched him. Richie just prayed that they didn't lose her.
They got to the hospital and from what they heard Andrea was crashing fast. Duncan stood in the doorway watching them take Andrea into the other room. Amanda sat with him while Richie was off by himself. Eric paced and Methos sat with Joe.
"I can't believe this." said Eric with a look of terror and anger
"Eric she'll be alright she's a fighter." said Duncan trying to make things feel better than what he knew was true
"None of this would have happened if he wouldn't have pushed her so hard to race in the first place." said Eric to Richie
"This is not my fault. It was an accident." said Richie trying to keep himself from hitting the guy
"Guys this isn't helping Andrea." said Amanda
They sat there for the next hour an a half. When the doctor finally came out and told them that she was still unconscious but stable they all let go a little sigh of relief. The doctor told Duncan that he would be the only one allowed to see her right now. Richie insisted that he go in saying that he was family, but the doctor said that he couldn't allow it.
"Tough guy she's going to be alright." said Duncan gently squeezing his shoulder and following the doctor.
When Duncan walked into the room he saw Andrea's injuries for the first time. It looked worse then what it really was. She had her arm in a sling and she had cuts on her face and bruises. He sat down next to her and cried he didn't want to loose her like this.
"Andrea. Don't worry everyone is right outside. Andrea, open your eyes. Don't leave me I need you." said Duncan taking her hand. He sat with her til the doctor came back in and told him that they needed hi to leave. He didn't want to go home without Andrea.
"Mac how is she?" said everyone once he came out
"She's alright they want us to go home." said Duncan
"I'm not leaving." said Richie
"Rich there's nothing you can do here. I'm going to stay." said Duncan
"You want some company?" said Amanda
"No go." he said hugging her
"Call me if you need anything." said Adam taking Amanda with him
"I will." said Duncan giving Richie a reassuring look
Duncan stayed for the next twenty four hours waiting for her to wake up. The thought of losing her scared him the most. While he was waiting the news showed up wanting information and one of the reporters knew Duncan from a previous encounter.
"Macleod what are you doing here? Did you know the person in the crash?" said the reporter
"Yea its Andrea and there is no story here." said Duncan
"Did they say if she would be alright?"
"They don't know and I'd appreciate it if you'd keep my name and my family out of this. You can report the story, but do not mention our names." said Duncan
"Yea that's not a problem. Come on guys lets go back outside." said Diana
Duncan finally got word that Andrea was making progress. He went to call the group and let them know. Richie got himself to the hospital to be there when Andrea woke up. Eric arrived shortly after some what disgusted to see Richie there.
"She's breathing on her own." said Duncan when Richie walked in the room
"That's a good sign. Mac I'm sorry I didn't…"
"Richie don't you didn't know that this was going to happen. Are the reporters still outside?"
"Yea they are. I called the track and they said that they gave Andrea second place. They are going to send someone over when she'd better to give her the award."
"She'll be happy to hear It." said Mac
"How is she?" said Eric in the doorway
"She's breathing on her own." said Mac
"Good." said Eric
"I'm going to go get something to eat. Rich you want something?" said Mac
"No I'm good." said Richie pulling the chair to sit down next to Andrea. Eric stood on the other side wishing that Richie would just leave. He's the reason that she was laying here in the first place.
Finally Andrea opened her eyes to see bright lights and hear voices yelling her name. When things came into focus her first reaction was her father's hand in hers. He hugged her and Richie did too. Eric stood there smiling at her
"Eric." said Andrea reaching for him
"Hey there Andie." said Eric taking her hand
"How are you feeling?" said Richie
"I'm good now that Eric is here. Where is everyone else?" said Andrea
"They are back at the loft." said Richie
"Hello Andrea how do you feel?" said the doctor
"I'm sore, but I guess that's something to be expected." said Andrea still holding onto Eric's hand.
"We need to do some scans of your brain to make sure that everything is alright."
"I'm going to go call everyone so they can stop panicking." said Duncan leaving the room
"Do you need anything?" said Richie
"No I'm fine Rich thanks. What's the news saying about me?" said Andrea turning to him
"I called and they are going to give you second place." said Richie
"That's great Rich so did I do great?"
"You were wonderful." said Richie kissing her
The next few days Andrea went through tests and they finally released her to go home. Everyone came back to the hospital to help her. They had decorated the loft for her welcome home party. Amanda had made enough food to feed them for months. Eric made sure that Andrea had everything that she needed. Riche was beginning to hate Eric even more.
"Hey guys thanks for the party and everything, but I think I just need to sleep." said Andrea
"We are glad you are alright." said Adam and Joe each giving her a hug
"You need anything?" said Duncan
"No I'm good. Richie thanks." said Andrea laying there
"I'll be back later to check on you." said Richie eyeing Eric
They were all walking out when Andrea asked Eric to stay with her. Richie couldn't believe what he'd just heard. Andrea had chosen that jerk over him? Was there something more going on between them that Andrea wasn't telling him? He decided to check with Mac before he did anything
"Hey Mac what's with Eric?" said Richie
"What do you mean?" said Duncan cleaning up
"The history between them?" said Richie
"They are friends. Eric was a good friend of mine during the war and he was there when Andrea was born. They've always been close and I'm glad too cause I don't know what I would have done if he hadn't have been there for her when Tess died." said Duncan noticing his look changing. "Tough guy don't worry she loves you." said Mac
"I know that." said Richie helping him, but still wishing that Andrea hadn't chosen Eric over him
The next couple of days though didn't get much better between Richie and Eric. Richie wanted to take his head every time that he touched Andrea. Andrea though still wanted to spend time with Richie and it helped him feel better, but he just wished he knew why Eric stuck around if he wasn't here to kill anyone. Have seven immortals in one area let alone one house made for an easy target. Richie though wanted to make sure that Andrea was happy so he tried his best to get along with Eric. One night Andrea wanted them both to come to dinner with her. They both agreed and when they got there they found Andrea dressed to kill. Richie thought he saw Tessa standing there instead.
"Hi guys thanks for coming." said Andrea giving them each a kiss
"Andrea you look wonderful, but don't you think that this is a little soon to be doing this much? The doctor said that you should take it easy for a couple of more weeks." said Eric
"Eric relax we aren't going to be doing anything except having dinner." said Andrea grabbing her purse
"Andrea how are you doing?" said Richie helping her
"I'm doing better. My side still is blue and I have those stitches still, but other than that I'm almost myself." said Andrea taking his arm
"They'd like to do a conference as soon as you feel you are ready." said Richie
"News conference? Andrea isn't doing a news conference anytime soon." said Eric
"They just want you to make a general statement on the accident." said Richie
"I'll think about it." said Andrea feeling the tension between the two guys. She didn't like the fact they let this whole thing get between them. Andrea wanted them both to know that she really appreciated their help. The fact that she had no deep relationship with either of them seemed to her to make this easier, but then again they had both been really great friends.
They decided to be civil to each other for sake of Andrea. They all had a great time and when the night was over Richie got dropped off last. Richie watched them carefully and saw them kiss goodnight. Richie tried to shrug it off but it seemed to be a very long kiss to him. Richie just wanted to go ring that guys neck. Andrea was happy though and that's what really mattered. Richie got dropped off at his place even though Mac wasn't going to be home til tomorrow. He let her come in and sit and talk.
"I'm proud of you." said Richie to Andrea who was lying with her head in his lap
"I know Richie. Thanks for being there for Me." she said placing her hand in his and closing her eyes
"No problem Andrea you mean the world to me. When I saw you trying to pass the last guy I thought yes she's going to make it. She's going to win. Then when I thought that I might lose you the entire world stopped and all I could think of was what would happen to Mac and all those people who loved you." said Richie gently stroking her hair back
"I'm not leaving you Richie. I could never leave you." said Andrea falling asleep.
In the morning Richie made Andrea breakfast and then drove her back to the loft just before Mac walked through the door. Richie said that he had things to do and left. Duncan explained that Amanda had to leave again and that Joe looked forward to the day she got back to work. Andrea did her work around the loft while Duncan did his and they worked out together which Duncan enjoyed since they hadn't been doing workouts together. Duncan made sure that she didn't over do it. Then all of sudden he felt not one but two immortals and he grabbed his sword just as Richie and Eric came flying in the doors in what looked like Eric trying to kill Richie and about to succeed. Andrea went to stop them, but Duncan got there first and put his sword in between Richie and Eric.
"What the hell do you think you two are doing? Tell me that this isn't for real?" said Andrea angry
"Andrea you'll thank me for saving you from this jerk." said Eric
"Wait I'm the jerk?!" said Richie getting in his face even with Duncan there
"Yeah you are the one who slept with her last night." said Eric yelling it
"What me sleeping with her?!" said Richie like she was the last person he'd want to sleep with
"Eric I spent the night there, but nothing happened." said Andrea shocked at the accusation
"I don't suppose that you and Andrea spending all afternoon together nothing happened between you?" said Richie
"I love her." said Eric trying to get Richie
"Guys hang on. Eric, Richie and I are good friends. He's been there for me through a lot and I wouldn't trade any of it for anything. He's been like a brother to me and what did you expect to happen between us? You want me to fall in love with you?" said Andrea
"Andrea you know that I care for you and that I can care for you way better then this kid can." said Eric
"Hold on one second. Are you hitting on my daughter?" said Duncan to Eric
"Mac come on I didn't mean anything by that." said Eric
"I think that you did and I think that it's time that you leave before I take your head." said Duncan holding his sword at Eric's throat. Richie stood behind him hiding a smile.
Eric left finally and Andrea just stood there staring at Richie in shock. Duncan didn't know what to say to Andrea or Richie he just went back to the office. Richie went to say something to Andrea and he got it thrown back into his face.
"Man I can't believe him." said Richie
"No Richie I can't believe you. I can't believe that you can't trust me enough to know that there was nothing going on between Eric and I. I can't believe that you did what you did last night to get back at him? I have never been more disgusted with you. Get out of here." said Andrea
"Andrea…" said Richie
"No Richie leave now." said Andrea almost in tears
"I'm sorry." said Richie before he left
Duncan stood there watching Andrea. He walked over to her just in time to catch her as she passed out.
**** Please Review*****