Ok, so this chapter just didn't seem to want to end... nearly done now I think. Two or three more chapters and I should be done. I have my planned ending anyway, just gotta type it.

Chapter nine:

It had been four weeks since the stabbing and since then nothing. No sign of that Campbell guy. No sign of the hazel eyed guy or his pal. Nothing. Richie was getting better, his progress impressing the doctors who had been certain something major would go wrong after he left the hospital in the middle of the night. He could walk around the apartment now on his own. The pain was lessening and he didn't need his painkillers as often to sleep at night. There were still twinges and if he did too much it hurt like hell, but other than that he was doing pretty good. He did tire quickly though and spent a lot more time sleeping than he used too... Of course he barely slept at night because of the nightmares he'd told everyone he'd stopped having so it wasn't surprising he slept a lot in the day. Mac and Tessa seemed to accept that it was part of the healing process and Richie figured as soon as Mac took the guys head and he was safe the nightmares would stop... At least that's what he told himself every night when he woke up in a cold sweat.

Richie was still rarely left on his own. Mac or Connor were always with him unless he was in his bedroom or the bathroom. Tessa, apparently, wasn't enough protection for him... Richie knew they were searching for Campbell every waking hour of the day that they weren't with Richie, but so far without success. Neither of them had any idea where he'd gone, but from what Mac had said he wasn't going to give up till Richie was well and truly dead.

The thought sent a shiver down his back, which Tessa, of course, noticed.

"Richie? Are you cold? Do you want another blanket? A hot drink?" she asked jumping to her feet to fetch whatever Richie required.

"Tess, I'm fine, stop panicking," Richie assured her.

They were sat together on the sofa watching TV together. It was something they never used to do but now did every day. It had become routine in the last week. Richie would get up and dressed, then head to the kitchen where Tessa would be making breakfast for the two of them and whichever Immortal wasn't out searching for Campbell. Then they'd go sit together on the sofa and watch TV or just talk for a while until either Connor or Mac returned and swapped with the other. Richie usually fell asleep at least once in this time and would wake up with Tessa's arm draped round him. At first he found this a little embarrassing, but the more it happened the more he grew used to it and the more he liked it.

Slowly, still looking enquiringly at Richie Tessa sat back down. "You would tell me if there was something on your mind?" she asked softly.

"Course I would," Richie answered not making eye contact.

"Promise me," Tessa said obviously not quite believing him.

"Tess..." Richie began and stopped himself. He couldn't lie to her... "Ok. I am still kinda worrying about stuff but it's no biggie." Richie shrugged and tried to smile.

Tessa pursed her lips. "What exactly are you worried about?" she asked.

Richie forced himself to look at her. "It doesn't matter Tess," he said trying to sound like he meant it. "Can we just drop it? Please?"

Tessa frowned deeply. "For now," She said finally and Richie relaxed visibly. "Only for now, Richie." Tessa repeated.

That would do for Richie. "OK," he said and returned his attention to the TV. At least he'd managed to put Tessa off for a bit. He knew now from experience that if it had been Mac they'd be having another heart to heart now and Richie really didn't feel like crying today.

******

"Can we talk?"

Richie resisted the urge to groan out loud. Of course it was too good to be true. Of course Tessa had told Mac she thought there was a problem and of course now Mac had come to "talk".

"Sure," Richie said putting down his magazine and glancing at the clock. 10.30pm. Mac had been out late tonight, maybe this wasn't about earlier.

"You know Tessa's worried about you?" Mac said dashing Richie's hopes.

Richie shrugged. "I'm ok."

"Didn't we have this conversation before?" Mac asked walking over to the bed.

"Yeah, so we don't need to have it again, right?" Richie asked hopefully.

"It depends. Are you really ok or is Tessa right?"

Richie shrugged.

"Come on Rich. You know keeping things to yourself won't do you any good. Tell me what's bothering you and I'll help."

"It's nothing Mac. I just... It's been a month," Richie finished quietly.

"I know," Mac sighed and sat on the edge of the bed. "We will find him though. He can't hide from me forever."

"Yeah. I know," Richie said, meaning it. "but it still plays on my mind sometimes. But I am doing ok Mac."

"Are you still having nightmares?"

"Sometimes." Sure that wasn't technically true. He had nightmares all the time, day and night and they were getting worse as time passed not better. But as Richie had told Mac they'd stopped after Tessa got home he didn't want to admit they were still occurring now, two weeks after that. Lying once was bad enough.

"you said they'd stopped," Mac said calmly, though it was obvious he wasn't very happy.

"it's only sometimes Mac. It's not a huge deal." Richie said defensively.

"No?" Mac raised a brow. "Then why not tell me? You only keep things to yourself when they are a big deal."

"Like you don't have enough problems right now," Richie said beginning to feel uncomfortable. He was coming very close to outright lying and he didn't want to, but he didn't want Mac to make a big fuss about this.

"We aren't talking about me Rich." Mac said. "We're talking about you. Now I'm going to ask you a question and I want you tell me the truth. Got it?"

He was using a tone of voice Richie knew very well from many a foster home. It was the ' I know you're lying so tell me the truth now' tone.

Richie nodded silently, not looking at Mac.

"Are you having nightmares again?"

Richie nodded.

"Did they actually at any point stop?" Mac asked.

Slowly Richie shook his head, thinking to himself that was more than one question, but knowing better than to voice the thought.

"So you lied to me?" He didn't sound angry. He sounded hurt, which made Richie feel worse than he thought possible. He chose not answering to admitting it.

"Richie look at me," Mac commanded.

Richie shook his head.

"Why not?" Mac asked, his tone now gentle.

"I don't wanna," Richie said softly. He couldn't handle Mac looking disappointedly at him.

"Richie..." Mac sighed.

"I wanted them to go away," Richie said staring at his hands. "I don't wanna talk about them cos then it's like it's all fresh in my mind. Please leave it alone Mac. Just for a little bit. I can't handle it all right now."

Mac didn't say anything for a long time. Eventually he shifted his position on the bed and put an arm around Richie.

"Ok then. I won't push Richie if you don't lie to me. Tell me to back off and I will, but don't lie to me."

"Ok," Richie agreed.

"Good. Now that's sorted you get some sleep." Mac said. "I'm going to be staying right here tonight and every other night till something changes. Clear?"

Richie nodded. He was glad Mac was staying with him, but he wasn't about to say it. Asking him once had been hard enough. If he was offering though Richie wasn't going to complain. He was safe with Mac. Nothing, nightmare or anything else could hurt him if Mac was with him.

*****

Richie woke very briefly after a nightmare free night at 6am when Mac got up.

"You ok Rich?" Mac asked softly.

"Mmmm," Richie muttered, rolling over and going back to sleep immediately. Who in their right mind would get out of bed at 6 in the morning if they didn't have to?

At the slightly later than usual but much more decent time of 9am Richie rolled out of bed to begin his morning routine with Tessa.

Mac had been there that morning but left at lunchtime when Connor returned unsuccessful yet again from his search that day. The rest of the afternoon passed without incident. Around three Richie ventured downstairs to the store to offer Tessa some help. Connor, of course followed him and they set up residence in the office, Richie working on invoices, Connor reading a book.

It was a little before closing time when it happened.

Richie had had enough of invoices and was about to head upstairs. Tessa was discussing a piece with some customers and Connor was following closely behind Richie. So closely that when Richie stopped suddenly Connor walked into him.

"Richie!" Connor began but stopped when he saw the look of pure terror on his face. "What's wrong?" He asked.

Richie didn't answer. He was listening to the conversation Tessa was having. He knew that voice. He'd never forget that voice. It belonged to the man who'd been there with the hazel eyed man. A man who had coldly stated Richie had to die four weeks previous.

One of Richie's would be killers was in the store, talking to Tessa...

Tessa...

Richie spun round to face Connor, who was looking pretty confused by now.

"Connor," the words stuck in Richie's throat. "That man. In the store."

Panic. He was on the verge of a full blown panic attack. Thankfully Connor didn't need to hear anything else.

Pulling his sword he stopped only long enough to tell Richie to lock the door behind him, then he disappeared into the store. Richie did as Connor had instructed and locked the door immediately before rushing to the office phone. Mac had a mobile phone, the number of which was taped to the computer monitor. Dialing quickly Richie waited what seemed like forever before Mac answered.

"You gotta get back here," Richie said quickly.

"What's happened?" Mac demanded in a tight voice.

"They're here Mac," Richie said. "Hurry."

"I'm on my way Richie, just do what Connor tells you."

The line went dead before Richie could respond. Next logical step was police Richie thought... Maybe he should have phoned the police before Mac... It didn't matter now. Richie punched in 911 and listened to it ring. He dropped the phone however when he heard a gun shot and a scream form Tessa.

Shit! Now what was he supposed to do? He couldn't just sit in here while Tessa was in danger. He couldn't live with himself if something happened to her. His safety was unimportant, he had to look after Tessa.

Richie didn't know whether to be relieved or scared when he saw Connor bleeding form a gunshot wound to the chest. Sure, it meant Tessa was ok, there had only been one shot. But it did mean that the only thing between Richie and the gun wielding maniac from the warehouse was the knife wielding hazel eyed maniac from the warehouse.

"Richie run!" Tessa screamed.

Hell no, he wasn't leaving her here with them.

"Richie? Is that your name?" Hazel eyes asked.

Richie didn't answer, didn't move. He had absolutely no idea what he was going to do now. Die probably...

"I have to say we were grudgingly impressed with you," he was continuing. "I stayed with you for fifteen minutes kid. You should be dead from a wound like the one I gave you and the amount of blood you lost, but here you are, looking the picture of health. Very impressive. It truly is a shame we have to kill you anyway." And he truly did look saddened.

"You talk a lot of crap you know?" Richie said finding his voice. If he was going to die he wasn't going to do it begging for his life like last time. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to. If killing me upsets you so much you don't have to do it. It's all you decision. You can blame anyone else you like but you're the one with the knife here. Your pal's the one with the gun. He pulled the trigger and killed him," Richie nodded at the now Connor, wondering how long it would take for him to wake up. Probably too long. So either do it or don't but either way stop spouting all this garbage."

Hazel eyes raised his eyebrows. "A little feistier this time aren't we? It'll be easier his time if you aren't begging for your life so I thankyou for that."

"You didn't have any trouble last time," Richie said ignoring the look on Tessa's face. He still hadn't mentioned begging for anything to anyone and Tessa had of course heard that comment.

"I'm a professional," hazel eyes said shrugging. "It was hard. You seem like a good kid, but in my line of work you can't afford to let that sway you."

"Just get on with it," man with gun growled. "I've had enough of this damn job already. Finish it."

Job. It. Nice way to describe me Richie thought.

"No!" Tessa said planting herself between Richie and the two men. "I will not let you hurt him again!"

"Lady. If I have to I'll kill you first," hazel eyes warned.

"I don't care. I will not stand by and let you do this!"

"Tessa, move," Richie said. He wasn't going to let her get hurt. No way.

"No!" Tessa said adamantly.

"Tess, please," Richie said trying to push her out of the way. He couldn't be responsible for her too.

"Lady move." Hazel eyes warned. "You don't have to die here."

"Leave Richie alone then, because I am not moving."

"So be it," Hazel eyes said and advanced on Tessa.

There was a grunting noise behind hazel eyes, who turned when he heard it. Man with gun was staring eyes wide with surprise. There was the point of a sword sticking out through his stomach. Connor, it would seem had revived.

Making the most of hazel eyes distraction Richie shoved Tess a out of the way and grabbing a paper weight from the desk he smashed one of the sword cabinets and grabbed a heavier than it looked sword. At the commotion behind him hazel eyes turned away from his dying partner and his now living again most recent victim and came face to face with Richie. Richie hesitated. Could he really kill someone? Even scum like this?

He didn't think so. Hazel eyes must have seen the indecision in his eyes and grinned. "I knew you were a good kid," he said then raised his knife.

The look of surprise on his face when an antique sword slid effortlessly through his abdomen might have been comical under any other circumstances. Instead Richie knew it would probably haunt him for the rest of his life.

Richie stepped back absently noting the mans blood on his own hands. He was a killer now. Did it count as murder still if it was self defence? And what really were the differences between a killer and a murderer? The end result was the same wasn't it? Someone was dead and the responsibility of that ended life lay squarely with him, Richie Ryan, One time petty thief, now moved on to killing.

Hazel eyes was on the floor now, he looked dead. There was so much blood. Too much for him to still be alive. You couldn't lose that much and live surely? And his eyes. His wide open, glassy hazel eyes, staring blankly at nothing. Why did dying people in films close there eyes when they died? Cos in reality that didn't happen did it? They stayed open. Someone had to shut them or they'd be stuck like that when rigamortis set in.

"Richie?" Tessa said softly.

Richie didn't look away from hazel eyes. He couldn't. He'd killed a man... Oh god he'd killed a man. And his blood was all over Richie. A dead mans blood was all over him!

Feeling suddenly sick Richie ran for the apartment, ignoring Tessa calling him back. He had to get to the bathroom. Richie stopped only long enough to lock the bathroom door behind him before proceeding to throw up violently. It lasted a few minutes and when he'd finished he became vaguely aware of Tessa banging on the bathroom door, demanding he let her in.

Richie ignored her and turned on the shower. Was it ok to have a shower? Wouldn't the police want to do forensic stuff before he had a shower and washed away evidence?

Who cares Richie thought. He knew what had happened. Connor and Tessa knew. It wasn't like he was about to deny it so they'd have a full confession. Sod forensics.

Richie climbed into the shower fully clothed and continued to ignore Tessa's knocking. After a few minutes he slumped down in the tub, pulling his knees up close and rested his head on them, letting the water continue to wash over him.

He had no idea how long he stayed there before someone broke the door down. Probably the police, Richie thought not moving his head off his knees. Well, if they'd come to arrest him so be it. He deserved to go to prison after all. He had just killed a man.

Someone turned the shower off and wrapped a towel around him.

"Come on, out you get," Mac said gently taking hold of Richie's arm.

What? No police? Richie thought as he let Mac get him out of the bath and steer him to his bedroom. Mac said nothing until he'd helped Richie get dry and into some pyjamas.

"Come on," Mac said in the same gentle tone he'd used in the bathroom. "Into bed."

Richie did as he was told. He was confused. Why weren't the police questioning him? Why wasn't Mac demanding to know why Richie had just skewered someone with one of his priceless swords? Sure Mac killed people all the time but they were Immortals. It's what they did. Hazel eyes was mortal. And Mac hated the killing of mortals.

Richie climbed into bed shivering now. He didn't know if it was from cold or fear but he couldn't stop it either way.

Richie resisted at first when Mac pulled him into a strong hug. He was a killer. Killers didn't deserve hugs...

"It's not your fault Richie," Mac said not letting Richie go when he tried to pull away. "You've done nothing wrong."

Bullshit, Richie thought. He'd killed someone. That was wrong.

"You did nothing wrong," Mac repeated.

Yes I did...

"Let it go Richie," Mac said. "It's just me. You're safe. Nothing bad will happen now. I'll take care of it all. Everything will be ok."

The tears came then. Richie wasn't sure what reason he was crying for, all he knew was he had to cry. And Mac wasn't letting him go. He wasn't shouting accusations. He was sorting it out. Everything would be ok....