Alex did indeed come through for Richie and had all the information he
needed. After hanging up with Alex he picked up his cell phone and dialed
what felt like a thousand numbers then waited for someone to pick up.
"Hello?" an unfamiliar accented voice answered.
"Uh, I'm looking for Duncan MacLeod. I think I have the right number..."
"Oh, you do," the voice assured him. "I'll get him for you."
"Thanks."
There was a brief silence. "MacLeod," the line picked up again.
"Hey, Mac, it's me," there was a pause. "Uh, Richie."
"I know. Is everything okay?"
Obviously Richie was more excited to talk to Duncan than Duncan was to talk to him.
"Nothing's wrong, but I could use some help."
"What's going on?" Duncan asked neutrally.
"Brandon died. He's at my place right now. I was hoping you could help me out. I'm not really sure what to do."
"Where are you?" Duncan asked, his tone changing.
"Hawaii...the big island. Would it be a problem for you to get here?"
"Of course not. I've got you on caller ID. What airport are you closest to?"
"Hilo."
"Alright, I'll call the airline then call you back."
"Great. Uh, thanks, Mac."
"No problem."
They hung up.
"Hi," Heather softly announced her presence.
Richie turned around to face her. "Hey...you okay? You look a little...off."
"All those things you told me about, the swords, hiding, killing...does Brandon have to do all that?"
"He'll have to learn. Maybe you and David should join me and Brandon and I can explain what's happening to all of you."
A few minutes later, they had all gathered in the living room. Brandon was on the couch between Heather and David and Richie was on the coffee table in front of them.
"Okay, I'll give you the basics then you guys ask whatever you want. That sound okay?" Everyone agreed. "Okay, Brandon, you are immortal. That means you can't age; you'll heal very quickly...almost instantly...and the only way you can die permanently is if you get your head cut off. In order to avoid that, you'll have to learn how to use a sword and defend yourself. That's what you need a teacher for. That's what I'm going to help you with. I'll find you a teacher."
"Will I have to cut people's heads off?" Brandon asked.
"At times you will have the choice. Sometimes you won't have a choice. It's you or them."
"No choice? Him or them?" Heather repeated.
"It's called the Gathering. It's like this giant battle. Immortal versus immortal until there's only one left. It's, like, the whole reason for our existence, to try an' win."
"You've taken heads? How many?" David demanded.
Richie thought about it. "Somewhere between a dozen and twenty. I'm not big on killing. I try to avoid it when I can, but sometimes it's unavoidable."
"How can you speak so calmly about murder?"
"It's part of who I am," Richie defended. "Part of who Brandon is now, too."
"That's a pretty crappy excuse. Would that hold up in court?"
"This isn't about your laws," Richie told him, trying to hold his temper.
"My laws?"
"Yes, your laws. The Gathering has nothing to do with mortal laws. We have our own laws for the Game."
"The Game, is that the Gathering?" Brandon asked.
"Yes, kinda, it's more the fighting that happens."
"What are the rules?"
"Fight fair. You get your sword and that's it. Most people follow that one, but you have to look out for those who don't. You'll learn later that sometimes...well, Mac would kill me if I corrupted you like that so soon into all this. I'll let him make you honorable then I'll make you practical. The most important thing you have to remember is you can't fight on holy ground and all fights are one on one, no interfering once a fight is joined."
"Holy ground?"
"Anything that is considered holy to any religion, churches, graveyards, burial grounds...all that stuff. You'll always be safe when you're on holy ground. You can't kill there and neither can any other immortal. It's sanctuary."
"But it's okay to kill anywhere else?"
"If you have a reason," Richie told him sternly looking him straight in the eye. "You don't kill because you feel like it or you're mad or bored. You got me?" Brandon nodded. Richie's expression softened. "Look, man, I know this is hard to accept. It's pretty out there... but it's true."
"I believe you."
"Don't know why but you do?" Richie asked with a knowing smile.
"Yeah..."
"That's what it was like for me, too."
"He doesn't have a choice?" Heather asked.
"Afraid not...unless he wants to be a monk or priest for a few thousand years or something. Which isn't unheard of. It is always an option. But even then, you have to train," he told Brandon. "Never assume you're safe."
"What if someone challenges me? I don't know how to fight."
"There is one exception to no interfering. And that's if you're under someone's protection. Which you are. As long as you're learning, your teacher will protect you. Only when you are ready, will you be able to take on your own challenge."
"How do you know when you're ready?"
"Your teacher tells you." As if on cue the phone rang. Richie smiled reading the caller ID on his cell phone. "Speaking of...Hello? Hey, Mac...okay, hang on a sec." He got up and jogged into the kitchen so he could write down the flight information. "Okay, got it," his voice floated into the living room. "No, don't worry about that, I'll come get you." There was a knock on the front door. "Uh, yeah, no problem." He went to answer the door. "Yeah, sure, of course. Plenty of room for ya. Look, someone's at the door." He opened it and found Kemi on his porch. "Oh crap... I gotta go. See you Sunday. No, no nothing's wrong. I just gotta go. Bye." He hung up. "I am so sorry, Kemi," he said opening the door so she could step inside.
"What happened? Where were you?"
"Kemi, I'm sorry. Something came up; I totally forgot."
"Really?" Kemi wasn't buying it.
"Richie, is everything okay?" Heather asked coming around the corner.
"Something came up?" Kemi asked crossing her arms. "Who's that?"
Richie's mind raced. "My sister," he heard himself answer. "Heather... Uh, Heather this is Kemi. I kinda stood her up tonight."
"It's nice to meet you, Kemi," Heather said slipping into the role Richie had given her. "Richie told me a lot about you. It was really cute how excited he was when he finally asked you out. I've been telling him to for ages."
"Yeah...on that note, you wanna talk outside?" Richie offered, opening the door and gesturing her ahead of him.
Heather smiled at him as he closed the door behind himself. She couldn't resist peeking out the window. They talked for a minute then sat down on the swinging bench. They were angled toward each other, holding hands. Richie was leaning in to her speaking softly and grinning shyly every time he looked up at her. Soon he had her smiling and nodding her head. She said something and he laughed then leaned in to kiss her.
Heather stepped back and let the curtain fall closed. She used to be the one sitting on the porch making out with him. She had been the young object of his affection. It was hard to see him, looking the same young age flirting with and kissing a young girl. She stood frozen in the foyer for a brief moment until David came to see what had happened.
"Oh, uh, Richie's girlfriend came by," she explained. "He accidentally stood her up because of us."
"That's really tacky of him, parading her around like that," David mumbled peeking out the window at the couple making out on the porch.
"He's not parading, you're spying. He was plenty flustered when she showed up. We should leave them alone." She turned and headed back to the living room.
"I really don't like this guy," David said following her. "All this crap he's been spouting off about living forever, fighting with swords...you don't believe all this do you?"
"Of course I do. Richie's a year older than I am and looks like he just graduated from high school. You've seen Brandon's car, there's no way he should be alive, much less on vacation in Hawaii. Alex's entire profession revolves around it. What am I supposed to believe?"
Before David could answer the door opened and Richie yelled an apology. "Heather, I'm sorry...that was incredibly awkward," he said with a shy grin approaching them. "That whole sister thing just came out. I hope you don't mind. I totally forgot about our date and panicked when she showed up."
"She isn't mad at you, is she?"
"Naw, we're cool."
"Who?" Brandon asked coming out to see what they were talking about.
"Kemi... my sorta girlfriend."
"How can she only sorta be your girlfriend?"
"Tonight was supposed to be our first date, but I kinda...forgot about it in all the excitement."
"I'm sorry," Brandon mumbled looking at his feet.
"For what?" Brandon didn't answer. "Can you give us a sec?" he asked Heather and David. "Okay, come 'ere." He took him Brandon to the couch and they sat down. "It's not your fault you died. And just so we have the record straight, I told Alex to bring you here. He didn't ask me. This isn't any sort of burden. I happen to like you."
"You barely know me."
"So I haven't seen you in a few years. You used to kick my butt at Nintendo everyday. We used to play catch, go for walks, do all sorts of stuff. You don't remember, but I do." Brandon just looked at him. "I do realize how creepy that sounded, but just take it as I do know you."
Brandon smiled. "Okay."
"So don't feel bad. I knew this would happen, but I was hoping you'd at least make it longer than I did."
"How old were you?"
"19, just barely, so not much older than you."
"How long ago?"
"About 15 years."
"That is so bizarre. You look like you could be my twin."
Richie smiled. "You'll get used to the idea."
"How long did it take you?"
"I got introduced to this differently than you did. I knew about immortals about a year before I died, and I was always suspicious, anyway. But I was given this all a lot more gradually than you."
"Really? What happened?"
Richie smiled. "I'll tell you later."
"But..." Brandon protested.
"It's getting late."
"It's only ten!"
"And you have an early start in the morning. So, unless you want to be dead on your feet I suggest you get to bed."
"What about you?"
"I'll be right behind you. We're talking early, so be ready for me."
Everyone said their good nights and they went to bed.
. . . . . .
At five fifteen the next morning, Richie, dressed and ready to go, snuck into Brandon's room with his Discman in his hands. He slid the headphones over Brandon's ears and hit play. The teen jerked awake the flung the headphones across the room.
"Don't you like Bowling for Soup?" Richie asked innocently. Brandon stared at him from where he was huddled against the headboard. "Be ready in ten minutes."
"For what?"
"We'll start easy today, just a couple miles."
"Running?"
"Jogging, probably. It depends on how in shape you are. I'll make us something to eat while you get dressed."
Brandon trudged into the kitchen fifteen minutes later, dressed in gym shorts and a T-shirt. Richie handed him a protein shake. "It's good, I promise. I put in lots of chocolate." Brandon took the glass and sniffed at it. "I wouldn't advise that. It tastes good, but smells like crap." He held up his own glass in salute then downed it. Brandon followed suit.
"Not bad," he commented.
"Told ya," Richie grinned. "Okay, just in case Heather or what's-his-name get up before we get back..." He wrote a note on the refrigerator door with a dry erase marker. "But we shouldn't be too long."
They walked out into the front yard where Skye was waiting for them. Richie led Brandon through some stretches while Skye bounced around them. "You may think this is pointless, but once I was running late and skipped it...I was in agony," Richie warned. "It's up to you when you're on your own, but any teacher is going to make you."
The three jogged the bike path through Richie's neighborhood. They stopped to flirt with a couple girls roller blading down the same path.
"See early morning jogging isn't so bad when you take the scenery into account," Richie panted as he and Brandon slowed down to a walk for the last quarter mile. Brandon could only nod in response because he was panting so hard. "It'll get easier, trust me." Richie clapped the younger immortal on the back as they went up the steps to the porch. "Why don't you hit the showers and I'll make us some eggs. Brandon nodded and stumbled down the hall.
"You must have really put him through the ringer," Heather greeted Richie from the kitchen table as he rounded the corner. "I hope you don't mind. I snooped and made some coffee." She held up her cup.
"Oh, yeah, no prob...mi casa es su casa. Just make yourself at home." He rummaged through the empty cabinets and refrigerator. "Well, crap."
"What's wrong?"
"For all the stuff I did to get ready for you guys coming I, in my infinite wisdom, forgot to go to the store."
"Ooooohh, smart one."
"Genius material. I can't believe I didn't notice how empty this thing was this morning," he laughed. "It echoes in here!"
Heather laughed. "I'm sure we can survive on Pop Tarts today."
"Trust me, Brandon's gonna want more."
"You're gonna want more, you mean."
"That too," he admitted. "I'll go get cleaned up and then we can all go get some food. And then I'll hit the store some time today."
"Richie, we'll be fine. You don't have to do all this. I actually feel really bad for dumping all this on you," she protested. "But after the accident..." she teared up. "I'm sorry, it's just... I didn't know what to do and when Alex said he knew where you were... It was all.... I'm sorry." She wiped at her eyes.
"No, Heather." Richie knelt in front of her. "First off, you know I don't handle crying women well." She laughed. "There's that smile I fell in love with. And if you promise not to hate me, I'll admit that I knew this was gonna happen."
"You knew?" David asked from the doorway.
Richie looked up, he hadn't noticed the mortal. "Yeah. And I know it's rotten of me to not have said anything. But I couldn't." He looked back at Heather. "That's part of why I wanted you to know you could always come to me if something happened. I'm sorry, but I couldn't tell you."
"Why not?" she asked.
He shrugged. "Tradition, I guess."
"Tradition?" She repeated with a slight edge in her voice.
"Heather, I was new to this, I still am. I can't judge by situation, I just go by what I've been told."
"That's a stupid tradition," David scoffed.
"Hey!" Richie stood up. "That's what Mac did to me and I turned out just fine," he snapped.
"Richie..." Heather stood as well. "Don't get so upset."
Richie paused. "Sorry," he apologized. "Don't know what that was all about."
"Is something wrong with you and Duncan?" Heather asked.
"We had a fight a few years back, and... well, we're still kinda at odds with each other."
"What happened?"
Richie paused. "It's hard to explain. But we'll work it out, don't worry." Heather still looked worried. "Don't sweat it. If we can't work it out, we'll just pretend it never happened and beat the crap outta each other sparring or something," he smiled at her. "We're manly that way." Richie saw Heather's mouth open, then close as if she was going to say something and changed her mind. "What? You know you can ask me anything. I may not answer, but you can ask," he grinned.
"Nothing important. I just wanted to know when Duncan was going to arrive."
Richie automatically looked down at his watch, "Oh crap." He started moving towards the other room. "His plane is due in a couple hours. If I clean up now, we have time to go to breakfast and make it to the airport in time to pick him up. I'll be out in 15." Richie cleared the doorway he was standing in and made a run to his bedroom and the free bathroom to clean up. It'd be a record, but he could take a shower and be ready to go in time. As he passed the bathroom Brandon was in, he banged on the door. "Hurry up, we gotta get going in 15 minutes so we can pick up Mac at the airport!"
Without waiting for Brandon to answer, he finished grabbing his clothes and headed for the shower. After one of the quickest showers he had ever taken in his life, he met the others at the door and shoved them with him on his way to the car. "Come on, this place I know makes the BEST pancakes and waffles ever."
"Hello?" an unfamiliar accented voice answered.
"Uh, I'm looking for Duncan MacLeod. I think I have the right number..."
"Oh, you do," the voice assured him. "I'll get him for you."
"Thanks."
There was a brief silence. "MacLeod," the line picked up again.
"Hey, Mac, it's me," there was a pause. "Uh, Richie."
"I know. Is everything okay?"
Obviously Richie was more excited to talk to Duncan than Duncan was to talk to him.
"Nothing's wrong, but I could use some help."
"What's going on?" Duncan asked neutrally.
"Brandon died. He's at my place right now. I was hoping you could help me out. I'm not really sure what to do."
"Where are you?" Duncan asked, his tone changing.
"Hawaii...the big island. Would it be a problem for you to get here?"
"Of course not. I've got you on caller ID. What airport are you closest to?"
"Hilo."
"Alright, I'll call the airline then call you back."
"Great. Uh, thanks, Mac."
"No problem."
They hung up.
"Hi," Heather softly announced her presence.
Richie turned around to face her. "Hey...you okay? You look a little...off."
"All those things you told me about, the swords, hiding, killing...does Brandon have to do all that?"
"He'll have to learn. Maybe you and David should join me and Brandon and I can explain what's happening to all of you."
A few minutes later, they had all gathered in the living room. Brandon was on the couch between Heather and David and Richie was on the coffee table in front of them.
"Okay, I'll give you the basics then you guys ask whatever you want. That sound okay?" Everyone agreed. "Okay, Brandon, you are immortal. That means you can't age; you'll heal very quickly...almost instantly...and the only way you can die permanently is if you get your head cut off. In order to avoid that, you'll have to learn how to use a sword and defend yourself. That's what you need a teacher for. That's what I'm going to help you with. I'll find you a teacher."
"Will I have to cut people's heads off?" Brandon asked.
"At times you will have the choice. Sometimes you won't have a choice. It's you or them."
"No choice? Him or them?" Heather repeated.
"It's called the Gathering. It's like this giant battle. Immortal versus immortal until there's only one left. It's, like, the whole reason for our existence, to try an' win."
"You've taken heads? How many?" David demanded.
Richie thought about it. "Somewhere between a dozen and twenty. I'm not big on killing. I try to avoid it when I can, but sometimes it's unavoidable."
"How can you speak so calmly about murder?"
"It's part of who I am," Richie defended. "Part of who Brandon is now, too."
"That's a pretty crappy excuse. Would that hold up in court?"
"This isn't about your laws," Richie told him, trying to hold his temper.
"My laws?"
"Yes, your laws. The Gathering has nothing to do with mortal laws. We have our own laws for the Game."
"The Game, is that the Gathering?" Brandon asked.
"Yes, kinda, it's more the fighting that happens."
"What are the rules?"
"Fight fair. You get your sword and that's it. Most people follow that one, but you have to look out for those who don't. You'll learn later that sometimes...well, Mac would kill me if I corrupted you like that so soon into all this. I'll let him make you honorable then I'll make you practical. The most important thing you have to remember is you can't fight on holy ground and all fights are one on one, no interfering once a fight is joined."
"Holy ground?"
"Anything that is considered holy to any religion, churches, graveyards, burial grounds...all that stuff. You'll always be safe when you're on holy ground. You can't kill there and neither can any other immortal. It's sanctuary."
"But it's okay to kill anywhere else?"
"If you have a reason," Richie told him sternly looking him straight in the eye. "You don't kill because you feel like it or you're mad or bored. You got me?" Brandon nodded. Richie's expression softened. "Look, man, I know this is hard to accept. It's pretty out there... but it's true."
"I believe you."
"Don't know why but you do?" Richie asked with a knowing smile.
"Yeah..."
"That's what it was like for me, too."
"He doesn't have a choice?" Heather asked.
"Afraid not...unless he wants to be a monk or priest for a few thousand years or something. Which isn't unheard of. It is always an option. But even then, you have to train," he told Brandon. "Never assume you're safe."
"What if someone challenges me? I don't know how to fight."
"There is one exception to no interfering. And that's if you're under someone's protection. Which you are. As long as you're learning, your teacher will protect you. Only when you are ready, will you be able to take on your own challenge."
"How do you know when you're ready?"
"Your teacher tells you." As if on cue the phone rang. Richie smiled reading the caller ID on his cell phone. "Speaking of...Hello? Hey, Mac...okay, hang on a sec." He got up and jogged into the kitchen so he could write down the flight information. "Okay, got it," his voice floated into the living room. "No, don't worry about that, I'll come get you." There was a knock on the front door. "Uh, yeah, no problem." He went to answer the door. "Yeah, sure, of course. Plenty of room for ya. Look, someone's at the door." He opened it and found Kemi on his porch. "Oh crap... I gotta go. See you Sunday. No, no nothing's wrong. I just gotta go. Bye." He hung up. "I am so sorry, Kemi," he said opening the door so she could step inside.
"What happened? Where were you?"
"Kemi, I'm sorry. Something came up; I totally forgot."
"Really?" Kemi wasn't buying it.
"Richie, is everything okay?" Heather asked coming around the corner.
"Something came up?" Kemi asked crossing her arms. "Who's that?"
Richie's mind raced. "My sister," he heard himself answer. "Heather... Uh, Heather this is Kemi. I kinda stood her up tonight."
"It's nice to meet you, Kemi," Heather said slipping into the role Richie had given her. "Richie told me a lot about you. It was really cute how excited he was when he finally asked you out. I've been telling him to for ages."
"Yeah...on that note, you wanna talk outside?" Richie offered, opening the door and gesturing her ahead of him.
Heather smiled at him as he closed the door behind himself. She couldn't resist peeking out the window. They talked for a minute then sat down on the swinging bench. They were angled toward each other, holding hands. Richie was leaning in to her speaking softly and grinning shyly every time he looked up at her. Soon he had her smiling and nodding her head. She said something and he laughed then leaned in to kiss her.
Heather stepped back and let the curtain fall closed. She used to be the one sitting on the porch making out with him. She had been the young object of his affection. It was hard to see him, looking the same young age flirting with and kissing a young girl. She stood frozen in the foyer for a brief moment until David came to see what had happened.
"Oh, uh, Richie's girlfriend came by," she explained. "He accidentally stood her up because of us."
"That's really tacky of him, parading her around like that," David mumbled peeking out the window at the couple making out on the porch.
"He's not parading, you're spying. He was plenty flustered when she showed up. We should leave them alone." She turned and headed back to the living room.
"I really don't like this guy," David said following her. "All this crap he's been spouting off about living forever, fighting with swords...you don't believe all this do you?"
"Of course I do. Richie's a year older than I am and looks like he just graduated from high school. You've seen Brandon's car, there's no way he should be alive, much less on vacation in Hawaii. Alex's entire profession revolves around it. What am I supposed to believe?"
Before David could answer the door opened and Richie yelled an apology. "Heather, I'm sorry...that was incredibly awkward," he said with a shy grin approaching them. "That whole sister thing just came out. I hope you don't mind. I totally forgot about our date and panicked when she showed up."
"She isn't mad at you, is she?"
"Naw, we're cool."
"Who?" Brandon asked coming out to see what they were talking about.
"Kemi... my sorta girlfriend."
"How can she only sorta be your girlfriend?"
"Tonight was supposed to be our first date, but I kinda...forgot about it in all the excitement."
"I'm sorry," Brandon mumbled looking at his feet.
"For what?" Brandon didn't answer. "Can you give us a sec?" he asked Heather and David. "Okay, come 'ere." He took him Brandon to the couch and they sat down. "It's not your fault you died. And just so we have the record straight, I told Alex to bring you here. He didn't ask me. This isn't any sort of burden. I happen to like you."
"You barely know me."
"So I haven't seen you in a few years. You used to kick my butt at Nintendo everyday. We used to play catch, go for walks, do all sorts of stuff. You don't remember, but I do." Brandon just looked at him. "I do realize how creepy that sounded, but just take it as I do know you."
Brandon smiled. "Okay."
"So don't feel bad. I knew this would happen, but I was hoping you'd at least make it longer than I did."
"How old were you?"
"19, just barely, so not much older than you."
"How long ago?"
"About 15 years."
"That is so bizarre. You look like you could be my twin."
Richie smiled. "You'll get used to the idea."
"How long did it take you?"
"I got introduced to this differently than you did. I knew about immortals about a year before I died, and I was always suspicious, anyway. But I was given this all a lot more gradually than you."
"Really? What happened?"
Richie smiled. "I'll tell you later."
"But..." Brandon protested.
"It's getting late."
"It's only ten!"
"And you have an early start in the morning. So, unless you want to be dead on your feet I suggest you get to bed."
"What about you?"
"I'll be right behind you. We're talking early, so be ready for me."
Everyone said their good nights and they went to bed.
. . . . . .
At five fifteen the next morning, Richie, dressed and ready to go, snuck into Brandon's room with his Discman in his hands. He slid the headphones over Brandon's ears and hit play. The teen jerked awake the flung the headphones across the room.
"Don't you like Bowling for Soup?" Richie asked innocently. Brandon stared at him from where he was huddled against the headboard. "Be ready in ten minutes."
"For what?"
"We'll start easy today, just a couple miles."
"Running?"
"Jogging, probably. It depends on how in shape you are. I'll make us something to eat while you get dressed."
Brandon trudged into the kitchen fifteen minutes later, dressed in gym shorts and a T-shirt. Richie handed him a protein shake. "It's good, I promise. I put in lots of chocolate." Brandon took the glass and sniffed at it. "I wouldn't advise that. It tastes good, but smells like crap." He held up his own glass in salute then downed it. Brandon followed suit.
"Not bad," he commented.
"Told ya," Richie grinned. "Okay, just in case Heather or what's-his-name get up before we get back..." He wrote a note on the refrigerator door with a dry erase marker. "But we shouldn't be too long."
They walked out into the front yard where Skye was waiting for them. Richie led Brandon through some stretches while Skye bounced around them. "You may think this is pointless, but once I was running late and skipped it...I was in agony," Richie warned. "It's up to you when you're on your own, but any teacher is going to make you."
The three jogged the bike path through Richie's neighborhood. They stopped to flirt with a couple girls roller blading down the same path.
"See early morning jogging isn't so bad when you take the scenery into account," Richie panted as he and Brandon slowed down to a walk for the last quarter mile. Brandon could only nod in response because he was panting so hard. "It'll get easier, trust me." Richie clapped the younger immortal on the back as they went up the steps to the porch. "Why don't you hit the showers and I'll make us some eggs. Brandon nodded and stumbled down the hall.
"You must have really put him through the ringer," Heather greeted Richie from the kitchen table as he rounded the corner. "I hope you don't mind. I snooped and made some coffee." She held up her cup.
"Oh, yeah, no prob...mi casa es su casa. Just make yourself at home." He rummaged through the empty cabinets and refrigerator. "Well, crap."
"What's wrong?"
"For all the stuff I did to get ready for you guys coming I, in my infinite wisdom, forgot to go to the store."
"Ooooohh, smart one."
"Genius material. I can't believe I didn't notice how empty this thing was this morning," he laughed. "It echoes in here!"
Heather laughed. "I'm sure we can survive on Pop Tarts today."
"Trust me, Brandon's gonna want more."
"You're gonna want more, you mean."
"That too," he admitted. "I'll go get cleaned up and then we can all go get some food. And then I'll hit the store some time today."
"Richie, we'll be fine. You don't have to do all this. I actually feel really bad for dumping all this on you," she protested. "But after the accident..." she teared up. "I'm sorry, it's just... I didn't know what to do and when Alex said he knew where you were... It was all.... I'm sorry." She wiped at her eyes.
"No, Heather." Richie knelt in front of her. "First off, you know I don't handle crying women well." She laughed. "There's that smile I fell in love with. And if you promise not to hate me, I'll admit that I knew this was gonna happen."
"You knew?" David asked from the doorway.
Richie looked up, he hadn't noticed the mortal. "Yeah. And I know it's rotten of me to not have said anything. But I couldn't." He looked back at Heather. "That's part of why I wanted you to know you could always come to me if something happened. I'm sorry, but I couldn't tell you."
"Why not?" she asked.
He shrugged. "Tradition, I guess."
"Tradition?" She repeated with a slight edge in her voice.
"Heather, I was new to this, I still am. I can't judge by situation, I just go by what I've been told."
"That's a stupid tradition," David scoffed.
"Hey!" Richie stood up. "That's what Mac did to me and I turned out just fine," he snapped.
"Richie..." Heather stood as well. "Don't get so upset."
Richie paused. "Sorry," he apologized. "Don't know what that was all about."
"Is something wrong with you and Duncan?" Heather asked.
"We had a fight a few years back, and... well, we're still kinda at odds with each other."
"What happened?"
Richie paused. "It's hard to explain. But we'll work it out, don't worry." Heather still looked worried. "Don't sweat it. If we can't work it out, we'll just pretend it never happened and beat the crap outta each other sparring or something," he smiled at her. "We're manly that way." Richie saw Heather's mouth open, then close as if she was going to say something and changed her mind. "What? You know you can ask me anything. I may not answer, but you can ask," he grinned.
"Nothing important. I just wanted to know when Duncan was going to arrive."
Richie automatically looked down at his watch, "Oh crap." He started moving towards the other room. "His plane is due in a couple hours. If I clean up now, we have time to go to breakfast and make it to the airport in time to pick him up. I'll be out in 15." Richie cleared the doorway he was standing in and made a run to his bedroom and the free bathroom to clean up. It'd be a record, but he could take a shower and be ready to go in time. As he passed the bathroom Brandon was in, he banged on the door. "Hurry up, we gotta get going in 15 minutes so we can pick up Mac at the airport!"
Without waiting for Brandon to answer, he finished grabbing his clothes and headed for the shower. After one of the quickest showers he had ever taken in his life, he met the others at the door and shoved them with him on his way to the car. "Come on, this place I know makes the BEST pancakes and waffles ever."