AN: Thanks for the reviews guys. Let's remember that I reposted chapter one and Richie is only eighteen. I love the constructive criticism, so as long as it is constructive bring it on. Here's the next chapter. I hope you enjoy.

"What do you mean she was murdered?" Tessa asked her eyes widening.

"Murdered," Richie repeated angrily. "Killed, you know she had her life taken from her."

"She knew what you meant by murdered," Mac said wryly. "I think the question now is what happened?"

Richie leaned his head against the back cushions of the sofa and sighed heavily. "It was so long ago. I haven't thought about it in a long time."

"Well just start at the beginning," Mac said placing a hand on the back of Richie's neck and massaging it gently.

"Why," Richie asked pulling away from Mac. "I mean she's dead. Whoever wrote this is just playing some cruel joke."

"Tell us what happened," Tessa pleaded taking the young man's hand.

Richie pursed his lips. The last thing he wanted to do was talk about this. Whoever had written the letter was right. The last memory he had of Emily was not a pleasant one.

Richie treasured his memories for the simple fact he could not remember what he truly wanted to know; who his parents were. So every new memory Richie made he tried desperately to hold on to. Still Richie's last memory of Emily Ryan, was one he was willing to forget.

"Come on tough guy," Mac said. "Tell us what's going on."

Richie looked up at Mac with pain in his eyes. The Highlander hated to make Richie talk about something painful, but he needed to know what was going on. Things that were not of the norm always seemed to happen to them, so he couldn't just take this with a grain of salt. Not that the circumstances would let him do that anyways.

"Richie, I know this hard for you," Mac said, referring to the fact that Richie almost never talks about his past. "But I really need you to tell me what happened."

Richie grumbled something neither Mac nor Tessa could comprehend.

"What was that?" Tessa asked.

Richie ran a tense hand through his curls. "I said I'm the one who got her killed."

1977

Little Richie Ryan skipped happily along side his mother Emily. It was a beautiful day in Seacouver. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and it was spring so there was warmth in the air. Best of all it was post office day. They had just left the post office and Richie knew that meant they were on their way to Mr. Stubbs Candy Shop. That meant Richie was going to get liquorish, his favorite. Richie loved post office day.

Mr. Stubbs smiled warmly as Richie and Emily entered the candy shop. "And how are my two favorite customers doing?"

Emily met the older man's smile with one of her own. "Richie and I are doing all right, aren't we little man?"

Richie's blonde curls bobbed back and forth as he nodded his head vigorously.

"You're getting bigger every time I see you," Mr. Stubbs told him. "Are you behaving for your mother?"

"Yes sir," Richie replied scratching his head.

"That's a good boy," Mr. Stubbs said.

"Can I have some liquorish now?" The little boy asked.

"Richie," Emily scolded.

Mr. Stubbs chuckled. "That's all right Emily." He reached into the jar and pulled out a handful of liquorish. "Here you go."

"Thank you," Richie said eagerly taking the candy. He popped a piece in his mouth and darted for the comics.

Emily laughed watching Richie pull down one of the comics. After a moment she turned back to Mr. Stubbs. "Here's my check."

Mr. Stubbs took the slip of paper. He handed Emily the amount of the check, minus the amount for the liquorish. "You've got a good boy on your hands there Emily."

"I know," Emily said glancing proudly at the young boy. "He's growing up too fast."

The two chatted for a while longer and then Emily went over to Richie. "It's time to go little man." She held out her hand.

Richie replaced the comic he had been looking at and took Emily's hand.

"I'm thirsty," Richie said.

"Let's get a drink before we go," Emily said smiling. "It's a long walk home."

They walked over to the coolers. Emily retrieved a coke bottle and handed it to Richie.

"Hold on tight," She said. "It's made of glass."

Richie nodded. "Okay."

"Everybody get your hands up," A man yelled running through the door. He had a gun in his hand and a ski mask over his face.

Emily stepped in front of Richie and put her hands up. Richie clung to the glass bottle in his hand. His heart was pounding wildly. Guns were bad and dangerous. His mommy had taught him that. This man had a gun and that terrified little Richie.

"Open the register," The robber said pointing the gun at Mr. Stubbs.

Mr. Stubbs frantically tried to do as he was told, but his hands were shaking so badly he couldn't hit the right key on the register.

"Hurry up," The man yelled.

"Leave him alone," Richie yelled stepping from behind Emily. His fear was forgotten at the moment. Richie liked Mr. Stubbs a whole lot and he didn't like this man being so mean to him.

"Richie be quiet," Emily said.

"Keep that kid of yours in check," The man said angrily pointing the gun at the young figure.

"Leave the boy alone," Mr. Stubbs said as the register popped open.

"You shut up," The man hit Mr. Stubbs with the gun.

"Mr. Stubbs!" Richie screamed running for the old man.

Richie dropped the coke bottle. The loud noise startled the gunman who turned towards the little boy. Emily grabbed Richie and turned just as the man fired his gun. She screamed as the bullet burned through her back. She collapsed on top of a once again terrified Richie.

The gunman, frantic and confused forgot about the money and ran out of the store.

Mr. Stubbs ran over to Emily, blood trickling down his face. "Richie," He called kneeling next to Emily. He helped the young boy out from underneath his mother. A blood soaked Richie clung to him as Mr. Stubbs ran back to the phone and called 911.

"Richie, I want you to stay here behind the counter all right," Mr. Stubbs hung the phone up and placed Richie on the stool the old man himself usually used. Richie was small enough that he couldn't see over the counter to where Emily's bloody body was lying.

Richie nodded and Mr. Stubbs went quickly back to Emily. The young woman's back was drenched in blood.

"Emily?" He asked gently rolling her over.

"Mr. Stubbs," She said dazed.

"Shh, don't talk," The old man told her. "Help is on the way."

Emily shook her head. "They won't make it in time." She coughed up blood. "Tell Richie that I love him."

"Don't talk like that Emily," He said. "You're going to be just fine." Mr. Stubbs knew she was going to die, but he didn't want to frighten Emily. Even now more blood was pooling around underneath her.

Emily smiled sadly. "Just tell Richie, please."

Mr. Stubbs went to reassure Emily that she would be all right, but she had taken her last breath. Her lifeless eyes stared up at him. Sighing sadly Mr. Stubbs closed Emily's eyes.

The ambulances and police came taking notes and asking questions. They had taken Richie outside and sat him on the back of a squad car. After the once over they realized most of the blood on Richie had been Emily's. He had a few cuts on his arms from the broken glass of the coke bottle, but other than that he was fine.

Well physically anyways. Emotionally and psychologically Richie was far from fine. His young mind was attempting to register everything that had just happened. His heart was still pounding wildly and he wanted to see his mommy.

Little Richie watched the coroner wheel away Emily's body. He didn't understand what was going on. Why were they taking away his mommy? Why was there a white sheet over her face?

Richie jumped out of the back of the car and chased after them. "Mommy, mommy!" He yelled.

A black and white uniformed officer who had seen the little boy take off quickly grabbed him before he could get to Emily's corpse.

"Whoa, hold on a second," The officer said scooping him up.

"I want to see my mommy," Richie said struggling in the officers arms.

The officer set Richie on the ground. The boy tried to run, but the officer held on to him by the arms. "Hey champ listen to me. My name is Officer Banks."

Richie looked at the officer, but he was anxious to get to his mommy. She was hurt and Richie wanted to be with her. "Why can't I see my mommy?" He asked worriedly.

Banks opened his mouth to explain but Mr. Stubbs came over and put a hand on Richie's shoulder. "I'm sorry little man. I am so sorry."

The little boy turned to look at the old man. "Mr. Stubbs, where are they taking my mommy?" Richie asked in a small, scared voice.

"Richie your mother," Mr. Stubbs stopped. He didn't know how to tell him. "Your mommy has gone to heaven."

"The bad man killed her?" Richie asked, tears streaking his face as it dawned on him why no one would let him see Emily.

Mr. Stubbs nodded. "I'm sorry little man."

"I want to see her," Richie yelled trying to run past Mr. Stubbs, but Officer Banks still had a hold on him so he didn't get very far. "I want to see her," Richie yelled again.

"I can't let you do that, Richie," Banks said sternly, but gently.

"Why not," Richie asked almost hysterically. "She's my mommy."

Mr. Stubbs kneeled down next to the boy and said, "Richie, your mommy loved you very much. She wanted me to tell you that, and I know she wouldn't want you to see her the way she is now, but she would want you to remember how she was."

"I want my mommy," Richie said sadly. He leaned into Mr. Stubbs and cried.

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