Disclaimer: I do not own Murder By Numbers, characters or anything that has to do with it. I own Faith, Dr. Neil and any other characters that are added in the story in later chapters.

Chpt. 2: Rings and Strawberries

Faith and Richard had been sitting in that little room for almost two hours.

"So we decided to just do it. See how far we could get with the perfect murder. I didn't kill her though. It was Justin I swear to it."

"I know and the courts know. They found the tape in your basement. Justin is in jail for life with parole. I haven't talked to him yet. I wanted to see you first. I talked to the court and they said you can go home in a few years. That's if you have good behavior and stop threatening the other residents." She glared at him.

"You heard about that huh?" He hung his head down a little smirking.

"Yeah I heard about that. Richard what has happened to you? I mean you were always the smartass rich kid but when did you become a jerk too? I saw what you did to that freshman when you entered your junior year. You took her books and threw them in the garbage then proceeded to call her a fat cow."

"I wanted to apologize but everyone was laughing and the whole day I was getting complimented and I became popular in my sophomore year. I was finally someone to people."

"So you figured, hey if people notice me now, how about I kill someone too?" Faith said getting upset.

"No, I…I don't know why I did it. I guess I figured that we got away with everything any way, so why not something else." Faith moved her seat back a little and sighed.

"I've got to go Richard." Faith got up and Richard threw himself at her and hugged her middle.

"Please don't go. I need you here. Please." He sobbed into her stomach. Faith got down on her knees beside Richard and pulled him away a little. 'This isn't like him. He was never this weak.'

"I'll be back Richard. I promise. Just be good and you'll get out of here. We'll find a place for you out of town and everything will be ok. I promise."

"Do you remember a ring you gave me on the first day of middle school?" They stood up and Richard tapped on the glass. One of the attendants came out and handed him a ring. He walked over to Faith and showed her the ring. It was a silver band that Faith had given him the first day of middle school, right before she got into the car and drove off for private school. She remembered it so clearly. Tears sprang into her eyes as she turned it over in her hand. Richard gently lifted her head up and brushed away some of the fallen tears with his thumb. She smiled and handed him back the ring.

"Yeah and we stood in the middle of the street hugging until my father pulled me into the car."

"Were you and your dad ok after that?" Faith flinched as he asked that question.

"No. He still smacked me around. Still does sometimes if I do something stupid, but you know I deserve it or it wouldn't happen you know?"

"You don't deserve it Faith. You never did and never will. Why don't you tell anyone?"

"I never told anyone except you. Not even Sarah, I never really told her anything about my home life. I never invited her over either; I guess that's why she never called anymore. Do you remember her?"

"Yeah that little blonde girl we'd hang out with. She had the swimming pool?" Faith nodded and stepped forward and held on to Richard. His arms held her waist pulling her closer.

"Don't ever forget me Richard."

"How could I?" 'She still smells like strawberries. How can I remember that when I can't remember anything else?"

"Well I got to get going. I have a long drive home." Faith pulled away. Richard let her go and nodded.

"You still live with your father?" He asked and noticed her flinch again.

"Yeah, I'd move in with Bryan but I'm not ready for that kind of commitment."

"Brian?"

"Yeah he's my boyfriend. We've been going out for a few months now." Richard didn't say anything, just licked his lips, head hung down. There was a knock on the window behind Faith signaling that time was just about up. Richard looked up at her and sighed.

"Well I guess that's your signal huh?"

"Yeah, I'll come by tomorrow after work. I promise Richard and you know I never break a promise." She hugged him and watched as the same two attendants led him back out the door.

Driving home Faith thought about what had happened those last 3 hours. Tear formed as she remembered them as kids at the lake and going for hikes in the woods behind her house. Even the endless nights in the tree house when she needed to get away from her father. Richard was always with her those nights, making sure she slept. 'He really means a lot to me. Why hadn't I seen it before? Not that I like him like "that" though. I have Brian. Sure he's not always around but still, he's busy with his job at the club and all. I just wish he was around more like Richard was.'

Richard laid down on his bed with the pictures. Slowly he looked through all of them remembering all the times they were together whether it was in the tree house staying up late comforting Faith after another blow from her father or at the lake laying on the dock looking at the stars. 'I hope he doesn't lay another hand on her. It would sure be a shame to have to beat him to a bloody pulp. I'd do a lot for her. I wonder what's up with this guy Brian. Better be treating her right or he'll be gone too. Ugh what am I thinking? Of course he's ok, he's with Faith. She always knew kind of guy she wanted.'

Well that's it for the second chapter! Please review! Flames welcome too.