Duncan knew that Melissa hadn't come home the night before. He was happy for Richie, yet slightly worried that something would go wrong and Richie's heart would end up in pieces. In some ways, the kid was naive, easily tricked, easily used, easily hurt.
Going downstairs to open the Dojo, he expected to find Melissa there, eager to please, and ready to be abused by him. But no one was there. When she didn't show up hours later, he began to worry. Leaving the few regulars to themselves, he went into the office and called Richies' place.
After three rings, Richie answered, groggy. "Yeah?"
"Rich, where is she?" Duncan demanded. "She promised me that she would continue to train with me, and already she goes back on her word?"
"I'm sorry Mac-" Richie began before Melissa came on the line.
"It's my fault Duncan! I swear, it won't happen again! I'll make it up to you. I'll work with you extra long today. I'll be there in half an hour. I'm truly sorry, Duncan."
Forty-five minutes later, they arrived, giggling and flushed. Looking up from the paperwork he was doing, Duncan watched them enter and head his way. He had never seen Richie look quite so happy.
"I'm really sorry Duncan-" Melissa began as they entered the office. "I'll work all night if you want me to."
"Thought we were house hunting today?" He looked up, surprised that she had forgotten. Melissa looked at Richie who looked embarrassed as he shrugged at Duncan. "We kind of decided on putting that off for a while. Lissa will stay with me from now on. Lissa, why don't you go gather your things while I talk to Mac." He gave her a kiss before she left the room, but he watched her until she disappeared from sight.
"Rich-" Duncan started but Richie cut him off.
"I know what you're going to say Mac." He shut the door and came to sit in the chair across from him. "That a relationship is the last thing Lissa needs right now. That I should be careful about who I fall in love with because I haven't been lucky with the women in my past. I know all that. But with Lissa, it's different! She's wonderful, there's this connection we have. I've never felt this way before."
"Whoa! Rich, I was just going to say, I'm happy for you." Duncan winced at the look of disbelief on the other man's face. "You deserve some happiness. You must remember that she's got enemies in this town, and you have to let her train. You won't always be there to protect her, and you must obey the rules of the game. You can't interfere."
"I know, and…thanks Mac. You don't know how much it means to me that you approve." Richie sighed.
"Just be careful Rich." Duncan rose as he saw Melissa approaching slowly, almost afraid to interrupt them. Motioning her to enter he opened the door. "Okay, you need to get lost. Melissa and I have to work."
"How close am I Duncan?" Melissa asked later that evening as they waited for Richie to show up. When Duncan just looked at her, confused, she added. "To being strong enough."
"Strong enough for what?"
"To protect myself, to defeat another person." Melissa cocked her head to one side. A habit, Duncan noticed, that she did when she was speaking seriously.
"Well, if you were mugged, you could escape without being harmed, I believe." Duncan answered, evasively. When she continued to look at him, he sighed. "To survive, you must not go out looking for trouble, but to only fight when it's absolutely necessary. To protect yourself."
"What about to get even, have you ever went after someone for past wrongs? Out of revenge? Like the guy who killed your Tessa? Did you go after him?"
"We didn't know who he was until recently. Richie went after him. I went for revenge before….but it won't bring anyone back. Richie learned that in the end. He couldn't kill the man. The guy had straightened out and had a family."
"But what if the guy was evil. That he would continue hurting people over and over until he was dead. Would you go after him then?"
"Maybe. I'm not a saint, Melissa, I've made mistakes. Luckily, with most of them, I've learned from them." Duncan sensed Richie coming and hurriedly asked. "This guy you want, is he the one that killed your sister?"
"Yes, he still has something of Kellie's. Something that I want back." She turned and ran into Richie's arms as he entered, ending the conversation. Her words caused Duncan to look after her, and frown. He would have to warn Richie about her need for revenge. Until then, he'd ask around about this Kruger.