Disclaimer: Highlander belongs to Davis/Panzer. They are being borrowed and returned hopefully in about the same shape they were taken in. Jeff, Emmy, and just about everyone else, belong to me. You can use them if you like, just return them please.
Chapter 23
Rick was actually the first one to arrive at the restaurant. He was so nervous about tonight that he was sure he would not make it through a salad, let alone a full meal. His stomach was churning. He really wondered if he should have had those two hot dogs at lunch. They did not feel like they were sitting well, now that he was waiting for the crew.
Jeff showed up next, actually looking mature in a brown suit with a red tie. The look worked for him, though he never liked to dress up if he could get away with it.
"You look sharp tonight," Rick told him, flicking that tie up. He spoke with more bravado than he really felt, under the circumstances.
"You clean up good yourself, grease monkey," Jeff replied, fingers automatically putting the tie back into order.
Rick shrugged. "I guess... where do you think they are?"
Jeff looked at him. "Really? I'm pretty sure they're both still doing their makeup in the bathrooms right now. It'll probably be another five minutes, at least. Girls always like to show up fashionably late."
Rick's eyes narrowed slightly, but he seemed to bite back a retort. His gaze flicked past Jeff. "Or right on time." Emmy's car was pulling into the parking lot entrance.
"Okay, so Immortals are different," Jeff said blithely.
Rick let it go, as he always did. Though he wondered, as he also always did, if he was doing his friend any favors by not telling him how that attitude kept the very type of women he preferred from taking him seriously.
They waited as the two women got out of Emmy's car, both looking over towards the entrance. Emmy smiled and waved, clearly excited. Amanda was as still as a statue. She just stared at Rick, her eyes huge. Emmy turned and saw her standing frozen, so she walked around the car, and grabbed Amanda's hand. Rick could see that Amanda's expression did not change as Emmy tugged her along, lips moving in constant chatter until they got close to the men.
"Richie?" Amanda asked thinly, her gaze intent. "Richie, is that really you?"
"Hi Amanda, how are you?" Rick asked, blinking against tears that suddenly threatened. He smiled and held out his hand.
Amanda did not take his hand; instead, she punched him in the jaw.
The action was so unexpected, Rick stumbled backwards and Jeff had to catch him, grinning broadly. "Ouch," Rick said, rubbing his jaw. He blinked at Amanda, the punch a good excuse for the tears that made it past his eyelashes.
"You've been alive all this time, and you never told us? How is this even possible? Joe told me Duncan killed you. That he saw him take your head." Though angry, she spoke quietly. No need for strangers to hear. She looked hurt and confused.
Rick could understand why. They had been friends. She had treated him almost like a little brother. He straightened up and shook his head as the pain of the punch faded. "I have a private table reserved in the back of the restaurant. Why don't we all head back there, and I'll try to explain things to your satisfaction."
Amanda nodded and folded her arms, glaring darkly at both Emmy and Rick. "This had better be good."
Amanda and Emmy returned to the house around half past ten. Both women were exhausted from the emotional rollercoaster ride of the evening.
"I never thought anything like this could happen. Immortals can't fake their own beheadings, it's impossible." Amanda was still in shock.
"I know, but he's here. And Amanda, I'm so glad. He's everything I've ever wanted. Amanda, he's wonderful."
"He's different, Emmy. I remember what he used to be like, and the man he is now... is just that, a man," Amanda said, shaking her head in disbelief. "I can't remember ever seeing him like this. It's like he's a completely different person. Still, I'm kind of sad that it's taken him so long to come out and tell us he's alive. All that wasted time." She closed her eyes for a moment, and Emmy could see that her lashes were damp.
She nodded and touched her friend's arm gently. "But come on, Amanda. I mean, Duncan did put him through a lot. You know he did. He never thought that he'd let his old life affect his present one. He was never going to let anyone know Richie was alive. This has been a real breakthrough for him. The thing I'm worried about is Duncan's reaction. That's why we decided to tell you first."
For a moment Amanda stared at her, expression opaque. "You know Em, this is one of those times when I have no idea at all how Duncan will react. I mean, he could be so happy that he hugs Richie on the spot. Then again, who knows? He could be so hurt by this, that he never speaks to him again." Amanda shrugged her shoulders. "All I can say is that I hope that Mac doesn't... isn't furious. And I don't think he will be. It almost killed him, when he thought he'd killed Richie. At least now, though, he won't blame himself for that anymore. Just for him hiding himself away all these years."
"I agree, so what's the plan?" Emmy asked.
"Plan?" Amanda had crossed her arms, but threw them open wide and started pacing. "Oh no, I am not being the go-between in this thing. If Richie wants to talk to Duncan, he's going to have to do it himself." She re-crossed her arms and gave Emmy her best, 'that's final' glare.
"Oh come on, Amanda, you have to help us. We'll be lost without you." In return, Emmy gave Amanda her best puppy dog look.
Amanda returned that with a troubled frown. "How about we both head to bed and just discuss this in the morning with the boys?"
Emmy nodded, "Okay, I can go with that. Besides, I bet you need the sleep. Jet lag can be a killer."
"Yes it can. Oh, and don't think that just because I now know why you dragged me down here, it means you're getting out of going to the beach with me. I brought a bikini and I'm using it." With that, Amanda headed to her room for bed. It had been a long couple of days.
