Author's Notes:I'm going to try to update as much as I can today because I'm not sure when I'll get to a computer again.

Chapter Five: The Letter:

"Richie, we need to talk." Mac said the following morning when he caught the younger Immortal making breakfast.

"I didn't do it!" he retorted out of old habit. "At least I don't think I've done anything. C'mon Mac it's too early!"

Mac laughed. "Calm down. It doesn't have to deal with you. It has to deal with Joe and Tilly."

That caught his attention. "I'm all ears."

The Highlander told him what happened between the Watcher and his friend. Richie couldn't believe it. He knew it. "Oh, man Tilly is never going to live this down!" he said happily. "I can't wait to tell Angie!"

"Richie, there's more." Mac hadn't told him the other part yet but he did and when he did Richie wasn't too happy.

"Are you serious? He left?" he asked.

"Yeah, and he wants me to give her this," Mac pulled out the letter. "But I think you should."

"Great that son of a bitch breaks her heart and leaves us to pick up the pieces."

"Don't you think you're being a little harsh Richie?" Mac asked.

"No," answered Richie. "It's a lame excuse if you ask me."

"Can't you see that he's doing this for her. He doesn't want her to get hurt."

"So, we risk love everyday, and sometimes it's worth it." Richie reminded him. "Or have you forgot that?"

Mac glared at Richie that was uncalled for. "Sorry Mac, I'm just angry at Joe at the moment. You could tell how much Tilly liked him. I'll out." Richie went out to find Tilly.

"Tills!" Richie called out when he reached the shelter.

"She's not here." Replied Angie. "She took a personal day."

"I can't say I blame her." Said Richie. "So, you know whats up?"

"Yeah, she told me what happened."

"Well, surprise there's more." Richie told her what Mac told him.

"Damn, when Tilly finds it's going to kill her."

"I know, Joe left her a note though." Richie showed her the note that Mac gave him.

"You better go tell her, I'm going to stay here until my shift ends and then I'll join you guys."

At the apartment, Tilly was cleaning up. She always cleaned when she was upset. It distracted her a bit. Plus, the apartment could use a good clean down. She was about to mop the kitchen when a knock came to the door. When she opened she was surprised to see Richie. Tilly wasn't expecting him today. Then again she figured Joe filled him on what happened. She was somewhat right. It was Mac who did.

"Hey," he greeted softly. "Mind if I come in?"

"Sure," she answered and stepped aside so she could let him in. Tilly closed the door behind him.

"I heard what happened. Mac told me." Richie informed her. "I'm sorry." He pulled her into a friendly hug.

"Me too," she said when they parted.

"I have something for you." Richie handed her the note from Joe.

Tilly took it, opened it up and read it:

Tilly,

If you're reading this, this I'm all ready gone. I left, but I didn't want to leave without saying anything. This is all for you. Trust me, you would only be putting your life in danger in you got involved with me. Maybe next lifetime things can be different.

Love,
Joe

"So, he's gone." Said Tilly handing the note to Richie. "I guess you're not going to tell me where he went…"

"I'm sorry," Richie said again.

"You know I'm really getting sick of that word." Tilly said sadly. "Can you just leave me a lone for awhile? Please?"

"Are you sure?" Richie asked.

"Yeah, I got to finish up here anyway."

Richie didn't want to but he didn't want to push her so he left and went back to the shelter. "How is she?" Angie asked him.

Richie shrugged. "It's hard to tell. She's cleaning."

"That is so not a good sign. You know she does that when she gets upset."

"Well, at least the apartment will be clean." Richie joked with her.

Angie hit him. "You know you guys are going to cause me some serious bruises." Richie teased her again but he knew that wasn't true. The bruises would heal but Angie didn't know that.

"You know, this is all your fault." Angie reminded him.

"What? How?" Richie demanded.

"You were the one who hooked them up. She told you no, but you persisted." Angie told him. "So, you messed this up, you fix it."

"Damn straight I will," he promised. "I'm just going to need reinforcements." He said with an evil grin.

TBC…